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AEW DYNAMITE REPORT
“FIGHT FOR THE FALLEN”
JANUARY 1, 2025
ASHVILLE, N.C.
AIRED LIVE ON TBS & MAX
Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Nigel McGuinness
Ring Announcer: Justin Roberts
Attendance: WrestleTix reports today that 3,561 tickets had been distributed. The arena has a capacity of 7,674 spectators when configured for concerts.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST
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PWTorch editor Wade Keller and PWTorch’s Chris Maitand to review AEW Dynamite LIVE tonight right after Dynamite. Join us and let us know your thoughts on Dynamite during the show.
Email our post-show at wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Dynamite. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
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LIVE ON YOUTUBE RIGHT AFTER AEW DYNAMITE TONIGHT: CLICK HERE TO WATCH
[HOUR ONE]
-They opened with a new AEW Dynamite theme, “I’m So Excited” by The Pointer Sisters.
-They cut the cheering fans in the arena as Excalibur said they’re in one of the great wrestling cities. They showed Kazuchika Okada walked backstage. He then hyped the matches scheduled for the show.
-A promo aired with Jon Moxley backstage with Wheeler Yuta, Claudio Castagnoli, and Marina Shafir. He said “they talk a lot about what they’re going to do,” but when the bullets are flying, that’s not who they are. He said he dragged the entire company through a pandemic “by the strap” to safety. He said he took bullet after bullet for the company. He said he will belt down the briefcase and belt inside it and destroy it before he’ll let soulless criminal fingers touch it again. He said they are not rebels because there is no one with authority over them so they have nothing to rebel against. He said Adam Copeland is just the loudest voice in the room.
-They cut to FTR and Cope backstage who hyped their six-man tag match. (The audio was scratchy here.)
(1) “HANGMAN” ADAM PAGE vs. ORANGE CASSIDY
As Cassidy made his entrance, they aired on split screen clips of how Moxley was saved by Hangman from being pinned by Cassidy. Hangman then made his entrance. The bell rang 7 minutes into the hour. Excalibur announced that 2019 episodes of AEW Dynamite and PPVs were available on Max now on demand. Hangman overhead tossed Cassidy at ringside. They cut to a break at 5:00. [c/db]
(Keller’s Analysis: On the Max stream, they don’t show the live action in a double-box set-up; it’s a full screen commercial. But on TBS, it’s still a double-box break so you can watch the action during the break. You also cannot fast-forward through a commercial break on Max even if you rewound any of the action earlier or started playing the show late.)
Cassidy rallied and landed an Orange Punch to Hangman on the ring apron. Hangman shook it off and surprised Cassidy with a Buckshot Lariat for the clean win.
WINNER: Hangman in 13:00.
-Hangman attacked Cassidy afterward. Excalibur said he “cost” Cassidy the AEW World Title at Worlds End (although it was completely within the spirit of the rules for that type of match). Hangman gave Cassidy two Dead Eyes. Christopher Daniels and three referees entered the ring. Daniels yelled at Hangman. Hangman attacked him.
-Jay White said he had planned to start 2025 as the AEW World Champion. He said the plan worked almost perfectly as he hit a Blade Runner, but then Wheeler Yuta interrupted the cover on Mox. (Again, that was within the (stupid) rules of four-way matches.) He said he still has a path to a shot at Moxley’s title at Maximum Carnage. He said he has to beat Swerve Strickland and Roderick Strong first.
(2) THE ACCLAIMED (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens) vs. SHELTON BENJAMIN & BOBBY LASHLEY (w/MVP)
Caster came out with Bowens. They cut to a clip of Caster and Bowens. Bowens interrupted Caster and asked if he intentionally hit him with the belt. Max asked why he waited so long to ask him, then said it was an accident. He said he’s focused and he’s not even going to rap or get in trouble tonight because this match is serious. When they cut to Max live in the ring, he was pretending to play with two gigantic testicles near his crotch. When Bowens and Caster couldn’t agree on who would start the match, Lashley jumped them. The ref called for the bell 26 minutes into the hour. MVP joined in on commentary.
Excalibur asked MVP why he gave Caster a Golden Ticket. MVP said he waited too long and now Shelton and Lashley told him, “We don’t want him.” Bowens ran the ropes and awkwardly stopped. Seconds later, he ran the ropes again and Caster slapped Bowens’s back, revealing that was the planned spot 20 seconds earlier. Bowens yelled at Caster as he entered the ring. A disgruntled Bowens paced at ringside as Shelton took it to Caster in the ring. Lashley finished Caster a minute later with a Hurt Lock for the tapout win. Bowens yelled that Caster was “a selfish asshole.”
WINNERS: Lashley & Benjamin in 4:00.
-Alex Marvez interviewed Swerve about how the winner tonight gets the prime spot in the Casino Gaunlet match next week. Swerve said he will show how 2024 belonged to Swerve’s House and 2025 will too. He said he’s never been in a Casino Gauntlet match before. Nana wished everyone a Happy New Year. [c]
(3) JAMIE HAYTER vs. JULIA HART
The bell rang 37 minutes into then hour after ring entrances for both aired. Hayter got in initial offense, but then Julia caught her charging with an elbow to the chest. She then knocked her to ringside. Hayter caught her leaping off the ring apron, but Julia shoved Hayter into the ringside steps. Hayter came back with a suplex attempt, but Julia slammed her back into the stairs. They cut to a double-box break at 2:30. [c/db]
At 9:00 Julia blocked a top rope move by Hayter and Hayter crashed to the mat with a flatback bump with a big thud. Julia brought an arrow into the ring. The ref yanked it away and tossed it out of the ring. Julia sprayed Hayter in the face with mist. The ref turned around and counted to three. Schiavone said the diversionary tactic worked.
WINNER: Julia in 10:00.
-A video package aired on Kyle Fletcher’s history with Will Ospreay. [c]
-A clip aired of the Continental Classic fallout with Kenny Omega presented Okada with the Continental Championship belt afterward. Then highlights aired of Kenny Omega hitting spots and celebrating. The segment ended with a plug that Omega returns next week.
(Keller’s Analysis: The Continental Classic hasn’t felt like a big deal this week. They showed Okada with the belt at the very start, but it has largely come across as no big deal until they got around to clips here. But the clips here didn’t focus on the ramifications out of the outcome and how it came about, but rather on the fallout with Omega. It’s not an F-grade by any means, but it didn’t come across as being massive happening in AEW either.)
-A promo aired with Okada backstage. Okada told Omega to stay out of his business “bitch.”
-Mercedes Moné made her entrance. They mentioned her match at Wrestle Dynasty this weekend at the TokyoDome. She said she’s “the greatest TBS Champion to ever exist” (as opposed to the TBS Champions who have never existed who are greater than her). She threw to a video package on her. They showed snippets of matches she had in 2024 with where Sports Illustrated ranked them. She then talked about facing Mina Shirakawa at Wrestle Dynasty this weekend for the NJPW Strong Title. She also brought up wanting the Rev-Pro Title. As Excalibur talked about the Rev-Pro Title, Mercedes sipped champagne alone in the ring.
(Keller’s Analysis: This was another awful promo from her, but also one of her best in AEW so far.)
-A video package aired urging fans to donate to charities for Hurricane Helene damage. They showed Dax giving $25,000 checks to two charities in the arena.
-Marvez interviewed Roderick Strong backstage, who was accompanied by Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly. Cole said 2025 will be the year of Undisputed Kingdom.
(Keller’s Analysis: At the very top of the list of things that won’t get Cole out of a rut is continuing with the “Undisputed” faction and the same mix of defined-down mid-card wrestlers in it.)
[HOUR TWO]
(4) “SWITCHBLADE” JAY WHITE vs. SWERVE STRICKLAND (w/Prince Nana) vs. RODERICK STRONG
White made his entrance, then Strong, and finally Swerve. The bell rang 5 minutes into the hour. After rapid-fire action, they cut to a double-box break at 3:00. [c/db]
Excalibur said the no. 1 seed in the Casino Battle Royal is essential because the match can end at any time. Schiavone caught himself after saying only no. 1 is guaranteed a shot at winning, noting that no. 2 also has a guaranteed chance. Ricochet showed up at ringside and hit Swerve with scissors at ringside. White then caught Strong in the ring with a sudden Blade Runner for the win.
WINNER: White in 10:00.
-Afterward, they cut to Swerve bleeding heavily from the forehead. Ricochet stood on the ringside barricade, then hopped down and approached Swerve. He threatened Nana with the scissors. Then he turned and jabbed Swerve with the scissors in the forehead followed by headbutts. Fans chanted, “You sick f—!” Ricochet shoved Nana into the ringside steps after Nana tried to take a chair from him. He brought the chair into the ring and sat on it next to Swerve. He then put Swerve on the chair and landed a running clothesline. “I hope you’re proud of yourself,” said Excalibur. Schiavone said he’s just insane. Cole and O’Reilly ran out. Ricochet bailed out and laughed at them. His white dress shirt was smeared with blood. They stayed with a close-up of the bloodied Swerve for 30 seconds as O’Reilly, Cole, and Strong checked on him. [c]
-Marvez asked Sonjay Dutt, Jay Lethal, and Satnum Singh what was up. Jarrett walked up to them and seemed stressed out. He asked if they had seen Karen Jarrett. Dutt asked if he’s sure. Lethal said they’d support his decision. Dutt said they want to be sure he’s sure. Karen then walked up to Jeff. She said the business brought them together, but it’s also broken them at times, which is what makes this decision so hard. She said they’re unbreakable and she supports him. He then carried his boots away.
-Mariah May was standing backstage with the AEW Women’s World Title. She said the Women’s Division is great and the reason is she had more matches than any other woman in AEW. She said none of the other wrestlers even cracked the top top. (So then, who are in positions no. 2-10???). She said she made it look easy, they didn’t realize how good she was. She said now it’s time for someone to step up and prove herself. She said she is the woman from hell and anyone else will have to work for her respect.
-Jarrett’s music played and he made his entrance. There was a red guitar on a rack in the ring. The graphic listed him as a 38 year old veteran and 12-time World Champion. He wished Asheville “a slappy new year.” He said a ton of emotions have overcome him in recent days, most of all, gratitude. He said he has so much to be thankful of. Fans chanted, “Double J!” He said it’s sad for him to start thinking about things coming to an end. He said the Jarrett family’s involvement started in 1946 when his grandmother started selling wrestling tickets. He said it changed his life, his father’s life, and his entire family’s life forever. He said his grandmother became the CFO of the Tennessee Territory. She said his dad promoted shows in high schools and he wrestled leading him to buying the promotion and running the territory for 40 years. He said he started wrestling in 1986 against his mother’s wishes. He said he dropped out of college as a freshman player. He said in 2002 he bet on himself and launched his own promotion. He touted the wrestlers that TNA has produced.
He said that brings them to tonight. He lifted the boots. Some fan chanted, “No! No!” He said he has to ask if “The Last Outlaw” should just ride off into the sunset. “The answer is hell no,” he said. He said he wants to take a big risk for a big reward. He said he signed his very last pro wrestling talent contract with AEW because he wants one more ride. He said he wants AEW gold. “And I’m not talking Trios Title, the tag team title,” he said. He said he could fall flat on his face, but he wants a singles title. He said he wants to be in the Gaunlet match because his New Year’s Resolution is to become the AEW World. Hvt. Champion. Schiavone called it a wonderful Dynamite moment.
(Keller’s Analysis: The most frustrated person in the world is John Cena right now as Jarrett just stole all his thunder. I mean, it’s almost unfair of Jarrett to steal his thunder like this.)
-A clip aired of Hook beating Nick Wayne on Rampage last week.
-A promo aired with Hook sitting on some steps outside. He said his job isn’t finished. He vowed to choke out Christian’s ass.
-Excalibur announced Hook will face Christian in two weeks on the “Maximum Carnage” episode of Dynanmite.
(5) POWERHOUSE HOBBS vs. JON CRUZ & ROB KILLJOY
They talked about Hobbs being a potential competitor in the Casino Gauntlet match next week. He pinned both wrestlers at once after a spinebuster of one on the other.
WINNER: Hobbs in 1:00.
-Marvez interviewed Big Bill and Bryan Keith backstage. He asked where Chris Jericho was. Bill said North Carolina is great. He said actually it’s just good. Keith said it’s just okay. Bill said Jericho wouldn’t be there. He then yelled over to FTR and Cope. He said he isn’t sure who should be more ashamed, them of being proud of Asheville or Asheville being proud of them. He said the hometown heroes need to be brought down a branch of two. Keith called them Rated-R Dumbass. Cope asked if he had that fed to him by Jericho. Cope said Bill’s face is stupid. He challenged them to a match this Saturday and then mocked Jericho by saying “Bye, guys.” [c]
-A promo aired with MJF backstage after his match at Worlds End. He congratulated Cole for beating him with help from his friends. He said now the Better Than You Bay-Bay chapter of his career has ended. He said now it’s time for retribution. He said something was taken from him. He said his championship is now being paraded around in a briefcase by a man who claims he’s the king of the land. “Well, dictator Jon, I’ve got a question for you, buddy?” he said. “What’s a king to a god?” He said there isn’t anyone at the level of a devil. He let out a maniacal laugh. He said he can burn the company to ashes, but he wants his belt back “come hell or high water.” He said in 2025, “The Devil Gets His Due, Part Two.”
(6) THE DEATH RIDERS (Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta w/Marina Shafir) vs. “THE RATED-R SUPERSTAR” COPE & FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler)
The bell rang 47 minutes into the hour. Shafir took a shot at Cope at ringside, shoving him into the ringpost. They cut to a double-box break at 3:00. [c/db]
Claudio had Cope in a headlock on the mat after the break. Cope hot-tagged in Cash who went after Yuta as soon as he also tagged in. Dax and Yuta battled a minute later. Dax gave Yuta a top rope suplex and made a cover. Claudio broke up the cover, physically ramming Dax off of Yuta. Yuta landed a top rope splash for a near fall at 11:00. They cut to another double-box break. [c/db]
[OVERRUN]
They brawled into the crowd. Excalibur said nobody wants to see the ref count these wrestlers out. Back in the ring, Yuta dug his finger into Cope’s eyes and then DDT’d him. Cope landed a Tiger Bomb for a near fall. As Cope set up a spear, Claudio and Mox yanked his by his legs crotch-first into the ringpost. FTR went after Claudio at ringside, but he and Mox took them down. They cleared the announce desk next. White entered the ring and gave Yuta a Switchblade. Meanwhile, Cope backdropped Mox off of him on the announce desk. He then leaped onto Mox, although the director missed all but the very end of the spot. Fans chanted “Holy shit!”
Claudio oattacked Cope and threw him into the ring. Cash and Dax gave Yuta a Shatter Machine. Cope then speared Yuta and scored a three count.
WINNERS: Cope & FTR in 19:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: The match was good. I’m not so sure about this new “Cope” name for Copeland. Should 51 year olds have new nicknames?)
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
PWTorch editor Wade Keller and PWTorch’s Chris Maitand to review AEW Dynamite LIVE tonight right after Dynamite. Join us and let us know your thoughts on Dynamite during the show.
Email our post-show at wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Dynamite. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
VIP VIDEO CALLER CODE: CLICK HERE
https://streamyard.com/geij4cdwyi
Click that link during the post-show to enter the waiting room as “live video caller” (or just audio if you turn off your cam, which is fine). This is a private link, so don’t share. It’s just for VIP members at this time.
Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller” and “pwtorch” in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.
LIVE ON YOUTUBE RIGHT AFTER AEW DYNAMITE TONIGHT: CLICK HERE TO WATCH
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