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AEW DYNAMITE REPORT
DECEMBER 24, 2025
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. at HAMMERSTEIN BALLROOM
AIRED ON TBS & HBO MAX
REPORT BY WADE KELLER, PWTORCH EDITOR
Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Bryan Danielsont
Ring Announcer: Justin Roberts
Attendance: WrestleTix reported that 1,511 tickets had been distributed; arena is set up for 1,511. The arena has a capacity of 3,500 spectators when configured for concerts.
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
PWTorch editor Wade Keller and PWTorch’s Chris Maitland to review AEW Dynamite LIVE tonight right after Dynamite AND DURING COLLISION. Join us and let us know your thoughts on Dynamite during the show.
NOTE: We plan to go live right after the show ends, so earlier than usual just past 8 ET.
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/ueqhwtszxs
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
[HOUR ONE]
-Excalibur introduced the show as the camera panned the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City.
(1) ORANGE CASSIDY vs. KONOSUKE TAKESHITA (w/Don Callis) – Blue League Tournament match
As Orange Cassidy made his entrance, they put a graphic on the screen for the Blue League standings. Callis joined Takeshita on the stage for his entrance. A graphic for Renee Paquette appeared on the corner of the screen as she talked about the match. The bell rang 4 minutes into the hour. The announcers stressed that Takeshita can secure a spot in the semi-finals. Bryan Danielson talked about Takeshita’s tough schedule this year and noted he was the only undefeated wrestler in the tournament.
When Cassidy put his hands in his pockets and slo-mo kicked Takeshita, Danielson said he does it like a pitcher in a baseball throws a change-up, just to get an opponent off their game. He said sometimes it works. Cassidy took Takeshita down with a head scissors and tehn landed a dropkick before kipping up. He landed another dropkick and then kipped up again. Takeshita gave Cassidy a Blue Thunder Bomb at 8:00. Cassidy rolled to the floor as they cut to a double-box break. [c/db]
Takeshita controlled the action during the break. Cassidy came back by countering a Raging Fire with a Stun Dog Millionaire followed by a tornado DDT at ringside. Takeshita and Cassidy countered each other a few times. Takeshita landed a German suplex and a spinning elbow strike. Cassidy landed a sudden Orange Punch for a near fall at 13:00. Fans chanted, “This is awesome!”
Cassidy gave Takeshita a Beach Break on the ring apron. They both tumbled to the floor. Fans chanted, “Holy shit!” Takeshita barely avoided getting counted out. When he leaped into the ring, Cassidy scored two quick leverage two counts. Takeshita went for Raging Fire, but Cassidy countered with a roll-up for a two count. Takeshita ducked an Orange Punch, but Cassidy countered a Raging Fire with a small package. Takeshita kicked out and landed Raging Fire for the win. They said Cassidy is still alive, while Takeshita locked in a top two finish.
WINNER: Takeshita in 16:00 to clinch a to two spot in the Blue League with 10 points and one match left (against Mascara Dorada)
(Keller’s Analysis: Good match. Cassidy can have a good match with just about anyone. Takeshita is the same. So doing the math, this was assured to be good.)
-A vignette aired with Gabe Kidd who spoke about slamming Darby Allin through a flaming table. [c]
-A vignette aired on the FTR vs. Juice Robinson & Austin Gunn rivalry. Juice challenged them to a Chicago Street Fight.
(2) RODERICK STRONG vs. MASCARA SAGRADA – Blue League Tournament match
Strong came out looking like the weight of the world was on his shoulders with no wins yet. Excalibur noted he was eliminated last week. Danielson said he’s known Strong a long time and he has a lot of pride. They showed Dorado could finish second, but he needed help on Collision tomorrow night and he needed to win first tonight. The bell rang 26 minutes into the hour. They cut to a double-box break at 4:00. [c/db]
Dorada landed a flying armdrag from the ring apron to the floor. Dorada threw Strong into the ring and then leaped off the top rope with a somersault senton splash for a near fall. Strong made a comeback. A minute later, Dorada landed a top rope shooting star press for a three count.
WINNER: Dorada in 10:00 to earn 3 points (he’s at 6 points in a three-way tie for thir place headed into the final night on Collision)
-Excalibur said Sports Illustrated awarded AEW “a near sweep” in their awards “solidifying AEW is where the best wrestle.” It noted Mercedes Mone, “Hangman” Page, FTR, Kyle Fletcher, Will Ospreay, and Toni Storm all won awards. Plus, PPV of the Year and Promotion of the Year.
-Renee stood on the entrance stage and introduced Kris Statlander and Jamie Hayter for a face-to-face. Statlander recited a clearly memorized and practiced speech with all the natural inflection of a fourth grader giving a speech in class. She said she has dedicated every day of her life to bettering herself. She told Hayter to prove she deserves to reclaim her throne. Hayter swung at Statlander, but Statlander blocked her swing. Hayter said the last time she landed a punch on her, she didn’t get back up.
(Keller’s Analysis: I’m glad they did the segment to heat up the match, but that said, Statlander’s charisma and speaking style undercut the message. Her memorized promo didn’t feel natural for even a second. I feel bad because it came across like something she practiced in front of a mirror 30 times, but that’s actually the problem.) [c]
(3) MJF vs. DUSTIN WALLER
MJF’s entrance aired. Justin Roberts then introduced Waller by saying his name almost under his breath like it was a secret. MJF tackled Waller. Waller stood and slapped him. MJF slapped him back. MJF then delivered a hammerlock DDT into the Salt of the Earth for a tapout win.
WINNER: MJF in around 90 seconds.
(Keller’s Analysis: I’m a fan of strategically placed squash matches to establish signature moves and finishers. I’m still not sure of MJF’s new hair. It looks like a haircut on a man from the early 20th Century.)
-Afterward, MJF hung around and Hangman’s music played the camera located him in the crowd. Then Swerve Strickland’s music played and the camera found him in the crowd. Hangman told MJF to go ahead and say what he was going to say. “Go ahead and make another low-brow 1990s, misogynistic, bottom-of-the-barrel reprehensible respect at our expense.” He said he’s sure the casting directors and p.r. teams of the movies he’d love to be on would love to hear the things he says in public. He told him to compare them to “another sex pest in the news because you have a whole slew of them to choose from.” Hangman began walking to the ring and said perhaps he wants to make a different kind of joke, like the guy who beat him twice this year isn’t a star. He said tonight he is getting his ass beat either way. Swerve also arrived at ringside.
The Opps security guys ran to ringside. Hangman beat them up. Swerve joined in. Hangman and Swerve entered the ring on opposite sides. MJF ducked and they almost hurt each other. Samoa Joe interrupted and spoke from backstage. He said the men who charged to the ring were no true threat, but they were there to expose their true natures. He said when he looks at the ring, it seems the hatred spread a little further than they all anticipated. He said he’s going to come after each of them one-by-one. He said their dreams come to an end at Worlds End. He told them to finish a catch phrase to send everyone home happy. “See you soon,” he said, with a chuckle.
Swerve and Hangman then beat up MJF. Hangman wrapped a chain round MJF’s neck. Swerve said he wanted to talk about MJF and share something he probably doesn’t want them to know. He said MJF actually likes the fans everywhere they go, especially in New York City. He said he loves the likes and comments because “it feeds his fragile little ego.” Swerve lifted MJF’s chin. When fans chanted, “He’s our scumbag,” Swerve said, “Oh trust me, he’s about to be my scumbag now.” He hurled insults at MJF for being a narcissist piece of garbage. He said he’s a man who has power, though, which makes it a toxic combination for any man in this world. “Quite frankly, that makes you more of a Diddy than I will ever be,” he said.
Swerve brought up The Pinnacle, Wardlow, Jay White, and Adam Cole who all fell victim after dealing with his bullshit. He said he makes anyone he associated with – enemy or ally – better. He said he is a better human being than MJF. He said he’d satisfy Joe and close with a catchphrase. “Whose house?” he said. He called MJF a little bitch and then left to his music. Hangman let up on his grip on the chain.
(Keller’s Analysis: That worked. That was probably Joe’s best promo in recent months. No local sports team insults, no yelling. He was cocky and intimidating. Swerve did good work there, too. Hangman was intense without going overboard. The suggestions of who MJF is like landed, also.)
-Paquette interviewed Willow Nightingale and Harley Cameron backstage. They did their thing, which is “a lot” by design. As Willow chanted “Babes of Wrath,” Harley said they’re coming for Athena & Mercedes at Worlds End.
(4) RICOCHET (w/Gates of Agony) vs. BANDIDO (w/Brody King) – Dynamite Diamond Ring final
The bell rang 1 minutes into the hour. At 2:00, as Bandido began doing the Macarena, Ricochet attacked him. Ricochet then mocked the Macarena, but Bandido slapped him and went on the attack. He tossed Ricochet onto the ring apron and then did the Macarena. They cut to a double-box break at 4:00. [c/db]
At 9:00, Bishop Kahn interfered and then Ricochet mule kicked Bandido. When Ricochet went for Spirit Gun, Bandido countered with a leverage three count.
Brody saved Brodido from a post-match attack. Excalibur said Bandido would face the AEW World Champion on the Jan. 14 Maximum Carnage edition of Dynamite.
WINNER: Bandido in 10:00 to win the Dynamite Diamond Ring.
-In a backstage interview conducted by Lexi Nair, Darby said he’s had a lot of time to think about where he goes from here. Gabe Kidd snuck up behind them slowly as Darby said he has bigger things to worry about than Gabe. The picture went out as noises suggested a beatdown of Darby with apparatus. The camera came back on with Gabe on top of Darby, dragging him up the stairs and then shoving him down the steps to the floor. Gabe stood over him and disgustingly said, “Better things to worry about than Gabe Kidd?” [c]
(5) MARINA SHAFIR vs. MINA SHIRAKAWA
Shafir walked past fellow Death Riders cohosts on her way to the ring. As Shirakawa came out, they showed an inset clip of Shirakawa telling Toni Storm to promise not to come out to the ring so she can fight alone. Storm promised. Danielson said it was a brave move by Shirakawa. He said Shafir has had trouble finding wrestlers willing to face her. The bell rang 23 minutes into the hour. At 2:00, Shafir brushed off a striking attack by Shirakawa and then lifted and slammed Shirakawa to the mat. They cut to a double-box break. [c/db]
Shirakawa applied a figure-four leglock mid-ring. Shafir snapped Shirakawa’s fingers. Shirakawa landed a spinning backfist. Shafir came right back with a Mother’s Milk sleeper for the win.
WINNER: Shafir in 7:00.
-They showed Arian Moayed of “Succession.” Schiavone noted he’s on the board of Culture City with Tony Khan.
-Lexi Nair interviewed The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega backstage. Matt Jackson said they won’t be medically cleared through the end of the year at least. Omega said maybe this gives him a chance to take care of something he needs to take care of himself.
-Excalibur said those were ominous words by Omega, then plugged the main event. [c]
-A vignette aired with Jon Moxley speaking about the tournament and how the deeper he gets in the tournament, the more it reveals.
-Excalibur speed-talked through plugging the Collision line-up and Worlds End line-up as if he was reading fine print at the end of a gambling or pharmaceutical commercial.
(Keller’s Analysis: There are better ways to preview upcoming shows.)
(6) PAC vs. “JUNGLE” HACK PERRY – Gold League Tournament match
Pac made his entrance starting in the stairwell that resembled where Gabe attacked Darby. They went to ringside where Renee stood and talked about Pac’s momentum. She said Perry is “a big unknown” as he has never faced him before. She said Pac said he’ll hit Perry so hard, he’ll “wake up in a loin cloth again tomorrow.”
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
PWTorch editor Wade Keller and PWTorch’s Chris Maitland to review AEW Dynamite LIVE tonight right after Dynamite AND DURING COLLISION. Join us and let us know your thoughts on Dynamite during the show.
NOTE: We plan to go live right after the show ends, so earlier than usual just past 8 ET.
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/ueqhwtszxs
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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