It’s Wednesday and you know what that means. Worlds End is firmly in the rear view mirror as Dynamite is set to start the new year with a bang. International Champion Orange Cassidy is set to defend his title against the mercurial Dante Martin. Mariah May is set for her AEW in ring debut as she will face Queen Aminata. Daniel Garcia won the pinfall in the All Star 8-man tag at Worlds End, he will look to continue on that momentum as he will face the red hot Swerve Strickland. Darby Allin will face Konosuke Takeshita after the fall out of the other 8 man tag on Worlds End. Finally, we will hear from Adam Cole after he revealed himself to be the devil!
Samoa Joe Promo
The show started off with a promo from Samoa Joe that he cut after Worlds End on Saturday. Joe, with conviction in his eyes, talked about winning the title and taking everything from MJF.
Undisputed kingdom In-Ring Promo
Adam Cole came out to the ring with his assailants, all wearing black head to toe. Cole discussed his motives for taking out MJF. Cole called MJF a narcissist and said that he needed Cole and once he didn’t need him, he was going to dispatch them, therefore Cole beat MJF to the punch. Cole introduced his Undisputed Kingdom team-mates (Roderick Strong, Matt Taven, Mike Bennett, Wardlow) and talked about their motives, this was highlighted by Cole mentioning Wardlow will go after the AEW World title and relinquish that title to Adam Cole once he is healthy.
Jay White then came out to go after the stable after their attack on him from weeks ago. White alongside the Gunns went out to the ring but were quickly outnumbered. The Acclaimed, who are also victims to the Undisputed Kingdom, came out to ward off their attackers.
Eddie Kingston Promo
Kingston fresh off winning the Continental Classic discussed his journey throughout the whole tournament which culminated in beating his best friend, Jon Moxley.
Daniel Garcia Promo
Daniel Garcia talked about fighting under pressure and how he’s going to start this year off right by beating Swerve Strickland in the main event.
International Title: Orange Cassidy defeats Dante Martin
This match was very reminiscent to Orange Cassidy’s first international title reign. A great match that showcased a great talent in Dante Martin while also showing why Orange Cassidy is truly one of the best in the world. Martin had a few near falls but it was once again Cassidy who retained after an Orange Punch.
After the match, Private Party made their way out with a long awaited return for Marq Quen. Private Party put all the tag teams on notice as they are looking for tag team gold. The tag division badly needs a refresh and this could be the start of that.
Toni Storm Backstage Interview
Backstage, Renee Paquette asked Toni Storm about Mariah May’s upcoming match. Storm hilariously responded that she doesn’t watch wrestling! She will instead be heading out of New Jersey and into New York for the night.
House of Black Taped Promo
House of Black talked about FTR and specifically about Dax Harwood’s family. The pair of teams are set to compete this Saturday on Collision.
Swerve Strickland Backstage Interview
Backstage, Paquette asked Strickland about his upcoming match with Daniel Garcia. Strickland told Garcia that pressure doesn’t make diamonds in this case, it makes pain. Strickland also issued a warning to Samoa Joe, as he is eyeing the AEW title in 2024.
Mariah May defeats Queen Aminata
The match didn’t go too long but it served its purpose. May got the victory with the May-Day and Queen Aminata looked good with her vicious strikes. Both wrestlers came out of the match in a positive light.
After the match May told the crowd that she hopes Toni Storm was watching. May then attempted to get cheap heat by trashing New Jersey which prompted Deonna Purrazzo to come out and debut in AEW. Purrazzo issued a warning to Toni Storm which eventually turned into an attack from May, however Purrazzo was the one standing tall at the end.
Christian Cage In-Ring Interview
Christian Cage made his way to the ring alongside Nick Wayne, Shayna Wayne, and Killswitch. Christian Cage thanked Mother Wayne and Nick Wayne for their sacrifices at Worlds End. When it came to thanking Killswitch, Cage teased it but instead ending up thanking himself despite Killswitch relinquishing his title shot to Cage which secured the title for his leader.
Cage talked about Copeland and told him that there will be no more title matches for him. Cage spoke about making the TNT title the most important title in the company, all the while the New Jersey crowd is chanting for Luchasaurus.
Outcasts Backstage Interview
Ruby Soho thanked Harley Cameron for her help last week, as Cameron seems to have joined Soho and Saraya in the Outcasts. Soho seemed reluctant about Cameron but was thankful, nonetheless.
Konosuke Takeshita defeats Darby Allin
This pair is a match made in heaven. Takeshita has thunderous offense and Allin is the perfect wrestler to ragdoll around and make your offense look a hundred times better. This has been what’s needed with Takeshita for months, as this episode of Dynamite has continued this ongoing trend of freshness in each part of the division.
As the match progressed, on the outside, Takeshita gave rolling German suplexes to Allin on the ramp, yikes! Every bit of offense looked amazing as these two did not hold back. Allin’s dive to the outside almost knocked Takeshita out of his boots. A flying knee to the outside from Takeshita had him almost clear the guardrail after Allin moved out of the way. Takeshita almost didn’t answer the count but rolled in the ring at the last second. As he was getting in the ring Allin hit the code red for a close two count. Takeshita was able to pick up the momentum and to get the victory, the alpha pulled off an amazing top rope German suplex followed up by a power drive knee. What a match!
Don Callis Family Backstage Interview
The challenge was laid out for next week, Takeshita and Hobbs against Sting and Allin at Daily’s Place.
Continental Crown Number One Contendership: Trent Beretta defeats Hijo Del Vikingo, Bryan Keith and Brian Cage
The match was well worked between the four wrestlers. Bryan Keith is a very good talent that added some hard-hitting strikes to the match. Vikingo was his usual high-flying self and Brian Cage added dynamism with his size and agility. Beretta was able to get the victory with a little belt of help from Danhausen. Eddie Kingston watched on at the commentary desk.
Matt Menard Backstage Interview Interrupted by Adam Page
Paquette was backstage with Matt Menard, however Adam Page quickly interrupted looking livid. Page is seeking revenge after he was put through a car window a few weeks ago. Page is furious and said anyone could get it.
Swerve Strickland defeats Daniel Garcia
Every match is more exciting when the wrestlers are over and when each wrestler made these two wrestlers made their entrance you can hear how electric the crowd was for each competitor. Early on, Garcia was confronted by Garcia on the outside and the two proceeded to have a mini dance off, fitting as both have gotten their respective dances extremely over in the past year.
Later, on the outside Strickland was provoking Menard on commentary which prompted Garcia to tackle Strickland. Garcia tried to lock in a dragon slayer on Strickland on the commentary table but both wrestlers fell off the table and onto the ground. In the ring, Garcia backed up what he said earlier as he did not fold. Garcia showed resilience and kicked out of most of Strickland’s offense but it wasn’t enough as Strickland still just had a little bit more to secure the victory.
Strickland offered a hand to Garcia but Nana hit the low blow before they could shake hands. Menard was then dispatched by Strickland. Nana got on the microphone and declared that Strickland is going to be the next AEW champion. Cue Hangman Page’s music. Hangman came out and it turned into chaos with security having to break them up as the show went off the air. The story with Page and Strickland is far from over.
