AEW Dark Results - Mysterious masked men debut, Hangman Page in massive main event, Fan-favorite destroyed (11th January 2022)

Orange Cassidy vs. JD Drake on AEW Dark

The Wingmen's JD Drake came out flanked by two masked men on AEW Dark. He also had fresh in-ring gear, and it seemed like he was transitioning to a new creative direction.

Orange Cassidy got one of the best reactions on the show as fans welcomed him with massive cheers. Drake outmuscled Cassidy during the early lock-up. After sticking his hands into the pocket, Freshly Squeezed got an expected pop from the fans.

Cassidy's nonchalant kicks got even louder reactions as Drake's frustrations reached a boiling point, and he unleashed a monstrous chop. JD missed the senton but stopped Cassidy from going for a body slam.

Drake planted his opponent with an identical move but couldn't capitalize on the momentum as he got dumped outside. JD stopped the tope suicida and ricocheted Cassidy off the apron.

The mysterious masked men attacked Cassidy while the referee argued with JD in the ring. Drake faked a chop and landed a right-hand punch as the action stayed in the ringside area. The Wingmen member mocked Cassidy while his lackeys waited for the opportunity to strike.

Cassidy powered out of a chin lock and slammed Drake's head into the turnbuckle pad. He knocked Drake off his feet with a crossbody and again went for a body slam. Cassidy ditched the plan and took out the masked men with a tope suicida.

Drake was next as he got laid out with a perfect tornado DDT. He regained control and got a near fall following a cannonball senton in the corner.

Chuck Taylor and Wheeler Yuta ran out to level the playing field and took out Drake's goons. Back in the ring, Cassidy almost picked up a roll-up victory.

Drake reacted with the Bossman slam for another near fall. JD headed up for the moonsault, but Cassidy rolled out of the way. He finally pulled off the body slam as the entire arena erupted! Cassidy connected with the Orange Punch and got the three-count. Great match!

Result: Orange Cassidy def. JD Drake

Grade: A

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Taz called Orange Cassidy a 'main event guy' and credited him for changing the match's pace when it mattered the most.

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Aaron Solo vs. Dante Martin

The two high-flyers began the match with a technical lock-up before the action spilled over to the ringside area.

Aaron grabbed Martin by the hair and landed some ground-and-pound strikes. Dante executed a modified flatliner for a one-count and kept up the pressure with ax-handle shots to the back.

Solo responded with thrust and corkscrew kicks and got Dante down with his quick offense. Dante came back with a perfect tope suicida before rolling Solo into the ring.

Dante hit the Nose Dive finisher for the win.

Result: Dante Martin def. Aaron Solo

Grade: B

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Jade Cargill and Smart Mark Sterling boasted about their accomplishments during a backstage interview. The TBS Champion was scheduled to face Skye Blue on Dark, and she signed off with a daunting message to her opponent.

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Eddie Kingston vs. Joey Janela (w/ Kayla Rossi)

Eddie Kingston made his entrance with a taped shoulder. He was visibly in a lot of pain as he limped his way towards the squared circle. The first-time-ever match between Janela and Kingston got underway with an aggressive tie-up and exchange of wrist locks.

Kingston slapped Janela across the face in an attempt to 'punk him out,' as noted by Taz. Eddie called for Janela to fire off a few chops. Kingston looked unfazed as he showed Joey how to deliver effective chops.

Kingston then got an overhead throw before returning to the machine gun chops. Janela's chest was already quite red as he tried to get back into the match. The Bad Boy laid out Kingston outside but lost his balance on the top rope. It was all just a calculated misdirection as Kayla Rossi landed a moonsault splash on Eddie while the referee wasn't looking.

Joey attacked Kingston's injured left knee with a brutal dragonscrew. The latter couldn't get to a vertical base as Joey went to work on the knee. Kingston battled through the pain and threw himself out of the ring for a tope suicida. This man is inhumane!

The Mad King gathered pace as he landed heavy-handed chops, followed by a snap suplex and a german variation with the bridge.

Eddie was in tremendous pain but still found the extra gear to get in seven turnbuckle punches. Janela lifted him and delivered a vicious powerbomb.

Janela went to the top as Eddie struggled to get to his feet but still dug deep to stun his opponent with a slap. Both men were perched upon the top buckle, and Kingston got the last laugh with an avalanche suplex.

Kingston had a bruise under his left eye as the action once again moved to the outside. Rossi went to the top herself and waited for the perfect chance to catch Eddie off guard. However, she accidentally took out Janela, and the friendly fire proved costly for the heel.

Kingston returned Janela to the ring but ate two thrust kicks. Eddie was done playing around as he hit the lariat and a Northern Lights Bomb for a hard-fought victory.

Result: Eddie Kingston def. Joey Janela (w/ Kayla Rossi)

Grade: A

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Thunder Rosa vs. Kasey Fox (Debut)

Kasey Fox rejected Thunder Rosa's handshake and went on the offensive. The debutant looked very green in the ring as she tried to keep up with her established opponent.

It didn't take time for Rosa to dictate the match as she got Fox down with a short-arm clothesline. Rosa hit two leaping dropkicks, followed by the Death Valley Driver.

The former NWA Champion forced Fox to tap out to the Peruvian Necktie and scored a quick submission win.

Result: Thunder Rosa def. Kasey Fox

Grade: C

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QT Marshall and Nick Comoroto voiced their desire to become tag team champions as the duo was slated to feature in a title eliminator match. The Factory leader did all the talking during their backstage promo.

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Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Alexander Moss

Powerhouse Hobbs had a routine victory on Dark.

Powerhouse Hobbs rushed to the ring in his overalls and sandwiched his helpless opponent before the bell rang.

Hobbs wrapped up the contest with the Torture Rack.

Result: Powerhouse Hobbs def. Alexander Moss

Grade: Powerhouse Squash!