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As always, Taz and Excalibur got the ball rolling on the latest episode of AEW Dark, which featured 15 matches. They were joined by former pro boxer Anthony Ogogo this week, and the first match of the evening was a tag team contest.
#1. Evil Uno & Stu Grayson of The Dark Order vs. Top Flight on AEW Dark
Darius and Dante Martin made their AEW debuts, and Darius kicked off the match against Grayson. The Dark Order predictably dominated the early phases of the match. Darius came into the match, and he suffered the same fate as his partner. Uno and Grayson pinned him down in their corner.
The AEW Dark opener was a decent contest that showcased the immense potential of Top Flight, who got some offense in at the end. The Dark Order won the match with the Fatality by Grayson.
Grade: B
Result: Evil Uno & Stu Grayson of The Dark Order def. Top Flight on AEW Dark
#2. Ricky Starks vs. VSK on AEW Dark
Starks started the match strong with a big chop. VSK was no pushover as he responded with a head scissors. Ricky Starks got control of the match, and he dominated the majority of the contest.
Starks looked great as always as he taunted his opponent throughout the match. VSK made a brief comeback at the end, and he got in a half/half and backbreaker. Starks replied with the Spear, followed by the kip-up and Roshambo for the three-count.
Grade: C
Result: Ricky Starks def. VSK on AEW Dark
The reason behind Allie's heel turn explained
Eddie Kingston and Allie were involved in a video package up next. Allie revealed that she left QT Marshall as he was a lovestruck dope, and she got bored of the alliance.
#3. Lee Johnson vs. Matt Sydal on AEW Dark
Lee Johnson and Matt Sydal had a technical exchange to kick off the match. Sydal assumed control of the proceedings.
Sydal kept shutting down Johnson's attempts to get back into the match with a host of innovative and eye-catching moves. Sydal hit an impressive standing corkscrew press. The match's momentum shifted in Johnson's favor after sending Sydal to the outside and executed two suicide dives. Sydal used his ingenuity yet again by slipping under the ring and appearing on the other side, effectively blindsiding his opponent. Johnson got a near fall back in the ring with a springboard missile dropkick. Sydal got back with the side slam and a near fall.
Sydal ended the match by first countering the Blue Thunder powerbomb before trapping Johnson in the Cobra Clutch.
Grade: B+
Result: Matt Sydal def. Lee Johnson on AEW Dark
#4. Hikaru Shida vs. Leyla Hirsch on AEW Dark
Hikaru Shida made her AEW Dark return to face the debuting Leyla Hirsch, who surprised the AEW Women's Champion in the match's early goings.
Hirsch's power was all there to be seen as Shida was on the back foot. Hikaru, however, got back into the match with a backbreaker. Shida continued with the offense until Hirsch low-bridged the champ. Shida then got hit with a suicide dive.
Hirsch enjoyed a dominant spell in the match as she connected with a double knee strike followed by a modified Angle Slam, which got her a near fall. Shida created some separation by escaping a moonsault attempt before delivering a knee strike of her own. Hirsch countered a Falcon Arrow into an armbar.
Shida broke the hold by reaching out to the ropes. Back on her feet, Hikaru connected with the running knee, followed by the punt and the Falcon Arrow for the win.
Grade: B+
Result: Hikaru Shida def. Leyla Hirsch on AEW Dark
#5. Danny Limelight & Jersey Muscle vs. The Jurassic Express on AEW Dark
The match kicked off with Limelight and Jungle Boy trying to one-up each other with their athleticism. Both teams executed quick tags as there were several back-and-forth exchanges in the opening minutes of the match.
Jersey Muscle took control of the match by sending Marko Stunt to the outside. Limelight was the legal man, and he hit a stalling suplex in Stunt.
After taking some punishment, Marko finally made the hot tag to Luchasaurus while Steve came in from the other side. Luchasaurus went on a rampage as he took out Jersey Shore with chops and kicks. Chaos ensued as all competitors indulged in a DDT party. The finish of the match saw Jungle Boy hit all his opponents with superkicks. Limelight got hit with three big boots before Stunt connected with the Destroyer for the three-count.
Grade: B
Result: The Jurassic Express def. Danny Limelight & Jersey Muscle on AEW Dark
#6. SCU vs. TH2 on AEW Dark
Frankie Kazarian and Angelico started the match for their respective teams. The tag team contest was expected to be all-action and quite innovative, and it certainly didn't disappoint. Kazarian and Angelico jockeyed for position, and the sequence included takedown and arm drag attempts.
This was one of the evening's better matches as there it got some time, and the performers also stepped up to the plate to deliver a decent contest. TH2's unique in-ring style meshed well with SCU's work. However, while the match was good, the finish left a lot to be desired.
Daniels was attempting the Angel's Wings on Jack Evans, but it got countered. Kazarian got into the match and hit Evans with a spike DDT. Angelico broke up the pinfall attempt. Kazarian then rolled up Evans for the win. Yes, it just ended like that.
Grade: B+
Result: SCU def. TH2 on AEW Dark
TH2 unleashed a post-match attack on SCU.
#7. Katalina Perez vs. Anna Jay on AEW Dark
Anna Jay was on song tonight on AEW Dark as she enjoyed the early momentum, courtesy of the Jay Kick and a spinning heel kick. Right-hand strikes and turnbuckle shots followed as Katalina Perez was in a world of trouble.
Perez got in a few clotheslines, but she missed an elbow drop, which was pretty much the end of the match. Anna Jay took advantage and caught Perez in a Rear Naked Choke for the win.
Grade: C
Result: Anna Jay def. Katalina Perez on AEW Dark
#8. Peter Avalon vs. Brandon Cutler on AEW Dark
It was finally time for the match that most fans had been waiting for. This one had to have a winner, and it surely did get one at the end of a brutal contest!
Considering the bad blood between the two men, it was only natural that the action spilled over the outside pretty soon. Avalon stunned Brandon Cutler by leaping off the stage and connecting with a knee strike. Avalon set up a table and a positioned Cutler for a big spot. However, Brandon responded with a high kick.
Cutler brought a trash can into the equation, and he placed it over Avalon's head before kicking it. Cutler followed it up with an elbow drop off the apron. Bradon Cutler was firmly in control of the match at this stage.
Another table was set up, and Cutler wanted to put Avalon through it with a powerbomb. Avalon, however, countered and sent Cutler through the table with a backdrop. Avalon took Cutler back in the ring for a near fall. Avalon got a pile of books and attempted to double knee Cutler's head onto the stack.
Cutler reversed with the DDT. The die finally appeared in the match as Cutler spread a whole lot of them in the ring.
Cutler executed a springboard but went crashing onto the books with a Rock Bottom, which got Avalon a near fall. A frustrated Leva Bates told Avalon that he was only relevant because of her. She ending up leaving.
Avalon hit Cutler with a book before unveiling the brass knuckles. He, however, couldn't use it as he crashed onto the die. Cutler got another near all in the process. Cutler finally sent Avalon through the table, but he got cracked with the brass knuckles on his way down.
The Young Bucks appeared in support of Cutler as the match neared the finish. Avalon attempted a hurricanrana. Cutler rolled him up for a pinfall and got the win.
Grade: A+
Result: Brandon Cutler def. Peter Avalon on AEW Dark
That was a very entertaining match and the best on this week's AEW Dark card.
#9. Anthony Bowens & Max Caster vs. Best Friends on AEW Dark
This was another solid tag team contest, in which Caster and Bowens had a great showing. After enjoying some success initially, Best Friends were on the receiving end of some offense from Bowens and Caster.
The newly-formed AEW tag team worked well together as they looked to isolate Trent.
Trent, however, had his moments, one of which was a release belly-to-belly suplex on Bowens. Caster came into the match and got hit with a belly-to-belly suplex as well. Bowens and Caster had some noteworthy moments too throughout the match, but the Best Friends managed to pick up the win at the end.
The finishing sequence of the match saw Caster first go for a lariat in the corner. He got overzealous and attempted another lariat, but Trent stopped him with a running boot. The Best Friends hit the Strong Zero for the win on AEW Dark.
Grade: B+
Result: Best Friends def. Anthony Bowens & Max Caster AEW Dark
A backstage segment aired in which Marvez was attempting to interview Scorpio Sky. However, it was shown that Sky locker room was vandalized, and someone wrote 'thief' on the mirror. Interesting!
#10. Brian Cage vs. Fuego del Sol on AEW Dark
This was a quick one for the FTW Champion on AEW Dark. Fuego del Sol did get some offensive moves in, but the match was all about Brian Cage.
The finish of the match had Cage hit del Sol with a powerbomb, buckle bomb, and finally, the Weapon X for the three-count.
Grade: C
Result: Brian Cage def. Fuego del Sol on AEW Dark
#11. Sean Maluta vs. 10 of the Dark Order on AEW Dark
Maluta started the match hot as he got the better of 10 during the early exchanges. It didn't take time for 10 to stamp his authority, and he did so with some help from 5.
Maluta tried to fight back with a series of chops, but 10 shut him down with a big boot. Maluta did get a two-count after hitting 10 with a running strike. 10 turned the match in his favor with a slam followed by a clothesline to the back of Maluta's head, which got him the win.
Grade: C
Result: 10 of The Dark Order def. Sean Maluta on AEW Dark
#12. KiLynn King & Savannah Evans vs. Ivelisse & Diamante on AEW Dark
King and Evans weren't messing around tonight as they unleashed a pre-match assault on Ivelisse and Diamante.
Once the brawl was over the some order was restored, Evans and Ivelisse began the match. Evans got pinned down in her opponents' corner, and she ended up taking a lot of punishment. Diamante and Ivelisse made frequent tags and executed several different moves to wear Evans down.
Evans created some separation with a right-hand strike followed by the Black Hole Slam before making the tag to King. KiLynn King got to work on Diamante, which included a lariat and a roundhouse kick. King hit a clothesline on Diamante, and she covered before Ivelisse broke it up.
Diamante got back up and hit King with the Code Red for the three-count.
Grade: B-
Result: Ivelisse & Diamante def. KiLynn King & Savannah Evans on AEW Dark
Lance Archer sends a message to AEW World Champion Jon Moxley and Eddie Kingston
Lance Archer rushed towards the ring and took out both Sonny Kiss and Aaron Solow after their match on AEW Dark. Jake 'The Snake' Roberts walked out and cut a weird promo, in which he also teased delivering the DDT on someone. He said that changes were coming soon before handing over the mic to Lance Archer.
Archer said that Jon Moxley didn't beat him but barely survived. Lance also had a message for Mox's Full Gear opponent, Eddie Kingston, and he declared that he would be keeping a close eye on the match.
#13. Aaron Solow vs. Sonny Kiss on AEW Dark
The match between Solow and Kiss was a very brief affair, and it might have been done to make Kiss look strong. While Solow did take control of the match early, Kiss picked up the pace and stunned Solow with a dropkick and a roundhouse kick. Sonny hit the Axe Kick, followed by the splitting leg drop for the win.
Grade: D
Result: Sonny Kiss def. Aaron Solow on AEW Dark
#14. Co-main Event: Nick Comoroto vs. Will Hobbs on AEW Dark
Former WWE NXT talent Nick Comoroto returned to AEW Dark, and he had a tall task on his hands against Will Hobbs. Comoroto went on the offensive early on in the match.
The action briefly spilled to the outside, with Hobbs taking Comoroto out with a running lariat. Hobbs got in a splash after getting back in the ring, and he went for another one, but Comoroto moved out of the way. Comoroto's shoulder tackle didn't seem to faze Hobbs. Nick was relentless, though, as he returned with a vengeance and took Hobbs off his feet with a lariat. However, Hobbs was a beast in his own right, and he laid out Comoroto with the spine buster followed by the Frog Splash from the top rope for the win.
Grade: B-
Result: Will Hobbs def. Nick Comoroto on AEW Dark
#15. Main Event: Alex Chamberlain vs. Darby Allin on AEW Dark
The match began with Chamberlain slapping Allin in the face. An infuriated Allin attempted an armbar. Darby Allin went for a top rope move but got caught in a backbreaker. Chamberlain mounted the pressure on Allin with a series of moves.
The match's finishing sequence began with Allin hitting a shotgun dropkick on Chamberlain, who countered with a sit-out powerbomb, which got him a near fall. Allin hit a Coffin Drop, followed by a Stunner and another Coffin Drop for the win.
Grad: B-
Result: Darby Allin def. Alex Chamberlain on AEW Dark
Ricky Starks hit the ring to attack Darby Allin after the match, and Brain Cage joined him. Both men assaulted Allin before Will Hobbs ran out with a chair to make the save. Starks and Cage retreated as the latest AEW Dark episode came to an end.
