New year, new look, same action!

AEW starts off 2023 in championship fashion! The Relentless Darby Allin is in his hometown of Seattle, going after Samoa Joe and the TNT Championship! Plus, Team Triple J looks to take the World Tag Team Championships from The Acclaimed! Will the year start with the end of reigns?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Ricky Starks VS Chris Jericho w/ Matthew Menard & Angelo Parker; Starks wins.
• AEW World Tag Team Championships: The Acclaimed w/ Billy Gunn VS Triple J w/ Sonjay Dutt & Satnam Singh; The Acclaimed win and retain the titles.
• Bryan Danielson VS Tony Nese w/ Mark Sterling & Josh Woods; Bryan wins.
• Swerve Strickland w/ Mogul Affiliates VS AR Fox; Swerve wins.
• Jade Cargill & Red Velvet w/ Leila Grey VS Kiera Hogan & Skye Blue; Cargill & Velvet win.
• AEW TNT Championship: Samoa Joe VS Darby Allin; Darby wins and becomes the new AEW TNT Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

Ricky Starks VS Chris Jericho w/ Matthew Menard & Angelo Parker!

The Absolute was not interested in joining the “JAS holes” of the Jericho Appreciation Society, so now they’re going to teach him a lesson! Will Starks regret saying no to #THEOCHO? Or will The Wizard’s 2023 be an absolute wreck?

The bell rings and Seattle is all fired up for “Ricky! Ricky!” Jericho flips Seattle off and they boo. Jericho and Starks tie up, Jericho arm-drags and grins as he high-fives Daddy Magic. Jericho mocks the fans, circles with Starks, and they tie up. Jericho wrenches, Starks wrenches back but Jericho whips Starks away. Starks comes back to run Jericho over! Starks strikes his pose and fans fire up more. Jericho gets up to SLAP Starks! But Starks SLAPS back! Starks then fires off hands from all sides and corners Jericho! The ref counts, has to pull Starks back, and Jericho bails out., Starks goes out after Jericho to CHOP and CHOP and whip into steel steps!

Starks gets Angelo Parker to back off, then he goes back to Jericho. Fans fire up as Starks poses, Starks puts Jericho in the ring, but Jericho kicks low! Jericho CHOPS and CHOPS Starks in the corner. And CHOPS again! Jericho whips corner to corner, runs in and clotheslines, then grins as he fires off point-blank clotheslines! The ref counts, Jericho pushes Aubrey Edwards! Jericho raises his hands but Aubrey makes him put them down. Fans fire up for Aubrey but Jericho CHOPS Starks again. Jericho whips, Starks KICKS back! Starks knuckle locks, CHOPS, and goes up the corner! Starks walks the ropes for the OLD SCHOOL!

Fans fire up, Starks fireman’s carries! SWINGING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Starks is frustrated but he tells off the “JAS holes.” Fans echo “JAS HOLES!” while Starks kicks Jericho. Starks CHOPS, runs, but Menard trips him up! Jericho clobbers Starks to the apron! Fans boo but Jericho runs to triangle jump- HAYMAKER from Starks! Starks drags Jericho to the apron, but Jericho throws body shots! Jericho CLAWS Starks’ back! Jericho then ROCKS Starks with forearms, pokes him in the eye, and then hits a suplex to the floor! Both men are down and fans lose their minds! Cool Hand Ange checks on Jericho while AEW goes picture in picture.

Aubrey has Menard & Parker back up while Jericho and Starks stir. Menard coaches Jericho up, Parker fans Jericho off, but the count is already 6 of 10 before Jericho crawls his way over. Jericho gets in at OCHO, and then Starks is in at 9! Fans rally as Starks crawls to a corner. Jericho runs in to KICK Starks in the side! Jericho snarls and he drags Starks up to ROCK him with a forearm! Starks staggers about, ends up in another corner, but Jericho bumps him off buckle after buckle after buckle! Jericho then CLUBS Starks down, stalks him to yet another corner, and digs his boots in! Aubrey counts, Jericho lets off at 4 to soak up the heat.

Starks drags himself up, Jericho storms back over, but Starks ROCKS Jericho with haymaker after haymaker! Starks runs, but into a DROPKICK! Dynamite returns to single picture as Jericho has his cocky cover, TWO! Jericho rains down fists on Starks, then soaks up more heat. Fans boo but Jericho drags Starks up to CHOP! Starks falls into the corner, but fans rally behind him. Jericho drags Starks up, whips him corner to corner, but Starks comes back to LARIAT Jericho! Fans fire up while both men are down again. Fans rally up, both men rise, and Starks grabs at Jericho. Jericho CHOPS, but Starks CHOPS!

Starks throws hands, Jericho gives them back! Jericho CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Jericho whips, Starks CLOBBERS him! And then DROPKICKS! Fans fire up again while Menard & Parker freak out! Starks fires up, feeding off that energy! Starks reels Jericho in, but Jericho fights free to fire off forearms. Jericho ROCKS Starks in the corner, fires off some more, then whips Starks to ropes. Starks kicks low, reels Jericho in, and gets Jericho up, LIGER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Jericho survives and Starks is frustrated but Seattle is still on Starks’ side. Starks runs, but into a THROAT CHOP! Jericho then hits a LIONSAULT onto Starks’ knees!

Fans fire up as Starks saves himself! Starks then hurries to the corner and climbs up! MOONSAULT but Jericho moves! Starks hobbles, but he blocks the Code Breaker! Starks shoves Jericho away, SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!! Jericho survives again and crawls to a corner. Starks runs in but only gets buckles! Jericho runs to CODE BREAKER! Fans boo but Jericho waits on Starks to stand. JUDAS- NO, Starks blocks it! And underhooks Jericho, into the ROSHAM- NO! Jericho trips Starks! Starks fights, but Jericho turns him! WALLS OF JERICHO!! Starks endures, powers up, claws his way forward, but Jericho drags him away!

Jericho sits deep on the Walls, but Starks still hangs in there! Starks crawls forward, but Parker distracts Aubrey! And just as Starks has the ROPEBREAK! Menard CLOBBERS Starks with Floyd the Baseball Bat!!! Fans boo but The JAS gets away with one! Jericho drags Starks from the ropes, Aubrey checks Starks, the arm drops once. The arm drags twice! The arm- STAYS UP!! Starks fights back up with new life!! Starks crawls his way forward, reaches out, but turns over! Starks fires off fists on Jericho, then BOOTS him away! Jericho staggers into a cradle! TWO!?!? Jericho narrowly escapes! And he BOOTS Starks!

Jericho runs, but Starks turns that into a TORNADO DDT!! Menard gets on the apron, Starks DECKS him! Parker gets back on the apron, Starks DECKS him, too! Jericho rushes in, Starks dodges, and SPEARS!!! Cover, STARKS WINS!!

Winner: Ricky Starks, by pinfall

But wait! The rest of the JAS Holes rush out! Daniel Garcia, Jake Hager & Sammy Guevara attack Starks to ruin the absolute upset! But here comes ACTION ANDRETTI!! He has the burn marks from Jericho’s fireball, and a chair in his hand! Action JAMS Parker, rushes in and JAMS Garcia! And Guevara! And then dodges Hager to SMACK him on the back! Action SMACKS Garcia, SMACKS Guevara, and is all fired up!! Hager stands up, but ANNA JAY stops Action! And Tay Melo LOW BLOWS him! Now Action gets mugged! The JAS has numbers on their side! Jericho CHOKES Starks! Fans boo but now Menard & Parker add a TABLE to the mix!

Fans tell off the JAS Holes, but Hager hauls Starks up and around, to POWERBOMB through the table!!! The entire Jericho Appreciation Society are sore losers, but they’re the ones standing tall. Will Starks & Andretti need back-up to get back at them all?

AEW returns and Tony Schiavone is in the ring.

Schiavone shouts out the great crowd in Seattle, and he now welcomes the Cowboy, Hangman Adam Page! Fans fire up as Hangman makes his way out to the ring. Hangman joins Schiavone, and Schiavone says we’ve heard a lot about Jon Moxley wanting a match with Hangman at the LA Forum for Dynamite. “But the question still remains: your condition. Can you go in the ring?” Hangman takes a moment, and then says, “There is nothing that I wanted more than to come out here tonight and tell you I can go. But as of today, I am not medically cleared to compete.” Fans boo, they’re disappointed.

Hangman says that he’s been told, that if he were to come out here tonight or even on Friday night, and get into a little fight with Moxley, it will set him back one more week, one more week, one more week, and we do this forever! That’s not what Hangman wants. What Hangman wants is the same thing Moxley wants, and that is a match at the Forum. Luckily, Hangman has a date. If he takes a redeye home tonight, gets that last brain scan, and it comes out good, then he WILL be cleared for the Forum! And he doesn’t care if it’s in the ring, in catering, or on the roof, Hangman will fight Moxley, and “knock your dick in the dirt!” That’s a new one…

But wait! Here comes Moxley! We were going to hear from him either way, so The Maniac makes his way out to the ring now! Moxley enters from the stands as always, grabs himself a mic, then steps into the ring. The two stare down and Seattle fires up! Moxley says, “I’m surprised you even made it here tonight. After everything you’ve been through. I’m getting a little sick of everyone taking something so beautiful, and treating it like an unfortunate accident. I’m a little sick of the flowers and sympathy cards and this ongoing candlelight vigil for Hangman Page.” Fans chant, “We Can’t Hear You!” More a comment on the technical difficulties than anything.

Moxley wants a new mic, so he gets one. “Seattle, Seattle.” The fans cheer because now they hear him! Moxley tries again but the mic is cutting in and out. Well, this is live television. Moxley asks, “Is the effing mic on? Okay. Go Seahawks, let’s get this back on track.” Fans cheer for that! Moxley finishes his thought about the flowers, cards and vigil for Hangman. When Moxley thinks of everything he’s put himself through in his career, of wrestling for two months with a torn bicep, being shipped off to India and Bahrain, no one has gotten knocked down more times than Moxley. When Moxley thinks the plates of crap he had to eat and the miles of crap he had to crawl through…

But Moxley’s not here to play the victim. Moxley says it all just makes him sick. Hangman takes the mic from Moxley, and he says, “You think I’m mad at you because you knocked me out? Is that really what you think?” Hangman wishes this wasn’t true, but he’s been knocked out more than he can count! Knocked out by enemies, knocked out by strangers, knocked out by best friends! “It’s an unfortunate part of what we do, and I would never be mad at you for it. But you don’t seem like a guy for nuance, so I’ll put it to you simple. What I’m mad about is how you called me out here. And when I stood face to face with you, you didn’t let me get a word in, before you made a joke.

“You nearly took my career from me! You nearly changed my life. And you wanted to crack a joke about it? I think I know why, Mox. I think I know why. I think in that moment, you felt threatened. Because if I know Jon Moxley and he got knocked out, the first thing he’d do is come back for revenge, and that’s not what I was there for that night. But it is what I’m here for now.” Fans like the sound of that! Hangman tells Moxley, “I’ve had a month to stew on what you said to me, and I’ve had two months to stew on how you knocked me out with a lariat. So simple, brutal and effective. And if anyone knows about that, it’s me, Jon.

“And I’ve had two in the chamber with your name on them. And you get them at The Forum.” Hangman gives the mic back, Moxley is itching to do more than talk, but Moxley says, “The only joke around here, the only joke that I think is funny, is the fact that you think next time is gonna be any different. Your little punk ass doesn’t belong in the ring with me. And next week, I’m gonna make sure this time, you don’t get back up.” Moxley drops the mic, both men have said what they need to say. Will next week’s heated rematch happen in LA?

Samoa Joe speaks.

The King of TV wants to tell us “a little tale. The tale of Darby Allin, the little dead boy who could. You see, little Darby Allin, he said he wanted his championship back. The King punished and pummeled him all around the building. The King had bigger dragons to slay. And as he was pummeling the great, mighty Wardlow, the little dead boy decided to come out and get in my business. And now, after you’ve been given your big speech, the big pep talk about how everything’s gonna be alright, and all you need to do is be that vicious, little dead boy will walk up and stand face to face with the King.

“For I am Samoa Joe! I am the ONE TRUE King of Television! You pay the price for insolence in my kingdom.” The AEW TNT & ROH World TV Champion is ready for the little dead boy, but will he be ready for The Relentless One?

AEW World Tag Team Championships: The Acclaimed w/ Billy Gunn VS Triple J w/ Sonjay Dutt & Satnam Singh!

We’ve had fights in and out of the ring, and we’ve had a war of words, but now it all comes to a head! Actually, Platinum Max has one more diss track on deck! “Hey, Jeff, your wife better say less! She getting dragged online worse than Skip Bayless! Acclaimed only hits you harder. You gone take a L and blame it on Dixie Carter! Y’all’re antiquated. Y’all messed up like Andrew Tate did! And you can never stop the reign! TNA stands for Total Nonstop Acclaimed!” Bowens says, “SEEEEATTLE~! The Acclaimed have arrived! SCISSOR ME, DADDY ASS!” And they do!

With that, the title belts are raised and the teams sort out. Will Max Caster & Anthony Bowens soon scissor finger in celebration with all of Seattle? Or will Jeff Jarrett & Jay Lethal start their new year off with gold?

Jarrett and Jay are both heated, but Jarrett insists he starts against Bowens. Fans sing “OH~ Scissor Me, Daddy~!” and that gets on Triple J’s nerves. Jarrett and Bowens circle, but then Jarrett SLAPS Caster! The ref keeps Caster back, Bowens goes after Jarrett but Lethal gets in. The ref keeps Lethal back now and Bowens fires off on Jarrett! Bowens gets in Jarrett’s face, promises to knock his ass out, and then CHOPS! Bowens stomps a mudhole into Jarrett, but lets off as the ref counts. Bowens whips corner to corner but Jarrett ELBOWS Bowens back! Lethal tags in, he throws a forearm but Bowens CHOPS!

Lethal and Bowens go back and forth, forearm and CHOP, then Lethal knees low. Lethal whips, Bowens goes up and over then hurdles! Bowens headlocks, Lethal powers out but Bowens hurdles again to mule kick, front kick, run and LEG DROP BULLDOG! Fans fire up and Bowens drags Lethal up. Bowens wrenches Lethal, tags Caster, and they mug Lethal. Caster keeps Lethal from Jarrett, then reels him in for an OLYMPIC SLAM! Caster taunts Jarrett a la Kurt, then tells him to SUCK IT a la Billy Gunn. Caster then grabs Lethal’s leg for an ANKLE LOCK! Lethal scrambles tot he ROPEBREAK, and Caster lets go quickly.

Caster drags Lethal up, tags Bowens, and then Caster scoop SLAMS Lethal into the drop zone! Bowens goes up, Caster holds Lethal’s legs open, for SCISSOR ME TIMBERS! Fans fire up, and The Acclaimed- NO, Jarrett gets in to flip Caster off. But Bowens ROCKS Jarrett, Caster scoop SLAMS him, and Bowens goes up again! SCISSOR ME TIMBERS! Billy gets in, he Fargo struts, and they SCISSOR FINGER~! Fans are thunderous for The Acclaimed as they drag Lethal up. They whip Lethal, Bowens swings but Lethal ducks under! Lethal slides out, to SLAP Billy!! Billy is pissed, he has Lethal, but Lethal scurries away!

The ref reprimands Billy but Billy says that’s BS! Lethal hit Billy first! The ref EJECTS Billy!? Fans boo, you can’t do that to Daddy Ass! But Lethal & Jarrett are laughing up a storm and soaking up the heat as AEW goes picture in picture.

Sonjay Dutt mocks Billy but Billy chases him off. Lethal CLOBBERS Bowens from behind, then bumps him off buckles. Lethal ROCKS Bowens, then drags him up to bump off buckles. Lethal climbs up to rain down fists! Sonjay counts along and Lethal lets off at ten. But Bowens kicks back! Lethal blocks to kick back, and he tags in Jarrett. Triple J mugs Bowens, double whip him, but Bowens reverses to send Lethal away! Lethal bails out and Jarrett gets Bowens with a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Jarrett flexes then stomps away on Bowens. Jarrett puts Bowens on ropes, CHOKES him, but lets off to run and STRADDLE ATTACK!

Bowens sputters while Jarrett tells Caster to SUCK IT! Jarrett then struts, and tells Caster to SUCK IT again! Bowens staggers up and Jarrett LARIATS him down! Jarrett continues to taunt Caster, then he drags Bowens over. Tag to Lethal, Jarrett whips Bowens to kick low. Lethal runs in to SWINGING NECKBREAKER! But wait, the ref didn’t see Lethal’s tag, it doesn’t count! Lethal is annoyed, but he drags Bowens back over and lets Jarrett take over. Bowens kicks Jarrett from below but that just annoys Jarrett. Jarrett stomps Bowens, fires off in the corner, and Dynamite returns to single picture as fans chant, “F U Jarrett!”

Jarrett tags Lethal, Lethal brings Bowens out as Jarrett eggs the fans on. Lethal snapmares Bowens to clamp on a chinlock. Bowens endures and fans rally up. Bowens fights to his feet but Lethal knees low! Lethal scoops and SLAMS Bowens! Lethal does his Machismo swagger, and then he goes to the corner. Fans boo but Lethal climbs up, HAIL TO THE FLOP as Bowens moves! Bowens and Lethal crawl, hot tag to Jarrett, and Jarrett BLASTS Caster! But Bowens throws haymakers on Jarrett! Fans fire up as the CHOPS fire off! Bowens whips, Jarrett reverses and catches Bowens into a headlock, only for Bowens to counter with a BIG back suplex!

Fans fire up as both men are down again! Bowens crawls over, as does Jarrett, hot tags to Lethal and Caster! Platinum Max rallies on Triple J with big elbows and lariats! Caster whips Lethal, then hits a BIG back drop! Jarrett staggers up into a backhand! And a SUPERKICK! Caster then PLANCHAS onto Lethal! Fans fire up and Caster scissor fingers the front row. Caster puts Lethal in, he goes up top, and he CROSSBODIES! Cover, Jarrett breaks it! Fans boo, Jarrett drags Caster up to SLAP him! Caster TACKLES Jarrett! Caster fires off fast hands and fans fire up again! But Lethal drags Caster up, only for Caster to DROPKICK back!

Tag to Bowens, Bowens reels Lethal in and Caster climbs. But Lethal fights the clinch! Jarrett SHOVES Caster to the floor! Lethal gets free but Bowens goes after Jarrett! Bowens ROCKS Jarrett but Lethal kicks Bowens! Alabama Lift, Jarrett traps the arms, ICONOCLASM BACK DROP! Cover, TWO!! But Lethal gets the legs for a FIGURE FOUR! Bowens endures, the ref misses Satnam sending Caster into steel steps! But the ref hears it, and looks over to see what happened! The ref EJECTS Satnam and Sonjay!! More refs rush out to make Satnam leave, and he flips the main ref off! Lethal and Jarrett can’t believe it!

Lethal & Jarrett wait on Bowens to get up, and Bowens staggers. Lethal dodges the haymaker, handsprings, but into Bowens’ ROLLING ELBOW! But Jarrett reels Bowens in! THE STROKE!! Lethal covers, and Sonjay swats Bowens’ foot of the ropes!! TRIPLE J WIN!!!

Winners: Jay Lethal & Jeff Jarrett, by pinfall (NEW AEW World Tag Team Championships)

Seattle can’t believe it! But wait! AUBREY saw everything! She tells the ref and ring announcer that Sonjay screwed Bowens! Jarrett & Lethal tell them no, their win stands! But the announcement is made: the officials have decided that this match MUST CONTINUE!! Triple J is freaking out, so they go after Bowens at the ropes! They stomp away, double whip, but Bowens crisscrosses them into each other! Caster is back, he ROCKS Jarrett and Bowens SUPERKICKS him down! But Lethal rolls Bowens up! With feet on the ropes! But Caster pushes those off now! Bowens uses that to roll Lethal up! THE ACCLAIMED WIN!!

Winners: The Acclaimed, by pinfall (still AEW World Tag Team Champions)

Justice has been served! Triple J couldn’t cheat Caster & Bowens twice, and they got what they deserved! Billy returns to celebrate, will nothing stop the #ForeverReign?

Tony Schiavone has a sit-down interview with Britt Baker & Jamie Hayter.

Schiavone welcomes The Doctor and the AEW Women’s World Champion. “Everyone is talking about next week and the tag match. Who is gonna be Saraya’s partner? That has been the big question.” Hayter says it has been. Britt thinks the bigger question should be, “Will Saraya ever get it?” Since she first showed up in AEW, Saraya has not gotten what AEW is. Saraya does not understand what AEW means to the wrestlers, the fans, and their family. Hayter says Saraya doesn’t understand what they mean to AEW, and what AEW truly means to them. Britt and Hayter are AEW originals! Saraya will never get that.

Britt says it is safe to say that she and Hayter, though different, had very similar starts. They had rather rocky starts to their careers. It took them a bit to figure out what they were doing, and they worked their way up to the top of this division. Now, Hayter is the champion! And what Britt doesn’t know if Saraya realizes, but last week, Saraya had two of the best female wrestlers in the world right next to her. So no matter who she’s looking for out there, Shida & Storm, like ’em or not, which Britt & Hayter don’t, but those two are fantastic pro-wrestlers. How has Saraya not made a decision yet?

Schiavone says maybe Saraya is just making Britt & Hayter think about it. Well, Saraya did come in and make an impact. Maybe it was Saraya’s house. But Hayter is the champ, Britt is the boss, the Killer & Pillar. Yours Truly, Dr. Britt Baker, DMD. Is Saraya playing this one close to the vest? Or does she really not know what to do about the tag match in the Forum?

“Jungle Boy” Jack Perry speaks.

“After the last year that I had, I wasn’t sure that there was anyone left I could count on. But maybe I spoke too soon. Now, Big Bill, Lee Moriarty, Stokely, you guys have made it very clear that you are looking for some sort of a problem. Well how about next week, in my hometown of Los Angeles, California, for one night only… Hook and I take care of business.” The Cold-Hearted, Handsome Devil walks into frame, will he and JB make The Firm wish they’d picked on anyone else?

Bryan Danielson VS Tony Nese w/ Mark Sterling & Josh Woods!

The American Dragon wants after the AEW World Champion, Maxwell Jacob Friedman, but Smart Mark came to the defense. The Premier Athlete wants after the hometown hero, but will he instead end up an example to MJF?

The bell rings and Bryan circles with Nese. Fans are thunderous for Bryan already and Bryan smiles. Nese is upset, but then Woods swipe at Bryan! Sterling distracts Aubrey and Nese CLOBBERS Bryan! Nese then runs with Bryan to HOTSHOT BULLDOG! And PREMIER TRIANGLE! But Bryan dodges and gets to the corner! Nese still runs in to PREMIER KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Bryan survives Nese’s best shot and Nese can’t believe it! Nese rains down fists on Bryan while fans boo. Nese drags Bryan up as fans rally for Bryan. Nese CHOPS, but Bryan shakes his head. Bryan puts Nese in the corner to CHOP and KICK and CHOP again!

Bryan fires off on Nese, KICK after KICK after KICK! Bryan whips, Nese reverses, but Bryan goes up and over! Things keep moving, Bryan dodges to CLOBBER Nese! Nese flounders, fans are thunderous again and Bryan is all fired up! Bryan waits on Nese to sit up, and then he KICKS Nese! And KICKS! And KICKS! “YES! YES! YES!” Sterling freaks out but Bryan powers up, to BUZZ- NO, Nese blocks! Nese slips around, rolls Bryan up, deadlifts and BUCKLE BOMBS! Bryan sits down, Nese pulls down the kneepad! Nese runs side to side, but Bryan dodges! Knee hits buckle! Bryan runs in to BUSAIKU KNEE!! But Bryan doesn’t cover, he promises to kick Nese’s head in!!

Bryan gets the arms, for DRAGON STOMPS! “YES! YES! YES!” Bryan then turns Nese over, into the REGAL STRETCH!! Nese is OUT, Bryan wins!!

Winner: Bryan Danielson, by submission

Bryan smirks as he lets off, and Seattle is thunderous for the conquering hero! Bryan gets a mic now to say, “It is great to be home! And y’know what? I’m feeling a little froggy. I’m feeling a little froggy, and I’m ready for another fight! MJF! Get your ass out here!” Fans fire up for that, and here comes MJF! The AEW World Champion has them cut his music while fans boo. MJF throws his gum aside to say, “Brain Damaged Bryan. Lemme get this straight: you want me to come into that ring and wrestle you, right?” Fans chant “YES! YES! YES!” MJF says how about no?

Unlike Bryan, MJF doesn’t get his rocks off by putting his body on the line to entertain the shmucks! He doesn’t care about them at all! But Bryan is a mark! MJF is aware he has a big fat check in the mail, whether he wrestles or not. That’s what makes MJF a special attraction. But MJF can tell that the people love Bryan, they chant his name every week, over and over again. And to his credit, Bryan is pretty solid. But MJF was in the back listening as Bryan was talking, and with all due respect, “if Lance Storm and Dean Malenko were somehow able to procreate and have a child, it would still be more charismatic than you.”

Fans boo but MJF says, “Just cuz you look like a goat, it don’t make you the Greatest Of All Time. But granted, I mean, you really look like a goat. As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t be shocked if back in 1981 in rural Aberdeen, Washington, Mama Danielson, much like all the mothers here in Washington, couldn’t find a human suitor!” Bryan says he likes that MJF is making jokes. Because in the back, all the boys talk about MJF’s mother and how many human suitors she’s had. MJF is speechless after that one! Bryan says that in fact, it was probably enough suitors that they could fill this whole arena! Hell, maybe even some are here right now!

Bryan points out some guys, and MJF shouts, “THAT’S NOT FUNNY!!” Bryan then asks Seattle, “Who here has been Max’s mother’s human suitor?” MJF tells them all to shut their mouths! Bryan thinks he’s a big deal, huh?! He’s delusional! He buys his own hype if he thinks he’s the best wrestler in the world! But that’s impossible, because MJF is, and #TripleB proves it! Fans boo but MJF asks, “I’m just curious, Bryan, who died and named you the king of wrestling, huh? Journalists who’ve never stepped in the ring, let alone out of their mother’s basements? Or even worse, these marks who don’t have one athletic one in their parasitic bodies!”

MJF says that unlike Bryan, MJF is touted as being the best by people who’ve actually been in the business. Top names! Fans call MJF names, but MJF says those were guys that put him over, like Disco Inferno! Eric Bischoff! “And the smartest man of them all, and my number one fan, Jim Cornett!” Bryan cuts MJF off, and he agrees with the people in Seattle: just shut up. Bryan says we’ve heard the spiel a million times, and it’s okay. Bryan did a mom joke, he’s okay with those. But Bryan hates MJF, and it is time to fight. MJF panics as Bryan steps out of the ring! “Slow your roll, Dragon!” MJF scurries over to commentary! MJF tells Taz that Bryan has anger issues.

MJF wants one second, but the fans boo. Bryan may not realize this, but MJF came here as a favor to him. MJF is trying to smarten him up! This ain’t play wrestling, this is pro-wrestling. “In this company, wins and losses matter. And if you want a shot at the king and the grandest prize of ’em all, you gotta become #1 contender.” Fans tell MJF to STFU, but he says no. MJF says he had a feeling Bryan would stick his nose in MJF’s business, so MJF talked to “that nerd,” Tony Khan. And Tony told MJF that if Bryan were to wrestle every week on Dynamite, and win, from now until February 8th, Bryan will be #1 contender.

And Bryan, MJF is normally known for making Bryan jump through hoops. But he’ll make an exception here. If Bryan can pull off that win streak, from now until February 8th, Bryan gets his match for Triple B at Revolution on March 5th, no questions asked! So what does B-Ry say? Fans say “YES!” but Bryan says no!? MJF does this all the time, so Bryan is just gonna wrestle when he wants, still become #1 contender, and still beat MJF for the title. NO!! That’s not how this works! Tony doesn’t run this company, the EVPs don’t run this company, MJF does!!

If Bryan doesn’t become #1 contender the way MJF wants him to, Sterling will filibuster this! Bryan will be stuck as #1 contender until MJF’s contract is up! Bryan will NEVER wrestle MJF for the belt! It’s MJF’s way or it’s no way! GOT IT!? Fans boo but Bryan says, “Dude, Mark Sterling’s a horrible lawyer. You think he’s gonna make that happen? But here, I’ll humor you a little bit. I’ll agree to your cute little stipulation, if you agree to let me make the stipulation for our match at Revolution.” Fans like Bryan turning the tables, but MJF says, “Seriously? Okay. First of all, watch your mouth, you fat skank!” Wow, who was that MJF got mad at?

MJF wants to get this right. Bryan wants a stipulation so that MJF can just cheat in front of the ref? Bryan’s really brilliant, y’know? But go ahead, Bryan, pick whatever you’d like. Bryan says MJF doesn’t get it. In this stipulation, MJF won’t be able to do anything that gets him disqualified, and it’s really more… Well, MJF calls himself the Best Professional Wrestler? Well, this is the real test of that! Bryan’s challenge is for a ONE HOUR IRONMAN MATCH! Fans love the sound of that, but MJF is stunned! Bryan says, “What? Are you scared, Maxi Pad?” Fans chant, “MAXI PAD! MAXI PAD!” but MJF is pissed! MJF ACCEPTS!!

But no, shut up! MJF isn’t worried! Bryan won’t even make it past week one! Because all Bryan does is choke! Bryan hasn’t won a big match opportunity since he’s gotten here! Bryan is a choke artist! Bryan says, “Well, we’re gonna see. Cuz I’m gonna tell you what I’m gonna do. I’m gonna run through every single opponent that you put in front of me, from now until February 8th. And then when we get into that One Hour Ironman Match at Revolution, here’s what I didn’t tell you before. I am going to expose you. I am going to expose that you don’t have the cardio. That you haven’t put in the work. That you don’t have the footwork.

“That everything you do, the reason you don’t wrestle isn’t just because you don’t care about wrestling, it’s because you’re not good enough to come out here every! Single! Week! And after I expose you, in front of all of these people, I’m gonna put the nail in the coffin, and I’m gonna kick your damn head in.” Bryan gets the last word, will he prove that he’s better than MJF, and MJF knows it?

AEW looks closer at Orange Cassidy VS Kip Sabian.

Set for Battle of the Belts 5 this Friday night after Rampage, the Freshly Squeezed All-Atlantic Champion finally settles the score with Mr. Superbad! Sabian screwed over Trent Beretta to mess with Best Friends, but now he’ll have to put up or shut up! Will Sabian find that you don’t get under Orange Cassidy’s skin and get away with it?

Swerve Strickland w/ Mogul Affiliates VS AR Fox!

Ever since throwing Keith Lee away, there have been no limits to how low Swerve will go to stay on top. Will he cheat The People’s Choice the same way he did Wheeler Yuta on Rampage? Or will the answer to “Whose House?” be “Fox’s house?”

The bell rings and fans rally as Fox and Swerve circle. Fans chant “WHOSE HOUSE?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” as Fox avoids Swerve rushing in. They feel out a grapple, then they both forearm! They both stagger, Swerve runs in but Fox dumps him to the apron. Fox stops the slingshot to ROCK Swerve, then he rolls and runs! Swerve backflips away but Fox just flips to the apron! Fox then jumps over as Swerve rushes back in! Swerve knees low, whips Fox, but Fox tiger feints! Swerve ducks, slide sin, Fox pursues, somersault but Swerve blocks the cutter! Swerve fireman’s carries, but Fox fights free to the apron!

Fox pushes Swerve away but Swerve runs in! Fox flips but Swerve handsprings out of the ring! Fans fire up as the former friends stare down! But Parker and the still anonymous tattooed man back Swerve up. The ref counts, Swerve has his affiliates back down, and Swerve swings on Fox! Fox BOOTS Swerve first, goes up to the apron, and he runs to the corner to MOONSAULT! Direct hit and Swerve is down! Fox puts Swerve in the ring at 5 of 10, then aims. Swerve storms over but Fox trips Swerve up! Fox slingshots to facelock and roll Swerve, into a deadlift BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Swerve flounders to a corner but fans rally for Fox.

Fox goes corner to corner, and he hits an A-LIST LARIAT! Swerve flounders while Fox skins the cat. But Swerve distracts the ref so tattooed man can CLOBBER Fox! Fans boo, but Swerve goes to the apron to FLYING BOOT Fox down! Fans fire up and AEW goes picture in picture.

Swerve smiles then poses, then goes back for Fox. Swerve ROCKS Fox with haymakers, then brings him up to whip him hard into railing! Swerve then shoves Fox into the ring, and he clamps on an armlock! Fox endures, Swerve shifts his grip to a cover, ONE!! Swerve argues that but one is one. Fox goes to the corner, Swerve walks over and ROCKS Fox with a haymaker! Swerve stands Fox up, snapmares him, and then goes up the corner. FALLING UPPERCUT! Fox writhes but Swerve swaggers and dances. Cover, TWO! Swerve is annoyed and he stomps Fox down! Fox throws body shots but Swerve UPPERCUTS him!

Swerve HEADBUTTS Fox, clinches, and he cranks on the neck wrench. Fox endures, fights up, but Swerve wrangles him back down. Fox endures the cravat as Swerve keeps on the pressure. Fox fights up to his feet, arm-drags free, but Swerve CLOBBERS him! Dynamite returns to single picture and he drags Fox around for SLAPS to the back! Fox backs Swerve into the corner, but Swerve BOOTS him away! But Fox BOOTS back! Swerve mule kicks, front kicks, but Fox ENZIGURIS! Swerve BOOTS, but Fox goes Matrix under the discus lariat! ENZIGURI again! Swerve falls and fans fire up! Fox grits his teeth and runs in at the corner, BIG back elbow!

Fox then snapmare rolls, but Swerve GERMAN SUPLEXES! And then SOMERSAULT COMPLETE SHOTS! Cover, TWO!! Swerve snarls, he kicks at Fox, then drags him up. Swerve hoists Fox to the top rope backwards, then climbs up behind him. Fox throws elbows to send Swerve away, and then Fox adjusts. But Swerve hits the ropes to trip Fox, but Fox just split legs through it! Roll up and BASEMENT CUTTER! Fox runs in, to BOOT Swerve to a corner! Fox puts Swerve up top, ICONOCLASM! But Fox holds onto the arms to drag Swerve back up into a CUTTER! And then Fox goes up and up and 450 SPLASHES!! cover, TWO!!

Swerve survives and shocks Fox! Fans fire up, “This is Awesome!” Swerve goes to the apron, Fox goes out after him and fireman’s carries. Swerve fights with elbows, ends up on the corner, but Fox ROCKS him! Fox goes around the other side, climbs up behind Swerve, but the tattooed man has a chain! The ref tells him to back off, but Parker creeps up to sneak Swerve some metal! Swerve JAMS Fox in the face!! Swerve then fireman’s carries Fox, for a SUPER DEATH VALLEY DRIVER to the apron!!! Fans lose their minds, Swerve puts Fox in the ring! KILLSHOT STOMPS!! Cover, Swerve wins!

Winner: Swerve Strickland, by pinfall

Give the assist to the affiliates, but Swerve is merciless. Will nothing stop Swerve from taking over AEW?

Renee Paquette has a sit-down interview with Saraya, Toni Storm & Hikaru Shida.

Renee is with the Revolution, the Lightning and the Full Metal Warrior, and thanks them all for taking this time to talk with her. Powerful words thrown at them from Britt & Hayter, but what is their reaction? Saraya says that’s typical Britt, isn’t it? She tries to gatekeep this division and hold it back while Saraya and the others want to advance it. Storm says “God forbid it should be about anyone but them.” And worse yet, Storm got screwed out of her championship and her face fractured because of them. That’s not cool.

Renee says there has been a ton of speculation about just who exactly is Saraya bringing with her to the Forum. Does she care to make an announcement? Saraya says she is excited. This has been trending every single week, which is exciting, and Saraya says since coming here, she has learned so much. AEW has the best female roster in the world, the best matches in the world, and talking about Toni Storm VS Jamie Hayter at Full Gear to Hikaru Shida VS Jamie Hayter at Holiday Bash. They all absolutely killed it! Saraya knows she is sitting between the best wrestlers in the world. That means… Saraya chooses Toni!

Oh, looks like Shida didn’t know this was coming. Saraya says that ever since seeing Storm at Grand Slam, she just knew she’d have a bond with Storm. And she is really excited, they can talk strategy now. Renee says it is official! Next week at the LA Forum, Britt & Hayter VS Saraya & Storm! But will Shida cool off about being seemingly snubbed? Or will she want to have a talk with Saraya later on?

Austin & Colten Gunn are here!

Seattle boos the Ass Boys, but they’re here in rather serious attire. They cute it up, and they have a memorial for FTR! “FTRIP, May 27, 2020 – December 21, 2022.” The Gunns continue to ringside as somber organ music plays. Fans boo and mock the “ASS BOYS~!” but they stand in the ring with pictures of FTR set up for this mock wake. Austin & Colten get the mics, and Austin takes a breath. “Thank you all for coming. We’re here to pay our respects to FTR’s legacy.” Colten says he has something prepared. He isn’t sure he can get through this but he’ll try.

“FTR had a hell of a year. They traveled the world. They worked at a bunch of promotions. They even had the AAA, ROH and IWGP championships. Not AEW’s, though. They called themselves 7 Star FTR, but they were 10 stars in our hearts.” Austin says he has something prepared, as well. “But as 2022 was coming to an end, their decrepit, weak, old dad bods couldn’t carry the load anymore. When the Gunns beat FTR clean in the middle of the ring, they lost the ROH belts, the AAA belts, the IWGP belts, and even started a podcast no one listens to. A legacy that we watched them build for ten years, the Gunns destroyed in ten minutes.

“Now please, stand up and join us as we all remember and honor the legacy of FTR in a moment of silence.” Fans boo as the Gunns take a deep breath and stay quiet. But wait! FTR is here?! They can’t be, they were just in Japan for WrestleKingdom 17! The Gunns laugh at them punking everyone in Seattle! Austin says, “Look! FTR can wrestle for any promotion they want to, and I mean any promotion, but they will never work in AEW again!!” Colten says that’s because they are the “new living legends! We are the new best tag team in the world! Top GUNNS, out!”

Austin tells Seattle to suck it, and then he and Colten smack the pictures over. FTR is still going to return to AEW, will the Ass Boys go running when they do?

Jade Cargill & Red Velvet w/ Leila Grey VS Kiera Hogan & Skye Blue!

While the TBS Champion is still undefeated, she isn’t happy about how, out of all the flavors, Red Velvet chooses to be salty. And she’s also not happy about Velvet didn’t let her do what she wanted to Kiera just last week on Rampage. Will The Baddies still be united here tonight? Or will Velvet show her true colors?

The teams sort out and Velvet starts against Skye. They circle, tie up, and go around. Skye headlocks, but Velvet stomps a foot and powers out. Velvet drops but Skye avoids the dropkick! Skye flips Velvet over but Velvet rolls Skye to a cover, ONE and Skye has it now! TWO, and Velvet swings, but into a waistlock. Velvet switches, Skye runs to ropes and uses that to push Velvet down to a cover, TWO as Velvet goes Matrix! Velvet hits an Oklahoma Roll, TWO! Skye rolls Velvet up, TWO! Skye holds onto Velvet for a sunset, TWO! Velvet sits on Skye, TWO! Skye sunsets, TWO! Velvet sits, TWO! Velvet staggers up, Skye SHINING WIZARDS!

Tag to Kiera, she runs and HIP ATTACKS Velvet on the ropes! Then she YANKS Velvet down, runs and steps up to LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Kiera keeps on Velvet, tags Skye but Velvet throws body shots. Skye kicks but Velvet blocks! Velvet spins Skye but Skye SPIN KICKS! Velvet wobbles, Skye brings her up and around, but Velvet switches. Skye slips through to DDT! Cover, TWO!! Velvet survives, Jade is annoyed, but Velvet clinches. Skye powers Velvet back but into the Baddie corner! Jade tags in and fans fire up as AEW goes picture in picture.

Jade and Skye tie up, Skye kicks but Jade ducks it to pump handle and SLAM! Jade fires up, Skye goes to a corner, and Jade throws forearms. Jade stomps, UPPERCUTS, and ROCKS Skye! Jade whips Skye corner to corner, dribbles and runs in, but Skye avoids the slam dunk! Jade avoids the haymaker to DECK Skye! Jade goes out after Skye, flexes, and then brings Skye up to UPPERCUT her back down! Jade bumps Skye off the apron, Skye staggers around the way, and Kiera coaches Skye up. Jade refreshes the count, UPPERCUTS Skye again, then talks trash. Skye ROCKS Jade! Jade comes back with fire as AEW goes to break!

Dynamite returns and Jade trophy lifts Skye! Fans fire up, Skye slips away, and Kiera tags in! Kiera leaps but into Jade’s arms! Swinging POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! Kiera survives “The Eye of the Storm,” and Velvet still looks salty. Jade drags Kiera up into chicken wings, but then she decides to give Velvet a second chance. Velvet didn’t let Jade slap Kiera, but now Velvet can do it herself. Jade pats Velvet on the head for the tag, and Velvet puts some stank on it, only to clinch Kiera instead of slap her! Jade is still upset Velvet isn’t doing what she wants, but now the ref tells Jade to exit. Velvet whips, Kiera reverses and CLOBBERS her!

Kiera CLOBBERS Velvet again, runs corner to corner and SPLASHES! She trips Velvet, runs Around the World, and SLIDING BOOTS! Cover, TWO! Kiera hurries to bring Velvet up but Velvet blocks the suplex. Velvet throws body shots but Kiera snap suplexes her away! Jade is upset, she tags in. She SUPERKICKS Kiera then BOOTS Skye! Fans fire up and Jade soaks it all up. Jade drags Kiera up, choke grips, and CHOKE SLAMS Kiera! Jade tells Velvet to finish this, but then Velvet drops off the apron!? Keira rolls Jade, TWO!! Jade BOOTS Kiera down! Cover, Jade still wins!

Winners: Jade Cargill & Red Velvet, by pinfall

The Baddies still win, that makes Jade 47-0. But this surely must be the last time Jade and Velvet are on the same side. Will Velvet regret angering #ThatBitch?

BREAKING NEWS for Battle of the Belts 5!

After the controversy that almost won them the tag titles, Team Triple J gets a second shot! And this time, it will be NO HOLDS BARRED!

Backstage interview with Team Triple J.

Lethal & Jarrett are riled up as Renee tries to get their reactions. This Friday, No Holds Barred- DAMN RIGHT it’s gonna be No Holds Barred! That was the biggest bunch of crap out there tonight! That was carny BS! It took 15 refs to beat them! But nothing stops them this Friday! Jarrett guarantees NEW AEW World Tag Team Champions! Sonjay even breaks his pencil over this! But will Triple J break The Acclaimed and take those titles?

MORE news for Battle of the Belts!

Though Skye didn’t win in tonight’s tag match, she didn’t take the pin, and now she gets her turn at the TBS Championship! Will Skye be able to end the undefeated streak of Jade Cargill? Or will she just end up number 48?

AEW TNT Championship: Samoa Joe VS Darby Allin!

The King of Television still has both this title and the ROH World Television Championship, but the Relentless hometown hero looks to change that. Darby has another new video, showing off the skate park he grew up on. He also has a highlight reel of his TNT title reign, from defeating the American Nightmare to defeating Ricky Starks, Christian Cage, and JD Drake, until losing the title. Darby makes his entrance, will he have a new chapter in that highlight reel? Or will the King of TV cancel Darby’s comeback season?

As Darby makes his way to ringside, he hugs Nick Wayne, son of Darby’s trainer, the late, great Buddy Wayne. Samoa Joe makes his entrance, and he assaults Nick Wayne!! Fans boo, Darby DIVES to take Joe out! Darby KICKS Joe, CLUBS him, grabs his skateboard, and SMACKS him!! This isn’t a match so Darby JAMS Joe with the board! And SMACKS him again! They go up the ramp, around the way, and Darby JAMS Joe again! Darby hops up to the ramp, to then jump and OLLIE SMASH Joe! Fans are thunderous as Darby goes back to the stage, and he brings out a LADDER! Fans fire up as Darby sets the ladder up and climbs it!

Fans are thunderous but the refs want this in the ring! Darby aims from the very top, and he SUPER SWANTONS onto Joe!! Both men are down on the ramp and fans are losing their minds! Darby clutches his knee from the landing, but he hobbles his way after Joe as Joe crawls to ringside. Darby headlocks and fishhooks Joe! Fans rally, Darby brings Joe around and puts him in the ring. The bell rings and Darby SHOTGUNS Joe into the corner! Joe tumbles out, staggers around, but Darby goes to the apron. Darby hurries after Joe, kicks him, then leaps, but Joe catches him! URENAGE onto the steel steps!!

Darby writhes, the ref checks in, and Seattle loses their minds all over again as AEW goes picture in picture! Joe goes into the ring to let Darby writhe, and Joe soaks up the heat from Seattle. The ring count starts, but Darby crawls his way back over at 3 of 10. Darby manages to drag himself up at 5, but Joe is after him! Joe runs Darby along the apron to POST him! Darby goes flying off to the railing! Joe smirks while the ref checks Darby again. Joe mocks the hometown hero while the ring count starts again. Joe counts along to mock Darby, but Darby stirs at 4 of 10. There are fans worried for Darby as he crawls over.

The count hits “OCHO!” but Darby gets in! Joe is shocked, but then Darby fops back out for a breather. Joe cuts that short by going out after Darby. Joe stands Darby up to CHOP him back down! Joe then stands Darby up, to CHOP him back down again! Joe talks trash to the fans in the front row, then storms after Darby. They get in the ring, but Darby bails out the other end. Joe watches Darby flounder and stagger around the outside. Darby manages to stand, but he keeps his distance to taunt Joe. Joe rushes out, Darby slides in, but Joe slides back in, only for Darby to fire off hands! Darby has Joe in the corner and fans fire up, but Joe HEADBUTTS Darby down!

Joe paces, stomps Darby, and Dynamite returns to single picture. Joe sits Darby up, to PENALTY KICK! Fans rally for Darby but Joe sits Darby up to CHOP him on his back! And PENALTY KICK again! Joe then runs to drop an elbow but misses! Darby hurries to get a SLEEPER! Joe stands, Darby fishhooks the nose, but Joe BACKPACK SENTONS! Joe has a leg and pulls on a toehold! But Darby CLAWS Joe’s eyes! The ref counts, Darby lets off but Joe lets go, too. Darby fires off fast strikes, but Joe sweeps the legs! No mercy in this dojo! Fans rally as hard as they can for Darby, but Joe smirks as he looms over Darby.

Joe drags Darby up, but Darby throws body shots! Darby runs, but Joe picks him up and ties up the legs! KNEE BREAKER!! Darby clutches his legs but Joe smirks again. Fans still rally behind Darby, but the concern is growing. Joe hears the fans chant, so he PENALTY KICKS Darby down! And then SENTONS the legs! Darby clutches his knees, Joe grins as he covers, TWO!! Darby refuses to give up and fans fire up for him. Joe drags Darby around by a leg, and then hooks on a HALF CRAB! Joe sits on it but Darby refuses to quit! Darby claws his way forward, and he gets the ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer and Joe lets off in frustration.

Joe looms over Darby as the fans are thunderous for their hometown hero. Joe drags Darby up, brings him around and bumps him off buckles. Joe hoists Darby up top, tucks him in, and carries Darby, but Darby sunset flips! Joe stays up, drags Darby up, but Darby ducks the haymaker to waistlock! Darby pushes Joe to the corner but Joe holds onto the top buckle to resist the O’Conner! The buckle pad gives way, the ref almost gets knocked over, but Darby finishes the O’Conner Roll! TWO, and into the COQUINA CLUTCH!! Darby flails, pushes and rolls back to a cover, TWO!! Darby goes to the corner, Joe runs in, but gets an ELBOW!

Darby runs, hops on, THROWBACK- NO! Joe turns stunner into SLEEPER! Darby is fading already!! Fans are thunderous, and Darby gets a second wind!! Darby has a wild look in his eyes, and he beats his chest a la Sting! Darby RAMS Joe into the bare buckle!! CODE RED!!! Darby goes up top, for the COFFIN DROP to Joe’s back! Fans are electric as Darby goes up top again! COFFIN DROP to the front!! Cover, DARBY WINS!!

Winner: Darby Allin, by pinfall (NEW AEW TNT Champion)

Seattle explodes over the hometown hero’s victory! Darby is now a TWO-TIME TNT Champion! The confetti flies and even STIIIIING is here! The Icon joins his young ward in the ring to celebrate! The new year gives us a new champion, is this new era going to be even more relentless than before?

My Thoughts:

A great episode for AEW to open the new year. Starks VS Jericho was a great opener, and that was a great win for Starks. But of course the Jericho Appreciation Society has to go and beat Ricky down, and then Action Andretti on top of it. This definitely has to give us a tag match of Starks & Andretti VS any combination from the JAS. Honestly, Starks & Andretti should face all the combinations, from Menard & Parker to Sammy & Garcia to Jericho & Hager. Especially in the case of Sammy & Garcia to push their story of dysfunction forward a step. It’ll give us a lot more Action Andretti on TV, and Jericho can settle things with Action and Starks once and for all.

Great promos from Hangman and Moxley, and they didn’t give us an Unsanctioned match for next week, but I guess that was asking too much. I’m pretty sure Hangman will be “cleared” for next week, and then he and Moxley can have an awesome match. If there needs to be another rematch, it can be at Revolution in March after more great build. Good promo from Jungle Boy to give us the tag match I knew we were getting of JB & Hook VS The Firm’s Moriarty & Morrissey, and good video for Cassidy VS Sabian. Those will be really good matches, but I’m pretty sure the Faces win both of those matches.

Great promos from Britt & Hayter with Schiavone, and then Saraya, Storm & Shida with Renee. Oddly enough, there is a good point in Britt’s promo about a former WWE wrestler showing up in AEW and not “getting it,” but Saraya’s counterpoint about gatekeeping was also good. I figured Saraya was going to choose Storm, but Shida played the surprise and hurt feelings well. Saraya clearly sprang this on everyone rather than talking about this behind the scenes, and this will probably come back to bite her in the form of Shida turning Heel. Saraya VS Shida will be a great match, and I would love for that to be at Revolution while Hayter defends the title against someone.

The Baddies VS Kiera & Skye went about how I expected, though of course Jade wins to keep her streak going. Jade will definitely beat Skye at Battle of the Belts to get to 48, and then she can win against another person to get to 49. Jade’s 50th match has to be at Revolution, and it has to be against Velvet. That way, whether Jade wins or loses, it’ll be a full circle moment since Jade and Velvet started as enemies during the empty arena era. I just have a bad feeling that this is when Bow Wow gets involved again so as to distract and cost Jade against Velvet.

The Acclaimed VS Triple J was great stuff, from Caster’s rap digging at Jarrett and then using Kurt Angle’s moves to really dig at Jarrett, to the ejections and the “controversy” that kept Triple J from winning. No Holds Barred on Friday is going to be awesome stuff, I can’t wait to see it. Pretty good promo from the Gunns to mock FTR while FTR was in Japan. FTR is definitely coming back to kick their asses, and that can be the start to a big 2023 for FTR where they fight their way back to tag title contention in AEW. And great match from Swerve VS Fox, I like that commentary mentioned Lucha Underground. But of course as the leader of a Heel faction, Swerve has his minions help him cheat and win.

Great match from Bryan VS Nese, and of course Bryan wins. Very good promo battle from MJF and Bryan, though it could’ve been trimmed down by a little bit. Maybe it was the live fans getting involved and MJF having to adlib off them that stretched it out. I do like the idea that instead of anything particularly over the top, Bryan just has to stay undefeated for the five weeks, so that every match he has is important. At the same time, I totally expect MJF will try to screw Bryan over. But Bryan will surely make it, and that ONE HOUR Ironman Match is going to be awesome stuff.

Joe VS Darby was also awesome stuff, and I am pleasantly surprised that Darby won. AEW loves giving hometown heroes the big moments, and this was a HUGE moment. Now Darby can carry this belt to Revolution while Joe can focus on the ROH World TV title. Maybe Wardlow goes after Joe for the ROH title, but that depends on if Tony Khan wants to build Wardlow up towards the AEW World Championship so he can have a proper blow-off with MJF.

My Score: 8.8/10