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Brian Cage (w/ Hook) vs. Marty Casaus (AEW Debut)
AEW debutant Marty Casaus is a former WWE Tough Enough competitor who once even held the Lucha Underground (LU) Championship.
Known as Marty "The Moth" Martinez during his time in Lucha Underground, Casaus was a known figure in the company who hasn't seen much over the last couple of years. It was great to see him in an AEW ring against a fellow LU rival, and it's safe to say that he put his best foot forward.
Brian Cage didn't play into Casaus' eccentric gimmick as the FTW Champion went on the offensive with his opponent.
Big Marty did respond with some intensity as he connected with a series of cross shots across Cage's face. Marty was giving Cage a run for his money, and that was a surprise to many people watching the match, including Taz.
Cage, however, caught Casaus in mid-air from a crossbody and planted him in the mat with a Death Valley Driver. Brian followed it up with uppercuts in the corner and a powerful Irish whip. He caught Marty with the sole butt and an uppercut-commonguri combo.
Cage was putting on a wrestling clinic as he got a two-count with a German suplex. Casaus reacted well despite taking a lot of punishment as he hit a Northern Lights suplex and two clotheslines.
He executed a Samoan drop and a dropkick on Brian. He built up a head of steam and leaped over the top rope to lay out Cage with a splash. He barely made it over the top rope.
Back in the ring, Casaus got a near fall with a Full Nelson Slam. Marty wrenched Cage's head, and he grabbed the jaw.
Cage got up, hit three kicks, and flattened Marty with a viscous Discus clothesline. He called for the finish and delivered the Drill Claw for the win on AEW Dark.
Result: Brian Cage def. Marty Casaus (AEW Debut)
Grade: B+
A special shout-out has to go out to Marty Casaus for a strong AEW debut. Casaus has been in the wrestling business since 2003, so the 36-year-old's performance shouldn't shock many.
The Hardy Family Office was involved in a backstage segment next, and they had messages for The Dark Order. The two factions were set to collide in the main event later on in the show.
Leyla Hirsch vs. Renee Michelle on AEW Dark
Renee Michelle took her time outside the ring to assess her opponent. The pre-match analysis didn't bear any fruit as Leyla Hirsch asserted her dominance on the mat.
Renee gathered some steam but completely missed her crossbody attack. Hirsch managed to lock in the armbar early, but Michelle rolled over to the ropes.
Michelle sent Hirsch's head bouncing off the turnbuckle, and she methodically broke her opponent down with a few kicks.
Hirsch, however, needed one small opening to exploit, and she got it when Michelle missed the moonsault press. Leyla connected with a driving knee strike to Michelle's head, followed by the armbar for the victory.
Taz was quick to note that Hirsch transitioned from a jackknife pinfall into the Juji Gatame (armbar).
Result: Leyla Hirsch def. Renee Michelle on AEW Dark
Grade: C
