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AEW DYNAMITE REPORT
JANUARY 24, 2024
SAVANNAH, GA. AT ENMARKET ARENA
AIRED LIVE ON TBS
Commentators: Excalibur, Taz, Tony Schiavone
Ring Announcer: Justin Roberts
Attendance: WrestleTix reported that 1,820 tickets had been distributed with the arena set up for 2,535.
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[HOUR ONE]
-The Dynamite opening theme aired.
-They cut to the stage as pyro blasted and Excalibur introduced the show. They showed fans in the floor seats and close-up clusters of the small crowd.
-Samoa Joe made his ring entrance. Excalibur said he had a tougher test than most expected last week against Hook. Taz said Hook showed toughness and took Joe to the limit with grit and heart. Joe said a new championship endeavor starts tonight as no title shots will be given out, but rather they will be earned in the ring. (Wait, AEW is saying that hasn’t been the case all along? They touted Hook’s impressive record as the reason he was getting a title shot.) He vowed to strangle anyone he faces unconscious. Hook’s music then interrupted Joe.
Hook entered the ring and said Joe beat him last week and he shook his hand. He leaned in and said he doesn’t know when or where, but he will face him again. Joe said he’s sure he will, but he told him to get to the back of the line. He told AEW security to “get the unworthy out of my ring.” Three staff security entered. Hook suplexed two of them and then put another out with Red Rum. Two more security entered the ring and Hook walked to the back. Joe watched it all from ringside.
-They went to the announcers at ringside. They hyped scheduled matches and segments. Joe joined them at ringside and said he’s excited to get a close-up view of his competition. Joe asked who raised Hook. Taz chuckled and said, “We found out last week.” Taz said Joe won in impressive fashion.
(1) “HANGMAN” ADAM PAGE vs. PENTA EL ZERO MIEDO (w/Alex Abrahantes)
Schiavone talked about the return of the AEW rankings that was announced on Collision on Saturday night. Excalibur said wins and losses have always been important, but now they’re crucial. The bell rang 10 minutes into the hour. A few minutes in, Hangman took control and stared down at Joe. When Hangman and Penta collided mid-ring with clotheslines and went down, Joe called it his favorite moment thus far. They cut to a double-box break. [c/db]
Hangman took control during the break. Penta dove over the top rope and flipped onto Hangman at 8:00. Hangman hit a Death Valley Driver a minute later for a two count. Hangman again stared down at Joe, then punched away at Penta. Hangman went for a Buckshot Lariat at 11:00, but Penta countered with a Penta Driver for a near fall. Hangman flipped onto Penta at ringside, then landed a Buckshot Lariat for the win.
Hangman pointed at Joe afterward and vowed to take the title from him.
WINNER: Hangman in 13:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Joe’s presence added to the match both in terms of his commentary and his body language and facial expressions as they cut to him for reactions. Hangman’s new dead-serious demeanor also serves him well. Good opener.)
-Renee Paquette interviewed Orange Cassidy backstage. She said they haven’t heard from him since Roderick Strong challenged him for a match at Revolution. Cassidy said that’s six weeks away, and he’d have wrestled him last week, so he’ll keep wrestling in the mean time. He said he asked Tony Khan to put on a match with his friends and enemies on Rampage on Friday and the winner will face him on Collision. He lingered and talked casually about having to leave to see Trent Beretta against Wardlow. He noted to Renee that Wardlow is big. [c]
-They showed The Young Bucks walking backstage when a worker handed them the format sheet for the show. Alex Marvez talked to them about their first plan of action as executives. Nicholas insisted Marvez refer to them properly. Mathew told Alex that backstage morale is through the roof and they fixed the catering problem. He said they’re there to be sure the show is run smoothly. They kept walking and Dante & Darius Martin walked by them. The Bucks asked if they just got there. Darius said they’ve been there since 1. Matthew asked where their credentials are. Nicholas said next time it’ll be a fine. They said they were just kidding. Excalibur noted that the Bucks had just arrived themselves.
(2) WARDLOW (w/Adam Cole, Roderick Strong, Matt Taven, Mike Bennett) vs. TRENT BERETTA (w/Chuck Taylor, Orange Cassidy, Rocky Romero)
Wardlow clotheslined Trent as soon as the bell rang 32 minutes into the hour, but the director was showing Cole & Co. at ringside and missed it. Trent scored a two count with a small package a minute in. Schiavone said Wardlow was taking Trent lightly. Trent kicked Wardlow at ringside. Wardlow brushed it off, then punched Trent out of mid-air. They cut to a double-box break at 2:00. [c/db]
Back from the break, Trent made a comeback and leaped off the top rope with a crossbody, but Wardlow caught him and powerslammed him. Wardlow finished him with a powerbomb.
WINNER: Wardlow in 9:00.
-Wardlow set up another powerbomb after the match, but Cassidy, Chuck, and Romero entered, so Wardlow backed away.
-Excalibur hyped the FTR & Danial Garcia vs. House of Black match in a cage plus Bryan Danielson vs. Yuji Nagata on Collision.
-A video aired on the “Cope Open” with Adam Copeland talking about the challenges. He said no one imagined they’d ever see this match with Minoru Suzuki.
-Renee stood on the entrance stage and introduced “The Virtuosa” Deonna Purrazzo. Purrazzo walked out and sat on a director’s chair. Then Toni Storm made her entrance alongside Luther and Mariah May and sat on another director’s chair. They managed to make Toni’s side of the stage black and white while Renee and Purrazzo were in color on the right. Toni said Purrazzo was recently body-shamed, and she said it’s ridiculous “because there’s so much more to shame you about.” Toni said she’s had many friends, and all of them are less talented than her. She said she might be the greatest technical wrestler in the world today, but if she steps into the ring with her, she’ll twist her lips so hard, she’ll need an epidural.
Purrazzo said she used to be her friend, but she has no problem earning the title opportunity. She said she doesn’t want to wrestle this “delusional sham” version of Storm. Some fans booed. She said she wants to face the Storm who trained in a dojo with her and then moved in with her. She said that’s who she wants to beat for the AEW Championship. She told her to dig down deep and find that version of herself. She showed off an ankle tattoo and then Storm revealed she had a matching tattoo. Storm said she can take her tattoo “and blow it right out of your butt-hole!” Purrazzo threw a shoe at Storm and then took her down into an armbar. Purrazzo kicked Luther by mistake as Storm and May fled. Purrazzo then held up the AEW Title belt as her music played before throwing it to Luther to return to the back. [c]
-A backstage promo aired with Moxley who said the Blackpool Combat Club has won a lot of titles, but they haven’t thrown victory parties. He said there’s always a bigger threat around the corner. He said that’s their commitment to being the best. He said some people come to AEW and think it’s a big party, but there’s no party in 2024. He said he’s going to pulverize anyone who can’t get with the program and keep up. He said when he steps into the ring on Friday, he’ll cut out his heart and bleed out if that’s what he has to and give every bit of his heart and soul to the fans who paid their hard-earned money to watch what is supposed to be the best wrestling show in the world.
-Excalibur plugged Lee Moriarty vs. Moxley on Rampage on Friday.
-Taya Valkyrie and Johnny TV were together backstage. Valkyrie said they are “the most TV-ready couple” in pro wrestling. Taya said she’s not “one of these dumb girlies” who doesn’t know who The Virtuosa is. She said she’ll see her next week live on Dynamite in New Orleans.
[HOUR TWO]
(3) “SWERVE” STRICKLAND (w/Prince Nana) vs. JEFF HARDY (w/Matt Hardy)
Hardy slapped Swerve at the start. Swerve avoided a corner splash and landed a backbreaker. Swerve went after Jeff’s arms. Matt distracted Swerve at ringside. Hardy took over and leveraged Swerve’s shoulders down for a near fall. Swerve gave Jeff a neckbreaker at ringside. Nana danced over him. Swerve put Hardy on a chair at ringside and then paused to mock Hardy’s dancing. Hardy recovered and knocked Swerve off the ring apron. Hardy leaped at Swerve and knocked him over the barricade. They cut to a double-box break. [c/db]
Back from the break, Swerve had Hardy on the top rope. Hardy fought back and eventually landed a Twist of Fate on the ringside steps at 11:00. Fans chanted “Holy shit!” Hardy threw Swerve back into the ring, then yanked off his t-shirt. He went for a Swanton, but Swerve moved out of his way. Swerve kicked Hardy in the head and scored a two count. He pounded the mat in frustration. Hardy scored a couple two counts with leverage pin attempts. Swerve landed a face plant seconds later followed by a vertical suplex and then a Swerve Stomp off the top rope for the win. Nana entered the ring and danced as Swerve basked in victory.
WINNER: Swerve in 14:00. [c]
-Renee interviewed Hangman backstage. She said he is 3-0 in 2024 which should put him close to the top of the rankings when they drop at the end of the month. Swerve interrupted and said he’s 3-0 as well and he’s the last person to beat Hangman. Hangman called him a dumbass. They yelled at each other. Hangman was about to storm off. Renee said she had breaking news that they have Dealer’s Choice matches where they can choose each other’s match.
(4) THUNDER ROSA vs. RED VELVET
As Rosa made her way to the ring, the graphic said she is on a five match winning streak. The bell rang 19 minutes into the hour. They cut to an early double-box break. [c/db]
Rosa finished Velvet with the Tijuana Bomb.
WINNER: Rosa in 7:00.
-They showed the Savannah Bananas at ringside, “baseball’s premiere barnstorming team.”
-Excalibur hyped Rampage: Konosuke Takeshita vs. Christopher Daniels, Mox vs. Moriarty, Anna Jay vs. Ruby Soho. Collision: Komander vs. The Butcher vs. Vikingo vs. Kip Sabian, Danielson vs. Yuji Nagata, Lady Frost vs. Mariah May, Serena Deeb’s first match since 2022, and the House of Black vs. FTR & Garcia.
-Schiavone stood mid-ring and introduced Darby Allin and Sting, who made their entrance. Darby said everybody always asks him what it’s like to team with Sting. He said they also tell him to slow down or his career will end before Sting’s. He talked about being surprised Sting was coming to AEW because he heard about his neck injury. He said he flew to Texas and worked out in a ring with Sting and he told him “you’ve still got it.” He said he told him to finish his career on his terms. He said he is 27-0 and undefeated. He said they should be no. 1 contenders for Ricky Starks & Big Bill. They showed the Bucks watching on a monitor and shaking their heads. Darby told Sting he’s still got it. He asked Sting if he wants to end his career as AEW Tag Team Champions. Darby handed Sting the mic and sat in the corner. Sting said, “Alright, Savannah, I’m all in.” Darby and Sting hugged. Sting yelled. Taz said Sting is a man of few words.
(Keller’s Analysis: Darby’s grown into a good promo. Sting’s response fell kind of flat.) [c]
-Backstage, Bill and Starks spoke. Bill thanked Sting and Darby for showing respect by referring to them by name and acknowledging they are champions. Bill accepted their challenge. Starks said it’s fitting that Sting started his AEW career against him and now he will be part of the match that ends his AEW run.
-A Ric Flair energy drink logo appeared on the stage.
(5) THE ACCLAIMED & BILLY GUNN vs. MOGUL EMBASSY (Brian Cage & Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona) – AEW Trios Title match
The Mogul Embassy made their entrance first. Then Bullet Club Gold came out onto the stage. Finally, The Acclaimed and Billy made their way out. Caster rapped and asked Nana to stop sending emails to his mama. He threw a couple other insults at Kaun and Liona, but no edgy current events references. The bell rang 39 minutes into the hour. They cut to a break at 3:00. [c/db]
Billy hot-tagged in and went on a flurry until Liona stopped him. Chaos broke out. Nana slid a chair into the ring and then distracted the ref. Jay White yanked the chair away from him before he could use it. The Gunns powerbombed Nana off the ring apron through the time keeper’s table. Bowens entered and took Cage down. Billy hit a Fameasser. Bowens and Caster finished Kaun with their double-team move. Billy scored the pin. The announcers talked about “strength in numbers,” a reference to the Bang Bang Scissors Gang.
WINNERS: Acclaimed & Billy in 9:00.
-A video aired on Serena Deeb’s comeback.
(6) MINORU SUZUKI vs. ADAM COPELAND
Some of the 2,000 fans in attendance chanted “Holy shit!” They started with a “slug fest.” They exchanged side elbows to the head. Copeland dropped. He absorbed a hard chop as soon as he stood. Suzuki took Copeland down again with a side elbow. He then went for a Gotch-style piledriver, but Copeland backdropped out of it. Suzuku put Copeland in a gullotine and dropped to the floor. Copeland drove Suzuki into and through the ringside barricade. Both were down and slow to get up. Fans chanted “Holy shit!” They went back to exchanging strikes in the ring. Schiavone announced that in two weeks on Dynamite, Sting & Darby would face Starks & Bill for the tag team titles. Suzuki applied a Fujiwara armbar mid-ring. Copeland reached the bottom rope to force a break.
[OVERRUN]
Suzuki applied a choke, but Copeland quickly escaped and then hit a sudden spear for a near fall. Suzuki came back with a sleeper. Copeland drove Suzuki into an unprotected turnbuckle and then hit a Kill Switch for the win.
WINNER: Copeland in 9:00.
-Copeland said afterward that he’s never been hit that hard in his life. “Respect,” he said. Suzuki rejected a handshake offer and left. Copeland said it was a war, “the kind of war that Christian Cage knows nothing about.” He said he is still coming for Christian.
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