The Holiday Bash edition of AEW Dynamite was one of the most unique episodes of Dynamite to date.
On paper, the card looked fairly predictable (see above). We had some of the top stars of All Elite Wrestling taking on relative newcomers to the company or tag wrestlers appearing in a rare singles match. To be blunt, the results of Holiday Bash were fairly predictable as everyone you thought would win did exactly that.
Yet, what this show so unique was that everyone lost somehow came out of their match looking exponentially better because of it. It was a night where stars were born, it was a wake up call that AEW has a wildly deep talent pool, and it opened a lot of eyes on who the future of pro wrestling just very well may be. AEW took this show to plant seeds for the future and the fans not only reaped the benefits of it tonight, but for years to come.
Let’s break down the Holiday Bash matches…
Top Flight (Darius & Dante Martin) vs. The Inner Circle (Chris Jericho & MJF) w/Wardlow
This match was absolutely fantastic and was the stamp of approval that Top Flight is going to be the future of All Elite Wrestling. The Martin Brothers are unbelievably smooth in the ring and especially at their young age. They way they work reminds me of teams like The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express or The Rockers or The Fantastics with both the grace in their movement and just how in sync they are. The amount of offense that Jericho and MJF took from them was astonishing and it continued to solidify Jericho’s claims he wants to work with and help the young talent of AEW.
It makes sense that not only did The Inner Circle win this match, but Hager interfered with Dante Martin’s springboard which allowed for the IC win. Inner Circle is the most high profile faction in AEW and they need to keep that train rolling. Top Flight loses zero here and honestly, they were made to look like undeniable stars in this match.
Jake Hager’s Promo
It’s very rare that we do (or should) get a Jake Hager promo. Easily this was his best “live” promo in his AEW tenure or maybe even his career. Calling out Wardlow for opting to be at home tending to family business as opposed to being with The Inner Circle was so on brand for Hager and this is easily the most interested I will be in a high profile match of his in AEW.
It’s STIIIIIIIING
Sting in AEW is exciting. As a fan of 31 years, I should know better than to get this excited about Sting still being in wrestling. I’ve seen him in TNA and WWE and those runs were tumultuous. Also, how many times on this site have I criticized the use of legends at the expense of younger talent?
However, there’s something different here. Maybe it’s Sting returning to the Turner family — the place I first discovered him in 1989. Maybe it’s him working for the son of Dusty Rhodes – a man so influential on his career. Maybe it’s the reverence AEW has for him (probably due to the fact most of the creative team grew up watching him). Whatever it is makes it feel different than his runs in TNA/Impact and WWE.
Or maybe it’s that they’re using Sting not just as a way to bring back older or lapsed fans. They’re using him to reinforce the fact that Darby Allin is the future of the company. That he is this generation’s Sting. That he is the man. This is I’m all about. This feels more about Darby than Sting and I’m here for it.
As for Team Taz (who interrupted Sting)…they’re almost criminally underrated. Ricky Starks is just so money on the mic and in the ring. He’s destined to be huge for this company. Taz is doing some of his best mic work right now that I don’t know if people truly appreciate how good they both are. Will Hobbs and Hook are obviously works in progress. Cage, we need more from him. He needs this Darby match to be lights out great as his run in AEW has been fine at best.
MJF Shows Humanity
This was just a really good moment that, while we knew MJF’s motivations to curry favor with Santana and Ortiz, came off way more sincere and authentic than any of us could’ve expected.
The Dark Order (5, 10, Colt Cabana) vs. Jurassic Express
Jurassic Expresss kicked ass as per usual, but the people who looked great here with 5 (Alan Angels) and 10 (Preston Vance). These two have been with AEW since the Georgia tapings this spring and have found nice niches on BTE. However, we haven’t seen them shine on Dynamite yet outside of being made quick work out. They both looked good here and it was a nice reminder that one day the masks will come off these two and they’ll be on their way to bright futures in the company. Colt Cabana, a mensch among mensches. We need more of him on Dynamite. Jurassic Express’ finisher is just wickedly awesome and their match coming up with FTR (with a nice promo from Tully) is going to be a showstealer.
A Kenny Omega Sighting
Kenny Omega is producing god-level great segments right now. His chemistry with Don Callis is so palpable you could drizzle it on pancakes. It is sumptuous and rich. Jokes aside, the promo about Rey Fenix, their history together via the lens of the new “Cleaner” persona of Kenny was a delight.
The Butcher vs. PAC
This easily one of the best matches of the night. A few months ago The Butcher was Eddie Kingston’s mystery opponent for Jon Moxley. The match was solid, but there was a lot of criticism that Butcher wasn’t ready for a main event or a big singles match. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.
Since then Andy Williams/The Butcher has leaned up, sharpened his in-ring skills and for this match sported some new gear. It was a night and day performance as compared to his Moxley match. Images of Hansen and Brody and Doctor Death danced about my head (as it probably did Jim Ross’) as Big Butch tore his way through PAC. It was a symphony of destruction and I am here for this singles run.
PAC did an amazing job making The Butcher’s moves like deathblows every time they came into contact with his muscled frame. This match was a reminder to everyone of just how great PAC is in the ring and a peak into the future that The Butcher could be big business for AEW.
Jade Cargill Interview:
No idea where any of this is heading. However, I feel like Jade Cargill has a bright future. There’s something about her that screams “star” and if handled correctly, she definitely could be a star for AEW. I think it’s a must to have her with Vickie Guerrero as her promo skills are still developing and Vickie is one of the great heat magnets out there.
Evil Uno vs. Dustin Rhodes:
Evil Uno, like The Butcher, showed up and showed out in this match. It’s always a blast to watch Dustin Rhodes in the ring as he’s an ageless wonder who breaks his ass every time he’s in the ring.
Shawn Spears Promo:
We’ve seen a number of these worked-shoot “I’m leaving because I’m not being used right” promos before. However, I did enjoy the wrinkle of Tony Schiavone questioning Spears on whether maybe he (Spears) the reason for his failures in AEW. Spears isn’t wrong in what he’s said. He’s definitely been under-used in AEW and has never gotten into the next gear after his red-hot feud with Cody Rhodes (a feud I still think they booked wrong as Spears needed the win more than Cody). So it looks like he’s done with the black glove, maybe done with Tully … he’ll come back when he feels like it? We’ll see. I feel like there’s money in Spears and he could really take off with the right angle.
Hikaru Shida, Abadon and Alex Gracia
The Women’s Division in AEW has long been a bone of contention and it remains so. However, I like this Shida/Abadon feud. Their pre and post match brawls were a little wild and sloppy, but I’ll forgive that since Abadon is essentially a wrestling zombie and it fits her character. I also know people don’t like her because “she’s a character.” So is Orange Cassidy, get over it.
Shida is very good at what she does as she’s really the only pure babyface in the women’s division and her in-ring ability remains as crisp as ever. Alex Gracia is someone AEW needs to get ink to paper on. She’s very talented, has a unique look and if you follow her social media she knows how to create strong vignettes for herself. She’s got big upside and AEW needs that in the division.
Abadon biting in Shida’s neck will roll eyes, but I didn’t mind it. She’s a wrestling zombie. Yeah it’s silly and over the top, but it was also visceral and shocking. Look, if you’re fine with Randy Orton lighting The Fiend on fire and then Bray Wyatt tweeting about it an hour later, you can be fine with this.
The Young Bucks vs. The Acclaimed
The match started with the excellent video package Max Caster and Anthony Bowens shot with their friends (including The Shook Crew) lampooning The Bucks with a hot diss track. Videos like this will only benefit The Acclaimed and should be regular occurrences on Dynamite.
It was a bit stunning that on a night where so many young talents were made to look great The Bucks were beating the tar out of The Acclaimed. However, things got good when The Acclaimed took over. As Mike Dworkis, who usually writes this column told me, Max Caster really knows how to sell a beating. Once Caster puts it all together in the ring, he’s going to be big money for AEW. As for Bowens, the man is an undeniable talent and is just so good at everything in the ring.
This match was fantastic because it not only showcased how good The Acclaimed are on offense, but how they can get their asses kicked and still kick out at 2 1/2. It also reaffirmed these dudes are heel as hell and will do anything to win. This was a star-making moment for both Caster and Bowens and it just proved (again) that The Young Bucks are brilliant tag team wrestlers.
Holiday Bash, on paper, looked to be a disposable “holiday show” but when you watch it you will find yourself enjoying one of the more unique and fun episodes of Dynamite we’ve seen in a long time. AEW continues to innovate and experiment each week with their show. With the New Year’s Bash run coming up let’s hope for more (including more women’s matches).
AEW Dynamite Holiday Bash is now streaming on the TNT app and on demand.
