Post by sethisthegoat on Jan 3, 2024 10:57:57 GMT -5
AEW Dynamite
Jan. 3, 2024
The show opens with a countdown clock. When it reaches 0, Happy New Year shows up in tie dye as the New Day comes out to loud cheers. Xavier Woods is playing an uptempo Auld Lang Syne on the trombone while Kofi Kingston and Big E Langston dance along beside him. In the ring, Woods has the mic and wishes the AEW universe a Happy New Year from the New Day. He says that 2024 will be the trio’s rebirth and it will be the year of the New Day. Woods asks if the fans would like to see him win the Owen Hart cup. That gets a loud cheer. Kingston takes the mic and says he’s also in the tournament, and maybe he’ll win the Cup. The duo smiles and gives each other hi-fives. Then Big E grabs the mic and says while they’re going for the cup, he’s got his eyes set on the International Championship — and beyond that, winning the King of Trios tournament later this year.
This brings out Natural Selection, including International Champion Brian Cage and Tag Team Champions Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander. Woods asks where the short guy who’s been managing them is. Cage gets in the ring, goes nose-to-nose with Big E, before addressing Woods’ comment.
Cage - “Mr. Duran’s services are no longer required by Natural Selection and he’s been relieved of his duties. We can speak for ourselves, and we can clearly take care of ourselves in the ring. Unlike the three of you. Your act is as tired and old as your bodies. All of the accolades you’re after? We will be in your way.”
“Wild Thing” hits and the crowd goes wild as it signifies the return of Jon Moxley to AEW after more than six months. This time, he’s got two others with him — he, Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta emerge from backstage. The trio gets to the ring, where Mox has the mic.
Mox - “Allow me to reintroduce myself. I was here near the beginning; I had some success but didn’t reach the top of the mountain. Now I’m back and ready to tear completely through the rest of AEW. We are the Blackpool Combat Club; we take s*** from no one and kick ass.” Before he can go further, “Are You Ready” hits and DX joins the other three trios in the ring. Billy Gunn and Road Dogg run through the “Ladies and gentlemen…” spiel before handing over to Triple H.
Triple H - “Well, well, well — this ring is starting to look a little too familiar. I thought Tony said this place wasn’t going to just be WWE 2.0.” He pauses and looks over at Cage. “Except for you. I’m sure there’s a reason you didn’t make it out of Florida before.” Cage takes a step toward him, as Mox and Big E also step in, and the four men stare intensely back-and-forth.
Triple H - “But I digress. It just looked like there was a big party out here, and I just wanted to join in on the fun. And if you’re not down with that, I’ve got two words for you…” The crowd finishes the saying as he crotch chops Cage, who lunges after him. Triple H ducks behind him and goes for a German suplex, but gets stopped by Alexander. The ring devolves into a 12-man brawl that eventually gets separated by security. Everyone except the New Day (who were coming out for a match) is sent to the back.
—
Match 1 - New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) (9-6) vs. Public Enemy (3-3)
Kingston gets the pin on Johnny Grunge with the Trouble in Paradise at 8:19.
—
Jeff Cobb is backstage standing with Taz, who is returning as a backstage interviewer. Taz asks about how Cobb is feeling about tonight’s TNT Championship match against Sammy Guevara.
Cobb - “I have felt the freest I’ve been in my time at AEW during these past few months since I rid myself of Matt Riddle. I can finally accomplish the things I set out to when coming to AEW two years ago. My journey starts tonight when I give Sammy a Tour of the Islands and take the TNT Championship.”
—
Match 2 - Angelina Love (5-7) w/ Alexa Bliss vs. Sasha Banks (15-4)
Banks gets the win with the Bank Statement at 6:10. She stares at Bliss and says she’s coming after her TBS Championship again.
—
AEW World Champion Cody Rhodes comes out, dressed in a suit and tie, with the title draped on his shoulder. He gets in the ring, grabs a mic and lays the title down in the middle of the ring.
Rhodes - “I am a man who believes in destiny. It’s my destiny to be a World Champion, and I’ve worked my ass off to get to where I am. Some people look at me like I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth; like my ascendancy to the top of the mountain was made possible by my famous daddy. But for everyone who points that out to me, I only have to point them to two things: Dashing Cody Rhodes and Stardust. I paid my dues, then I left to establish myself and grow into a champion. I even had to leave my famous surname behind for a few years. And now I’m here. At the top of the mountain as AEW’s first — and only — two-time World Champion. I’ve held myself to the highest of standards as The American Nightmare. I’ve done things the right way. And I’m standing here, at the first Dynamite of 2024, vowing to hold and defend this championship with honor as long as my body will let me.” He pauses and takes a deep breath.
“And, yet, two weeks ago I slipped. I let a brief moment of frustration get the better of me. Instead of beating Malakai Black honorably, I took a shortcut by holding his tights and using the ropes as leverage. So I want to run it back. I want to prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that I can beat Malakai Black in the squared circle. Malakai, I know you’re back there. I’m inviting you down to this ring. I don’t want your light show; your sneak attacks. Come out here, look me in the eyes, shake my hand and accept your rematch for the AEW World Championship.”
Black’s music hits, and instead of his mask and usual entrance, he comes out wearing a black button-up shirt and black pants. The black splotch on his face covers a quarter of his face, around his right eye. He reaches the ring and stands face-to-face with Rhodes, with the belt on the ground between them. They shake hands and Black grabs a mic.
Black - “I knew from the first time we faced off, Cody, that you were just like the rest of them. You will do whatever you can to cling to your 15 minutes of fame. Even if it’s turning your back on your supposed values. You’re just like the other champions before you, who have lied, cheated and stolen their way to the top. But because you’ve got a nice smile, a lovable ‘daddy’ and a nice family, you’re given a pass. But that pass is about to run out. In the near future, you’ll have to answer for your sins, and these fans will see you for the fraud that you are.” He pauses briefly. “But for now? I’ll accept your offer of a rematch. But let’s up the ante a little bit. Over the past two years, we’ve fought four times. I’ve won twice and you’ve won twice. It’s time to put Malakai Black vs. Cody Rhodes to bed, once and for all.” Rhodes gives him a hand motion and says “Get on with it” as Black continues. “We’ll wrestle to the best 2-of-3 falls in a 3 Stages of Hell match. I don’t care what the first two stipulations are, but if you’re lucky enough to get to the third stage, I’m going to bury your legacy.”
The two men stare each other down before Rhodes bends to pick up the World Championship. He holds it high over his head and says, “It’s on,” as we head to the commercial.
—
Match 3 - Wheeler Yuta (0-0) vs. Homicide (0-4)
Yuta wins after an athletic and high-flying match with the Yuta Lock, at 7:12.
—
TNT Champion Sammy Guevara is backstage with Tay Melo and Taz.
Guevara - “Jeff Cobb thinks that by beating up Matt Riddle and winning a Battle Royal, he can compete with the Spanish God? Cobb, this is the closest you will ever get to either my diamond ring or the TNT Championship. You are a mere speedbump on my road. After I beat you tonight, you’ll be a footnote on my way to superstardom.”
—
Match 4 - Six-man tag team: Top Flight (Dante Martin, Darius Martin and Action Andretti) vs. Los Parks
Top Flight gets the win after Dante Martin hits a springboard cutter on Hijo de la Park after 9 minutes of fast-paced action.
—
Pre-taped promo of Beth Phoenix working out. She says that she has spent her holiday getting in better shape than ever. After pinning AEW Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey at Winter is Coming in their 8-woman tag team match, Phoenix can smell blood in the water. She’s coming for Rousey.
—
Match 5 - Carlito (1-0) vs. Sabu (2-1)
Carlito wins with the Backstabber in 10 minutes.
—
Wardlow is out to the ring next, accompanied by Paul Heyman, who has the mic.
Heyman - “I’d like to introduce the world to the winner of the 2024 Owen Hart Cup, Wardlow. My name is Paul Heyman, and I only manage wrestlers who have the promise to be the Next Big Thing. And AEW, you’re looking here at The Next Big Thing. Wardlow is going to win this tournament, and then set his sights on the biggest stars in the company. Tony Khan has also given me the privilege of revealing the tournament bracket for the men’s Owen Hart Cup:”
Owen Hart Cup link (I tried embedding it here, linking to a photo of it...multiple things...but couldn't get it to work)
“The first round of the men’s and women’s tournaments will take place over the next two weeks on Collision. And, as you can see from the bracket, my associate here will get his shot at Jeff Jarrett in the first round, next week on Collision.” Wardlow smiles until Jeff Jarrett’s music hits and the former AEW World Champion walks out, still wearing his neck brace.
Jarrett - “You’re forgetting one thing, Pauly…I’m not cleared to wrestle. And as much as I would love to win the trophy named after my good friend, I will unfortunately have to bow out of the tournament. Instead, you’ll be facing…” and Heyman cuts him off.
Heyman - “Jeff, we’ve known each other for a long time, and we’ve been a part of this business for even longer. I know you’re faking that injury; Wardlow knows it; Tony Khan knows it; and the 8-year-olds in the audience know it. Your neck isn’t broken, and you’ll be squaring off with Wardlow in 10 days.” Jarrett denies it, but Heyman asks the “boys in the back” to play the tape.
It’s a phone conversation between Jarrett and JBL. JBL apologizes for the Clothesline from Hell hurting, and Jarrett says it’s all right. It’s better than having to face the out-of-control monster that is Wardlow. He’ll just wear the fake brace for a few months, then Wardlow will move onto bothering other people like Triple H.
Jarrett’s face goes white as Heyman continues, with a smile that matches Wardlow’s. “Your days are numbered, Jeff. We’ll see you soon.”
—
Before the main event, Pat McAfee reveals the Women’s Owen Hart Cup bracket. He says that for each of the next two weeks on Collision, there will be 4 men’s matches and 2 women’s matches, as the first round gets under way.
Women's Cup link
Coach announces that there will be a further jam-packed episode on Jan. 20, as Cody Rhodes vs. Malakai Black’s 3 Stages of Hell match has been scheduled for the Big Collision Event. Khan has also announced that Jade Cargill will be wrestling at the show in a Championship Eliminator match against Michelle McCool. If McCool wins, she will get a shot at the UWA Universal Championship.
—
Main Event - TNT Championship and Dynamite Diamond Ring: Sammy Guevara © (21-7) vs. Jeff Cobb (12-8)
- Cobb uses his power and size advantage to overpower Guevara, throwing him around the ring with ease.
- Guevara reacts to an Irish whip with a springboard crossbody block, but Cobb catches him in mid-air and slams him down hard, going for an early pin attempt that gets 2.
- Cobb continues to dominate Guevara, hitting him with a series of suplexes and strikes.
- Guevara manages to dodge a clothesline from Cobb and hits him with a superkick.
- Guevara follows up with a springboard moonsault. Guevara goes for the pin, but Cobb kicks out at two.
- Guevara gets frustrated and argues with the referee, allowing Cobb to recover and attack him from behind.
- Cobb lifts Guevara up for the Tour of the Islands, but Guevara slips out and pushes Cobb into the ref, who falls to the mat.
- While Cobb checks on the ref, Melo tosses Guevara the Dynamite Diamond Ring. He taps Cobb on the shoulder, then wallops him with the ring, knocking him out cold.
- Guevara tosses the ring back to Melo, who puts it back on her finger, as he shakes the ref awake. Guevara heads to the top rope, hitting the 630 splash for the pinfall victory at 19:42.
- Melo joins Guevara in the ring and celebrates with him and the TNT Championship and diamond ring, as the crowd boos loudly and the show comes to an end.
Upcoming AEW Events:
Jan. 6 and 13: Debut Episodes of AEW Collision, featuring the first rounds of the Owen Hart Cup
Jan. 20: AEW’s Big Collision Event:
AEW World Championship: Cody Rhodes © vs. Malakai Black (3 Stages of Hell)
UWA Women’s Championship Eliminator Match: Jade Cargill © (38-0) vs. Michelle McCool
Feb. 25: AEW Revolution
UWA Women’s Championship Match