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Taz, Excalibur, and Anthony Ogogo finished up with the usual introductions on an AEW Dark card that featured 17 matches.
Former WWE/F, WCW, and NWA Superstar George South's son, George South Jr., debuted in tonight's episode of AEW Dark in a tag team match. Shanna also returned to AEW after an 8-month absence.
#1. Shawn Spears vs. KTB on AEW Dark
Shawn Spears got hold of KTB's wrist in the early goings of the match. They turned down the collar and elbow tie-up, and Spears managed to get KTB down to the mat.
Scorpio Sky's music hit, and the SCU member appeared near the ramp with the steel slug in his hand. Spears' attention was on Scorpio Sky, who took a seat on the stairs on the ramp.
KTB blindsided Spears and took control of the match with a rolling spear. Spears got control of the match again by dropping KTB's head on the floor on the outside. Back in the ring, Spears cracked KTB's head with clubbing blows from the back. Spears got the Scorpion Death Lock on KTB, who was left with no option but to tap.
Result: Shawn Spears def. KTB on AEW Dark
Grade: C
Scorpio Sky entered the ring, and instead of attacking Spears, he delivered the TKO on KTB. A confused Spears looked on as Sky left the ring.
#2. Damian Fenrir vs. Ricky Starks on AEW Dark
Ricky Starks has the best entrance theme in AEW, and I'll say that every week! The collar and elbow tie-up got things rolling. Starks scored a takedown, and both men got back to the tie-up.
Starks executed a smart drop toe hold. Fenrir got a deep arm drag, but Starks got to a vertical base. The chops came out before Starks took Fenrir down with a crossbody. Starks got a few strikes and chops in. Ricky drove his shoulders into Fenrir's guts in the corner.
It was the Ricky Starks show as he was in complete control. A dropkick got Starks a 2-count before Fenrir created some separation with a few rights, followed by a dropkick.
Starks wanted to finish it off as he hit the Rochambeau for the win.
Result: Ricky Starks def. Damian Fenrir on AEW Dark
Grade: C
#3. Danny Limelight vs. Brandon Cutler on AEW Dark
They locked up in the center, with Cutler getting the shoulder block after the exchange. Limelight impressed with a Hurricanerana pinfall that earned him a two.
Cutler assumed control with a leaping leg drop that scored him a two-fall. Limelight rejected Cutler's handshake offer with a slap across the face. Cutler dropped Limelight with a facebuster for a two-count.
Cutler got a little overzealous as he ran into the steel ring post. Limelight began to work on Cutler's elbow and shoulder. Danny was starting to enjoy himself as he swiveled after every strike on the outside.
The action got back in the ring, and Cutler got in a few strikes. He, however, got caught in a rear-naked choke. Cutler got on his knees and carried Limelight on his back before backing him into the corner.
Limelight was relentless as he tried to sinch in the choke once again. Cutler rammed Limelight into the corner again, held on to him, and planted him into the mat with an insane move.
Cutler vaulted over the top with a front face kick followed by an enziguri. Cutler couldn't get Limelight up for the TPK due to the injured shoulder.
Limelight went to the outside, and Cutler followed him with the Tope Suicida. Danny countered by cathing Cutler in mid-air in a submission. The ref broke the move.
Back in the ring, Limelight went up to the top rope, but Cutler caught him and finally delivered the TPK. That was a solid match!
Result: Brandon Cutler def. Danny Limelight on AEW Dark
Grade: A
This was Cutler's fifth win on the trot.
#4. Jon Cruz vs. Peter Avalon on AEW Dark
The collar and elbow tie-up got things rolling on AEW Dark, with Cruz getting the better of the exchange. Avalon covered up as he didn't want to get hit in his pretty face.
Cruz got some early advantage, but Avalon broke the momentum by sending his opponent out of the ring. Avalon paused the ropes.
The action resumed, and Avalon worked on Cruz with a few strikes to the gut. Avalon dropped Cruz with a rising knee to the face. Avalon kissed Aubrey Edwards on the arm before going back to Cruz.
Jon started to mount the comeback with a few elbow strikes followed by a flying forearm strike and a kip-up. Cruz was feeling it as he rallied the crowd before popping Peter's face with a massive shot.
Avalon, however, caught Cruz and planted him face-first into the mat. Pretty Peter followed it with the Martinis for the win.
Result: Peter Avalon def. Jon Cruz on AEW Dark
Grade: B
Avalon picked up his second win on the trot.
#5. Tesha Price vs. Shanna on AEW Dark
The episode was built around Shanon's AEW return, who was back for her first match in over eight months.
An aggressive collar and elbow tie-up kicked things off. Shanna got a few Japanese arm drags followed by a step-up hurricanerana.
Shanna went for a basement dropkick, but her right ankle got caught in the bottom rope after Price moved out of the way. Tesha looked to punish Shanna by trapping her in the ropes. The kicks were out as Price connected to the chest and gut of her opponent.
Price caught Shanna by the hair and got her in the corner. The chops connected, followed by a few kicks. Was Shanna a victim of ring rust?
Price executed a cartwheel into the roundhouse kick followed by a bulldog for a 2-count. Tesha locked the arms in the middle of the ring, but Shanna sat up and rolled up Price for a quick pin.
Shanna caught a kick and unleashed a vicious elbow-chop combo. The returning star followed it up with a Stunner before connecting with the basement dropkick.
Shanna finished the match with the Tiger Suplex with the high bridge pin.
Result: Shanna def. Tesha Price on AEW Dark
Grade: C
Alex Marvez tried to interview Scorpio Sky, but the SCU member had nothing to say. This was a very different version of Sky.
#6. Katalina Perez vs. KiLynn King on AEW Dark
Both women locked up in the middle of the ring. King got the side headlock before getting the takedown.
Perez transitioned to the head scissors, but King rolled over and got the side headlock. King got a scoop slam for a two-count.
King tried to slam Perez again, but Katalina caught her opponent by the hair and slammed her into the mat. Perez connected with an up-kick followed by some ground and pound. Perez piled on the pressure in the corner with some excellent strikes. King then created some separation, went up to the top, and dropped Perez with the missile dropkick.
King blocked a clothesline and followed it with a roundhouse kick. She delivered an impressive German Suplex.
King hoisted Perez up and dropped her down with the 'Kingdom' finisher for the win.
Result: KiLynn King def. Katalina Perez on AEW Dark
Grade: C
This was King's third win in AEW, and it seems like she is being readied for a push on Dynamite.
#7. Best Friends (w/ Orange Cassidy) vs. Adam Priest & Sean Maluta on AEW Dark
Chuck Taylor and Sean Maluta got the AEW Dark match underway with a swift exchange of holds. Priest and Trent got the tags.
Priest got slammed to the mat, but he got up and cracked Trent with a big chop.
Trent, however, casually executed a gutbuster followed by a Northern Lights suplex. The Best Friends got a combo elbow drop on Priest as Chuck was back in. Trent got the tag, but Priest cracked him with a cross chop.
Adam dropped Trent with a German Suplex before Maluta came in, who delivered a Samoan Drop. Maluta dropped Trent with a knife-edged chop.
He charged into the corner, but there was no one home. Trent delivered the diving tornado DDT before making the tag to Chuck.
Taylor dropped Priest while Trent speared Maluta on the outside. Back in the ring, Trent made the blind tag and cracked Priest with a strike.
The Best Friends hugged before doing their finishing combo. Trent connected with a spike piledriver before Chuck followed it with a delayed jumping piledriver for the win on AEW Dark.
Result: Best Friends (w/ Orange Cassidy) def. Adam Priest & Sean Maluta on AEW Dark
Grade: B
#8. Leva Bates vs. Alex Garcia on AEW Dark
Ricky Starks was on commentary duty now as we prepared for the next women's match of the evening. Bates had a copy of Young Bucks' new book. Great advertising there!
Garcia used her power to get the better of the initial collar and elbow tie-up. Garcia tripped Bates' leg, but the Librarian locked her opponent in an abdominal stretch.
Garcia escaped with a hip toss. Alex cracked Bates with a running knee in the corner and followed it up with big shots. Bates then reversed the Irish Whip in the corner.
Bates got sent to the apron, but she connected with a roundhouse kick. Leva darted into the ring and delivered a spear followed by another roundhouse kick.
Bates delivered the Northern Lights suplex with the bridge for a near-fall. Bates connected with a backstabber for another two-count.
Garcia caught Bates with an innovative neck bridge submission move. That was slick. Bates, however, scored a sneaky win with a roll-up out of nowhere on AEW Dark.
Result: Leva Bates def. Alex Garcia on AEW Dark
Grade: B
Bates handed Garcia a copy of The Bucks' new book after the match.
#9. Shawn Donovan, Angel Fashion & VSK vs. The Gunn Club on AEW Dark
The Gunn Club mimicked Taz with the towel over their heads during their entrance. Taz didn't look happy, but that was hilarious.
The match hadn't even gotten underway, and Billy Gunn had already dropped VSK with a back body drop.
Colten and Donovan got the match started with Colten dropping Shawn with two shoulder blocks. Austin Gunn got the tag, followed by Billy. Donovan then tagged VSK in as Austin waited for him on the other side.
The collar and elbow tie-up was followed by a few arm drags. Austin countered it into a side headlock. VSK connected with a knee lift to the midsection before Angel Fashion got the tag. Austin controlled the arm and tagged his father into the match. The Gunns delivered a triple combo move as Colten was now the legal man.
Fashion tipped the scales in his team's favor with a big clothesline. He then took Colten in his corner and tagged Donovan in. Shawn got an elbow drop before VSK got back in. Colten elbowed the opponents in the corner before making his way to Austin for the hot tag.
Austin kicked off an uppercut party before dropping Donovan with a flipping neck breaker. VSK was the legal man now, and Austin delivered the Quick Draw finisher for the win on AEW Dark.
Result: The Gunn Club def. Shawn Donovan, Angel Fashion & VSK on AEW Dark
Grade: C+
#10. Aaron Solow vs. Matt Sydal on AEW Dark
Solow and Sydal went nose-to-nose before beginning a competitive exchange of holds and moves in the AEW Dark match. They jockeyed for position, and Sydal won round one with a flying mare.
Solow went to the strikes as he got the knees to Sydal's gut. Solow got in a dropkick followed by the strikes. Sydal dropped Solow with a few strikes and hit the standing Mariposa for a two-count.
Solow smartly executed an Irish Whip leg trip to take control of the match. Solow was enjoying himself as he dominated the proceedings. Solow hard whipped Sydal into the corner, followed by a big splash. Solow delivered a high-cradle suplex.
He went for a T-bone exploder for a two-count. Shades of Taz right there!
Sydal began to get the comeback going with a single-leg dropkick. Sydal dropped Solow with a leg lariat.
Matt then got the inside-hook Northern Lights bomb for a near fall. Solow countered a move with a body scissors takedown followed by a standing double stomp. He connected with the screw high kick for another near fall.
Sydal got a near fall with a crucifix pin. Solow kicked out of the pinfall but got caught with a rising knee strike.
Sydal managed to catch Solow in the grounded Cobra Clutch, but Aaron got to a vertical base. Back on the feet, Sydal caught the pump kick on his shoulder and responded with a roundhouse kick.
Sydal planted Solow into the mat for the win on AEW Dark.
Result: Matt Sydal def. Aaron Solow on AEW Dark
Grade: A
That was another technically sound match. Aaron Solow was the star despite being on the losing end.
#11. Fuego Del Sol & Baron Black vs. Stu Grayson & Evil Uno of The Dark Order on AEW Dark
Grayson and Del Sol got the AEW Dark match underway. Del Sol exited the ring before getting back in just when Grayson tried to follow him.
Del Sol was all over Grayson in the early goings as Black go the tag. Grayson steadied the ship and isolated Black in the corner before Evil Uno came in.
Black locked in the abdominal stretch on Evil Uno in the middle of the ring. Fuego Del Sol got the tag, and he delivered a jumping strike on Uno's arm from the top rope.
Grayson was the legal man now, and he dropped Del Sol with a big power slam. Grayson drove Del Sol into the corner. The Dark Order worked in tandem to deliver a double team sequence. Uno was the legal man, and he lit up Del Sol's chest with a big chop followed by a side slam.
Uno got Del Sol down with a Russian leg sweep, and Grayson followed it with a running kick. Del Sol finally made the tag to Black, who came in and clotheslined both the Dark Order members.
Black connected with a few chops, back elbow, and a double ax handle to drop Uno. He then sent Grayson to the out before dropping Uno with an exploded suplex. Uno used the referee to drop Black with a falling neck breaker.
Del Sol looked for the Tornado DDT, but Uno caught him and knocked his lights out with a big right.
Grayson dropped Black with the nightfall on the outside while Uno did the honors with Del Sol in the ring for the win on AEW Dark.
Result: Stu Grayson & Evil Uno of The Dark Order def. Fuego Del Sol & Baron Black on AEW Dark
Grade: B
#12. Griff Garrison & Brian Pillman Jr. vs. Cezar Bononi & Ryzin on AEW Dark
Bononi was taken aback by Ryzin's eccentric behavior as they made their entrance together on AEW Dark.
Pillman and Ryzin started the match with a battle of shoulder tackles. Both men were unwilling to give in. Pillman got the better of the exchange with a big shoulder tackle.
Garrison got the tag and delivered a springboard leg drop. Pillman got the tag again, and he connected with the rolling senton.
Bononi got control of the match, and the former NXT Superstar isolated his opponent in the corner. Cezar got a two-count with a big back elbow. Garrison got the hot tag, and he took Bononi down with a rolling elbow strike. He took Ryzin down with a big belly-to-belly suplex.
Bononi was cleared from the ring, and Garrison and Pillman focussed on Ryzin. They delivered the spinning neck breaker-spinebuster combo for the win on AEW Dark.
Result: Griff Garrison & Brian Pillman Jr. def. Cezar Bononi & Ryzin on AEW Dark
Grade: C+
Garrison and Pillman are back in the win column after suffering a series of defeats.
#13. Lindsay Snow vs. Ivelisse on AEW Dark
Ivelisse connected with a leg kick as both women tried to one-up each other.
Snow got the fireman's drop. She looked for the death valley driver on top of the apron, but Ivelisse overcame the tricky situation. Ivelisse then took Snow out with a flipping senton on the outside.
Ivelisse was in the driver's seat as the action moved to the ring. Ivelisse locked in the chin lock, but Snow got up to her feet. Ivelisse was cocky in her approach as she exchanged kicks with Snow. Snow got some momentum with a series of clotheslines followed by a springboard crossbody.
Snow got a two-count with a running knee strike. Lindsay looked for the pump handle slam, but Ivelisse countered with a strike. Both women jockeyed for position, but Ivelisse connected with a kick and delivered the roll-through front face kick sequence for the win.
Result: Ivelisse def. Lindsay Snow on AEW Dark
Grade: C
#14. George South Jr. & Bobby Wayward (AEW Tag Team Debut) vs. The Acclaimed on AEW Dark
AEW debutant George South Jr. had some hype around his name as he is the son of former WCW, WWE, and NWA wrestler George South - who worked in the early 80s and 90s.
Caster dropped a hot verse while heading towards the ring, and the match got underway.
George South Jr. was on the receiving end of some offense in the early goings. South made the tag to Wayward, who got some strikes in on Bowens.
Bowens shut Wayward down with a massive elbow drop. Anthony, however, botched a float-over DDT before going to his corner and getting in Caster.
Caster delivered a powerful back suplex. The height on that was massive!
Wayward got a backslide, but Caster connected with a dropkick to back.
South got the hot tag, and he took the fight to The Acclaimed with some throwback offense. Some classic strikes and slams from South looked impressive. The Acclaimed, however, hit South with the Great Acclaim.
Bowens sent Wayward to the outside. The Acclaimed then delivered the 'A Claim to Fame' finisher for the win on South on AEW Dark.
Result: The Acclaimed def. George South Jr. & Bobby Wayward on AEW Dark
Grade: B
#15. Chaos Project vs. Alexa Chamberlain & Seth Gargis (AEW Tag Team Debut) on AEW Dark
Both teams squared up in the middle of the ring, and a brawl broke out. Chaos Project got a hot start on Gargis, but Seth took them both out with a double clothesline. Chamberlain was the legal man now, and he worked on Serpentico.
Alex dropped Serpentico with a side suplex for a two-count. Luther tried the blindside shot, and Serpentico took advantage by getting control of the match for his team.
Luther got the tag, and the Original Death Dealer was enjoying delivering the pain to Chamberlain. Serpentico got the tag following Luther's punt kick.
Luther used Serpentico as a weapon and continuously slammed the head into Chamberlain's gut. Luther executed a big dropkick after the Irish whip.
Serpentico blew out his lower back, trying to lift Luther up for a slam onto Chamberlain. He gave up, and Luther ended up slamming Serpentico onto Alex.
Serpentico might have endured more physical punishment than Chamberlain at this point. Alexa created the separation and made the hot tag to Gargis.
The gargantuan Gargis dominated the proceedings for a few seconds until Serpentico connected with the thrust kick on the apron. Chamberlain was sent to the outside. Chaos Project delivered the Creeping Death (assisted spinebuster-knee drop combo) on Gargis for the win on AEW Dark.
Result: Chaos Project def. Alexa Chamberlain & Seth Gargis on AEW Dark
Grade: B
#16. Co-Main Event: Lady Frost vs. Red Velvet on AEW Dark
Both women got the AEW Dark co-main event underway with the collar and elbow tie-up. Frost dropped Velvet with a shoulder block.
Velvet got some offense with a few strikes to the midsection followed by thumping kicks in the corner. Velvet connected with a single-leg dropkick for a two-count. Frost stepped out of the way, sending Velvet face-first into the middle turnbuckle.
Frost got in a few kicks but missed the moonsault press. Velvet connected with one of her own for a two-count.
Frost hit a rising strike in the corner, followed by the snap mare and a subtle kick to the head.
Frost stretched Velvet's arm in the middle of the ring. Red Velvet fought out of it and connected with a few strikes before getting the Cazadora bulldog.
Velvet connected with a knee strike to the back followed by a running boot to the side of the head for the win. That was an underwhelming finish to the AEW Dark co-main event.
Result: Red Velvet def. Lady Frost on AEW Dark
Grade: C+
#17. Main Event: 5 & 10 of Dark Order vs. Jurassic Express vs. Sonny Kiss & 'The Bad Boy' Joey Janela on AEW Dark (Three-way Tag Team Match)
Dark Order's 10 went right for Janela. The Jurassic Express then targetted 10 with the Cazadora-Flatliner combo.
Sonny Kiss and Joey Janela took Luchasaurus out with the stereo dropkicks. Kiss and Janela worked in tandem for an extensive combo on Jungle Boy. 10 sent Janela flying to the outside on Luchasaurus and the cameraman.
The match finally got underway after the chaotic start. 5 and 10 worked on Janela in their corner. Joey flipped the birds after getting cracked with a splash. Janela connected with a few body strikes but got caught by 10.
The Dark Order took Janela out with a dropkick into a fallaway slam. They got a two-count. Janela continued to get worked on in the Dark Order corner.
Janela created some separation and took both 5 and 10 out with a diving crossbody from the top rope. Sonny Kiss got the tag.
Sonny was on fire with the patented unique offensive moves. Jungle Boy made the blind tag and delivered a dropkick on 5 for a two-count. Jungle Boy got a near-fall with a waistlock roll-up.
10 delivered a wheelbarrow suplex off a cazadora for a two-count on Jungle Boy. 10 followed it with a stalling vertical suplex for another two-count.
Jungle Boy was sent to the corner, and Dark Order's 5's kicks connected to the guts of Jungle Boy.
Jungle Boy tried to leap for a tag, but 5 laid out Jungle Boy with a standing Spanish Fly. The Dark Order had been in control for the bulk of the match. Jungle Boy, however, decked 5 with a big clothesline. Luchasaurus got the hot tag, and so did Sonny Kiss.
Luchasaurus laid in the heavy leather with the kicks, and he got a near fall on Kiss before 10 broke up the count. 10 took Janela out with a double team DDT, but Jungle Boy came running in to clean out the outside with a Tope Suicida.
Back in the ring, Jurassic Express delivered a Cutter combo on Sonny Kiss for a near fall. The action was fast and furious as Janela stopped 5 on the top rope and dropped him with a death valley driver onto the lower back of Jungle Boy - who was lying on the apron.
10 then powerbombed Janela on the apron. Kiss took everyone out with an Orihara moonsault from the top rope to the outside. This was awesome!
Luchasaurus and Kiss were in the ring now, and Lucha cracked Kiss with a headbutt. Janela came in to help his tag team partner, but Jungle Boy leaped off Luchasaurus and connected with a destroyer on Janela.
Kiss cracked Luchasaurus with a high roundhouse kick. The Dark Order was back in the ring. 5 delivered the Wingsnapper before 10 came in with a springboard spear on Kiss.
5 took flight and delivered the Frog Splash. Sonny rolled to the outside.
The Jurassic Express, however, pushed 10 to the outside and delivered the assisted powerbomb combo on 5 for the win in the AEW Dark main event. What a match! We might have watched one of the best matches in AEW Dark's history.
Result: Jurassic Express def. 5 & 10 of Dark Order and Sonny Kiss & 'The Bad Boy' Joey Janela on AEW Dark
Grade: A+
An incredible main event capped off a really happening episode of AEW Dark. Tomorrow is a big day for AEW as the 'Winter is Coming' edition of Dynamite will air on TNT. Don't forget to tune in for all the live updates from the biggest episode of Dynamite in the promotions' history.
