AEW Dark comes onto the air with a shot of Mr. Perfect, casually flipping a towel over his shoulder as he struts through the backstage area. He spots the BWM Inc. Head of Security, the Big Boss Man, standing near a security monitor. He approaches his former PWI colleague with a smile on his face.
Mr. Perfect: Well, look who we have here! If it isn’t the Big Boss Man – now the big boss of security! Congrats on the promotion, buddy. What’s it’s like being a top dog around here?
Boss Man, who’s been monitoring the cameras, turns to face Perfect with a satisfied smile on his face.
Big Boss Man: Thanks, Perfect. I gotta say, it’s been a nice change of pace. No more stupid uniforms, well, accept this massive Rob Amick costume, but the pay raise more than makes up for it! Don’t get me wrong, this job’s got it’s own challenges, but I’m enjoying it so far.
Mr. Perfect: Glad to hear it! I always thought you were too good to be a referee. Now you’re calling the shots around here, and I bet no one dares mess with the Boss Man!
Boss Man chuckles, shaking his head.
Big Boss Man: Yeah, things are different now, that’s for sure. But enough about me, how’ve you been since the draft? Settling in alright?
Mr. Perfect: Oh, I couldn’t be better! Sure, I haven’t had any TV time yet, but hey, that’s a small price to pay. At least I don’t have to worry about that lunatic Hans Gustav breaking my neck anymore. Can you believe it? No more sneaky attacks from behind, no more wondering if I’ll wake up in a neck brace…
Perfect trails off, a wistful look in his eyes as if he’s reminiscing about something he oddly misses.
Big Boss Man: Uh, yeah… sounds like a relief.
Mr. Perfect: Totally! No more whiplash. No more getting blindsided… The tension… the adrenaline… the feeling that at any moment, something could just snap!
Boss Man raises an eyebrow, looking increasingly uncomfortable as Perfect’s tone becomes more enthusiastic.
Big Boss Man: Maybe I’m not understanding you, but it sort of sounds like you miss getting your neck broken?
Mr. Perfect: Well, not exactly. But there’s just something about the thrill of it, the danger… and, it was weirdly great for my sciatica! Say, Boss Man, you’ve got strong hands, right? Maybe you could—
Boss Man’s eyes widen as Perfect leans in with a mischievous grin.
Mr. Perfect: —maybe you could snap my neck? Just a quick one! For old time’s sake!
Boss Man stares at Perfect in shock, his expression quickly turning to one of disgust.
Big Boss Man: Um… no thanks. I think I’ll pass on that one…
Boss Man quickly walks off, shaking his head as Perfect calls after him, still grinning.
Mr Perfect: Oh, come on, Boss Man! Just a little snap! You’ll feel perfectly fine about it, I promise!
Boss Man disappears around the corner, leaving Perfect standing there with a satisfied smile. He casually flips his towel over his shoulder and walks off as if nothing unusual just happened.
Match #1 | Non-Title Exhibition Match
AEW Knockouts Champion Miss Athena Star vs. Mockingbird
As the introductions are made, Renee Young and Taz welcome us to the first installment of AEW Dark of the season. They briefly talk about the odd scene we just saw with Mr. Perfect, before switching gears to discuss the upcoming match. Taz says Miss Athena Star took a few weeks off to vacation with her boyfriend, but the AEW Knockouts Champion is back now to a division that’s heating up.
Taz: Mockingbird’s got a real shot to prove herself here, Renee. But it’s not going to be easy, Miss Athena Star is arguably the greatest women’s wrestler of all time. She’s not been pinned at all in 2024.
The match starts with both competitors feeling each other out, trading holds and countering each other’s moves. Mockingbird shows impressive agility, ducking and weaving to avoid Star’s quick strikes. The crowd gets behind Mockingbird as she lands a series of quick kicks and a hurricanrana, catching the champion off guard.
Mockingbird builds momentum, climbing to the top rope and launching into a high-risk moonsault. But Star rolls out of the way at the last second, and Mockingbird crashes to the mat!
Taz: That’s the opening Star needed! You don’t give a champion like her an opportunity like that and expect to walk away unscathed!
With Mockingbird dazed, Star seizes control. She tosses Mockingbird into the corner, following up with her patented handspring back elbow. As Mockingbird falls to the mat, Star calls for her finisher. Climbing to the top rope, Star nails the 420 Splash with perfect precision, driving the wind out of Mockingbird.
The referee counts: One, two, three! The bell rings, and Miss Athena Star is declared the winner.
Winner: Miss Athena Star
Match Time: 9:09
After the match, Star helps Mockingbird to her feet and, in a show of sportsmanship, extends her hand. Mockingbird accepts, and the crowd cheers for the mutual respect between the two competitors.
Suddenly, the arena plunges into darkness. The crowd murmurs in confusion, but then the tron lights up, revealing Timeless Toni Storm, in black and white, bathed in the glow of an old Hollywood spotlight. She’s draped in a glamorous, vintage gown, and her expression is one of haughty disdain.
Timeless Toni Storm: Darling, darling, darling… Athena, you think you’re the star of this little picture? Sweetheart, as I’m sure you know, I’ve been searching for my understudy, a stand-in for the real leading lady. The lights may be on you now, but the real star is ready for her close-up!
Timeless Toni Storm: Besides, from what I hear, you’re on your way out… Out with the old, and in with the new! It’s about time for the spotlight to shine on someone with true timeless talent!
Athena looks confused as the two engage in a staredown, Athena in the ring and Storm on the tron. The scene fades as Storm makes her intentions known: She’s got her eyes set on Knockouts gold!
Match # 2 | Exhibition Match
Petey Williams vs. Hook
The bell sounds and Hook, his demeanor calm and collected, circles the ring locking eyes with Petey Williams, the seasoned veteran.
Renee Young: What a match this is going to be, Taz! One of the fastest rising stars in the sport going one-on-one with the veteran, the Canadian Destroyer Petey Williams!
Taz: Yeah, Renee, this is gonna be a good one. Petey’s been around the block, but Hook’s got that special something. And hey, full disclosure, it’s hard for me to be unbiased here. That’s my kid in the ring!
Renee Young: I can understand that, Taz. We saw Arn Anderson in a similar situation a few weeks ago when Brock Anderson was wrestling. Family ties run deep in this sport.
The match begins with a quick lock-up in the center of the ring, with Hook using his superior grappling skills to transition into a waist lock. Petey, showing his veteran savvy, quickly counters with a standing switch and tries to roll Hook into a pin, but Hook powers out, showcasing his impressive strength.
Taz: That’s my boy! You see how he powered out of that? Hook’s got a real natural talent for this. But it’s more than that—he’s a student of the game.
Renee Young: Speaking of that, Taz, we’ve seen Hook observing the TV Championship matches for weeks now, ever since his arrival at AEW at Starrcade. What’s the deal with that?
Hook grounds Petey with a headlock takeover, wrenching the hold as Taz responds.
Taz: Renee, Hook’s been taking an interest in what some people call the ‘workhorse championship.’ He’s got his eye on the competition. He’s not just in this for the glory—he wants to understand what makes a champion. And that TV title represents grit, hard work, and determination.
Renee Young: But now that Gunther is the champion, do you think Hook’s interest has lessened? Gunther’s not exactly the easiest guy to go after.
Petey manages to get to his feet, breaking free from Hook’s headlock and sending him into the ropes. On the rebound, Hook ducks under a clothesline, then floors Petey with a shoulder tackle.
Taz: That remains to be seen, Renee. But I’ll tell you this—Hook’s a tough kid from New York. He’s not the type to back down from anyone, even someone like the Ring General. If he decides to go after Gunther, it’s gonna be a fight.
As the match progresses, Petey begins to mount some offense. He catches Hook with a dropkick that sends him into the corner, then follows up with a running knee strike. Petey climbs to the top rope and leaps off with a missile dropkick, hitting Hook square in the chest. The momentum shifts as Petey starts to dictate the pace, using his speed and experience to wear down Hook.
Renee Young: Petey Williams is turning things around here! He’s a crafty veteran, and he’s not going to let Hook walk all over him.
Taz: No doubt about it, Petey’s a tough competitor. But Hook’s been trained to weather the storm and come back stronger. Let’s see how he handles this.
Petey sets up for his signature move, the Canadian Destroyer. He grabs Hook and flips over, but at the last second, Hook reverses the move, slipping out and landing on his feet behind Petey. With lightning speed, Hook locks in his submission finisher, REDRUM!
Petey struggles, trying to fight out of the hold, but Hook’s grip is too strong. The referee checks on Petey, who eventually has no choice but to tap out. The bell rings, and Hook is declared the winner.
Taz: There it is! Hook with the REDRUM, and that’s all she wrote! That’s my boy right there!
Renee Young: What a match! Petey Williams gave it everything he had, but Hook found a way to turn the tide and get the victory. An impressive showing from the young star.
Winner: Hook
Match Time: 13:20
Hook stands tall in the ring, his expression calm and focused as the referee raises his hand in victory. The crowd cheers as Hook takes a moment to look out at the audience before exiting the ring, his eyes still focused on the path ahead.
Renee Young: Taz, you’ve got every reason to be proud. Hook’s making waves here in AEW, and it looks like he’s got his sights set on bigger things.
Taz: Absolutely, Renee. This is just the beginning for Hook. And if Gunther’s watching, he better keep his head on a swivel.
The camera follows Hook as he heads up the ramp, his eyes fixed on the horizon, as Renee Young thanks everyone for tuning into Dark, and says we’ll see everyone Monday night for Dynamite!
World Of Wrestling: Murrey Universe 