Matt Brannigan: AEW Dark Became A Staple For Independent Wrestling, It’s A Bummer It’s Ending

AEW Dark and AEW Dark: Elevation created many opportunities for independent talent to perform in front of larger audiences in arenas and on AEW YouTube. 

Whether AEW taped bulk matches at Universal Studios in Orlando, FL or taped matches before AEW Dynamite, talent from all over the independent scene was used against regular AEW television performers. 

Matt Brannigan first appeared on May 28, 2022 episode of AEW Dark in Las Vegas, Nevada and then returned for the February 6 episode of AEW Dark: Elevation in Dayton, Ohio.

Speaking to Jeremy Lambert & SP3 on In The Weeds, Brannigan discussed his appearances on the programming. 

“They just reached out and asked me to be there and get beat up. I don’t know if someone told them that I get beat up very well, but I do. ‘He looks okay and gets beat up well.’ ‘Perfect.’ I went the one time and I just think they liked me and then they invited me back a couple more times. It was fun,” he said. 

Brannigan praised the backstage atmosphere as being “laid back” and “chill.” 

AEW Dark and Dark: Elevation have seemingly come to an end with no new episodes being produced and matches not being taped. 

When asked about the end of those programs and what it means for independent wrestlers, Brannigan said, “It’s kind of a bummer because it quickly became such a staple of independent wrestling. It’s a bummer to see it end. I guess there is still opportunity, but maybe there is less of them now. I don’t know what’s going to come of the new AEW show, if that’s going to present more opportunities. I think everyone is just going to have to work harder. There was a lot of opportunity. The opportunity is still there, people just have to work for it. It’s not going to be as easy now.”

ROH has been taping matches and programming at Universal Studios and before/after AEW Dynamite events. 

Elsewhere during the interview, Matt discussed Nick Aldis’ nipples as he prepared for their match, which unfortunately has now been canceled. You can find his comments on Aldis’ nipples by clicking here. 

Watch the full interview with Matt in the video above.