The Young Bucks face Top Flight, plus two title matches are set for tonight’s AEW Dynamite in Fresno, California.
Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson of The Young Bucks take on Darius Martin and Dante Martin in tag team action on tonight’s show.
Darby Allin is set to defend the TNT Championship against Kushida, who is making his AEW debut.
The All-Atlantic title will also be on the line, with Orange Cassidy defending against Jay Lethal. Jeff Jarrett, Sonjay Dutt, and Satnam Singh will be banned from ringside for the title bout.
Top contender to the AEW World title Bryan Danielson will be in action against Bandido.
Ricky Starks will take on Jake Hager of the Jericho Appreciation Society.
In a women’s division contest, Toni Storm faces Willow Nightingale.
An interview segment with Hangman Page and Renee Paquette is also set for the show.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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AEW Dynamite comes on the air with a memorial graphic for Jamin “Jay Briscoe” Pugh as Excalibur welcomes us to the show and we immediately get to the entrances for our opening title match.
Orange Cassidy defeated Jay Lethal to retain the All-Atlantic Title
(A mix of outside shenanigans and action in the ring led to a fun little opener to continue the storyline between Lethal & Company and Best Friends.)
Despite being barred from ringside, Jeff Jarrett, Satnam Singh & Sonjay Dutt immediately walked down from the stands to take a front row seat. If they interfere, Sonjay Dutt will lose his job. Fast start as Cassidy was sent to the floor and Dutt had to hold Jarrett back from interfering. Danhausen, dressed as a security guard, inspected their ticket, as Trent & Chuck Taylor walked in with popcorn and brewskis as Cassidy wiped out a distracted Lethal with a dive. A tornado DDT was blocked into a hot shot as Lethal took over. For some reason Danhausen was allowed to jump the rail and stay ringside, as Lethal drove Cassidy into the ring post.
Commentary pointed out the arm band tribute that Lethal has for Jay Briscoe, as he did a Fargo Strut before controlling the action more, but Cassidy kept rolling away from a top rope elbow. Cassidy was sent to the apron and delivered 10 corner buckles and followed with a top rope cross body. Cassidy hit a Stundog Millionaire and spinning DDT, but only managed two. Cassidy missed a top rope DDT, as Lethal countered into a Lethal Combination and ultimately a Lethal Injection, but Cassidy wisely rolled outside. Chuck Taylor dumped his popcorn over Dutt, while referee Bryce went down to get distracted. Jeff Jarrett tried to hand his guitar to Lethal, but Danhausen intercepted and played a little tune. Back in the ring, Lethal was rolled up for two, as Cassidy popped up and fired off an Orange Punch to retain.
Post match, Satnam Singh jumped in to attack Best Friends, but Dutt put a stop to it, fearing he’d lose his job. Jarrett went for a guitar shot, but again Dutt stopped it and Cassidy threw some little kicks before Dutt & company left.
Top Flight (Darius & Dante Martin) defeated AEW Trios Champions The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson w/Brandon Cutler)
(This was a great tag match, the biggest win of Darius & Dante’s career and one that really had to happen after winning the trios tag team battle royal with AR Fox last month. The Elite have their next challengers for their Trios Titles if booking so chooses.)
Nick & Dante showed off their athleticism to start as Taz compared the similarities between Top Flight and young Jackson brothers. Darius & Dante made quick tags for fast offense on Matt, as Nick are a double dropkick. Low dropkick sent Darius to the corner, as Dante was hung up in the corner. Double stomp by Nick on Darius led to a roll through a backstabber on Dante.
The Bucks controlled the action during commercial, as Nick robbed Dante of a hot tag. The corner bulldog into a dropkick combo connected by The Bucks, as it was followed by Risky Business for a two count. Dante rolled through a double arm drag and hit a head scissors on Matt that led to the Darius hot tag and he ran wild. Standing Spanish Fly on Matt led to a dive to the floor on Nick, as Darius got a top rope cross body on Matt for two. A series of blind tags led to a failed Meltzer Driver, as Top Flight hit a slingshot flatliner, dive to the floor and powerbomb Nose Dive combination, but Nick broke up the count to loud cheers.
Nick hit a face buster on Darius, moonsault on Dante outside and immediately back in with a destroyer on Darius for two. This Is Awesome chants ring out, as Matt Jackson kisses the Briscoe arm band and The Bucks hit a Briscoe style Doomsday Device, but Dante broke it up. Dante sent both Bucks outside, tried his no hand springboard dive, but leapt right into a double superkicks. The Bucks went for a BTE Trigger on Darius, who ducked the move, The Bucks knocked knees and Darius rolled up Matt for the flash pin.
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Gunn Club came to the ring and said The Acclaimed embarrassed them last week despite being the ones who made The Acclaimed champions by giving them their dad. The Acclaimed interrupted, as Austin yelled to cut their music, which got huge heat from the Fresno crowd. Caster told them to cut Austin’s mike and hit the music, as he freestyled about how The Gunns are worse sons than Hunter Biden and aren’t the Bulldogs they’re the Bullsh*tters. A brawl ensued with both teams and Daddy Ass separated them both and said next week they need to sit down and hash this out, he has two words for them, family therapy.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Hangman Adam Page and asks how he’s feeling physically. Page said he stuck to his word when he said he’s knock Moxley out for mocking what happened to him following their first match. Paquette asked where he goes from here, which Page said he needs to have some tough conversations and to mend some fences. Paquette wrapped up the interview and they think they’re done filming as Page then asks Paquette how Moxley is really feeling and she said he’s been hurt for the last ten years, as Page was about to genuinely ask her a follow up, but held off.
Ricky Starks defeated Jake Hager (w/Matt Menard & Angelo Parker)
(This was a match that suffered from the picture in picture as a lot took place during commercial. I hope Starks’ ankle is ok, as he landed really awkwardly at one point.)
Chris Jericho joined commentary, as Hager quickly mowed down Starks to start, with that purple hat not coming off. Starks got a corner boot and put the bucket hat on before doing the rope walk, as Hager fought it off, but was tossed outside. Hager blocked a baseball slide, as Starks tried to slide below the bottom buckle, but his ankle rolled under him and looked really awkward as Hager hit a lariat.
Hager controlled during break, as he was about to powerbomb Starks to the floor through a table that Menard & Parker had set up, but Starks fought them all off. High cross body by Starks, but Hager fought back with a Hager Bomb attempt, missed and Starks hit a Tornado DDT for two. Menard & Parker tried to run distraction, but failed and Starks hit a huge Spear on Hager to win it. Daniel Garcia & Sammy Guevara hit the ring, but Starks sprinted up through the fans so the numbers wouldn’t get him again like they did last week.
-There was a brief video package on the return of Adam Cole.
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-Tony Schiavone is backstage with a furious Chris Jericho, Daniel Garcia & Sammy Guevara. Jericho said next week he’s requested a tag match with Starks & Andretti against Guevara & himself. Garcia demanded he team with Jericho instead of Guevara, who was proud Garcia stepped up. If Garcia beats Action Andretti on Rampage, he can have Guevara’s spot in the tag match. Guevara also presented Garcia with new ring gear, which was leather pants. Jericho said it doesn’t matter if it’s Le Sex Gods of Garcia-cho, Starks & Andretti will get theirs next week. I would prefer if their name was Jeri-Garcia, but that’s just me.
Bryan Danielson defeated Bandido
(I wish this match went another 45 minutes as I could watch these two battle all night. The crowd was pro-Bandido and Danielson played into that occasionally without going full heel. This was yet another war on Danielsons road to the Ironman Match.)
The battle of two former ROH Champions adhered to the Code of Honor as the crowd was loudly behind Bandido. Danielson wrapped up the legs of Bandido and hooked the arms into a high stack for two, as he smirked at Bandido, who quickly followed with a Romero Special. Danielson escaped, tried one of his own, but stomped down onto the knees. Fast series led to Bandido rolling through a sunset flip, trapping the arms, as Danielson bridged up on his neck powering up into a face off. Bandido locked on El Nudo Lagunero, the finisher of Blue Panther, as Danielson escaped to the floor, but Bandido quickly hit a Tope and Tope Con Giro. Bandido tried a springboard back inside, but Danielson caught him with a kick in mid air to take over into commercial.
Danielson controlled the entire break, but ran right into a pop up face buster by Bandido for the double down. Chop battle led to uppercuts by Danielson in the corner, as he moonsaulted out of the corner right into a Bandido superkick. Spinning moonsault cross body led to a stalling vertical suplex by Bandido, who held Danielson up with one arm at times. Bandido tried a Frog Splash, but Danielson got the knees up into the LeBell Lock as he screamed for Bandido to tap, but to no avail. As his other arm was wrenched back, Bandido broke the hold with a toe on the rope.
Danielson fired off kicks, but Bandido blocked the home run shot into a GTS off a Torture Rack. Danielson flipped out of the 21Plex, as a drop toe hold led to each man getting a near fall of La Magistral for another double down. Bandido was sent outside and Danielson hit a low dropkick and running knee off the apron. Both traded forearms while up in the corner and Bandido hit his moonsault avalanche fall away slam and the 21Plex, but Danielson kicked out at two. We get an insane striking battle, as Danielson fought out of the brainbuster, tried the LeBell Lock, but Bandido powered out. A backslide led to the Busaiku Knee by Danielson to get the hard fought win.
MJF appeared on the big screen and called the fans fickle saying Danielson has been dealing with Masked Max, but the closer they get to Revolution, the more his mask will come off. Not even a dragon is enough for the man behind the mask. This was a different MJF than the one who ran in fear last week from Danielson.
-Pre-recorded comments of Saraya chastising Hikaru Shida backstage for throwing a kendo stick in the ring during her & Toni Storm’s tag match last week. Storm said she’ll beat Willow tonight as Saraya ordered Shida to stay backstage. Again, how anyone views Saraya as a babyface thus far during this is beyond me.
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-We learn Brian Cage will face Bryan Danielson next week. Renee Paquette is backstage with Cage & Prince Nana before MJF immediately interrupts and says he needs The Machine next week. He presents Cage with an envelope full of cash, doesn’t care if he wins, just break Danielson’s arm next week. MJF slapped Cage, as he grabbed MJF by the throat and Nana said think about the money. MJF said there’s no greater motivator than hate, so use this as motivation.
Toni Storm (w/Saraya) defeated Willow Nightingale
(Well, I asked earlier how anyone can view Saraya as a babyface following her actions in recent weeks. Now I don’t have to ask that anymore! It was an odd time to do it in my opinion, but I’m happy it happened. This turn presumably sets up Willow & Ruby for more high profile matches as well, which is also a positive.)
Nightingale showed off her strength early with a shoulder block, but also her speed, as she took Storm down with an arm drag and low cross body. Nightingale did a cart wheel off an Irish whip, as Storm offered a handshake, but slapped Nightingale in the face and hit a hip attack to the floor. Hikaru Shida, kendo stick in tow, made her way to ringside as they went to commercial
Storm kept Nightingale throughout break, as Nightingale fought free from a full nelson and hit a few corner lariats. A massive spinebuster by Nightingale, who followed with a dropkick off the second rope, but couldn’t hit the corner cannonball. Storm responded with Sweet Cheek Music and spinning DDT for two, but Nightingale answered with a misdirect Pounce. Nightingale was able to hit the corner cannonball, as Saraya jumped on the apron to run distraction. This was enough for Storm to get a roll up with a handful of tights to steal the win.
Post match, Saraya jumped Nightingale and put the boots to her with Storm, as Ruby Soho made the save with Hikaru Shida looking on confused at all of this.
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-Renee Paquette is backstage with Konosuke Takeshita and asks him about his match with Bryan Danielson last week. Takeshita says he respects Danielson so much and said something in Japanese, which Paquette asked what it meant and he said MJF is an asshole. Takeshita is the best; I’m looking forward to big things from him this year in AEW.
Darby Allin (w/Sting) defeated Kushida (w/Kevin Knight & DKC) to defend the TNT Title
(This match was filled with Kushida’s specialty of targeting the arm trying to get the submission, while Allin had his daredevil antics sprinkled in as well. It resulted in a really fun main event and another title defense for Darby, who continues to be a fighting champion. The next stop for Darby & Sting is the Great Muta’s farewell match in a few days in Japan.)
Kushida was accompanied by the New Japan LA Dojo’s Kevin Knight & DKC as Allin had Sting by his side. Dueling chants by the fans during the feeling out process as Excalibur ran down Kushida’s resume over folks he’s defeated in his career. An excellent series of counters of submissions as Kushida picked the ankle, Allin quickly tried a hip toss, but Kushida flipped out into a snap dropkick. Allin ducked a baseball slide and threw Kushida into the railing. Back inside, Kushida punted out the arm of Allin and tried softening the arm up for the Hoverboard Lock. Allin tried a springing Coffin Drop, but Kushida caught him with a forearm strike. Allin blocked a Pele Kick and hit a Code Red for two. Kushida rolled outside and Allin wiped out Knight & DKC with a dive. Kushida hooked Allin’s arm and hit a running slam as they went to break.
Allin tried fighting back when we returned, but ate a Pele Kick. Allin was able to hit a Scorpion Death Drop, but couldn’t capitalize with how much damage was done to his arm thus far. Both men slowly rose and Allin fired off slaps, as Kushida answered with a lariat to the floor. Kushida hit a diving knee strike onto the bad arm. They battled on the apron where Allin hit his over the top stunner and commentary wondered who got the worst of it. Allin set up Kushida on a chair, went to the top for a shotgun dropkick, but Kushida tossed the chair away and caught Allin with a cross arm breaker in mid air. Allin landed really hard after that dropkick attempt.
After all of this happened outside, referee Bryce was miraculously only at a seven count, as Allin break the count on the apron where Kushida slapped on a key lock that was turned into almost a reverse throw off the top. The Hoverboard Lock was almost applied, but Allin locked his hands. Kevin Knight tossed Sting the towel and told him to throw it in for Allin, but Sting threw it into the crowd. Allin powered up, but as Kushida went to sink in the submission more, Allin countered into the Last Supper for the pin. Kushida & Allin shook hands as the challenger raised the champion’s hand. The show ended with Excalibur saying they are thinking of Jay Briscoe, he is in their hearts and minds.
AEW Rampage 1/20/23
· Daniel Garcia takes on Action Andretti
· We hear from Eddie Kingston
· Brian Cage vs. Willie Mack
· Jade Cargill & Leila Grey are in tag team action
· Jungle Boy Jack Perry takes on Ethan Page
AEW Dynamite 1/25/23
· Bryan Danielson faces Brian Cage
Finally, I just would like to say Rest in Peace Jay Briscoe, thank you for all the fantastic moments and matches over the last 20 years that I’ve been a fan. Prayers and condolences are with your entire family and friends during this heartbreaking time. You’ve seen tons of tributes on social media and will continue to, as I can’t recommend seeking out both Briscoe Brothers tags and singles matches from Jay, you will not be disappointed.
