AEW Dark is reaching a whole new level!

It’s time to rise up and be bigger than ever! Today is the debut of AEW Dark: Elevation, and along with the action, it will profile AEW’s Rising Stars!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Jungle Boy w/ Jurassic Express VS Danny Limelight; JB wins.
• Miro & Kip Sabian w/ Penelope Ford VS Vary Morales & Baron Black; Miro & Sabian win.
• Big Swole VS Skyler Moore; Swole wins.
• QT Marshall VS Marko Stunt; QT wins.
• Tay Conti w/ Negative One VS Ashley Vox; Conti wins.
• The Sydal Brothers VS Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs; The Sydal Brothers win.
• Red Velvet VS Dani Jordyn; Velvet wins.
• Max Caster VS Dante Martin w/ Darius Martin; Caster wins.
• Abadon VS Ray Lyn; Abadon wins.
• Brandon Cutler VS “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs w/ Hook; Hobbs wins.
• Diamante VS Leila Grey; Diamante wins.
• Private Party, The Butcher & The Blade w/ The Bunny VS Dean Alexander, Carlie Bravo, Brick Aldridge & David Ali; Private Party, Butcher & Blade win.
• Matt Sydal w/ Mike Sydal VS Michael Nakazawa w/ Kenny Omega; Sydal wins and will face Omega on AEW Dynamite.
• Riho VS Maki Itoh; Riho wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Jungle Boy w/ Jurassic Express VS Danny Limelight!

Before going into battle against Big Money Matt’s growing stable, Jungle Jack Perry is tuning up as the first match of Elevation’s debut! Will JB be swinging into Dynamite’s St. Patrick’s Day Slam?

The bell rings and fans rally up for JB as he stares down Limelight. They circle, tie up, and JB headlocks. Limelight pulls hair, powers out but JB runs him over. JB speeds up, Limelight hurdles but JB comes back to headlock takeover. Fans rally, Limelight headscissors but JB kips out. JB sweeps, covers, ONE! Limelight sweeps, covers, ONE! The fans cheer the stand-off and JB circles with Limelight. They tie up, Limelight headlocks but JB powers out. JB drops to dropkick Limelight down! Fans cheer as JB CHOPS Limelight, then whips him to ropes. Limelight dodges and slips around to arm-drag! Limelight does his dance, then CHOPS JB against ropes.

Limelight whips, JB dodges, and ranas! JB arm-drags Limelight around, then clamps onto the armlock. Limelight fights up, JB puts him in a corner, but JB lets off clean only for Limelight to kick low. Limelight kicks away on JB in the corner, slaps him around, but JB turns things around to CHOP and CHOP and CHOP! JB whips corner to corner, runs in but Limelight boots him! Limelight goes up to get a DRAPING HEADSCISSOR! The ref counts, Limelight lets off and rolls in to NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! Fans rally for JB, Limelight throws hands. Limelight back suplexes, covers, TWO! JB CHOPS from below, but Limelight KICKS him! And KICKS him! And KICKS him!

Limelight stalks JB to ropes, JB elbows and CHOPS back! Limelight gets up to throat chop! Limelight then reels JB in for a snap suplex! Limelight snapmares, KICKS JB, then runs to PENALTY KICK! Limelight rolling thunders to a DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Limelight snarls while fans rally up. Limelight goes to the apron, does a dance and slingshots onto knees! JB gets up but Limelight dodges him, tilt-o-whirl, but JB powers that to a BACKBREAKER! Fans fire up as JB crawls to a corner. Fans sing JB’s song as he gets up. Limelight runs in but JB elbows, ROCKS and uppercuts Limelight! Limelight whips JB away but JB rebound LARIATS!

Fans fire up as JB drags Limelight up to suplex, but Limelight slips out. JB ducks the kick, pump handles but Limelight slips out to throat chop again! Limelight spins to body scissor then waistlock, roll to a HALF CRAB! JB endures as Limelight drags him from ropes! JB crawls his way to other ropes, Marko Stunt gives a little help and JB gest the ropebreak! Limelight lets go and watches JB go to the apron. Limelight climbs up, leaps, but JB denies his destroyer to ROUNDHOUSE! Limelight KICKS back, JB KICKS more, then CHOPS! Limelight CHOPS, KICKS, KICKS, and BOOTS! JB stays up, to pop Limelight up and to the other side of the corner!

Limelight CLUBS JB, swings around, for a FLYING HEADSCISSORS! JB is sent into railing and fans fire up again! Marko checks on JB, he’s okay to continue and Limelight gets in the ring to build speed. Limelight FLIES with a TORNILLO! Direct hit and JB again hits railing! “This is Awesome!” and it’s just the first match of the night! Luchasaurus keeps Marko cool as Limelight puts JB in the ring. Limelight climbs again, but JB hurries over. Limelight walks the tightrope to dodge JB, then he springboards for a FLIPPING DDT?! Cover, TWO!?! JB survives and Limelight can’t believe it! Fans fire up again as JB stirs.

Limelight throws off some wrist tape as he aims at JB in the corner. Limelight brings JB up to throw forearms, then whips corner to corner. JB reverses, runs in, Limelight KNEES Him back! Limelight goes up and up and tornado, but JB makes it a roll to a BRAINBUSTER! JB hurries, double underhooks for a TIGER BOMB! And then the Queen Angelito, the SNARE TRAP! Limelight taps, JB wins!

Winner: Jungle Boy, by submission

What a big win for the first episode of Elevation and for Jungle Boy! Will he and Jurassic Express be rolling through St. Patrick’s Day?

Miro & Kip Sabian w/ Penelope Ford VS Vary Morales & Baron Black!

The Best Man and Mr. Superbad beat down Chuck Taylor & Orange Cassidy, but are heading for a rematch! Will Miro & Kip level up on Elevation going into the first-ever Arcade Machine Match?

The teams sort out, Vary starts with Kip and the two circle. Fans rally up and the two tie up but Kip kicks low! Kip fires forearms, bumps Vary off buckles then stomps a mudhole in. Kip lets off as the ref counts, then drags Vary up to snap suplex! Kip checks with Miro, and he brings Vary up to facelock for another suplex, but Vary rebounds off ropes to a cradle! TWO, and Vary shoves Kip to then RANA! Kip stagers, Vary dodges and enziguris! Cover, ROPEBREAK! Kip is safe but Miro wants after Vary. Vary gets Kip tot he corner, tags Baron and Baron throws uppercuts and CHOPS! Kip is stinging but the kicks and CHOPS back! Kip CHOPS Baron more, then stomps Baron in the corner.

Kip wrenches Baron, whips corner to corner, but Baron goes up and over and rolls Kip, but Miro is able to push it over! Baron continues through to Half Crab but Miro gets in to shove Baron off that, too! The ref reprimands and Vary protests, but Miro goes back to his corner. Baron brings Kip up but Kip swings, only into Baron’s atomic drop and BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Baron keeps cool and fans rally as Baron tags Vary in. Vary and Baron hand off to a snap suplex! Vary runs to MULE KICK! Cover, TWO! Miro is again chomping at the bit, but Kip blocks a kick to knee Vary, and then fireman’s carry to a GUTBUSTER!

Kip drags Vary around while Miro gives him orders, and Kip stomps away on Vary’s arms. Kip throws forearms in a corner then hoists Vary up top. Kip climbs up, but Vary blocks the superplex! Vary throws body shots and forearms to send Kip down, then he leaps to missile dropkick! Both men are down, they roll to their corners, hot tag to Miro and he CLOBBERS Baron! Miro goes out after Baron to throw him into the stage wall! Miro says he has had enough, and he get sin Baron’s face! “Are you going to be a world champion!? NO!” Miro throws Baron again, gets in and Vary springboards, into Miro’s AX HANDLE!

Miro shouts that Vary isn’t going to be world champion and that he is wasting Miro’s time! Miro throws Vary to the corner, then reels him into an OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Tag to Kip, Kip gets Vary up onto the ropes, for the TIME TURNER! Cover, Kip & Miro win!

Winners: Miro & Kip Sabian, by pinfall

Miro hugs Kip and raises his hand, but he has Penelope stay on the outside. Will the SuperBest Friends break Chuck and Cassidy in their rematch? Or is something else about to break?

Backstage interview with QT Marshall.

QT gets to be part of history as he’s on tonight’s first-ever episode of AEW Dark: Elevation, but Alex Marvez wants to ask about QT’s tension with the Nightmare Family. If you keep asking about the Nightmare Family, QT will walk out. But he’s kidding. QT VS Marko, Paul Wight and Tony Schiavone on commentary, this is big. Well, not that big because Marko is short. QT is just teasing again, but seriously, there is nothing wrong with him and the Nightmare Family. Is that true? Or is QT joking again?

Big Swole VS Skyler Moore!

Though she staked her claim on the Dark Before Revolution, the TRUE #1 contender is waiting on her shot at the AEW Women’s World Championship. Will she be left wanting more after getting through Moore tonight?

The bell rings and Swole circles with Moore. The fans rally up, Swole and Moore tie up, and Moore pulls hair so Swole shoves her down. Swole tells Moore she ain’t ready for this. Moore gets up, circles with Swole and ties up. Swole wrenches to a wristlock but Moore reverses to wrench back. Swole spins through, wrenches and grinds Moore down to hammerlock. Moore reaches back to headlock but Swole cranks the arm. Swole clubs Moore, then waistlocks to throw Moore down. Moore fights up, pries the hold, elbows free, but Swole waistlocks. Moore elbows free again, snapmares and pie faces Swole. Moore mocks Swole, speeds up, but Swole CLOBBERS her!

Swole follows Moore out, whips her into railing, then into the apron! Then into the railing, then into the apron! Swole puts Moore back in the ring, runs in at the corner but Moore slips out! Moore shoulders in but misses, only to dodge the kick! Moore traps Swole’s leg in ropes and chokes her against the ropes! The ref counts, Moore sweeps Swole’s leg, then covers, TWO! Fans rally up, Moore pushes Swole down and rains down forearms! Moore stomps Swole’s leg, then digs her boot in while mocking the flexing. Swole kicks with her free leg but Moore stomps her down. Cover, ONE, but Moore is after the leg. Fans rally, Swole hits Moore but Moore DDT’s the leg! Cover, TWO!

Moore keeps after Swole’s legs with a standing toehold. Swole fights with slapping hands to the side, but Moore throws the leg down. Cover, ONE, but Moore gets mad and clamps on with a chinlock. Swole endures, fans rally up, and Swole throws elbows. Moore hooks Swole’s arms but Swole breaks free to REVERSE HEADBUTT! Swole runs, Moore reels her in but Swole elbows her away! Swole runs but Moore shows strength as she scoops! BACKBREAKER, reset and POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up, Moore grabs Swole but Swole cradles, TWO! Swole ROCKS Moore, uppercuts her, then rallies forearms!

Swole rallies with more strikes. Moore avoids the kicks but not the HEADBUTT! Swole gets under, ripcord, DIRTY DANCING! Cover, Swole wins!

Winner: Big Swole, by pinfall

And that’s all for Moore! Swole definitely rolls towards the title, but will she get her shot before anyone else does?

Kenny Omega is living the high life at the AEW Casino.

He’s friends with the club DJ, gets in ahead of everyone else, and has that AEW Casino mobile game money to flaunt. John Skyler says, “Why can’t I get in?” Omega says he knows the rules, and tells him to get a jacket. The Dark Order is shooting dice. Evil Uno says all on black, but John Silver says as a stats man, they should put it on red. Alex Reynolds reminds Silver they’re the Dark Order. Britt Baker is on a hot streak, and Omega sits with Ricky Starks and Orange Cassidy at Blackjack. Are you ready to play? Or are you ready to win? Go get AEW Casino on mobile now!

QT Marshall VS Marko Stunt!

Like the Gifted said, this is big in a historical sense, as he takes on the Fun-Size member of Jurassic Express! But will the win be big if Stunt surprises QT?

The bell rings and the two circle. QT and Stunt tie up, Stunt waistlocks then wrenches, but QT just sweeps with one leg. Stunt gets up, circles and ties up with QT, and QT waistlocks to SLAM Stunt down! QT facelocks but Stunt slips away to reset. Stunt and QT circle, Stunt goes after a leg but QT TOSSES him off. Stunt gets fired up and he gets in QT’s face with shoves and a SLAP! QT DECKS Stunt! QT drags Stunt up, whips but Stunt kicks back! Stunt dodges, tilt-o-whirls and a little more for the headscissor! Stunt eggs QT on, baits him into a corner and the buckles, then climbs up for an elbow drop! Cover, ONE, but Stunt basement dropkicks!

Stunt hurries back up top, leaps, but QT blocks the rana! QT brings Stunt up but Stunt sunset flips, but QT stays up! QT drags Stunt right up, tosses him up and flips him for a BACKBREAKER! QT has fans among his peers such as JD Drake and Vickie Guerrero as he stomps away on Stunt. QT drags Stunt up, scoops and hits another BACKBREAKER! Stunt writhes as QT paces around. QT covers, ONE!! Stunt is tougher than he looks and he throws body shots at QT. QT drags Stunt up to suplex, but Stunt fights back with knees! QT keeps him up but Stunt slips around to waistlock! QT bucks the O’Conner off but Stunt ENZIGURIS! Stunt runs, but into a pop-up FAST BALL!!

QT takes his time going to Stunt to cover, TWO!? It was barely more than shifting a shoulder up. QT calls upon the powers of DDP and he drags Stunt up. QT cravats for a running start, but Stunt slips out and flops to the mat! QT laughs, brings Stunt up but Stunt JAWBREAKERS back! Stunt fires off hands but QT DECKS him again! Stunt sits up in a daze but QT drags him to ropes. QT whips, Stunt slides under and uses a pump handle to flip QT! Stunt runs but QT dodges, only for Stunt to come back with a crossbody! Stunt keeps moving, BASEMENT KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Stunt is shocked but he won’t give up here!

Fans rally but QT scoops Stunt, only for Stunt to slip and roll QT up, TWO! Stunt runs, rolls and pops out to DESTROYER!! Cover, TWO!!! Fans are fired up for Stunt as he gets himself to ropes. QT slowly rises, Stunt runs in to mule kick then cravat. Stunt uses the ropes, but QT holds the Sliced Bread up, to pop it into the DIAMOND CUTTER! Cover, QT wins!

Winner: QT Marshall, by pinfall

Wait, the Pretty Boys attack!? Peter Avalon has Ryan Nemeth and Cezar Bononi beat up Stunt, and QT just walks away! Luchasaurus rushes back out but Avalon and his boys get away. We’ll see Luchasaurus take on Bononi on Dark Classic, will he avenge Stunt? As for QT, is everything alright with him?

AEW’s Rising Star: Lee Johnson.

Big Shotty got his first win after joining the Nightmare Family, and by beating Peter Avalon. “That first win was unbelievable. It was something that I dreamed about every single week.” Johnson wished he had the words for it, but he didn’t. Johnson has wanted to be a pro-wrestler ever since he was three. No college, no other job, just wrestling. He knew he’d make it either way, because it would always be his goal.

“It’s so funny, I remember the pandemic first hit and here I am, the first week, I’m eating pizza, I’m eating chicken wings, I’m not gonna wrestle in a long while. That’s what was going on in my head.” But then Johnson gets a call from AEW, they want to give him a shot, do some work, and the rest is history. That big first win, the “Lee Johnson is #AllElite” post, and he learned from the Nightmare Family that doing the work gets you success. But being in this team puts a lot of pressure on him. The Rhodes name is a lot to live up to, but he was told it’s more than okay for him to be Lee Johnson.

His nickname, “Big Shotty” comes from him first being “The Shotgun.” His uncle played football, passed away in 2009, but that was his uncle’s nickname. Getting here, Johnson needed something else. So the nickname is the mindset, “Big Shotty.” Passion, fire, drive. Johnson does the work, and lives by the quote, “I did yesterday what they wouldn’t so that today I can do what they can’t.” Johnson isn’t throwing this one away, he’s taking his shot.

Tay Conti w/ Negative One VS Ashley Vox!

The Brazilian Blackbelt and the Dark Order are staying strong while Anna Jay recovers. But will she be washed out to see by Poseidon’s Siren?

The bell rings and the two circle. They feel out the grapple, Vox kicks and kicks but Tay shrugs it all off. Tay fakes Vox with one kick, catches her with the heel, then knuckle locks to throw Vox down! Cover, ONE! Vox powers Tay to a corner, but Tay goes up and gets the arm for the DRAPING ARMBAR! The ref counts, Tay lets off and fans fire up. Vox swings but Tay blocks to spin and STO! Cover, ONE, but Tay has an arm trapped in a modified arm scissor. Vox rolls but Tay hits sayanagi after sayanagi! Tay then sits Vox up to kick but Vox ducks to roll her up! TWO, Vox dodges again and tries for the FISH HOOK! Tay breaks free but Vox HEADBUTTS her!

Vox runs into the corner but Tay puts her on the apron. Vox shoulders in, slingshots over and headscissors Tay out of the ring! Vox fires up, Negative One gives thumbs down, but Tay avoids the dive to KNEE Vox down! Tay hurries out and aims at Vox, but Vox ducks the kick, only for Tay to KICK the other way! Tay brings Vox up but Vox RAMS her into the apron! Vox throws heavy forearms, but Tay gives them back! Tay RAMS Vox into railing, then brings her back over to put in the ring. Vox rolls right out and comes around the way to SHOTGUN KNEE! Tay staggers, Negative One is worried, but Vox swings her hook! Tay ducks, picks Vox up, swinging BACKBREAKER!

Fans fire up for Tay and she fires up as she drags Vox into the ring. Tay climbs up top, Vox staggers but gets under the leap. Tay comes back to BOOT Vox down! Vox flounders, Tay runs in and KNEES Vox! HAMMERLOCK DDT! Cover, Tay, wins!

Winner: Tay Conti, by pinfall

Negative One celebrates with Tay with a raise of the hand and a big hug. Will Tay be a contender soon enough?

The Sydal Brothers VS Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs!

Matt & Mike Sydal know all about elevation, both physically and mentally! Will they be on another level after being part of this historic debut? Or will it be ruined by the West Coast Wrecking Crew?

The teams sort out, Mike starts with Isaacs and fans rally up. Mike focus his chi, but Isaacs gets a takedown! Isaacs has the waistlock and throws Mike around. Mike switches, Isaacs puts Mike in a corner and throws an elbow. Isaacs forearms and whips but Mike goes up and over and handsprings to dropkick! Cover, ONE! Mike tags Matt, the Sydal Brothers double whip to drop toehold, basement dropkick, and then tie Isaacs up into a Bow ‘n’ Arrow! Isaacs endures, Nelson coaches him but Matt lets him off to DOUBLE STOMP! Isaacs his back, scoops Matt and slams him! Tag to Nelson and he scoops, only for Matt to arm-drag Nelson around!

Sydal has the armlock and keeps Nelson down. Fans rally, Matt wrenches and headlocks, then tags Mike. Mike climbs up, Matt sets Nelson up, Mike DRAPING STOMPS Nelson down! The Sydals flying-mare to a STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, ONE, but Mike keeps Nelson from Isaacs. Mike headbutts, throws forearms, and then whips Nelson corner to corner. Nelson reverses, runs in but Mike elbows him away! Mike goes out and up, but Nelson rushes in, so Mike cartwheels on ropes to avoid him! Mike BOOTS Nelson down, covers, but Isaacs breaks it! Matt goes after Isaacs but the ref backs him down. Isaacs CLOBBERS Mike from behind!

Isaacs drags Matt into his corner and stomps him down. Nelson adds on, tags Isaacs in, and they set Mike’s leg on ropes to knee, kick and DRAGON SCREW! DOUBLE STOMPS then cover, TWO! Isaacs tags Nelson, WCWC mug Mike and double whip him, but Mike kicks Nelson! Isaacs ROCKS Mike, suplexes, and feeds him to Nelson, POWERBOMB NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Mike survives but Nelson mocks the third eye. Nelson runs at Mike, Mike goes Matrix and tags in Matt! Matt slingshot kicks Nelson, fires off standing kicks and a sobat! Isaacs runs in but Matt kicks away on him! Matt dodges Nelson to WHEEL KICK him down!

Matt BRONCO BUSTERS Isaacs, and gives Nelson the SLICE, to the STANDING MARIPOSA! Cover, Isaacs breaks it! Mike hits Isaacs for earlier, but Isaacs elbows him! WCWC get Mike up but Matt saves him from the double suplex, and gives him an assist in the RANA! Isaacs flies out of the ring, Matt RANAS Nelson! ROUNDHOUSE, then the DOUBLE LIGHTNING SPIRAL!! Cover, the Sydal Brothers win!

Winners: The Sydal Brothers, by pinfall

This combination is firing up, they’re ready to strike! Will they be able to turn things around to be ranking tag team contenders?

Backstage interview with Will Hobbs and Hook.

Team Taz is represented on Elevation’s debut, and Hobbs is up against a man who has won 9 of his last 11 matches in Brandon Cutler. Hook scoffs at that, and Hobbs says this is the same BS they’ve been talking about! Cutler isn’t getting his 10th win on Hobbs. Hobs is no chump, who just walks around playing games. Hobbs doesn’t play games. Tonight, Hobbs is about that action. Tonight, they handle Town Business.

Red Velvet VS Dani Jordyn!

Though she lost to Jade Cargill in Cargill’s debut, Velvet isn’t going to let that break her. She’s stirring it up, but will she be serving the Real Mean Girl an L on Elevation?

The bell rings and Velvet circles with Dani. They tie up, Velvet pushes Dani away and fans like that. They tie up again. and now Dani shoves Velvet. They circle, fans rally up, and they tie up again. Velvet headlocks, throws Dani down with the takeover, but Dani headscissors. Velvet pops out, headlocks to another takeover, but Dani again headscissors. Velvet gets out again, arm-drags Dani around, and then whips Dani to ropes. Velvet does the splits to trip Dani and then hits a calf kick! Velvet brings Dani up to bump off buckles and dig her boot in while doing the splits! The ref counts, Velvet lets off at 4, and then Velvet storms back in, only for Dani to throw her into buckles!

Velvet flops out of the ring, Dani stalks her and runs in to CLOBBER her! Dani refreshes the count, then RAMS Velvet into the apron before putting her in. Dani gets her Burn Book and turns to Velvet’s page: “I’m not scared of cake!” Dani goes in, but Velvet gets a cradle, TWO! Dani gets a waistlock but Velvet blocks the lift. Velvet pries free, but Dani reels her in to throw her by her hair! Dani rains down rights, the ref reprimands and Dani lets off. Dani pushes Velvet around then dodges, only for Velvet to come back and rally with clotheslines! Velvet wheelbarrows and hits a BULLDOG! Fans fire up with Velvet as she stirs it up to STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!

Velvet keeps close to Dani as she gets up, bobs ‘n’ weaves with her to ROCK her, kick a leg out, then HEEL KICK! Velvet runs to hit JUST DESSERTS! Cover, Velvet wins!

Winner: Red Velvet, by pinfall

Another sweet victory for Velvet, and she is heating up at the right time. Will she be on the heels of Big Swole in the chase for Hikaru Shid and the AEW Women’s Championship?

Backstage interview with the Sydal Brothers.

Marvez congratulates Matt & Mike on their big win tonight, but what is next? Well the Sydals bend but they don’t break. They are on their way to taking over all divisions of AEW! But then Michael Nakazawa excuses Marvez so that Kenny Omega can take over this interview! Omega just heard that and was getting goosebumps. But here’s the thing. As much as we want to hear you two talk, they’d much rather hear from the AEW World Champion. That’s why Omega is here to scout for the flagship show on Wednesdays, aka Dynamite. If these two stay on a winning track, they might be on Dynamite, and might even face Omega one day.

Matt says he’ll definitely be on Dynamite. He’ll break right through the Top 5 to be a challenger to that title. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Whose top 5? That Tony Khan top 5? The only real top 5 is Omega’s. Nakazawa shows Matt the top five “from the office of Kenny Omega.” Number 5: Michael Nakazawa. Number 4: Also Nakazawa. Number 3, 2 and 1, too? Matt beat Nakazawa before! Well if Matt beats him again, Omega will give Matt a match on Dynamite. And if Matt somehow beats Omega on Dynamite, Omega will give him a title shot! But one caveat: He has to do it TONIGHT. Matt is up for that! He’s okay for a double-header! Omega pumps Nakazawa up, but will a Lightning Spiral strike twice tonight?

Max Caster VS Dante Martin!

Normally in the AEW Tag Division, Platinum has proven he’s very good as a singles competitor. But now, “Angel Dorado” wants to prove he can do that, too! But Caster spits rhymes again, “Platinum Max, I be doing the most. How the team ‘Top Flight’ when you’re sitting in coach? How’m I be scared of a 4-year-old? Hell, I’ll put you through a wall like a glory hole! I’m what you call nice, footsteps bigger than Paul Wight, my peer group’s smaller than your balls, right? I’m about take down Dante, and I’m more handsome, at least that’s what your mom say. Your mom told me that, Dante.” Caster riled Dante up, will he regret it for once?

The bell rings, Caster and Dante circle and tie up. Caster shoves Dante away and smooths his hair. Dante comes back to circle with Caster, they tie up again, and Dante pie faces Caster! Caster reaches at Dante but Dante keeps away. Dante shoves Caster, tension mounts, and the two tie up again. Dante wrenches to a wristlock, Caster wrenches to snapmare and chinlock. Dante slips out, wrenches to a wristlock, but Caster spins through to get in and snapmare. Caster wants to chinlock but again Dante gets out to wrench. Caster tries to throw Dante but Dante waistlocks. Caster bucks him off, headstands and BOOTS Dante down!

Fans boo as Caster eggs Dante on. Things speed up, Dante hurdles then hits a headlock takeover! Caster fights up, fans rally, and Caster wrenches out to a keylock. Caster keeps Dante from ropes but Dante jumps up to springboard and arm-drag! Caster blocks the arm-drag, whips Dante away, but Dante rolls and spins Caster around for a low arm-drag! Caster bails out but he avoids the plancha! Dante jumps from the apron, Caster dodges but Dante kicks his leg out! Dante puts Caster in, goes to the apron and springboards, but Caster anchors him! Dante clubs Caster, but Caster TRIPS Dante! Dante hits buckles on the way down!

Caster stomps away on Dante but lets off as the ref counts. Caster drags Dante up, Dante throws body shots, but Caster CLUBS him down! Caster looms over Dante, brings him up to wrench again, and he keylocks to drive Dante down! Cover, TWO! Caster clamps back onto the arm and digs his elbow in Dante’s head. Dante throws body shots but Caster wrenches again to stomp the arm! Caster drags Dante up, Dante pushes him but Caster puts him in the corner. Caster hoists Dante up top, throws hands, then climbs up. Dante throws body shots and shoves Caster away. Caster comes back and trips Dante up again!

Dante lands on the corner, Caster drags him out for a DRAPING STUNNER! Fans boo as Caster covers, TWO!! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Caster stomps and clubs Dante, then gets a short arm scissor! Dante fights up, powers to a cover, TWO! Caster drags Dante up, snapmares him and runs to drop a knee but misses as Dante moves! Caster tries an elbow drop but misses again! Dante boots Caster then LARIATS! And dropkicks! Dante headscissors Caster down and fans fire up! Date sees Caster go to the apron and he gets ready to run, but Caster hotshots the arm! Dante still baseball slides Caster, then builds speed to FLY! Direct hit and Caster is down!

Dante puts Caster in, springboards, and SPLASHES! Cover, TWO!! Dante hurries and he takes Caster’s boombox away! The ref takes that for Dante, but Caster pops Dante up to LOW BLOW!! Caster goes to the corner while Dante is down, for the MIC DROP! Cover, Caster wins!

Winner: Max Caster, by pinfall

Caster kisses Dante’s hand as thanks again before letting Dante hold his boys. Will Caster keep dropping bars and getting wins all the way to the top?

Abadon VS Ray Lyn!

The Living Dead Girl is rising again! Will she put the “Dark” back into “Dark: Elevation?” Or will Ray Lyn be a ray of sunshine and win?

The bell rings, Ray is wary of Abadon, and Abadon choke grips her to the ropes! Ray gets away, CLUBS Abadon, but Abadon just turns around. Ray runs, Abadon follows and Abadon CLOBBERS Ray! Abadon uses knuckle locks to drag Ray up, throw her around, and then she stalks her to a corner. Ray kicks back, but Abadon comes back for more. Abadon puts Ray in the ropes for a DRAPING BACK2BACKBREAKER! Abadon stalks Ray more, drags her up, and two-hand SLAMS her! Abadon looms over Ray, drags her back up with body hands but Ray KICKS and KICKS! Abadon catches Ray for an EXPLODER!

Ray bails out, Abadon runs over but Ray dodges to ROUNDHOUES! Abadon stays up!? Ray freaks out but runs in, into an STO! Abadon hammers away on Ray, the ref reprimands but Abadon shrieks at Aubrey! Abadon puts Ray in, stalks her and drags her up, to then put her against buckles. Abadon wants to bite Ray! The ref reprimands, Ray ROCKS her, but then Abadon CHOPS Ray off her feet! Abadon hauls Ray up, Gory Especial for the CEMETERY DRIVE!! Cover, Abadon wins!

Winner: Abadon, by pinfall

That isn’t the end of it, Abadon wants to CHOKE Ray! The ref reprimands her, so Abadon crawls after her! Aubrey gets away, but will there be any running from this nightmare?

Brandon Cutler VS “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs w/ Hook!

The Dungeon Master hasn’t been able to put together a streak, but that’s both good and bad, since he isn’t on an awful losing streak again. But will running into the Powerhouse reset Cutler to level one?

The bell rings and Hobbs corners Cutler quickly. Cutler tries to get away but Hobbs pushes him back in, and then again! cutler doges under, but runs into Hobbs’ shoulder! Cutler flops out of the ring, Hobbs goes out and chases him around the way. Cutler gets Hobbs as he gets back in and hammers away. Hobbs shoves Cutler, Cutler runs back in to splash and fire off forearms! Hobbs shoves Cutler again but Cutler comes back with forearms! cutler runs, but Hobbs catches him! Hobbs RAMS Cutler into the corner, then throws heavy body shots! Hobbs brings Cutler out to pick him up into a bearhug! Cutler endures as Hobbs squeezes and thrashes him around!

Fans rally, Cutler endures, and Cutler throws elbows. Hobbs squeezes tighter, Cutler throws elbows over and over, and Cutler gets free to run. Hobbs swings, Cutler dodges and dropkicks a leg out! Cutler goes to the apron, springboards in and crossbodies Hobbs down! Cover, TWO! Cutler hurries up a corner, leaps at Hobbs, but Hobbs catches him! Hobbs pops Cutler around, and hits TOWN BUSINESS!! Cover, Hobbs wins!

Winner: Will Hobbs, by pinfall

Cutler tried to bring the fight, but Hobbs is just too big, too strong and too mean. Is Hobbs going to steamroll his way to a title opportunity?

Diamante VS Leila Grey!

The Cuban Diamond keeps going to prove she deserves a shot, but will she show this rising star that diamonds aren’t always a girl’s best friend?

The bell rings, Diamante and Grey circle, tie up, and Diamante wrenches to a wristlock. Diamante hammerlocks, trips Grey, floats to a facelock, but Grey fights up. Grey throws body shots but Diamante CLUBS her and pie faces her. Grey headlocks, Diamante powers out but Grey runs her over! Grey brushes off her shoulder, things speed up and Grey waistlocks to shove and arm-drag! Grey keeps going with more arm-drags and fans fire up for her. Grey whips, Diamante reverses but Grey crossbodies! Cover, TWO! Grey grits her teeth, drags Diamante up and wrenches to a hammerlock. Diamante elbows back and CLOBBERS her with a lariat!

Diamante rains down lefts on Grey, the ref reprimands the closed fists but Diamante drags Grey up to CLOBBER her with crossface forearms again and again! Cover, TWO! Diamante drags Grey up, snap suplexes, for una amiga! Then a snap suplex for dos amigas! Vickie likes what she sees as Diamante uses THREE AMIGOS to send Grey into buckles! Grey sits up, to get Diamante’s HESITATION DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Diamante clamps onto an arm, Grey endures but Diamante chinbars. Grey fights up but Diamante drags her down again. Grey still fights up to throw body shots but Diamante knees low!

Diamante whips, Grey goes up in the corner but Diamante the over. Diamante shoves Grey back to the corner, Grey stops herself with a boot, and pushes off for a back elbow! Both women go down as Grey may’ve bumped heads with Diamante, too. Both women slowly stand, and Grey throws a forearm. Diamante hits back, fires off and uppercuts, then mule kicks to hop on, CODE RED!! Diamante wins!

Winner: Diamante, by pinfall

Diamante keeps knocking them down, but will she get to the top 5 and be a contender for the AEW Women’s World Championship?

Private Party, The Butcher & The Blade w/ The Bunny VS Dean Alexander, Carlie Bravo, Brick Aldridge & David Ali!

Big Money Matt is amassing a stable of heavy hitters, all to go after Hangman Page and the Dark Order! Will Marq Quen, Isiah Kassidy and Hardy’s newest henchmen show what they can do as a unit?

Big Money Matt does join his team ringside, accompanying his original clients personally. The teams sort out, and Blade ambushes Bravo! Butcher helps him blast the rest of the corner, and then they hit the dropkick gut wrench combo on Bravo! Bravo flounders, Kassidy tags in off Blade and Bravo tags out to Ali. Ali waistlocks but Kassidy switches, but ALi switches back. Kassidy switches again but Ali elbows the hold. Kassidy CLUBS Ali, back suplexes, but Ali lands on his feet! Ali shoves Kassidy, Kassidy BOOTS him! Quen tags in. Kassidy dodges Ali then pops him up for Quen’s atomic drop, to then enziguri! Leg sweep, SAY CHEESE! Double stomps take Ali down!

Hardy cheers his team on as Quen kicks Ali. Quen suplexes Ali slips out and tags in Alexander. Kassidy swipes at him and Quen dropkicks! Kassidy tags in, Private Party double whip to double atomic drop! They split the wishbone then double basement dropkick! Hardy says those are his kings! Kassidy swaggers, Alexander tags in Aldridge! Aldridge throws haymakers and DECKS Kassidy! He CLOBBERS Quen, but Kassidy dodges and Butcher gets in to CLOBBER him! The ref reprimands Butcher but Kassidy kicks Aldridge out. Hardy is there to POST him! Bravo and team protest but then Bunny gets her shots in!

Things cool off as Butcher puts Aldridge in for Kassidy. Kassidy drags Aldridge over, tags in Blade, and Blade stomps Aldridge down. Blade bumps Aldridge off buckles, CHOPS and throws haymakers, repeat! Blade stomps away, the ref counts but Blade won’t let off! Kassidy gets a cheap shot in, Blade brings Aldridge up to whip corner to corner. Aldridge elbows back, hot tag to Ali! Ali fires off on Blade then runs, but into a SPINNING POWERSLAM! Covers but Bravo breaks it! All hell breaks loose now! Hardy’s team throws everyone else out and isolate Ali. They bring Ali around, DOUBLE GIRI combo, to the DRAG THE LAKE! Cover, Hardy’s team wins!

Winners: Private Party, The Butcher & The Blade, by pinfall

And that is how you unite as a team! Hardy shouts that for any team that faces his, “YOU’RE DEAD!!” Will this be the fate of Hangman and the Dark Order?

Matt Sydal w/ Mike Sydal VS Michael Nakazawa w/ Kenny Omega!

This special bonus for Elevation will test if Matt really is top 5 material! But will the Turkish Oil Master give Sydal the slip and keep him from bothering the Best Bout Machine on Dynamite?

Nakazawa isn’t even dressed in wrestling gear! He’s still in the polo, slacks and headset he wears as Omega’s assistant. And he doesn’t even wait for the bell, he CLOBBERS Matt from behind, with that apple of his! Nakazawa brings Matt up to elbow him down, and then wraps Sydal’s arm against ropes. Nakazawa makes Sydal eat the apple he already took a bite from, then goes to the apron to BOOT Sydal down! Nakazawa drags Matt into a camel clutch, and uses his lanyard!! THe ref counts, takes the headset off so Nakazawa can hear, and Nakazawa lets off at 4. Nakazawa explains he had the volume up.

Nakazawa takes off his belt and starts using that to choke Sydal! The ref reprimands but Nakazawa lets off. Matt fires off on Nakazawa with kicks and CHOPS, but Nakazawa CHOPS and CHOPS back! Nakazawa reels Sydal in, Sydal slips out of the slam to WHEEL KICK! Nakazawa flounders into more kicks! Sydal KICKS and whips, but Nakazawa blocks so Sydal KICKS harder! Sydal points to the third eye and whips but Nakazawa reverses to fireman’s carry and SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Sydal is still in this but Nakazawa says he’ll finish it now. Nakazawa scoops but Sydal fights out and PANTSES Nakazawa! Nakazawa blocks low, but Sydal ROUNDHOUSES him down! Cover, Sydal wins!

Winner: Matt Sydal (will face Kenny Omega on Dynamite)

Mike celebrates with Matt but here comes Omega to attack them both! Omega throws Mike out, CLUBS away on Matt, and uses Nakazawa’s laptop to CLOBBER Matt! Omega gets a mic, and “congratulates” Sydal for getting the one-way ticket to the Omega Train! Omega is all jacked up and is feeling a little frisky! So that match Sydal wants, let’s just do that NOW! Omega attacks Sydal, reels him in, but there’s no bell! ONE WINGED ANGEL!! Cover, Nakazawa makes the ref count, and Omega “wins?” But wait, there was no bell, and Omega says the Elevation ratings are going to go up thanks to him!

But Tony Khan appears! Tony says that was crap! He never wanted to be put in this position, but Omega is the one going back on their “gentlemen’s agreement” of how things were going to go. Omega went after Sydal after he already had two matches tonight, and honestly, Omega isn’t the one who makes matches, that’s Tony! So Tony Khan says that 9 nights from now, AEW Dynamite 3/24/21, Sydal will get that match with Omega! And the deal still stands: If Sydal wins, he gets a title shot! Omega is furious but Tony says he’s the one who put himself in this situation! There’s no editing this out of Elevation, either!

Tony’s hand was forced but he’s also forcing Omega to keep his word! Will Sydal strike the Cleaner when things are fair and square?

Riho VS Maki Itoh!

This is already an incredible main event for the first episode of Elevation just from looking at it! The inaugural AEW Women’s World Champion and the Fired Idol do battle in the wake of Revolution, but who will take that first step towards the top?

Fans cheer as Itoh sings her theme song and this time there’s no interruption or distraction. Riho makes her entrance, and the bell rings. Riho and Itoh circle, tie up, and Riho wrenches to a wristlock. Itoh wrenches through to wristlock, but Riho rolls to wristlock again. Riho hammerlocks, headlocks, but Itoh throws body shots. Itoh powers out, things speed up, Riho handsprings and dodges to whip, but Itoh runs her over! Itoh fires up and spins Riho around to cover, but Riho Matrix slips out! Itoh throws Riho down by her hair, then fires up, but the Kokeshi FLOPS! Riho stomps Itoh, drags her up and bumps Itoh off buckles. But Itoh’s iron head is not bothered!

Actually, Itoh fires up by bumping her head off buckles more. Itoh grabs Riho’s head but Riho goes Matrix to avoid a headbutt! Only for Itoh to KOKESHI! Riho gets to a corner, Itoh fires up and asks, “Who is the cutest in the world~? ITOH-CHAAAN~ DESU!” Itoh rains down about 5 punches, then hops down to whip. Itoh runs corner to corner for a back elbow! Itoh whips the other way to then BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Itoh drags Riho up to put her in the ropes and pull her back for a stretch! The ref counts, Itoh lets off and runs to forearm Riho in the back! Cover, TWO! Itoh drags Riho around, digs a knee into Riho’s back and bends her back in a chinlock!

Riho endures, fans rally up, but Itoh shifts to a full mount. Itoh hammers Riho in the head but Riho gets a ropebreak. The ref counts, Itoh holds tight until 4! Itoh drags Riho up, but Riho throws forearms! Itoh just shrugs it off but the forearms come in harder! Itoh still eggs Riho on, so Riho keeps hitting. Itoh gives the forearms back, runs but Riho follows to dropkick! Itoh bails out, Riho goes to the apron to CROSSBODY! Direct hit and fans fire up with Riho! Riho drags Itoh up, puts her in and covers, TWO! Riho keeps her cool as she whips again. Itoh reverses, Riho handsprings then drop toeholds Itoh onto ropes! Riho fires up and runs, 619!

Itoh writhes, Riho goes up top, and Riho leaps to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Itoh survives but Riho keeps her cool. Riho drags Itoh up, reels her in, but no Northern Lights! Itoh spins Riho around to DDT! Itoh fires up, drags Riho around and gets the legs for a BOSTON CRAB! Riho endures as Itoh sits deep! Riho crawls for ropes, Itoh drags her away! Riho rolls through, gets Itoh down and has a high stack, TWO!! Itoh kicks Riho, runs, but Rioh follows to knee! Riho reels Itoh in, NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Itoh survives but Riho drags Itoh around. Riho has Itoh in a drop zone, climbs up top, and LEAPS, but Itoh avoids stomps!

Riho runs back at Itoh, Itoh dodges Riho in the corner, gets her and TORNADO DDT’S! A standing count starts and fans rally up. Itoh sits up, goes after Riho, and drags her up for forearms! Riho gives them back, and fans rally up again. Itoh stands, throws another forearm, but Riho gives it back! They go back and forth, harder and harder, but Itoh fires off a string of forearms! Itoh runs, but Riho wheelbarrows to victory roll, STOMP 182! Riho goes up top, and leaps for DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!?! Itoh survives Riho’s coup de grace and that shocks everyone!

Riho sits Itoh up but Itoh anchors Riho’s foot! Riho kicks Itoh away, then sits her back up to run, but into a HEADBUTT! Riho comes back to BOOT!! Riho runs but Itoh catches her to a HALF CRAB! Itoh sits deep, Riho endures as fans rally, but Itoh drags her from ropes! KOKESHI! Riho writhes, Itoh gets the legs, LION TAMER!! Jericho would be proud! Riho fights towards ropes but Itoh bends her back as far as she can! Riho crawls to the ROPEBREAK! Itoh lets go at 4 and grows frustrated. Fans rally up, a standing count begins but Itoh grits her teeth as she drags Riho from ropes. Itoh punches away on Riho’s stomach and legs!

Itoh fires up, goes to a corner and climbs up top. DIVING KOKESHI FLOPS! Riho comes back, BASEMENT METEORA! Cover, Riho wins!!

Winner: Riho, by pinfall

After the #Somato strikes, Riho conquers Itoh! Will this big main event on Elevation be what elevates Riho back to the AEW Women’s World Championship?

My Thoughts:

Alright, a bit of a mixed bag for me here. Because AEW put this on at 7 PM Eastern, just an hour before Monday Night Raw, I could not get to it right away, as I’m only human. I did not expect this to be TWO HOURS, just like an episode of AEW Dynamite. We got a lot more material that was like any normal wrestling program, with the backstage segments and earlier scenes setting up later ones. I do like that they tried to tell a story here with Omega and the Sydals and then Tony Khan has to actually be the cliché onscreen authority figure that he didn’t want to because of how Omega is abusing his pull as world champion and all that. Omega VS Sydal for 3/24/21 is going to be a lot of fun, but I’m pretty sure Omega wins.

QT Marshall’s story was featured here, with his personality taking the slow burn route to turning from Face to Heel. There was also some good continuity between Elevation and normal Dark as Avalon and his guys attacking Marko Stunt had to do with the match Luchasaurus and Bononi had/will have on Tuesday Dark. The profile on Lee Johnson was good, helps us understand him as a person a bit better. Riho VS Itoh was a great match, and it makes a lot of sense for Riho to win. Aside from those, there wasn’t all that much different from how Elevation and Dark are. I almost feel like Elevation is just how Dark tried to be at the beginning before Dark simply became about matches.

Then the more technical aspect for actually watching/listening to Elevation, Paul “Big Show” Wight and Tony Schiavone were alright as commentary, but it might take a bit for them to be where Excalibur and Taz are for Tuesday Dark. I feel like there are some subtleties of the movesets that they don’t know versus what Excalibur knows, but take doesn’t necessarily take anything away from what they’re giving us. Wight knows a lot about the business, he gets what goes on with the moves, so he’s still good as color commentary.

My Score: 8.3/10