Dynamite rings in the New Year!

AEW starts 2021 with an incredible card! Will Kenny Omega still be AEW World Champion after defending against Rey Fenix? Plus, SNOOP DOGG IS HERE!!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• 8 Man Tag: The Young Bucks & SoCal Uncensored VS The Acclaimed & The Hybrid2; The Young Bucks & SCU win.
• Jake Hager VS Wardlow; Wardlow wins.
• Cody Rhodes w/ Arn Anderson & Snoop Dogg VS Matt Sydal; Cody wins.
• AEW Women’s World Championship: Hikaru Shida VS Abadon; Shida wins and retains the title.
• AEW World Championship: Kenny Omega w/ Don Callis VS Rey Fenix w/ Penta El Zero Miedo; Omega wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

8 Man Tag: The Young Bucks & SoCal Uncensored VS The Acclaimed & The Hybrid2!

Matt & Nick Jackson enter with their friends, Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian, and they start the New Year’s Smash right with this huge tag match! But will they be able to shut up Max Caster, Anthony Bowens, Jack Evans & Angelico to make 2021 even better?

Bowens has upgraded the 5 Tool Boombox to also shout out Snoop Dogg, and Caster of course has the mic to give us a new diss track. “Yo! Yo! Yo yo! The Bucks cheated us, say yo, you all saw it! We should be the champs, and yo, y’all thought it! We should be fine but they won’t make ’em pay, so I’m like TK, yo whatever you say. Just don’t be mad when Acclaimed starts takin’. Punch ’em in the chest, yo, I call that heartbreaking. We the John Cena guys? That’s so petty! But we John Cena, the Young Bucks’re Janetties!” OH~!

But Caster ain’t done! “Kazarian, your rhymes are wack! That shit sounds worse than a Snoop Dogg track! Doggy style is a thing of the past! I’m a make a new fetish: us whippin’ yer ass, BITCH!” That was hot stuff, but are the 5 Tool Player and the last of the true hybrids going to all pay for the check Caster’s mouth just wrote?

The teams sort out, Bowens starts and he calls out The Fallen Angel. The fans are fired up for SCU as they circle, and Daniels DECKS Caster! Things break down into a brawl, the ref tries to keep order but the Bucks throw TH2 out first. Kaz and Bowens brawl, Daniels and the Bucks TRIPLE PLANCHA Caster and TH2!! Bowens mule kicks, whips, but Kaz rolls off the back! Kaz back kicks, front kicks and LARIATS! Evans gets in to CLOBBER Kaz! The Bucks kick Evans, and give him the alley-oop missile dropkick! Angelico throws Matt out but Nick CHOPS him, and goes LUCHA LIBRE~! Nick gets both TH2 to send them both out! And then Nick goes to the corner to ESCALARA! Direct hit takes out TH2 and Caster again!

Daniels brings Caster up and bumps him off the apron. Daniels has the Bucks line things up, but Bowens disrupts the Arabian Press! Caster and TH2 turn things around on the Bucks and send them into railing! Bowens clubs Daniels, Evans goes to the apron, FLYING SCREW KICK! TH2 puts Daniels in for Bowens, he stomps Daniels around as fans boo and jeer. Bowens drags Daniels up, tags Caster, and The Acclaimed double whip and trip him to drop an elbow and a basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Caster tries again, TWO! Caster grinds Daniels down, drags him over, and Angelico tags in to stomp Daniels down. Fans rally for SCU but Angelico wrenches to an elbow breaker.

Tag to Evans, springboard DUMDUM STOMP SLAM! Evans jackknife covers, TWO! Daniels crawls but Evans clubs him down. Evans taunts Kaz and the Bucks then drags Daniels up to bump him off buckles. Tag to Bowens and they mug Daniels. Bowens rains down rights on Daniels’ head, covers, TWO! Bowens drags Daniels up, tags Caster and then he hops up to hit a BLOCKBUSTER! Caster goes up and drops the elbow! Tag to Evans, PHOENIX SPLASH! Angelico tags and climbs, but he hops down to La Magistrol, for a crucifix stretch! Evans and The Acclaimed knock Kaz and the Bucks down while Daniels endures the Navarro Dos Mil! Daniels moves around, and gets the ropebreak!

The ref counts, Angelico lets go at 4, and he drags Daniels around to stomp him. Tag to Bowens and Bowens tells Daniels he’s a fool! Daniels elbows Bowens back and then swings, into a waistlock. Daniels switches, Bowens switches, repeat. Bowens breaks the loop with an elbow, but he runs into BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Daniels can’t hold the cover but he and Bowens crawl, hot tags to Evans and Kaz! Kaz dodges Evans, DECKS Angelico, and rallies with lariats! Kaz flips Evans to CHOP him down! Kaz whips Evans, Evans reverses and Caster grabs Kaz. Evans runs in but Kaz moves and the dropkick hits Caster! Kaz GERMAN SUPLEXES and bridges Evans, TWO!

Fans fire up with Kaz as he drags Evans. Kaz dragon sleepers, suplexes but Evans slips out. Evans shoves Kaz but Kaz DECKS Angelico! Kaz turns around into a FLYING KICK! STANDING SKY TWISTER! Cover, TWO! Evans CLOBBERS Kaz, drags him over and tags in Bowens. They mug Kaz, double whip, but Kaz crisscrosses them into each other! Hot tag to Matt Jackson! Matt shoulders Evans, slingshots up and over, gets around Bowens, then gets Bowens and Evans for a DOUBLE NORTHERN LIGHTS! Matt DECKS Caster and Angelico and fans fire up! Matt runs to FLY and take out Evans at the ramp! Then LEAPS to take out Caster! SPEAR for Angelico!

Matt keeps going and fans are still fired up as he scoops Bowens for a slam! Matt goes up top and LEAPS onto Caster and Angelico! Matt gets back in, fans are thunderous and Matt coordinates with Nick, RISKY BUSINESS! Cover, TWO! Bowens survives but Matt brings Bowens up, BUCKLE BOOT BOMB! SLINGSHOT DDT from Kaz! Cover, TWO!! Bowens survives again but Matt tags Nick. The Bucks drag Bowens up but Bowens kicks at them. Caster gets in to BOOT Matt, Kaz dropkicks Caster! Kaz and Nick S C U TRIGGER!! Cover, but Evans breaks it! Daniels is in but Angelico DECKS him and BLASTS Matt!

Evans tags in off Bowens, Angelico and Evans coordinate on Nick, NECKBREAKER BACKBREAKER, to COMPLETE SHOT! Evans is up top, for the 630 onto knees! Tag to Matt! SUPERKICKS for Angelico!! SUPERKICKS for The Acclaimed! Fake out on Evans, DDT! SUPERKICK! Fans are thunderous again and the Bucks drag Evans back up. Gut wrench and Nick springboards, but Caster yanks him down! Evans backslides Matt, TWO! Evans waistlocks, Daniels tags in, O’Conner into Daniels’ kick! Daniels and Matt set it up, Nick springboards, MELT- No, Nick has to adjust, so he SWANTONS out onto Angelico and Caster!! Daniels goes to the corner, BEST MELTZER EVER!! Cover, SCU & the Bucks win!!

Winners: SoCal Uncensored & The Young Bucks, by pinfall

Rivals and friends make for an amazing combination, and Kaz gets the mic to say, “That is how you start off a year!” Nothing like getting a W on a New Year’s Smash version of Dynamite! But here’s the deal. SCU laid down the gauntlet on themselves. The next time they lose 2v2, they’re done as a tag team forever! BUT that is not happening!

Daniels takes the mic and says if this is their last hurrah, then the Bucks need to know, SCU has their back any time they need it. Except for when they battle for the tag team titles! SCU doesn’t just want those belts, they want to win them off the best tag team on the planet! The Bucks shake hands with SCU, but which happens first? SCU making it to the titles? Or falling to their own ultimatum?

Jon Moxley heads to the ring!

The Maniac is finally back in the flesh after losing the AEW World Championship in that Don Callis screwjob. Jericho’s the only one upset about him being here, and Moxley gets a mic to speak. “You may have expected me to come out here tonight, cussing up a storm, screaming bloody murder about the events that transpired on December 2nd. But where I come from, life isn’t fair and complaining, bitching and moaning is largely a waste of time. This is an unforgiving sport in an unforgiving world, and sometimes you are on the bad end of a bad deal.” When that happens, sometimes all you can do is endure, grit your teeth, and take it on the chin. But you also plant your feet firmly in the ground, stare down adversity and never back down!

So no, Moxley isn’t going anywhere, but what is he going to do about Kenny Omega “and that guy he’s hanging around with that looks like a used car salesman?” For Moxley, he sees things black ‘n’ white and has zero tolerance for shitty people. So the appropriate response would be to run down Kenny and “that a**hole, Callis,” and beat them BOTH to a bloody pulp with a crowbar! But, tonight, the AEW World Championship is on the line. Moxley gave his blood and soul to protect that title’s integrity. Rey Fenix has his opportunity that he scratched and clawed for over 13 YEARS, with his own reckless abandon, blood, guts, and heart, “the way it’s supposed to be!”

Moxley says it is not his right to interfere with another man’s destiny, but he warns Omega. “You are not safe, you will never be safe. Just remember: I will get even, and then some. When I say I’m going to do something, I do it. When I have a responsibility, I uphold it. When I make a commitment, I see it through.” It doesn’t matter how long it takes, Moxley will forever be the Bogeyman that lurks over Omega’s shoulder. Moxley promises him that one day, Omega will look into the eyes of the devil and beg for mercy when he realizes he crossed the wrong guy! A powerful ultimatum from the Death Rider! But when will that day come that he makes the Cleaner pay?

Backstage interview with Chuck Taylor and Orange Cassidy.

Clearly Trent is still injured, but what is the update on his condition? Trent’s torn pec will keep him out four to five months. Miro then comes over to rubs that in. What a long time! Miro says that sure sucks for Trent, but it sucks for Chuck, too. That means Best Friends is on the shelf for four to five months. Because obviously Trent is the leader of this little group. But Chuckie can’t always hid behind their mascot here, he has to man up! If he can’t, that’s fine. Miro can be the new best friend. Chuck can fold Miro’s clothes, wash his car, all that.

Chuck gets it, Trent was Miro’s “young boy.” But Chuck also spent time in Japan and knows how that works. Chuck is not going to be that for Miro. But how about this? Next week, New Year’s Smash Night Two, Chuck beats Miro’s “goofy ass.” Miro was hoping Chuck would ask. Make it more interesting. Since Chuck won’t be Miro’s “friend,” after Miro beats Chuck’s ass, Chuck becomes the Young Boy until Beach Break. Fine, whatever makes this over with faster. Chuck’s dumber than he looks. See you next Dynamite!

Jake Hager VS Wardlow!

It would seem The Inner Circle is NOT fine, as the Big Hurt and the War Dog still have the need to throw down! As the rest of the faction watches ringside, who proves themselves the biggest and the baddest behemoth in the Inner Circle?

The bell rings and the two start shoving. They tie up, are in a deadlock, so they break. Fans rally and duel as the two circle. Hager and Wardlow tie up again, Wardlow puts Hager in a corner but Hager powers out. They go around the ropes, break again, and the Inner Circle cheers this exchange. Wardlow and Hager tie up, Hager waistlocks but Wardlow blocks to switch. Hager throws Wardlow over but Wardlow headscissors back. Hager pops free and the two reset again. They circle again, tie up again, and Wardlow waistlocks. Hager switches, slams Wardlow down, and holds on as Wardlow gets up. Wardlow trips Hager, hammers away, but Hager gets away to reset again.

Fans fire up as Wardlow stares Hager down. Hager trips Wardlow, hammers away, but Wardlow kicks Hager away. Wardlow gets around, waistlocks but Hager elbows free. Hager stalks Wardlow to a corner to throw big body shots. Hager whips corner to corner, Wardlow reverses and storms over to throw haymakers! Wardlow whips corner to corner, runs in but Hager comes back and clotheslines collide! Neither falls, Hager headlocks but Wardlow powers out. They collide with shoulders now, then things speed up. They collide yet again, but still neither falls! Wardlow swings, Hager dodges, Wardlow hurdles?! And then clotheslines Hager and himself out of the ring!

Both men land on their feet! And start throwing hands! Wardlow ROCKS Hager, but Hager comes back, DOUBLE CLOTHESLINES finally knock both men down! AEW goes picture in picture as the ring count climbs! Wardlow and Hager stir, the count is 5 of 10, but Wardlow stands at 7. Wardlow is in at 8, Hager follows at 9! Wardlow storms over to Hager and RAMS him into the corner! And RAMS again! Wardlow throws haymakers, Hager staggers but Wardlow throws back elbows! Wardlow whips corner to corner, Hager bounces off buckles hard! Wardlow swaggers about and he stomps Hager down! Wardlow knees Hager into ropes but lets off as the ref counts.

Hager gets up, Wardlow CHOPS him down! And KNEES him into the ropes again! And CLUBS him to a corner! Wardlow whips Hager corner to corner, runs in, but Hager dodges and Wardlow POSTS himself! Wardlow staggers, Hager throws haymakers! Hager puts Wardlow in the corner and CHOPS him! Wardlow staggers, kicks Hager back but Hager RAMS into Wardlow! The ref counts, Hager lets off at 4 and both behemoths take a moment to catch their breath. Hager soaks up the cheers and jeers as AEW returns to single picture.

Wardlow is in another corner, Hager throws more haymakers, then whips corner to corner. Wardlow goes up and over and Hager gets buckles! Wardlow RAMS into Hager and throws EuroUppers! Then RAMS in again, another EuroUpper, repeat! Wardlow carries Hager for a SPINEBUSTER! Fans fire up as Wardlow knees Hager, suplexes and TOSSES him! Jericho is going nuts on commentary as Wardlow suplex TOSSES again! And AGAIN! Cover, TWO!! Hager survives and Wardlow can’t believe it! Wardlow drags Hager up, fireman’s carries, but Hager slips off to get to a corner. Hager elbows Wardlow away, then dodges to come back with a CORNER SPLASH!

Hager keeps moving, another splash! Hager reels Wardlow into a LARIAT! Fans fire up as Hager lifts Wardlow for the SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Wardlow survives and The Inner Circle is fired up for this, too! Hager goes to a corner, runs then HAGER BOMBS onto boots, but he catches them! ANKLE LOCK!! Wardlow rolls and kicks Hager in the face! Hager staggers again, runs in but is put on the apron! Wardlow ROCKS Hager, runs and BLASTS Hager off the apron and all the way to railing! Wardlow goes out, drags Hager back to the ring, and then gives him an EXPLODER! Hager flounders, Wardlow waistlocks and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO!!

Wardlow keeps his focus as he climbs up top. Wardlow SWANTON BOMBS!?! Cover, TWO?!? And to the HEAD ‘N’ ARM TRIANGLE!! Wardlow gets the ropebreak to save himself! Fans rally up as Hager bumps Wardlow off the buckles over and over! Hager climbs, drags Wardlow up but Wardlow fights. HEAD ‘N’ ARM!! Wardlow fades, but he manages to HOTSHOT Hager! Fireman’s carry, F 10!!! Cover, Wardlow wins!!

Winner: Wardlow, by pinfall

MJF is the most pleased as Wardlow has been his muscle since day one. Hager is frustrated, but he gives a fist bump to Wardlow! Does this squash the beef between the biggest men in the Inner Circle?

Private Party is pumped backstage!

Isiah Kassidy tells Marq Quen that it’s 2021, a new year, new beginnings. They’ll start this off right! He has the gin, but Quen doesn’t have the juice? SNOOP DOGG HAS IT!! Snoop wants to celebrate! But Matt Hardy shows up and has the contracts written up. He is so happy they’re going through with this, and promises Private Party that they will not regret this. Hardy wants them to trust him. They do, but they want to know what was up with him bringing in a chair for that match. Don’t fixate on things like that, this is about winning! They want to be kings, right? Kings like Snoop, right? So you gotta win! Kings are winners! And they have the untapped potential that he will bring it out. 33% is a hefty manager’s fee, but it will pay off.

Before Private Party signs the contracts, they have some things he should look out. Quen hands over the conditions, Hardy unfolds the paper, and he reads. Yes, look, last page. Well okay then. This looks good to them. Hardy can’t wait for Private Party to be iconic. Snoop hopes to be invited. Oh they’ve got him. And all those third party things like Twitch and Cameo? Hardy isn’t a monster, they can still do those as much as they want. Word? Word! Hardy takes these to his lawyer and says they’ll meet back up for dinner. Will the #HardyParty be even bigger in 2021?

AEW holds an official weigh-in for next week’s TNT Championship match!

Team Taz heads out first, Brian Cage holding the FTW Championship up high. He wants to be a double champion, though perhaps unofficially, but just how much of an advantage will he have over Darby Allin? We find out after the break.

AEW returns and Darby makes his entrance, with the brand new design for the TNT title in hand! Tony Schiavone presides over this, explaining that the red belt edition was retired and handed down to Brodie Lee Junior last week. Now the new black belt is on the line as we have this weigh-in. Taz asks why Cage is weighing in first. As the challenger? Yes. Well obviously Cage is bigger, but is Schiavone making the rules now? Cage goes first, and Schiavone says he weighs in at 272 pounds. Taz says that’s all solid muscle! Now the champion, Darby, steps up to take his turn. Taz promises no one will bite Darby so go ahead and get on the scale.

Darby stands on the scale, Schiavone adjusts the weights and… It’s 170 pounds! A 100 pound difference! Well obviously! But Taz points out Darby might be even lighter, because he has all this stuff on! The jacket, the chains, the shoes, a metal-studded belt. Darby takes the mic from Schiavone to tell Taz, “You may say this feud has been nine months in the making, but in reality, it’s 27 years. I’ve dealt shit like this from people like you my entire life.” And we all know how this ends tonight, so just get to the fun. Darby gets his skateboard and dares Team Taz to do something! Taz says Schiavone should get himself out of the ring so they can handle business!

“Here’s the deal, Darby! You had a chance-” But the lights go out! The snow, the crow, it’s STIIIIING! Team Taz bails out as Sting shows up from the ramp and has his bat again! Darby and Sting are not intimidated by Team Taz, but will it be the other way around? Taz is getting sick of this! Taz tells Darby that with God as his witness, we crown a NEW TNT Champion, The Machine, “you rotten son of a bitch!!”

MJF has AEW Media following him again.

Hager is still upset and he is hitting whatever is around. MJF knows he feels like a loser, but he’s actually a winner. No one at home is half the athlete Hager is. Not everyone can just get in and get out of a ring like Hager. Hager is still undefeated in the Octagon, so be proud of that. Hager says he almost dropped MJF, but he appreciates MJF checking in on him. But still go so he can vent a bit more. MJF understands and takes his leave. Is MJF, of all people, going to be the glue that holds the Inner Circle together?

Backstage interview with Jurassic Express.

Marko Stunt was “confronted” by “Negative One,” Brodie Jr, but all in good fun. What is next for this trio? Stunt says we all know Jurassic Express likes to have fun, but this isn’t that. “We are on a quest for the AEW Tag Team Championships!” But FTR comes in and asks Stunt why he’s talking about “We, we, we.” Stunt does NOTHING, brings NOTHING to the table, and is a glorified mascot! He lets the dinosaur and Jungle Boy do the dirty work! Maybe Negative One wasn’t just poking fun. Maybe Stunt IS a loser.

Oh is that so? How about Stunt beats their ass next week, taking Luchasaurus’ spot in that tag match next week?! FTR laughs at JB and Stunt against the absolute best team. Fiats versus Ferraris! Challenge accepted! See you later! #TopGuysOut! Tully pats Stunt’s head, but JB holds him back. Will the fury of Fun-Size prove everyone wrong?

Cody Rhodes w/ Arn Anderson & Snoop Dogg VS Matt Sydal!

Marketed as “The Go Big Show match,” and sponsored by it for that matter, this has actually been a long time coming. For all their time in WWE at the same time, and even ROH, these two never had a 1v1 match. Now, as the American Nightmare is growing his franchise and as the third eye opens, who goes big and shows the other who has been the better all along?

The bell rings, Sydal and Cody circle, run the ropes, then tie up. Cody powers Sydal back, Sydal waistlocks but Cody switches. Sydal bucks the roll up off but Cody sweeps the legs to cover. ONE, Sydal reverses the roles with a sweep and cover, ONE as Cody goes Matrix! Sydal KICKS the leg! And again! And then fakes low to hit high! Coach Snoop is a bit worried as Cody wobbles. Sydal whips corner to corner, Cody reverses but Sydal elbows him back. Sydal goes up, moonsaults and manages an arm-drag! Cody ends up in a corner, Sydal runs in to dropkick! Sydal covers, TWO! Coach Snoop is relieved as Cody gets out to the ramp.

Sydal goes up top, leaps, and METEORAS Cody to the ramp! Snoop avoids being part of that but Sydal clutches his leg for it! Cody gets in the ring, Sydal gets up and shakes out the bad leg, Cody kicks and uppercuts as Sydal gets in! Cody whips, Sydal reverses and throws Cody out! Cody skins the cat into a dropkick! Sydal WRECKS Cody with another dropkick, then goes out after him. Sydal stands Cody up, Cody turns things around at the railing, but Sydal dodges and the forearm ROCKS Serpentico! Serpentico flounders up and Luther is furious! Cody explains that was an accident but Sydal puts Cody in.

Sydal climbs up, leaps and crossbodies! Cody rolls through to the SHARPSHOOTER! Sydal endures, fans rally and duel, Sydal powers up and reaches and gets the ropebreak! Cody lets go and Snoop gives some suggestions from Arn Anderson’s play card. Cody stomps Sydal’s leg over and over, then the ribs! AEW goes picture in picture as Cody snapmares and KNEES Sydal down!

Cody drops down to do some push-ups, showing off his conditioning. Snoop gives more signals, basically saying Cody should stay focused. Cody drags Sydal up, wrenches and whips, then knees Sydal down at the ropes. Cody brings Sydal up to scoop and slam! Cody runs to drop a knee like the Nature Boy! Sydal writhes, Snoop unlocks his inner Belichick as he puts up the hood. Cody whips, Sydal reverses and Sydal runs in to elbow Cody, then ENZIGURI! Cody flops down, Sydal covers, TWO! Sydal grows frustrated but he KICKS Cody’s leg out! STANDING MARIPOSA! Cover, TWO!

Sydal and Cody grit their teeth as they get up. Sydal CHOPS Cody to a corner, but Cody turns things around to CHOP back! Sydal CHOPS, Cody CHOPS, repeat! They CHOP until Cody kicks low and elbows Sydal on the back! Cody fires himself up, Sydal sits up with a scowl, but Cody drags Sydal up to hoist him up top! Cody clubs Sydal, climbs up behind him, and AEW returns to single picture as Cody dragon sleepers Sydal on the top rope! INVERTED SUPERPLEX! Snoop is fired up with the fans as Cody and Sydal are both down! Cody crawls to a cover, TWO! Sydal survives but Cody gets the legs. Cody drags Sydal to a drop zone, goes back up top, but Sydal gets up to AVOID the moonsault!

Sydal JUMPING KNEES Cody down! Now Sydal heads up top, aims at Cody in the drop zone, and STANDING SHOOTING STARS onto knees! Cody drags Sydal up, inverted DDT! Cover, TWO! Cody goes up top again, Sydal is up and gets under the jump. Sydal comes back, tilt-o-whirl takedown! COBRA CLUTCH CROSSFACE! Cody fights up, elbows free, and ROCKS Sydal with a right! Sydal KICKS, CHOPS and SOBATS! Sydal runs, but Cody clotheslines Sydal and himself out! Both men tumble to the floor but Cody is up first. Cody puts Sydal in, runs and BOOTS, but Sydal ducks it to spin and roundhouse! Cody avoids, BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Cover, TWO!!

Fans fire up and chant “This is Awesome!” Snoop agrees as Cody drags Sydal up. Sydal slips out of the Inverted Especial to waistlock but Cody switches. Sydal elbows free, then hops up to spin, RANA! Cover, TWO!! Cody narrowly escapes but Sydal ROUNDHOUSES! LIGHTNING SPIRAL!! Cover, TWO!?! Cody survives but Sydal isn’t stopping there! Sydal fires up, and JUMPING KNEE- No, Cody blocks the knee and spins Sydal into the dragon sleeper, for CROSS RHODES!! Cody isn’t done, he drags Sydal up for another CROSS RHODES!! Cover, Cody wins!

Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall

But Serpentico and Luther attack! Chaos Project still took offense to that mishap, and Snoop isn’t sure what to do! Sydal ENZIGURIS Luther! ROUNDHOUSE for Serpentico, and then Cody scoop slams him! But SNOOP wants to go up top?! Sydal lets him, Snoop reaches the top rope, and Cody holds Serpentico in place, for a SNOOP SPLASH! “Cover,” Snoop “wins!” Fans are thunderous as even D O Double G gets big momentum for the Go Big Show!

AEW Women’s World Championship: Hikaru Shida VS Abadon!

After being haunted and hunted by the Living Dead Girl, the Full Metal Warrior faces her fears and defends her title! Will Shida vanquish the vicious Abadon? Or will the new year begin with a true reign of terror?

The introductions are made, but Abadon rushes Shida at the stage! They brawl, Shida SMACKS Abadon with the kendo stick! But Abadon sits up! Abadon goes after Shida and wants to bite Shida again! Shida gets in the ring, throws forearms, but the ref rings the bell to make this official! Shida throws haymakers, but Abadon blocks to wrench. Shida avoids the jaws and kicks low. Shida rolls to wrench, then rolls with the wrench, to handspring and basement dropkick! Fans fire up as Shida takes off the scarf to show the marks Abadon left on her neck. Abadon crawls to the apron, Shida goes out and stomps her down!

Shida throws haymakers on Abadon then gets space, to run in and KNEE- NO! Abadon blocks, and BITES Shida’s leg! Shida drags Abadon out to club away on Abadon, but Abadon choke grips and SLAMS Shida into railing! Abadon shrieks like a banshee then drags Shida to the ring. Abadon goes in the ring to stop the count, then goes back out after Shida. Abadon drags Shida under the ring?! The ref tries to stop this, but he hurries under after them! After a few moments, the ref comes out, and Abadon crawls out. Where is Shida?! Is that actual blood in Abadon’s mouth!? Did she eat Shida alive!? Shida crawls out from under the ring, and her neck was the target again!

Abadon throws Shida into the ring, she throws forearms over and over in the corner, then climbs up. SHRIEKING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Shida survives but Abadon drags her around to dribble her off the mat! The ref reprimands but Abadon shrieks at him. Abadon hammers away on Shida as AEW goes picture in picture!

The ref reluctantly reprimands Abadon but she stops hammering Shida to drag her back by her hair. Abadon wants another taste, but she clamps onto the neck first! Shida endures the claw in her shoulder, reaches for ropes, but elbows Abadon away. Abadon comes back to club Shida but Shida throws haymakers! Shida staggers up to throw more hands, but Abadon just headbutts back! Abadon SLAMS Shida’s face off the mat, then dribbles her again! Abadon scares the ref then drags Shida back up. Abadon throws jabs to the neck, then wraps a leg around Shida’s head to SPIKE her into the mat! Cover, TWO!! Shida survives and Abadon is furious! Abadon scares the ref again as AEW goes to break.

AEW returns and Abadon runs at Shida. Shida throws Abadon out, steps up and LEAPS to CROSSBODY Abadon down! Fans fire up and Shida throws Abadon into barriers! Shida dribbles Abadon off the railing again and again! Shida puts Abadon in the ring, climbs up and drags Abadon up to the top, for a SUPERPLEX! Fans are fired up as Shida crawls, but Abadon SPIDER WALKS! Shida runs but Abadon LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Shida survives again but Abadon is right on her with a Gory Especial. Shida sunset flips through, TWO! Shida keeps moving, TAMASHI!! Cover, Shida wins!!

Winner: Hikaru Shida, by pinfall (still AEW Women’s World Champion)

The Full Metal Warrior perhaps survives more than wins, but she is still champion! With as tough as Abadon was, will things only get tougher for Shida in the new year?

Tay Conti speaks.

With Anna Jay and the Dark Order by her side, Tay Conti tells NWA Women’s World Champion, Serena Deeb, “I do have a lot of respect for you. But don’t get me wrong. I’m coming for that championship.” Tay gives us a reminder that she is a blue belt in jiujitsu, a blackbelt in judo, and won’t be alone. She’ll have Jay and the Dark Order there to support the NEW NWA Women’s World Champion! Is this a sign that Tay decided to #JoinDarkOrder?

AEW World Championship: Kenny Omega w/ Don Callis VS Rey Fenix!

It’s the first main event of 2021! The Best Bout Machine was meant to battle the Firebird in the AEW World Title Eliminator Tournament, but injuries forced the Firebird to step down. Death Triangle has confidence in Fenix, and vows the Cleaner’s belt collecting ends now! But this is “the man who in 2020 had more wins than anyone in AEW, and unlike Jon Moxley in 2020, he did not lose a singles match. He has held the AEW World title for 35 days. At this point, many people already consider him the greatest AEW World Champion of all time. His 2017 NJPW match with Okada was just voted the greatest in the history of WrestleKingdom.

“His plans tonight include winning once again, followed by hosting the debut of 2.SHOW on the AEW Video Games YouTube channel immediately following Dynamite. Viewing is available everywhere from Texas to Montana, California to NOOORTH CAROLINA~, which he says does not compare to his hometown of Winnipeg, Manatoba, Canada. He weighs 224 pounds and is the reigning and defending All Elite Wrestling Woooorld Champion. Kenny, OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMEEEGAAAA!” The Sweepettes are back! And Omega makes his entrance! With the introductions already given, the belt is raised, and this epic main event happens after the break!

AEW returns and fans are fired up as the bell rings. Fenix and Omega circle, hear the fans getting even louder, and they tie up. Fenix knees low, wrenches the arm but Omega clamps onto a shoulder. Omega full nelsons but Fenix pries at the arms to get free. Fenix drop toeholds, hooks the leg, Omega rolls and hooks the leg to SMASH the knee! Omega stomps Fenix, brings him up and wrenches to then drop elbows on the arm. Omega wrenches, hammerlocks, Fenix elbows and Shiranuis for a flying mare! Things speed up, and Omega SPIKE RANAS outta nowhere! Fans are divided but Omega grins as Fenix bails out.

The Terminator Drums start up, Omega builds speed, but Fenix gets in to RANA back! Omega goes to the ramp, then around the way, and fans rally as Fenix builds speed! Fenix fakes Omega out, then BOOTS him down! And springboards to RANA Omega into the railing! Fans fire up more as Fenix goes after Omega with forearms. Fenix puts Omega in, climbs in and runs at the corner, but Omega ducks the springboard sobat! Omega kicks low, hops up, reels Fenix in, and TORNADO DDT’s! But Fenix handsprings through!? Omega is shocked and he runs into a dropkick! Fenix runs corner to corner, but Omega puts him on the apron! Fenix CHOPS back, springboards but into a CHOP!

Omega goes out, takes his time stalking Fenix, but Fenix CHOPS again! Omega CHOPS, RAMS Fenix into the apron, then RAMS Fenix into railing! And then back into the railing! Fans boo but Callis cheers Omega on as Omega refreshes the ring count. Omega drags Fenix up and wrenches to CHOP, then whips Fenix. Fenix hops the railing and ROCKS Omega back! And ROUNDHOUSES! Fenix runs, somersaults and leaps, into a SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! Omega grins and Callis cheers Omega on as Omega again refreshes the count. Omega fetches Fenix into an APRON BACK SUPLEX! Fenix flops down but Omega is right on him again.

Omega brings Fenix over, to RAILING BACK SUPLEX! Fenix tumbles down in a heap and Callis says Fenix is done so Omega should just finish it. Omega puts Fenix in, runs and KOTARO KRUSHERS! Cover, TWO!! Omega is a bit surprised but he still confidently drags Fenix up. Omega scoops Fenix, and hits a BACKBREAKER! Fenix writhes and rolls to the apron but Omega drags him back in. Omega kicks Fenix around, but Fenix CHOPS back! And CHOPS again! Omega CHOPS, Fenix CHOPS, but Omega CHOPS Fenix off his feet! Omega drags Fenix up, waistlocks, and CLUBS him on the back. Fans rally and duel as Omega paces.

Omega drags Fenix up in a waistlock but Fenix elbows. Omega back suplexes, Fenix lands on his feet to dodge and springboard for a FLYING HEADBUTT! Fans fire up and Fenix stumbles, to kick and CHOP and knuckle lock. Fenix goes up, up, but Omega shoves him down! Omega swings but Fenix blocks and CHOPS! Fenix springboards, Omega breaks free but Fenix just jumps around to adjust, springboard missile dropkick! Omega bails out, Fenix builds speed, and DIVES!! Direct hit and they both go into the railing! Fenix somehow doesn’t end up in the front row with the Gunn Club! Fans are thunderous with “THIS IS AWESOME!” as Fenix puts Omega back in!

Fenix drags Omega up, puts him in a corner and CHOPS again! Fenix whips, Omega reverses to fireman’s carry but Fenix fights free! Omega is in a corner, Fenix runs into a back elbow! Omega goes up and over and rolls, but Fenix boots back! Fenix goes up, QUEBRADA GERMAN SUPLEX?! Cover, TWO!!! Fans are loving this as both men slowly rise. Omega goes to an apron, Fenix runs over and goes up, up and DUMDUM STOMPS Omega to the apron! Callis panics and checks on Omega as AEW goes picture in picture!

Fenix flops down to fetch Omega, to send him into railing! Fenix puts Omega in, covers, but they’re in the ropes. Fenix shoves Omega over, covers, ONE!! The delay may have spared Omega but Fenix keeps his focus. Fenix eggs Omega on as he pushes him around. Omega smirks but Fenix CHOPS! Omega CHOPS back! Fenix CHOPS, Omega stings but comes back to CHOP! Fenix CHOPS again, they both stand up and Omega CHOPS Fenix down! Fenix sits up, Omega kicks at him, then throws forearm after forearm! Fenix CHOPS, Omega digs his fingers into Fenix’s eyes! The ref counts, Omega stops at 4, and he pushes Fenix around. Omega runs in to CHOP again!

Fenix CHOPS from the mat, Omega CHOPS him on the back! Fenix flops over, but flounders up, and Omega is on him. Fenix throws body shots as AEW returns to single picture and Fenix sobats, CHOPS and suplexes, only for Omega to suplex! Fenix fights free and SUPERKICKS! Omega stays up, reverses the whip, but Fenix tiger feints! Omega ducks the heel kick to V-TRIGGER! Fenix kips up to SUPERKICK back?! Fans are losing their minds as both men are down! Fenix sits up as fans cheer “ANIMO!” Fenix gets to the apron, springboards for a SKY TWISTER, but into a V-TRIGGER!

Omega drags Fenix up, for a DR. WILY BOMB! High stack, TWO!?! V-TRIGGER!! Cover, TWO!?! Omega is furious, as is Callis, but the fans are loving this! Fenix is on the ropes, Omega takes aim and says BANG! Omega runs, V-TRIGGER! Omega hauls Fenix up, Electric Chair lift, but Fenix POISON RANAS! Both men are down again and fans are thunderous! Callis shouts at Fenix as Fenix goes to the ramp. Fenix glares at Callis but turns his attention back to the ring. Fenix slingshots, into a V-TRIGGER! Omega drags Fenix up and pulls him against ropes but Fenix enziguris free! Fenix step sup to springboard CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!?!? Omega survives and Callis is relived.

But Fenix has Omega, scoops, throws knees, FIRE THUNDER DRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Omega survives again and Fenix is beside himself! Fans are electric as Fenix gives Omega some Danielson Stomps! Fenix throws off his elbow pads, goes to the corner and shouts to Latino Heat! FROG SPLASH onto knees!! Too much Latino Heat cost Fenix! Omega puts Fenix up top, climbs up, but Fenix resists and headbutts! Omega CLUBS Fenix, Fenix BOOTS back, then Fenix adjusts to somersault, but into a JAY DRILLER!! V-TRIGGER!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Fenix barely survives but Omega isn’t done! Electric Chair, ONE WINGED ANGEL!!! Cover, Omega wins!!!

Winner: Kenny Omega, by pinfall (still AEW World Champion)

The Firebird got the arm up at 3.01 but that’s too little too late! Omega has conquered another contender, and Callis celebrates with him in the ring. Callis has a mic and he says, “Ladies and gentlemen, you’ve witnessed history.” They’re going to give us something a little extra. Omega beat Fenix, so why not we witness the end of the career of Fenix? Or no, what’s going on backstage? Eddie Kingston and The Fam are beating down the rest of Death Triangle! Kingston sits Pac up while Butcher and Blade continue to mug Pentagon! Kingston winks and Bunny Allie laughs, and Callis sarcastically says, “My goodness!” What an unsafe working environment!

Callis then asks Fenix if he remembers them saying his brother, Penta, wouldn’t be coming to help him. What IS coming for Fenix is a One Winged Angel into the scrapheap! Omega drags Fenix up, but here comes MOXLEY! And a barbed-wire bat!! Callis runs for his life but Omega turns around into a barbed wire BASH! Moxley winds up and tells Callis this is what they get! Callis stays far away as Moxley aims at Omega! But here come THE GOOD BROTHERS!! The Impact Wrestling Tag Team Champions and good friends of Kenny Omega’s, Luke Gallows & Karl A0nderson, are here on AEW! And they’re saving Omega by jumping Moxley! They stomp away and rain down fists!

Fans are going nuts, “Too Sweet! WOOP WOOP!” as Gallows & Anderson mug Moxley, and hit MAGIC KILLER!! Callis is fired up and Omega grins as he and the Good Brothers stomp Moxley then mug him more! Anderson fetches the barbed wire bat for Omega, and Omega SLUGS Moxley on the back! And again! And again, and again, and again! But here come the Varsity Blondes, Griff Garrison and Brian Pillman Jr, but they’re no match for a 3v2 like this! Griff gets tossed, then so does BPJ! Shawn Dean and Fuego del Sol try but they get DECKED before even getting in the ring! More of AEW’s roster tries, from Danny Limelight to Baron Black to Louie Valle, but they all get tossed!

Omega SLUGS Ryzin, then dares anyone else to try, while Gallows POWERBOMBS Fuego through a table!! Gallows uppercuts Limelight down, stalks up to push BPJ and Griff around, and then he regroups with Anderson. The Good Brothers sit Moxley up and Omega winds up to SLUG Moxley in the chest! Omega compliments Moxley on making him flip the switch, and then he rubs the belt in Moxley’s face. Moxley DECKS Anderson but Omega SLUGS him again! Anderson and Gallows stomp Moxley down, and even use their own title belts to knock him down!

But now the YOUNG BUCKS run out! Friends to all of these guys, the Bucks want an explanation! Callis says this was all self-defense because Moxley brought the bat in! The bat is tossed aside, but then the Varsity Blondes grab Omega! They expect the AEW Tag Team Champions to fight on their side, but as Gallows CLOBBERS BPJ, Matt SUPERKICKS Griff!! Again, Omega is still their friend, but that doesn’t mean this is “the band” getting back together. The Bucks still want an explanation, but Omega simply throws up the Too Sweet! The Good Brothers do it with him, but what about the Bucks? Nick and Matt… THROW IT UP!! Is Bullet Club truly for life?!

My Thoughts:

Holy crap! Given the circumstances, the great tribute episode we got to Brodie Lee/Jon Huber, this New Year’s Smash event was worth the wait. We got a great 8 Man Tag to open between some great teams, especially the combination of long time rivals and friends, Young Bucks and SCU. I loved the crisscross of finishers, such as Kaz and Nick doing the BTE Trigger, and of course finishing with Daniels and Matt doing Best Meltzer Ever. They officially established the obvious story, SCU wants to earn their way to a title match and face the Bucks, championships or bust. That is going to be their 2021, and who knows if they pull it off.

Hager VS Wardlow was great stuff, a pure fight of big, mean powerhouses. I am surprised Wardlow won, but I see now that MJF used the moment to get in Hager’s good graces. There is a very strong chance MJF is making moves to get on everyone’s good side to then usurp the leadership from Jericho, and that’d be a pretty good story for the faction in 2021. Chuck VS Miro with the special Young Boy bet stipulation is also an interesting story to at least bring these trios to Beach Break in February. I have a feeling Miro wins so he can subject Chuck to humiliating things, and then Trent makes a return to ruin the Superbad wedding as revenge.

Sting is great, Darby is great, Team Taz is great, but the weigh-in for a non-weight-class belt doesn’t make sense. That was all just a vehicle to further establish what many of us had already figured, and that is Sting teaming with Darby to bring the fight to Team Taz. The new TNT belt looks pretty good, but I feel like that “red ribbon” with “champion” on it stands out too much. And honestly, the design didn’t look that different from the belt they retired. But the match of Darby VS Cage will still be great, with Darby surely still retaining somehow.

I like that we got a promo establishing Matt Hardy is officially managing Private Party, and I bet that will all fall apart at some point as he tries to push them into being Heels. I like that Snoop got to have a part in that because of Gin ‘n’ Juice, and I wonder what those secret demands from Private Party are. I am pretty sure FTR goaded Stunt into wanting in on the match, and things are going according to their plan. I can’t be sure if Stunt wins to prove the haters wrong, or he tries too hard and that is why they lose. Either one makes for good story with Jurassic Express, but I’m leaning towards FTR winning.

Cody VS Sydal was very good, and Snoop did a good job being the corner man. The thing with Chaos Project was clearly just to set up Snoop having a moment, though, but it was still pretty fun. I just wish TNT didn’t go so hard on having AEW hype up the Go Big Show. Yes, it’s very exciting and it’s a big investment, but I don’t know. I’m certainly not going to bother watching whole episodes. Can it at least be used on AEW as a way to make Cody seem like a Heel? Cody’s more fun as a Heel to me.

Tay Conti getting a title match against Serena Deeb is great stuff, but I can’t be sure the NWA Women’s Championship changes hands outside of the NWA. It’d be quite the surprise, but unless AEW stars start showing up on NWA, I’m not sure it’d do much for either company. Shida VS Abadon was a very good match, especially on character. Abadon could probably scare The Fiend. She scares me, that’s for sure. But Shida retains to keep going strong, and at this rate, it feels like it’ll either be Britt Baker or Nyla Rose that takes the title from her.

Moxley had a great promo warning Omega, and it should’ve been obvious he’d try to follow through tonight, since he literally said he does what he says he will. The overly elaborate introductions for Omega are getting better in my opinion, and I like that Jericho popped for when Winnipeg was mentioned. Omega VS Fenix was an incredible match, practically PPV levels, and of course Omega wins because the story is only just beginning. The Good Brothers being the first Impact stars to show up on AEW was a great surprise, and them going after Moxley, then helping Omega fight off basically every AEW Dark regular was great.

The big shock was the Bucks showing up to then apparently side with Omega! Having crossovers and referencing the past is the power AEW has over WWE, because even though Jericho didn’t want to say Too Sweet or Bullet Club, the more knowledgeable fans know exactly what’s going on here. Now all we need is NJPW to get in the mix, and we can finally have that Bullet Club Civil War we should’ve gotten back in 2019 when all this AEW talk got started.

My Score: 9.6/10