'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
AEW offered a 13-match Dark episode this week that featured some of the most promising names in the company.
The latest Dark featured some big moments as always, including a few debuts. The in-ring action got underway with a tag team contest.
The Gunn Club vs. Lee Johnson & Brock Anderson (w/ Arn Anderson) on AEW Dark
Brock Anderson got the early momentum against The Gunn Club as he showcased his move set and focused on his opponent's left arm.
The babyfaces' chemistry looked great until Austin Gunn regained control for his team. Anderson took some punishment before evading a clothesline in the corner for the hot tag.
Lee Johnson stunned Austin Gunn with a few elbow strikes but missed the Cross Rhodes. Colten hit a beautiful dropkick for a two-count, and Brock Anderson urged his partner to reach out for the tag,
The Gunn Club worked the match at their pace for the next few minutes before Johnson began his comeback. Johnson created the space and tagged Brock Anderson, who landed big clotheslines.
Anderson popped the crowd with a double DDT for a near fall. He continued with Austin Gunn but couldn't catch Colten Gunn's blindsided kidney shot. Austin rolled up Anderson to steal a victory over the faces.
Result: The Gunn Club def. Lee Johnson & Brock Anderson on AEW Dark
Grade: B+
Abadon vs. Charlette Renegade (w/ Robyn Renegade) on AEW Dark
Charlette Renegage taunted Abadon to start the match, and she regretted her decision as AEW's Dead Girl responded with a tiaras takedown.
Abadon hit a running senton and finished the match with the leg-hook DDT.
Result: Abadon def. Charlette Renegade on AEW Dark
Grade: D
Eddie Kingston vs. Colin Delaney on AEW Dark
The Mad King was incredibly loved at Universal Studios as the audience popped during his entrance.
Kingston started slow and eventually executed a side headlock takedown. Colin Delaney was no pushover as he went chop-for-chop with Eddie Kingston.
A loud "Eddie" chant broke out as Kingston took shots from his opponent. Delaney almost pulled off an upset with a springboard stunner as the fans backed Kingston.
Eddie reversed a hammer throw and executed a Saito suplex. Kingston missed a spinning back fist but didn't fail with a classic DDT, which won him the match.
Result: Eddie Kingston def. Colin Delaney on AEW Dark
Grade: B+
Penelope Ford vs. Willow Nightingale on AEW Dark
Penelope Ford tried to end the match quickly, but Willow did well to weather the storm early on.
The Superbad Girl went on to hit most of her moves, including a handspring elbow and a pump kick in the corner.
Nightingale got some offense in with two short-arm clotheslines. She then bodied Penelope with a shoulder tackle, and fans were on their feet after the move!
Willow, however, landed hard after a missed moonsault press from the top rope, which gave Penelope Ford the momentum going into the final few seconds of the match.
Penelope hit a basement dropkick, followed by the Muta Lock for the win.
Result: Penelope Ford def. Willow Nightingale on AEW Dark
Grade: B
Sonny Kiss and Joey Janela exchanged words in a backstage segment before their No Rules match.
Brandi Rhodes vs. Robyn Renegade (w/ Charlette Renegade) on AEW Dark
Brandi Rhodes kicked off the AEW Dark match with a quick pinfall attempt. Charlette Renegade helped her sister by distracting Brandi from the outside.
Robyn Renegade wore Rhodes down with some submission-based offense, but Brandi fought back and landed a thrust kick to buy some time. Charlette got involved in the match once again by jumping on the apron. This prompted Arn Anderson to walk out and confront Charlette Renegade. The legendary veteran even teased pulling out his 'gun' during the ringside angle.
Arn Anderson directed Charlette to the backstage area as the match resumed. Rhodes got a near fall with a pop-up elbow strike and looked to work towards the finish.
Robyn was resilient as she went up top to deliver a massive Frog splash. Brandi Rhodes kicked out of the pinfall, changed levels, and connected with a pump kick.
Brandi then locked her Stretch Marks submission hold for the victory.
Result: Brandi Rhodes def. Robyn Renegade on AEW Dark
Grade: B+
Jora Johl vs. Julius Coleman (AEW Debut) on AEW Dark
A 'Let's Go Julius' chant echoed before the match as the AEW debutant used his agility to outsmart Jora Johl.
The H.F.O. member was savage with his attacks as he landed multiple shots and delivered a clean Cradle shot. Johl got the three-count after connecting with a brutal running boot across Coleman's jaw.
Result: Jora Johl def. Julius Coleman (AEW Debut) on AEW Dark
Grade: D
The Wingmen featured in a Christmas-themed backstage segment where they sent a message to the Best Freinds in their promo.
Carlie Bravo vs. Isiah Kassidy (w/ Jora Johl) on AEW Dark
Isiah Kassidy didn't even let the bell ring as he assaulted Carlie Bravo from the back. Bravo quickly recuperated as he wiped out Jora Johl on the outside.
Kassidy took advantage of the chaos by taking Bravo out with an epic tornillo! Isiah exuded confidence as he dominated the proceedings until Bravo put together a few clotheslines.
Bravo got a near fall with a scissor kick, which would have surely made Booker T proud. Isiah caught Bravo with a corkscrew kick and went for a stunner from the middle turnbuckle. However, both men botched the finish but still completed the final pinfall. That looked awkward!
Result: Isiah Kassidy def. Carlie Bravo on AEW Dark
Grade: B
Kiera Hogan vs. Shalonce Royal on AEW Dark
Shalonce Royal tried to catch Kiera Hogan off guard, but the IMPACT Wrestling star was quite alert to the danger.
Royal eventually got a headlock and sang high notes in her trademark opera style. Hogan landed a dropkick and capitalized on the opening with a roll-up.
Hogan escaped the firewoman's carry and knocked her opponent out with a roundhouse kick for the win.
Result: Kiera Hogan def. Shalonce Royal on AEW Dark
Grade: C
Bear Country vs. Zack Clayton & Mike Orlando (AEW Tag Team Debut) on AEW Dark
Bear Boulder started the match on the back foot as the heels isolated him in their corner. Boulder executed an incredible backdrop before tagging Bronson into the contest.
Zack Clayton and Mike Orlando looked solid as a tandem as they kept Bronson grounded for a couple of minutes.
Bronson changed gears and took out his opponents with a double crossbody before tagging Boulder.
Bear Boulder executed a DDT-Samoan drop combo and got his partner back into the match. Bear Country delivered the Bear Bomb for another victory in the books.
Result: Bear Country def. Zack Clayton & Mike Orlando on AEW Dark
Grade: B
After the match, Bear Country featured in an in-ring interview segment with Tony Schiavone. The Acclaimed answered their open challenge and set up a massive bout for next week's Dark.
Dark Order's 10 vs. Leroy Patterson (w/ Howdy) (AEW Debut) on AEW Dark
The Dark Order's 'strongest member' got a great reception from the crowd before his AEW Dark match. Negative One was also in his corner as Preston Vance locked up with Leroy Patterson.
The AEW debutant was an engaging personality as he ripped off his suit in the middle of the match. Negative One covered his eyes as 10 proceeded to decimate Patterson.
Negative One had fans in splits after he stole Howdy's hat and ran around the ring. 10 got Patterson back into the ring and put him to sleep with the Full Nelson hold.
Result: Dark Order's 10 def. Leroy Patterson (w/ Howdy) (AEW Debut) on AEW Dark
Grade: C
Red Velvet vs. La Rosa Negra on AEW Dark
La Rosa Negra showed great power to execute a delayed gourd buster. She complained about the referee's slow count and wasted some precious time.
Red Velvet took advantage and delivered a reverse cazadora slam from the top rope, followed by two stiff clotheslines. Velvet dropped her opponent with a bulldog and a kick across the jaw. She hit the Final Slice and scored another win.
Result: Red Velvet def. La Rosa Negra on AEW Dark
Grade: C
AEW Dark Co-Main Event: Capt. Shawn Dean vs. Lucas Chase
The Captain looked smooth during the early exchanges with Lucas Chase. A few high boots helped Dean create space for the follow-up punches.
Soon after, Shawn Dean delivered a perfect DDT and got some style points for a kip-up. He finished the match with a flying splash from the top rope.
Result: Capt. Shawn Dean def. Lucas Chase
Grade: C
AEW Dark Main Event: Serpentico (w/ Luther) vs. Matt Sydal
Serpentico got the upper hand by throwing his coat in Sydal's face during the pre-match introductions.
Sydal stopped Serpentico in his tracks and delivered a brilliant hurricanrana, followed by a round kick. Matt locked in the bow-and-arrow stretch and kept up the pressure with a relentless stomp to the stomach.
Matt Sydal got several pinfall attempts, but Serpentico didn't go down quickly tonight. Luther barked orders from the ringside area as Serpentico gradually gained some control in the match.
Serpentico went for a top suicida but accidentally crashed into Luther. Sydal rocked Sepentico with a backheel kick in the ring. He wasn't done as Sydal put together a combination of strikes.
He gathered pace and stunned Serpentico with a double-knee shot in the corner. Serpentico reversed a few kicks and delivered a massive flatliner for a near fall.
The finishing sequence began with Serpentico missing his top-rope stomp. Sydal caught his opponent with a roundhouse kick, followed by the Lightning Spiral for the win.
Result: Matt Sydal def. Serpentico on AEW Dark
Grade: B+
Matt Sydal ended the latest Dark episode by celebrating with the crowd. You can check out the entire show above, and feel free to share your reviews in the comments section below.
