Post by sethisthegoat on Jan 5, 2023 8:44:16 GMT -5
AEW Dynamite
Jan. 4, 2023
Jan. 4, 2023
Coach and Taz welcome us to the new year and say that tonight, the road toward Dynamite: Beach Break on Jan. 25, and Battle of the Belts on Jan. 28, will take shape. We’re starting the night with Jade Cargill coming to the ring, and Coach says that Cody Rhodes will address Bill Goldberg at the top of the hour.
Cargill comes to the ring with the AEW Women’s Championship around her waist and a smile on her face. She gets to the ring and grabs a mic.
“I proved once again that I am the baddest b**** on this planet by pinning Tay Melo in under 10 minutes. I am now the longest reigning champion in this company, and the winningest wrestler in all of AEW. There is nobody in this company, or in any company who can hang in the ring with me. Including the illustrious UWA Women’s Champion, Sasha Banks.” This brings out the boss, who pauses on the stage with the UWA title belt and a microphone.
Sasha - “You’re cute, you know that?” Jade scowls. “But I didn’t get to be The Boss by suffering any fools. I got here through grit and determination. I got to the top of this business by outworking all of the other women in the entire world. And you’re just like the rest of them, Jade. You’re cocky, and that will be your downfall.”
Jade - “If you’re that confident, why should we wait three more weeks? Let’s settle this right now.” Tony Khan appears on the screen.
Tony - “Now, hold on. This match is the biggest match in the history of AEW. You’ve got the undefeated AEW Women’s Champion and the traveling UWA Women’s Champion, who has held that belt for more than 12 months now. I’m all for giving fans what they want, but this match is being saved for the Battle of the Belts — presented live on HBOMax on Jan. 28.”
Jade interrupts - “Enough with the commercial, Tony. If this isn’t happening tonight, then I’m out.”
Tony - “Not so fast. We’re going to up the ante a little more. Tonight, each of you will face a mystery opponent. Whoever defeats her opponent the quickest will get to name the match type later this month. And to give your opponents even more incentive: If either of you lose tonight, your opponents will be added to the winner-takes-all match at Battle of the Belts.”
Jade looks angrily on, while Sasha Banks smirks at her.
—
Match 1 - Jurassic Express (7-5) vs. RVD & Sabu (3-0)
The teams start off with a quick handshake before Luchasaurus squares off with Sabu. When RVD is lining up for the Van Daminator, Peter Avalon appears on the screen. He’s got someone tied up to a chair with a bag over their head. “Hey, Van Dam and Sabu. While you’re out there flopping around, I’ve been busy here getting some revenge on my former tag team partner.” RVD and Sabu immediately leave the ring and race to the back, resulting in a countout loss at 6:20.
They reach the back and find the man tied up and take off the bag, but it isn’t Dean Malenko. It’s a cameraman, who has a sock in his mouth and a note is taped to his chest that just says “gotcha.” as the duo just shake their heads.
—
Natural Selection is standing backstage. Shelton and Cedric have their newly won tag team championships over their shoulders, Brian Cage looks angrily on and Cesar Duran addresses the camera.
Cesar - “When I brought this group together a few months ago, I told everyone that they would be champions soon. And here we are. The strong always rise to the top, and Shelton and Cedric beat one of the best tag teams in the history of this business. Now it is their turn to shine. And if it wasn’t for Big E sticking his nose in our business, and the opportunistic MVP, then this other guy beside me would be fighting for the Dynamite Diamond ring. Instead, he’s just mad. And I wouldn’t want to be the person on the other side of his fury.”
The New Day trio walks up and gets in Natural Selection’s faces.
Big E - “If you want to do something about it, Cage, I’m right here. Take your best shot.” Cage sneers at E, and Natural Selection walks off.
—
Match 2 - L.A. Park (0-2) w/ Los Parks vs. JBL (3-4) w/ Shawn Spears
JBL gets the win after a Clothesline from Hell at 4:52. During the match, he tried tearing the mask off of Park and managed to get it sideways, so Park was partially blinded. He continued the beating after the match until the rest of Los Parks slid in, and the heels scattered.
—
Jake Hager walks into Tony Khan’s office and demands a rematch for the All-Atlantic Championship. He should be entitled to it tonight, in fact. And since Joe isn’t even here, Hager thinks the belt should be vacated.
Hager spoke so fast that he didn’t notice Gable Steveson sitting in the chair beside him.
Tony - “Jake, I think you know Gable pretty well right now. I was just talking with him about his champion prospects now that you are no longer the champ. You know full well that Joe is off tonight, recuperating from your attacks on his leg. But he’ll be ready to go again in a couple weeks. In the meantime, I think Jake Hager vs. Gable Steveson round 4 sounds like a pretty good main event for next week’s Dynamite.” Hager scoffs and storms off, while Steveson stands and shakes Tony’s hand.
—
A video highlighting Paige VanZant’s recovery from her broken arm airs. She will be ready to return to the ring and get revenge on Ronda Rousey soon.
—
Match 3 - Non-title - Jade Cargill (14-0) vs. Michelle McCool (4-5)
Cargill is overzealous early in an attempt to put McCool away as quickly as possible and misses a big boot. McCool catches her by surprise with a roundhouse kick and gets in some early offense before Cargill slides out of the ring to collect herself. After sliding back in, Cargill took control with a pair of clotheslines and the Jaded finisher to get the win at 6:10. She grabbed the AEW Women’s Championship afterward and stormed off angrily.
—
After the break, Cody Rhodes’ music hits and he comes out to a loud ovation from the fans. He wishes everyone a Happy New Year and says he was happy to still be the World Champion, but he doesn’t really feel much like celebrating. He asks the crew to replay what happened after his title defense two weeks ago, when a disguised Bill Goldberg speared and Jackhammered Rhodes after his match against Jeff Jarrett.
Cody - “When Tony first told me that he’d signed Bill Goldberg, I was legitimately excited about what that meant for All Elite Wrestling. The second he signed his contract, he became one of the most recognizable names in the entire company. And, outside of Samoa Joe, possibly one of the most decorated stars. I remember going to the WCW locker room when my dad was there, and just looking up to Goldberg. So now I get to work in the same company as Goldberg and his first action is to spear me? I know you aren’t here tonight, Bill. But I want answers, and I want them soon.”
—
Match 4 - Matt Riddle (6-5) w/ Jeff Cobb vs. Homicide (0-2) w/ Hernandez and Konnan
Riddle and Homicide have a fast-paced, back-and-forth match, with Homicide’s street-fighting style against Riddle’s MMA style of fighting. Homicide hit the Gringo Cutter for a nearfall at 7 minutes, then Riddle locked in a Bromission that Homicide broke up at the ropes. Homicide hit a brutal Gringo Killa and scored the minor upset victory at 16:02.
—
Taz and Coach welcome fans back after the commercial and talk about some commotion that happened during the break. Brandi Rhodes was found backstage, knocked out after an apparent attack. Written in red on the wall: “The Darkness Consumes the Light.”
We see Brandi loaded onto a stretcher, and Cody is nearby checking on her. Brand is conscious, but says she doesn’t remember what happened.
—
Raven is backstage in a dark room, sitting down. “I guess you could say we’re even now, Malakai. However, I don’t think we’re quite finished with each other yet. In fact, I think we’ve got a common enemy between us. That’s right, Hook — you’ve made an enemy out of The Raven — a man who considered you like a member of my own family. Now I’m on alert, and you should be, too. Watch your back, little devil.”
—
Announcement: AEW’s contenders for the UWA Men’s World Championship and Tag Team Championship match will be determined during Beach Break on Jan. 25
—
Match 5 - The Young Bucks (1-2) vs. The Butcher and the Blade (2-6)
The Young Bucks get the win in 3:13 after a BTE Trigger on the Blade.
—
Sammy Guevara comes out to the ring with Tay Melo in tow.
“The Spanish God proved why he is the craftiest bastard in this business. Nobody saw me coming. And in a few weeks, MVP will get a good look up close and personal. I’m winning the Dynamite Diamond Ring because it’s going to look good on me; and it’ll look damn good on Tay.” They start making out, but are stopped when “I’m Comin’” hits and MVP saunters down to the ring.
MVP - “Unfortunately for you, I’ll be looking the right way at Beach Brawl. There will be no room for sneak attacks. What’s your pretty little lady going to do when I get the diamond ring to match the rest of my bling? Maybe she’ll come to see what a real MVP looks like.”
Guevara shoves MVP, who responds with a punch to Guevara’s jaw that knocks him down. MVP smiles at Guevara and Melo, then walks off.
—
Main Event - Non-title: Sasha Banks (4-0) vs. Riho (5-7)
Banks needs to win in less than 6:10, while Riho is trying to earn a shot at the UWA and AEW Women’s Championships. Jade Cargill comes to ringside to watch, as a timer runs on the big screen.
Banks starts quickly by going for the Bankrupt neckbreaker slam, but Riho kicks out at 2. Riho plays a plucky underdog from there and uses quick moves and a high-flying offense to stay alive until Banks catches her by surprise with a roundhouse kick at the 5-minute mark, and she follows it up with the Bank Statement! As she locks in the crossface submission, Cargill slides into the ring. The ref confronts her and Banks stands up and dares Cargill to fight her. Cargill looks up at the timer, which has 25 seconds left. She smiles and slides out of the ring.
Riho uses the opportunity to roll up the UWA Champion and gets a quick 2-count. Banks twirls her around and hits another Bank Statement and locks in the crossface as the timer goes past the 6:10 mark. Riho taps a few seconds later, giving Banks the win at 6:17. She just misses out on beating Cargill’s time, meaning that Cargill will get to choose the stipulation at Battle of the Belts. The show ends with Cargill walking up the ramp with a smirk.
Next week on Dynamite:
Jake Hager vs. Gable Steveson
Mick Foley vs. James Storm
The Outsiders will be in action!
Jeff Jarrett makes a statement
Current Beach Break Card: (Jan. 25)
UWA title contendership matches for the Men’s and Tag Team championships
Dynamite Diamond Ring Final: Sammy Guevara vs. MVP
Current Battle of the Belts Card: (Jan. 28)
Title vs. Title: UWA Women’s Champion Sasha Banks vs. AEW Women’s Champion Jade Cargill
UWA Men’s World Championship: Chris Jericho © vs. TBD
UWA Tag Team Championship: FTR © vs. TBD