AEW Dark gives us 13 more matches before the holidays!

It’s the Dark Before Christmas, and all over the card, AEW’s stars are shining, and they’re going to hit hard! Who has a happier holiday with a win?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Jurassic Express VS Bear Country; Jurassic Express wins.
• Nyla Rose w/ Vickie Guerrero VS Tesha Price; Nyla wins.
• Sonny Kiss VS Miro w/ Kip Sabian; Miro wins.
• Thunder Rosa VS Jazmin Allure; Rosa wins.
• Lee Johnson w/ QT Marshall VS Stu Grayson w/ Evil Uno; Grayson wins.
• KiLynn King VS Alex Gracia; Gracia wins and will face Hikaru Shida on Dynamite Holiday Bash.
• Peter Avalon VS Mike Verna; Avalon wins.
• Red Velvet VS Vertvixen; Velvet wins.
• Six Man Tag: The Dark Order’s 5, 10 & Colt Cabana VS Fuego Del Sol, Aaron Solow & Ray Jaz; The Dark Order wins.
• Leyla Hirsch VS Madi Wrenkowski; Leyla wins.
• Gunn Club VS Team TNT; Gunn Club wins.
• Rey Fenix VS Danny Limelight; Fenix wins.
• Matt Sydal VS Serpentico w/ Luther; Sydal wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Jurassic Express VS Bear Country!

Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus are keeping things rolling for the team, but they’re running into Bronson and Boulder! Will the boy and his dinosaur be able to barrel through Bear Country?

The teams sort out, and JB starts against Bronson. They circle, tie up, Bronson powers JB to a corner and grinds forearms in, but he lets up as the ref counts. Bronson whips JB corner to corner, JB slips out to slide under and go around to shoulder back in. JB slingshots up and over, runs and wheelbarrows, but Bronson shoves him away. JB goes up and over and handsprings to show off before he dropkicks Bronson! Bronson stays up so JB keeps giving dropkicks! Bronson ends up in Bear corner and fans fire up. Boulder tags in and Luchasaurus wants a turn. JB tags Luchasaurus and fans are loving this showdown of superheavyweights already!

Luchasaurus CHOPS, Boulder throws a haymaker, and then he fires off headbutts! Boulder runs but Luchasaurus swats him to back elbow, headbutt and BOOT! Bronson tags back in but gets kick, kick and QUESTION MARK KICK! Tag to JB and Jurassic Express combines for a wheelbarrow COMPLETE SHOT! Luchasaurus looms over Bronson and JB uses him for a knee-board senton! Cover, ONE!! JB KICKS Bronson to the corner, throws more kicks, then runs corner to corner. Boulder saves Bronson, then Bronson EXPLODERS JB! Rough landing for JB and Bronson storms over. Bronson drags JB up to put him in the corner, tag to Boulder.

Bear Country mugs JB, Boulder bounces JB off buckles. Boulder stands JB up to throw elbows and clotheslines! Boulder whips corner to corner, then back drops JB off the rebound! Fans are fired up for the Bears as Boulder drags JB over. Tag to Bronson, they mug JB more, then Bronson drags JB up. JB throws haymakers and forearms, then he CLUBS Bronson! Bronson stays up, reels JB in and back suplexes, but JB lands on his feet! JB dodges to tag in Luchasaurus! Luchasaurus rallies, puts Bronson in the corner to throw hands then GERMAN SUPLEX! Luchasaurus kips up, Boulder runs in but gets CHOP after CHOP!

Boulder reverses the whip but Luchasaurus LARIATS back! Bronson runs into a CHOKE SLAM! Standing moonsault! Cover, Boulder breaks it! Luchasaurus drags Bronson up, tags JB and then gut wrench. Boulder rams into JB, Bronson shoves Luchasaurus into a BOOT! JB runs at Bronson, but Bronson scoops JB, MONSTER DRIVER onto Luchasaurus! Bronson pushes JB to the corner, tags Boulder in, and Boulder goes up for a MOONSAULT!? Cover, TWO!! JB survives and Boulder can’t believe it! Fans are fired up as Boulder tags Bronson back in.

Bear Country drags JB over, then Boulder Electric Chair lifts Bronson, but Luchasaurus SPRINGBOARDS?! JURASSIC DOOMSDAY!! JB knees Boulder, TAIL WHIP, and then an assist, rebound lariat to a clothesline against ropes! Boulder flops out the hard way, Bronson sits up to get the SPINNING BUZZSAW! And BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Cover, Jurassic Express wins!

Winners: Jurassic Express, by pinfall

The big, burly behemoths of Bear Country could not withstand what was coming down the tracks! Will JB and Luchasaurus go from #3 to #1 contenders soon enough?

Nyla Rose w/ Vickie Guerrero VS Tesha Price!

The Vicious Vixens are ripping their way back up the rankings, and the Native Beast is still hungry for more! Is Tesha going to pay the price of being in Nyla’s way?

The bell rings and Tesha offers a handshake? She wants to be on the Vicious Vixens’ good side. Nyla takes the hand, to CRUSH it! Then Nyla reels her in but Tesha dodges to throw forearms! Nyla knees low, clubs her then throws her by her hair! Vickie mocks Tesha’s pain as Nyla throws Tesha to a corner. Nyla runs in, blocks the boot, but Tesha enziguris! Tesha dodges to fire off forearms but Nyla shoves her away. Tesha handsprings to ROUNDHOUSE! Tesha runs, into a fireman’s carry! Tesha fights free, sunset flips but Nyla stays up to drag her up! Tesha breaks free to forearm, Nyla DECKS her!

Vickie cheers and so do some of the wrestlers ringside, but Vickie tells the booing fans to shut up. Nyla dead lifts Tesha with ONE hand, then fireman’s carries for a SAMOAN DROP! Nyla stomps Tesha, drags her up again, and hits a BACKBREAKER! But Nyla holds on to hit another BACKBREAKER! And Nyla still holds on, for a FALL AWAY SLAM! Tesha ends up across the way and she flounders to a corner. Nyla runs in to corner splash! Nyla whips Tesha corner to corner for a back body block then she CLOBBERS Tesha with a clothesline! Tesha flounders up, Nyla KNEES her down! Nyla drags Tesha up, suplexes her and hangs her out to dry. Nyla goes to the corner to climb up and leap, GUILLOTINE KNEE! Cover, Nyla wins!

Winner: Nyla Rose, by pinfall

Nyla was being a bit naughty toying with her prey like that, but Santa Claus is far too afraid to give her coal. Will Nyla get herself the greatest gift of all in another shot for the AEW Women’s World Championship?

Sonny Kiss VS Miro w/ Kip Sabian!

The Concrete Rose would’ve had The Bad Boy in his corner to counter Superbad, but that No Holds Barred with AEW World Champion, Kenny Omega, was definitely too much. Will Kiss be able to handle The Best Man without back-up?

The bell rings and Kiss circles with Miro. Miro fakes Kiss out with that step, then ROUNDHOUSES Kiss down! Miro celebrates that already, then wants Kiss to show him some fight. When Kiss doesn’t get up, Miro shouts “GAME OVER!” But Kiss avoids the stomps, hotshots Miro at the ropes then KICKS him! Kiss runs in, slides under and hits a jawbreaker! Kiss wants a rana but Miro blocks it! Miro brings Kiss back up, but Kiss fights the bomb off to rana Miro into a corner! Kiss hurries to the opposite corner, handsprings corner to corner, but into Miro’s arms! Miro back suplexes, Kiss lands on his feet and SLAPS Miro! Miro is just angrier!

Kiss backs up, and sends Miro into a corner! Kiss goes up, leaps, FLYING RANA! Kiss BOOTS Miro, does the splits and rolls Miro up, TWO! Miro hits the BEST KICK on Kiss! Miro stomps Kiss over and over, and now it’s GAME OVER! The camel clutch is DEEP, and Kiss taps!

Winner: Miro, by submission

Miro refuses to let go until he is satisfied, but he might’ve just crushed the Concrete Rose! Will The Best Man continue to devastate the roster on the way to the Superbad Best Wedding?

AEW Dark presents a new episode of The Waiting Room!

Rebel wants us to smile as she introduces The Dentist, the Role Model and face of AEW’s Women’s Division, Britt Baker~! Britt is showing off her Turner Broadcasting branded A Christmas Story Christmas sweater as she thanks everyone for tuning in. She and Rebel wish us all a very Merry Christmas on behalf of The Waiting Room. She also thanks Tony Khan for fixing the set after Scorpio Sky ruined it, like he ruins every show he’s on. Rebel, don’t touch it, the paint’s not dry. But speaking of holidays and the spirit of giving, hopefully we fans saw their “gift” to Thunder Rosa in the form of that surprise free facial. Rosa’s never looked better.

And this just in! It is booked, STING will be on The Waiting Room, on the couch, next to Britt and Rebel and with a lot of snow! Rebel is even more excited for that than Britt. But moving on, Britt previews Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite! The Butcher VS … “Pack? Pock?” PAC! The Butcher just so happens to be facing someone who “butchers” the English language. Britt does her best worst British accent as she says, “We don’ know wha’ yo’re sayin’, mate.” Then Chris Jericho and MJF will take on Top Flight. Unfortunately for Darrius and Dante, their 15 minutes of fame are almost up. But it’s okay, because they’re only 15 anyway, they have their whole lives to recover!

Unlike their next guests, who have been here since the beginning of time! Can you believe that these guys once had hair longer than Britt’s? Britt introduces their guests for the night, SoCal Uncensored, Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian! Daniels comes in first but Kaz is a little late. Britt says they can add that to the botch compilation. But Kaz says while he appreciates her sense of humor, he’s not in the mood. Kaz says to Daniels, “It wasn’t supposed to be like this, was it?” He has us remember back to last December, the AEW World Tag Team Championship tournament. It was supposed to be Daniels & Kaz running through everyone and becoming champions just like everywhere they’ve been.

But Daniels got taken out, Scorpio Sky subbed in and that combination took the titles as the first ever AEW World Tag Team Champions. A year later, we’ve all lost something, some more than others. But through all of that disappointment and setbacks, Kaz knew he could rely on SCU, on Scorpio, and on Daniels. “Until now.” Last week on Dynamite, they faced The Acclaimed, and Daniels lost. Yes, he got hit by a boombox, but he still lost. In fact, any time SCU lost, it’s been on Daniels. Yeah, harsh, huh? But Daniels needs to understand something about Kaz. Being successful in this business is more important to Kaz than anything!

Kaz was just a kid from California, who for the last 22 years, has been provided a life he could only have because of wrestling! Kaz met his best friends in this business! He met his wife and has an 8-year-old son because of this business, and Kaz’s kid has the clothes on his back and roof over his head because of this business! Every meal he has ever eaten is because of this business! So Kaz has let frustrations get in the way of personal relationships. Because Daniels isn’t just a tag partner, but Kaz’s best friend. A brother, even! Daniels was the best man at his wedding! These two, for 20 years, have traveled the world and have been inseparable. “So for allowing those professional frustrations to affect a personal relationship, I apologize.”

Daniels wants Kaz to stop. Kaz shouldn’t apologize for being passionate. Kaz is the epitome of a professional in this business! Kaz was a fan who grew up to be one of the best, and Daniels is proud to be his partner and friend. Do not apologize to Daniels. Daniels needs to apologize to Kaz. Daniels did lose that passion. Talk about a bad 2020, this was the worst year in Daniels’ professional life! A wasteland of failure! Daniels let injury and adversity grind him down until stepping into that ring filled him with fear and anxiety! “I hated coming to work every week,” and he’s been falling apart for the last 10 months.

Daniels always said to himself that he would know when it is time to walk away. Maybe all this failure is the sign that Daniels needs to walk away before ruining his reputation. Kaz won’t let Daniels just walk out “with a whimper.” Daniels doesn’t get to do that to Kaz, to the fans and the people who have supported him for almost 30 years! Daniels doesn’t get to do that to his wife, his kids, or his friends! And most of all, Daniels doesn’t get to do that to himself! Kaz knows Daniels better than anyone, and one thing Daniels is, is a fighter! Daniels fights when the pressure is on, so Kaz asks Daniels to fight by his side. “These are drastic times, so I’m going to throw out some drastic measures.”

Right now, SCU is at the bottom of the AEW Tag Division. Britt whispers to Rebel that that’s true. So Kaz wants Daniels to help him scratch and claw until they are AEW Tag Team Champions! The next time these two lose as a team, they are DONE as a tag team! Forever. Daniels looks to go to the door, but he then tells Kaz, “Let’s do it!” They shake hands, and the SoCal Ultimatum has been issued! But Kaz notices The Hybrid2 are in the Waiting Room audience, and tells them SCU has not forgotten them! SCU invite TH2 into the ring to receive an exclusive, one of a kind, ass beating! TH2 will gladly be the ones to retire them! What happens when these teams collide with a team career on the line?

As SCU leaves, Britt tells Rebel to never book them again, she never got to say a thing on her own talk show! “Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Waiting Room. Let’s do it!” Britt and Rebel already mock the SCU handshake as the talk show ends.

Thunder Rosa VS Jazmin Allure!

The “Face of AEW’s Women’s Division” is lucky Rosa didn’t crash the talk show after what she did to the former NWA Women’s World Champion. Will “Ms. Top Tier” feel the wrath meant for the Role Model?

The bell rings and the two tie up. Rosa shoves Allure down hard then talks some smack. Allure give sit back and the two tie up again. They goa round, Allure wrenches to a wristlock, but Rosa wrenches back to get a top wristlock. Rosa bends Allure back, trips her up and then covers, ONE! Rosa keeps on Allure with a keylock, fans rally as Allure fights up. Rosa whips but Allure comes back to sweep the legs then hit a basement dropkick! Cover, ONE! Rosa is up but Allure is on her with a whip. Rosa reverses and hits Allure low with a knee! Rosa slams Allure’s face on the mat then stomps her down!

Rosa puts Allure on ropes and stomps her! The ref reprimands, Rosa runs to double knee Allure in the back! Rosa drags Allure to a cover, TWO! Rosa drags Allure up, Allure throws hands but Rosa body shots. Rosa drags Allure up to RAM her into a corner, then corner to corner for another, OKLAHOMA STAMPEDE! Cover, TWO! Allure lives but Rosa stomps her down. Rosa stalks Allure to a corner, CHOPS her, then grins as she follows Allure to another corner. For another CHOP! Rosa throws elbows, runs corner to corner and comes back but Allure dodges to throw big forearms! The ref counts, Allure rolls Rosa and kicks her! Allure runs, wheelbarrows and victory FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!

Fans fire up as Allure drags Rosa up but Rosa CHOPS again! And KNEES, then mule kicks. Rosa runs to dropkick Allure down! Rosa drags Allure up, scoops and hits a THUNDER DRIVER! Cover, Rosa wins!

Winner: Thunder Rosa, by pinfall

“Britt, I’m coming for you!!” Will Britt regret going after Rosa like she did?

Lee Johnson w/ QT Marshall VS Stu Grayson w/ Evil Uno!

Big Shotty has some back-up from the Nightmare Family as he takes on the Dark Order’s human weapon! Will Stu make Johnson regret that he didn’t #JoinDarkOrder?

The bell rings and Stu rushes Johnson to run him over! Stu rallies, rams Johnson to a corner then fires off fists! The ref reprimands and backs Stu off, but Stu runs back in. Johnson dodges to fire off CHOPS! And body shots! The ref has Johnson let up, Johnson whips Stu to ropes then hurdles and drops under, but Stu avoids the dropkick! Stu runs but Johnson runs him over! Fans fire up as Johnson keeps moving, Stu hurdles and drops to dropkick back! Johnson flounders up as Stu circles him. Johnson shoves Stu away but Stu puts him on the apron. Johnson kicks back and slingshots, but Stu kicks him away! Stu slingshots for the apron senton!

Uno applauds and Stu sneers at QT. Stu stalks Johnson, fans rally up for Lee and Lee arm-drags the scoop away! Stu slips out of Johnson’s scoop to fire off kicks and CHOPS, then the URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Another try, ONE! Stu paces as he taunts Johnson. Fans rally up, Johnson gets to ropes and Stu dares him to get up. Johnson CHOPS, and Stu CHOPS back! Stu paces as Johnson slowly gets up, but Stu clubs him down! Stu gives Johnson clubbing crossface forearms then taunts him, “Is that all you got?!” Johnson throws forearms but Stu throws uppercuts! Stu clobbers Johnson with another forearm!

Stu paces more, digs his boots into Johnson at the ropes, then lets off. “C’mon, Lee, you’re better than this!” Stu wants Johnson to fight! Johnson has the ropes, Stu yanks him up by his legs, but Johnson lands on his feet to enziguri Stu away! Johnson is in a corner, Stu runs in but into an elbow. Johnson hops up, leaps over and rallies with clotheslines! Johnson whips but Stu holds ropes and boots back! Stu runs but Johnson dodges to dropkick! Stu flounders to a corner while Johnson fires up! Johnson runs in to CHOP and LARIAT!

Johnson whips but Stu reveres, only for Johnson to go up and over and handspring around. Johnson blocks the clothesline to a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Johnson keeps his cool as Stu gets up. Johnson runs in but Stu bucks off the neckbreaker, and then gets a full nelson! Johnson fights out, Stu reels him back in, but Johnson victory rolls! Stu holds on, DRAGON SUPLEX! PELE! Stu goes to the apron, springboards for the 450 SPLASH! Cover, TWO?!? Johnson survives, this is what Stu likes! Stu aims from a corner as Johnson rises. The knee pads come down, Stu runs and Johnson rolls him up! TWO!

Johnson gets around to backslide! TWO, Johnson swings but Stu goes Matrix! The Pele misses, Johnson SUPERKICKS and BUCKLE BOMBS! Johnson hurries up top with Stu in a drop zone! CANCUN TORNADO SENTON! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Stu survives and Uno gets him out of the ring. Fans rally as Johnson keeps his cool. Johnson goes out, but Stu FLAPJACKS him into the railing! Stu sees he has an opening, torture rack and tosses him into a post!! Stu puts Johnson back into the ring, aims from a corner, RUNNING KNEE! But Stu isn’t done, he drags Johnson up again, back to the torture rack for the NIGHTFALL BACKBREAKER! Cover, Stu wins!

Winner: Stu Grayson, by pinfall

Stu surprisingly shows respect by giving Johnson a fist bump. But in the end, The Dark Order gets a win over the Nightmare Family! Evil Uno will be facing Dustin Rhodes on Dynamite, will those wins keep piling up for them?

KiLynn King VS Alex Gracia!

The King and the Pink Dream both want to be the champion of the AEW Women’s Division, but both have a long way to go! And as it turns out, the winner of this match will get a non-title shodown with Hikaru Shida! Will KiLynn take one step closer to the throne? Or will Gracia be a pink nightmare before Christmas?

The bell rings and the two circle and tie up. King turns Gracia for a waistlock and a slam! Gracia moves around to get the facelock, King fights up to wrench out. King headlocks, Gracia powers out but King runs her over! King flexes, things speed up and Gracia swings only for King to whip her away. Gracia dodges but runs into King’s arm-drags! King keeps on the arm with a cording hold, Gracia fights her way up but King makes it a ghost pin! ONE, she tries again, ONE! Sunset flip, ONE! Gracia gets around to CLUB King, but King bucks the roll-up off. So Gracia hits a tiger feint and a forearm shot! Cover, TWO!

Fans cheer this opening exchange as Gracia gets King up. King breaks free to CHOP Gracia! Gracia CHOPS back! King CHOPS, uppercuts and kicks a leg out! King runs to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Gracia gets to ropes and King hears the fans rally up. King throws hands in the corner, whips Gracia corner to corner, but Gracia goes up and over and rolls King up, TWO! King kicks low and CLUBS Gracia hard! King whips, Gracia tilt-o-whirls for a headscissors! Gracia runs at the corner to elbow! Leg sweep and a BOOT WASH! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer more as King and Gracia start to throw hands.

Gracia runs and wheelbarrows, but King makes that a GERMAN SUPLEX! King fires up as the ref checks on Gracia. Gracia is somehow still okay and King moshes around. King drags Gracia up for a back suplex, but Gracia slips out! Gracia hits hair for a NECKBREAKER SPIKE! Cover, GRACIA WINS!!

Winner: Alex Gracia, by pinfall

A HUGE win for the Pink Dream! She has a match with the AEW Women’s World Champion, will she be able to punch herself a golden ticket?

Peter Avalon VS Mike Verna!

“Pretty” Peter Avalon has the mic not to hush fans but to say “Oh it’s time!” It is finally time! The first person to answer the unique open challenge, the Pageant Provocation, “is a man whose face is made for television commercials!” Here is… MIKE VERNA! Will the “real-life Man of Steel” be more than super against a man who has finally reached 3 wins?

The bell rings and the two circle. Avalon and Verna tie up, Avalon wrenches to a wristlock and hammerlocks. Verna slips around to a waistlock, Avalon pries the hold and wrenches out to yank on the arm. Verna rolls, wrenches and has the wristlock again. Avalon reels Verna in for a headlock but Verna puts him in a corner. The ref counts, Verna lets off at 4 and Avalon says don’t touch the face. Verna says Avalon can get a free shot on his pretty face, but Avalon shoves him instead. Verna shows punch and Avalon covers up, so Verna gets him in a full nelson instead! Avalon flails, Verna swings him around then tosses him!

Avalon is dizzy, Verna waistlocks but Avalon bucks the roll away. Things speed up and Verna drops to then side step, and he runs Avalon over! Verna runs, Avalon swings ax handles but Verna tilt-o-whirl headscissors! Avalon knees low, reels Verna in, but Verna suplexes, slingshots and slingshots and slingshots, and then slingshots for the suplex! The quadruple! Cover, TWO! Avalon survives but Verna runs in corner to corner, only for Avalon to boot him! Avalon runs, slips out of the scoop and he POSTS Verna! Avalon drags Verna up, wrenches the arm and yanks on it! And again! Avalon snapmares Verna to drop a leg on the arm and get a short arm scissor!

Verna endures as fans rally up. Avalon cranks on the arm, Verna reaches up to get a headlock and tip things over to a cover, TWO! Avalon has the arm again, Verna throws body shots to fight off the wrench! Verna runs but Avalon puts him on the apron! Verna KNEES Avalon back then slingshots for a roll up! TWO, to a dead lift! Avalon fights the bomb off, and WRINGS Verna out! Cover, TWO! Avalon drags Verna up, wrenches the arm and whips Verna into buckles! Avalon wraps the arm around ropes and pulls! The ref counts, Avalon lets off to CHOP! Avalon hoists Verna up, climbs up to join him, but Verna fights back! Verna headbutts Avalon down!

Verna adjusts, leaps, and missile dropkicks! Avalon flounders and Verna rallies with haymakers! Verna takes off the tape to run and ROCK Avalon with that right! Verna drags Avalon, whips him, tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER, to a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!?! Avalon survives but fans rally up for “Man of Steel! Man of Steel!” Verna goes up top, aims, and leaps, but he swanton FLOPS! Avalon mule kicks and MARTI-KNEES! Cover, Avalon wins!

Winner: Peter Avalon, by pinfall

And the win streak continues! The Pageant Provocation puts down its first participant, but will Avalon continue to score into the new year?

Red Velvet VS Vertvixen!

Things are heating up in the AEW Women’s Division and everyone wants in! But will Red Velvet serve up something sweet to “welcome” the wrestling gamer to the show?

The bell rings and Velvet circles with Vert. They approach, Vert dodges and says she’s too smart and quick for her. They tie up, Velvet waistlocks but Vert elbows out hard! Vert runs but Velvet arm-drags her around! Velvet runs, Vert dodges but Velvet calf kicks her down! Velvet puts Vert in a corner and stomps away! Velvet digs her boot in as she does the splits and stirs it up. The ref counts, Velvet whips Vert but Vert avoids the splits to hit a neck snapper! Vert stomps Velvet, puts her in a corner and CHOPS! Vert whips Velvet corner to corner but Velvet reverses, only to run into a kick! And a KICK! And an enziguri, but Velvet deflects!

Velvet fires up, dodges Vert to then clothesline! And clothesline! Bob ‘n’ weave and a strike fest for a HEEL KICK! Velvet drags Vert up to whip to ropes. Vert reverses but Velvet wheelbarrows to a BULLDOG! Velvet stirs it up and STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Velvet drags Vert up, whips her to a corner then runs in but Vert boots her! Vert gets up the corner, but Velvet hits first! Velvet has the arms for ICONOCLASM!! Vert flounders onto ropes, Velvet hits DOUBLE KNEES to the back, then the JUST DESSERTS! Cover, Velvet wins!

Winner: Red Velvet, by pinfall

The running dropkick by any other name is still just as sweet! Will Velvet continue to serve up those L’s to the roster?

Six Man Tag: The Dark Order’s 5, 10 & Colt Cabana VS Fuego Del Sol, Aaron Solow & Ray Jaz!

Before going against Jurassic Express for the Holiday Bash, Alan Angels, Preston Vance and BOOM BOOM look to build momentum. Will they bash these three young hopefuls and convince them to #JoinDarkOrder at the same time?

The teams sort out and Fuego starts against Cabana. They circle, tie up, and Cabana shoves Fuego away. Cabana flexes but Fuego comes back, only for Cabana to throw him away! Fuego comes back again, waistlocks, Cabana wrenches and spins Fuego to wristlock. Fuego handsprings and flips and spins to break free and dropkick back! Cabana stays up and laughs it off, and then he blocks the monkey flip! Cabana carries Fuego but Fuego sunset flips! Cabana stays up to dance, but things speed up. Fuego sees the Bionic Elbow coming, but doesn’t see the trip! Cabana grins as he tricked everyone, but Solow tags in.

Solow and Cabana tie up, Cabana powers Solow to the ropes, but the ref counts. Cabana lets off, Solow swings on the Numbers then dodges Cabana. Angels tags in and circles with Solow. They tie up, Angels headlocks, Solow powers out but Angels grabs hair! Angels has the headlock again but Solow rolls him off, only for Angels to run him over! Angels gives a taunting kick then runs, but Solow drops to trip him up and he gets a waistlock. Angels bucks Solow off but Solow dodges to dropkick! Angels flounders to a corner, Solow runs in but only gets buckles! Solow elbows back, Angels spins but Solow hits low. Angels comes back with the ROLLING ELBOW!

Angels runs, tilt-o-whirls and hits a Russian Leg Sweep! Cover, ONE, but Angels drags Solow over. Tag to Vance, and the Numbers combine to double suplex. Solow knees free and tags in Ray Jaz! Jaz is new to AEW but he gets around Vance to waistlock and slam him down! Jaz floats back to the waistlock, then the headlock. Vance endures the grind, fights up, but Jaz wrangles him back down. Fans rally as Jaz bridges but Vance powers up to hammerlock. Jaz standing switches but Vance elbows out to switch. Jaz elbows, runs but into a SPINEBUSTER! The Dark Order is fired up for that one!

Vance drags Jaz up to throw him out, then he goes out to throw Jaz into railing! There’s a little Dark Order fan ringside and he gets to fist bump Vance. Vance puts Jaz in the ring, drags him back up and tags in Cabana. Cabana stomps a mudhole into Jaz, then lets off to tag in Angels. Angels slingshots and dropkicks Jaz down! Angels drags Jaz up to snapmare and KICK him in the back! Angels stays between Jaz and his corner to bring him back to the Dark Order corner. Angels digs his boots in, Vance tags in and now Vance digs his boots in. The ref counts, Vance lets off and drags Jaz up for a suplex!

Vance looms over Jaz, taunts him to tag his team, but CLUBS him down! Vance brings Jaz up but Jaz ROCKS him with rights! Vance whips Jaz away to BOOT Solow! Jaz runs, flips over Vance’s back and tags in Fuego! Fuego rallies to hit Cabana, and he headscissors Vance into Angels! Fuego uses Vance to go up and dropkick Cabana down! Fuego fires off forearms and an enziguri! Fuego reels Vance in but Vance tosses him to Cabana’s toss, which Angels catches to throw to Vance! Wheelbarrow hotshot GERMAN! Jaz is in, he throws Vance out but gets mugged by Cabana and Angels! Angels CHOPS, Cabana CHOPS, and then they both whip Jaz for Vance’s SLINGSHOT SPEAR!

The Dark Order looms over Fuego all at once, bring him up by his mask and laugh at him, before Angels hits a HEEL KICK! Ripcord, BIONIC ELBOW LARIAT SANDWICH!! Cover, The Dark Order wins!

Winners: The Dark Order, by pinfall

Cabana is so fired up for his team, and the little super fan now dubbed “Negative One” is also very pleased. Will Negative One be only the first of many inspired to #JoinDarkOrder?

Leyla Hirsch VS Madi Wrenkowski!

#LEGIT Leyla “welcomes” a new addition to AEW! Will Leyla make #MissReality face reality that she isn’t legit?

The bell rings and the two circle. Madi keeps Leyla’s hands at bay but not for long as Leyla lunges in and gets legs! Leyla takes Madi down, goes for an arm but Madi uses her legs to get a ropebreak. Leyla lets go, waits on Madi, and Madi gets up to circle with Leyla. They tie up, Leyla waistlocks but Madi throws elbows. Madi wrenches, yanks on the arm, wristlocks, but Leyla slips through to wrench and wristlock back. Madi rolls, rolls and handsprings but Leyla yanks her back down! ARMBAR! Madi resists, reaches and gets a ropebreak. Leyla lets go at 4, Madi goes to the apron, and Leyla runs over to throw hands.

Madi counter punches, sunset flips but Leyla rolls out. Madi runs, Leyla dodges but Madi dropkicks her back down! Cover, TWO! Madi kicks and stomps Leyla, drags her up, but Leyla ROCKS her with rights! Madi catches the arm to knee low! Mady clubs away on Leyla’s back, drags her back up and whips her to a corner. Madi runs in and crossbodies to the apron! Madi steps back in to snapmare and talk trash. “It’s time to face reality.” FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Madi grows frustrated right away, and she gets Leyla in a chinlock. Madi thrashes Leyla around but fans rally up. Leyla fights up, throws body shots and forearms, then palm strikes and a kick!

Leyla runs, sunsets to a GERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Madi survives that unique set up, but Leyla runs at her! Madi manages to backslide, TWO! Madi kicks low, and hits a SIT-OUT FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Leyla survives but Madi throws forearms! Madi runs but Leyla deflects the boot to an OLYMPIC SLAM! And ARMBAR!! Madi taps, Leyla wins!

Winner: Leyla Hirsch, by submission

Leyla continues to be too legit, and her opponents can only quit! Will Leyla be a #LEGIT contender soon enough?

Gunn Club VS Team TNT!

Billy and the boys take a break from Six Man Tag matches to go back to 2v2. Will they still hit the mark? Or will they get blown away by Terrence and Terrell Hughes?

A bit surprisingly, it’s the Gunn brothers, Austin and Colten rather than Papa Billy getting in. There is respect between all these guys, as the Gunns know D-Von well. The teams sort out, and after rock-paper-scissors, Colten starts with Terrence. They circle, shake hands, and then tie up. They go around, Colten headlocks but Terrence powers out. Colten runs Terrence over and the Gunns fire up. Things speed up, Terrence hurdles to hip toss! Now the Hughes are fired up! Austin tags in and Terrell tags in, too! Now the other brothers tie up and go around. Austin headlocks, Terrell powers out but Austin runs him over!

Things speed up, Terrell hurdles and goes to hip toss but Austin reverses. Terrell fights off the hip toss, fireman’s carry takeover to a cover, TWO! Austin arm-drags Terrell, but Terrell arm-drags Austin in return! Terrell arm-drags again but Austin counters to a headlock! Fans rally as the two stand up, and Colten tags in. Austin wrenches and whips Terrell to a corner to uppercut! Colten whips Austin in to uppercut again, then Colten DUNKS ON Terrell! Russian Leg Sweep! Austin gets back in, Neck SNAP to the ghost pin! TWO, but Colten tags Austin back in. Austin waistlocks Terrell, Terrell switches but Austin switches back.

Terrence tags in as the O’Conner roll is bucked, but Terrence avoids Austin for Terrell to CLOBBER him! Cover, TWO! Terrence drags Austin back up, tags Terrell in, and TNT double whip Austin to a corner! Terrence RAMS in, then Terrell clobbers Austin! Terrell hits an OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer and rally up as Terrell drags Austin up and rams him into the corner. Tag to Terrence, TNT mugs Austin with a mudhole stomp! The ref counts, TNT drags Austin out and the brothers combine, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY SENTON! Cover, TWO! Austin survives that combination move but Terrell tags back in.

Team TNT has Austin in a corner, whips him corner to corner, then whips Terrence in but Austin goes up and over! Terrell whips but Austin reverses to send Terrell into Terrence! The two collide, Austin tags in Colten! Colten rallies with big lariats on both Hughes brothers! Out goes Terrence, Colten dropkicks Terrell down! Cover but Terrence breaks it! Austin throws Terrence out then keeps him down while Terrell whips Colten. Colten slides out, in and blocks the clothesline to kick low. COLT 45! Cover, the Gunn brothers win!

Winners: Gunn Club, by pinfall

That was a bull’s eye from Colten! There is still respect between them all, though, and surely both these band of brothers will be big stars in the coming years! But will Gunn Club challenge for the tag team championships first?

Rey Fenix VS Danny Limelight!

The Firebird will get his shot at Kenny Omega for THE AEW World Championship on Dynamite’s New Year’s Smash, but he needs to stay sharp. Will he be blinded by the Limelight before fighting for #PrettyPlatinum?

The bell rings and Fenix circles with Limelight. The fans rally up already as the two approach. Fenix offers a handshake, Limelight takes it but Fenix reels him in! Limelight gets around to waistlock, Limelight shoves but Fenix avoids the dropkick! Fenix runs Limelight over, then things speed up. Fenix handsprings over, Limelight hurdles, Fenix leaps and Limelight victory rolls! TWO, Fenix has the cover, TWO! Fenix keeps moving but Limelight blocks the kick to trip Fenix up! Limelight ties up the legs but Fenix resists the sharpshooter and throws Limelight off! Fans cheer that exchange and the two circle again.

Fenix dares Limelight to hit him so Limelight CHOPS! It doesn’t do anything so Limelight CHOPS again! Fenix felt that one, so he CHOPS Limelight off his feet! Things speed up, Limelight rolls Fenix up, TWO! Fenix avoids the boot, sunset flips, ONE! The clotheslines and forearms collide but Fenix dropkicks Limelight down! “ANIMO!” Fenix drags Limelight up to CLUB him! Limelight copies his brother with “CERO! MIEDO!” but Limelight fights out of the package driver to SPINNING BUZZSAW! Limelight runs, Fenix dodges and tiger feints to HEEL KICK! Fenix mockingly poses and smiles, before he basement dropkicks hard!

Fans fire up as Fenix drags Limelight back up. Fenix fireman’s carries, Limelight fights out but swings into a ripcord! Limelight blocks the kick but Fenix comes back with more kicks! Limelight blocks again to trip and DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Fenix survives and Limelight grows frustrated but fans rally up. Limelight KICKS Fenix against ropes, but Fenix eggs him on. Limelight KICKS, drags Fenix into a neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Fenix even pie faced out of that pin! Limelight puts Fenix in a corner, CHOPS him, then whips him. Fenix boots back, and ROUNDHOUSES! Then Fenix shows off with a cartwheel to ENZIGURI!

Fenix isn’t done with Limelight yet. Fenix puts Limelight against ropes to tie the legs up in them! The ref counts on the deathlock, Fenix lets off at 4 to slingshot leg drop! Cover, TWO!! Limelight survives but Fenix drags him up. Limelight forearms, back hands and back kicks, to hop up on Fenix’s back for a DUMDUM STOMP! Cover, TWO!! Limelight keeps on Fenix but Fenix fights the suplex off. The two throw big forearms back and forth, Limelight gets the edge then puts Fenix up. Limelight throws another forearm then a JUJMPING KNEE! Fenix wobbles up top and Limelight goes to the adjacent corner. Limelight mocks Cero Miedo, but Fenix meets him halfway on the tightrope trip!

Fenix and Limelight brawl while balancing on the ropes! They start to tip one way but Fenix brings them both back inside, and Fenix CHOPS! Limelight CHOPS, Fenix CHOPS, repeat! Limelight KNEES Fenix down off the ropes, continues his trip, and goes up up, and INTO A SUPERKICK!! Limelight wobbles, Fenix running SOBATS! Fenix hoists Limelight up, CHOPS him, tucks him in, KINIKUMAN BUSTER!! Cover, Fenix wins!

Winner: Rey Fenix, by pinfall

Maybe Limelight does have Cero Miedo to call Fenix out like that and give him this tough of a fight! But Fenix wins, and is rolling towards his world title battle! Will the Best Bout Machine have to take this challenge seriously?

Matt Sydal VS Serpentico w/ Luther!

The third-eye is open and the roll is building momentum! Will Sydal be able to fly high above SNAKEMAN in this Dark main event? Or will he be snake bit instead?

The bell rings and Serpentico rushes in! Sydal dodges but Serpentico comes back! Sydal dodges again and says his third-eye sees him coming. Serpentico says Luther has the real third eye. Then Serpentico gets Sydal’s leg! Sydal counters with a facelock and then a headlock to a takeover. They get back up, Sydal wrenches to a wristlock, then gets both arms for a double arm-drag! Serpentico backs away to a corner and fans cheer. Serpentico gets up, circles with Sydal again, and they tie up. Serpentico snapmares, Sydal stays up and arm-drags Serpentico around! Ghost pin, TWO! Serpentico gets away again and Sydal eggs him on.

Luther drags Serpentico out?! Luther wants Serpentico to calm down, then he throws him back into the ring! Sydal arm-drags Serpentico around more and has the cording hold! Serpentico fights up, Sydal keeps on the arm to throw Serpentico down again. Luther protests and Serpentico gets the ropebreak. Sydal lets go, Serpentico hits back and whips Sydal again, but Sydal sunset flips! TWO, into a BUTTERFLY STRETCH! Fans rally as Serpentico endures and fights to a cover, TWO! Serpentico is free but Sydal ROUNDHOUSES him down! Sydal goes for the standing moonsault but Serpentico dodges! Serpentico gets to ropes, Sydal runs, but his basement dropkick misses!

Sydal is a bit stuck in the ropes as he tries to follow Serpentico to the apron, and Serpentico BOOTS him down! Luther taunts Sydal, then Serpentico turns Sydal around! Sydal dodges but Luther scoops Serpentico, to TOSS him at Sydal! That’s not a disqualification as Luther did not hit Sydal directly. But the ref does warn Luther, but Luther tells the ref to shut up. Serpentico throws hands on Sydal, whips him hard into railing, then digs him into the rails with a knee! Serpentico drags Sydal back up to put him in the ring and follows. Fans rally but Serpentico throws haymakers. Serpentico whips corner to corner, Sydal reverses but Serpentico dodges to ROUNDHOUSE!

Serpentico slingshots to STOMP Sydal down! And he stands on him for good measure. Cover, TWO! Sydal gets to ropes, Luther argues the count but Serpentico drags Sydal up. Sydal throws body shots but Serpentico clubs him! Serpentico chokes Sydal on the ropes and Luther talks trash. The ref pulls Serpentico away, Luther chokes Sydal and gets a cheap shot! Serpentico drags Sydal up to bump off buckles, then bumps him off more buckles. Serpentico whips but Sydal blocks to ROUNDHOUSE! Serpentico fixes his head but Sydal hits a WINDMILL KICK! Fans fire up with Sydal as he sees Serpentico flounder up.

Sydal fires off kicks, and a SOBAT! Sydal reels Serpentico in, fisherman BUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Serpentico survives but Sydal keeps focus. Serpentico wrenches and fireman’s carries but Sydal slips to the dragon sleeper, SLICE! Cover, TWO! Serpentico survives the leg drop reverse DDT, but Sydal hits a STANDING MARIPOSA! Serpentico ducks a kick, rolls Sydal and BASEMENT DDT’S! Cover, TWO!! Luther shouts for Serpentico to go up top! Serpentico is reluctant but at least he won’t be thrown off by Luther like usual. Serpentico goes up, leaps but Sydal dodges the stomps for the Sidewalk DRIVER! Cover, TWO!?!

Sydal fires up more as he drags Serpentico back up. Serpentico fights off the nelson, then runs, but Sydal hooks him up, Cobra Clutch Russian Leg Sweep! Cobra Clutch stays on but Serpentico gets up and RAMS Sydal into buckles! SLICED BREAD!! Cradle cover, TWO!?! Luther is furious for Serpentico as Sydal survives! Serpentico drags Sydal up, palm strike to forearm, but Sydal rolls Serpentico to Dragon’s Lair! Cover, TWO, JUMPING KNEE! ROUNDHOUSE! PAGE TURNER! Cover, Sydal wins!!

Winner: Matt Sydal, by pinfall

The Shaman of #SSP, Sydal Sensory Perception, gets a hard fought victory over Chaos Project! Is it only a matter of time before he sets his third eye on a title?

My Thoughts:

A very good AEW Dark, and this is more to my liking. Under two hours, a baker’s dozen of matchers, and a main event with time to breathe. I also like that there’s a match that directly affects something for Dynamite, as King VS Gracia was given the stipulation that the winner gets to face the champion. Granted, it’s non-title, but it’s a great opportunity all the same. But I’m thinking Gracia and Shida will end up being visited by Abadon first and then maybe that spurs on Shida VS Abadon for the title for New Year’s Smash. Velvet VS Vertvixen was a bit clunky but I think this was their first meeting, and they’re both young stars so give it some repetition and Vert should be able to get up to speed.

Bear Country continues to be a great find, giving Jurassic Express a really good match. Gunn Club VS Team TNT was a great match-up of second generation wrestlers, and I feel like it isn’t just kayfabe to say these guys can be big deals in just a few years. Billy Gun and D-Von Dudley are of course very accomplished in their careers, and with them helping all their sons, it’s just a matter of staying healthy and focused. Danny Limelight also gives consistently great showings, so I hope AEW officially signs him and gets him to be part of something solid. Sydal VS Serpentico was a good main event, but I wonder if Luther gets his shot at Sydal to go “third eye VS third eye” or something.

This week’s Waiting Room was probably the best one when it comes to pure promo power. Kaz and Daniels were so good because it felt so genuine. I almost thought this was going to turn into a tribute to HBK throwing Marty through a barbershop window, since the Waiting Room set does have one of those glass partitions like you would for a ticket booth or doctor’s office. But instead, the SCU ultimatum is going to make for quite the story, and I’m pretty sure that means they beat TH2. Of course with AEW’s odd pacing, it could happen right away and then 2021 becomes the story of how the members of SCU figure out their purely singles careers. To be fair I would prefer the former, where The Addiction lasts until, say, the Summer of 2021, they get their tag title shot and that’s where they lose, to then go their separate ways. Either way, Kaz and Daniels, and of course Scorpio on the side, will do great work with this.

My Score: 8.3/10