AEW Dark Results (May 25th, 2021) - Star picks up first win,  Popular tag team breaking up, Scary spot, Cody Rhodes, and more

AEW Dark Results from May 25th, 2021
AEW Dark Results from May 25th, 2021

Taz and Excalibur hyped up the AEW Dark match card and the upcoming Double or Nothing pay-per-view before moving on to the first match of the evening.


Nick Comoroto (w/ The Factory) vs. Duke Davis on AEW Dark

The Freakbeast pushed Davis into the corner and the match, as expected, was all about Comoroto's dominance.

Nick powerslammed Davis within seconds of the match. He didn't waste much time as he drove his opponent down with a powerbomb to pick up another AEW Dark win.

Result: Nick Comoroto def. Duke Davis on AEW Dark

Grade: F


QT Marshall instructed Justin Roberts to announce that Factory member Aaron Solow will also have his singles match against Ganon Jones, who was at ringside to support Duke Davis.


Aaron Solow vs. Ganon Jones Jr. on AEW Dark

Solow started the match with closed-fist right-hand shots. Ganon Jones wasn't backing down either as he connected with a big kick.

Solow clipped Jones' knee and took control of the match. Solow hit his pedigree-like finisher for the win. Taz laughed and cheekily claimed that he'd never seen that finisher before.

Result: Aaron Solow def. Ganon Jones Jr. on AEW Dark

Grade: D


Dark Order's Preston "10" Vance vs. Dillon McQueen (w/ Cody Rhodes) on AEW Dark

Cody Rhodes made one of his rare AEW Dark appearances to support The Nightmare Family's 'prized pupil' Dillon McQueen.

10 had the power advantage in the match, and he pushed McQueen back to begin the contest. Dillon delivered an overhand chop, but 10 remained unfazed and got back with a shoulder tackle.

Vance charged in with a clothesline in the corner, followed by ten punches to the head. McQueen tried to gather some momentum, but Preston dropped him with a body check.

Vance was dominating the proceedings as he sent McQueen crashing with a Samoan Drop. McQueen paused on the steps, but Vance followed him to the outside.

Dillon attacked Vance's surgically repaired left bicep. He followed it with a double-knee strike to Vance's spine. McQueen was fired up as he trash-talked at 10.

McQueen threw a series of wild rights, followed by a kick to the back of the head after glancing off the ropes. Dillon got a two-count for his efforts.

10 stepped into an elbow strike but ate a splash. McQueen was on song as he came off the middle ropes and hit a flatliner variation for another near fall. McQueen had a chin lock on 10, but the Dark Order member broke free and knocked him down with two clotheslines.

10 executed a flying clothesline from the middle turnbuckle and fed off the audience as McQueen rolled out of the ring. Dillon almost pulled off an upset with a roll-up, but Vance kicked out and delivered his trademark spinebuster.

Vance locked in the Full Nelson hold and forced Dillon to tap out. It was a reasonably solid effort from Cody Rhodes' student.

Result: Dark Order's Preston "10" Vance def. Dillon McQueen on AEW Dark

Grade: B+

Dark Order's Evil Uno & Colt Cabana vs. Steven Andrews & Simon Lotto (AEW Tag Team Debut) on AEW Dark

Dark Order.
Dark Order.

Colt Cabana had Simon Lotto in a side headlock to begin the AEW Dark match. Uno came in, and the veteran Dark Order members worked in tandem to drop both their opponents.

Andrews was the legal man now, and he impressed with an extensive arm drag sequence. Uno, however, responded immediately with a big body block.

Dark Order delivered a Manhattan drop-dropkick combo on Andrews as Cabana came into the match. Cabana sent Andrews into the corner with a hammer throw, but Steven hit an enziguri and tagged in Lotto, who brought some momentum back to their side.

Cabana recuperated and stunned Lotto with a big right. Uno came in next and hit a flatliner on Andrews. Dark Order's Number 1 then delivered another ripcord flatliner on Lotto for the win.

Result: Dark Order's Evil Uno & Colt Cabana def. Steven Andrews & Simon Lotto on AEW Dark

Grade: C


Big Swole & KiLynn King vs. The Bunny & Madi Wrenkowski (w/ The Blade) on AEW Dark

King rushed straight at The Bunny, and the referee had to break things up in the chaotic AEW Dark match. Madi came in, and the contest finally got underway.

King dropped Madi with a clothesline and full body slam. Bunny mocked King from the apron, and KiLynn wasn't happy as she yanked her by the hair. Madi came to her partner's aid, but King had her scouted well.

Swole and King delivered a double flapjack on Madi for a two-count. Big Swole continued to punish Madi's lower back. Swole then turned Madi inside-out with a knee strike, followed by a running uppercut.

Bunny hit a cheap shot from the outside, and the heels were now on top. Bunny rammed Swole's head into the turnbuckle before shoving her boots into the throat.

The crowd chanted for Swole as Bunny was unrelenting in her offense. Swole created some separation with a pump kick out of nowhere. Swole finally pulled herself towards King to make the hot tag.

King sent Bunny to the outside with a fallaway slam. KiLynn turned her attention towards Madi and executed two clotheslines. King then connected with a roundhouse kick and a German Suplex for a two-count. Madi, however, got back to her feet and reacted with two forearm shimmers.

Wrenkowski dropped King with a facebuster for a near fall. Swole got the tag, and she knocked Madi out with a discus forearm. Bunny couldn't make it back in time to break the pinfall.

Result: Big Swole & KiLynn King def. The Bunny & Madi Wrenkowski on AEW Dark

Grade: B-

Billy and Colten Gunn of The Gunn Club vs. Kal Herro & Liam Gray (AEW Tag Team Debut) on AEW Dark

Herro had a fanny pack during the AEW Dark match, and The Gunn Club had a problem with the accessory. Billy Gunn started the match with some good wrist control, followed by a shoulder tackle.

Billy effortlessly broke Herro's back hold with a mild torque of the hips. Colten Gunn tagged in and delivered a stiff clothesline. He hooked the far leg and got a two-count. The Gunn Club looked really methodical tonight as they controlled the match.

Papa Gunn wasn't in a good mood though, as he came in and casually dropped Kal with a big boot. Colten came in next but ate a few kicks that helped Herro make the tag to Gray.

Liam came in hot and executed two dropkicks on Colten. He had a special gift for Billy Gunn on the outside as he hit the ropes for a tope suicida. Billy, however, moved out of the way, and Liam Gray took a nasty bump. Even Billy Gunn had a look of concern on his face. Gray landed on his head, but he was rolled back into the ring.

Colten hit the Colt 45 for the win. Billy Gunn got on top of Gray to say a few words, and we assume that he must have checked up on the wrestler.

Result: Billy and Colten Gunn of The Gunn Club def. Kal Herro & Liam Gray on AEW Dark

Grade: C


Diamante cut a backstage promo ahead of her AEW Dark match against Reka Tehaka.


Leyla Hirsch vs. Vertvixen on AEW Dark

Hirsch vs. Vertvixen.
Hirsch vs. Vertvixen.

Ricky Starks joined the commentary team from this match onwards. Hirsch and Vertvixen kicked off the bout with a furious exchange. Vertvixen used her strength and reach advantage to deliver a simple yet effective backdrop.

Hirsch responded with a series of forearm shimmers. Vertvixen got back with a dropkick.

Legit Leyla crawled her way back into the match with a powerslam, followed by two release German suplexes. Hirsch bounced around before rocking Vertvixen with a massive lariat. Vertvixen kicked out at two and even escaped the subsequent cross-arm breaker by grabbing onto the ropes.

Vertvixen got a near fall with roundhouse and hook kicks. Hirsch fought out of the firewoman's carry and hit two knee strikes. Hirsch dropped down and transitioned to the juji gatame (arm breaker) for the win on AEW Dark.

Result: Leyla Hirsch def. Vertvixen on AEW Dark

Grade: B-


Dante Martin vs. Jason Hotch (AEW Debut) on AEW Dark

Martin vs. Hotch.
Martin vs. Hotch.

Hotch and Martin got the match rolling with a collar and elbow tie-up. Jason got Martin down with a shoulder block.

Dante's tremendous leapfrog stunned everyone in attendance, and he rounded it up with a picture-perfect dropkick. Hotch, though, executed a neat brainbuster for a two-count.

Hotch worked on Martin with a classic chin lock in the middle of the ring. Dante broke out with a few elbows and kicks. Hotch countered Martin's offense with an insane backbreaker. Martin sold it as his back had actually broken! Phenomenal body movements!

Martin used his speed to hit a huge clothesline, followed by an enziguri in the corner. Martin was looking really good as he hit the springboard moonsault for a two-count. Dante kicked Hotch from the apron before heading up and hitting the 450 Splash for the victory on AEW Dark.

Result: Dante Martin def. Jason Hotch (AEW Debut) on AEW Dark

Grade: B


Dasha Gonzalez interviewed Angelico next in a backstage segment.

Diamante vs. Reka Tehaka on AEW Dark

While Tehaka had the reach advantage, Diamante's low center of gravity gave her the upper hand in the early stages of the AEW Dark match.

Diamante reversed a monkey flip into a slam for a two-count. Tehaka fought through the pain, but Diamante reacted with a Russian leg sweep.

Diamante was on point with her kicks, and she followed it with a unique running splash. Diamante grabbed Tehaka's hair and delivered three painful-looking crossface shots.

Tehaka countered with two big headbutts. Diamante reversed the Samoan Drop into a backstabber. Diamante missed the Cazadora stunner, but she made no mistake with the Code Red.

Result: Diamante def. Reka Tehaka on AEW Dark

Grade: B


Joey Janela (w/ Sonny Kiss) vs. Bear Bronson on AEW Dark

Janela looked stunned after getting the feel of Bear Bronson's power in the intriguing AEW Dark match. Bronson challenged Janela to knock him off his feet with a shoulder tackle, but the Bad Boy failed on two occasions.

He riled up the crowd for the third but hit a cheap shot. Bronson responded with a nasty forearm shimmer that sent Janela outside the ring. Bronson turned Janela inside-out back in the ring with a clothesline.

Bronson flattened Janela with a spinebuster followed by an old-school elbow drop. Bear Bronson dictated the match's pace until Janela created some space with a dropkick to the knee. Joey exploited the opening by delivering closed-fist right-hand shots to Bronson's head.

Bronson shut down Janela's momentum by just sitting on top of the Bad Boy's chest. Bronson, however, got overeager and missed the senton. Janela failed to pick Bronson up for the Death Valley Driver, and the Bear Country member got another opportunity to hit the Senton. He didn't miss this time.

Bronson landed big right-hand punches in the corner before placing Janela on the top turnbuckle. Bronson ascended to the second rope, but Janela blocked the suplex and hit a massive powerbomb from the top for a near fall.

Janela pulled the straps down and landed solid kicks. The Bad boy meant business! Bronson remained unaffected, and he came right back with a massive boot. Bronson, however, landed terribly after a mistimed cannonball in the corner. Janela German suplexed Bronson's back against the turnbuckle.

Bronson avoided a top-rope elbow drop and countered with the Bossman slam for a near fall! Close!

Janela raked Bronson in the eye and rattled him with a thrust kick. Joey then proceeded to the top and delivered the elbow drop to win in a phenomenal AEW Dark match.

Result: Joey Janela def. Bear Bronson on AEW Dark

Grade: A

Angelico vs. Ryzin on AEW Dark

Angelico vs. Ryzin.
Angelico vs. Ryzin.

It was all Ryzin Country in Jacksonville tonight as the AEW Dark audience chanted the eccentric wrestler's name before the match.

Angelico's fantastic technical skills helped him get the advantage for a few seconds. Ryzin mocked Angelico by doing his dance, and it was easily the best moment of the night.

Ryzin lost all control of the contest following a hilarious slip in the corner. Angelico grounded Ryzin with an ankle lock and showed off his diverse submission repertoire with a Navarro Special.

Angelico walked into two clotheslines and a high-angle falling powerslam. Ryzin, however, was feeling the effects of the Navarro Special as his knees gave up on him. Angelico finished the match with the Navarro Deathroll.

Result: Angelico def. Ryzin on AEW Dark

Grade: C


Janela spoke about his AEW Dark victory in an interview with Alex Marvez.


Julia Hart (w/ Varsity Blonds) vs. Tesha Price on AEW Dark

Hart vs. Price.
Hart vs. Price.

Price clobbered Hart with short-arm clotheslines and elbow strikes to begin the match. Hart put the brakes on Price with a shoulder tackle, two arm drags, and a hip toss.

Price whipped Hart across the ring and followed her with a few more of those powerful elbow strikes. Price took Hart off her feet with a running back elbow strike.

Both women traded blows in the ring, and Hart managed to drop Tesha with a clothesline, three round kicks, a stiff back elbow strike, and a cartwheel splash.

Hart got a near fall from a standing moonsault. Julia rocked Price with a brutal kick, and she picked up the win with the splitting leg drop.

Result: Julia Hart def. Tesha Price on AEW Dark

Grade: B


Hart was pumped up following her first win in AEW as she celebrated with Griff Garrison and Brian Pillman Jr. after the match. While Julia Hart is still quite green in the ring, the 19-year-old will only get better, and AEW officials seem to be behind the cheerleader.


AEW Dark Main Event: Sonny Kiss (w/ Joey Janela) vs. Brian Cage (w/ Hook)

Sonny Kiss used some innovative evasive techniques to confuse Brian Cage early on in the AEW Dark main event.

Kiss took The Machine off his feet with an excellent dropkick. Cage stopped Kiss with a destructive clothesline. The FTW champion sent Sonny into the steel ring post, where he locked in the Boston Crab while sitting on top of the top turnbuckle.

Kiss kicked off the comeback with a step-up hurricanrana and a dropkick. Kiss wiped Cage out with a tope suicida, but Sonny missed the splash in the ring.

Cage was rocked with a roundhouse kick, followed by a springboard crossbody that got Sonny a two-count. Kiss missed the ripcord clothesline, but Cage didn't miss the mark with his kick and a follow-up swinging neckbreaker.

Sonny escaped the Drill Claw attempt with a waist lock. Cage transitioned to deliver the sit-out waterwheel drop for a near fall.

Kiss avoided the discus clothesline and knocked Cage out with a knee strike to the face. Sonny went to the top and hit the splitting leg drop. The FTW champ kicked out at two.

Cage hit a vicious knee strike in response, and the Weapon X to win the AEW Dark main event match.

Result: Brian Cage def. Sonny Kiss on AEW Dark

Grade: A


Hook attacked Sonny Kiss after the match, and Janela surprisingly did not enter the ring to save his partner. Hook executed a Russian leg sweep and locked in a submission hold on Kiss.

Joey Janela walked away to the back with hands on his face as Cage told Hook to break the hold. Janela left Kiss to the jackals, and it could mark the end of the longtime tag team.

The differences between Janela and Kiss have been known for a while. However, a feud between the two looks set to be one of the angles moving forward.

Janela would later take to Twitter to claim that he had a migraine attack, which prevented him from getting involved in the post-match segment.

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You can watch the full AEW Dark episode above.

2 more stars coming from AEW to WWE? More details right here

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Edited by Arjun