Dark: Elevation keeps on rising to new heights!

AEW springs into action as Spring is in the air! And in the main event, All Ego & Scorpio take on Matt & Mike Sydal in a rather surprising grudge match!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Hangman Page VS Bill Collier; Hangman wins.
• The Varsity Blondes VS Dean Alexander & Carlie Bravo; The Varsity Blondes win.
• Britt Baker w/ Rebel VS Alex Gracia; Baker wins.
• Preston Vance w/ The Dark Order VS Danny Limelight; Vance wins.
• Big Swole VS Jazmin Allure; Swole wins.
• Michael Nakazawa VS Vary Morales; Nakazawa wins.
• Lance Archer w/ Jake the Snake VS Baron Black; Archer wins.
• Ryo Mizunami VS Tesha Price; Mizunami wins.
• Max Caster w/ Anthony Bowens VS Colt Cabana w/ The Dark Order; Caster wins.
• 8 Man Tag: The Hardy Family Office w/ Matt Hardy VS Adam Priest, Ryzin, D3 & Fuego Del Sol; The HFO wins.
• Matt Hardy w/ The Hardy Family Office VS Alan Angels w/ The Dark Order; Hardy wins.
• Scorpio Sky & Ethan Page VS The Sydal Brothers; Scorpio & Ethan win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Hangman Page VS Bill Collier!

The Cowboy rides again, and he’s taking on #BillyThreeBelts! But will being simultaneous IWC Super Indy Champion, STW Heavyweight Champion and Revenge Pro World Champion be enough to help #BigTimeBill survive some real cowboy shit?

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Collier fireman’s carries but Hangman slips off and shoves. Hangman waistlocks, Collier bucks him and runs him over! Collier fires up, runs, but Hangman drops to CHOP! And CHOP! Hangman eggs Collier on and Collier CHOPS! They CHOP back and forth, Hangman gest the edge then runs, but the boot is blocked! Collier ROCKS Hangman and he goes floundering to an apron! Collier brings Hangman back in and ROCKS him with an uppercut. Collier headbutts, Hangman hits back with forearms but Collier knees low! Collier brings Hangman around, suplexes, and holds him up! Fans rally as Collier drops Hangman at 10!

Collier runs and drops a BIG leg, brother! Cover, ONE!! Hangman checks his face but Collier brings Hangman up. Collier scoops and swings Hangman but Hangman slips out to throw Collier out. Hangman PLANCHAS! Direct hit and down goes Big Time Bill! Fans fire up as Hangman keeps on Collier and puts him in the ring. Hangman boots Collier, and boots again, and again! Collier stays up, Hangman runs and gets around to scoop Collier! FALL AWAY SLAM! Hangman kips up to STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up as Hangman keeps his cool. Hangman Alabama lifts but Collier clubs free. Collier goes up the ropes but Hangman BOOTS him!

Hangman climbs up, and gets Collier for the- NO! Collier blocks the Super Steiner, but Hangman double clutches to SUPER STEINER after all! Hangman runs and clothesline hard in the corner! Hangman keeps going, LARIAT but Collier stays up! So Hangman slingshots to BUCKSHOT! Cover, Hangman wins!

Winner: Hangman Page, by pinfall

The Cowboy wrangles in the big bronco and gets a big win! And he even shows Collier respect by sharing a beer with him. Is Hangman finally ready to get that big one?

The Varsity Blondes VS Dean Alexander & Carlie Bravo!

Griff Garrison & Brian Pillman Jr. know the Nightmare Factor is reeling from what QT Marshall did on Dynamite, but they aren’t going to go easy on The Sensation and #GoonPlatoon! Will the Ivy League MVP and Bulletproof BPJ take the win to head up the AEW Tag Division rankings?

The bell rings and Griff starts with Alexander. They tie up, Alexander headlocks, but Griff slips through to get a headlock back. Griff wrenches, hammerlocks, headlocks again, then wrenches again. Tag to BPJ, and BPJ clubs the arm. BPJ CHOPS, wrenches, then tags Griff back in. BPJ YANKS the arm, Griff goes up to drop an ax handle. Griff wrenches, wristlocks, headlocks and hits the takeover. Alexander makes it a cover, ONE and Griff holds on. Alexander fights up, Griff tags to BPJ, and Griff shifts so the Blondes can mug Alexander. BPJ hits a headlock takeover and grinds Alexander down. Alexander fights up, Griff tags in, and BPJ CHOPS Alexander to wrench and whip.

Griff drop toeholds and BPJ runs to DOUBLE STOMP Alexander! Griff covers, TWO! Fans rally as Griff brings Alexander up to scoop, but Alexander slips out to chop block! Alexander drags Griff over, tag to Bravo, and Bravo drags Griff to the post! Bravo SLAMS one leg into the post, then drags Griff to a cover, ONE!! Griff clutches his leg but Bravo drags him up and over. Bravo tags Alexander then whips Griff into buckles. Alexander gets Griff for the Russian Leg Sweep! Tag to Bravo, and the two double basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Alexander keeps on Griff. Alexander tags Bravo, they double back suplex but Griff lands on his feet.

The bad leg jams but Griff puts Alexander on the apron. Griff elbows Bravo, then Alexander, then dodges to hot tag BPJ! BPJ rallies, hits a POWERSLAM, then builds speed to WRECK Bravo with a dropkick! Fans fire up with Bulletproof as he gets Bravo up and into the ring. BPJ tags Griff, the Blondes coordinate for a pop-up, BPJ climbs fast, MISSILE DROPKICK BOMB! Cover, The Blondes win!

Winners: The Varsity Blondes, by pinfall

In the blink of an eye, the MVP and BPJ get the 1-2-3! Will they keep going and get up into the top five?

Britt Baker w/ Rebel VS Alex Gracia!

The Doctor is back in her first match after the brutal Unsanctioned battle with Thunder Rosa! And she’s taking on the Pink Dream, another of La Mera Mera’s students! Will Britt establish that she is still the (self-proclaimed) Face of the Women’s Division in AEW?

Britt wears her new merchandise, commemorating the Unsanctioned match and the blood going down Britt’s face, as she gets a mic. “Look at that face!” But Alex Gracia. She got an entrance and everything! But we all know how this is going to go: Britt’s the star, Gracia’s the “enhancement talent,” this will be quick and no one will remember Gracia. But Gracia had a great showing against Thunder Rosa. And because Britt is so motivated to continue to elevate women’s wrestling on Elevation as the face of women’s wrestling, Britt wants to give Gracia her best showing. Gracia still won’t win, but let’s put some respect on the Pink Dream!

Britt has Rebel move aside, and Rebel still pretends she’s really hurt when she’s not. Britt says she isn’t just a great Deathmatch wrestler, but she’s also great at Greco-Roman, freestyle, and whatever other styles that she can’t remember right now. So how about we do referee position so Gracia can have a fair chance? No funny business, she’ll put the mic down, and she’ll let Gracia approach. Gracia is still wary of Rebel, but Britt says let’s go. Gracia walks over, still doesn’t take this seriously, but she does kneel down and move in. The bell rings, Britt reels Gracia into the Rings of Saturn! “And just like that, the Pink Dream is over. Reba, get the glove.”

The glove is sent in, Britt puts it on, and puts Gracia in the LOCKJAW! Gracia taps, Britt wins!

Winner: Britt Baker, by submission

Well, she didn’t lie. There was no funny business, it was just that she suckered Gracia in from the start. A win is a win, will Britt continue on until she really is the face of the AEW Women’s Division?

Preston Vance w/ The Dark Order VS Danny Limelight!

Number 10, and the entire Dark Order, have been having to deal with doubters and deriders like Max Caster and the Hardy Family Office. Will Vance prove that there is still strength in the Numbers?

The bell rings and Vance stares Limelight down. They circle, go around, and tie up. Vance shoves Limelight away, and Limelight gets up in a huff. They circle, Limelight kicks low then throws a forearm! Limelight goes to buckle bump but Vance blocks to bump and bump Limelight in return. Limelight throws forearms but Vance this back and finishes the set of four! Vance scoops, Limelight slips out and shoves but Vance runs him over! Limelight gets up but gets tossed with a back drop! Limelight staggers into a scoop, and Vance carries Limelight around before the FALL AWAY SLAM! Vance storms back over but Limelight sends him into buckles!

Limelight goes to the apron, hotshots an arm, and Vance flops out of the ring. Limelight ROUNDHOUSES the arm, then puts Vance back in. Limelight mocks the Dark Order pose while doing his dance, and Vance ROCKS him! Vance runs but into a kitchen sink knee! Limelight stomps Vance, kicks him around, and wraps the arm around ropes! The ref counts, Limelight lets off but kicks the rope to jam the arm. Vance hits back, CHOPS and forearms but Limelight kicks! Limelight forearms, kicks, wrenches and hammerlocks to then bring Vance down. Vance endures the grind, Limelight steps through to La Magistrol, TWO! Limelight KICKS Vance down, then kicks Vance again.

Limelight has Vance in a corner, fires forearms but Vance hits back! Vance fires more forearms but Limelight KICKS the bad arm! Limelight brings Vance up for some forearms, then whips him to ropes. Vance reverses, Limelight reverses back and drags Vance into a Fujiwara! Vance powers out to a cover, TWO! BUZZSAW! Limelight runs, but into Vance’s LARIAT! Vance rallies with more clotheslines, then runs, but misses in a corner. Vance BOOTS Limelight, hops up and leaps for a FLYING CLOTHESLINE! Fans fire up but Limelight elbows Vance away. Limelight runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Vance stalks behind Limelight, full nelsons, but Limelight throws Vance down!

Limelight traps the arm and gets a headlock, but Vance powers to a cover, TWO! Vance is free, blocks the kick and BOOTS back! Cover, TWO! Limelight lives but Vance gets mad! Vance drags Limelight around, gets the legs, but Limelight wants the TRIANGLE HOLD! Vance is caught, Limelight squeezes tight, but Vance hammers away! Vance gets free, Limelight KICKS the bad arm again! Limelight KICKS the leg, hops on to be a sleeper but Vance throws him off and gets a full nelson! Vance thrashes Limelight, Limelight goes out! Vance wins!

Winner: Preston Vance, by submission

Rare that Vance wins by submission, but it shows he’s not just one-dimensional! Will Number 10 break into the top five thanks to that new facet of his arsenal?

Big Swole VS Jazmin Allure!

Just because she’s not #1 contender right now doesn’t mean the chase after Hikaru Shida’s AEW Women’s Championship is over! Will Swole take control of the rankings again and then finally get after the Full Metal Warrior?

The bell rings and the two circle. Swole and Allure tie up, Swole puts Allure on ropes. Swole lets off to flex, and fans cheer as Allure circles with her again. They tie up, Swole waistlocks then slams Allure down. Swole drops knees into Allure’s back, clamps on with another waistlock, then shifts to a seated cobra twist. Allure fights up, tries to hip toss but Swole blocks that to hip toss first! Swole goes out after Allure, brings her around and whips her into railing, then into apron, then back again! Swole puts Allure in, stalks up behind her, and knocks her down to get a Camel Clutch! Allure endures as Swole bends her back, then Swole CLUBS Allure down.

Swole drags Allure up but Allure throws body shots! Allure runs, ducks and doges but the kitchen sink knee hits! Swole hits the blindside basement EuroUpper! Swole gets the legs but Allure kicks her low! Swole dodges a clothesline but not the back elbows. Allure runs, dodges and rallies with clotheslines and arm-drags! Allure sweeps the legs, runs and basement dropkicks! Cover, TWO! Allure is frustrated and she rains down fists! Swole shoves her away, Allure aims from a corner and runs at Swole, but Swole catches her for the SWOLE-ENAGE! Swole drags Allure up, reels her in and underhooks for the TIGER DRIVER, into the CLOVERLEAF! Allure taps, Swole wins!

Winner: Big Swole, by submission

Much like Preston Vance, Swole shows she is more than just power! She gets a submission win, will beefing up her technical prowess be what helps her get to the title?

Backstage interview with The Sydal Brothers.

After their confrontation last week with Ethan Page & Scorpio Sky, what is their mindset? Mike won’t lie that he was feeling pretty beat-up. But he’s a Sydal, and Sydals bend but don’t break. That is why Mike is still standing and is ready to fight alongside his brother. Matt says that he is disappointed in Scorpio. Scorpio welcomed Matt to AEW but he turned out to be a phony! And it’s nonsense for them to think the Sydals are the ones to pick a fight with. They’re brothers! Their bond is unbreakable! And Ethan & Scorpio have payback coming! So listen very carefully: The Sydals look through them and their makeshift partnership, and on Elevation, you will see what the Sydals are saying.

Michael Nakazawa VS Vary Morales!

Kenny Omega’s best friend, personal assistant and whatever else he needs managed to win last week while still wearing his polo and khakis! Will he “amaze” us by doing it again this week?

Yes, it does seem “MT Nakazawa” will still be in his polo and khakis, but he again doesn’t leave his headset behind. Someone is calling for a quick conversation, but Vary snatches the headset! Nakazawa and Vary tug-o-war, and Nakazawa reels Vary in for a headlock. Vary powers out, then uses the cord to reel him in! Vary dodges, tilt-o-whirls and sends Nakazawa into ropes! Vary keeps moving for a BIG springboard arm-drag! Nakazawa gets up, throws hands but Vary blocks to knuckle lock! Vary stomps a foot, goes up and up and tightrope walks for a FLYING ARM-DRAG! Cover, TWO! Nakazawa is still in this but Vary still has the knuckle lock!

Vary goes up and up again, but Nakazawa trips him up! Nakazawa puts Vary on the ropes, for the HENTAI SLIDE! Nakazawa bounces Vary around to then atomic drop, run and CLOBBER Vary with the forearm! Cover, TWO! Vary survives some serious damage, but Nakazawa uses the headset cord to choke him! The ref reprimands, takes the headset away and Nakazawa brings Vary up for a big forearm! Nakazawa brings Vary around, CHOPS him against ropes, then whips him to ropes. Vary kicks back, runs again, gets around and throws clotheslines! Nakazawa stays up, Vary dodges and dropkicks Nakazawa down! Nakazawa bails out, Vary goes up and LEAPS for a huge crossbody!

Fans fire up with Vary and Vary drags Nakazawa up and into the ring. Cover, TWO!! Nakazawa survives but fans rally behind Vary. Vary goes corner to corner but Nakazawa elbows him, then three point stance for the SPEAR! Nakazawa won’t end it here, he gives pelvic thrusts before he scoops Vary. Vary slips off and rolls Nakazawa up, TWO!! SUPERKICK! Nakazawa staggers into the ref, Vary runs in but the ref is used as a shield! LAPTOP SHOT!! Nakazawa gets away with it, but he won’t end it there! Nakazawa scoops for the TIGER DRIVER 69!! Cover, Nakazawa wins!

Winner: Michael Nakazawa, by pinfall

He may no longer be the Turkish Oil Master, but he is still finding controversial ways to win! Will Nakazawa continue to triumphantly represent the office of Kenny Omega?

Lance Archer w/ Jake the Snake VS Baron Black!

The Murderhawk Monster has been warning everyone from TNT Champion, Darby Allin, to The Icon, Sting, that he’ll tear them apart on his way to the title. But only now does he finally return to action. Will the EmpBRUH be the first to suffer Archer’s wrath?

Jake the Snake goes to commentary for this, as Archer drags Baron out to the ring with him!! The Snake is amused as Archer finishes his entrance and the bell rings. Archer throws his shirt at Baron, Baron CHOPS back but it doesn’t even make Archer flinch! Baron fires off more chops, then runs, but gets run over! Archer stomps Baron, Snake chuckles and Archer reels Baron in to CLOBBER him! Archer drags Baron up, chokes him on the ropes, then lets off to run and CLOBBER Baron from behind!

Snake knows Archer has been targeting Sting, but he says Archer is smart enough to know that if you want to get something done, you go to where the noise is. There’s buzz around Sting, that’s where Archer is going. Archer fires off hands on Baron in the corner but lets off as the ref counts. Archer drags Baron up to throw him HARD into the other corner! Archer turns Baron around, goes up the corner and hits a VADER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Fans rally but Archer pushes Baron around. Baron CHOPS and throws hands but Archer DECKS him with one!

Baron sits up in a daze, Archer looms over him, and Archer hauls Baron up to reel him in again. Baron dodges, uppercuts and CHOPS then spins to CHOP again! Baron whips, Archer reverses and runs, but into a boot! Baron comes back, into a choke grip! CHOKE SLAM! Archer brings Baron back up, puts him up top, ROCKS him and then inverted crucifix, and Snake tells commentary thanks for having him. BLACKOUT! Cover, Archer wins!

Winner: Lance Archer, by pinfall

The Murderhawk Monster doesn’t need to change his style, because it keeps on winning! But Archer and Snake aren’t leaving just yet, Snake goes to the ring to speak on a mic. “Now Lance, I wish you’d given me a couple more minutes. I was over there at the desk, and I was about to ask the Big uh… Guy a little something. But I just didn’t have time. But I will tell you, they’re asking us why we’re always invading the space of Sting. Why not?” Well maybe someone will try and remove them. They sit in the locker room cuz no one wants to get in with Archer. No one invites them anywhere. So they invite themselves. Archer is given the mic and says it’s very simple: it’s Archer’s time.

But week after week, Sting gets an interview, Darby gets an interview, but no one wants the Murderhawk Monster. Everyone’s scared. Why are Archer & Snake doing what they’re doing? Archer isn’t a good guy or bad guy. Like he says, everybody dies! But you might as well take one of the biggest dog’s time, and that’s Sting. There’s nothing but respect here because like Archer said, without the Icon, there is no Murderhawk Monster. Sting inspired every wrestler that works in AEW who watched Sting on TNT back in the day. But then Sting came back to TNT and made it all about him! Fans chant for Sting but Archer promises they’ll be chanting for Archer one day.

So one way or another, whether Sting’s with him or against him, Sting’s time is Archer’s time. And like Sting used to say, “It’s Showtime!” #EverybodyDies, but will that apply to The Icon and the Relentless?

Ryo Mizunami VS Tesha Price!

Aneki won in quite the match with KiLynn King last week, but she’s still got a ways to go before she can face the AEW Women’s World Champion again. Will Tesha pay the price of paving Ryo’s road to redemption?

The bell rings and Price can’t even take Aneki seriously. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Ryo powers Price back, puts her on ropes, and Price shouts for her to back off. The ref counts, Ryo lets off and Price gets mad at the ref. Ryo kicks Price low, whips her to ropes, and runs her over! Price flounders about and to a corner, but Ryo brings her around to scoop. Price slips out, pulls Ryo’s hair, then puts her in a corner. The ref counts, Ryo powers up and scoops Price to SLAM her! Ryo gets mad now, and runs in, but into a drop toehold into ropes! Price goes to the apron to ROCK Ryo! Price gets in, bumps Ryo off buckles, then brings her around to whip corner to corner.

Ryo returns and runs Price over again! Ryo fires up, Price flounders and wobbles, and Ryo brings Price up. Price breaks free but Ryo throws a forearm! Price hits back, so Ryo hits again! Ryo eggs Price on, Price throws another forearm! Ryo CHOPS back! Ryo CHOPS again, and Price staggers into another CHOP! Ryo unleashes the machine gun CHOPS! Price covers up as best as she can but Ryo just fires off with both hands! Ryo does her dance, gets that energy flowing, but Price dodges! Price BITES that arm!! Price lets off as the ref counts, and then bumps Ryo off buckles. Price handsprings and ROUNDHOUSES Ryo in the corner! Then Price runs to BULLDOG! Cover, TWO!

Price is furious already but Ryo isn’t any happier. Price fires forearms, then whips to ropes, but Ryo reverses. Price kicks back, Ryo ducks but gets the roundhouse! Price reels Ryo in, but Ryo resists the full nelson! Ryo spins out, CHOPS Price, then LARIATS! Price staggers up and ducks the leg to come back, into a scoop and POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Price survives but Ryo drops a leg, brother! And another leg, brother! And a third leg, brother! Cover, TWO! Ryo roars but fans rally up behind her. Price flounders, Ryo drags her up and torture racks, but Price claws at Ryo’s face! Price is free, rolls Ryo up, TWO!! Price almost has Ryo so she rolls her again, TWO!

Ryo swings, but Price gets her for a backslide! Ryo resists, reverses and flips Price but Price sunset flips! TWO, and Price ENZIGURIS! Ryo staggers, Price runs but Ryo CLOBBERS her! Cover, TWO! Price is still in this but Ryo is firing up again! Ryo SPEARS Price down, covers, and wins!

Winner: Ryo Mizunami, by pinfall

Price brought the fire to match Aneki but not the power! Ryo keeps on rolling, and is almost back to the top! Will she get right up past some big names to face Hikaru Shida one more time?

Max Caster w/ Anthony Bowens VS Colt Cabana w/ The Dark Order!

Platinum Max is at it again, ready to rip into BOOM BOOM with some bars! “Platinum Max, I’ve got the boom boom. I’ma sweep the Dark Order, get a broom soon. You once were a legend, now you’re just a novelty. The Dark Order’s more forced than your comedy! Yo, and we the real stars. I’ma put you on your back like a RealDoll. Put screws to you like a shop class. You’re getting canceled like your podcast!” It sucks, Colt. Max tried to listen. Bowens says The Acclaimed have arrived, but will they leave with another win?

The bell rings and Cabana rushes Caster. Caster gets to ropes for defense, Cabana lets off and the two circle. They tie up, go all around and Cabana gets Caster in a corner, but Caster turns it around. Caster lets off with a shove but Cabana shoves Caster down! Caster scrambles to a corner, Cabana shows the dancing pecs, and the two go again. Cabana wrenches, hammerlocks and cranks, but Caster spins around to hammerlock back. Cabana headlocks to a takeover, covers, ONE! Cabana headlocks and takes over again, cover, TWO! Caster has a cover, ONE! Cabana keeps the headlock, Caster gets another cover, ONE! They repeat, ONE, and Cabana wrenches.

Cabana whips, Caster reverses but Cabana goes up and over and comes back to tilt-o-whirl headscissor! Fans fire up, Cabana runs in but Bowens helps Caster avoid the monkey flip! Caster gets Cabana’s arm to WRING it out! Cabana bails out, Evil Uno checks on him, Caster ties up his boot. Bowens is there to put Cabana in the ring, Caster drives knees in! Caster stomps Cabana, drags him around by his arm, but Cabana resists the wristlock. Caster makes it a cover, ONE, and Cabana sunset flips, TWO! Caster has the leg, rolls Cabana around to then float to the arm! Caster pushes back for a Fujiwara but Cabana endures and rolls Caster to a cover, ONE!

Caster CLOBBERS Cabana with a clothesline! Cabana goes to a rope, Caster wraps the arm around it! The ref counts, Caster lets off at 3, and Uno coaches Cabana up. Cabana sits up, snarls and throws body shots. Caster gets the bad arm and CLUBS it! And CLUBS it! Caster drags Cabana back up, Cabana throws hands, but Caster whips Cabana into buckles! Caster gets the top wristlock for the takedown! Cover, TWO! Caster tries again, TWO! Caster SLAMS the arm on the mat, stomps away on it, then rains down fists on Cabana! Cover, TWO! Cabana grits his teeth as he gets up but Caster stalks behind him. Caster wraps the arm around rope to club away on it!

Cabana elbows free with the good arm, goes to a corner, but Caster runs in to throat chop! Caster whips corner to corner, runs in, but Cabana ducks and Caster hits buckles! Fans fire up as Cabana aims from the apron. Cabana shoulders into Caster, but can’t slingshot with the bad arm! Caster goes to buckle bump but Cabana ROCKS him, then corner bumps him instead! Cabana whips, Caster reverses but Cabana dodges to JAB, JAB and winds up, BIONIC ELBOW! Caster is in a corner, FLYING APPLE from Cabana! Cabana goes up and leaps, but double hops to SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Cabana grits his teeth, drags Caster up and fans rally behind him.

Cabana tries to facelock but Caster wrenches out, only for Cabana to CHOP! And CHOP! Caster ducks a chop for a HEADSHOT! SHANKLY GATES!! Cabana endures the wristlock camel clutch, pops it to a cover, TWO!! Caster narrowly escapes, gets the arm and YANKS it! Caster runs into a HIP ATTACK! Cover, TWO!! Caster survives, Bowens is on the apron to distract, but Bowens throws the chain too far! Uno catches it, now the ref is distracted with Uno! Bowens slides the boombox in, and Caster gives Cabana a drop toehold right onto it!! That 5 Tool bait and switch gets Caster the roll up and the win!!

Winner: Max Caster, by pinfall

Caster didn’t need to drop the mic, he dropped the bass on Boom Boom! Will this help Platinum Max going into his Dynamite showdown with Hangman?

8 Man Tag: The Hardy Family Office w/ Matt Hardy VS Adam Priest, Ryzin, D3 & Fuego Del Sol!

Marq Quen, Isiah Kassidy, the Butcher and the Blade have proven to be a formidable formation, and Big Money Matt can just smell the profits coming in! Will they continue to cash in the winner’s checks as they plot their payback on Hangman Page?

The teams don’t have time to sort out before the HFO all just jump the other team! Private Party keeps the Prince of Rome in while Butcher & Blade throw everyone else out. Private Party stomp away, then clear out for Butcher to corner clothesline! Hardy loves this! Blade whips D3 into the corner hard, then tags Butcher in. Bunny Allie wants to see violence and they mug D3 then CLUB him down. Butcher stalks D3, chokes him on ropes, and Allie laughs at the pain. Hardy says this is art! This is beautiful destruction! Butcher ROCKS D3, tags in Kassidy and Kassidy fires off with CHOPS and forearms on repeat! Kassidy stomps away, backs off as the ref counts, but Blade chokes D3!

D3 fights back but Quen holds him. Kassidy knees low, whips but D3 reverses, only to get a flapjack HOTSHOT! Tag to Quen and he drops knees on D3! The ref counts as Quen digs his knee in, and Quen lets off at 4. Quen drags D3 up, but D3 RANAS, only for Quen to come back with a BIG dropkick! Kassidy says that’s greatness! You can’t put a price on that! Quen drops a leg then drags D3 over again. Quen CHOPS D3, tags Blade, and they mug D3 in the corner. Blade CHOPS and forearms then digs his fingers in! Blade throws D3 out hard, distracts the ref, and Bunny gets her stomps in! D3’s team protests but Kassidy puts D3 in.

Blade kicks D3 around, drags him up and bumps him off buckles. Blade keeps D3 in the HFO territory to tag in Quen, for Mongolian Chops! Quen brings D3 around, suplexes but D3 slips out! Hot tag to Fuego! Fuego dodges, fires off on Private Party with forearms and CHOPS! Kassidy shoves, Fuego dodges Quen but no tornado DDT! Kassidy throws Fuego to Quen but Fuego wheelbarrows then flies to Kassidy to rana Kassidy into Quen! Fuego goes to the corner, DOUBLE QUEBRADA! Private Party is down, cover on Kassidy, but Butcher & Blade break it up! Ryzin leads the charge, he, D3 and Priest brawl with Butcher & Blade but they all get thrown out again!

Kassidy throws D3 into stage wall, tags in, and Private Party has Fuego for the DOUBLE GIRI SANDWICH! Tag to Blade, Kassidy feeds Fuego to him and Butcher, DRAG THE LAKE!! Cover, HFO wins!

Winners: The Hardy Family Office, by pinfall

Hardy’s team is a well-oiled machine! But will it turn into a money-printing machine as AEW heads into the Spring?

AEW presents: Showcase!

For this segment’s debut edition, Paul Wight interviews John Silver! Silver flexes as Wight asks him to tell us about himself. From Beaver Boys to Dark Order, how has that changed his career? Silver says he had a long journey before arriving in AEW. He started wrestling at 14, because he was a beefy 110 already. Alex Reynolds had just started training, too, and so right away they clicked and became a team. They made it “The Beaver Boys” as a reference to a favorite joke from The Tim & Eric Show. It still took them a long time to really get anywhere. About 15 years, actually.

They got to the show, knew they had a match, and saw the board with them as “local talent.” They thought they were done already. But they still gave it their all against Santana & Ortiz, showed everyone what they had. Stu & Uno came to them, said they were starting to recruit for the Dark Order, so Silver & Reynolds signed up. That was the best decision ever. Wight asks about the impact Brodie Lee had on Silver, both personally and professionally. It was huge. Brodie immediately took the Dark Order to the next level. One word to describe Brodie is “generous.” Brodie was nice, truly cared about helping them rather than himself, and wanted them all to get better as performers and people.

Lastly, Wight notes how Silver left it all in the ring in that TNT Championship match with Darby Allin. Tell us about that and other personal goals Silver has in AEW. Well, Silver needs to heal up after that nasty spill. He fought through the pain to finish, and he was so close, too. It was definitely a moment where Silver realized he was at “that level.” Sting and Darby showing him respect was awesome after growing up watching Sting. Once Silver is healed up, he’ll go after all the gold! He and Reynolds can be tag campions, he can get another shot at the TNT Championship, and why stop there? Get the world title, too! Wight loves that confidence, and is careful giving Silver the handshake. Wight thanks us for tuning in, and hopes you enjoy the rest of the night!

Matt Hardy w/ The Hardy Family Office VS Alan Angels w/ The Dark Order!

Now Big Money Matt goes into business for himself! Will he make Number 5 look worthless in front of his friends?

The bell rings and Angels circles with Hardy. They approach and Hardy talks to Angels that he isn’t important ot the Dark Order. Angels shoves Hardy, Hardy swings but Angels dodges to fire off hands! Angels rams into Hardy, fires off more hands and then stomps! The ref backs Angels off, Hardy BOOTS Angels and then GERMANS SUPLEXES him into buckles! Hardy mockingly asks if Angels is alright, then drags him up to throw elbows. Hardy puts Angels through ropes to bend him back! The ref counts, Hardy lets off at 4, and then drags Angels back up to whip. Hardy elbows Angels down, drops a leg, then fires up. “I am Matt Hardy!”

Hardy drags Angels up, Angels throws body shots and haymakers! Angels backs Hardy down but Hardy kicks low! Hardy whips Angels corner to corner, but Angels goes up, only to get caught for a SNAKE EYES! Hardy runs to CLOBBER Angels! Hardy grins as he goes up the corner. Angels staggers up as Hardy fires up, and Hardy leaps for the elbow! Hardy calls his shot, throws off his shirt and waits on Angels. Angels stands, turns around, Hardy kicks but NO Twist! Angels whips, Hardy reverses and kicks back! Hardy reels Angels in, to get Angels up to the Canadian rack then crucifix, but Angels SPIKE RANA counters!! Hardy flounders while Angels goes to ropes.

Hardy staggers over but into kick after kick after KICK! Angels powers up to swing, but Hardy ducks to body shot! Angels counters the Twist to a backslide, TWO! Angels basement dropkicks Hardy down! Fans fire up, Hardy is on ropes, Angels runs to CROSSBODY against the ropes! Then the STANDING SLICED BREAD! Cover, TWO!! Hardy survives and Angels is shocked! Angels glares from a corner, waits on Hardy, and runs to go up and up and MOONSAULT but FLOP! Hardy gets up, reels Angels in, SIDE EFFECT! Cover, TWO!! Angels survives but Hardy snarls. Hardy drags Angels up, reels him in, but still no Twist! WING SNAPPER!!

Hardy flounders away to avoid the cover!  Fans boo and Angels is frustrated. Angels goes out to fetch Hardy, drags him up, and puts him in the ring. Angels slowly climbs but Hardy kicks the ropes to hit him low! DRAPING DDT! Hardy drags Angels up, underhooks, and gets a GUILLOTINE BUTTERFLY! Angels taps, Hardy wins!

Winner: Matt Hardy, by submission

The first time Hardy uses “The Leech,” it works! Will Hardy be winning his own money on top of the 30% he skims off the HFO?

Hardy gets a mic to say, “Today is April 5th. And that means March Madness is over!” He’s sure there are those at home, watching in their La-Z-Boys because they’re lazy, watching the NCAA basketball championship tonight. But what you should ALWAYS be watching is Hardy! April means Hardy is making 100% of HIS money now! He is so angry after the first quarter, he’ll take it all out on the Dark Order! Number 5 was just number one on the Dark Order hit list! Hardy vows to go through each and every one of them until he destroys the Dark Order! He and the HFO will dominate AEW and take all the money and titles for their own!

Speaking of titles, Hardy heard what Darby Allin had to say. Darby called the “Kingmaker” a sell-out?! Darby grew up idolizing Hardy! Hardy didn’t sell out, he smartened up! Hardy is here to make money and to take that TNT Championship! It will be his along with the paycheck that comes with it! Darby, you’re on Hardy’s list!

Scorpio Sky & Ethan Page VS The Sydal Brothers!

The Closer has had it with being a stepping stone to success, and now he and All Ego look to step over others and take everything in AEW for their own! Will Matt & Mike keep that from happening? Or will they just be the first of many?

The teams sort out, Matt starts with Scorpio. They talk trash, Scorpio pushes Matt but Matt points to his third eye. Forearms start flying, Matt kicks then fires off! Ethan gets in, Mike jumps in and it is a brawl! Scorpio & Ethan go to swing but both Sydals go Matrix! The Sydals mule kick and Ethan tumbles out! The Sydals whip, drop toehold and basement dropkick Scorpio! Cover, TWO! Matt keeps on Scorpio, puts him on ropes and tags in Mike, for a draping double stomp! Matt snapmares Scorpio to Mike’s STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Mike fires off on Scorpio in a corner, rains down rights, but has to hit Ethan away!

Scorpio mule kicks Mike, and Ethan drags Mike out as Scorpio DECKS Matt! Ethan RAMS Mike into railing, then gives him an APRON SHIN BREAKER! Scorpio drags Mike in, covers, TWO! Scorpio keeps on Mike, drags him over and tags in Ethan. They mug Mike, and Ethan ROCKS Mike with a right. Ethan CLUBS Mike down, talks trash, then stomps the bad leg. Ethan drags Mike around, then stomps the leg again! Ethan tags Scorpio in, and Scorpio stomps Mike down. Scorpio gets the leg, Mike kicks at him, but Scorpio scrapes soles on Mike’s face! Scorpio drags Mike up, wrenches to a BACKBREAKER, then pushes with the backbreaker rack! Cover, TWO!

Scorpio tags Ethan, they mug Mike again, and Ethan brings Mike up for another SHIN BREAKER! Ethan has the foot with an ankle lock, tags Scorpio, and Scorpio stomps the leg. Scorpio says he’s going to end this, and he works to turn Mike over. Mike resists but is still put into the HALF CRAB! Mike reaches out, Scorpio STOMPS the foot! Mike fires hands, ROCKS Scorpio, and hobbles, but can’t get away! Scorpio waistlocks but Mike makes that a victory roll, TWO!! Mike dodges Scorpio, hot tag to Matt! Matt rallies with kicks all over Scorpio and a BIG sobat! Ethan gets in to get a WHEEL KCIK! Matt reels Scorpio in, fisherman for the BUSTER! Cover, TWO!

Matt grows frustrated but he drags Scorpio up with a dragon sleeper. Scorpio snapmares free, Ethan tags in, Matt RANAS Scorpio but Ethan BLASTS him with a shoulder! Ethan drags Matt up, runs, but Matt ducks the boot to slip around and ROUNDHOUSE Ethan down! Cover, TWO!! Ethan survives and Matt is shocked! Matt tags Mike in, the Sydals drag Ethan up, but Ethan fights them off! Ethan brings the Sydals around but they double wrench, double wristlock and SLAM Ethan down! Mike high stacks, Scorpio breaks it! Matt dropkicks Scorpio out and regroups with Mike! But the ref won’t let them abuse the double team rule, and Scorpio CLOBBERS Mike!

Scorpio DECKS Matt, Ethan dead lifts Mike to the EGO’S EDGE!! Cover, Ethan & Scorpio win!

Winners: Scorpio Sky & Ethan Page, by pinfall

The Face of the Revolution and All Ego meshed incredibly well as a tag team and this was just their first time out! Is this just the first of many, many, MANY wins for these two?

My Thoughts:

This episode of Elevation was a good length with an hour and 37 minutes, but with 12 matches, none of them were that long. I like that we got this Showcase sit-down interview, where it was partially in character but also pulled back the curtain a little to get some genuine out-of-character answers from Silver, and it’s bringing us back to the “From Unwanted to Undeniable” segments with Cody Rhodes interviewing members of AEW. That is again how Elevation has felt: a throwback to Dark’s first few weeks, but that’s not always a bad thing. However, with the 12 matches all being short, that is how Dark feels now, and that’s not really a good thing.

Regular Dark should be the short YouTube show with all the short matches, and Elevation should be longer but with less matches. I do like that Britt made her match with Gracia into a unique take on a squash, where it was a trap more than anything. Hangman’s opener was good, everything with the Dark Order was good because of the stories that are intertwining, such as with Max Caster and the Hardy Family Office, and there were some good progress here and there for other stories, like Archer going after Sting or Scorpio & Ethan teaming up, but it’d all feel more substantial if it was maybe 8 matches, not 12, and those 8 got to breathe.

My Score: 8.2/10