It gets cold when its about the gold!

Bryan Danielson has been a fire-breathing American Dragon, but will Hangman Page put him on ice to retain his AEW World Championship?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• AEW World Championship: Hangman Page VS Bryan Danielson; Time Limit Draw, Hangman retains the title.
• Matt Sydal VS Wardlow w/ Shawn Spears; Wardlow wins.
• Hikaru Shida VS Serena Deeb; Shida wins.
• Dynamite Diamond Ring Final: MJF VS Dante Martin; MJF wins and is still the Dynamite Diamond Ringbearer.

PLAY BY PLAY

AEW World Championship: Hangman Page VS Bryan Danielson!

No, you’re not seeing things. The second Winter is Coming is opening with a HUGE title match! Will #CowboyShit slay the American Dragon for what he’s done to the Dark Order? Or is there one more title change in 2021?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and what a hot start to Dynamite!

Bryan and Hangman stare down as the fans fire up. The ref has them back up and the bell rings. Fans fire up even more now as Hangman and Bryan approach. They tie up, are in a deadlock as they both dig deep, and fans are dueling. Hangman manages to push Bryan back towards a corner, then he lets off slowly as the ref calls for the ropebreak. Bryan shoves Hangman and then avoids the chop! Bryan does jumping jacks to taunt Hangman, and the two circle again. They knuckle lock for a test of strength and go shoulder to shoulder. Fans duel again as Bryan breaks one grip, wrenches the other, and gets a hammerlock.

Hangman reaches back to reverse the armlock and hits a fireman’s carry takeover! Hangman has the armlock now, but Bryan moves around. Hangman wrenches to a wristlock, Bryan rolls, bridges, and slips around to NORTHERN LIGHTS! Hangman gets away but Bryan soaks up all the cheers and jeers. Hangman keeps cool, he and Bryan reset again, but then Bryan uses ropes as a defense. Bryan smirks as he comes back and ties up with Hangman again. Bryan waistlocks, Hangman sits down, switches and headlocks. Bryan powers out, Hangman runs him over! Bryan trips him up but Hangman kicks him away! Bryan ducks the chop again and wags his finger.

Bryan again does jumping jacks to troll Hangman but Hangman isn’t losing his cool. Hangman and Bryan circle, feel things out, knuckle lock, but Bryan rolls and wrenches the wrist. Bryan wrenches to KNEE Hangman in the shoulder, but fans rally up. Hangman kips up, Bryan pushes Hangman to ropes. Bryan gives a hard shove, Hangman shoves back, and they each shove again. Bryan again uses ropes for defense but Hangman just backs off. Hangman and Bryan circle again, tie up, and Hangman headlocks. Hangman hits a takedown, Bryan headscissors but Hangman kips out. Roles reverses as Bryan headlocks for the takeover and Hangman headscissors.

Bryan kips free, Hangman sweeps to cover, ONE! Hangman avoids Bryan’s sweep to BOOT Bryan to a corner! Bryan sees he’s taking Hangman too lightly now, but he still smirks as he applauds. Bryan offers a handshake, fans don’t trust it. Bryan shoves Hangman and gets to ropes, but Hangman holds onto a leg. The ref calls for the break, Hangman lets go and backs away. Fans are fired up and dueling again as Hangman and Bryan tie up again. Bryan waistlocks, spins and wrenches an arm, but Hangman pushes through to headlock. Bryan powers out, things speed up, Hangman catches Bryan for a SLAM! And a CHOP! Bryan leans against ropes but then trips Hangman up!

Bryan has a toehold, changes it up to tie up the legs, and fans rally as Bryan KNEES Hangman in the back! Bryan shifts around, KNEES the other side, then fish hooks Hangman’s face! The ref counts, Bryan stops at 4, and reminds us he has until 5. Bryan KNEES Hangman again, then hooks up the legs. Bryan wants the arms, gets them, and pulls back and again to get Hangman up for the ROMERO SPECIAL! And then a chinlock, and then a dragon sleeper inside the Surfboard! Hangman fights free, Bryan shoves him down and then stands him up to CHOP! Hangman grins and wants Bryan to keep trying. Bryan CHOPS, then headbutts!

Bryan whips, Hangman walks through the CHOP to CHOP Bryan! Bryan goes to a corner and fans fire up again! Hangman brings Bryan up to suplex but Bryan blocks! They go back to the corner, Bryan turns things around and CHOPS! Hangman turns it back to CHOP again! Hangman climbs up to rain down fists! Fans count along, and Hangman gets all 10! Hangman walks around but Bryan trips him up! GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And then Bryan drops elbows and knees on the knee! Bryan pulls back on the toehold but Hangman endures. Hangman kicks with his free leg as fans duel, but Bryan spinning toeholds and has an INDIAN DEATHLOCK!

Bryan stomps the knees, sits up to throw body shots from all sides, and then forearms to knock Hangman down! Bryan lets off to soak up the cheers and jeers. Bryan drags Hangman up to EuroUpper! Bryan whips Hangman to the ropes, Hangman KICKS him back! Hangman runs in but Bryan puts him on the apron. Hangman BOOTS Bryan, but Bryan DECKS Hangman before the slingshot! Fans fire up, Bryan builds speed, but Hangman returns to BOOT Bryan down! Bryan goes to the apron, Hangman TRIANGLE JUMP LARIATS! Bryan falls to the floor, Hangman PLANCHAS! Direct hit and down goes Bryan! Fans fire up as Hangman rises and the ring count starts.

Hangman takes a moment before he gets Bryan up and into the ring. Hangman climbs the corner and fans fire up! Bryan stands, Hangman jumps into a KICK! Bryan grins as he knocks Hangman out of the air! Bryan drops knees into Hangman’s ribs, then whips him for a kitchen sink knee! Fans are torn as Bryan raises a fist. Bryan KICKS Hangman to the apron, then has the legs! ROPE GUILLOTINE! Hangman writhes to the apron, Bryan drags Hangman up and through the ropes. Bryan EuroUppers Hangman again and again as he’s stuck between the ropes, and then hooks his arms in the ropes to KICK and CHOP on repeat!

The ref counts, Bryan lets off at 4 to then throw knees into Hangman’s chest! Bryan has Hangman draping on the middle rope and he goes to the corner. Bryan climbs up, to GUILLOTINE KNEE DROP! Hangman falls, Bryan covers, TWO! Bryan is a bit annoyed but he wraps Hangman up in a seated cobra twist while AEW goes picture in picture.

Hangman endures and Bryan turns it into a cradle, TWO! Bryan keeps on Hangman with a chinlock, then changes it up to have both arms! Hangman fights but Bryan pushes Hangman’s face into the mat. Bryan then drives palm strikes into Hangman’s neck! Bryan stands up and taunts Hangman, then aims from the corner. PENALTY KICK to the ribs! Hangman flounders to the far corner, Bryan stands on the ropes to soak up even more heat. Bryan does more jumping jacks just to taunt everyone, but Hangman ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! Bryan turns things around to CHOP Hangman in the corner, and then CHOP again!

Bryan lets off just a moment and Hangman fires CHOPS in return! Hangman whips, Bryan reverses, Bryan kitchen sink knees again! Bryan pushes Hangman to a cover, TWO! Hangman is hanging tough, but Bryan JAMS his knee into Hangman’s back! Bryan has the arms for a motorcycle stretch, but again Hangman endures. Hangman fights up, Bryan tries to use his head for a point of leverage as AEW returns to single picture, and Hangman turns it around to hit a BIG back suplex! Fans fire up while both men are down, “This is Awesome!” Bryan gets to a corner, Hangman is in the other. Hangman storms over to CHOP Bryan again! And throw a forearm, then whip corner to corner.

Bryan goes up and over, keeps moving, ducks and dodges to crossbody, but Hangman catches him! FALL AWAY SLAM! Hangman kips up and fires up and the fans are with him! Bryan is in a corner again, Hangman storms over to CHOP again! And again! And then whip corner to corner. Bryan reverses, runs in but Hangman puts him on the top rope! Hangman then TRIANGLE JUMP LARIATS again! Bryan tumbles to the floor, and fans rally up as Hangman builds speed! Bryan stands up, Hangman DIVES! Direct hit and Bryan hits railing! Hangman goes back to the ring and to the corner. Hangman climbs, fans fire up again, ARIHARA MOONSAULT!! Direct hit and down goes Bryan!

Fans lose their minds for that one, and both men stir at ringside as a count starts. Hangman gets Bryan in quickly, and fans rally up as he runs, SLIDING- NO! Bryan catches lariat to ghost pin! TWO, and Hangman fireman’s carries! Bryan fights, but Hangman still hits the DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Bryan survives that one, and fans rally back up. Bryan drags himself to a corner, Hangman walks over. Hangman CHOPS Bryan again, and again, but Bryan tries to clinch to stop it. Hangman hoists Bryan up top to ROCK with a forearm! Hangman climbs up to join Bryan, but Bryan slips out the bottom and trips Hangman up!

Bryan climbs up behind Hangman, drives in elbows, but Hangman elbows Bryan right down! Hangman adjusts, and MOONSAULTS but FLOPS as Bryan moves! Bryan gets the arm, La Magistrol! TWO!! Hangman escapes but Bryan just stays on him. Bryan throws knees into Hangman against ropes, he throws body shots and then whips Hangman to ropes. Hangman schoolboys out of the kitchen sink, TWO! Bryan has the omoplata! Bryan wants the LeBelle but Hangman rolls it back, TWO!! Back drop turns into sunset flip, TWO! ANKLE LOCK!! And what a nasty angle Bryan has on it! Hangman endures, handstands, but Bryan PENALTY KICKS Hangman down!

Bryan drops another knee into ribs, then again! Hangman goes to a corner, Bryan tells the Hangman fans to shut up, and then he CHOPS Hangman in the corner! Bryan runs corner to corner, and dropkicks! And then another dropkick! And then POP-UP POWERBOMB from Hangman! Cover, TWO!! Hangman can’t believe it and the fans are thunderous! Hangman gets up, goes to the apron and takes aim! Slingshot, but Bryan bails out! Bryan narrowly avoids that one, but Hangman runs in to baseball slide! Hangman then goes to the corner again, but Bryan shoves him off! Hangman CRASHES on the apron! Bryan gets Hangman up, hammerlocks the arm and POSTS it!

Bryan drags Hangman up to put the arm through the corner, and he YANKS Hangman into the post! And again! And again!! Bryan leaves Hangman behind and strikes a pose, but the fans boo. Bryan pretends to be surprised, but then he grins again. Bryan revels in the heat, and Hangman is busted open! The ring count starts and is at 5 as AEW goes picture in picture again!

Hangman flounders, the medic is there with water, Hangman drinks some and the ref checks his wound. Bryan taunts the fans over this treatment for their champion. Hangman is definitely dazed from hitting the post, but Bryan just does more jumping jacks. And even push-ups! Bryan taunts the fans with a Yes chant tease, and instead holds up the middle finger. Hangman’s in really bad shape, and the ref and medic both check with him while AEW goes to break.

AEW returns, this match is continuing, and Bryan WRECKS Hangman with a dropkick! Fans boo but Bryan gets to the apron! Hangman slowly gets back up, Bryan hits a FLYING KNEE! Bryan rains down fists right on the wound! The ref reprimands, Bryan backs off, but then Bryan drags Hangman up to put in the ring. Bryan has Hangman on the apron now, and he gets on the apron to FLYING KNEE Hangman’s head! Bryan brings Hangman to the corner and SLAMS the arm into the post! The ref starts a ring count, Bryan gets in and soaks up more heat. Hangman sits up in a corner, Bryan stands him up and climbs up to rain down punches on the bloody forehead!

Bryan gets all 10 in before the ref counts 4, and Bryan reminds us he has until 5. Bryan digs Hangman’s face into the buckle in the corner and digs his boot in, too! The camera catches the blood flowing from Hangman’s head, and then Bryan BOOTS Hangman down! The ref has to check on Hangman again but Hangman refuses to end this here. Bryan wrenches the arm to hit an ELBOW BREAKER, then again! Fans are rallying and dueling all over again as Bryan wrenches a third time, for a third ELBOW BREAKER! But Hangman fires off forearms with the left! Bryan EuroUppers then runs, but Hangman catches Bryan!

Bryan slips out of the Fall Away to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! But Bryan has the arms, to CATTLE MUTILATION! Hangman fights up to resist and roll, to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Bryan lets off quickly. Hangman goes to the apron, Bryan goes out after him with KICKS! Again and again, but then Hangman ducks and Bryan kicks POST! Bryan falls to the floor, clutching his leg! Hangman drags Bryan up to get the leg and RAM it into the post! Hangman refreshes the ring count, and he exposes the railing! Hangman puts Bryan’s leg in the gap and BOOTS the railing! Bryan falls in a heap and Hangman refreshes the count again.

Hangman puts Bryan in the ring, fans are thunderous again as Hangman gets Bryan up, and hits a SHINBREAKER! Back suplex, but Bryan lands on his leg! Bryan’s knee jams, Hangman trips Bryan up and steps through to a FIGURE FOUR! Bryan endures, reaches, rolls the hold, Hangman rolls it through, but Bryan gets the ROPEBREAK! Bryan clings to the ropes as AEW goes to break.

AEW returns once again, Bryan drags himself up with ropes while Hangman walks over. Hangman has Bryan’s leg, but Bryan ENZIGURIS! Bryan fires up and shakes his head while fans boo. Bryan brings Hangman up to EuroUpper, but Hangman forearms back! They go back and forth, EuroUpper and forearm, but Bryan gets the edge. Bryan runs, POP-UP- NO, Bryan RANAS through! Cover, TWO!! But Bryan keeps an arm to get the ARMBAR!! Hangman clasps hands quickly to resist, but Bryan CLUBS the grip apart! Hangman turns, but into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Bryan throws fists, but Hangman deadlifts and POWERBOMBS! But Bryan holds on! And fires off elbows!!

Hangman is fading, but he rolls and gets to the ROPEBREAK! Bryan lets go and fans fire back up. Bryan gets his kneepad down to check on that knee, and we see it’s already taped up. Bryan gets Hangman up, and he HEADBUTTS the arm! And then KICKS, and KICKS, and HEADBUTTS it again! Another KICK, and another KICK! But Hangman HEADBUTTS back! Hangman scoops to a gut wrench, TOMBSTONE!! Cover, TWO!?!? Texas loves seeing the Deadman’s move but it didn’t finish this off! Again, fans say “This is Awesome!” as Bryan crawls to a corner. Hangman walks over, hoists Bryan up top and CHOPS him!

Bryan headbutts but Hangman CHOPS again! Bryan headbutts again, but Hangman CHOPS again! Hangman climbs up, hoists Bryan up, but Bryan throws body shots! Bryan sends Hangman down, then leaps to KNEE the bad arm! Then SHOULDER CAPTURE SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Bryan bumps Hangman off buckles, hoists him up top and climbs up behind him. Bryan throws elbows into the shoulder, then he stands Hangman up. SUPER BACK SUPLEX!! Bryan crawls to the cover, TWO!! Hangman is still in this but Bryan has the arm. Bryan drives more elbows into the shoulder! Bryan then sits on Hangman’s back to PULL the arm back!

But Hangman fights to get the ROPEBREAK! Hangman goes back to the apron, Bryan taunts Hangman and kicks him. Bryan goes back to the apron, he brings Hangman up and Gotch holds, but Hangman resists the lift! Hangman Alabama lifts, for an APRON DEADEYE!!! Fans are all fired up for “COWBOY SHIT! COWBOY SHIT!” but Hangman hobbles over to drag Bryan up. Bryan crawls away, he knows Hangman wants to win this in the ring. Hangman refreshes the ring count, climbs up the corner again, and he SUPER CROSSBODIES onto the table!!! Bryan avoids disaster and Hangman crashes and burns! Bryan drags Hangman up from the wreckage as AEW goes picture in picture!

Hangman is deadweight, Bryan can’t get him to the ring with one bad leg. Bryan decides to pull up floormats! He ends up throwing one on top of Hangman, but Bryan refreshes the ring count so he has time to loom over Hangman. Bryan slaps Hangman around, drags him over to the bare patch, and DDT’s Hangman to concrete!! Bryan soaks up the heat, refreshes the ring count again, does one-leg jumping jacks, then he drags Hangman up and into the ring. Bryan hobbles back up as AEW goes to another break.

AEW returns yet again and Bryan drags Hangman up in a chinlock. Hangman fights out and waistlocks, to GERMAN SUPLEX! Both men are down again, but Hangman gets himself to ropes. Bryan dares him to bring the fight so Hangman heads back that way. Bryan KICKS Hangman, and KICKS him again! Bryan uses the right leg but that costs him! Hangman LARIATS, but the arm isn’t strong enough! Hangman still tries another lariat but Bryan stays up and shakes his head. Hangman tries again, Bryan comes back to BOOT the arm! Then he PENALTY KICKS the elbow! Bryan drags Hangman up, puts him back up top backwards, and climbs up again.

Bryan rains down elbows, punches at the wound again now that it’s clotted, and then he stands Hangman up. SUPER BACK SUPLEX BUT HANGMAN LANDS ON HIS FEET?!?! DISCUS LARIAT!!! Fans are electric as both men are down and a standing count begins! Hangman goes to ropes, Bryan stands up at center, they’re both up at 7. Hangman forearms, Bryan forearms back. Hangman forearms again, but so does Bryan! Hangman ROCKS Bryan with that third one, but Bryan comes back to HEADBUT and HEADBUTT and HEADBUTT! Bryan stands Hangman up to EuroUpper, then he catches the discus, but Hangman victory rolls! TWO, Bryan has it, TWO!

Bryan reels Hangman in, GERMAN SUPLEX, but again Hangman lands on his feet! ROLLING ELBOW! Bryan ROLLING ELBOWS back! Hangman ROLLING- ROUNDHOUSE from Bryan!! Bryan fire up to BUZZSAW Hangman down! Cover, TWO! This is still going, and there’s only FIVE minutes left in the 60 minute limit! Bryan wants to kick Hangman’s head in, and he gets the arms! DANIELSON STOMPS! Bryan cusses Hangman out then goes to a corner. Bryan aims as Hangman slowly rises, BUSAI- NO! Alabama lift to DEADEYE!! Cover, TWO!?!? HOW?!? But Hangman just fires up and grits his teeth as fans chant for “A E DUB! A E DUB!”

Hangman holds his bad arm, but he says HE is gonna kick Bryan’s head in!! Hangman gets Bryan’s arms, for COWBOY STOMPS! Fans are electric again as Hangman throws off the elbow pad! Hangman goes back to the apron, Bryan rises, slingshot for BUCK- NO! Bryan catches Hangman to the omoplata! LEBELLE LOCK!!! Hangman endures but he can’t even see with the grip on his eyes! Hangman keeps moving around, Bryan throws crossface forearms to keep the crossface hold on! Hangman fights, we’re under a minute left! Hangman CLUBS away on Bryan’s leg, fights back to a cover but Bryan keeps fighting it off! Fans are going nuts, Hangman gets legs!

CATAPULT and Bryan tumbles out of the ring! Bryan skins the cat, Hangman LARIATS Bryan down! Hangman drags himself to the apron, Bryan flounders to his feet, BUCKSHOT!!! BUT TIME’S UP!!!

Time Limit Draw; Hangman retains the AEW World Championship

Bryan was saved by the bell, but he was still going to lose after that shot! Hangman still holds onto his title, but fans want “FIVE MORE MINUTES!” Will we have to wait until some time in the future to see how this one truly ends?

The Elite speak.

Adam Cole says, “Oh, Best Friends. When are you guys gonna learn, when are you idiots, you morons, gonna learn not to mess with the Super Kliq?” And Bobby Fish, of course. Because last week on Dynamite, the Young Bucks destroyed Rocky Romero & Chuck Taylor. Then Best Friends at full strength were left laying on Rampage again! The Elite proved the Best Friends cannot hang. It seems that every time they meet, the Elite divide and conquer. Trent made his return, and look how that turned out? Nick Jackson suggests an 8 Man Tag for Rampage!

And then Matt adds, they can up the odds. They take the old 1993 minivan, destroy it, pull Sue out of the seat and SUPERKICK her down. They can end Trent’s mom’s career! Is she a…? Well, she does something for a living so they can end that career. Cole says that sounds like a great idea for a Christmas present. And don’t worry, there won’t be coal in their stocking this year, he promises that for Christmas Dynamite, it’ll be the best gift the Bucks have ever gotten. No spoilers, but they’ll love it. Merry Christmas, ya filthy animals!

Matt Sydal VS Wardlow w/ Shawn Spears!

The Dynamite Diamond Battle Royal had quite a lot of different clashes, and one of the bigger was between Sydal and the Pinnacle’s muscle. Will Sydal’s third eye see a way to survive? Or will become another Casualty of Wardlow?

The bell rings, Wardlow and Sydal tie up, and Wardlow throws Sydal to ropes. Sydal KICKS Wardlow’s leg over and over, but Wardlow ducks the roundhouse, only to get hit with the SOBAT! Wardlow still throws Sydal to a corner, but runs into a RANA, that he blocks! Wardlow brings Sydal up, Sydal slips out of the bomb to ROUNDHOUSE! And ROUNDHOUSE! Wardlow just gets mad! Sydal runs, WHEEL KICK, but into a POWERBOMB! Wardlow seethes and fans fire up as he gets Sydal up again! ANOTHER POWERBOMB! Shawn Spears gets the mic to say, “He ain’t getting up, man. Pin him!”

Fans say no, give him “One More Time!” So Wardlow obliges, a THIRD POWERBOMB! Now Wardlow covers, Wardlow wins!

Winner: Wardlow, by pinfall

Spears says, “Wardlow’s world, man!” But Spears adds that they don’t get paid by the hour, Wardlow can just make it a one and done next time. But wait, Spears SMACKS Sydal with the chair over and over! Spears then gets a call from “Maxie!” MJF wants Spears to pass a word along. Wardlow needs to go get the champagne for MJF’s post match victory. Spears will drive, Wardlow will by. They don’t even need to get dressed, Wardlow can just wear his ring gear. The Pinnacle heads out, but how much longer is Wardlow going to endure Maxwell Jacob Friedman treating him as a lackey?

AEW looks at the growing animosity between Tay Conti and Penelope Ford.

Tay says she is sick and tired of the Superbad Girl and her little Bunny running around with those brass knuckles. Maybe Ford can get in the ring with a real blackbelt in a Submission match? Ford says Conti wants a match where pins don’t matter? That’s fine, because she has the Muta Lock, and she has used it on a number of “hussies.” Ford doesn’t need the knuckles to win. She’ll leave that at home. Conti says she’ll make Ford tap out, just like this. “See you at Rampage, bitch!”

Malakai Black speaks.

“What makes a house strong? Is it the foundation? The bricks, the mortar? Or perhaps, the people that reside within it are the bricks, the mortar, the foundation. But even that foundation needs ideals. Ideals such as understanding that human nature is violent, and therefore accepting violence as as a part of who you are is key. Don’t fight it. Embrace it. There isn’t a more destructive species on this earth that is so intentionally cruel to one another than the human race. So why be in denial about it? Understand that your past is not a crutch, it is an arrow, and it’s biggest teacher is apathy.

“And therefore I will not question the teachings that The House bestows upon me but see it as a blessing, no matter how destructive. Understand that this can only be done by placing the house before everything and everyone else. And understand that not everyone will understand the teachings you bestow upon others. That through agony, the House will make them stronger. The House is bigger than you, the House is bigger than them. But lastly, the House always wins. Now your soul is worth more than a king.” Just who did Malakai convert tonight? Who else will he look to add to the House of Black?

Hikaru Shida VS Serena Deeb!

The first time these two met, the Full Metal Warrior was denied her 50th win. But in the rematch during the TBS Championship Tournament, Shida redeemed herself, hit that benchmark, and moved on to the next round. But the Woman of 1000 Holds couldn’t stand that, and so she made sure Shida didn’t make it past Nyla Rose. Will Deeb make sure Shida loses to her again? Or will will Shida make “The Professor of Professional Wrestling” wish she’d gone on winter break?

The moment Shida’s on the apron for her entrance, Deeb attacks! Shida throws her kendo stick at Deeb, rushes the ring, and the bell rings! Deeb jumps onto Shida but Shida brings her down fore forearms! Deeb turns it around, gives back some ground ‘n’ pound, but Shida turns it back around! Deeb gets away, goes to a corner, Shida fires off haymakers! Deeb turns things around to stomp away! Shida turns it back around, climbs up to rain down more fists, and fans fire up as Shida dropkicks as she lets off! Fans fire up with Shida and she drags Deeb back up. Shida whips corner to corner, runs in but Deeb puts her on the apron.

Shida ducks to ROCK Deeb, then climbs the ropes to CORSSBODY! Cover, Deeb rolls through and has the leg, TRAILER HITCH! Shida gets the ROPEBREAK, Deeb lets go at 4. Shida hobbles, Deeb EuroUppers her into the corner! And again! Deeb brings Shida around, EuroUppers again, but Shida shoves her away and dropkicks her down! Shida runs corner to corner but Deeb slips out! Knee hits buckles, then Deeb trips Shida to drag her into the corner! Deeb SLAMS Shida’s leg on the steel steps! Then Deebp ties the leg sup, and has a HANGING FIGURE FOUR! The ref counts, Deeb lets off at 4, and AEW goes picture in picture!

Deeb soaks up the heat as she goes to the apron. Deeb drags Shida up at the ropes, brings her in and turns her, HOTSHOT NECKBREAKER! Shida flops down and Deeb covers, TWO! Deeb gets the leg, stomps away on the bad leg, then steps over and rolls to THROW Shida into a HEEL HOOK! Shida throws haymakers but Deeb cranks the foot! Shida crawls, drags Deeb along, and she gets the ROPEBREAK! Deeb won’t let go, Shida stomps her with the free leg, but Deeb lets go as the ref counts 4. Deeb scowls at the fans, drags Shida up and snapmares to then scrape her sole on Shida’s face! Deeb gets the bad leg and GROUND DRAGON SCREWS it!

Deeb uses the bad leg to turn Shida over, then ties up the legs in a deathlock! Deeb soaks up the heat as she stands there, and then she falls back to JAM the legs! Shida writhes, Deeb drags her up. Deeb hooks Shida up and has the cobra twist! Shida endures as Deeb thrashes her around, and she hip tosses free! AEW returns to single picture, Deeb EuroUppers but Shida catches that to spin Deeb for forearm after forearm! Shida fires off on Deeb, shoves the ref away and keeps after Deeb! The ref reprimands, Shida lets off but is still fired up! Fans fire up with Shida, and she drags Deeb up from the ropes to whip. Deeb reverses, kicks the bad leg and runs, into an ENZIGURI! Cover, TWO!

Shida drags Deeb up, suplexes, and SLAMS Deeb down! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up, Shida goes to the corner and climbs, but Deeb turns her around and CLUBS her on the back! Shida is in the Tree of Woe, Deeb goes up top! Deeb has a HANGING HALF CRAB! The ref counts, Deeb lets go at 4 and Shida flops down. Deeb hops down to then kick at Shida. Fans rally up, Deeb goes out to the apron and peels off cover on the middle crossbar. Deeb brings Shida through, HOTSHOT NECKBREAKER to the bar! Shida flops down, Deeb drags her in and gets her up, POWERBOMB! High stack cover, TWO!! Shida survives, but Deeb drives in knee after knee into the shoulders!

LAST CHANCERY! Deeb uses another of her 1000 holds, but Shida fights her way over! Shida reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Deeb lets go quickly but she is seething! Deeb drags Shida up, facelock and TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And another! But Shida hits a FALCON ARROW! Both women are down, a standing count begins. Both women sit up at 4, then stand at 5. Shida fires forearms, but Deeb shoves. Shida AX KICKS! Then Shida reels Deeb in, Canadian rack, but Deeb slips off to backslide. Shida rolls through, Deeb reels her in! Deeb tucks the arms but Shida powers out! Deeb sunset flips, Shida rolls it to sit, but Deeb rolls through to HALF CRAB!!

Shida endures, drags herself over but Deeb drags her from ropes! Deeb sits deep on the leg but Shida powers up and turns over! Shida SLAPS away on Deeb, but Deeb SLAPS back! Deeb lets the leg go, then goes to the corner. Deeb pulls off a buckle pad! This isn’t very technical of Deeb but she just wants to hurt Shida! Shida blocks the buckle bump, elbows Deeb away, but Deeb runs in! Deeb avoids the buckle but Shida rolls her! TWO and Deeb sits on it, TWO! Deeb runs in, Shida avoids her and again Deeb avoids the bare buckle! Deeb ducks the roundhouse, trips, but Shida BOOTS Deeb into the buckle! Shida gets the jackknife bridge with one leg, Shida wins!!

Winner: Hikaru Shida, by pinfall

Deeb’s desire to destroy Shida is what brought her own downfall! Will Shida use this huge win to get back towards the AEW Women’s World Championship?

Tony Schiavone interviews the Varsity Blonds.

Brian Pillman Jr. & Griff Garrison are still upset after last week, when Malakai Black hit Julia Hart with the black mist! How is she doing? Griff says she isn’t here, obviously! Malakai ruined their celebration, he attacked Julia and left her screaming and crying. Then Malakai disappears in the dark. Real big man, isn’t he? Malakai might be intimidating, but he’s a coward. Griff promises to bring the fight to Malakai! BPJ wants Griff to calm down, he’s letting Malakai get in his head. This is what Malakai wants. What? Whose side are you on? Julia’s like their sister! If BPJ isn’t gonna fight the fight, Griff will! Griff dares Malakai to show up next week so he can break Malakai’s jaw!

Eddie Kingston speaks.

“Look, Garcia, 2point0, I’m really tired of this. You guys are just in my way. Mox is not here, I can’t tag with him. You guys jumped my boy, Monkey, AKA Ortiz, so guess what? It’s gonna be me, PNP, my best friend, Penta, and his brother, Fenix, against you three, and whoever you guys pick.” Kingston doesn’t care! As for Garcia himself, that ugly little man, Kingston’s coming after him especially. 10 Man Tag for Rampage, “let’s do it, boys! Don’t be scared.”

Dynamite Diamond Ring Final: MJF VS Dante Martin!

For the last two years, the Salt of the Earth has had this very valuable trump card in his back pocket, and he’s looking for a threepeat! Can he stay the perennial Dynamite Diamond Ringbearer? Or will Angel Dorado look to take that ice off MJF’s hands?

MJF struts down the ramp, gets in the face of some fans, and as they talk some smack to him, he snatches one guy’s hat away! MJF has a mic and has them cut his music. “This place is a goddamn dump!” Fans already chant, “You Suck!” but he tells Texas that their daughters swallow. Does Texas have a problem with MJF? Maybe they’d like him if he was more like them: anti-education and pro-incest. How about they keep their redneck mouths shut while he’s on the mic? MJF then calls out CM Punk and tells him, “You’ve got the balls to say all I do is go for low hanging fruit?

“That’s cool. Well, CM Punk, the second he got nervous last week, the best thing he could come up with was, ‘Um, uh, duh… Your local sports team sucks’ for ten straight minutes! So high brow, CM, I can’t see how you think of this stuff.” MJF especially loved the part where Punk said MJF needs to face him like a man so that Punk can move on to become world champion. Interesting. MJF didn’t realize an undefeated streak in underwhelming matches against underwhelming opponents made someone championship material. MJF thought that just made Punk the new Ryback. MJF deserves a title shot because he beat Hangman, just like he’ll beat Dante!

Speaking of Dante, he’s very talented but in a lot of trouble. Dante may be a great athlete, but MJF ain’t Punk. He won’t stand here and pretend he cares about the younger talent. He doesn’t give a damn. It’s easy to forget MJF is a top talent in the industry and yet he was only born in 1996. He’s the only top talent that’s young that matters. And he’s about to be a THREE-TIME Dynamite Diamond Ring Champion. Dante has the charisma and verbal ability of Helen Keller on Quaaludes, but MJF could beat him with a headlock takeover. MJF doesn’t claim to be the best in the world, he just IS. Mic drop and now Dante gets to make his entrance.

The bell rings and MJF gets the headlock takeover! Cover, TWO! Dante kips up and MJF scrambles away. Fans taunt MJF but MJF tells them to shut up. MJF kicks Dante, headlocks, but Dante powers out. MJF stomps Dante’s drop down, then struts about. Dante comes up behind MJF to SLAP him! MJF goes to slap back but Dante bobs ‘n’ weaves to fire off hands! Dante headlocks, MJF stomps a foot and gets the headlock. Dante powers out, MJF runs him over! Fans fire up for Dante, things speed up, Dante hurdles and hurdles and Monkey Flips! MJF gets up into a dropkick! Dante hits ROLLING THUNDER! Cover, TWO!! MJF survives those knees in his face but fans fire up!

Dante goes to a corner, springboards but MJF bails out! MJF denies the Nosedive Quebrada, but Dante just builds speed. MJF hurries around the corner to deny Dante a tope, so Dante goes out and around the way. MJF wants Dante to cool off, they get in the ring, but Dante avoids the elbow drop! Dante springboards again, but MJF shoves Dante down! Dante crashes into railing and MJF takes time to check his face in the ring. MJF goes out after Dante, brings Dante up and hammerlocks an arm, to RAM that arm into railing! MJF then soaks up all the heat form the fans, and even dares the front row to do something while AEW goes picture in picture.

MJF puts Dante in the ring, drags him up to wrench and WRING the arm out, then MJF smirks as he paces. MJF gets Dante’s arm, stands on the hand, and then pretends he can’t hear the fans. MJF STOMPS the hand! Dante clutches the fingers, MJF talks trash to the fans, but Dante throws body shots and haymakers! Dante ROCKS MJF with forearms, but MJF throws Dante down by his hair! Cover, TWO! MJF bends Dante’s fingers, then BITES one! The ref reprimands, MJF lets off, and Dante writhes again. MJF looms over Dante, Dante gets to ropes and hits back with more forearms. MJF rakes Dante’s eyes! MJF puts Dante in a corner, the ref counts, and MJF lets off.

MJF snapmares Dante to KNEE the bad arm. MJF drags Dante around, mounts the arm and makes lewd gestures before he JAMS the shoulder! MJF snapmares Dante, cranks the armlock, and Dante endures as MJF leans all his weight on him. Dante fights up, AEW returns to single picture, but MJF knees low. MJF tucks Dante’s arm into his tights, gets him up, but Dante fights free and moves around to victory roll! TWO, and Dante springboards to hop back, spin around, but MJF POWERBOMBS! MJF has his feet on the ropes in the high stack! The ref sees that and kicks MJF’s legs down! MJF is seething but fans fire up for the ref!

MJF puts Dante in a corner, hoists him up top, and then MJF climbs up. MJF wrenches Dante’s arm, but Dante headbutts MJF down! Dante gets up and springboards to missile dropkick MJF down! Both men are down, the standing count starts, and fans rally up for Dante! Dante gets to the apron, MJF storms over but into a BOOT! Dante triangle jumps, jumps over MJF then bait shim in to jump again! Dante builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit and down goes MJF! Dante puts MJF in, but MJF bails back out. So Dante JUMPS the corner to hit MJF with the tope conjilo! Dante puts MJF in, MJF rolls all the way out. So Dante gets in and FOSBURY FLOPS! Down goes MJF again!

Dante puts MJF back in, sees him already rolling back out, so fans want to see another! Dante goes up onto the rope to SHOOTING STAR PRESSE! He almost overshoots MJF but he gets enough of MJF to take him down! Fans are thunderous and losing their minds, and Dante finally as MJF in the ring. Dante DECKS MJF with a forearm, then another! MJF flounders, Dante goes to the corner and tries again. Still no Nosedive as MJF walks away. Dante ROCKS MJF with an uppercut! Dante climbs up to rain down fists on MJF! MJF stops him at 9, Dante lands on his feet out of the shove and CALF KICKS in the corner!

MJF blocks the whip, wrenches, whips but Dante goes up and over to sunset flip! TWO! Dante backslides, TWO! Dante schoolboys, TWO! Cradle, TWO! MJF hits the headlock takeover, TWO! Dante headscissors, MJF kips free, but Dante ducks the punch to sunset flip! TWO! MJF sits on it, TWO! Dante has the sunset, TWO! MJF high stacks, TWO and Dante throws MJF away. Dante hits the headlock takeover! TWO and MJF has the cover, TWO! Dante again, TWO! MJF again, TWO! They keep going back and forth, MJF headscissors but Dante jackknifes, TWO! Bridge and turn, MJF SIT-OU TPOWERBOMBS! Cover, TWO!! Fans are thunderous again as Dante flops out.

MJF goes out after Dante, puts him in the ring, and MJF flips off the fans. Dante slingshots MFJ in! Dante then goes back outside, triangle jump, NOSEDIVE!! Cover, but RICKY STARKS helps MJF get the ropebreak?! Team Taz is screwing Dante over because he got one over on them! Starks hurries off, Dante brings MJF up but MJF gets the FUJIWARA! SALT OF THE EARTH!! Dante taps, MJF wins!!

Winner: MJF, by submission (still Dynamite Diamond Ring Champion)

FTR appears to celebrate with their leader as he still has the ring on his finger. They hoist him up but Texas boos. But then the lights go out! And when they come back up, it’s STIIIIIIING! And Darby, too! They attack FTR for the attack last week! Dax throw s hands but Sting throws knees while Darby clobbers Cash! MJF gets back in to LOW BLOW Sting! MJF tackles Darby, he and Cash mug Darby! Fans chant for him, here comes CM PUNK!! Punk has the bat, a la Sting! Punk gets in, The Pinnacle runs away! Fans sing Cult of Personality as Punk hands Sting the bat.

Punk then gets the mic to say, “You don’t wanna do it one on one in Texas? Next week, you wanna bring your friends? That’s fine, because I’m bringing mine, and that’s the match! Deal with it!” Punk, Darby & Sting against MJF & FTR in a Six Man Tag?!? Now THAT is a Holiday Bash! But will the Best in the World, the Relentless One and the Icon be able to bash in Max, Dax & Cash for a black ‘n’ blue Christmas?

My Thoughts:

What an awesome episode! And now I see why only four matches were made: the world title match was HALF THE SHOW! That was an epic match, I did not think they’d pull another Bryan Danielson time limit draw on us but that was actually rather clever. Neither Hangman nor Bryan wins or loses, and I am very sure Battle of the Belts is a rematch of Hangman VS Bryan to settle things going into the new year and the change to TBS. We got a good promo from The Elite to give us the 8 Man Tag I was hoping for, and we also got a great promo from Kingston to give us a surprising 10 Man Tag of him, Santana, Ortiz & Lucha Brothers against Garcia, 2point0, and mystery partners. Those last two could literally be any Heel team in AEW and they’d all be great choices.

We got a very good vignette from Malakai Black and good response promo from the Varsity Blonds. Griff being gung-ho to fight Malakai is definitely going to get him beat. Malakai’s video implies he could be creating a faction, which I think would be a great move given how many people AEW has running around. That person he sprayed with mist could be kayfabed into just about anyone, I hope we get someone we’ve seen a lot of on Dark or Elevation get their chance here. That way, Malakai can take on both Varsity Blonds in a tag match with his team, and take on other factions that AEW has running around.

Wardlow of course won against Sydal but I like that Shawn Spears wanted him to hold back just on how it’s a waste of time pulverizing someone. Wardlow could’ve shown a bit more reluctance or annoyance at being told to go get champagne for MJF, but they’re slowly building towards the day Wardlow finally tells MJF to shove it and he leaves The Pinnacle. Shida VS Deeb was a great tiebreaker match, though I do find it interesting it came down to a bare buckle making the difference. For all we know, this could build into a best of 7, winner challenges a champion at Revolution or something. Either way, Shida could win the series and be primed as a top challenger.

A weird choice is making Conti VS Ford a Submission match. Conti has legit submission skills from judo, and proved her ability to fight off a submission in her match against Britt Baker. But Ford? Literally just the Muta Lock. Pretty sure Conti wins that to also prime herself for a title opportunity against the TBS Champion, who will probably be Jade. Surprised there were no vignettes for that tournament, but maybe there just wasn’t time after the hour long world title match. Maybe we can actually get both of those matches on the same night to get the TBS Championship Finals on the TBS debut.

The Dynamite Diamond Ring match in the main event was great stuff. MJF showed ring IQ by avoiding Dante’s finisher again and again, but then Dante got to show off agility and stamina by hitting all those different high-flyer moves. I should’ve seen Ricky Starks screwing Dante over on behalf of Team Taz, and I really want to see Starks VS Dante for the FTW Championship. And we got a great brawl to close out the night and set up a Six Man Tag for Holiday Bash. I’m pretty sure one of the FTR guys takes the pin so Punk, Darby & Sting stay strong going into the separate blow-offs.

My Score: 9.3/10