Growing up watching WWF Prime Time Wrestling, the early days of Monday Night RAW, and WCW Saturday Night, you got solid wrestling, promos, and some unique moments which gives the show that special feeling.
AEW Dynamite 1/22/25 felt similar in many ways. The opener with a massive brawl, the reluctant babyfaces thwarting the villainous heels, making a challenge for the next supercard. Wild brawls are fun when done right, and this my friends, was done to near-perfection. Grand Slam Australia will feature Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay vs. Konosuke Takeshita and Kyle Fletcher. Yes please.
I will point out the initial face-off between Omega and Ospreay felt very tense. Felt like they might have been pulling off a working shoot, or a shooting work, whatever you want to call it, it felt like they were not holding back.
New AEW Tag Team Champions crowned as Shelton Benjamin and Bobby Lashley defeated Private Party. It was not a squash, as Quen and Kassidy tried valiantly to save their titles. However, The Hurt Syndicate was too much for Private Party. Shelton again stood out as the MVP. Throwing everyone all over the place. We got a crazy announce-table destroying spot. I feel bad, and I’m sure Private Party will get a rematch, but I don’t think the Hurt Syndicate will be losing those anytime soon.
Despite the booking, it has been pretty clear over the past few weeks the fans are in full support of the Hurt Syndicate, regardless of their brutality.
Backstage: Renee Paquette attempts to interview “The Rookie” Toni Storm, but is interrupted by Harley Cameron. Hilarity ensues. You have got to watch.
Anybody want to translate from Aussie? 🇦🇺 #AEWDynamite pic.twitter.com/GWJ0aIMPnI
— TDE Wrestling (@tde_gif) January 23, 2025
Jeff Jarrett backstage promo is interrupted by his wife Karen, upset about Jarrett getting “dirty” with MJF last week. He goes out to the ring for a solo promo about refusing to bargain with MJF. He talks about some history in Knoxville with some wrestling legends, ultimately deciding to set his feud with MJF aside in his pursuit of challenging for the AEW World Championship. He calls out Mox and the Death Rider’s theme hits, but Claudio ambushes Jarrett from behind. We wind up with a challenge for next week, Claudio vs. Jarrett. If Double J wins, he gets Mox.
A teaser hyping up the arrival of Megan Bayne to AEW airs. I’m hyped.
Swerve Strickland defeated AR Fox – The outcome was never in doubt, regardless this match was a lot of fun. Serial Killer Ricochet got involved, nearly stabbing Swerve with the Golden Scissors, but was chased off by a pipe-wielding Prince Nana.
The show feels fast-paced and not missing a beat. Halfway through and I dig the vibe of tonight’s show.
Another “New York Minute” promo by Chris Jericho but things seem to go awry, Jericho less than enthused with the events from last week. Big Bill tries his usual uplifting shtick, but this angers the already frustrated Jericho.
There it is, again. The look. Bill displayed a similar look to one months ago when Jericho admits to using people, but shakes it off to challenge Powerhouse Hobbs to a match on Collision. But the seeds are there. Bill might be coming out of his Vortexed stupor.
With a local dude in the ring, MJF kicks the guy out to cut a promo trying to appeal to Jarrett, again telling the veteran his time is winding down, and will need the help of this generation, specifically MJF, otherwise he will never get close to the world championship.
My guess is MJF will “accidentally” interfere and help Jarrett defeat Claudio. I get wary about simultaneous stories with the same wrestlers. It seems Double J and MJF may temporarily align, only for MJF to either double-cross or watch idly by as Jarrett fails to dethrone Mox.
MJF promo concludes as the local competitor’s opponent, “Hangman” Adam Page hits the ring and is none too happy about MJF stealing his ring time. In response, he dispatches the local guy very quickly, and then exclamation point with the Angel’s Wings.
This brings out Christopher Daniels who informs Page, he has wrestled his last match due to injuries sustained. This appears to affect Page.
Interesting move, perhaps to shake Page out of his violent streak. But then again, I believe this more violent and malevolent character is the boost Page needs and I wouldn’t want to fade so soon.
Backstage, Mercedes Mone gloating about carrying four belts, and has no opponent for Grand Slam Australia. Enter a singing Harley Cameron, perhaps motivated by “The Rookie” earlier. Unfortunately, despite the catchy serenade, Mone rebuffs the challenge.
Okay, can we all agree Crazy Harley Cameron is great!? The segment earlier with Storm was comedy gold, and this added to it splendidly.
Jamie Hayter defeated Julia Hart
Enjoyable match. Very fun to watch. Post-match, Jamie cuts a promo putting over Hart, using similar verbiage as when Copeland cut promos to push Brody King and Buddy Matthews to go on their own path.
A video package later in the show has Julia, Brody, and Matthews making a statement of independence. Guess Malakai Black is done and gone. Whatever the reason, I enjoyed his matches.
Adam Copeland defeated “The Bastad” PAC
It took two spears and a TKO to get the pinfall. Not something you see very often. PAC came off looking like a legit threat, battering Cope, specifically on the neck. There was a German Suplex moment which Cope’s facial expression looked like an “OH CRAP” moment. Bug-eyed and spooked. When one talks about storytelling in the ring, this is a big part of it. I could joke we got a rematch of Edge vs. Neville, but this felt like two totally different wrestlers putting on a main event show.
After the match, the Death Riders pop-up on screen, revealing they have beaten and injured The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express and FTR. So no help coming from the back. Mox cuts a menacing promo of this imagine being a sign of things to come. The Death Riders rush out and attack Cope. However, a wild Jay White appears and attempts to manage a rescue, but fails, ultimately falling to the numbers.
Of course, we can always ask, “Where is EVERYONE else?!” Did they all go home? Maybe? The glaring issue is earlier in the night, Jeff Jarrett called out Mox. Sure, Claudio came out and blindsided him, but Jarrett isn’t a ref who takes a bump and is out cold for ten minutes. Out here was Mox, and no Jarrett (or MJF) in sight.
The thing AEW really needs to improve on are the multiple storylines when the same wrestlers are involved. The arc with Jarrett and MJF seems to be straightening out, where the feud between MJF and Jarrett is gradually turning into a path for Jarrett to challenge for the AEW Championship. However, you also have Cope and FTR feuding with the Death Riders.
Again, the angle with the Death Riders needs better direction. This feels like just another faction flexing muscle. Honestly feels like without having the AEW World Championship on screen, it is forgotten about. Remember when Roman Reigns or Brock Lesnar won a world title then wasn’t seen for months? This has a similar feeling. Put the belt VISIBLY ON TELEVISION. You have to show the thing for fans to care.
You know what we need?
Eddie Fricken’ Kingston.
