Winter Is Here…Winter is Coming 2021 is live from Texas and what a difference a year makes!
Let’s just talk about the one hell of an opener. The AEW World Championship Match between Bryan Danielson and “Hangman” Adam Page. This was 60-minutes of pure wrestling. I flashed back to the Rec Center in Edison, NJ. Hangman felt like an underdog, even as champion, and it felt like the right position to be in. Could you imagine if Danielson would dethrone Page so soon after winning. It felt believable Danielson could win it. I’ll be honest, it didn’t feel like 60 minutes at all, even with a whopping four The commercial breaks. This felt like Nigel McGuinness vs. Tyler Black, the wrestling was so well paced and the antics provided a special feel to the match. Danielson with constant barbs towards the crowd and Page brought the level of drama higher than anticipated. The longer the match went, the better the match got, if you can believe it.
Both had a decent share of control during the match, Danielson and Page slamming and suplexing each other with no remorse in either facial display. They were hitting each other hard. Some of Hangman’s punches and forearm shots looked like they legitimately rattled the American Dragon, and in turn his kicks seemed to legitimately stun the cowboy. Danielson’s heel tactics throughout the match were smart. Plays up his ring veteran status and simply how easily it is for him to manipulate the situation to his advantage. Massive “wow” moment when Hangman countered with a backflip as he was being tossed off the corner, landing on his feet. Freakin’ incredible. The exchange towards the final minutes was pure wrestling joy.
Sure, the crowd initially booed when the bell rang and the 60-minute time limit expired. Sure, I can understand the disappointment. However, I 100% appreciated the work put in at giving the fans one hell of a title bout. I would have hoped the crowd gave them a standing ovation, and a well-deserved one at that.
I would have thought fans of wrestling would have appreciated the match, including the finish. Ring of Honor would have draw finishes and the crowd would applaud in respect. I suppose these days, fans are just… Fickle.
“Hangman” Adam Page and Bryan Danielson ended in a time limit draw.
The rest of the show was pretty solid. Wardlow destroyed Matt Sydal, and for a moment I wondered if this was a “loser loses man-bun” match.
Seeds planted for Wardlow’s inevitable break from Pinnacle. They really haven’t utilized the stable in its entirety much, I do wonder if the group will break up naturally or a storyline will develop in doing so.
Promo featuring Malakai Black – He talks about who he is and what he plans on unleashing upon us. His promo sees him anointing someone, and we just hear at the end “You’re now more than a King.” Theories? I have one on this individual, but I also have the feeling our cutesy Julia Hart may suddenly have a change of… well, heart.
Hikaru Shida defeated Serena Deeb
Holy Shida! You know what, let’s just have them face each other weekly. I won’t get bored. Deeb is billed as the female version of Dean Malenko. I believe it. They hit each other with almost every plex in the playbook, but Shida would not let Deeb gain victory. Shida unleashed one hell of a barrage on Deeb, yet she would come back with a volley turned to submission tactics of her own. Late in the game, Deeb goes for underhanded tactics in ripping off the turnbuckle pad, which leads to her own downfall.
Lots of matches, big matches booked for Rampage. Multi-man tag matches. Can’t wait for those.
MJF defeated Dante Martin
Despite his taunts of winning with a headlock takedown, it did not come to pass this way. MJF played textbook baddie, while Dante Martin… Was incredible. A running 450. Shooting Star off the ropes to the floor, freaking leaps and dives which completely defy what I thought was gravity.
Don’t put Dante near any ladders, I would have a ridiculously high level of anxiety wondering what he would do.
Poor kid was so close, but instead of Wardlow or Spears, it turned out to be Ricky Starks who would cause the distraction, allowing MJF to trap Martin in the Salt of the Earth Armbar for the submission victory.
I do feel badly Darius is out on the injured list, but his absence allowed for Dante’s stock as a singles’ wrestler to skyrocket, and I hope it continues. Perhaps Dante = Future FTW Champion?
As FTR celebrates with MJF, Sting and Darby Allin hit the ring, soon joined by CM Punk to thwart the villains. Six-man tag is in our future folks!
For a night with four matches, Winter is Coming 2021 felt like a bigtime show. Despite no “big surprises” or mystery debuts, this still felt like a show with purpose and significant meaning as we begin to close out 2021.
This is crazy to think about. 2021 has been one hell of a year, and 2022 is wide open, hopefully for all good things.
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