AEW Dark Elevation recap (July 5, 2021): Orange Cassidy not backing down from danger

Episode 17 of AEW Dark: Elevation featured Orange Cassidy not backing down from danger, an update on Joey Janela’s frustration, and Thunder Rosa, Hikaru Shida, and Serena Deeb walloping the competition.

Here’s the Dark: Elevation lineup with ratings (watch, competitive, showcase, squash) on which matches are worth your time toward Dynamite:

• Leila Grey vs. Thunder Rosa (squash)
• Scorpio Sky vs. Marcus Kross (showcase)
• Hikaru Shida vs. Dani Jordyn (showcase)
• Angelico vs. Orange Cassidy (competitive)
• Serena Deeb vs. Tesha Price (squash)
• Serpentico vs. Dante Martin (showcase)

If you are a fan of Cassidy, then his bout with Angelico was the best of the bunch. If you want to skip OC, then check out Serpentico and Martin for high-flying theatrics. Thunder Rosa and Deeb were entertaining with their aggressiveness. Shida always puts on a good show. Sky made a mockery of his opponent’s hairstyle.

Watch the show here.

Tony Schiavone and Paul Wight handled commentary duties. Justin Roberts was the ring announcer.

Thunder Rosa defeated Leila Grey. Thunder rumbled through Grey and never let up. Fire Thunder Driver was the winning move.

Scorpio Sky defeated Marcus Kross. Ethan Page was on commentary. Kross made his AEW debut. He used to be tag team partners with Griff Garrison in Master & Machine. Kross’ hair is a sight to behold.

AEW Dark: Elevation

Sky grabbed Kross’ follicles to toss him around the ring.

Kross rallied with a double stomp into elbow drop combo. Sky ducked a head kick to counter with a TKO cutter to win.

Hikaru Shida defeated Dani Jordyn. Shida was in control as the action spilled to the floor. When she grabbed a chair, referee Rick Knox acted like a numbnuts by not knowing she uses it for a step-up running knee. It’s not like that has been a signature move of Shida ever since she joined AEW. As Knox took the chair away, Jordyn hit Shida in the back with her mean girls book. Jordyn went for a DDT through the ropes, but Shida countered to slingshot Jordyn into the ropes. Shida turned the tide with an enzuigiri and bridging German suplex. She unloaded a barrage of strikes and finished with the Katana spinning knee.

Orange Cassidy defeated Angelico. Chuck Taylor, Kris Statlander, and Jack Evans were ringside. Angelico wore OC’s sunglasses to dance. Cassidy took back his shades for the shin kick routine. Angelico disrupted it with a wristlock. They went back and forth teasing OC putting his hands in his pockets. A dropkick sent Angelico outside the ring. Taylor and Statlander bullied Angelico leading to a suicide dive from Cassidy. When Angelico distracted the referee, Evans landed some punches to OC. Angelico locked in a standing llave and danced. After Cassidy escaped, he rallied with a tornado DDT. Angelico still had enough wits to evade a Superman punch and Beach Break. Angelico focused on weakening Cassidy’s leg. OC was hobbled, but he ducked a couple of kicks to sneak in the Mouse Trap pin for victory.

Post-match, Angelico charged for a clothesline. Cassidy ducked and connected on a Superman punch. He sent Evans into the ropes, and Taylor low-bridged the top rope so Evans tumbled to the floor. Blade and Bunny came into the ring for a staredown with Cassidy and Statlander to promote their mixed tag match on Dynamite.

AEW Dark: Elevation

Serena Deeb defeated Tesha Price. The Woman of 1,000 Holds aggressively took care of business. She closed with a Detox slam then the Serenity Lock submission.

Alex Marvez conducted his questioning for a weekly medical update from Joey Janela. The Bad Boy was silent. Marvez inquired why Janela was late to help Sonny Kiss when attacked by HFO last week. Janela removed his sunglasses to glare at Marvez, who recalled that they were at the Melon Farm go-go bar together and that’s why Janela was late. Marvez announced that Janela and Kiss will be guests on The Waiting Room talk show hosted by Dr. Britt Baker DMD on Tuesday night Dark. He asked Janela what he hopes to accomplish with that appearance. Janela responded that he is just frustrated.

Dante Martin defeated Serpentico. Luther was ringside to interfere on several occasions. Martin still wowed with a double springboard moonsault.

Serpentico rallied with a thrust kick, DDT, and double stomp. Martin came back with a fireman’s carry neckbreaker variation. He took out Luther with a flip over the ropes. Back in the ring, Martin executed a flipping stunner for the three count.

After the bout, Luther put the boots to Martin. Matt Sydal ran in for the save as a sign of respect for his recent matches against Martin.

This edition of Elevation was a smooth 43 minutes. It was the kind of show I desire for the Elevation experience. Get in, watch the matches, get out and continue with my evening. I appreciate the weekly update from Joey Janela, since that is one story that has my attention. I would just add an extra promo or two. For example, I’m not sure what Dante Martin’s voice sounds like. He is picking up too many wins to be left off the mic.

Orange Cassidy’s style is not my cup of tea, but his antics meshed well with Angelico’s dancing for a fun match. I have to give Cassidy credit for never backing down. Blade could have cracked his jaw with brass knuckles again. OC had no fear despite a gimpy leg.

Thunder Rosa and Serena Deeb were both wrecking balls. Their aggressive attitudes makes them intriguing to watch. If they don’t end up settling their business in an NWA ring, then I hope AEW puts them together for a feud. They could easily tear the house down as a Dynamite main event.

Share your thoughts on Dark: Elevation. Who stood out most for episode 17? Which was your favorite match?