'%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)
Taz, Excalibur, and Anthony Ogogo opened this week's AEW Dark, which featured 16 matches.
As always, the show had a few solid matches, debuts, and a handful of stars rising to the occasion to deliver the goods. This week's AEW Dark also had a big upset in the main event. The physically big Freya 'The Slaya' States made her AEW debut on tonight's show.
Without any further delay, let's take a look at the results and highlights of the show:
#1. Baron Black vs. Sonny Kiss on AEW Dark
Kiss used his athleticism to evade a few attacks from Black in the early stages of the match. Kiss dominated until Black broke the momentum with an Atomic Drop followed by a backbreaker.
He got a 1-count from an overhead suplex. He kept up the pressure with the single-leg Boston crab.
Black looked impressive as he locked in another brilliant submission move. Kiss attempted to fight back with a few forearm strikes, but Black responded with a European uppercut.
Kiss finally mounted the comeback with a couple of dropkicks and a swinging hurricanerana from the top rope. Kiss then connected with a rolling elbow strike followed by the Splitting Leg Drop from the top rope for the win.
Result: Sonny, Kiss, def. Baron Black on AEW Dark
Grade: C
#2. Danny Limelight vs. Brian Cage on AEW Dark
Brian Cage and Taz weren't pleased with Justin Roberts ignoring the FTW Championship.
Cage tried to make quick work of Danny Limelight, but Danny's speed got him out of a few tricky spots. Limelight took the fight to Cage with a tornado dive on the outside.
The honeymoon period ended as Cage caught Limelight in mid-air and dropped him face-first onto the apron. Back in the ring, Cage drove his shoulders into Danny's guts.
Cage followed it up with a flatliner. The Machine looked for his finisher, but Limelight slithered out.
Limelight connected with a roundhouse kick, but Cage responded with a brutal lariat. Limelight went up to the top, walked on the rope, and unleashed a diving Canadian Destroyer on Cage for a near fall. That was slick!
Limelight went for another springboard move, but Cage caught him this time. Cage delivered a powerbomb, a buckle bomb, and the Drill Claw for the win.
Result: Brian Cage, def. Danny Limelight on AEW Dark
Grade: B
#3. Nyla Rose (w/ Vickie Guerrero) vs. Alex Gracia on AEW Dark
Gracia powered Rose onto the mat after the initial collar and elbow tie-up. Gracia attempted to outstrike Rose, but the former AEW Women's Champion took Alex down with a shoulder tackle.
Nyla Rose punished her opponent in the corner with strikes and followed it with an Oklahoma Stampede. The Native Beast delivered the Beast Bomb to end the squash match.
Result: Nyla Rose def. Alex Garcia on AEW Dark
Grade: D
Vickie Guererro cut a promo after the match. She put over her client, fired shots at Brandi Rhodes, and called for everyone to applaud Nyla Rose in a typically loud Vickie Guerrero promo.
The Waiting Room on AEW Dark
The latest edition of Waiting Room on AEW Dark with Dr. Britt Baker was entertaining as always, and it had Dustin Rhodes as the special guest and a musical performance by Marko Stunt.
#4. Aaron Solow vs. Preston '10' Vance on AEW Dark
Solow and Vance engaged in a knuckle lock battle while the commentators marveled at Vance's physique.
Vance lifted Solow into the corner and connected with a few shots. Vance dropped Solow with a spinebuster. Solow was brought back to his feet only to be dropped down again with a side suplex.
Vance connected with a pump kick before trying to choke Solow out against the ropes. Vance delivered a delayed vertical suplex as he enjoyed all the control in the match. Solow created some separation with a few strikes. He connected with a screw high kick.
Vance shut the comeback down with a wheelbarrow suplex followed by a ripcord clothesline for the win on AEW Dark.
Result: Preston '10' Vance def. Aaron Solow on AEW Dark
Grade: B
#5. Peter Avalon vs. Louie Valle on AEW Dark
They began the match with a collar and elbow tie-up. Avalon drew first blood with a shoulder tackle and a few mounted strikes.
Avalon got a 1-count with a snap suplex. Peter kept up the pressure with the leg lariat followed by a series of punches. Valle broke Avalon's momentum with an elbow and a dropkick from the top rope.
Avalon delivered a Samoan Drop followed by the Martinis for the win, his third win on the trot.
Result: Peter Avalon def. Louie Valle on AEW Dark
Grade: C
Peter Avalon cut a promo after the match and issued an open challenge. He called it the 'Pretty Peter's Pageant Provocation.' Cody Rhodes also reacted to the challenge with the following tweet:
#6. Shawn Dean, Sean Maluta & Ryzin vs. The Gunn Club on AEW Dark
The Gunn Club rolled into the arena in a vehicle with a 'Taz Taxi' tag. As you might have expected, Taz wasn't too happy.
Colten and Dean kicked off the match with a collar and elbow tie-up. Colten got Dean down with a few arm drags and a perfect dropkick. Colten slam-dunked Dean in the corner before tagging Austin into the match. Billy got the tag next for a quick pin.
Dean made the tag to Maluta, who got taken down with a leg trip. Austin was back into the match, and he floored Sean with a clothesline. Maluta shifted the momentum with a Samoan Drop. Maluta isolated the left arm, but Austin dived out of the middle rope to break the hold. That was smart.
Ryzin, however, decked Austin on the outside before rolling him back into the ring. Maluta continued the dominance for his team with a series of chops. Dean got tagged in, and he connected with a rising knee in the corner.
Both guys were down on the mat with a double clothesline. Austin made the hot tag to Billy while Ryzin came in from the other end. Billy Gunn was on a roll as he cleared the ring. Ryzin evaded the Famouser and connected with a thrust kick. Austin was the legal man now, and he delivered the flipping facebuster on Ryzin. The Captain came in and gave the DDT on Austin. Colten came in and planted Dean into the mat.
Maluta connected with a running knee strike on Colten. Billy took Maluta out, but Ryzin connected with a kick on the veteran. Ryzin missed the moonsault as Billy Gunn finally delivered the Famouser for the win.
Result: The Gunn Club def. Shawn Dean, Sean Maluta & Ryzin on AEW Dark
Grade: B
#7. Red Velvet vs. Dani Jordyn on AEW Dark
Jordyn locked in the side headlock before knocking Velvet down with a shoulder block. The early back-and-forth exchange ended with Velvet sending Dani face-first into the middle turnbuckle.
Jordyn delivered a beautiful DDT as Velvet was stuck in the middle of the ropes after a thrust kick. She followed it up with a dropkick, and Dani pulled out the burn book.
Jordyn mocked Velvet, who came back with a vengeance with two powerful clotheslines. Velvet ducked under two strikes and delivered a big kick.
Velvet took Jordyn down with a Cazadora Bulldog, followed by a standing moonsault. Velvet connected with a release Northern Lights suplex. She connected with a running single-leg kick for the win.
Result: Red Velvet def. Dani Jordyn on AEW Dark
Grade: C
#8. Falco & Mike Magnum (AEW Tag Team Debut) vs. Luchasaurus & Marko Stunt (w/ Jungle Boy) on AEW Dark
Marko Stunt wanted to start the AEW Dark match against Falco. Stunt promised to outmuscle Falco, but it didn't go according to his plan. Falco mocked Stunt, who came in with a hurricanerana.
Stunt stood on Falco's chest for a few seconds before planting him into the mat with a DDT. That looked great!
Falco got the tag, and so did Luchasaurus.
The Jurassic Express worked in tandem as Luchasaurus used Stunt as a weapon on Magnum. Luchasaurus got the tag later and took both the opponents out with significant heavy-handed strikes. The double clothesline took both men down.
Luchasaurus got a near fall with a slam as Magnum broke up the pin. Magnum looked terrified as Luchasaurus was infuriated. Stunt got the blind tag.
Luchasaurus laid out Falco with a chokeslam, followed by a kick before Stunt came in with a leg lariat for the win.
Result: Luchasaurus & Marko Stunt def. Falco & Mike Magnum on AEW Dark
Grade: B
#9. Fuego Del Sol vs. Brandon Cutler on AEW Dark
Cutler went for the TPK early on in the match, but Del Sol escaped.
Fuego sent Cutler to the outside, but Brandon outfoxed his opponent by rolling back into the ring.
The action shifted back into the ring, and Del Sol got a near fall with a deep hurricanerana. Cutler delivered a few hip tosses followed by the backdrop before connecting with the Long Distance Leg Drop (LDLD) for a near fall. A back-and-forth exchange ended with a diving elbow strike from Cutler.
Del Sol took Cutler down with a springboard moonsault followed by a kick. Del Sol looked smooth with his transitions.
Del Sol even hit Cody Rhodes' 'Cross Rhodes' finisher for a near fall! Cutler avoided the swinging DDT and countered with the TPK for his sixth win in a row.
Result: Brandon Cutler def. Fuego Del Sol on AEW Dark
Grade: B
The Cross Rhodes was a nice touch from Del Sol.
#10. Skyler Moore vs. Ivelisse on AEW Dark
Ivelisse started the match with a slap to Moore's lower back area.
Moore got a 1-count with a dropkick, but she couldn't capitalize as Ivelisse cracked her in the jaw. The winner of the AEW Women's Tag Team Cup Tournament drove Moore's face into the mat for a 2-count.
Ivelisse locked in the Dragon Sleeper. Moore reversed with a pinning predicament.
Ivelisse dropped Moore with a clothesline for another two-count before transitioning to a sleeper hold. Moore broke free with an arm drag and a neck breaker.
Moore delivered a power slam. Ivelisse, however, fought back by trapping Moore in a modified sugar hold from the top. Moore had no option but to tap.
Result: Ivelisse def. Skyler Moore on AEW Dark
Grade: B
#11. Lindsay Snow vs. Big Swole on AEW Dark
Both women tried to feel each other out with a strong collar and elbow tie-up in the AEW Dark contest's early goings. Swole had some decent wrist control but lost grip before getting trapped in a modified Tazmission.
Swole got in the bearhug on Snow, who boxed Swole's ears to get out of the hold. The action was back-and-forth as both women found it tough to get a strong foothold in the match.
Snow decked Swole with a powerful clothesline. Snow followed Swole with two running knee strikes in the corner, followed by the boot across the face.
Swole tried to sneak an inside cradle pin, but Snow kicked out at two. Swole, however, managed to roll Snow through into another crucifix pin for the win.
Result: Big Swole def. Lindsay Snow on AEW Dark
Grade: C
#12. Sotheara Chhun & VSK (AEW Tag Team Debut) vs. TH2 on AEW Dark
TH2 wasted no time as they attacked Chhun and VSK in their corner. Chhun got dumped out of the ring, and TH2 isolated VSK.
Chhun took to the skies and knocked down both members of TH2, while VSK followed it up with a dropkick. The new AEW tag team showed great synergy to take TH2 out.
TH2 showed off their synergy as well by shutting down Chhun and VSK's double team dive. TH2 could have finished the match off after a series of moves, but they stopped the ref's count and mocked The Young Bucks.
Angelico finally ended the misery for TH2's opponent's with the modified Navaro Death roll.
Result: TH2 def. Sotheara Chhun & VSK on AEW Dark
Grade: C
#13. Tesha Price vs. Diamante on AEW Dark
Price and Diamante got the match rolling with an aggressive exchange of holds and strikes. Tesha dropped Diamante with a big clothesline.
Price tried the high roundhouse kick, but her leg got stuck on the top turnbuckle.
Diamante connected with the German Suplex, and she was now in the driver's seat. Diamante assumed mount position and delivered a series of punches.
Diamante followed it with stomps in the corner and a dropkick. Diamante kept the pressure on with a tight chin lock, but Price got a vertical base and engaged in a back-and-forth exchange of punches.
Tesha got a break with a hanging neck breaker before catching Diamante with a back elbow. Price got a two-count with a running bulldog. Diamante delivered the standing sliced bread for a two-count.
Price, however, almost caught Diamante with a quick pinfall. Diamante connected with the Code Red for the win.
Result: Diamante def. Tesha Price on AEW Dark
Grade: B
TH2 cut a backstage promo after the match, and they hyped up the upcoming match against The Young Bucks.
#14. Shanna vs. Freya 'The Slaya' States (AEW Debut) on AEW Dark
The usual collar and elbow tie-up got the AEW match underway.
Shanna tried to counteract Freya's power with a few explosive strikes and kicks. Shanna took Freya off her feet with a flipping neck breaker.
Freya got back up and drove Shanna into the corner. 'The Slaya' targetted Shanna's back with a backbreaker followed by a claw hold. Shanna got back into the match with an elbow strike and a couple of kicks.
Freya caught Shanna and positioned her opponent in the tree of woe in the corner. Shanna escaped getting splashed in the corner before unleashing a barrage of kicks. Shanna followed it up with a Stunner.
Shanna, however, couldn't muster the strength for a Tiger Suplex. She, however, managed to drop Freya with a DDT. Shanna connected with a dropkick on the ropes before finally delivering the bridged Tiger Suplex for the win.
Result: Shanna vs. Freya 'The Slaya' States on AEW Dark
Grade: B
#15. Co-Main Event: Michael Nakazawa & Jon Cruz vs. The Acclaimed on AEW Dark
Nakazawa slipped in a bottle of oil in the top turnbuckle before the match kicked off.
Caster and Nakazawa started the match with Michael getting trapped in a wrist lock. Bowens got the tag, and he mocked Nakazawa.
Bowens came in for a splash, but Nakazawa whipped out the oil and sprayed it all over the ring. Bowens slipped, and Nakazawa applied more out on his opponent.
Cruz got the tag, but Bowens dropped him face-first into the mat. The Acclaimed pounded on Cruz in their corner as the ref was distracted. Cruz tried to fight back, but Acclaimed delivered a double team move. Caster was the legal man, and he connected with heavy-handed right-hand shots on Cruz.
Caster dropped Cruz with a belly-to-back suplex before making the tag to Bowens, who came in and laid in the boots into Cruz's face. The Acclaimed cut the ring in half as Cruz found it tough to make the tag. Caster and Bowens fired on all cylinders with an intricate and explosive series of double team moves.
Cruz finally made the tag to Nakazawa, who got a near fall with a spear on Bowens. It was time for the thong to come out, but it got stuck between his left leg and head. Bowens took advantage of the chaos and kicked Nakazawa in the head.
The Acclaimed then delivered the 'Claim to Fame' on Nakazawa for the win on AEW Dark.
Result: The Acclaimed def. Michael Nakazawa & Jon Cruz on AEW Dark
Grade: B
#16. Main Event: Colt Cabana & Alex Reynolds vs. The Varsity Blondes (Griff Garrison & Brian Pillman Jr.) on AEW Dark
Reynolds and Garrison got the AEW Dark main event underway. Griff took Reynolds down with a shoulder tackle followed by a big slam.
Pillman got the tag, and they kept Reynolds down with a double team move. Pillman and Garrison's synergy looked great thus far as they kept the Dark Order members on the mat.
Cabana, however, got in a cheap shot on Pillman when the referee wasn't looking. The Dark Order was now in control, with Pillman in the wrong corner of the ring. Cabana and Reynolds worked towards wearing Pillman down, and the plan was working to a tee. Pillman somehow kicked out after getting rocked by a vicious knee from Reynolds.
Pillman finally created some separation with a back elbow before making the tag to Garrison. Griff came in hot and laid out both members of the Dark Order.
Reynolds broke up a pinfall attempt, but he got sent out with a running boot from Pillman.
Pillman got sent out of the ring, and Dark Order delivered a double team ripcord strike for a near fall on Garrison.
Pillman took Cabana out with a clothesline from the top rope.
The Varsity Blondes picked up the biggest win of their careers with an assisted Blockbuster! That was indeed an upset, as noted by the commentators. The Varsity Blondes needed the win as they are scheduled to face FTR on the next AEW Dynamite.
Result: The Varsity Blondes def. Colt Cabana & Alex Reynolds on AEW Dark
Grade: B
Dustin Rhodes ended the show by cutting a promo ahead of his Dynamite match against Preston '10' Vance of the Dark Order.
The Varsity Blondes also spoke about their match against FTR as the show finally came to a close.
