It’s been a while since we have seen “Hangman” Adam Page and Roderick Strong wrestle on Dynamite, so let’s have them open AEW Dynamite Winter is Coming 2023! The lead-in to the match features Samoa Joe calling out Page, accusing him of being the culprit behind the attack on MJF last week. The Kingdom enters and Roddy cuts more of a scathing promo on Hangman, noting his days as a “young boy” in NJPW.
“Hangman” Adam Page defeats Roderick Strong
Strong continues shouting names to the delight of a live crowd. Speaking of live crowd, they were heavy in favor of “Neck Strong” chants tonight. Hangman pulls off the win with the Deadeye. Roddy was the MVP, with a number of chain holds focusing on the back, of course. Gotta say, Strong needs more ring time. Dude is a wrestling machine.
Andrade El Idolo defeated Brody King in a Continental Classic Tournament
Not even an hour into Winter is Coming 2023 and this felt like watching the main event. If this is any indication of the value and faith AEW has in these two, they could be potential world champions, in the very near future. The opening chop-fest was astonishingly brutal. Andrade is on a huge roll, the guy looks to be in the best shape and condition in his career. Brody King is a monster who can go long matches, something you don’t see often.
These are the matches in the tournament I enjoy the most.
What I don’t enjoy is the constant broken record of hearing how the winner will become the Modern American Triple Crown Champion. I get it, they are hyping up the new AEW Championship along with the ROH World Championship, and NJPW Strong Openweight Championship. But geez, we get it man.
Backstage: The Von Erichs are welcomed to AEW, and strolling up is Orange Cassidy, Danhausen, and Trent. Cassidy offers the younger Von Erichs a chance to compete on Rampage in trios.
In the ring: The Golden Jets… or the Winnipeg Jets? I think Omega forgot their team name for a minute. They call out the current AEW Tag Team Champions, Ricky Starks and Big Bill. Lots of back and forth name calling and verbal jabs. The segment starts falling a little flat, until they drop the Enzo Amore bomb which pops the crowd. Ultimately this leads to the champs accepting the challenge for World’s End.
Riho defeats Ruby Soho, “Timeless” Toni Storm on commentary
Nice to see Riho back in action, but I have to hand it to Storm, adding fantastically silly comedy. Chances of Riho dethroning Storm is likely nil. It will be a fun match though.
RUSH defeats Jay Lethal
In a surprisingly quick match, RUSH forces Lethal to submit to a sleeper choke hold. For the few minutes it lasted, it was a decent match, but felt like Lethal got jobbed out. My guess is some earlier segments ran long and with two more matches on the show, something had to get sacrificed. RUSH is crazy over.
Jay White defeated Mark Briscoe
Two in a row and two more losses for two wrestlers scoring zero across the board. I expected Lethal to be one with the zeroes, but surprised Briscoe can’t get a single win. Regardless, they put on a stellar match, and you could feel the sadness when Briscoe lost.
Following the match, major hype for ROH Final Battle featuring The Blackpool Combat Club vs. FTR and Briscoe.
MAIN EVENT of AEW Dynamite Winter is Coming: Swerve Strickland vs. Jon Moxley
Wow, live crowd is pumped even before the bell. “Holy S***” chants as the bell rings. Who had Mox vs. Swerve as a main event on a bingo card? After a highly thrilling contest, Mox proved to be unbeatable again with a questionable pinfall. If there was ever a match for Mox to lose, I really thought this would be it. You could hear the live crowd deflate as Swerve lost.
I get Mox is the franchise player of AEW but man, I feel like this was a ball dropped. Swerve going over would have been huge.
Just before the show goes off the air, we see four assailants attack Hangman Page in the parking lot, overpowering and with approval of The Devil, powerbombing him into the windshield of a car.
I bet it’s Dark Order. Tonight at least. What do I mean? I mean it’s not the same people each week. It depends on who is being assaulted. Dark Order has unfinished beef with Page, so they’re taking it to him tonight.
That’s my guess.
