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AEW Reviews

“He’s Got A Lot Of Scars And He’s Tasting His Own Blood” – AEW Dark – 16th June 2020 Review

ByGeorgia Madden

Jun 17, 2020 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

This week’s episode of AEW Dark featured two debuts everyone has been dying to see, Shawn Spears new fighting glove and Oscar Sabian, Penelope and Kip’s adorable puppy. Dark returned with another mega card of 11 matches this week. Let’s jump straight in.

Capital Vices & Jon Cruz Vs Jurassic Express

It was good to see Jurassic Express back together as it has been quite a while since we had seen all 3 members in the same match. While it was good to see Jurassic Express back together, that was the only highlight of this match. There were several mistakes and the match went far too long. Jurassic Express should have just come out and dominated, winning quickly. Instead, Capital Vices and Jon Cruz got a near count and seemed to get far too much offence in. I’m sure this match will be popular with someone but it to me it was just poor and unmemorable.

Winner: Jurassic Express

Brandon Cutler & Peter Avalon (w/ Leva Bates) Vs SCU

This match was already a winner in my mind before it even started because both teams are actually signed to AEW. It just sums up the problems AEW Dark is having at the moment when you are incredibly happy to see two signed teams in the same ring, it’s becoming unheard of. I’m not downplaying the fact that the winner, of course, is super predictable. Though in this match that wasn’t a problem. Cutler and Avalon are having a good little feud right now, a feud perfect for AEW Dark. It makes you want to tune in to see who will get the win first. Seeing SCU is this match was also a good thing as due to their absence for weeks SCU really disappeared out of storylines. At least now we are seeing them pick up a few wins and reminding everyone what an amazing team they are. Overall, this was a good match, it’s exactly the match that belongs on Dark. It was enjoyable, had humour and most importantly a good standard of wrestling.

Winner: SCU

Dani Jordyn Vs Big Swole

I do love Big Swole, she is the definition of a strong competitor and she shows it when she is in the ring. Now that AEW women’s division has lost two of its strongest competitors due to injury, I am truly hopeful that we will see more of Swole on the main Dynamite show. This match was ok, Swole came out and dominated. The whole match showed Big Swole as an extremely strong asset to the women’s division, so let’s hope they start pushing her as such on both shows.

Winner: Big Swole

David Ali Vs Lance Archer (w/ Jake Roberts)

While I have been complaining quite frequently about the predictability of matches on Dark, this one made complete sense. Lance Archer lost against Cody at Double or Nothing, they need to prove he is a real monster once again. So, how do you do that? Get him to beat an indie wrestler in a few minutes. Therefore, to me, this match worked. It did exactly what it set out to do, giving Lance Archer a dominating win. It was also great to see Archer just play with his victim as he refused to win at one point wanting to beat David Ali up all over again.

Winner: Lance Archer

Musa & Shawn Dean Vs Joey Janela & Sonny Kiss

Joey Janela and Sonny Kiss have tagged on different episodes of Dark for a while now, but it seems we are finally getting a proper announced team of the two. On Dynamite last week we saw a video package of the two. This match was actually starting to get good, I am a fan of Kiss and Janela teaming up. It’s also great because it means we get more of Sonny Kiss within AEW, which is something I have been asking for months. Though the match got a bit ruined as Lance Archer came out trying to beat up everyone in the ring, Jake Roberts defused the situation and sent him backstage, but it was simply weird. It actually defused a good match. I wished they hadn’t of done that, have Archer come out at the end of the match but mid-way it just felt lost. Luckily, it didn’t last long, and the rest of the match was good, it just left a bit of a sour taste as it really wasn’t needed.

Winner: Joey Janela & Sonny Kiss

Red Velvet & Kenzie Page Vs Allie & Brandi Rhodes (w/ QT Marshall & Dustin Rhodes)

I was excited about this match when it was announced as it does develop the storyline involving Allie and the Natural Nightmares. Before the match started, you expected it was all going to fall apart for the team of Allie and Brandi and it certainly did. Within a second we saw just how different their methods are, as Brandi stuck to the code of honour, Allie did not. The hatred Brandi and Allie have for each other showed, as you could see the hate pouring off of Brandi while Allie was in the ring. Allie didn’t look much happier when Brandi was in the ring either. They spent most of the match mocking each other and arguing, which made this match particularly good. You didn’t really care about the wrestling; it was more a soap opera of what Allie and Brandi were going to do next. After Allie was pushed out of the ring by Brandi, she spent the rest of the match crying injury until she forced a tag and got the win.

Winner: Allie & Brandi Rhodes

Lee Johnson Vs Shawn Spears (w/ Tully Blanchard)

Will the glove Tully gave Shawn on Dynamite be the answer to changing his losing streak? I guess, maybe, he was wearing the glove and he won so… Maybe that’s what wrestlers need to do now, wear a single glove. Anyway, the actual match was good, you knew who was going to win, but Lee Johnson put up a good fight. It was enjoyable, there was nothing I hated about it. Will I remember in a few months time? No, but it filled some time and they put on a good match. And of course, we got to see the new, improved Shawn Spears, because he is now wearing a glove, a singular black glove. If it works, it works!

Winner: Shawn Spears

Brady Pierce & John Skyler Vs Evil Uno & Stu Grayson

Let’s all start off with taking a moment to appreciate the fact Evil Uno and Stu Grayson have returned. Where have they been you may ask, possibly they have been at a seminar on running a cult. Or they could have just had travel restrictions. The full Dark Order, minus Brodie Lee, came to the ring and just stood on the entrance ramp for the whole match. I actually like the fact they do this, it adds to the whole creepy cult vibe. Another good match. It was nice to be reintroduced to Grayson and Uno within a ring as we haven’t seen them since the beginning of the year. If anything, I feel they could have been a bit more dominant. Not have allowed so much offence from Pierce and Skyler. I want to see the Dark Order be crazier and more vicious, also bring back Mr Brodie Lee’s video packages, because they are just spectacular.

Winner: Evil Uno & Stu Grayson

Griff Garrison Vs Jimmy Havoc

Jimmy Havoc returned this week without his new tag team partner, Kip Sabian at ringside. I do like the route AEW has taken with Jimmy Havoc, letting everyone know he is a tough bastard but still moving him away from only being known for hardcore matches. It’s good to see a different side to Havoc, as he is actually having more wrestling matches nowadays. Garrison had some moments in this match where I was quite impressed with him. Following the rest of the show, this was another good match where neither competitor looked buried.

Winner: Jimmy Havoc

Skyler Moore Vs Penelope Ford (w/ Kip Sabian & Oscar Sabian) 

After everyone finished cooing over Penelope and Kip’s adorable dog Oscar, we remember there was actually a match going on. Penelope took this competition with ease, barely putting much effort in. She clearly did not think much of her opponent.  At one point even stopping the match to say hello to Oscar. Skyler did take advantage of Penelope’s lack of care though as she got a bit of dominance in. Penelope Ford, of course, took the win though, after staring into the adorable eyes of Oscar, she had the kick in the butt she needed to take back control and gain the win.

Winner: Penelope Ford

Robert Anthony Vs Scorpio Sky

I wasn’t expecting much when this match was announced that was probably a mistake on my part, as it was exceptionally good. Scorpio and Anthony focused on having a more traditional match with submissions and hard-hitting moves. The only real reason you knew Scorpio was going to win this match beforehand is that he is actually signed with the company. If both were signed then it would have had a whole another level of excitement, as either could have won. Though it is hard to push that out of your mind and get truly into this match. This match could easily have put on Dynamite or even on a PPV if both wrestlers were signed. I loved how it wasn’t a quick match either. Easily, for me the best match of the show, the right choice ending the show with Anthony vs Sky.

Winner: Scorpio Sky

I don’t know if it was due to having the small crowd back for Dark this week but overall, it was a good show. You won’t tell your grandkids about it but, if you are a wrestling fan who needs their fix, this episode is definitely worth a watch. It was miles better than last week. I’m not saying there weren’t problems, because there was. Many of the matches suffered from their predictability. Eleven matches were just too many for one show and the lack of promos meant to was a rather full-on viewing. Hopefully, AEW will follow this week and start to fix the problems Dark is currently facing.

All images and videos courtesy of All Elite Wrestling and TDE Wrestling

By Georgia Madden

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