Preview: AEW Dark (4/19/22) – Toni Storm, Keith Lee and Swerve Strickland Make Dark Debuts

AEW Dark is on tonight with a loaded six-match card. First, Ricky Starks and Powerhouse Hobbs are in action as they take on Dark Order’s Evil Uno and Stu Grayson. Next, Marina Shafir looks to continue building momentum ahead of her TBS Championship match with Jade Cargill as she takes on Alejandra Lion. Finally, our focus will be on three huge Dark debuts over two matches. Toni Storm gears up for the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament as she takes on Gigi Rey on AEW Dark. Finally, we’ll look at tag team action as The Factory’s Aaron Solo and Nick Comoroto take on Keith Lee and Swerve Strickland.

TONIGHT on a new #AEWDark at 7/6c!
▶️ https://t.co/lBSV4sbfpB
–#ToniStorm v @gigiwrestling
–#DanielleKamela v @RacheChanel
–@MarinaShafir v @Ale_TheLion pic.twitter.com/XrmBRLrQUn

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) April 19, 2022

Full AEW Dark Card (4/19/22)

• Rache Chanel vs. Danielle Kamela
• Marina Shafir vs. Alejandra Lion
• Toni Storm vs. Gigi Rey
• JD Griffey vs. Tony Nese
• The Factory’s Aaron Solo and Nick Comoroto vs. Swerve Strickland and Keith Lee
• Ricky Starks and Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Dark Order’s Evil Uno and Stu Grayson

Toni Storm Faces Gigi Rey on AEW Dark

Toni Storm makes her AEW Dark debut and looks to keep her momentum going as she faces off with Gigi Rey. Storm made a big impact when she defeated The Bunny to qualify for the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament. Given the momentum of Storm, it seems unlikely that she would lose here. However, Rey has shown herself to be a strong competitor; there’s also an upcoming match with Jamie Hayter that could distract Storm.

Storm and Hayter have a lot of history together and one guaranteed to stir up emotions for both competitors. Given that, there are two possibilities I see playing out. Storm may channel her frustration with Hayter and put on a dominant showing, or becomes too reckless, and Rey capitalizes to score the upset. As I stated earlier, Storm has so much momentum that I do not see her losing this match.

Aaron Solo and Nick Comoroto vs. Swerve Strickland and Keith Lee

Swerve Strickland and Keith Lee look to bounce back after losing to Team Taz’s Ricky Starks and Powerhouse Hobbs. Strickland and Lee do not have an easy outing in their AEW Dark debuts, though, as they take on The Factory’s Aaron Solo and Nick Comoroto. While The Factory has not picked up a win as a unit inside an AEW ring since January, they do have some momentum coming off their win over Clark Connors, Karl Fredericks, and Yuya Uemura at New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s Windy City Riot.

The Factory also has the numbers advantage with both QT Marshall and Anthony Ogogo being advertised to be ringside. Swerve and Lee’s only losses are due to outside interference, and The Factory has utilized that outside edge multiple times to pick up the win. All of that being said, Lee and Strickland still have momentum on their side, and I see them picking up the win. With Lee’s unmatched blend of power and athleticism, plus Swerve’s unpredictable style, I think it will be too much for their opponents.

Regardless of outcomes, this is a loaded Dark card sure to be jam-packed with action. So be sure to tune in!

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. 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 TBS and AEW Dark: Elevation (Monday nights) and AEW: Dark (Tuesday nights) at 7 PM ET on YouTube. AEW Rampage airs on TNT at 10 PM EST every Friday night.