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AEW Dark Elevation Episode 96- 1/2/2023 (Women's Matches)

 By Mark Rodriguez

So here we go with the first episode of Dark Elevation of 2023! We start things off by seeing Hikaru Shida, Julia Hart, Marina Shafir and the current Ring of Honor Women's Champion Athena in action.

Match 1- Hikaru Shida vs Tyra Russamee 

Hikaru is about to lock up with Tyra, but her opponent holds her hand out to stop her. She raises her hand for a test of strength and Shida does the same, but there is a considerable height difference. Tyra takes this chance that Shida's distracted and stomps on her foot. Tyra starts firing off forearm shots to Hikaru's face and reels back for a kick. The former AEW Women's Champ catches her foot and gets her in a fireman's carry. Tyra slips from her grasp and gets her in a waist lock. Shida backs her into the ringpost and lands a slap across the face.

Shida climbs the rope to hit Tyra with the ten punches, but Tyra slips out of the way and hits her from behind. Tyra runs at Shida but takes a boot to the face. Still on the ropes, Shida jumps off for a flying dropkick but misses the target. Tyra kicks Shida across the back twice in a row and then knocks her down with a hip attack. She goes straight for the pin but Shida kicks out. 

Tyra goes for the ropes but Shida runs over to hit her and pull her back down. Shida then climbs for the ropes and hits her with ten punches. Shida then kicks her away and leaps off the ropes, knocking her down with a double knee drop. She goes to pick her up but Tyra pulls her for a Small Package pin. Shida is able to kick out. Tyra comes in with a kick but Shida manages to block it. 

Shida runs over and knocks Tyra back with a low clothesline. She goes for the pin by Tyra is able to kick out. Shida gets into position and knocks Tyra out with The Katana. She pins her and gets the win.

Match 2- Marina Shafir vs Lilith Grimm

Marina argues with Nyla Rose and Lilith takes this chance to run towards her. Marina knocks her down with a thrust kick. Marina grabs her leg and kicks her the thigh. Lilith tries to kick her off but Marina cartwheels behind her and kicks her across the back. Marina grapples with her along the mat until Lilith gets back to her feet and knocks her down. Marina runs over and grabs her, picking her up and slamming her, but not letting go of her waist. 

Marina lands a few hits on Lilith and gets her in a headlock takedown. She continues to hold onto her waist until Lilith grabs the ropes, forcing a break. Lilith manages to push her off, but Marina hits her with a kick and slams her with a Spine Buster. Marina gets her in the Greedy submission move and Lilith taps out. Marina wins the match as Nyla Rose gets into the ring. 

There's some sort of issue between Nyla and Marina, but they're both confused as to why Vickie Guerrero didn't join them this time. 

Match 3- ROH Women's Champion Athena vs Gypsy Mac 


Gypsy goes for the lock up but Athena grabs her wrist and stomps on her foot. She gets behind her and turns her around to sock her in the face, making her drop to the mat. Athena dances for the crowd as they boo her. She grabs Gypsy and slams her face into the mat. Then she kicks her in the ribs. Athena starts shoving Gypsy around and slapping her until Gypsy slaps her back. This just makes Athena angry which makes her punch her back.

Athena whips Gypsy to the other side of the ring. Athena charges towards her but her opponent gets out of the way. Gypsy runs towards Athena but she vaults her onto the ring apron. Gypsy ducks a punch from Athena but takes a knee to the face. Athena hangs Gypsy over the ropes and kicks her face several times. Then she shoves her face against the steel post, making Gypsy fall off the ring apron. 

Athena gleefully counts as Gypsy makes her way back into the ring. As Athena is distracted by her own cockiness, Gypsy goes for a quick roll up pin. Athena kicks out and Gypsy socks her in the face. She hits her again but Athena knees her in the face to slow her down. Athena whips her towards the ring post but when she goes after her, Gypsy kicks her back. Athena charges at her but Gypsy gets her in a Sunset Flip. Athena kicks out of the pin and hits her in the face again. Athena goes for the Ground and Pound until the ref pulls her off.

The Fallen Goddess runs over and knocks Gypsy into the ring post with a flying dropkick. Athena picks her up and drops her on her face. As Gypsy tries to get up, Athena kicks her in the face. Athena grabs her and starts talking trash and then kicks her in the face again. She then gets her into a submission move and Gypsy taps.


As Athena raises her title in victory, Gypsy does the smart thing and rolls out of the ring. However, Athena still goes after her and grabs her. She then slams her face first into her RoH Women's Title. She taunts the booing crowd an walks off, title in hand.


Match 4- Leva Bates vs House of Black's Julia Hart 


Leva offers Julia a handshake, which she of course refuses. Leva then offers her a book which gets a similar response. She then gets ready to lock up with her,  and Julia slams her face into the mat. She continues to slam her face into the mat and then gets her in her submission move. Leva quickly taps out and Julia wins another match.


My thoughts-

Decent set of matches to start the year. I guess my only nitpick is I would have liked a little more offense from the opponents. After all, Hikaru Shida looks better if she had to fight for her win rather than just stop her opponent at every turn. Tyra did do a good job of avoiding a lot of Hikaru's moves, but we barely saw any moves of her own. Lilith was taken down rather easily despite Marina being distracted by Nyla and their issues with Vickie. Leva's match with Julia pretty much went as expected, though I was hoping for at least some offense or something. 

Athena is definitely loving her role as a heel, dancing around to show off and bring on the boos from the crowd. Even if you try to get away from her after the match is over, she will still come after you and makes sure she stamps her title with your face. We'll see how her title reign goes and when her next challenger will be.


We'll also see if Julia Hart's submission move finally gets a name in 2023.

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