First Ever AEW Dark: Elevation Card Announced

Maki Itoh vs. Riho headlines AEW's first Dark: Elevation card next week!

Maki Itoh
AEW

Maki Itoh vs. Riho will headline the first episode of AEW Dark: Elevation next week.

The show debuts on YouTube at 7pm ET on Monday 15 March. AEW President Tony Khan hit Twitter to confirm the first lineup last night, with the following matches on deck:-

Maki Itoh vs. Riho

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Jungle Boy vs. Danny Limelight

Max Caster vs. Dante Martin

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Tay Conti vs. Ashley Vox

Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Brandon Cutler

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At first glance, this card looks like it'll be more competitive than Dark, which usually comprises primarily of semi-competitive squash matches between full-time talent and regular enhancement wrestlers. Here, Limelight, Vox, and Itoh are the only wrestlers who haven't been given the "X Is All Elite" treatment on Twitter yet, and Maki's recent presentation hasn't been that of an enhancement talent.

Fittingly as the main event, Riho vs. Itoh is the bout that stands out the most, and the two have already shared an AEW ring twice over the past week. Caster vs. Martin sees two promising tag wrestlers go one-on-one while their partners are sidelined while Conti's match with Vox is another chance for the Brazilian to improve on her impressive 10-3 singles record.

Tony Schiavone and Paul Wight will provide commentary for the show, as previously announced.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.