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
· Buddy Matthews vs. Daniel Garcia
· Jon Moxley Returns
