SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
AEW DYNAMITE REPORT
JANUARY 17, 2024
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. AT THE COLISEUM
AIRED LIVE ON TBS
Commentators: Excalibur, Taz, Tony Schiavone
Ring Announcer: Justin Roberts
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[HOUR ONE]
-They opened with a video package previewing the main event of Samoa Joe vs. Hook for the AEW World Hvt. Title with snippets of Joe and Hook talking.
-They showed Joe walking backstage with the AEW World Title belt over his shoulder. Then they cut to Hook arriving with his rolling suitcase, adjusting his hair under a hooded winter coat.
(Keller’s Analysis: Showing the wrestlers arriving like that sends a message that they’re in a big match and it’s also an opportunity to show what they dress like when they arrive at the arena which can add a dimension or reinforce their image.)
(1) CHRISTIAN CAGE (w/Nick Aldis, Killswitch) vs. DUSTIN RHODES – TNT Title match
They went to Justin Roberts mid-ring for formal ring introductions. Christian, the champ, came out first. Ian Riccaboni joined Excalibur and Taz on commentary. Dustin then made his entrance as Taz talked up Dustin’s resume and said this will be a tough defense for Christian. The bell rang five minutes into the hour. Corner graphics hyped Swerve Strickland, “Hangman” Page, and The Young Bucks in talking segments. Dustin took it to Christian at ringside. Christian made a comeback after blocking a superplex attempt. Christian then leaped off the top rope onto Dustin at ringside. They cut to a double-box break. [c/db]
Christian controlled the match during the break. Dustin took over at 9:00 and catapulted Christian into the corner. He then set up Christian for a running crotch kick (I have disdain that move for so many reasons. It’s tacky and tawdry and also fake-looking.) When Dustin went for a dive through the ropes, Christian punched him out of mid-air. Christian landed a frog splash for a near fall seconds later. When Christian brought his TNT belt in the ring, the ref took it away. Dustin small packaged Christian, but Nick ran in and reversed the roll-up which led to a near fall for Christian. Dustin went for a bulldog, but Christian slipped free. Dustin set up the corner crotch kick again and hit it this time. “Yam City,” said Taz.
Dustin superplexed Christian and then landed Crossroads for a very near fall. Nick grabbed Dustin’s boot. Dustin rolled to ringside to stare him down. Killswitch grabbed Dustin. Dustin kicked him in the crotch. Nick went for a top rope dive, but Dustin caught him and gave him a Canadian Destroyer on the floor. Christian, meanwhile, removed a turnbuckle pad and then speared Dustin. Christian hit a Killswitch next for a near fall. Fans were surprised at the kickout. Fans chanted, “Dustin! Dustin!” Christian hit a second Killswitch for the win.
WINNER: Christian in 16:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: I’ve been advocating for AEW to use Dustin more these last five years. This was a solid match and the crowd was invested in the outcome, rooting for Dustin rather than chanting for moves and grading it live with “This is awesome!” chants. I wish they had planned this more ahead so there was a better story leading into it, as Dustin getting a title shot felt out of nowhere other than the win over Bryan Keith.)
-Renee Paquette interviewed “Swerve” Strickland backstage. She asked for his thoughts on the Samoa Joe vs. Hook match later since he said he’s got his eyes on the World Title. Swerve said he’s laser focused on the title now after being preoccupied with the Continental Classic. He said he didn’t win the tournament, but he’s the one people are talking about. He said he is the most dangerous man going after the most coveted prize in the industry. Renee brought up Hangman Page. He said he’s got eyes everywhere. He complimented Hangman’s previous title reign and big wins. He said Hangman can beat anyone except for him. He said he’s defeated him twice already, so he has nothing more to gain or prove by wrestling him again. “Who’s house? Swerve’s house,” he closed with. [c]
-Excalibur commented over a replay of Sammy Guevara’s huge truss dive onto the stage and then Ricky Starks getting the pin on Collision on Saturday.
-Renee interviewed Chris Jericho backstage about the tag match. Jericho said the Don Callis Family caused them to lose on Saturday night. He said he beat Takeshita a month ago in Japan, but that doesn’t mean as much anymore after what he did to him Saturday. Matt Sydal walked in and told Jericho he’s overreacting and to get over the loss he needs to get back into the ring and fight someone who has beaten him before. “Like me,” he said. Jericho said maybe they need to do that on Rampage “right here in North Charleston. Be careful what you wish for. I’ll see you on Friday.”
(Keller’s Analysis: Fans cheered, but how many were confused about having to come back in two days to see it? Taping it tonight and airing it Friday is another situation that insulates Jericho from live crowd taunts.)
(2) PENTA EL ZERO MIEDO & KOMANDER (w/Rey Fenix, Alex Abrahantes) vs. ORANGE CASSIDY & TRENT BERETTA
The bell rang 31 minutes into the hour. Penta opened the match against Cassidy, then tagged out to Komander. They cut to a double-box break at 2:30. [c/db]
Komander tagged out to Penta. Penta scored a near fall on Cassidy as Komander dove onto Trent at ringside. Cassidy landed a DDT on Komander a minute later and then tagged out to Trent. Komander walked the top rope and splashed Trent. Cassidy made the save. After four-way action and some signature sp0ts, Trent pinned Komander with a Crunchy.
WINNERS: Cassidy & Trent in 11:00.
-After the match, Chuck Taylor entered the ring to join them in celebrating. As they were about to hug mid-ring, The Undisputed Kingdom’s Roderick Strong, Matt Taven, and Mike Bennett walked out looking sinister and serious. Strong told Cassidy to take off his glasses. Cassidy didn’t. Strong said Cassidy has been a fighting champion who has been willing to defend against anyone at anytime, yet he’s in a tag match tonight. He asked if it’s becoming too much and he’s running out fuel in his tank. He said the belt belongs to him, so he’s coming for it. Cassidy tried to take the mic from him, but Strong held on. Fans chanted, “Shut the f— up!” Strong yelled at the fans to shut up.
Cassidy leaned in and said he’d shut him up. He said he’d wrestle him “right here, right now.” Strong said not right now. Fans booed. He said he’ll have to wait until March 3 at AEW Revolution. He said he wants Cassidy to live with the realization for six weeks that he’s keeping the title warm for him.
-Renee interviewed a pacing Hangman backstage. She asked if his focus is on the AEW World Title when he’s said that wasn’t always his primary focus. Hangman said over the last five years, no one treated the title with more reverence than he did. He said in 2024 he doesn’t just want to win it, but he wants to hold it and keep it as long as he can. Renee brought up Swerve saying that he can’t beat him. Hangman said Swerve thinks a lot about him, but he doesn’t think about Swerve at all. He said Samoa Joe is the champion, so that’s where his focus is. He said if Hook wins tonight, god help him.
-Mark Briscoe and the Briscoe family made their entrance. Riccaboni said it was one year ago tonight that Mark’s brother Jay died. He said they’re celebrating his legacy tonight. Mark said his oldest niece was told she’d never walk again, but then she walked out onto the stage with her siblings. He thanked the fans and hugged his nephew and nieces.
-A vignette aired on Jay Briscoe’s wrestling career and family life.
(Keller’s Analysis: A touching and moving scene on the ramp with Mark and his family and a great video afterward.) [c]
-Renee held a sitdown interview with The Young Bucks. Nick interrupted her and asked her to show more respect and refer to them “by our god-given names.” He said they are Matthew and Nicholas Jackson. He said they’re Executive Vice Presidents and it’s time to take their jobs more seriously. Matt nodded. Renee brought up the public meltdowns and tantrums. She brought up rumors. Matt said they are all fake. He asked what she’d do to preserve and protect her life’s work and her baby. He said he knows what he’d do, so think of that when she comes at them with rumors. He said he’d do it all over again if it meant AEW would be a thriving company and then asked Renee if her checks clear. “You’re welcome,” he said.
Renee asked about their return last week. Matt said when they started AEW, they used to say “Change the world.” He said they did it. “We were disruptors, we were rebels, we spat in the face of tradition,” he said. He said they lost their way, though, and toxicity crept into the locker room and the company was different. He said it was because they began to lean on “yesterday’s self-serving superficial cancerous superstars.” (Take that, Punk!) He said Sting is great and a role model employee. He said he hopes people talk about them some day like people talk about Sting now. He said it’s what Sting represents, though, that bothers them. He said he’s not in line with their mission to change the world. He said they’re going to say goodbye to Sting and everyone like him. He said they wouldn’t ask anyone else to do what they aren’t willing to do themselves. Renee asked if that means they’re calling out Sting. Nick said, “As EVPs, we’ll pull some strings.” They stood up and left.
(Keller’s Analysis: I’m intrigued with this sharp shift in their characters. I’m not on necessarily board with the specifics of it yet as I want to see more. It was a little too heavy on things not part of the TV show narrative such as “rumors” that most TV viewers have no idea about, plus I don’t think there’s ever been a good reason to talk about EVPs titles of anyone on AEW TV. It sounds like they’re going to be going after older wrestlers from outside of AEW even beyond Sting?) [c]
[HOUR TWO]
(3) BRIAN CAGE & GATES OF AGONY (Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun w/Prince Nana) vs. AUSTIN & COLTEN GUNN & JAY WHITE – ROH Six-Man Tag Team Title match
The bell rang two minutes into the hour. They cut to a break at 3:00 with Liona in control of Austin. [c/db]
Back from the break, action spilled to ringside. Austin avoided a charging Liona. Cage lifted White, but White slipped free and shoved Cage into the ringpost. Back in the ring, Austin backdropped out of a Kaun move and tagged in White. White chopped away at Kaun. Kaun brushed off all the chops and reverse-whipped White into the corner. The Gunns landed their finisher on Cage, but Kaun kicked them out of the ring. Nana tripped White. Kaun then slammed White and scored a near fall. Nana entered with a belt and cartoonishly wound up to hit him, but Anthony Bowens ran out and yanked the belt away from him. Fans cheered. White turned to Nana, but Kaun rolled up White from behind. White then gave Kaun his Blade Runner for the win.
WINNERS: White & the Gunns in 10:00 to capture the ROH Six-Man Tag Team Titles.
(Keller’s Analysis: Why are ROH titles on AEW TV? Will Tony Khan ever officially address in a storyline-way what the relationship is and difference is with the two brands and why they co-exist and overlap?)
-Adam Cole and Wardlow cut a promo backstage. Cole said Wardlow will go down as the most dominant World Champion in AEW history. He said he’s going to plow through one opponent after another until he wins the title. Wardlow smiled and said, “Boom.” [c]
(4) ANNA JAY vs. DEONNA PURAZZO
Toni Storm came to the ring first, accompanied by Mariah May and Luther. Then Purazzo made her entrance. Storm joined the announcers on commentary. Toni complimented Ian on his looks. Taz said he got rid of his “stupid earring” too. Excalibur said, “It was dreadful.” The bell rang 19 minutes into the hour. They cut to Storm at ringside in black and white as they cut to double-box break at 2:00. [c/db]
Toni continued to compliment, if not flirt with, Ian. “I don’t know what you’re doing with your feet under this desk, but please do it harder,” she said. She fed him macaroons. Ian tried to plug Fight Forever between bites. Purazzo won via submission and then shook Jay’s hand afterward.
WINNER: Purazzo in 6:00.
-Renee interviewed Purazzo center-ring. Renee asked if she has anything to say to Toni. Purazzo said they’ve known each other for a long time and used to be like sisters, and it’s clear that Toni’s changed since then. She said she’s changed, too. Toni stood on the announce table. Luther put her on her shoulders and carried her toward the ring. She insulted Purazzo and said she ought to “march into that ring and sock you right in that box.” She threw her shoe at her. Purazzo threw it back. Mariah ran to the back. “How dare she!?” said Storm as Luther carried her to the back. [c]
(5) PRIVATE PARTY (Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy) vs. TOP FLIGHT (Dante & Darius Martin)
The bell rang 34 minutes into the hour. Excalibur plugged Rampage including Kris Statlander vs. Queen Animata, Anthony Henry vs. Penta, Darby Allin vs. Jeff Hardy, and Jericho vs. Sydal. Then Collision features Eddie Kingston & Ortiz vs. Bryan Danielson & Claudio, Daniel Garcia vs. Buddy Matthews, and Jon Moxley returns. They cut to a double-box break at 3:00. [c/db]
Lots of highspots. Private Party hit Gin & Juice on Dante, but Darius broke up the cover. Kassidy rolled up Darius and held the ropes for leverage to score the pin. Ian said this could be a rivalry for years to come.
WINNERS: Private Party in 10:00.
-Afterward, Action Andretti ran out and protested Private Party’s cheating to win. Private Party celebrated with kids at ringside.
(Keller’s Analysis: Not sure I get what Private Party are going for, with the graphic pelvic thrusts during their entrance followed hobnobbing with kids, cheating to win, and then hobnobbing with kids again.)
-A vignette aired on Sting and Darby including Darby standing in a convertible as Sting drove. Darby said their story ends with them as AEW Tag Team Champions.
(6) SAMOA JOE vs. HOOK – AEW World Title match
Hook made his entrance first. Taz said the pressure isn’t on Hook, it’s on Joe. He said Hook understands the opportunity he has. Fans loudly chanted “Joe! Joe!” before his entrance. Then Justin Roberts did formal ring introductions. The bell rang 51 minutes into the hour.
Hook charged at Joe at the bell. Joe cowered and shoved Hook away. Hook went back at him with a barrage of strikes. Joe threw Hook to the floor and chopped him hard in the chest. He threw Hook toward the barricade, but Hook springboarded off of it and leaped at Joe. Joe threw Hook back into the ring. Joe gave Hook a hard elbow and Hook took a hard bump to the mat. Joe punched away at Hook in the corner. Joe kneeled and asked Hook, “Do you understand yet?” Taz said Hook has no quit in him. Joe scored a two count at 4:00.
Hook made a comeback and slid into Joe with a clothesline. He leaped off the ring apron with a flying punch to Joe. Hook set up a T-Bone suplex, but Joe reversed Hook and slammed him hard with a uranage onto the announce table. Joe strutted, fans chanted “Holy shit!”, and the ref checked on Hook. That looked nasty. Joe asked if he understands yet. Hook gave Joe two middle fingers. Joe powerbombed Hook onto the ring apron. The ref called for the ringside doctor to check on Hook. Taz said he was going to take his headset off. Fans chanted, “You f—ed up!” The ref began counting Hook out with a very slow count. Hook stood at eight (or more like 30) and then slid into the ring. Joe snap powerslammed Hook for a near fall at 6:00.
Joe gave Hook a Death Valley Driver next for a near fall. Excalibur said Hook has been through hell in his first World Title match. Joe gave Hook a Muscle Buster. Taz came back on headset and said Hook put up a hell of a fight and he’s proud of him. Hook kicked out at one. Hook stood and hit Joe with three flying clotheslines. He punched away at Joe in the corner. Joe shoved him away. Hook gave Joe a T-Bone suplex. Fans were standing. Hook went for a Red Rum, but Joe countered and put Hook in a Koquina Clutch. Hook’s arm dropped three times and the ref called for the bell. Joe released his hold and his music played.
WINNER: Joe in 9:00 to retain the AEW World Hvt. Title.
-As Joe was leaving, Hook yelled at him, “Is that all you got?” Joe gave him another Muscle Buster.
(Keller’s Analysis: One heck of a match. Hook lost, but put up such a resilient fight he’ll be a bigger star because of that match.)
[OVERRUN]
-Afterward, Hangman’s music played and he ran to the ring. Joe retreated as Hangman yelled at him from the ring. Prince Nana and Swerve Strickland were at ringside. Swerve then stared down Hangman. Fans chanted “Who’s House, Swerve’s House!” Swerve taunted Hangman. Hangman checked on Hook. Hook got up and walked up the ramp as the show ended.
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