AEW Dark recap (May 12, 2020): I actually enjoyed an Orange Cassidy match

Episode 33 of AEW Dark featured a variety of returning stars. Jurassic Express stole the show with their performance, Orange Cassidy dazzled with wily tactics, and a slugfest main event took place between Luther and Jimmy Havoc.

Here’s the lineup with ratings (watch, solid, okay, pass) on which matches are worth your time toward Dynamite:

• Shawn Dean vs Colt Cabana (pass)
• Mike Reed & Ryan Rembrandt vs Jurassic Express (solid)
• Lee Johnson & Musa vs Private Party (okay)
• Jon Cruz vs 10 (Preston Vance) (pass)
• Alan Angels vs Fenix (solid)
• Dani Jordyn vs Kris Statlander (okay)
• Jason Cade vs Orange Cassidy (okay)
• Skyler Moore vs Britt Baker (pass)
• No DQ: Luther vs Jimmy Havoc (solid)

The first eight bouts were all showcase matches. If you are a fan of the star, then you will enjoy the contest. Jurassic Express was the most exciting. Private Party was high energy. Alan Angels and Fenix was the most competitive. Dani Jordyn versus Kris Statlander was the most physical. Orange Cassidy actually made an effort. The main event was hard hitting action with an impressive performance from Luther.

Watch the show here.

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Excalibur and Taz were on commentary. Dasha Gonzalez was the ring announcer.

Shawn Dean vs Colt Cabana

Cabana won with an elbow to the top of the head then a Superman pin.

Mike Reed & Ryan Rembrandt vs Jurassic Express

Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus represented Jurassic Express. Marko Stunt was ringside. The bout started with fire as Luchasaurus unloaded a tail whip kick into a facebuster by Jungle Boy for a combo move, two consecutive suicide dives by Jungle Boy, then a tope con hilo by Jungle Boy.

Their opponents got in some offense against Jungle Boy. Hot tag to Luchasaurus. He roared back with a chokeslam and a standing moonsault. The dino crew won with a teamwork cutter.

That version of Jurassic Express remains undefeated in 2020.

Lee Johnson & Musa vs Private Party

Private Party utilized their specialized flippy techniques and cohesive teamwork. Isiah Kassidy hit a rope-assisted flatliner then Marq Quen flew in with a shooting star press to win.

Jon Cruz vs 10 (Preston Vance)

10 crushed Cruz with a huge spinebuster. Mr. Brodie Lee came out on the entrance ramp to applaud the victory.

Alan Angels vs Fenix

Excalibur mentioned the whereabouts of Fenix’s Death Triangle mates. Pentagon is stuck in Mexico, and PAC is stuck in the UK.

Fenix demonstrated a more vicious style with chops to the neck and talking trash. Angels almost scored the win with a flying stomp to the back and a moonsault, but Fenix kicked out at two. Fenix took control with a rope-bouncing springboard flying crossbody, a spinning kick in the corner, and a spinning sitdown musclebuster-esque slam to win.

Dani Jordyn vs Kris Statlander

Stalemate to start. Statlander showed respect with a nose boop. This was a verified hoss fight. In the end, Statlander distracted Jordyn with a second nose boop. The alien hit a clothesline then her Big Bang Theory package Tombstone finisher to win.

Jason Cade vs Orange Cassidy

Best Friends joined OC ringside. Cassidy competed from the get go. He executed a fancy toss, a leg sweep, and a neck drag. In the end, OC ate a jumping knee strike, played dead, then suckered Cade in for a crucifix pin variation for victory.

Skyler Moore vs Britt Baker

Aside from a surprise inside cradle attempt by Moore, Baker dominated the bout. She pummeled Moore with a running knee and a fisherman’s neckbreaker. Baker demanded the referee’s plastic glove so she could apply the Lockjaw submission to win.

No DQ: Luther vs Jimmy Havoc

Kip Sabian and Penelope Ford were ringside to support Havoc. The primary utensils of violence were chairs. The most vicious spot was a hip toss by Luther to send Havoc crashing down on the top part of an open chair. Havoc could have broken his spine.

Other highlights include a flipping senton by Luther and a butterfly suplex by Luther on the entrance ramp.

The beginning of the end started with a flying bulldog from Luther. Luther hooked Havoc into a Camel Clutch position and dug his fingers into Havoc’s eyes.

Ford hopped up on the apron to throw water in Luther’s face. Sabian threw a chair at Luther’s head. Havoc capitalized on the distractions with a fisherman’s DDT for the 1, 2, 3.

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Thumbs up to the freshly squeezed one. Much to my surprise, I actually enjoyed an Orange Cassidy match. OC’s spot appearances are highly entertaining. It’s been his singles matches in AEW so far that haven’t appealed to me. I’m not on board with the lazy gimmick of being beat up for ten minutes leading to a short fire comeback. In this bout against Jason Cade, OC actually tried the entire time. Sure, he had his hands in his pockets, but his speed was on point and he displayed a variety of wrestling techniques. It felt more like a real match rather than a some weird style of performance art. I could see myself becoming a fan of this version of OC.

The Jurassic Express duo of Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus were a ball of fire. That’s one team that is happy to be back in the ring. I believe their record is 3-0 in 2020. They should be climbing up in the next rankings, especially with all the garbage records and inactivity in that top 5. Jurassic Express wrestles the Best Friends on Dynamite. I’m conflicted about who to root for. I think Best Friends deserve the next title shot whenever Hangman Page returns. I also really want to see Jurassic Express against Hangman and Kenny Omega, but I think that matchup would benefit more from a raucous live crowd.

Luther was impressive. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t much from a 51 year old death match legend. I figured his body would be all destroyed by now. Luther went out looking spry with creative moments of violence. That hip toss to Havoc onto the chair was brutal. After his debut with the bumbling Nightmare Collective, Luther is earning my interest. I look forward to seeing more from him.

Out of all the enhancement talent from this episode, Alan Angels is standing out as someone who could earn TV time even when the full roster is back. He’s good at making stars shine brighter.

Share you thoughts on Dark. Who stood out most for episode 33?

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