AEW brings the fun with the enjoyable two-hour episode of Dynamite 12/16 episode. As a writer, I get double presents for these. I get to write about a company I have become a fan of but also the episodes have a trend of being fun watches where I can sit back and relax and enjoy the shows. The latest episodes have been fun, and while I refuse to criticize the “flips and dives” often found, I enjoy watching these wrestlers perform in a way I could never imagine. I enjoy a mat-based hold-fest, and the rocket-launching high-risk aerial antics as well.
The show kicks off with a great one.
Hardy Party (Matt Hardy, Isiah Kassidy, Marq Quen) vs. “Hangman” Adam Page, John Silver, and Alex Reynolds
What a fun match, from the beginning antics of Reynolds and Silver coming down in goofy cowboy gear and hats to in-ring goofiness, you can’t help but smile. This was a great opener, which would have riled a full-house live audience. The two themes are ever-present, Hardy trying to “turn” Private Party while Dark Order attempts to lure Hangman into their stable. Watch the BTE YouTube show for more. The surprising end saw Private Party hit the Gin and Juice while Mentor Matt steals a tag and the pinfall victory. This didn’t sit well with Quen and Kassidy.
I would have preferred Hangman and Dark Order winning to further the recruitment drive.
Cody Rhodes defeated Angelico
For any shade thrown towards the father-to-be, there is no denying he lets anyone look good in a singles match. No different here. While Angelico has been around for many years, most have not seen him on this national stage. Angelico proved in either tag or singles, he can put on a wrestling clinic with the best of them. Great match with both Cody and Angelico getting in some impressive offense. At times, Cody took more of the high-risk while Angelico kept it to the mat. The surprise finish came when Cody drilled Angelico with a top rope leaping cutter.
The post-match took an intriguing turn as it seemed Team Taz would strike, however STING entered as well, warding them off, while also gazing towards both Cody in the ring, and skyward to Darby Allin in the stands.
Eddie Kingston on a live mic, because that’s always brilliance. Please do this more often. I love this man. However, his verbal attacks on PAC and Lance Archer were cut short when the aforementioned targets rushed the ring, also fighting through Butcher and the Blade. Another intriguing turn is when PAC and The Murderhawk argue about who goes after Kingston first.
The Inner Circle defeated The Best Friends and Friends (Top Flight & Varsity Blondes)
No shortage of established tag teams here. The additions of Top Flight and Varsity Blondes to the Dynamite program are a welcome boost to its already blossomed division. Both teams with bright futures.
Prior to the match it was mentioned Wardlow could not attend due to a family emergency. The end of the match saw Jake Hager use the F10, then tagging MJF to get the pinfall. I imagine this was meant to be Wardlow’s spot, so this was a nice nod to him.
The match was fast-paced and one great spot after another. Sorry internet people, I enjoy spots. It’s wrestling, plus the addition of some pretty incredible feats. I have an appreciation for them. A match like this shows off just how tall Griff Garrison is compared to everyone else. Nice moment when the faces cleared the ring, we got a big group hug, because AEW “got to give the people what they want!” – Thanks Excalibur.
Orange Cassidy was brilliant on commentary. Should check it out for yourselves when you can.
While the heel emerged victorious, a post-match attack was thwarted by Top Flight, who backstage issued a challenge to Chris Jericho and MJF.
In even more tag team action, The Acclaimed defeated SCU. I felt this was expected as the newer tandem of Anthony Bowens and Max Caster seem to be pushed heavily with recent segments involving the Young Bucks. The match was pretty good, a few sluggish moments aside, Bowens and Caster will climb as they gain more experience. Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian have been around for years and the veterans of the company, so a loss was to be expected as they give the push to a younger team.
However, Kazarian getting angry with Daniels post-match stating, “I’m not going out like this” seems to lean to an SCU breakup or possible end run for one or both of these veterans.
Backstage, an interview with Thunder Rosa teasing joining AEW was interrupted by an attacking Dr. Britt Baker.
NWA Women’s Champion Serena Deeb and Big Swole defeated Iveisse and Diamante
This was a great women’s match. The heels dominated for a good portion until a flurry of offense tipped the scales in favor of the faces. A few combo suplexes were picture-perfect, with Swole applying the Clearwater Cloverleaf submission for the win.
The win wasn’t to be celebrated long, as Nyla Rose and Vickie Guerrero ambused the victors, who were then saved by a chair-swinging Red Velvet.
THE MAIN EVENT: Kenny Omega w/ Don Callis defeated Joey Janella w/ Sonny Kiss
This was a good match, but I can’t call it great. I expected a bit more chaos, perhaps being spoiled from their encounter a year ago on AEW Dark. Omega largely squashed Janella, who did get some offensive spots with a legdrop through a table and cracking Omega with some objects. Omega won using the One-Winged Angel, now billed as the move “no one can kick out of.”
The real story was Don Callis, hijacking commentary by stealing a microphone after Tony Schiavone refused to leave the announce table or allow Callis to join. Callis did his own commentary from ringside, even giving Omega a microphone to add some “color to the commentary.” We are hitting new levels of heel folks.
Post-match, Death Triangle arrives and PAC informing Omega he’s spoke with Tony Khan who has booked Omega in another title defense, this time against Rey Fenix. But be warned Omega, because should he defeat Fenix, then PAC just might step into line for a shot as well.
Was this in the category of “the best” episode? No, but certainly AEW Dynamite 12/16 more enjoyable ones. AEW keeps providing shows like this, and they will continue to have a bright future. Keep highlighting the new tag teams and new talent, and a second television show will be a must-have.
AEW Dynamite 12/16 is Now Streaming on the TNT App.
