For the first time since April 2023, AEW Dark returns for one night only.
Taped this past Saturday in Cardiff, Wales, tonight’s YouTube-only show features three matches — two of which include the Death Riders.
Former AEW World Champion Jon Moxley teams with Wheeler Yuta and PAC against the Grizzled Young Veterans & wrestler/coach Nathan Cruz.
Another trios bout will see Orange Cassidy team with fellow Continental Classic wrestlers Mascara Dorada and Roderick Strong against Mark Andrews, Kid Lykos 1 and Kid Lykos 2.
The show is rounded out by Marina Shafir vs. Isla Dawn.
Our coverage kicks off at 7 pm Eastern.
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AEW Dark: Stocking Stuffer is on the air, as Excalibur welcomes us with Taz, who we’re told gassed up the jet to come to Cardiff to do this show. If only Ruby Soho was wrestling on this card and we could get a proper return of Remix Jones and Taz serenading us all.
Marina Shafir vs. Isla Dawn
(I sure have missed Excalibur & Taz’s shenanigans on Dark. Despite this only being a 3-match show tonight, you can tell this Cardiff crowd is going to be a lot of fun with the chants. Dawn had a lot of support and put of a valiant fight, but Shafir was simply too much to handle.)
During Shafir’s entrance, Excalibur informed us they were ducking under the desk, thus why we couldn’t see them (as they’re in no way recording from studio), as Taz tells us he’s also taking off his socks in solidarity of Shafir and channeling his Tazmaniac days. Cardiff crowd sings for Dawn at the opening bell, while a test of strength sees Shafir get multiple sweeps before working a headlock. Dawn tries a drop down, but Shafir rolled out into a punt kick to the back. Dawn battled back with kicks, which Shafir no sold, daring Dawn to bring it, which she did, with a Fisherman’s Suplex.
Tiger Feint Head Scissors drove Dawn’s head into the apron, as after the fight briefly went outside, we return inside with Shafir locking in a Bow and Arrow. Dawn spun out into a low dropkick and corner knee, but Shafir avoided a suplex into a throw. Dawn fired off a roundhouse kick and backdrop suplex for a near fall. Dawn got a jawbreaker, but Shafir grabbed wrist control, hit a lariat and pulled Dawn into Mother’s Milk for the quick submission.
Match Result: Marina Shafir submitted Isla Dawn
-Video package on the upcoming Worlds End show in Chicago one week from Saturday was shown.
Orange Cassidy, Roderick Strong & Mascara Dorada vs. Mark Andrews, Kid Lykos I & Kid Lykos II
(I know Strong doesn’t want to be part of The Conglomeration and only teams with them because of Kyle O’Reilly, but O’Reilly is hurt, so this partnership is more confusing than usual. Regardless, whether he likes Cassidy or not, they do team pretty well, as I wish this match went longer, as the brief time we saw Dorada & Andrews in there with one another was a highlight.)
Taz put over how much he enjoys The Conglomeration’s theme song, but doesn’t say which show it reminds him of, as he doesn’t want to pay royalties. Quick start by Andrews & Dorada, with the crowd loudly behind Andrews, who caught a corkscrew kick, until Dorada took down both Lykos with an arm drag to the floor. They dodged a dive, allowing Andrews to hit a rolling double stomp and cracked both Strong & Cassidy on the apron. Cassidy joined the match, but was immediately triple teamed, leaving the UK Trio standing tall before hitting triple dives.
Back inside, Dorada was worked over until floating over Lykos I into a Code Red for the double down. Cassidy made the lukewarm tag, hands in pockets and hitting a huge monkey flip before popping Lykos II & Andrews with a double dropkick. Lykos I tried to attack, but suffered a Stundog Millionaire for his efforts. Cassidy tagged in a reluctant Strong, who seemed to constantly try to strike Cassidy, who’d always dodge and Strong would hit his opponents. Cassidy sent a diving Lykos II into Strong’s Death By Roderick, while Cassidy hit an Orange Punch, Dorada hit a dive on Andrews & Lykos I. Strong capped it off with an End of Heartache on Lykos II to win it.
Match Result: Orange Cassidy, Roderick Strong & Mascara Dorada defeated Mark Andrews, Kid Lykos I & Kid Lykos II when Strong pinned Lykos II
Death Riders (Jon Moxley, Wheeler Yuta & PAC w/Daniel Garcia & Marina Shafir) vs. Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake & Zack Gibson) & Nathan Cruz
(Action packed main event, with G.Y.V. & Cruz getting in plenty of offense, but once the Death Riders crew got in control, they weren’t giving that up. While PAC was cheered by the Cardiff crowd, they were more than happy to boo Yuta. Commentary really put over how Moxley’s early losses in the C2 have put him in a tough spot going forward and really needs to win out if he wants a chance of making the semi-finals.)
Death Riders attack before the bell, as Gibson & Cruz were sent crashing into the barricade and ring steps, while Yuta targeted Drake to start the match. Flying cross body and forearms put Drake in control, as he made fast tags with his G.Y.V. partner until PAC tagged in and he suffered the same fate. Yuta was popped on the apron, resulting in Moxley to check on him, while PAC was isolated with fast tags by Cruz & G.Y.V. Moxley & Yuta broke a pin attempt, as the match broke down. Drake & Gibson hit dueling dives on Moxley & Yuta, while Cruz tried a fireman’s carry-on PAC, who raked the eyes and clobbered Cruz with a big boot. Moxley flew in with a baseball slide on Drake, as Yuta threw Gibson into the barricade, as it’s Cruz now who’s worked over.
Moxley tags in officially for the first time and hits clubbing blows before Yuta tags in with a guillotine knee drop for two. The crowd is letting Yuta really hear it, as Cruz is able to get an enzugiri and hot tag to Gibson. PAC was mowed down with a lariat, as Gibson drove him repeatedly face first into the corner. Yuta tried to help, but was launched with an overhead suplex. Drake tagged in, as he & Gibson hit a combo dropkick/Michinoku Driver combo for two. PAC fought free from a Doomsday Device, crotched Drake, allowing Moxley to tag in and hit Gibson with a flash Cutter.
Moxley mocks the crowd before firing off kicks, only waking Gibson up, as he ran through Moxley with a lariat and lungblower. Cruz tagged in and it’s a triple team on Moxley, with Cruz hitting a sit-out slam on Moxley for a near fall. PAC & Yuta made the save, as both got heads of steam, Yuta hit a flip dive on G.Y.V. while Moxley placed Cruz in position for PAC to take his head off with a lariat. Brutalizer quickly followed, as PAC got the submission. Moxley is bleeding from the mouth, as Excalibur didn’t know how, but Taz said it’s because he wrestled a match, it’s what Moxley does.
Match Result: Death Riders defeated Grizzled Young Veterans & Nathan Cruz when PAC submitted Cruz
I have no idea if or when Dark will return, but I very much enjoyed this little bit of nostalgia, hearing Excalibur & Taz riff like the old days. Even though we didn’t hear Taz sing, nor did we get any Seinfeld tangents like I loved, it was still a fun 30-minute show. I’m glad Tony Khan decided to bring it back, even for one night only.
