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AEW DYNAMITE REPORT
“MAXIMUM CARNAGE”
JANUARY 8, 2025
CINCINNATI, OHIO AT ANDREW J. BRADY MUSIC CENTER
AIRED LIVE ON TBS & MAX
Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Nigel McGuinness
Ring Announcer: Justin Roberts
Attendance: WrestleTix reported before showtime that 1,573 tickets had been distributed out of 1,579 available, so essentially a sellout. While the arena has a capacity of 4,500 spectators when configured for concerts, some of those would have obstructed views with a ring centered on the floor.
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PWTorch editor Wade Keller and PWTorch’s Chris Lansdell 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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[HOUR ONE]
-They went right to the arena (no opening theme at all, so nothing has replaced The Pointer Sisters officially yet, so “I’m So Excited” might still be in play). Excalibur introduced the show alongside Tony Schiavone and Taz. He hyped this being action packed and pay-per-view caliber.
-A video package aired with clips building the Jon Moxley vs. Powerhouse Hobbs and Kenny Omega vs. Brian Cage matches.
(1) BRIAN CAGE (w/Don Callis) vs. KENNY OMEGA
Cage came out first. Then Kenny’s new entrance video and theme played. As Omega made his entrance, the size of the venue was obviously really small, but it appeared intimate in a good way. The bell rang 7 minutes into the hour. Callis didn’t want to talk about what happened to him last week after claiming he went to the hospital, wanting to shift focus to the match. He said it’s the biggest match of Brian Cage’s life.
Excalibur built up Omega by talking about his impressive resume of titles and being the first non-Japanese wrestler to win the New Japan G1 Climax Tournament. Taz said he is a pioneer of AEW who helped start the company. Schiavone said it’s Omega’s first match in an AEW since he was sidelined over 14 months ago.
After two minutes of back and forth action, Omega countered a powerbomb with a huracanrana but he landed on his head and neck in the process. Cage rolled to ringside. Omega signaled for a running dive, but Lance Archer stood on the ring apron and blocked his path. Omega dropkicked him to the floor. Cage re-entered the ring and hit Omega with a lariat. Omega had a small cut on his forehead. Cage pressed Omega over his head and then dropped him onto the announce desk. Excalibur said Omega grabbed his abdomen. Callis punched away at Omega. They cut to a double-box break. [c/db]
Cage and Omega fought on the ramp. Cage release powerbombed Omega into the ring and scored a two count. As Omega made a comeback, Excalibur wondered if he’s a different athlete than before his diverticulitis. Cage pretty obviously scooted into proper position for Omega’s next move, but then lifted his knees as Omega went for a moonsault. Callis talked right over a key moment in the match. Cage then landed a pump-handle slam for a two count 9:00. Callis said he never thought Omega would come back from his diverticulitis. He said he has come back stronger than ever.
Omega gave Cage a springboard powerbomb. He followed with a knee to Cage’s shoulder and he scored a near fall. Excalibur said the knee was slightly off target. Omega gave Cage a One-Winged Angel for the win. Callis paced in dismay afterward.
WINNER: Omega in 12:00.
-Kyle Fletcher joined Archer in attacking Omega after the match. Fletcher punched Omega in the abdomen. Will OIspreay ran out for the save and went after Fletcher. Omega and Ospreay fought back and hit Archer with a knee and a Hidden Blade, respectively. Ospreay and Omega then had a tense staredown. Ospreay moved Omega aside and went after Fletcher as he returned to the ring. Konosuke Takeshita came out and went after Omega. They wing wild at each other. . Fletcher gave Omega a snap half-and-half suplex. Takeshita gave him a lariat. Ospreay re-entered and went for a save. Fletcher raked his eyes. Takeshita then elbowed Ospreay. Takeshita and Fletcher did side-by-side brainbuster suplexes on Omega and Ospreay. Fans pelted Callis with a “F— you, Callis!” chant.
(Keller’s Analysis: Good opening 22 minutes of the show. Cage is good opponent to start with in the sense that he’s part of the Callis family, he’s physically imposing, but also someone who can lose clean in Omega’s AEW comeback match. They continued to solidify an uneasy alliance with Omega and Ospreay and set up future matches between them and the Callis Family.)
-A vignette aired with MVP sitting at a classy bar. He said for the first time in two-and-a-half years, he’s taking off the suit and lacing up his boots. Shelton Benjamin was with him. They said they are the Hurt Syndicate and they hurt people.
(Keller’s Analysis: That was an efficient way to reinforce the lifestyle and vibe of the Hurt Syndicate. Now if they can put their minds to finding a way to get booed and help their babyface opponents get over, that’d be nice.) [c]
-Chris Jericho, Big Bill, and Bryan Keith hosted “A New York Minutes.” He hyped The Death Riders teaming with them against Powerhouse Hobbs & Rated FTR & The Outrunners. He said it’s among the most anticipated match in Collision history. Big Bill said size matters. Jericho agreed. (That’s kind of mean to say around Chris Jericho for reasons that are apparent and that he’s written about.) Jericho said they’ve already shown that Cope is a Dope and Harwood is no good. Keith asked what he’s got for Cash Wheeler. He said, “Wheeler is a kneeler. Get it, like he’s kneeling at the foot of the King of New York.” Big Bill said, “Sick burn.” He said people are asking how they can get along with The Death Riders. He assured Mox they’d be on the same page. “Thanks, guys!” he said while waving.
-Justin Roberts introduced Ricochet for a mid-ring promo. Schiavone said Ricochet seemed surprised by the boos he was getting, but he deserves every single one of the boos. He paced around the ring for a couple minutes listening to fans boo. He finally spoke and said a picture is worth a thousand words. He pointed at the big screen that showed him standing over a bloodied Swerve Strickland. Prince Nana then hit Ricochet with a chair from behind. Swerve slowly walked to the ring and swung a chair. Ricochet fled into the crowd. Swerve continued a methodical pace after him. Ricochet threw a security guard Swerve and ran out of the arena.
-They cut to the announcers at ringside. Excalibur said he won’t be able to run from Swerve forever. Excalibur said Mercedes Moné has been on a tear lately. He threw to a video package.
-The video was titled “A Day in the Life of Mercedes Moné.” She appeared on the “Sherri” show where Sherri admired her title belt and vowed to cheer for her at her next event. She then went to the ring and trained. She showed off her four titles and said she knows that puts a huge target on her back. She closed with “Moné changes everything.”
(2) THE HURT SYNDICATE (Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin & MVP) vs. PRIVATE PARTY & MARK BRISCOE
The Hurt Syndicate made their entrance first. Excalibur said MVP hasn’t wrestled in two-and-a-half years, but he did recently earn his jujitsu black belt and has been active in competitions. The bell rang 40 minutes into the hour. MVP opened against Briscoe. They showed a cool camera angle from the last row of floor seats under the lower balcony. When Shelton tagged in, he took over against Briscoe. As he beat up Briscoe at ringside, they cut to a double-box break at 4:00. [c/db]
MVP was fighting Briscoe after the break. Private Party double-dropkicked MVP and also fended off Shelton and Lashley. Briscoe flip-dove through the ropes onto Lashley as Private Party held the ropes apart for him. Shelton eventually finished Marq Quen with a superkick.
WINNERS: Hurt Syndicate in 10:00.
-Excalibur commented on clips of The Death Riders beating up Adam Copeland, setting up a match next Wednesday on Dynamite.
-A video package aired on the relationship with FTR and Copeland. Copeland said they’re best friends and that FTR have helped him back from every injury. Photos were shown of them over the years together.
(Keller’s Analysis: Format-wise, this is one of the better Dynamites. The video packages have been effective and efficient, having a sense of purpose to add some layers to characters and relationships, plus setting the stage for future matches.) [c]
-Jeff Jarrett made his ring entrance. He said the last two weeks have been humbling for him. MJF interrupted and walked to the ring. He told Jarrett he has yet to learn the meaning of “humbling.” He said he had the audacity to turn him down. Jarrett said he was too lazy to enter the Casino Gauntlet so he came up with a scheme. MJF yelled that he should never interrupt him. He apologized for losing his cool. He said if he retired tomorrow, he’d be in the Hall of Fame. He called himself a Living Legend. He said Jarrett has fooled “all these dumb schmucks” into thinking he is too.
MJF said: “Let me school all you simple-minded folk on the real legacy of The Last Outlaw – emphasis on Last because Jeff Jarrett is the last thing you see before your favorite wrestling company dies.” He said this whole “one more year” thing would be cuter and warmer and fuzzier if he weren’t the definition of a pro wrestling grim reaper. He told booing fans to shut up. He said when he thinks about Jarrett’s career, it’s enough to make him want to drink. He said he knows Jarrett is a raging alcoholic. He added, “recovering alcoholic.” He called someone in the crowd a skank. He said he’d happily send Jarrett back to rehab where he belongs. He said said he hoped his “sexy MILF” sticks around. He said when he’s done with her, he can ship her to Tennessee. He said then Jarrett can be the first man in history to know “what a generational talent and an Olympic gold medalist balls taste like.” Jarrett shook his head and smiled.
[HOUR TWO]
Jarrett said everything he said is crude and stupid and it’s all been said before a thousand times. He said he knows the best years of his career are behind him. He said when he entered the Owen Hart Cup last year, the fanbase awakened a desire he didn’t even know he still had. He said he’ll do everything in his power to keep that passion and fuel going. He said it’ll keep him on track to becoming the AEW World Champion.
He said MJF thinks he can throw out his zingers and hurt his feelings. “Max, I was you before you were you,” he said. (Huh?) He said everything MJF can say or do, he’s done. He said he did it before him and better than him. He said MJF really confuses him because he doesn’t know if he’s a dumbass or a scumbag. He said maybe it’s all the above. He said there are days he feels very sorry for him. A chant of “He’s a scumbag!” broke out. Jarrett said it’s tough being raised by a cowgirl mother. He said his dad was an “old ambulance-chasing attorney old.” He said when his dad knocked up his mom, “she still made him pay for that shit, didn’t she?”
Jarrett said the old saying is you marry your mommy. He said his old lady is a Canadian cowgirl. He said the night he was tearing the house down with Will Ospreay, he was doing his version of 60 minutes through. He said at the same time, his “old lady” was doing her version of 60 minutes through with about ten other wrestlers. He told MJF he needs him and he doesn’t know why. He said it’s because he’s drowning in his own shit. He said MJF might be lazy and an entitled prick, but at the core, he’s a scared little boy. He said he’s scared to enter the gauntlet and he’s scared that at age 28 his best years are behind him and he’s scared he’ll never be on top and he’ll be known as a one-hit wonder. Fans chanted, “One-hit wonder!”
MJF said he’s nothing like Jarrett. He said he didn’t need his daddy to make him a top guy and he didn’t need to start his own company to make himself a top guy. “MJF made MJF!” he said. He said they all know what happens when Jarrett is King of the Mountain. He said when he’s King of the Mountain, he’s the only man to thank for the largest wrestling show of all time with 82,000 at Wemley Stadium. He said he was the best in the world at PPV buys and record ratings and record ticket sales. Jarrett laughed. MJF said, “Laugh all you want, old man.”
MJF said he then got screwed out of his championship and his name was dragged through the mud. He said the same people who put him on a pedestal have willingly, with a smile on their face, taken it out from underneath him and treated him like nothin’. He said he ain’t nothin’. He said he doesn’t want to win the World Title, he needs to win it “so I can shove it down each and every one of their throats.” He said instead he now has to wait in line for Jeff Jarrett. He cackled and said, “With all due respect, these people aren’t very bright. No wrestling fan has ever given a single, solitary shit about you.”
He mocked his “slap nuts” phrase and said just because he was best friends with Owen Hart, he thinks he’s owed a grand finale. He said he sees through his bull. “During your Owen Cup, I saw right through you, you carny succubus. You are nothing more than a leech riding the coat tails of your deceased friend.” Fans “ohhh’d.” MJF asked if he struck a cord. He apparently he doesn’t like it doesn’t like when he talks about his old pal. Jarrett punched away at MJF. MJF rolled to the corner as security grabbved Jarrett. Jarrett broke free and went after MJF. Karen Jarrett entered the ring. MJF grabbed Karen as a shield and then dropped her and ran to the back.
(Keller’s Analysis: MJF’s material was largely really strong. Jarrett’s material was awful and crude and off-putting, especially because because he went after targets who did nothing wrong that we know of. The whole segment was too long, too. That said, there was enough good to build up their singles match.)
-Excalibur plugged the Texas Death match with Christopher Daniels vs. “Hangman” Page on Collision. Then Excalibur plugged the Kazuchika Okada vs. Tomohiro Ishii match on Collision for the Continental Title.
(3) CHRISTIAN CAGE (w/Mother Wayne, Nick Wayne) vs. HOOK
Hook jumped Christian on the ramp. He turned and stared down Mother Wayne. When he entered the ring, the ref called for the bell 11 minutes into the hour. Hook took it to Christian at ringside. They exchanged chops at ringside. When Christian tried to leave through the entrance tunnel, Hook chased him down and dragged him back to the ring. He backdropped him into the ring. Christian tried to talk Hook into accepting him as a father figure. Hook hugged him back, but turned it into a belly-to-belly. He punched away at Christian in the corner. Christian hugged Mother Wayne at ringside as they cut to a double-box break at 3:00. [c/db]
Christian punched away at Hook in the corner, but Hook threw him to the floor. Hook leaped off the ring apron and landed a forearm on Christian. Then he rammed Christian into the ringside steps. He tried to stop Christian’s hand on the steps, but Christian yanked him off balance and Hook landed on his back on the edge of the steps.
Back in the ring Christian scored a near fall. He followed with a top rope frog splash for another two count. Hook caught a charging Christian a knee. Christian fired back with a spear and scored a one count only. Hook clotheslined Christian twice and then delivered an overhead suplex into a bridge for a two count at 10:00. He followed with a fisherman’s suplex for a near fall. Hook put Christian in a Red Rum, then dropped him onto his back. He landed crossface forearms from behind. Christian countered into an eye gouge and then threw Hook into the ringpost.
Shibata came to ringsideto stop interference from Nick and Kip Sabian. Christian drove him into the mat. Christian set up a Killswitch in the ring, but Hook slipped free and applied Red Rum. Sabian and Nick attacked Hook, so the ref DQ’d Christian. Excalibur said, “The ref has no choice but to throw this match out.” (He means the ref has no choice but to DQ Christian and award the match to Hook.)
WINNER: Hook via DQ in 12:00.
-After the match, they triple-teamed Hook. They tempted Taz to get in the ring. Taz stood and removed his headset, but then Samoa Joe’s music played and he came out. He threw Nick off the ramp and then chopped and punched away at Sabian. Nick mistakenly splashed Kip in the corner. Joe then gave Kip a snap powerslam. Christian and Mother Wayne retreated. Shibata got a shot in on Kip. Joe’s muysic played as he checked on Hook.
(Keller’s Analysis: Among Hook’s better matches for sure. Nice to see Joe return and align with Hook again, as they worked well together.)
-Excalibur plugged the Women’s Casino Gauntlet match and then threw to a video package on last week’s Men’s Casino Gauntlet match.
-Soundbites aired with wrestlers who came up short in the Gauntlet match last week. Jay White said Wheeler Yuta earned his focus with that low blow. More soundbites aired with Danny Garcia, Kyle O’Reilly, Adam Cole, and others. [c]
-Renee Paquette was going to interview Jeff Jarrett when Dustin Rhodes told Jarrett that MJF was a disrespectful little shit. He said he’s 110 percent behind him and he wants him to fulfill his dream of becoming the AEW World Champion. He said MJF doesn’t understand what they’ve been through. He said whatever MJF does to him, he knows he’s already been through. He told Jarrett that he’s a 12-time World Champion and that means something. He said he’s The Last Outlaw “and outlaws never die.” He said they are the very last of their kind.
(4) WOMEN’S CASINO GAUNTLET
Mariah May made her way to the ring to join in on commentary. As the match began, she suggested that since Taz got his knee replaced, maybe they could roll around later. Taz said he’s happily married. She said she meant in the ring. He said he was retired.
Kris Statlander was out first. Jamie Hayter was the second one out. Mariah complained about having to move to America. After some back-and-forth action, Megan Bayne was the third our. Taz said he didn’t expect that. Excalibur said she has been competing in Stardom lately where she has been impressive. Excalibur asked why Mariah seemed so worried. She asked if she was even allowed in this match. Bayne got in some offense.
Fourth out was Julia Hart as they cut to a double-box break. [c/db]
Willow Nightingale came out fifth shortly after they returned from the break. Statlander and Willow stereo suplexed Bayne. Then they turned and chopped each other. Willow landed a Pounce.
Toni Storm came out sixth. She sunset flipped Willow for a quick two count. Fans chanted, “Toni! Toni!” Excalibur talked about Storm regressing three years mentally and said she is “quote-unquote a rookie” who also happens to be a former two-time AEW Women’s Champion. Meanwhile, Statlander rallied at ringside. Julia and Hayter squared off mid-ring.
The seventh entrant was Harley Cameron. She went on a flurry of offense against Hayter. Julia blew mist in both of their eyes. Storm entered and pinned Julia with a small package for the win.
WINNER: Storm in 13:00. [c]
(5) JON MOXLEY (w/Marina Shafir) vs. POWERHOUSE HOBBS – AEW World Title match
Back from the break, Hobbs’s ring entrance took place. The camera showed Mox and Shafir making their way through snow outside and then into the concourse and finally into the arena and to the ring. The bell rang 53 minutes into the hour.
Excalibur noticed that the last time they wrestled last April, Hobbs severely injured his knee and missed the rest of 2024. They brawled from the start including to ringside and through the crowd. Back in the ring at 3:00, Mox took over. Hobbs powered his way into control and cornered Mox and then bit his ear. The announcers said he tore off Mox’s earring. Fans chanted, “You sick f—!” They cut to a break at 5:00. [c/db]
[OVERRUN]
Mox’s ear began bleeding heavily during the break. They showed the venue from the balcony entry hall after the break, giving a good view of the whole venue. It looked really good. They are owning this smaller intimate venue’s strengths visually. Shafir kicked Hobbs at ringside. Mox then threw Hobbs into the ring. The side of his head, neck, and pectoral area were just drenched in blood. Hobbs blocked Mox’s next move and knocked him over. Hobbs yelled a charged and clotheslined Mox. Mox popped up. Hobbs clotheslined him a second time and then a third time in the corner. Hobbs then powerslammed Mox for a two count at 10:00. Excalibur plugged Collision’s top matches.
Hobbs powerslammed Mox off the second rope, but Mox rolled into a cross armbreaker. Hobbs forced a break in the ropes. Fans chanted “Fight forever!” Wheeler Yuta ran to the ring and jumped Hobbs, then ran to the back. Schiavone called him a snake. Hobbs managed to overcome and deliver a spinebuster. He lowered his straps and then lifted Hobbs for a torture rack. Mox slipped free and applied a sleeper. Shafir bashed Hobbs with a briefcase. The ref’s back was turned toward Mox for no good reason. Hobbs still kicked out of Mox’s roll-up at two.
Mox then landed a Paradigm Shift for a two count. Mox followed up with a Bulldog Choke and the ref called for the bell a few seconds later.
WINNER: Moxley in 13:00 to retain the AEW World Title.
-After the match, The Death Riders entered and attacked Hobbs. Claudio jabbed Hobbs’s knee with a chair and then stripped off his knee brace.
FINAL THOUGHTS: Well-formatted and balanced show with a main event that delivered. On the downside, some match finishes had copout finishes and Jarrett-MJF went on too long. They should find as many venues as possible that look as good as this one and run them as often as possible until they can sell 6,000-plus tickets again at major arenas most weeks.
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
PWTorch editor Wade Keller and PWTorch’s Chris Lansdell 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.
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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