It’s Tuesday, meaning it’s time for another episode of AEW DARK. This week’s show features Peter Avalon and Brandon Cutler still desperately looking for their first wins against the surging Jurassic Express, Christopher Daniels taking on Sonny Kiss, the return of Jon Moxley in a rematch 10 years in the making, the arrival of a new Dark Order minion, and of course, the usual showcase of indie talent including several returning stars and some debuting wrestlers. Let’s get right to it.
“Pineapple Pete” Suge-D & Anthony Catena vs. The Butcher & The Blade (Andy Williams & Pepper Parks)
Just 24 years old, Anthony Catena made his AEW debut a few weeks ago when he was part of the brawl between Chris Jericho and Mike Tyson. The self-proclaimed only six tool product/wrestler in the history of the sport, Catena is a former state champion in taekwondo and amateur wrestler. He began training to be a wrestler with New England Pro Wrestling Academy at age 17 and now counts among his trainers, Ricky Morton at the School of Morton and QT Marshall at the Nightmare Factory. A regular at promotions such as American Combat Wrestling (ACW) and Rocky Mountain Pro Wrestling, Catena is most known for his work in Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), where he’s taken part in several recent TV tapings. In addition, Catena took part in a WWE tryout in December.
On Tuesday, he’ll team with an AEW favorite, Suge Dunkerton AKA Pineapple Pete. A 17-year veteran of the wrestling industry, Dunkerton made his AEW debut in March on DARK but found himself involved in the crowd on various other shows. That’s where he was discovered by Jericho, who nicknamed him “Pineapple Pete” due to the Hawaiian shirt he wore in the crowd. This led to an additional match for Dunkerton on Dynamite against Sammy Guevara, who took exception to Pete’s instant fame. Finally, Dunkerton got a chance to face Le Champion himself and while he was promptly squashed, Pete has certainly become a beloved character in the process.
With a .500 overall record in AEW, Butcher and the Blade have found success aligned with MJF. There is no doubt the duo will let their will be known on Tuesday, as they showed last week in their first match back in months. There was no ring rust to be had as Andy Williams and Pepper Parks continue to look like a dominant force and well-oiled machine.
MUSA & Brady Pierce vs. Santana & Ortiz
MUSA and Brady Pierce are no strangers to AEW DARK, but this marks the first time the two are working together, after previously having wrestled alongside other partners in past appearances. Currently training at the Nightmare Factory, Musa has wrestled for New Era Wrestling (NEW), Atlanta Wrestling Entertainment (AWE), Pro Wrestling Bushido, and more. He made his Dynamite debut in a losing effort to Wardlow and his DARK debut came on April 28th. Pierce is slightly newer to the AEW universe, only debuting a few weeks prior. The 28-year-old Pierce, out of South Carolina, has been wrestling for nine years for companies including Premiere Wrestling Xperience (PWX), Resistance Pro Wrestling (RPW), WrestleForce, East Coast Wrestling Association (ECWA), Pro Wrestling Bushido and recently, Southern Honor Wrestling (SHW).
Opposing them are the Inner Circle‘s resident tag team experts in Santana and Ortiz. Making their debut on the first ever Dynamite, Santana and Ortiz’ allegiance with Jericho has been beneficial for all involved. A duo for nine years across various promotions, Santana and Ortiz have had a bit of an uneven start to the year in terms of the win/loss column, but they’ll be looking for their second victory in as many weeks when they face MUSA and Pierce. And as they keep collecting wins, it likely won’t be long until we see the Inner Circle team back at the top of the tag team food chain, giving them a chance to continue their feud with the Elite in the process.
Low Rida & Fuego del Sol vs. SCU (Scorpio Sky & Frankie Kazarian)
Just 27 years old, Low Rida has already been wrestling for 13 years getting his start in 2007. Trained in part by Crazy Boy and Hernandez, Low Rida is well known for his work in Mexico and the Texas indie circuit working for promotions such as Desastre Total Ultraviolento (DTU), Independent Wrestling League (IWL), Martinez Entertainment Lucha Libre Mexicana, Aro Lucha, and AAA Lucha Libre. This year, he made his debuts for Major League Wrestling (MLW) and IMPACT Wrestling as well. His partner is also well known on the indie scene, despite having just turned pro in 2014. A six-year veteran, Fuego Del Sol is known for his athleticism and charisma, traits he has shown for Imperial Wrestling Federation, Iconic Heroes of Wrestling Excellence, Wrestling for a Cause, and recently, in opportunities for AAW, IMPACT and WWE.
It’s been a few weeks since we last saw Frankie Kazarian and Scorpio Sky in action as the duo last wrestled in a losing effort against Jimmy Havoc and Kip Sabian in a #1 contendership for the tag titles, of which SCU were the inaugural champions. But regaining the titles has proved to be a tough task for SCU. They’ve wrestled just a handful of matches in 2020 and while they’ve won most of them, Kazarian and Sky were unsuccessful in their rematch for the titles as well as their chance at two #1 contendership opportunities. AEW’s tag team division is stacked meaning every win matters. SCU will have a great chance Tuesday to get back into the win column and start working their way back to the top of the title picture.
Peter Avalon & Brandon Cutler (w/ Leva Bates) vs. Jurassic Express (Luchasaurus & Marko Stunt)
The Jurassic Express look to keep rolling as Peter Avalon and Brandon Cutler look to start winning. Period. Cutler and Avalon are stuck in a rut that goes all the way back to before Dynamite was even a thing as both men have yet to pick up their first AEW victories. And if one was thinking that putting two losers together would suddenly create magic, they’d be wrong as Cutler and Avalon’s team hasn’t been any more successful than their singles careers thus far.
Meanwhile, Jurassic Express is looking to get back in the win column after a loss to Best Friends in their last match as a team a month ago. This will be Marko Stunt‘s first match back with the group since March. 2020 has been kind to the trio however as Jurassic Express remains close to the tag title picture. A win here will help them keep pace in the crowded division while also ensuring that the losing streak of Cutler and Avalon continues going strong.
Zack Clayton vs. QT Marshall (w/ Dustin Rhodes, Allie & Brandi Rhodes)
Wrestling out of New Jersey, Zack Clayton is a five-year pro who is still pretty green, having competed in under 50 matches in his still young career. Known for his time in In Your Face Wrestling Academy and Dynasty Wrestling, Clayton, a former football player, also trained at Johnny Rodz’ Wrestling School a few years ago. While this is his AEW debut, it’s not his on screen debut as Clayton has been featured on Telemundo for his work in Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre and AAA. Known as 24 from MTV’s Jersey Shore, Clayton also took part in a WWE tryout in December.
Clayton’s opponent is AEW’s resident trainer in QT Marshall. Having helped develop many of the wrestlers appearing on this and other DARK cards, Marshall returns to singles action for the first time in a month. He’s picked up some victories on DARK lately against his former students, and he’ll look to do the same on Tuesday. He’ll be cornered by his tag team partner, Dustin Rhodes, Brandi Rhodes, and Allie this week so Marshall will certainly have the cheering section on his side.
Sonny Kiss vs. Christopher Daniels
After spending the last two DARK appearances teaming with Joey Janela, Sonny Kiss is back on the singles grind as he takes on Christopher Daniels. This will be a first-time meeting for these two, after having shared a ring for the first time a few weeks ago in the #1 contendership battle royale. Kiss and Daniels will both be looking for a win here as this is a rare singles opportunity for both competitors. Battle royale aside, both are coming off wins and are certainly fresh having not wrestled in a few weeks. This match could potentially steal the show as both Daniels and Kiss showcase their skills.
Lee Johnson vs. Dark Order #5
Perhaps the most exciting matchup on the card is this one as it pits two of the guys AEW has been using as staples on DARK recently, not to mention tag team partners, against each other. Normally, the DARK pattern has seen the indie wrestlers lose to the AEW contracted talent, which makes sense. So in a matchup of two indie wrestlers, it could be anybody’s guess who might win. But the thing is, Five is no longer an indie wrestler as its believed that Alan Angels has signed a contract with AEW where he now works as a member of the Dark Order. Angels himself revealed he is the mysterious Five on Twitter the other day, and Tony Khan supported the assertion with a clever gif response.
As AEW fans may know, the Dark Order doesn’t exactly pick up a lot of wins amongst its lower talent, but this should be different. Both Lee Johnson and Angels are talented up-and-comers who AEW has had their eyes on. Both are Nightmare trained and known for working the same circuit. They have even wrestled as tag team partners, as Trigger Warning. This should be a nice showcase for both guys with Angels coming out on top, getting his first win with the company. But keep an eye on Johnson as he very well could be the next wrestler from Nightmare announced as All Elite sooner rather than later.
Robert Anthony vs. Jon Moxley
This is just the second time the AEW Champion is making an appearance on DARK but it should be a good one. After all, according to his opponent, the DARK main event is a rematch 10 years in the making. Stepping up to challenge Jon Moxley in a non-title match is veteran indie wrestler Robert Anthony, who is known for his work in AAW, IWA Mid South, Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW), and most recently, as a regular for Freelance Wrestling. An 18-year indie veteran, Anthony is a former developmental wrestler from Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) and has also wrestled for Ring of Honor, IMPACT, WWE and AEW. In his career, Anthony – who also wrestled as Egotistico Fantastico – is a former 14x champion with reigns as AAW Heavyweight and CZW World Heavyweight Champion under his belt. He is also a former winner of the International Wrestling Cartel’s Super Indy X and CZW’s Best of the Best 9 tournaments.
In 2010, Anthony and Moxley first met in a CZW ring, wrestling to a bloody finish. Anthony has been referencing that match and the friendship the two shared as motivation heading into Tuesday’s contest. As he’s noted on Twitter, he’s got absolutely nothing to lose. While this is a non-title match that Moxley will still no doubt win, this is a great opportunity for Anthony to continue proving why he’s earned his shot. Moxley has been a dominant champ and has yet to lose a singles match in AEW but look for Anthony to give him everything he has. After all, it was Moxley who Anthony defeated to win his CZW World title nine years ago.
Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world. You can catch AEW Dynamite Wednesday nights at 8PM ET on TNT and AEW DARK Tuesday nights at 7 PM ET on YouTube.
