AEW Dynamite 1/3/2024

AEW Dynamite 1/3/2024

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2023/12/aew-dynamite-12272023.html

Samoa Joe said he gave us the future and saw it at World's end. He said he's not a man who makes predictions, but a man who makes promises. Joe said MJF embarrassed and cheated to try and take the title from him. Joe said he turned everyone MJF liked against him and took his title from him. He said MJF may be a scumbag, but he's a heartless son of a b!tch. Joe said he's the AEW champion and will take everything from anyone who tries to take his title from him. It was a good promo by Joe, though it still didn't explain any of the issues with his storyline with MJF.

The might DOC SAMPSON

Adam Cole, The Kingdom and Wardlow come out. It says "Undisputed" on the tron. Strong tells everyone to shut up and listen to Adam. Adam says people who were shocked by his turn were stupid. Adam said MJF has created more enemies then anyone else in AEW and doesn't get why he's the bad guy He said if that makes him the devil, then buy him a first class ticket straight to hell.

Cole said MJF had his claws in this promotion for too long and it's time for a change. He said everyone will thank him then he said MJF is gone and not coming back. Cole said he never needed MJF and MJF needed him. Cole said he sacrificed everything in their friendship and said just look at his ankle. He said nobody would cheer for MJF if it wasn't for him. Cole said he saved and ended MJF's title reign. He said MJF is dead.

Cole said The Undisputed Kingdom is alive. He said their goal is to win championship gold. He said The Kingdom are the tag champs, Strong will go after the International Title and said Wardlow will go after the World Title. Cole said when the time is right and he's healed, Wardlow will forfeit the title and give it to him. Cole said it was a pleasure doing business with Joe. He said it was no problem taking out Page for him. He said he hopes Joe isn't the champ when Wardlow is ready to challenge, because it would suck to hurt a friend. Cole said they were sick and tired of waiting for things to change and said they gave it to them. Cole said The Undisputed Kingdom starts a new chapter in AEW. He said The Devil is here to stay.

Jay White comes out. Jay said he's impressed with him and said he hasn't lost his edge. He said he likes what he did to MJF but doesn't like being collateral for his cause. He said we now know it was him under the mask and said he's not alone. The Gunn's come out with him and they fight with The Kingdom and Strong. Wardlow then helps beat up The Bullet Club. The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn then come out and let The Undisputed Kingdom run away. Somehow, despite Cole being on crutches, he's able to get away. They have Doc Sampson block the path for him, though somehow the 6 of them just can't overcome him. The Bullet Club then walk away from The Acclaimed and Billy.

Well, at least they had The Acclaimed and The Bullet Club come out. The idea that they couldn't catch a man on crutches was silly and it was silly that none of them could somehow overcome the mighty Doc Sampson. We really didn't get much of an explanation on why The Undisputed Kingdom had to trick MJF for months or go through all this trouble with creating enemies when they could have just left Jay White, The Acclaimed and Page out of it. We also didn't get to find out why Strong or Cole would want to help Joe win the title (especially Strong, who was put in a neck brace by Joe) other than to screw MJF. Cole wanting all this gold also made little sense since he essentially cost himself the ROH tag titles.

Eddie Kingston said winning the CC gave him confidence. He aid Bryan Danielson is one of the greatest wrestlers he's ever seen.

Daniel Garcia talks about Swerve. He said his song talks about big pressure. He said let's see what happens he applies big pressure to him. Garcia said when you apply big pressure to him, he won't fold. He said he will beat swerve tonight.

AEW International Title - Orange Cassidy (c) vs Dante Martin

It is unknown how Dante earned this shot. DM rolls him then OC armdrags him and rolls him. OC headlock takeovers him. OC monkey flips him and rolls back with him. Dante flips over his back then blocks OC from going into his pockets. Dante flips over him and backslides him. OC shoulder topes DM outside then throws him into the rails. Someone in a Dusty Rhoes costume at ringside gets a chant from the crowd as OC puts his pants in his pockets. OC shotgun dropkicks him into the rails.

Dante suplexes him on the floor. We go to PiP break and return. OC stunners him out of a suplex attempt Dante topes him through the ropes then springboard crossbodies him. OC puts his hands in his pockets and DM does OC's weak kicks to him. OC stomps DM in the corner then satelitte ddt's him. OC is up top and diving ddt's him.

Dm drops him down from the powerbomb position into a knee. DM sentons his back then DM walks the top rope and splashes him. OC hits an orange punch and wins it.

It was the usual OC garbage match with both guys doing comedy and nobody taking the title match seriously.

Danhausen and Hook come out for OC after then Darius and Action come out for Dante after. 

Private Party then come out and dance to their music. Quen says they have been keeping tabs on the tag dvision. He said the tag division has been some flavor, excitement and Private Party. They say they are putting all tag teams on notice and even The Hardy's, who Zay has been aligned with. Zay says it's new years, new champs and asks for an "aw yeah" from the crowd.

Toni Storm is interviewed by Renee. She says Renee's perfume is overwhelming. Toni said she was excited to be here when she heard it was New York, but found out it's New Jersey. She said she deserves to be on Broadway and is heading there. Renee asks if she will be there for Mariah May's debut. Toni said the girl can do with paying her dues and says she doesn't watch wrestling.

The House of Black does a promo. They say the challenge is accepted from FTR. They say they want them in North Carolina in front of Dax's family. They say FTR will have to walk back with their new family. I think they say FTR will be with a family that truly loves them.

Swerve is interviewed. Nana says Garcia is a respected competitor but doesn't know if he gets he's wrestling the boss of the bosses. Swerve said Garcia had a good showing in the CC. He said he respects that Garcia is after championship gold like him. Swerve said big pressure isn't about making diamonds, it's about making pain. He said Garcia will have to go through that tonight. Swerve said he wants championship gold in 2024 and says it's up to Samoa Joe. He said he wanted MJF, but it seems his body can't take it anymore. He tells Joe to be ready as he's coming.

Mariah May vs Queen Aminata

This is Mariah May's AEW debut. May slaps Queen then boots her in the gut. May forearms her and pulls her back down on the mat.  May spinning headscissors her then shotgun dropkicks her. May ties her up in the ropes then dropkicks her while she is tied up.

We go to PiP break and return. May double chops her then Queen blocks her handstand hurricanrana on the ropes. Queen slaps her multiple times then double chops her. Queen snapmares her then kicks her in the back. Queen PK's her then double chops her. Queen hits a running forearm then May slingblades her. May hits a cradle shock and wins it.

Queen got too much in here despite being a jobber and this match seemed to be set up to get Queen over more than May. I didn't like how this was done at all.

Renee interviews May in the ring after. She asks her how it feels to have her first AEW win. May says she can't believe she won her debut. She said she wanted to be a wrestler since she was a kid and said it feels surreal. She said she hopes Toni Storm is watching and proud. She says it's the first dynamite of the new year and it's all about Mariah. May said her only regret was that they had to do this in New Jersey.

Deonna Purrazzo then comes out. She appeared once a year and a half ago and of course, you are expected to know about that and care. DP is wearing a real ugly outfit. She says she's from New Jersey. She said if Toni Storm doesn't want to be here, then they don't want her here either. She says to tell Toni that she will find her no matter where she runs or hides. Deonna says she is All Elite and says we are in the age of the virtuosa. May says she's not the messenger and says, "tell her yourself, b!tch". They slap each other and Deonna boots her out of the ring. So much for putting May over in her big debut here. This was stupid.

Christian Cage and The Patriarchy are interviewed. Shayna is mad she is getting booed. She said everyone should pay respects to the greatest TNT champ that ever lived. Christian thanks Shayna and says a mother's work is never done. He thanks Nick for putitng his body on the line and going through a flaming table. He tells Nick he loves him. He hten looks at Killswitch and said he thanks himself. CC says he's 2-0 against Adam. He tells him to go to the back of the line and says no more title shots for him. He says Adam has to realize that CC is superior to him. He said he'd love to say their left their souls in the ring, but he doesn't have a soul and that's why he is the TNT champ. He says he will remain TNT champ until he hands the title over to Nick Wayne. He said he doesn't want anyone to forget that they are the Patriarchy and run AEW, now and forever. 

Saraya, Ruby and Harley are interviewed by Renee. Saraya puts over Harley and Harley says she's committed to the role. Ruby said she didn't think a blonde who is out of her mind would work saying it didn't work last time. But she said she appreciates her help. Harley said she would do anything for them. Saraya says let's leave then tells Harley to stop that as she's making it obvious.

Konosuke Takeshita vs Darby Allin

Darby takes him down by the arm and rolls him up. Darby goes over him in the corner  then KT back rolls into a release wheelbarrow suplex on him. Darby lands on his feet though. KT hits a big back drop on Darby. KT side headlocks him then Darby armdrags him out using the ropes. Darby topes him but takes a flying knee and lands hard.

KT picks up Darby and walks him down the ramp then hits a chaos theory german on him, rolling down the ramp. We go to PiP break and return. Darby stunners KT off the 2nd rope then tope con hilos him outside. Darby hits slaps then KT hits a package tombstone for 2. KT misses a knee against the buckles and tries to flying knee him outside, but hits the rail and goes over it.

Darby then goes up top and coffin drops KT. KT comes back in the ring then Darby hits a code red for 2. Darby goes for a coffin drop off the top and KT gets his knees up. KT release germans him twice then Darby cradles him. Darby hits a crucifix bomb then is lariated.

KT face kicks Darby in the corner then germans him off the top rope. KT running knees him and wins it.

I hated it. They did way too much here and this could have easily ended at the tope spot when Darby caught the knee. Darby took some seriously rough looking bumps here. 

The Don Callis Family is interviewed by Renee. KT talks in Japanese. Don says next week they are back in Daly's Place. Don tells Darby to bring Sting and said they should do a tag with Darby and Sting vs KT and Hobbs.

#1 Contender for the Continental Crown - Trent Beretta vs Brian Cage vs Bryan Keith vs El Hijo del Vikingo

 

Keith facekicks Cage then Cage double lariats Keith and Trent. Vik corkscrew kicks Cage out then topes him. Keith and Trent trade forearms and Trent knocks him down with one. Keith hits a forearm flurry then face kicks Trent. Vik handsprings and flips backwards. Vik then moonsaults off the ropes and armdrags Keith off of it. Vik spinning headscissors Keith then Cage crackerjacks him. Trent half-nelson suplexes Cage then Trent plancha's Cage.

Danhausen is in the first row for some reason and yells at Cage. Cage brainbusters Trent on the floor. We go to PiP break and return. Vik spin kicks Cage then springboard dropkicks him. Vik meteora's Cage. Keith headbutts Vik off the ropes to the apron and floor. Cage takes a top rope german from Trent then Trent flying knees him. Vik breaks the pin up. Keith then lariats Vik.

Cage shoulders Keith then hits an F-5. Keith pop-up powerbombs Trent then spinning sitout powerbombs him for 2. Danhausen comes in the ring and curses Cage. Cage is superkicked by Keith and Vik. vik 2nd rope moonsaults Cage outside. Keith running kicks Trent then backdrops him. Keith running headbutts Trent for 2. Trent hits a b-driver on Keith and wins it.

They did too much as expected with Cage taking a top rope german in what was clearly a bad idea. It was your usual multi-man spotfest with people getting a spot in then rotating to the next pair of wrestlers. There was also the Danhausen nonsense that added nothing.

Renee interviews Matt Menard. Adam Page walks in. He said Samoa Joe had goons put him through a windshield. He said he's here to beat someone up. He said it may be Joe or Adam Cole and if he can't find anyone, it may be Menard.

Swerve Strickland vs Daniel Garcia

Swerve shoulders him over and they stare down. DG is shouldered over then rolled up. Swerve headscissors him down from the mat.  DG puts him in a crossface and Swerve ropebreaks. DG slaps him in the butt then they pieface each other. DG knees him in the gut then knees him off the apron. Swerve and Nana go face to face outside and dance at each other.

DG sends Swerve into the post and Nana grabs DG's leg. Swerve pump kicks him and death valley drivers him on the apron. We go to PiP break and return. Swerve pump kicks him and hits euros. Swerve does DG's dance then DG hits shots and stomps in the corner. DG stands on his throat then facewash kicks him. DG shotgun dropkicks him in the corner then backdrops him.

They trade chops and Swerve does a spinning and lifting reverse ddt bomb. DG is sent into the rails then has words with Matt Menard on commentary. Swerve pushes him then DG rams Swerve into the rails. DG tries to put Swerve in a sharpshooter on the table and both fall of of it. DG top rope superplexes him then Swerve holds on and suplexes him.

DG pulls him into a knee then face kicks him. Swerve rolls and flatliners him. Swerve hits his house call kick for 2. Swerve top rope double stomps him for 2. DG crucifixes him for 2 then takes a house call and a jml driver to win it.

Nana low blows DG after. Menard gets in the ring and hits Swerve before being knee'd in the nuts. Adam Page then comes out. He stares down Swerve and they hit each other. The refs and security then come to break it up.

I didn't like the death valley driver on the apron not meaning anything here and I didn't like the dance contest during the middle of this match. That just doesn't fit what Garcia said he was doing here. There were some good parts to it otherwise. I doubt it did good ratings though. I like Menard putting Garcia over on commentary as it does feel genuine. Page wasn't a real good face here. Page looked dumb not being able to get to the arena in time to deal with The United Kingdom and then picking a fight with someone else over it.

Overall thoughts: It wasn't a good Dynamite. They started the show off with the flawed Joe and MJF and Devil storylines. 6 people were just too scared of the dangerous DOC SAMPSON to go after Adam Cole, who was on crutches. Orange Cassidy and Dante Martin goofed around during a title match. Private Party returned. Mariah May debuted in reverse squash, where Queen Aminata got all of the shine. Deonna Purrazzo returned after 2 years to make May look bad in her debut. Takeshita and Darby did too much in their match. We had a random four way spotfest and Adam Page didn't have the foresight to arrive to the arena early to find Cole, so he beat up Swerve for it.