Tonight’s column is in both memory and tribute to Jay Briscoe who tragically passed away yesterday. Far too young, and it goes without saying the life of a fantastic individual and family man, and ongoing incredible wrestling career cut short. Without setting foot in a WWE ring, having a massive following all over the world for his accolades in Ring of Honor, New Japan, Impact Wrestling, GCW, and more all over the United States and the world. The Briscoes together created a memorable career with a unique and distinctive look, wrestling style varied between brawling, fighting, powerhouse, and could bust out suplexes, bombs, and drivers at will.
A truly special individual who will be missed by all in the industry and the world. Tonight we mourn for Jay Briscoe and pray for the health and recovery of his daughters.
AEW Dynamite 1/18 opens up with a tribute image to Jay, with Excalibur and Tony Schiavone talking about Jay and his family during the opening contest, Orange Cassidy defeating Jay Lethal in a fun match. I know not everyone is a fan of Jeff Jarrett, but with minimal interference he was fine in his role. Gimmick was anyone interfering would cost Sonjay Dutt his job. A fun, fast paced bout with a smooth finish. Post-match Jarrett and Satnam Singh threaten to attack Best Friends but Dutt has to wave them off or face consequences.
Top Flight defeated The Young Bucks
WOW. What a match and what a clean finish! Despite internet opinions on the Bucks, the Bucks putting over Top Flight is huge. I expect Dante and Darius to be heavily pushed in 2023. Another fantastic, fun match tonight. If the theme tonight is just to enjoy the show, then AEW is succeeding. A lot of near falls, great combinations of wrestling and dives. I enjoyed it, and so should you. Fantastic roll up finish with Darius getting the pinfall victory on Matt Jackson.
In the ring: The Gunns and The Acclaimed go at each other verbally and physically until Billy Gunn intervenes to separate all four. This leads to a challenge next week, where they square off in… Family Therapy.
Backstage: “Hangman” Adam Page and Renee Paquette have more of a chat than interview, with Renee telling Page her husband does have respect for him, and Hangman hints towards the same. However, Page also drops a not-so-subtle hint he plans on reconciling with some “old friends” – Likely The Elite.
Ricky Starks defeated Jake Hager
Good match with expected interference. Starks is on fire with the live crowd, and does seem he will be heavily pushed this year. The feud continues to unfold as Jericho wants a tag match with Sammy together against Starks and Action Andretti. However, Daniel Garcia interjects and he wants to be the tag partner. If he wins on Rampage, he gets it.
Bryan Danielson defeated Bandido
Live crowd is hot for Bandido, match starts with a respectful handshake. This might be a record, because I have now have yet another entry into the possible 2023 Match of the Year Candidate. Great match, with an astonishing high level of wrestling. Many holds, counters into holds, so many shocking reversals, so many near falls and near submissions, Bandido made me a believer. Sure, we know Danielson will be on a hot streak to fulfill the challenge to become number one contender, but for a few minutes, I believed Bandido could win it. Hot live crowd always adds to the excitement. What. A. Match.
Backstage: Saraya is mad at Hikaru Shida for the oopsie last week with the Kendo Stick, but Toni Storm calms her down. However, Saraya starts trashing-talking the “AEW homegrown women” which I feel does include Shida. You know, at first I was thinking Shida would turn heel, but now I’m thinking Saraya and Storm may be taking the heel route.
Announced for next week, Danielson will face ROH Six-Man tag champion, Brian Cage. Backstage, MJF offers a big stack o’ cash if Cage can break Danielson’s arm. MJF then slaps Cage to fire him up, but nearly gets strangled for it.
Toni Storm defeated Willow Nightingale
Well, the heel attitude might be on point, as mid-match Toni Storm takes some cheap shots on Willow. I was questioning the choice for a babyface v. babyface match, but the aftermath of Storm cheating to win confirms it. Post-match, Saraya and Storm immediately beat down Willow, who is saved by Ruby Soho and Shida.
Welp, this was expected, but felt a tad awkward in action. However, this could lead to a series of good matchups with many “AEW originals” taking on Saraya and a crew of established wrestlers.
Main Event of AEW Dynamite 1/18: TNT Title Match – Darby Allin defeated Kushida by pinfall
Another incredible match by Darby Allin. Split 50/50 crowd early on. Wonderful appearance by Kushida on Dynamite. He works so well with Darby, who sells the crap out of everything. I truly believed Kushida could have walked out with the TNT Championship. Hopefully time between appearances won’t be too long for Kushida, would certainly like to see him on AEW TV again soon. As for Darby, the open invitational will keep his second reign as titleholder fresh and allow for opponents we haven’t seen on TV in a while and for some surprises from other promotions to join the fun.
AEW Dynamite 1/18 was a somber but fun episode to watch tonight. I felt the story arcs were not a major focal point, instead allowing wrestling matches to do the storytelling instead. Well done.
AEW Dynamite 1/18 is available on demand and streaming on the TBS app.
