Samoa Joe says his “Nope” spot is not rocket science.
Joe casually moving out of the way of an opponent’s diving attack is a common occurrence in his matches. The AEW World Champion spent some time speaking to Sports Illustrated about the spot recently.
“As a small youth in my younger days, if I saw something large or very destructive coming toward me, it was only natural to step aside,” said Joe. “It’s not rocket science.”
“The cavemen understood this, too,” he continued. “If you see a rock coming toward you from the top of the hill, move a little to the left.”
Some of Joe’s more popular editions of the spot took place during matches with Jon Cruz and Gravity.
Joe defeated MJF to win the AEW World title at Worlds End last month. He’s now held the top titles in NXT, AEW, TNA, and Ring of Honor. Later in his interview with SI.com, Joe said that he’s exceeded expectations of him everywhere he’s worked and will continue to prove the naysayers wrong.
“I don’t harp on the fact that I’m not a chosen one,” said Joe. “It’s never stopped me from doing anything I wanted to accomplish in this industry. The only people who believe that are the naysayers. I’ve proven them wrong throughout the entirety of my career, and I’ll continue to do so.
“I knew I was the truth from the get-go. There’s nothing anyone can say that will stop that.”
AEW World Champion Samoa Joe will be in attendance at tonight’s AEW Dynamite from Savannah, Georgia.
Joe is coming off a much-discussed successful title defense against Hook on last week’s Dynamite — his first since winning the title for the first time at December’s Worlds End.
Following the match, both Hangman Page and Swerve Strickland were in the crowd eyeing up the champion just a week after both made their intentions known about wanting a World title shot.
Both potential challengers will also be on the show as Page takes on Penta El Zero Miedo while Strickland faces Jeff Hardy.
It’s the latest addition to a show that will see Adam Copeland take on Minoru Suzuki for the first time ever in addition to an AEW Trios title defense by The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn.
Here’s the full card as of now:
AEW Trios Champions The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn defend against Brian Cage & The Gates of Agony
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including John Cena winding down his WWE career, notes on the RAW and NXT ratings, the AEW Dynamite TV report with a lot of great action, and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Samoa Joe defends the AEW World Championship against Hook on tonight’s Dynamite.
After defeating MJF for the World title at Worlds End last month, Joe laid out a challenge on last week’s Homecoming episode for future challengers to step forward. Hook was among those to step up, and gets his shot tonight.
The TNT Championship is also up for grabs on tonight’s show, with Christian Cage defending against Dustin Rhodes in a match set up with a backstage promo between the two on last Saturday’s Collision episode.
After returning to AEW on last week’s Dynamite, The Young Bucks will speak on this week’s show ahead of their likely match with Sting & Darby Allin at Revolution in March.
The Ring of Honor Six-Man Tag Team titles will also be defended tonight, with Brian Cage & Gates of Agony putting the belts on the line against Bullet Club Gold’s Jay White & The Gunns.
In the women’s division, new signee Deonna Purrazzo will face Anna Jay. Women’s World Champion “Timeless” Toni Storm will be on commentary for the bout.
Top Flight vs. Private Party, plus Orange Cassidy & Trent Beretta vs. Penta El Zero Miedo & Komander are late additions to the card.
Ian Riccaboni will be on commentary for the show in place of Tony Schiavone, who is missing the show due to being sick.
The World title match will air commercial-free.
AEW Dynamite comes on the air with a video package of tonight’s commercial free main event is shown, as well as AEW Champion Samoa Joe and challenger HOOK entering the arena. Excalibur welcomes us alongside Ian Riccaboni and Taz as we go to the opening title match of the evening.
Christian Cage (w/Nick Wayne & Killswitch) defeated Dustin Rhodes to retain the TNT Title
(I thought this was a really good opener with the predictable interference somewhat kept to a minimum in regards to usual Cage matches. Rhodes continues to show that age is just a number, as he had the fans biting at near falls at the end and his kicking out of the Killswitch only got the crowd behind him even more.)
After a slow feeling out process, Cage baited Rhodes in for a test of strength, only to lead to a cheap shot. Rhodes responded with a snap powerslam, as Cage took a powder, trying to pull the legs out and post Rhodes, who used leg strength to pull Cage face first into the steel. Rhodes remained on the offense back inside with corner punches, but Cage answered by fighting off a superplex, sending Rhodes to the floor and followed with a dive from the top to the floor.
Cage remained in control during break, as Cage dodged a cross body attempt, but Rhodes avoided a top rope Cage head butt for the reset. A slugfest ensued, as both men rose to their feet, where Rhodes hit a Manhattan Drop and signature running bulldog for two. Rhodes avoided an eye poke and slingshot Cage to the corner, where Rhodes wanted an Unnatural Kick, but Cage got free. Rhodes responded with a drop down punch and Code Red for two and teased a dive, but Cage cut him off with a right hand and Frog Splash back inside for two of his own. Cage grabbed the TNT Title and argued with ref Aubrey, who took the title as Rhodes had a visible cradle pin, but Wayne reversed it, as Rhodes kicked out at two.
Rhodes started hulking up, wanted another bulldog, but Cage dodged, went to the second, had the legs swept and Rhodes took Cage to what Taz would call Yam Bag City with the Unnatural Kick. After a superplex, Rhodes hit the Cross Rhodes for the closest near fall possible. Wayne tripped up Rhodes, as Cage took the ref. Rhodes fought off Killswitch and blocked Wayne’s World into a Canadian Destroyer on the floor. Rhodes back inside, where he missed a corner charge, allowing Cage to hit a Spear and Killswitch, but Rhodes kicked out to the surprise of everyone. Rhodes flipped Cage off, who hit another Killswitch, this time getting the win.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Swerve Strickland, who said he’d be foolish not to be paying attention to the main event. It doesn’t matter if it’s Joe or HOOK, he’s focused on the World Title now that the Continental Classic is over, as he was the talk of the tournament. Paquette brings up Hangman Adam Page and Strickland said he has eyes everywhere, Page is an impeccable performer, beating Roderick Strong, Claudio Castagnoli & JD Drake. Strickland said even if God himself came down, Page would have a change, but he still lost to Strickland, he has nothing left to prove against Page. Who’s House? Swerve’s House.
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-Renee Paquette is backstage with Chris Jericho, asking where he & Sammy Guevara go from here after losing their Tag Team Title Street Fight at Battle of the Belts? Jericho said they lost only because of Konosuke Takeshita & Powerhouse Hobbs getting involved. Jericho said his win over Takeshita a month ago in Japan doesn’t mean as much as it used to, now he will seek and destroy Takeshita. Matt Sydal randomly walked in and said this isn’t the Chris Jericho he knows, Jericho needs to get in there with someone who has beat him in the past, like himself. Jericho said they can fight on Rampage this Friday. This was a weird way to get to that match.
AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy & Trent Beretta (w/Chuck Taylor) defeated Penta El Zero Miedo & Komander (w/Rey Fenix & Alex Abrahantes)
(This was an action packed sprint of a match that definitely felt more like a Tornado Tag. Post match was the bigger story here, as the challenge was official for Revolution, as Roderick Strong is unsurprisingly the next challenger for the International Title.)
Chuck Taylor & Rey Fenix return to corner their respective teams, as both have been out with injuries. Penta & Cassidy took turns with their poses to start before Penta kicked out the legs of Cassidy, who responded with a series of arm drags. Penta avoided a round the World DDT and cut off a pocket pose, sending Cassidy outside, but was cut off by Beretta. Komander flew in with a springboard and followed with a dive on Cassidy outside. Back inside, Beretta turned Komander inside out with a half and half, as Cassidy took control during picture in picture.
Back from break, Komander escaped a Tree of Woe, sent Beretta to the floor and launched Cassidy into the corner, as Penta made the hot tag and ran wild with Sling Blades. A stalling Made in Japan on Cassidy, as Komander wiped out Beretta with a dive mid move. Beretta saved his partner from an assisted Fear Factor, as Cassidy laid out Penta with the round the World DDT. Beretta really laid into Komander with forearms, but Komander answered with multiple near falls. Penta blindsided Beretta with a pump kick and follow up step up Canadian Destroyer, as Komander hit a rope walk splash for two, which Cassidy broke up. Komander wanted a Phoenix Splash, but Beretta avoided and hit a running knee to turn Komander inside out. Penta tried a springboard, but Cassidy shoved his partner aside and hit a mid move Beach Break. An Orange Punch sent Komander into Beretta, who hit a Crunchy to get the victory.
Post match, we almost got a trio Best Friends hug for the first time in a while, but The Undisputed Kingdom music hit as Roderick Strong & The Kingdom came to the ring. Strong told Cassidy to take off his glasses and questioned if being International Champion has become too much, since he’s taking tag team matches now instead of defending his title? Strong said that title belongs to him and he’s coming for it. Cassidy said they can do it right here and now, but Strong declined, saying Cassidy will have to wait until Revolution. Strong wants Cassidy to wait for the next 6 weeks to accept the realization that the title will be Strong’s March 3rd.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Hangman Adam Page, who said you won’t find another soul on this planet that needs the AEW World Title as much as he does. In 2024, he will make that title his and will keep it that way as long as he can. Paquette brought up Swerve Strickland saying how Page can’t beat him. Page said he doesn’t think about Strickland at all, as he’s not the World Champion, Samoa Joe is and God be with HOOK if he’s the champion by the end of the night.
Mark Briscoe is introduced to the stage, as well as the Briscoe family sitting ringside. Briscoe said he’s out here tonight representing the baddest tag team on the planet, Dem Boys, The Briscoe Brothers. Tragically, one year ago Jay Briscoe passed away and talked about how his nieces were in the car with Jay and doctors said they’d never walk again. Just then, Jay’s kids walked out on stage, as Mark said God is on the throne, as they won’t stop because they can’t stop. Mark thanks everyone from the bottom of their hearts and hugs the kids. This was an absolutely incredible moment. After, they replayed the fantastic tribute video to Jay Briscoe that aired last year.
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-Renee Paquette is sitting backstage with The Young Bucks (and their new mustaches), who requested Paquette refer to them by their God given names, Nicholas & Matthew Jackson. They are Executive Vice Presidents and it’s time to take this job more serious. Paquette brought up the temper tantrums and meltdowns with rumors, as Matthew cuts her off and said those rumors are all fake, but let’s pretend they’re true. What would she be willing to lose to maintain a thriving wrestling company called AEW if it meant losing friendships and ruining reputations? Matthew said hell yeah he’d do it all over again and asks if Paquette got her paycheck this week and says you’re welcome.
Matthew said they used to say “Change the World” and were doing just that until they lost their way and the culture changed and toxicity seeped in. Matthew said it was due to lean into self serving, superficial “superstars” and says Sting is anything but that, as he’s hopeful people talk about themselves that way years for now. Sting is the last of a dying breed, but in order to change the world, they need to say goodbye to Sting and anyone like him. Paquette asks if that’s an official call out for Sting’s final match? Nicholas looked at his phone and said as EVP, they can pull some strings and walked off.
Switchblade Jay White & The Gunns (Austin & Colten) defeated Brian Cage & The Gates of Agony (Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun w/Prince Nana) to win the ROH Six Man Titles
(Despite a commercial break in the middle, this certainly felt like this match had its time cut, as they added so much into this. Once they came back from break, it was an all out sprint and it ultimately led to new champs. Unfortunately with the storyline going on between Bullet Club Gold & The Acclaimed, The Mogul Embassy holding the titles isn’t necessary at the moment, so it’ll be interesting to see where they go from here and if the proposed Bang Bang Scissor Gang will actually happen.)
Bullet Club Gold have new entrance music, as Liona & White start things off, with White’s speed able to hit and run with early chops. That only lasted briefly, as Liona flattened White and brought him to the corner, driving knees into the back of White. Kaun tagged in, but White quickly hit a Dragon Screw and made the tag to Austin, who immediately missed a corner splash. Cage tagged in and shrugged off a Shake, Rattle & Roll by Austin, dropping him with a release German. Liona & Kaun followed up with a corner backstabber, splash combo, as Austin was isolated throughout the break.
When things returned, Austin showed signs of life, fighting out of the corner and made the hot tag to Colten, who ran wild to a pretty strong ovation. Colten showed off his athleticism with corner splashes and his father’s One and Only finisher, but got two. Colten wanted a Fame Asser, but turned his back and was met with a Liona Pounce. A swinging assisted powerbomb led to a Kaun Air Raid Crash for a near fall. The match broke down, as Cage tried to whip Liona into White & Austin, who both dodged and Liona flew over the barricade. Cage was dropped with 3:10 to Yuma by the Gunns, leaving Kaun & White alone, as Nana tripped up White, allowing Kaun to hit a fireman’s carry gutbuster for two. Kaun took the ref, as Nana wanted a belt shot, but Anthony Bowens sprinted to the ring and took the title from Nana. White fought out a school boy, laid out Kaun with a Blade Runner and won the match and the titles. Post match, The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass stood on the stage with the AEW Trios Titles, while Bullet Club Gold were in the ring with their titles, realizing Bowens’ help got them the victory, especially Austin Gunn.
-Adam Cole is backstage with Wardlow, who Cole said hasn’t even scratched the surface of what he’s capable of. Being in the Undisputed Kingdom makes Wardlow unbeatable, as he’ll go down as the most dominant AEW wrestler of all time. Wardlow will mow down everyone until there’s nothing left and the AEW World Title is property of the Undisputed Kingdom. Wardlow simply said “Boom!” to end the promo.
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-AEW Women’s Champion Timeless Toni Storm graced commentary with her presence before the next match, as she’s joined by Luther & Mariah May. Storm thought Ian Riccaboni was Tony Schiavone and was blown away at how young he looked, while feeding him macaroons.
Deonna Purrazzo defeated Anna Jay
(A lot of this match happened during commercial, as the bigger story was the post match call out by Purrazzo for the AEW Women’s Champion. Toni Storm continues to be one of the best characters in wrestling and tonight was no different.)
A trading a series of pin attempts, Purrazzo zoned in on the taped up right shoulder of Jay. After dodging a corner charge, Jay hit a neckbreaker through the ropes on the apron before going to picture in picture. Purrazzo mounted her comeback with a nasty knee lift and leg sweep combo, which followed up with a pump kick for two. Jay answered with a backstabber for two of her own, but as Purrazzo sank in a Fujiwara armbar, Jay got the rope break. Both ladies up and traded forearms, as Purrazzo side stepped a Jay home run shot and sank in the Venus de Milo for the submission.
Post match, Renee Paquette interviewed Purrazzo in the ring, who said she doesn’t know what’s gotten into Toni Storm, as they used to be sisters. It’s clear Storm has changed, but so has Purrazzo, the greatest technical women’s wrestler, The Virtuosa. Storm was insulted and sat on Luther’s shoulders while calling Purrazzo an artificially tan hag. Storm would go and sock her in the face, but instead threw it to commercial and Mariah May threw a shoe at Purrazzo, something Storm warned her to watch for. Storm, still on Luther’s shoulders, retreated to the back.
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Private Party (Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen) defeated Top Flight (Dante & Darius Martin)
(I could be wrong, but I believe this is the first time these two teams have faced each other in AEW. It’s nice to see all of these guys healthy after suffering so many setbacks over the last few years. This was Kassidy & Quen’s first win as a tag team since September of 2022 on an episode of Elevation. I’m hopeful this won’t be the last time these two teams meet on AEW TV.)
Dante & Kassidy traded ground work to start, but quickly turned on the boosters for a fast sequence leading to a double kip up into a face off. After a quick handshake, Quen made the tag and saw his first action in 13 months, as Dante tagged in as well. Quen tried to dive at the bad ankle of Dante, who side stepped and we got an unexpected ground battle by both high flyers. A blind tag by Kassidy allowed Dante to eat a blind side enzugiri followed up by a springboard cross body, as Top Flight were forced to regroup into picture in picture.
During commercial, Darius hit a nice Tornado/Reverse DDT combo on both Quen & Kassidy, as Kassidy was able to fight off both Martin bothers before making the hot tag to Quen. A series of four dives by Quen flattened Darius & Dante on opposide sides of the floor, as back inside Quen hit a 450 Splash for two. Dante answered with a ripcord jumping knee, as a thrust kick by Dante and step in Flatliner by Darius got two of his own. Kassidy tried to save his partner, but Darius his a gnarly guillotine Pele Kick. Quen countered a pop up into a dropkick, but turned into a pop up knee lift from Dante. Kassidy re-entered and laid out Dante with a corkscrew kick and follow up Gin n’ Juice. Darius, the legal man, jumped in and was immediately rolled up by Quen, who held the ropes to get the pin. Post match, Action Andretti came to the ring, as Top Flight had a gripe about how this match ended, but Quen & Kassidy opted to dance and celebrate with the crowd.
-A video package of Sting & Darby Allin’s history as a tag team is shown. This was a great recap of the matches these two have had as a team. Sting & Allin said they want to be AEW Tag Team Champions. Excalibur questions who will be Sting’s last opponent at Revolution and there’s so many questions. So they are at least planting doubt that it could be Ricky Starks & Big Bill potentially instead of The Young Bucks.
Samoa Joe defeated FTW Champion HOOK to retain the AEW World Title
(I liked that this was commercial free, as it kept the action going and there was never a down moment where you knew they were killing time for a break. HOOK put up one hell of a fight in this and I even bit that it was all over after the Muscle Buster, but the crowd went wild for the comeback as even in defeat, HOOK looked strong. I feared all would’ve been forgotten with Strickland & Page showing up for the staredown with Joe, but thankfully HOOK got his flowers from the crowd post match. Samoa Joe continues to be one of the best in the business, as he made HOOK look fantastic in this one.)
HOOK rushed Joe at the bell with corner strikes, but Joe just rag-dolled HOOK to the floor, meeting him with chops. HOOK was sent into the barricade, but put on the brakes and leapt off with a forearm. Back inside, Joe immediately shut HOOK down with a running back elbow and lit up HOOK with body shots. A corner charge and enzugiri led to trash talk from Joe, who followed with the signature chop to the back, punt kick and elbow drop for two. Joe’s size stopped HOOK from getting a T-Bone, so HOOK picked the leg, took Joe to the floor where a Superman Punch off the apron connected. HOOK wanted a T-Bone, but Joe countered and violently smashed HOOK through the announce table with a Uranage, as HOOK’s head smacked against the table pretty badly.
Joe taunted HOOK, who flipped off Joe, as a powerbomb against the edge of the ring followed. Referee Bryce called on doctors, who tended to HOOK, as Taz wanted to check on his son, but stayed back, as HOOK shoved the doctor out of the way and broke the count at 9. HOOK rolled right into a Joe snap powerslam and Death Valley Driver, both of which got two counts. Joe hit a Muscle Buster, but HOOK kicked out at one and the crowd went crazy, as did Taz. HOOK ran wild with a series of clotheslines before dishing out body shots and a massive T-Bone Suplex. HOOK wanted REDRUM, but Joe blocked it and countered into the Coquina Clutch, sinking it in deep. HOOK slowly faded and the arm dropped three times to give Joe the victory.
Post match, Joe went to leave, as HOOK asked if that’s all Joe’s got. Joe returned, punted HOOK low and hit another Muscle Buster. Joe again went to leave, but HOOK once more got to his feet slowly. Joe went to return, but Hangman Adam Page’s music hit and he hit the ring, with Joe leaving up the ramp. Joe turned and also saw Swerve Strickland standing in the crowd with Prince Nana, as the crowd chanted Swerve’s House, with Strickland & Nana leaving through the crowd. Page helped HOOK up, who wanted to walk away on his own and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think briefly that Page was about to turn heel on him, but he luckily didn’t. Thankfully the show ended with HOOK walking off on his own to his music with the crowd cheering for him.
AEW Rampage 1/19/24
· Chris Jericho vs. Matt Sydal
· Kris Statlander vs. Queen Aminata
· Penta El Zero Miedo vs. Anthony Henry
· Darby Allin vs. Jeff Hardy
AEW Collision 1/20/24
· Eddie Kingston & Ortiz vs. Bryan Danielson & Claudio Castagnoli
The AEW World Championship match between Samoa Joe and Hook will not go to picture-in-picture.
Tony Khan announced on Wednesday afternoon that the main event of tonight’s show will air commercial-free and that TBS is ready for a possible overrun of “several minutes.”
Khan wrote:
Tonight on Wednesday #AEWDynamite on TBS, our main event @AEW World Title Match Champion @SamoaJoe vs Challenger @730hook will be commercial free! TBS is ready for an overrun tonight, it’s possible tonight’s show will go several minutes past the top of the hour, see you tonight
Tonight on Wednesday #AEWDynamite on TBS, our main event @AEW World Title Match Champion @SamoaJoe vs Challenger @730hook will be commercial free!
TBS is ready for an overrun tonight, it's possible tonight's show will go several minutes past the top of the hour, see you tonight
John LaRocca and I are back with another episode of The Fight Game Podcast.
We kicked things off by talking about the live wrestling we will get to see on Saturday night at the old San Jose Civic Auditorium with NJPW Battle in the Valley.
We then got to the rest of our Top 5 which included:
Positives & negatives to the Young Bucks being Sting’s opponents for his last match at March’s AEW Revolution
The reason why Roman Reigns’ WWE Royal Rumble title match is a four-way
The build to Samoa Joe vs. Hook
The situation between Joe, Hangman Page, and Swerve
Samoa Joe will make his first AEW World Championship defense against Hook on the January 17 Dynamite.
AEW revealed during this week’s Homecoming edition of Dynamite that Samoa Joe vs. Hook for the World Championship will take place on the Wednesday, January 17 Dynamite.
It will be the first defense for Joe since he ended the one year-plus reign of MJF at the Worlds End pay-per-view on December 30.
The title match was officially announced following a segment on Dynamite homecoming where Joe stated that there would be a change to protocol for title challengers during his reign, daring anyone to bring their record and their reputation to his attention.
Swerve Strickland, Hangman Page, and then Hook all stepped forward during Joe’s promo, with Hook the last to enter and go face-to-face in the ring with his opponent for next week.
Hook holds a 28-1 career record in AEW singles matches, with his only defeat coming at the hands of Jack Perry last July at the Blood & Guts edition of Dynamite.
Samoa Joe vs. Hook for the AEW World Championship is currently the only item announced for next week’s Dynamite.
Samoa Joe wants to get back to entertaining people.
Joe spoke with Sports Illustrated recently about his goals as the new AEW World Champion. He told Justin Barrasso that he wants to put fans’ focus back on the in-ring product and let some of the “petty stuff” melt away.
Joe said:
“I understand the world of professional wrestling,” said Joe. “I’ve seen things work at a very high level, and I understand the type of people backstage that it takes for that to happen. I try to be that person.
As champion, you’re the standard-bearer. I’m more than happy to take up that mantle. I really want to make a focus of getting the fans’ attention back on the conflict in the ring, and a lot of the petty stuff needs to melt away. Let’s get back to entertaining people.”
Joe continued to say he’s looking forward to defending his title against “extraordinary individuals” on the AEW roster.
He continued:
“My goal is to have really great matchups with extraordinary individuals, which we have in spades on this roster, and give fans a reason to tune in,” said Joe. “Something is about to go down, and it’s going to be violent. That’s the vision I have for my reign, and I’m looking forward to executing it.”
On Saturday’s episode of Collision, Joe was called out for a title shot by Hook. Joe is scheduled to be at Daily’s Place for AEW Dynamite Homecoming tonight and will likely respond to the challenge.
Joe became the seventh wrestler to win the AEW World Championship when he did so at Worlds End. MJF’s title reign finished at 406 days and 10 successful defenses.
The plan was always for Samoa Joe to win the AEW World Championship at Worlds End.
Joe defeated MJF to win the belt on Saturday’s pay-per-view and some have speculated this was due to the former champion needing time off to deal with injuries.
However, our own Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that Joe winning the title was unrelated to MJF being injured.
Meltzer said:
Even before Max got hurt, Joe was always going to win the title on the show. In that sense, the title did not change hands because he’s hurt. It was always the plan.
MJF revealed in late November that he was dealing with a torn labrum but would still defend his title at the Worlds End pay-per-view from Long Island. He is believed to be dealing with “a plethora” of other injuries as well.
Many in AEW believe MJF will be taking time off now that he’s dropped the title, Fightful Select is reporting. His run with the title concludes after 406 days and 10 successful defenses.
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including the AEW World’s End PPV with a new AEW Champion, the reveal of the Devil, all the latest on MJF, Jericho, Mercedes, Andrade, etc., plus Killer Khan’s death and so much more. A packed show as always so check it out~!
Timestamps:
Start: Fallout from AEW Worlds End
7:59: AEW Worlds End recap
27:57: Chris Jericho allegations, match recap
37:51: The rest of AEW Worlds End & media scrum notes
For the first time since November 2022, MJF is no longer AEW World Champion as he was submitted by Samoa Joe in the main event of Saturday’s Worlds End from Long Island, New York.
Things then got worse for MJF as his friend Adam Cole was revealed to be the mysterious Devil character along with his henchmen of Wardlow, Roderick Strong and The Kingdom (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett).
The title change didn’t come without controversy as MJF’s hand dropped twice on the mat and then a third time on his own leg, causing referee Bryce Remsburg to momentarily pause after calling for the bell. Based on the reaction he had afterward, that appears to be the impetus for an MJF dispute in the future.
Cole, tan with a trimmed beard, was in MJF’s corner the entire match. While Remsburg was briefly knocked out, MJF called for his Dynamite diamond ring to hit Joe but Cole fumbled around before finally handing it over. Joe managed to avoid the strike and ensnared MJF in a sleeper for the aforementioned tap.
Cole consoled MJF afterward, leading to the four masked henchmen of the Devil to run out and attack. They grabbed both MJF and Cole with one henchman wielding a char and threatening to hit either one of them. MJF yelled to hit himself instead of Cole and then, the lights went out.
When they went back on, Cole was sitting in the chair and slowly put his hair back as MJF was in disbelief.
The four men then revealed themselves and laid MJF out as Cole looked on, eventually pulling the Devil mask out and dropping it on his former friend as the show went off the air. His walking boot remained on as there was no sign of the injury being a ruse.
Taven and Bennett were holding the ROH Tag Team titles they won under masks by defeating MJF in a handicap match on Wednesday’s Dynamite. Afterward, it was revealed that Joe, who was supposed to team with MJF but faked a knee injury, was aligned with the Devil the entire time.
MJF’s first-ever World title run began at November 2022’s Full Gear in Newark, New Jersey, with his win over Jon Moxley. He successfully defended the title ten times, most recently at last month’s Full Gear over Jay White.
He has been battling several injuries as of late, including a torn labrum. His left shoulder was in a brace and heavily taped.
The following is an opinion-based preview and reflects the views of the author.
AEW’s gift to us this holiday season was a wonderful wrestling tournament that got us through the winter doldrums and into the always promising new year.
By any objective measure, the Continental Classic was/is a tremendous success — a reminder and throwback to the foundation that AEW was built on which is an incredible in-ring product. Building a series of shows around high-quality matches has breathed much-needed life into AEW as it feels exciting again and reinvigorated.
The best Dynamite of the past few months was the December 13th episode. No skips, no filler, just good in-ring action with some necessary story exposition. Folks, that’s all it takes. The Devil storyline took a deserved backseat — the sooner this is and the rest of MJF’s version of As The World Turns is over the better — and the focus was almost entirely between the ropes. The sun AEW should revolve around is whatever happens between the bells, not who is under a Party City mask.
Everything falls neatly into place when the shows have something to revolve around rather than just someone. Anchoring the show around one main character can be burdensome to the viewer. How many 20-minute MJF solo promos can we take? This is not a reflection of his talent, which remains generational, but it’s not working as well as it should. For over a year, MJF has been the linchpin of the show, for better or for worse. Giving so much focus to the Continental Classic gave him space to breathe and gave him time to rest. And let’s face it, the last few months in the MJF-verse haven’t been good. When he first won the title, he talked about going on a HHH-esque reign of terror. If only we knew how accurate that would turn out to be.
Saturday’s Worlds End looks strong on paper and with AEW never missing at pay-per-views, I have high hopes for the last big show of 2023. Let’s run through the matches and give some predictions.
Andrade El Idolo vs. Miro
Andrade was one of the breakout performers in the Continental Classic. It might seem strange to refer to someone who has been wrestling since the early 2000s as a breakout, but this was by far his best work — not just in AEW, but since he’s been a regular in a major US wrestling promotion. The dude had his working boots on for every match and fully opened up the engines. When engaged and motivated, there is nothing he can’t do in the ring. Being reminded of that these past few weeks was wonderful. Let’s hope he carries the momentum into 2024.
It would have been easy to do something corny about Miro and CJ Perry’s IRL marriage. Instead, AEW decided to tell a story with nuance and layers which are things not typically associated with wrestling storylines. CJ wants to get back to what she was great at; managing and elevating talent. She’s upset that her husband wants to wrestle on his own, but she’s soldiering on doing what she wants. Miro, now no longer feuding with God, just wants to focus on wrestling.
It’s not going to win any awards or breathlessly be described as cinema, but this is a program that means something without any gold attached to it. This should be a good one!
Prediction: Andrade El Idolo
Keith Lee vs. Swerve Strickland
For whatever reason(s), Keith Lee in AEW hasn’t worked out like most (I am most) thought. The AEW Tag Team title run with Strickland was excellent, but other than that, nothing has been memorable. He has, somehow, become an afterthought. Or perhaps he’s been surpassed by others with greater gifts than his own. Maybe even a bit of both. There was a time when he was looked at as a no-doubt future World champion. Does that ceiling still exist? I hope it does. Wrestling is more fun when Keith Lee is regularly hossing people around the ring and making everyone roll their eyes when he’s doing a backstage promo.
This is going to be good, but it’s not hot. I’ll give AEW some grace on this one, though. Too often they are pumping the card full of last-minute matches, but with the C2 running until this week, they had no choice here. This does feel like a step down for Strickland who remains on a months-long heater. He might not have won the C2, but he maintained his momentum coming out of it and is positioned for a massive year in 2024 – one that should include an AEW World Championship reign. Anything less would be uncivilized.
Prediction: Swerve Strickland
Big Bill, Ricky Starks, Powerhouse Hobbs & Kyle Fletcher vs. Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara, Sting & Darby Allin
I continue to love the Bill/Starks pairing. It’s self-aware and smart enough to work. They aren’t friends and there is no ‘can they co-exist’ storyline. This is just two dudes who recognized each other’s immense talents and thought ‘Yeah, this should work.’ Wrestling is better when it’s not all brothers and best friends tag teams. Homogeneity is boring. There’s a reason Baskin Robbins has 31 flavors.
Guevara continues, unceasing, ebbing and flowing, between character alignments like tides that lick the coast of the Atlantic. He turned on Jericho in October, went on paternity, and came back to his waiting arms. Sure, whatever. Why was he so upset about the painting of his daughter? A young queen with five kings supporting her? Seems good to me! But alas, here we are yet again, closing 2023 with another Guevara/Jericho pairing that no one asked for and even fewer wanted.
Prediction: Jericho, Guevara, Sting & Allin
Jon Moxley vs. Eddie Kingston in the Continental Classic finals
The Continental Classic was destined to come down to this. The King of The Bums vs. the man who has done everything in pro wrestling. It took Kingston into his 40s to achieve what Moxley was doing in his late 20s. Bound together since the early years of AEW, the two men who know each other best go to war on Saturday. It’s going to be messy, it’s going to be brutal, and it’s going to be beautiful. Sometimes wrestling is just two dudes hitting each other really hard and is the most perfect thing in the world.
This year checked a lot of boxes for Kingston. The absolute madman won the Ring of Honor World title from his forever rival, wrestled in the G1, and is now in the finals of the C2. He is primed to win the American Triple Crown and follow in the footsteps of all his heroes. Getting to do it in his home state is the cherry of all cherries to cap off a hell of a 2023.
There are certainly people who don’t love or believe in him, but those are the exceptions that prove the rule. Those who love him do so loud and love him fiercely. They will be out in full force for his coronation on Long Island.
Prediction: Eddie Kingston
TBS Champion Julia Hart defends against Abadon
Hart just won the TBS Championship and is going to stay winning. She continues to grow in the ring and adds to her overall presentation on what seems like a weekly basis. She is AEW’s biggest homegrown success and her future is bright…or dark…or however she prefers it, really.
Abadon’s look and presentation are just incredible. Even the most ardent of haters have to admit that her character just works. In a sea of similar gimmicks and aesthetics, she stands out. She’s just not going to win the TBS title. Too much time was invested in building Hart into what she is now for her to lose the title less than two months after she won it.
Prediction: Julia Hart
TNT Champion Christian Cage defends against Adam Copeland in a no DQ match
It’s likely that you, the intelligent wrestling consumer that you are, have already decided if you’re going to like this match. This is the Copeland special. These are the matches he loves to have with plunder and weapons galore. It will likely be too long. It will likely have a few missed pinfalls and submissions. It will likely be a bit overwrought. It can be all of those things and still be good because as always, this is subjective. If that is your type of match, I have some good news. You’ll probably get an excellent version of it on Saturday night. If this is your preferred brand of vodka, get ready for top shelf. If not? You can probably squeeze in a 40-minute nap during the match.
Recently, AEW has shied away from doing trilogies. The Orange Cassidy vs. Jon Moxley and Swerve Strickland vs. Hangman Page programs wrapped up (for now) after two matches. I can’t help but feel that will be the case at Worlds End, too. Christian has done yeoman’s work making the TNT title important again — important enough that Copeland winning it will feel like a big deal.
Prediction: Adam Copeland
AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm defends against Riho
Your opinion on Storm is a telling character decoder. Do you think she’s the funniest thing you’ve ever seen? Perhaps broaden your comedic horizons. Do you think it’s terrible and an embarrassment to this business? I would encourage you to allow a little light and levity into your life. The highs are high and the lows are cause for shaking your head, not changing the channel. The truth is this probably skews more towards good than a transcendent character, but Storm is the singular focus of the women’s division.
There is too much juice left in the Storm orange to change the title here. AEW is invested in her current character and future program with Mariah May. Taking the title from her here makes no sense.
Prediction: Toni Storm
AEW World Champion MJF defends against Samoa Joe
There is no good reveal for the Devil. It’s low floor, low ceiling storytelling and the type of storytelling that AEW should do well to avoid. What is a good reveal here? It’s a rhetorical question, but is there anyone on the roster that would make this amount of TV time worth it and make some storyline sense?
Even if it leads to a returning Kyle O’Reilly, would an Adam Cole reveal really move the needle? The best they could do in that situation would be if the entire injury was a work, leading to him costing MJF the title. Even if that’s the case, we’re still in for another long MJF melodrama program — the same type of program Cody Rhodes would get killed for if he was still in AEW, by the way — and something has to change. After Wednesday night’s show-closing angle, something has to change immediately. Put this to bed and never talk of it again.
Regardless of anything else that happens at Worlds End, Samoa Joe should walk out with a World title on his shoulder. Even at 44, he remains a singular force of nature in wrestling. His presence and menacing delivery on the microphone scream monster. He can be that final boss. He can be the person everyone is terrified of. Let him run roughshod over AEW for a few months while the next big babyface (Swerve Strickland) gets primed for a run on top.
It should be a big deal when MJF drops his belt as he is the longest reigning champion in company history, after all. But the reign has been lackluster ever since Cole became his best friend and why am I still writing about a friendship storyline in December?
If Joe doesn’t win here, I don’t know what’s left to do. MJF is hurt and carrying 1.5 lame-duck storylines by himself. Let him heal up and give Joe the one thing he’s never had and the one thing he deserves: a World title in a major company.
