AEW Dark
Episode 34
#AEWDark
Original Air Date: May 19, 2020
Event Date: May 13, 2020
(uploaded to YouTube)
City: Jacksonville, FL
Venue: Daily’s Place (empty arena)
Commentary: Excalibur, Taz
Ring Announcer: Dasha Gonzalez
Match 1
Dani Jordyn vs Hikaru Shida
(referee: Bryce Remsburg)
Result: Hikaru Shida wins via pinfall after a falcon arrow
Time: 5:07
Match Thoughts
Good match. Shida took Jordyn a little lightly at first, but Jordyn’s perseverance forced Shida to work harder. That meant Jordyn got more strikes and knees from Shida. This was a nice match a good one for Shida who is headed towards a women’s title shot.
Match 2
Clutch Adams vs QT Marshall
(referee: Rick Knox)
Result: QT Marshall wins via pinfall after the QT Cutter
Time: 4:53
Match Thoughts
Pretty good match. Marshall’s ribs were hurting after his recent match against Lance Archer, and Adams capitalized on Marshall’s injury immediately. Marshall struggled a little early, but he really didn’t have too much trouble with Clutch tonight.
Match 3
Jason Cade vs Marko Stunt
(referee: Mike Posey)
Result: Marko Stunt wins via pinfall after a 450 splash
Time: 4:49
Match Thoughts
Good match. Stunt took a hard elbow to the face early in the match that looked like the result of a small miscommunication, and that set up Stunt to fight angry. Seeing Stunt push through his busted nose and hit a quick series of good moves on Cade was nice to see. It showed a different side of Stunt than what we’re used to seeing. Also, Jason Code has been making a strong case for being a jerky bad guy lately.
Match 4
Lee Johnson & Musa vs Jimmy Havoc & “Superbad” Kip Sabian w/ Penelope Ford
(referee: Rick Knox)
Result: Jimmy Havoc pins Lee Johnson after the Acid Rainmaker and a fisherman DDT
Time: 9:54
Match Thoughts
Good match. I’m liking the team of Havoc and Sabian a little more every week. They work really well together. They just toyed with Musa and Johnson for about 75% of this match, then they had to get a little serious at the end when their shenanigans started to catch up to them. I didn’t see how it happened, but it looked like Sabian got hurt near the end of the match. During the final minute or so, Sabian was down on the apron and didn’t move while Havoc finished the match on his own. It was an unusual finish for them.
Match 5
“The Captain” Shawn Dean vs Rey Fenix
(referee: Rick Knox)
Result: Rey Fenix wins via pinfall after a Muscle Buster spun into a sit-out driver
Time: 5:37
Match Thoughts
Very good match. Fenix was great as always, but Shawn Dean rose to the challenge tonight. Dean got in some very good shots and had Fenix reeling a bit. That led to Fenix pushing back even harder though. Seeing Fenix string together his agile and destructive offense is aways fun to watch.
Match 6
Jon Cruz vs Luther
(referee: Mike Posey)
Result: Luther wins via submission with a camel clutch and a face rake
Time: 4:42
Match Thoughts
This was okay. Luther dominated the match, but he mostly just yelled and contorted his face towards the nearest camera. Also, his finishing submission shouldn’t even be a legal move.
Match 7
Ryan Rembrandt & Mike Reed vs Private Party
(referee: Bryce Remsburg)
Result: Isaiah Kassidy pins Ryan Rembrandt after a senton atomico
Time: 6:31
Match Thoughts
This was okay. Private Party, Marq Quen in particular, didn’t seem to have much energy tonight. It seemed like they only kind of wanted to be there. The match was fine, but it felt underwhelming compared to many of Private Party’s other matches. I think there’s a difference between taking opponents lightly and just not being into a match. Private Party felt like the latter tonight.
Match 8
Alan Angels vs Sammy Guevara
(referee: Bryce Remsburg)
Result: Sammy Guevara wins via pinfall after GTH
Time: 7:50
Match Thoughts
Very good match. Alan Angels has had some good matches against top guys recently, and this was another impressive performance for him. Angels and Guevara looked very good against each other. Their clashing personalities and complementing ring styles made for a highly entertaining match.
Match 9
Serpentico vs Darby Allin
(referee: Aubrey Edwards)
Result: Darby Allin wins via pinfall with the Last Supper
Time: 5:21
Match Thoughts
Good match. Serpentico looked fine in his debut, but as most Darby Allin matches are, this felt like it was more about Allin hurting himself or hurting someone else rather than it was about Serpentico’s AEW in-ring debut. And for it being a Darby Allin match, it was good.
Show Impressions
This show did feel a little long at times, but I enjoyed it overall.
Match of the Night
Alan Angels vs Sammy Guevara
There were a few matches that rose above the rest, but this was the most entertaining for me.