It’s the first AEW DARK of September and the company is pulling out some big stops with his week’s card. Three women’s matches are on tap as well as some great tag team action featuring Santana and Ortiz, Private Party, Jurassic Express, and more. Plus, the returns of Shawn Dean and Jon Cruz as well as other DARK favorites, and Angelico’s first singles match in his AEW career. It’s stacked, action-packed, and sure to be a great episode.
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Allie vs Cassandra Golden
The Nightmare Sisters had been on an absolute tear this year, winning each of their first six matches as a team before falling just short in the finals of the women’s deadly draw tag team championship tournament. But now, for the first time this year and just the fourth time in her AEW career, Allie will be in singles action, and she’ll do so with her not-so-secret admirer in her corner. Normally, Allie corners QT Marshall but Tuesday night will be his chance to cheer her on instead as she takes on the returning Cassandra Golden.
Trained by Lance Storm and Action Jackson, Golden has been a pro wrestler for just three years. The Arkansas native is known for her time in Berwyn Championship Wrestling, Victory Championship Wrestling, Girl Fight, and more. Just over 20 matches under her belt, in 2020, Golden made her debuts in IWA-MS, IMPACT Wrestling, and AEW, where she’s returning for her third match and first since April.
Dani Jordyn vs Abadon
Abadon’s reign of terror on AEW DARK looks to continue as she returns to action for the first time in a few weeks. Just a one-year pro wrestler in the West Coast indie scene specifically with Rocky Mountain Pro Wrestling, Abadon first made her debut on DARK in a losing effort. But since she signed on the dotted line several months later, she’s been an undefeated 4-0, easily defeating the likes of Anna Jay, Skyler Moore, Red Velvet and KiLynn King.
Returning for her fourth AEW match this year, it’s been several months since we last saw Dani Jordyn on AEW DARK, with her last appearance coming in June. But now, the Real Mean Girl is back ready to face yet another challenge. Jordyn has wrestled Nyla Rose, Hikaru Shida, Big Swole, and Kris Statlander in her brief AEW career, competing valiantly with each of her opponents. The just three-year pro and trainee of AR Fox and QT Marshall at the Nightmare Factory, Jordyn is known for her time in the Southern indie scene, namely with ACTION Wrestling, Southern Honor Wrestling, Queens of Combat, and Berwyn Championship Wrestling.
Shawn Dean vs Kip Sabian
In his 10th year as a pro wrestler, the 28-year-old Kip Sabian has been enjoying a new direction and new singles push, alongside real-life wife Penelope Ford. With Ford in his corner and Sabian in hers, the SuperBad couple has both enjoyed success in AEW in 2020. One of the most entertaining performers to watch on AEW DARK, the UK standout and former World of Sport tag team champion, Sabian has wrestled 25 matches in AEW this year. That’s more than most. On DARK, he’s especially shined, winning three of his last four matches, his only loss coming last week to Frankie Kazarian.
Oh Captain, My Captain! One of the AEW DARK favorites is back in action as Shawn Dean returns to AEW for the 15th time. Just a three-year pro, the Chicago native, Dean, was trained by AR Fox and QT Marshall at the Nightmare Factory. Known for his time in SHW, ACTION, and other companies in the Southern indie scene, Dean has now officially wrestled more matches for AEW than any other promotion in his young career. Since debuting for AEW in March, Dean has appeared on 13 of the last 22 episodes of DARK, making the most of each and every one of his opportunities.
Donnie Janela and Ryan Rembrandt vs Billy and Austin Gunn
The Gunn Club has become a regular part of Tuesday night action ever since rising star, Austin Gunn, returned from an injury in July. The 26-year-old three-year pro has been raising heads ever since he made his television debut at All In. Since then, Gunn’s stock has increased as he’s made appearances for Ring of Honor, Ohio Valley Wrestling, MCW Pro and more. In 2020, he joined AEW, where he’s spent his time wrestling in a tag team with his WWE Hall of Fame father, Billy Gunn. One of the most decorated tag team champions of all-time, Billy, who helped train Austin, has teamed with his son five times this year, and in all five, the Gunn Club has been victorious.
Just a three-year wrestling pro, North Carolina’s “Remarkable” Ryan Rembrandt will team with six-year pro, Donnie “Kung Fu” Janela. Since beginning his career in 2017, Rembrandt has been known mostly for his time in the Southern indie scene where he has been a regular for Georgia Premier Wrestling, as well as ACTION Wrestling and SFCW. Trained by AR Fox at WW4A, Rembrandt made his AEW DARK debut in May alongside Mike Reed. He’ll be returning for this third match on Tuesday, and first of which will see him team with a new partner. That guy is the 30-year-old real-life cousin of Joey Janela, Donnie. Also known by the persona, Kung Fu Janela, Donnie began his career with Pro South Wrestling (where he’s won six of his seven career titles) and Peachstate Wrestling Alliance. Since his debut in 2014, Janela has wrestled for New South Pro Wrestling, Southern Underground Pro, IWA-MS, GCW, and more.
The Initiative vs Private Party
While it may seem like the same song, different verse when it comes to the Initiative, AEW fans who also watch Being the Elite have seen a different side to this losing streak come out. Both Peter Avalon and Brandon Cutler are frustrated. At each other, at themselves, at their inability to win matches no matter who’s way they’ve done it. They’ve tried wrestling by the book and they’ve tried cheating but so far, nothing is working. On Monday, the other half of the Librarian, Leva Bates, suggested they meet in the middle and start to try things her way. It was an impassioned promo for Bates, her best since joining the AEW roster. She implored her two friends to follow her lead. On Tuesday, we’ll see the Bates-led Initiative in action for the first time. Will Leva be the key to get Cutler and Avalon their first win? Or will their woes continue against Private Party?
The duo of youngsters, Marq Quen and Isiah Kassidy who have been taking advice from Matt Hardy as of late, will be looking for just their third win since May. It’s hard to believe the hard times Private Party has fallen on as just two months ago they were #1 contenders, challenging Hangman Page and Kenny Omega for the tag team titles. But since then, Private Party has dropped contests to the Inner Circle, Butcher and the Blade, SCU, the Lucha Brothers, and most recently FTR. Against the Initiative, Private Party has a great shot to get back to the winning ways that once had them near the top of AEW’s tag team rankings.
Anna Jay vs Red Velvet
Two weeks ago, Anna Jay seemed to find her place as she helped the Dark Order decimate the Nightmare Family by attacking Brandi Rhodes, earning herself the nickname “Queen Slayer” by Mr. Brodie Lee. With Jay now Lee’s golden star, she even took the opportunity to extend an offer to Tay Conti to join the Dark Order last week, an offer that Conti seemed to accept. Hoping to keep the TayJay partnership alive, Jay will first get a chance to earn a big singles win as she takes the ring for the first time since the women’s tag team tournament. This will also be Jay’s first time on AEW DARK where she’ll be the favorite to pick up the win.
Jay’s opponent is the four-year pro, Red Velvet, who is returning for her fifth appearance in AEW. Velvet, who is known mostly for her time in Fighting Evolution Wrestling and Full Throttle Pro Wrestling, where she is the current ladies champion, made her AEW debut in June and has impressed thus far in her limited appearances.
Jurassic Express vs Jon Cruz and David Ali
With a big match set for Wednesday Night Dynamite, Jurassic Express, represented by Luchasaurus and Jungle Boy, will have a chance to tune-up on Tuesday night’s AEW DARK. Sitting just outside of the top five in the tag team rankings, Luchasaurus and Jungle Boy have been on a roll and even challenged for the tag titles a few weeks ago. The duo is just coming off a big victory as alongside the Natural Nightmares, Jurassic Express defeated Eddie Kingston’s Butcher and Blade and Lucha Brothers, and one against the Inner Circle while teaming with Best Friends. On the year, Jurassic Express is 9-1 on DARK, with their only loss coming to the Dark Order’s Stu Grayson and Evil Uno.
Their opponents are the brand new team of David Ali, returning to AEW for the third time, and Jon Cruz/Serpentico, returning for an astounding 16th appearance. Wrestling out of Rhode Island, Ali trained at the WW4A School under Mr. Hughes before making his debut in 2016 with WW4A. Known for his time in the Southern indie scene, Ali wrestles primarily for home promotion, SFCW (where he is the current Classic Champion), as well as Southern Honor Wrestling, PWA, ACTION Wrestling, Anarchy Wrestling, and more. A veteran of 13 years, Puerto Rico’s Cruz brings a wealth of wrestling experience at all kinds of companies across the country, into this match. Having appeared for WWE, ROH, NWA, TNA, MLW, and of course AEW, Cruz is also known for his time in Premier Wrestling Xperience, FEST Wrestling, Full Impact Pro, ACW, Florida Underground Wrestling, and Vintage Wrestling. Also known under his Serpentico persona, Cruz has won nine career titles. Coming off a win in his last DARK match, his second on the year, Tuesday night will mark the third time that Cruz/Serpentico will try his hand at defeating Jurassic Express.
Frankie Kazarian vs Angelico
With 22 years of experience under his belt, So Cal’s Frankie Kazarian is one of AEW’s most veteran wrestlers. The “Heavy Metal Rebel,” has had a long career, finding success both as a singles wrestler and as a tag team star alongside Christopher Daniels. The first-ever PWG Champion, Kazarian is best known for his time in TNA/IMPACT, where he is a 5x X-Division Champion and 3x world tag team champion, and ROH, where he is a former two-time tag team champion and one-time world six-man champion alongside both Daniels and Scorpio Sky as SCU. In AEW, Kazarian and Sky won the first-ever tag team championship for the company and now, Kaz and Daniels are looking to regain that gold for the faction. On Wednesday, Kazarian and Daniels will battle for the right to be on the All Out card, but on Tuesday, Kaz will be in singles action for just the fourth time this year.
His opponent is South Africa’s Angelico, who has 13 years of wrestling experience to his name. With AEW since 2019, Tuesday night almost unbelievably will mark the high-flying Angelico’s first-ever singles match with the promotion. Every other time he’s been in action, it’s been alongside his TH2 tag team partner, Jack Evans. An 11-time champion in his career, Angelico is best known for his time in International Wrestling Revolution Group, Lucha Libre AAA, and Lucha Underground, where his risk-taking and insane aerobatics, quickly gained him the support of the believers. In AEW, much like Kazarian, Angelico isn’t chasing a singles title, but as he and Evans work their way into the title picture, Tuesday night will be a great opportunity for the “Ultimate Airdevil” to remind people just how explosive a wrestler he can be.
Santana and Ortiz vs Faboo Andre and RYZIN
The rise of the Inner Circle’s Santana and Ortiz will look to continue on AEW DARK, the place that has been the sight of some of Proud-N-Powerful’s biggest AEW wins as of late. Recently celebrating the one-year anniversary since their debut at All Out in 2019, Santana and Ortiz have wrestled 27 matches in their AEW careers, 19 of which have come this year. In 2020, the former 15x tag team champions whose title reigns spread across 10 different promotions, started to finally kick their act into high gear. Once considered one of the best tag teams in the world, Santana and Ortiz have been rebuilding that reputation with dominant victories over DARK. Their record on Dynamite leaves much to be desired but on DARK, the Inner Circle’s resident tag team is a perfect 5-0.
A three-year pro out of Florida, the “Fabulous” Faboo Andre is returning for the fifth time on AEW DARK. Holding the distinction of being the first opponent Jon Moxley faced when he became the first active world champion to wrestle on DARK, Andre made his debut with the promotion in March. Used sporadically since, Andre returns this Tuesday to re-team with RYZIN, who he wrestled alongside in his last DARK appearance a few weeks ago. Andre is known for his time in REAL Pro Wrestling, ACW, World Wrestling Network, and more. His teammate is the 34-year-old Rob RYZIN, who made his AEW debut a few weeks ago on DARK. Having made appearances in WWE and TNA in his career, RYZIN is perhaps best known for the role he played in Matt Hardy’s YouTube series that aired leading up to Hardy’s AEW signing.
Shawn Spears vs Eddie Taurus
A fixture on AEW DARK for much of the last few months, the 39-year-old Shawn Spears will be back in action on Tuesday, with Tully Blanchard in his corner. But Blanchard has new clients these days as well in FTR, a developing situation that has many questioning if the new four horsemen that has been rumored, is close to fruition. In the meantime, however, Spears and his black glove will look to continue the most dominant DARK winning streak of any AEW wrestler. Unable to pick up a single victory in tag team action while he was searching for a partner, Spears has proven to be a capable singles wrestler, amassing a perfect 9-0 record on DARK and 11-2 singles record overall since April with his only losses coming to the Rhodes brothers.
Spears’ opponent this week will be New Jersey’s Eddie Taurus, who is making his AEW debut. A 19-year wrestling veteran, Taurus is known for his time in ACW, Vintage All Star Wrestling, FUW, NWA, Generation Championship Wrestling, and more. Taurus is a 19x champion in his career, with seven of his title reigns coming with the ACW tag team championship. In fact, 11 of his title reigns came while in ACW, which has been his primary promotion throughout his career. This is a big opportunity for Taurus to impress on a national stage, perhaps second only to his NXT debut in 2017.
Ricky Starks vs Tony Donati
Ever since joining with Taz, the “Absolute” Ricky Starks has been on an absolute roll. Losing the first match of his AEW career, a challenge to Cody for the TNT Championship, Starks is undefeated in singles action since. He has a 5-0 overall record on DARK with wins over DARK favorites including Shawn Dean, Will Hobbs, and Lee Johnson. One of the entries in this Sunday’s Casino Battle Royale, the former NWA Worlds Television Champion will look to get a tune-up before that match as he takes on the inexperienced Tony Donati.
A WWN trainee, Donati began his wrestling career less than a year ago. A former champion amateur wrestler in high school and NCAA Division I wrestler in college, Donati has picked up pro wrestling like a sponge. Donati first made his AEW debut in March against Kip Sabian and has wrestled three additional matches since then. This Tuesday will mark just the second singles match in AEW for Donati as he takes on the streaking Starks.
Programming note: The September 16th episode of AEW Dynamite will air on September 17th instead due to TNT airing the NBA playoffs. Make sure to set your DVR in order not to miss any of the action!
Stay tuned to 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, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can catch AEW Dynamite Wednesday nights at 8 PM ET on TNT and AEW DARK Tuesday nights at 7 PM ET on YouTube. All Out airs on PPV on September 5th.
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