Who makes it through to the semifinals?

AEW Dynamite’s Holiday Bash is not just giving $1 MILLION worth of toys to Toys for Tots, but Gold League determines its Continental Classic semifinalists!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Swerve Strickland VS Rush; Swerve wins.
• AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Mark Briscoe VS Jay Lethal; Briscoe wins.
• AEW Women’s World Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Riho VS Saraya; Riho wins and challenge Toni Storm for the title at Worlds End.
• Roderick Strong w/ The Kingdom VS Komander w/ Alex Abrahantes; Strong wins.
• AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Jon Moxley VS Jay White; White wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Swerve Strickland VS Rush!

With tonight being the fifth and final round before the semifinals, this is an incredibly crucial match! The Realest and El Toro Blanco are both on the bubble, and someone’s about to get popped! Will the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City become “Whose house?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” Or will Swerve mess with the bull and get the horns?

The bell rings and we’re on the clock. OKC is behind Swerve as he and Rush circle. They feel things out, Rush waistlocks, but Swerve switches. Rush sits down, moves around, switches with Swerve to chinlock, but Swerve moves around. Rush facelocks, Swerve rolls and slips free to lateral press, ONE and the two stand up. The fans fire up as the two reset. They feel things out again. Swerve swings but misses and Rush CHOPS! And CHOPS! Rush whips, Swerve reverses. Swerve drops down, hurdles over but Rush leaps over the roll! Things keep moving, Swerve RANAS! Rush is right up to arm-drag! Swerve is right up to arm-drag!

Swerve jumps the leg sweep but Rush dodges the dropkick! The two stand off and the fans fire up. “Whose house?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” echoes out and Swerve smirks. Rush shrugs that off, runs up but Swerve SOBATS! Swerve runs up, Rush swings but Swerve dodges to CHOP! And CHOP! Swerve whips corner to corner, runs in but only gets buckles. Rush whips, Swerve reverses but gets only buckles again! Rush CHOPS Swerve down! Swerve bails out, the fans fire up and Rush builds speed. Rush FLIES and takes Swerve out at the ramp! The fans fire up again while Rush shakes out his banged up leg.

Rush hobbles to bring Swerve up and put him in. Rush hears the fans dueling faster and faster, hurries into the ring and shoves Swerve to a corner. Rush CHOPS, CHOPS, and then sits Swerve down to stomp away! The ref reprimands, Rush lets off and runs corner to corner, to fake Swerve! Rush flips everyone off before the BOOT! Rush rolls back to tranquilo. But Swerve gets that arm, ARMBAR!! Rush moves around, stacks to a cover, TWO! Swerve runs up, into Rush’s SPIN POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Swerve but Rush snarls. Rush kicks Swerve around, but Swerve blocks the kick to throw hands on the thigh!

Swerve has Rush in a corner, traps the leg and KICKS it! Then runs to DROPKICK it! Rush falls over while fans fire up, The ref checks on Rush while he writhes, but Rush refuses to let this end it. Rush goes to the apron then the floor, but Swerve goes out after him. BOOT- NO, Rush blocks and FLIPS Swerve! Swerve hits the apron hard then falls to the floor! Rush then whips Swerve into railing! And then into more railing! And then Rush CHOPS, before he whips Swerve in again. Swerve stops himself, gets around Rush and GERMAN SUPLEXES to the floor! Rush is right up to SHOTGUN Swerve into railing! Fans fire up as Dynamite goes picture in picture!

Swerve grits his teeth and Rush clutches the back of his neck. A landing out there is just as rough on him as it is on Swerve. Swerve gets up to stomp Rush but Rush eggs him on. Swerve BOOTS Rush, drags him back up, and then RAMS him into steel steps! Swerve drags Rush around, puts the leg against the steps and BOOTS it! The ref reprimands but Swerve doesn’t really care. Swerve drags Rush up and into the ring, then drops knees on the bad knee! Swerve digs his knees in, then pulls on the leg for a toehold. Rush endures while Swerve pulls the leg, and then he drops knees on the knee again!

Swerve lets off, and Rush sits up to SPIT at him! So Swerve BUZZSAWS! Swerve covers, ONE!! Rush shows his toughness but Swerve just pulls on the fingers! Swerve tortures Rush’s hand, then shifts to a chinlock. Rush endures, fights up, and Dynamite returns to single picture. Rush fights up and fires forearm after forearm! Then he dodges Swerve to SNAP GERMAN! Swerve tumbles, but he gets up and dodges, SNAP GERMAN! Rush is up, DOUBLE ROLLING ELBOWS! Both men wobble, then both men BOOT the other! The fans fire up again as both men fall down! A standing count begins, and both men stir at 4 of 10.

Swerve checks his face while he goes to ropes while Rush goes to a corner. Swerve snarls, runs up but Rush avoids the leg sweep to CHOP! Rush CHOPS the bad arm! Swerve BOOTS Rush again, shakes out the arm and runs back in, into a CORNER BELLY2BELLY! Fans fire up again and Rush is snarling. Rush runs up to FOREARM! Swerve sits down, Rush goes to the corner and runs back in, but the bad leg holds him back! Swerve trips Rush to have a HALF BOSTON CRAB! Fans fire up while Rush endures! Rush fights, but Swerve shifts to a STRETCH MUFFLER! Rush rolls to drag Swerve into a cradle, TWO!!

Swerve is free, and he ROCKS Rush! Swerve runs, Rush follows and CHOPS! And CHOPS! Then dodges to ROLLING ELBOW! Rush reels Swerve in, tucks those arms, STRAITJACKET PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!? Swerve survives and OKC is thunderous! Swerve flounders to ropes, Rush hears the cheers and jeers, and Rush stalks Swerve to the apron. Rush drags Swerve back in to throw hands, then dumps him out to another side of the ring. Rush CHOPS Swerve, but Swerve CHOPS back! They stare down on the apron’s edge, and the CHOPS continue! Fans “WOO~!” then Swerve ENZIGURIS! Swerve runs up, into an OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY to the floor!!

Rush grits his teeth while Swerve writhes. Rush soaks up the heat, storms over to Swerve and drags him back into the ring. Rush tells off the cabrons, then crawls to a lax cover. TWO! Rush is upset but he was too cocky. Rush drags Swerve to a drop zone, stomps away on Swerve, then goes up the corner. SUPER SENTON FLOPS as Swerve moves! Swerve goes up now, to 450 SPLASH!! Cover, ONE?!?!? Swerve is shocked and Rush CHOPS away! Rush runs, into the SOMERSAULT COMPLETE SHOT! Then the gator roll into the deadlift BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!!! Rush survives again but the HOUSE CALL comes in!

Swerve reloads as he goes up the corner and the fans are thunderous again! KILL STOMPS!!! Cover, Swerve wins!!

Winner: Swerve Strickland, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Rush earns 0)

And with that epic finish, Swerve now enters the semifinals! But the real question is, will he face just Jon Moxley next week? If Moxley loses in tonight’s main event, Jay White makes it a three-way tie for 1st, possibly forcing a Triple Threat! Will the Maniac come through for the Realest to keep it between the two of them? Or will they both have to Breathe with the Switchblade?

Chris Jericho speaks.

The Ocho is backstage as he says, “Last week, on the Thursday after Dynamite, Kenny Omega ended up in the hospital after suffering the effects of diverticulitis. And as he shared on social media, we now have the news that Kenny Omega is out of AEW indefinitely. And we don’t know how long or how short that’s gonna be, but one thing that’s affected is the Golden Jets’ opportunity to become the AEW Tag Team Champions by beating Ricky Starks & Big Bill at Worlds End. And while we decide what we’re gonna do in the meantime, the most important thing is Kenny’s health.” The fans cheer that.

Jericho continues that he just wanted to let Kenny know that we’re all pulling for him. The fans chant for “KENNY! KENNY!” Jericho says the AEW fans as we can hear, the entire locker room, and most of all, Jericho, are all pulling for Kenny. Take as long as you need, Kenny. But when you’re ready to come back, they’ll all be waiting for him. And then, the Golden Jets will resume. But since it is time to bid you adieu, good night, MWAH and goodbye BANG, but only for now. See you soon, Kenny.

AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Mark Briscoe VS Jay Lethal!

Not everyone can win in a round robin tournament, but not everyone loses all the way to the end, either! The Sussex County Chicken and Black Machismo don’t want to be the one to go 0-5, so who gets that goose egg off their score?

The bell rings and we’re on the clock. The fans fire up with “DEM BOYS! DEM BOYS!” as the two circle. Some technical difficulties happen but the two tie up. They go around the ring, Mark breaks free, and they feel things out again. They tie up again, Lethal waistlocks but Mark pries the hold open. Mark wrenches to wristlock but Lethal slips through and wrangles Mark with a top wristlock. Mark fights up, rolls, then inside trips Lethal right to a headlock! The fans cheer but Lethal fights up to his feet. Mark grinds the headlock, Lethal powers out and they RAM shoulders! Lethal rebounds to RAM Mark again!

Fans fire up as the two stare down. Lethal dares Mark to take a shot but Mark wants Lethal to bring it. They argue about who takes the first shot, so Lethal SLAPS Mark! Mark nods and he CHOPS! And CHOPS! Lethal CHOPS! And CHOPS! Mark turns it back around to CHOP! And CHOP! Lethal CHOPS again! And CHOPS! Mark CHOPS! And CHOPS! Lethal CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Mark turns things around once again to CHOP and CHOP! Lethal just CHOPS and CHOPS in return! The fans love it and Lethal has to shake out his hand before he whips corner to corner. Mark reverses to ROCK Lethal!

Mark whips, Lethal reverses, hip toss and cartwheel to basement dropkick! Lethal fires up and the fans fire up, too! Lethal stalks Mark to a corner, brings him around and whips him corner to corner. Mark goes up and out, then blocks a shot to REDNECK UPPERCUT! Mark goes up and he MISSILE DROPKICKS! Lethal tumbles, Mark hurries to cover, ONE!! Mark keeps cool and drags Lethal up. Mark goes to suplex but Lethal fights it! Lethal throws body shots, then goes to suplex again. Mark denies that, throws more hands, but Lethal still fights the suplex! They go back and forth, fighting for control, and it’s Lethal who gets Mark up and over!

The fans fire up as Mark goes to the apron, and Lethal HANDSPRING KICKS Mark down! Lethal builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit and Mark hits railing! Fans fire up and Lethal struts on the apron. Lethal steps back in and takes a bow before he builds speed again. Lethal DIVES again, but Mark stops that one! To suplex to the floor! Mark then drags Lethal around, goes up the apron, and fans fire up for the BANG BANG! FOLEY ELBOW! The fans fire up and Mark throws a chair into the ring while Dynamite goes picture in picture.

The ref gets the chair outta there. Mark refreshes the ring count, drags Lethal up and UPPERCUTS! Mark stalks Lethal around the way, then ROCKS Lethal again! Lethal hits back but Mark UPPERCUTS! Lethal rolls into the ring, and Mark puts the chair back in the ring! The ref says stop that, and he puts the chair back outside. Mark is annoyed but Lethal kicks him low! Then scoops and SLAMS him! Lethal goes out and he throws the chair into the ring! The ref catches it! The fans all cheer that, but then the ref puts the chair back outside. Mark CHOPS Lethal down! Mark CHOKES Lethal, lets off at 4, then drags him into a chinlock.

Lethal endures, fights up, and he JAWBREAKERS free! Mark staggers away, but comes back to CHOP! Lethal falls back over! Mark hauls Lethal up to suplex and BRAINBUSTER! Fans fire up, Mark covers, TWO! Mark covers again, TWO! Mark argues the count but the ref defends his count is fair. Mark waits on Lethal to rise up, and he kicks low. Mark bumps Lethal off buckles, RAMS into him, RAMS into him again, then BITRES Lethal’s forehead! The ref counts, Mark lets off, to get the chair again! The ref has had it with this chair! Mark storms in, and Lethal fires a forearm! Mark and Lethal fire shots back and forth while Dynamite returns to single picture!

Fans chant “REF YOU SUCK!” for denying the chair. Mark kicks but Lethal blocks, slips around and LARIATS! Lethal runs but Mark ROCKS him! Mark runs but Lethal CHOPS him! Lethal runs, but he lures Mark in, LETHAL COMBINATION! Lethal throws off the elbow pads, goes up a corner, but Mark rises up to CHOP! Mark climbs up, brings Lethal up, but lethal fights the superplex! Lethal throws body shots, CLUBS Mark down, and even Lethal has to drop off the corner. Lethal goes up another corner, but Mark runs up to REDNECK UPPERCUT Lethal to the floor! Then Mark WRECKS Lethal with a dropkick!

Fans fire up while Lethal flounders, and Mark gets the chair! Mark stands the chair up and the ref lets it stand this time. Mark uses the chair to get up and FLY!! Direct hit and the fans are thunderous! Mark puts Lethal in the ring, and he runs to LA- NO, Lethal ducks to GERMAN SUPLEX! But Mark rises! Lethal BOOTS him! And ENZIGURIS! And then torture racks, for the stretch! INVERTED ROLLING SENTON! Lethal goes up top, MACHO ELBOW!! Cover, TWO!! Mark survives and Lethal is frustrated. The fans rally up but Lethal drags Mark up. Lethal runs to handspring, but Mark gets up and under!

Mark kicks low, CHOPS, but Lethal swings, into the EXPLODER! Lethal flounders to a corner, Mark runs up to clothesline! And then FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Lethal survives and “This is Awesome!” Mark drags Lethal up, reels him in, Canadian Rack! Lethal slips free, kicks low, but Mark fireman’s carries! ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, then Mark goes up! Fans fire up for the FROGGY-BOW onto knees! Lethal has Mark now, handspring and- NO, Mark dodges, but Lethal spins Mark on the return! Lethal underhooks for JAY DRILLER!!! Lethal shouts out Mark’s brother and covers, TWO?!?!

Mark shocks Lethal by surviving Jay Briscoe’s move! Lethal tries again but Mark fights the lift! Mark wrenches out but Lethal avoids the lariat! Handspring and LETHAL- NO, Mark catches Lethal to torture rack! BURNING HAMMER!!! And now Mark underhooks, for the JAY DRILLER!!! Cover, Mark wins!!!

Winner: Mark Briscoe, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Lethal earns 0)

And in the end, Mark has three points! Will finishing strong be what he needs to get up and get going towards big things? Mark shakes hands with Lethal and the fans cheer the sportsmanship. Will Lethal be able to shake off these five losses in a row?

MJF is inducted into the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.

The AEW World Champion was back home in Long Island, New York, and even signed some autographs, as he was honored as “one of the greatest talents in professional wrestling history.” MJF also being a member of the #StandUptoJewishHate organization, he plans to continue using his platform to represent and advocate for the Jewish population. MJF felt incredibly blessed. He’s accomplished a lot in a very short time, but this accolade hits home the most. It’s 2023 and yet there is still antisemitism, so that is why it is so important for MJF to be involved, to talk about this out loud and in public.

They cannot run and hide in fear any longer. They need to say, “A Jew can be anything.” More over, they need to make more people understand that the Jewish people are humans, and they wanted to be treated as such.

Wardlow speaks.

“This has always been a battle between good and evil. And Max, the clock is ticking. We are getting closer and closer to your world ending. We’ve seen you run, we’ve seen you cry, and we’ve seen you weak. And soon, the world will see you broken. Max, the payment for your sins cannot be delayed any longer. And I will be the one to bring the Devil to his knees!” The Maestro of Mayhem looks to write his greatest symphony yet, will he write it with MJF’s blood?

Samoa Joe is here!

The fans chant for “JOE! JOE! JOE!” as he heads to the ring. Joe gets a mic, and the fans chant for him even more. Joe says, “Oklahoma City, my name is Samoa Joe. And once again, I have come here seeking answers. Last week, I was seeking answers. I was asking the right questions, but maybe I wasn’t asking the right people. Y’see, even though Roderick Strong may be the dimmest bulb on the Christmas tree, he brings up a good point. Week after week, we are assaulted by The Devil, and it seems our illustrious world champion isn’t the only victim. As a matter of fact, for some odd reason, Hangman Adam Page was a victim.

“And then we think back to the malicious attack on our world champion, and it seems like every time the Devil attacks somebody, we get plenty of footage of them getting stomped out. But our world champion, he was just found gingerly laid down in the back, passed out very conveniently on the ground. So once again, I have come here asking the right questions, maybe not to the right people. So that’s why MJF, why don’t you come out here and answer a few questions for me right now?” Fans cheer that, and here comes MJF! Maxwell Jacob Friedman wears his AEW World Championship, his ROH World Tag Team Championship, the Dynamite Diamond Ring, and also has a mic in hand.

MJF has the music cut while the fans chant for him. MJF tells “Joey Samoey” that he wants to get this right. MJF gets jumped in the back by a bunch of goons, hit in the head by a beer bottle, and Joe is out here accusing MJF of being the man behind that mask, is that correct? Joe says yes, correct. That’s interesting, because MJF recalls something. He remembers “Joseph” promising to protect MJF and their main event match at Worlds End. Matter of fact, didn’t Joe say verbatim, “Henceforth, MJF, you are my property!” The fans chant “NO SHOW JOE!” and MJF tells No Show Joe, it is clear Joe cares about his property as much as he does his diet.

But since they’re all throwing accusations, hey! MJF has some! Would OKC like to hear ’em? “YES!” MJF gets jumped, the goons surround the ring, but MJF doesn’t recall them laying a finger on Joe. So let’s see… MJF doesn’t like Joe. Now MJF doesn’t trust Joe. So why is MJF waiting until December 30th when he could end Joe’s world right now?! MJF throws down the mic and takes off his jacket so he can put the belts aside. The fans fire up but Joe doesn’t budge. So MJF SHOVES Joe! Joe scowls and gets in MJF’s face, but then has to push him aside because THE DEVIL’S MINIONS are here!!

Joe & MJF fight off the masked henchmen, but there’s even more than ever before! Joe & MJF toss out about half a dozen but there’s still a few stragglers! Joe DECKS the last one to get him out of the ring, but then THE minions, with the completely black masks and Devil mask logo on their backs, rush out here! Those four flank the ring, MJF & Joe stand together, but then the lights go out! The Devil is on the tron! And a message appears: “Where can you go? Who can you trust? Next week, will you accept a challenge… for your ROH World Tag Team Championships? Are you a hero, Max?” Joe and MJF aren’t sure what to make of this.

MJF gets a mic first, and he knows Joe wants to say no, but MJF made a promise to his best friend, Adam Cole, to defend their tag titles no matter what! Joe grabs the mic to shout “WE ACCEPT!!” MJF is surprised, and Joe says the best way to handle this devil is with their bare hands. Next week, they beat his boys’ asses! MJF smiles, liking where this is going! Will the reunion of #M-JOE-F be a true New Year’s Smash?

Backstage interview with Best Friends.

Renee Paquette is with Orange Cassidy, Kris Statlander, Rocky Romero & Trent Beretta and says there’s a lot of momentum on their side. Cassidy recently and successfully defended his AEW International Championship against Bounty Hunter, Bryan Keith, while Kris won a brutal Tag Team Street Fight alongside Willow Nightingale. The sad note is that Chuck Taylor is still out with injury, but as 2023 wraps up, what’s the future look like for Roppongi Vice? Trent shrugs, and Rocky says he just spent 329 DAYS as CMLL World Historic Welterweight Champion. Until last week when he lost…

But Rocky’s looking for a new itch to scratch, maybe some more international opportunities, and to get gold around his waist. Okay, okay, Cassidy gets it. Fine. See you Friday, Rock. Wait, what? Trent and Kris say way to go, Rocky! He’s got his title match! Rocky is confused, he didn’t really mean it like that, but okay… Will Azucar feel sweet after facing Freshly Squeezed on Rampage? Or will this just be whatever?

“Timeless” Toni Storm is here!

The AEW Women’s World Champion, butler Luther right behind her, joins commentary once again because she wants to see this next match with her own eyes. Will AEW’s leading lady soon costar alongside the original champion? Or will she have to share the stage with a former friend?

AEW Women’s World Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Riho VS Saraya!

The bell rings and the fans fire up as the two circle. Saraya calls for a knuckle lock, but then she kicks Riho low! Saraya CLUBS away on Riho, Riho throws body shots, but Saraya CLUBS and CLUBS and CLUBS, then just shouts in Riho’s face! Riho covers her ears, Saraya stomps her down. Saraya covers, TWO as Riho goes Matrix. But Saraya throws her down by her hair! Riho goes Matrix again, then BUZZSAWS! Ruby Soho is watching backstage, since she dared Saraya to try fighting Riho, and so far she’s being proven right. Riho whips, Saraya reverses but Riho handsprings! Riho drop toeholds Saraya onto ropes!

Riho dials it up but Saraya bails out. Fans boo but Riho storms out after Saraya. Riho runs up to RANA Saraya, then runs up again, tilt-o-whirl RANA! Saraya tumbles and stands back up, into a third RANA! Riho’s building Rana City in OKC, but Saraya now hides behind security. Fans boo but then Saraya sucker punches Riho! Saraya storms up on Riho to kick her low again. Saraya reels Riho in, brings her around, and lifts her up, to SWING her into the railing! And again! Saraya drops Riho, storms into the ring, and she soaks up the heat. Saraya takes a bow and Storm cues up the picture in picture break.

Saraya storms back out after Riho, kicks her and throws her into railing! Saraya drags Riho up and CHOKES her on the railing! The ref counts, Saraya lets off and RAMS Riho into the apron! Then THROWS her into more railing! Saraya slides into the ring, but comes back out. Saraya shows off by doing jumping jacks, then she tells fans to kiss this. Saraya taunts more fans, drags Riho up, and then RAMS her into more railing! Saraya tells the cameraman off, HEADBUTTS Riho, but Riho hits back. Saraya CLUBS Riho, tells the ref to hold on, then snap suplexes Riho to the floor! Riho flounders away while Saraya slides into the ring.

Saraya goes back out after Riho to fetch her into the ring, and then storms up on her. Saraya bumps Riho off buckles, stomps a mudhole in, then lets off as the ref counts. Saraya digs her boots in! The ref counts, Saraya lets off and argues with her, then stomps Riho more. Saraya drags Riho into the ropes, to throw knee after knee on her! The ref counts, Saraya shoves Riho down and shouts at the fans. Saraya storms in, Dynamite returns to single picture as she covers, TWO! Saraya is frustrated but she mocks the fans cheering Riho on. Excalibur points out Saraya’s been dominating, and Storm says we can’t have everything we want, now can we?

Saraya whips, Riho tilt-o-whirls and RANAS again! Fans fire up, Saraya goes to ropes, and Riho dials it up! 619! Fans fire up as Riho goes up the corner, CROSSBODY! Not the cleanest but Riho still covers, TWO! Riho hurries to JUST FACELOCK! Fans rally as Saraya endures the Yuji Nagata style crossface, and Saraya fights up. Saraya RAMS Riho into buckles, then whips corner to corner. Riho reverses then runs in to JUMP KNEE! Riho snapmares Saraya, goes up top, and CROSS- BOOT from Saraya! Cover, TWO!! Riho survives and Saraya is upset with Aubrey. Storm is annoyed as Saraya drags Riho up.

Saraya reels Riho in, but Riho cradle counters! TWO!! Saraya escapes, but Riho waistlocks. Saraya swings an elbow but Riho ducks under, to NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO!! Saraya escapes just in time, but Riho keeps on her. Ruby is still watching as Riho climbs again. Fans fire up as Riho DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS!! But Riho isn’t done, she runs in to METEORA!! Cover, RIHO WINS!!

Winner: Riho, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the AEW Women’s World Championship)

Storm can’t believe it! As much as she didn’t want Saraya, but “the mouse has done it again.” Ruby smiles, being completely right. But Riho has pinned two former Outcasts, will she make it a clean sweep at Worlds End? Luther carries Storm down to the ring so she can be face to face in technicolor with Riho. Storm kicks off her shoes and has a pair of opera glasses to get a closer look. The fans fire up, and then Riho gets right in Storm’s face. Storm is startled, and Riho fires off forearms! Storm shoves Riho, Riho comes back, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then drop toeholds Storm onto ropes! Riho dials it up, 619!! Storm flounders around, and Riho says SHE is gonna be champion again!

But Mariah May CLOBBERS Riho using the title belt! The number one fan says Storm should finish this, but Storm just has Luther carry her away. Will Timeless Toni finish this scene at Worlds End?

Tony Schiavone is on stage.

Schiavone apologizes for interrupting the proceedings, but he has a written statement from Christian Cage that he must now read. Fans boo but Schiavone starts with, “Schiavone, you better read this statement word for word and put some effort into it. If you phone it in like you usually do, I will slap the yellow off your teeth on sight. That being said, Oklahoma City, sit down, shut your mouths, and have some respect while Tony Schiavone conducts my business.” Fans boo instead, but Christian continues to write, “As the biggest, hottest and most talked about star in AEW, I have no doubt the hole my absence has left in your lives.

“After my career-defining victory over Adam Copeland, I decided to take my Prodigy, Nick Wayne, on a well-deserved vacation. I understand that the Rated R Superstar has challenged me to a No Disqualification match at Worlds End, December 30th. So just to put all your tiny minds at ease, I will let everyone know that I will make my triumphant return this Saturday, live on TNT on Collision, where I will address Adam Copeland and answer any lingering questions people might have about what transpired on Dynamite a couple weeks ago in Montreal. I expect nothing less than a hero’s welcome upon my return.” Schiavone frowns at that.

“Sincerely, the TNT Champion, the Patriarch of AEW, Christian Cage.” Fans boo as Captain Charisma will ruin their weekend. But will Christian give Edge what he wants for Christmas in a rematch for the title?

MJF and Samoa Joe talk backstage.

They’re arguing about the earlier accusations. MJF points out Joe volunteered to be MJF’s bodyguard until December 30th, and then fails at it. So MJF’s just gonna keep on walking, Joe can stay over here. MJF heads out, but then he finds one of the goon masks on the ground. In front of the Mogul Embassy’s room? MJF knocks on the door and Prince Nana opens up. MJF grabs Nana by his suit and asks him to explain the mask! Nana doesn’t know! But then Swerve walks up. Swerve says be careful how he handles his people, alright? But nice to finally see MJF eye to eye! Feels like MJF’s been ducking Swerve the whole time he’s been in AEW.

MJF copies the theme song, “SKRR SKRR! Swerve-swerve. Swerve-swerve. GARMENTS~!” Sorry, sorry, Swerve can talk. JK, MJF’s turn. But Shane Strickland! Swerve! Look at you! Most people might not know this, but these two have great history. They used to do these long car rides every week when they were making names for themselves on the independents. Now look at Swerve! All grown up! All the momentum in the world, beating some of the biggest names this company has to offer. Man, MJF is so proud. Oh, however… MJF hasn’t been ducking Swerve. The reason they haven’t met in AEW is because unfortunately, there’s levels to this.

And Swerve… just isn’t on MJF’s level. And to make matters worse, MJF doesn’t hear Swerve’s theme music so uh, neither is Swerve’s star power. Swerve says it’s funny MJF brought up the car rides. Those were amazing, weren’t they? The hours and hours, overnight, magical even. MJF was the best chauffeur ever. Best sleep on a road trip Swerve ever got, so he thanks MJF for that. But let’s go back to MJF and Regal a few years ago. Didn’t he… bring up an email about a tryout MJF failed at? And then that led to the “whiny little b*tch” champion we see today. So yeah, there are levels to this. MJF does tryouts, Swerve signs contracts.

And be careful how you talk to Swerve. The last person that did that, Swerve hung him outside the ring in front of 13 THOUSAND people by a steel chain. Ooh, solid monologue, Swerve. He’s starting to get so good at talking. MJF is still proud. But talking about Hangman this much, it’s starting to sound obsessive. Now, funny that we’re talking about respect, because MJF is world champion. So MJF thinks Swerve should be the one checking his tone and watch his mouth. And while we’re talking Swerve’s mouth, do MJF a favor, pull those hand-me-down Flavor Flav grills out.

But MJF does have a question because he’s finding a few things rather odd. Okay, what’s he got? Well, Swerve hates Hangman, and more than anything, Swerve wants to be AEW World Champion. It’s not like he’s begging at every single interview, not weird at all. But putting that together, why wouldn’t Swerve frame Hangman then jump him then consistently get in MJF’s head while having his goons in the Mogul Embassy jump people left and right, creating a clear path for Swerve to finally be world champion?

So Swerve, are you The Devil? MJF kinda hopes so. Because Swerve says this is his house, but MJF is the Big Bad Wolf of pro-wrestling. And if MJF feels like it, he’ll blow that house down. Then MJF will break Swerve’s arms so he can always swerve while he drives. Swerve says he isn’t the devil MJF is looking for. But keep waving that title in his face, Swerve will be the one to bring hell. The Mogul Embassy then steps up to back Swerve up, only for Joe to walk in from around the corner. What’s good in the hood, friends? Seems you all look busy, so Joe and his associate have business elsewhere.

Joe & MJF leave, but Nana does remember something. He needs to talk with Swerve about Collision. They go back into their private room, what business does Swerve have to handle now?

Roderick Strong w/ The Kingdom VS Komander w/ Alex Abrahantes!

The #NeckStrong Savior of the Backbreaker is still trying to victimize opponents, but he’s definitely more upset than usual after losing to ADAAAAM Page. Will Strong break the AAA World Cruiserweight Champion as an example to everyone else? Or will Komander be unbreakable?

The bell rings and the fans mock Strong calling for “ADAAAAM~!” Strong and Komander circle, tie up, and Strong trips Komander. Strong talks trash, the fans rally behind Komander, and the two tie up again. They go around, Strong clamps onto an arm, wrenches and wristlocks. Komander goes to ropes, flips through, but Strong trips him again. Strong has the top wristlock and he taunts Abrahantes. Komander fights up, Strong whips him to a corner, butKomander goes up and over and handsprings away! But Strong just KNEES him down! Fans boo but Strong asks, “Who do you think you are?”

Strong bumps Komander off buckles, CHOPS him, then whips corner to corner. Komander reverses and goes up, backflips, but Strong blocks the arm-drag! Komander breaks free, wrenches the other arm, then goes up and around to arm-drag through this time! Strong stands, swings, but Komander ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirl RANAS! Strong stands into the DROPKICK! The fans fire up but The Kingdom is frustrated. Komander runs in at Strong, but Strong mule kicks him down! Strong brings Komander around, scoops and hits the BACKBREAKER! Komander writhes, Strong drags hima round by his mask, but the ref reprimands.

The fans boo but Strong puts Komander on ropes to CLUB him on the back. Strong CHOPS Komander to a corner, then bumps him off buckles. Komander fires body shots and a CHOP of his own! Strong knees low, pulls Komander along by his mask, then whips. Komander reverses, runs in, and MONKEY- NO, Strong puts Komander up top, shoves him, but Komander BODY SCISSOR THROWS Strong up and out! The fans fire up for Komander while Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Komander hurries after Strong to kick him, and CHOP him! Komander then goes up the apron, but Strong grabs at a leg. Komander kicks at Strong, but Strong YANKS Komander down, into his arms for an APRON BACK SUPLEX! Komander flounders and writhes, the ref has The Kingdom back up, and Strong talks trash on Abrahantes. Strong drags Komander up, CHOPS him, and then CHOPS him against the post! Strong swings again but Komander ducks, Strong’s hand chops POST! Strong clutches the hand as he gets in the ring, maybe now he’ll have to be #WristStrong. Abrahantes coaches Komander and Komander rises up.

Komander gets in the ring but Strong fires forearms! Strong snarls, shakes out the bad hand, then drags Komander around. Strong hears the fans taunting him so he tells them to shut up. Strong drags Komander up, reels him in, and lifts for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Strong clamps onto Komander with a chinlock and he leans on the hold. The fans rally for Komander as he endures. Komander fights up, throws body shots, but Strong shoves him. Strong scoops Komander for a BACKBREAKER to POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! Komander is still in this but Strong clamps onto him with an armlock. strong makes it a modified Bow ‘n’ Arrow!

Komander endures as Dynamite returns to single picture and the fans rally up. Komander fights free, goes to a corner, but Strong runs in. Komander dodges, Strong’s knee hits the buckles! Komander ELBOWS Strong, CHOPS him, then goes up a corner. Strong YANKS Komander down again, but Komander uses that to RANA! Fans fire up as both men stagger up. Strong runs back in, is sent into buckles, and Komander SUPERKICKS him down! The fans rally for “LUCHA! LUCHA!” The Kingdom tells them to stop that, but Strong runs up. Komander dodges to SUPERMAN FOREARM! Then another dodge, another SUPERMAN FOREARM!

Komander TIGER WALL KICKS, but Strong comes back! Komander sweeps the legs, Strong hits ropes face first! Strong staggers back, Komander runs and springboard CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Strong is still in this and The Kingdom is relieved. Fans rally up, Komander hurries up on Strong but Strong RAMS him into buckles! Strong CHOPS, then hoists Komander up top. Strong climbs, brings Komander up, but Komander holds the ropes! Komander fires body shots, then CLUBS Strong. Komander rises up and SUPER SUNSET- NO, Strong stops the bomb, so Komander 619s the legs out! Strong hits buckles on the way down!

Fans fire up as Komander hurries back up. The Kingdom creeps closer but they stay back as Komander is up top. PHOENIX SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Strong survives and The Kingdom is again relieved. Komander hurries back to the ropes, but The Kingdom drags Strong to safety! Fans boo but Komander says whatever, he ARIHARA MOONSAULTS them all down!! The fans are thunderous for Komander and “A E DUB! A E DUB!” Komander puts Strong in, fans rally again and Komander springboards, into a STRONG KNEE!! Strong hauls Komander back up, END OF HEARTACHE MAXIMUM!! Cover, Strong wins!

Winner: Roderick Strong, by pinfall

Taven hurries to put the brace back on Roddy’s neck, and then they bust out “MJF is The Devil” posters? Renee is here to interview Strong in the ring now. She congratulates him on the win, but she has to ask about all this “MJF is The Devil” signage. What is it Roddy & The Kingdom is trying to accomplish? Strong says “RENEEEEE~!” He’s so happy she’s here. But then Roddy needs to explain. “SAMOAAAA~! SAMOAAAA~!” Joe, please listen to Roddy. It is so, SO obvious now that Max IS The Devil! Look! Hangman mentions MJF as the Devil, and Hangman gets taken out. C’mon, Joe, time to wake up! Time to believe!

But doesn’t Roddy think that if Joe was going to heed Roddy’s advice, he would’ve done that by now? Roddy tells “RENEEEE~! Are you crazy? How can you say something like that? SAMOAAAA Joe is my best friend by proxy!” Roddy pleads with Joe to believe him, but can we really believe the words of someone who victimizes opponents?

AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Jon Moxley VS Jay White!

The most important match in the Gold League is also tonight’s main event! As stated earlier, The Maniac has already clinched a spot in the semifinals, but the importance of this match is determining if it’s JUST him and Swerve, or if the Switchblade is still alive in the tournament! Will White force an unprecedented Triple Threat semifinal in this tournament’s inaugural year? Or will Moxley make his own mark as the first and only man to reach 5-0?

The bell rings and we’re on the clock. The two circle as the fans rally up, but then White bails out. Fans boo but Moxley stays cool. White smirks as he goes back up to the apron. The fans all rally for Moxley and that annoys White. White steps back in, eggs Moxley on, but Moxley shoots around to REAR NAKED CHOKE!! White flails, reaches out, scrambles around, and manages to sit up. So Moxley rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Then Moxley turns White around, but White gets away from the underhooks. So Moxley goes for a standard lift, and PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO!!! White survives but Moxley has the BULLY CHOKE!!

The fans fire up as Moxley pulls on White. White rolls into the ROPEBREAK, and Moxley lets go. White flops to the floor but Moxley pursues. Moxley CHOPS, then fires off hands as White sits against railing. Moxley whips, White reverses, and he sends Moxley into the steel steps! White smirks as he hauls Moxley into the ring. The fans rally for “A E DUB!” as White RAMS Moxley into a corner again and again and again! The ref counts, White CHOPS and follows Moxley. White stomps Moxley, digs his boots in, but lets off to CHOP again! White grins but Moxley stands right up. So White CHOPS again!

Moxley eggs White on so White fires forearms! And a CHOP! Moxley returns fire then ROCKS White! White tumbles all the way out of the ring! Moxley storms out to fetch White, and SMACK him off the timekeeper’s table! The fans rally, Moxley brings White around and goes up the ramp. White fires body shots, reels Moxley in, but Moxley back drops White on the ramp! White writhes and flounders down to the ring. The fans fire up, Moxley stalks White back to ringside, then puts him in. Moxley sees White go to a corner, storms up and clotheslines! Moxley climbs up to rain down fists, fans count along and Moxley goes to nine, to then BITE White!

The fans cheer but the ref reprimands. Moxley lets off, then runs back in, but White moves! Moxley’s foot gets stuck on the top rope, and White CHOP BLOCKS the other leg! White has Moxley on the apron and the ref checks Moxley. Moxley refuses to end it like this, so White BLASTS him off the apron! The ref reprimands White but he pursues Moxley while Dynamite goes picture in picture.

White drags Moxley back up, to APRON GOURD BUSTER! Moxley flops back down to the floor, clutching his knee. White refreshes the ring count, drags Moxley up again, and puts him back in the ring. White drags Moxley to the corner, to SLAM the bad leg into the post! White soaks up the heat, then CHOPS Moxley into falling back. White SLAMS the bad leg into the post again! White then CLAWS Moxley’s eyes! The ref reprimands and counts, White lets off at 4, and he tucks Moxley under the apron skirt to SMOTHER him! The ref counts again, White lets off at 4 again, and White rolls into the ring.

White storms up on Moxley in the corner, and he stomps a mudhole! White drags Moxley in to GROUND DRAGON SCREW the leg! White drops a knee on the knee, Moxley bails out, and White pursues. White hauls Moxley up to CROTCH him on the railing! Then White CHOPS Moxley down! White brings Moxley around to HALF HATCH SUPLEX into railing! White refreshes the count again, then drags Moxley back up. White puts Moxley in, covers, ONE!! Moxley hangs tough but White stalks him to ropes. White CLUBS Moxley, CHOKES him on ropes, and lets off as the ref counts. White then shoves Moxley down to have the leg.

White steps through, ties up the legs, and turns Moxley over for the Deathlock! Dynamite returns to single picture as White mocks Moxley before he bridges back into the MUTA LOCK! Moxley endures, fans rally up, and Moxley reaches out. Moxley CLAWS White’s face! White lets go of the hold, to then CLAW Moxley’s face! White CHOPS Moxley on the back! White stalks Moxley, CHOPS him again, and he eggs Moxley on. White drags Moxley up, CHOPS him on the back again, but Moxley is furious! Fans fire up, White grins and fires a forearm. Moxley eggs White on so White throws more shots. Moxley ROCKS White with just one!

White flops to a corner, Moxley stomps a mudhole into him! The ref counts, Moxley digs his boots in, but lets off at 4. Moxley storms around, drags White back up, and then brings him around to hoist White up top. Moxley climbs up to CHOP! And then CHOP on the back! And again! And again! Moxley CLAWS White’s back! The fans fire up, the ref counts, Moxley stops at 4. Moxley BITES White’s nose! The ref counts again, Moxley stops and he hits a SUPERPLEX! White tumbles away to ropes but Moxley storms back up, to clothesline White up and out! The fans fire up as Moxley builds speed, to DIVE! Direct hit and they go into railing!

Moxley clutches the knee, he might’ve risked more than he needed there. But the fans love “A E DUB!” for giving them this main event. Moxley kicks the steel steps around and then drags White up. Moxley brings White over, but White GOURD BUSTERS Moxley onto the steps!! Moxley clutches that knee again, the ref checks him, but White goes looking. White finds a chair, and then another! White brings those around the way but the ref sees White! White claims he wasn’t doing anything, but he throws that chair away. So he gets his other chair!! JAM to the bad leg!! White gets back in the ring and wants the count out!

Fans boo as Moxley writhes and the count rises! We pass 5 of 10 as Moxley hobbles around. Moxley fights his way over, and slides in at 9.5!! But White has him for a clinch! BLADE- PARADIGM SHIFT!! Moxley covers, TWO!! White survives, the bad leg perhaps hurting Moxley’s press. The fans rally behind Moxley as he gets White up, and he CHOPS! White staggers around, but he comes back to CHOP! Moxley shoots in, and has the SLEEPER! But White RAMS Moxley backwards into buckles. White runs back in, blocks the boot, KNEE JAMMER! And then the DRAGON SCREW! Moxley writhes again but White wants that leg! Moxley cradles White, TWO!!

White rushes in, Moxley sends him into buckles! Moxley schoolboys but White rolls through, so Moxley KNEES him down!! Cover, TWO!!! White survives again and Moxley is seething! But the fans rally up and Moxley is determined to finish this. Moxley drags White up, but White fires a forearm! Moxley hits back, they go fast and furious with forearms, but Moxley hits a CUTTER outta nowhere!! Moxley hauls White back up, White slips around, SNAP SLEEPER SUPLEX!! Moxley staggers up to his feet, so White hits him with an URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Moxley reaches out, but White drags him back up.

White fisherman hooks the leg, KIWI KRUSHER!!! Cover, TWO!!! Moxley survives, White drags him up as the fans again rally for “A E DUB!” Moxley fights the clinch, so White shifts around again, SNAP SLEEPER SUPLEX!! Moxley stands!! KING LONG LARIAT!! The fans are thunderous as Moxley hauls White up. White clinches, Moxley slips free to short arm LARIAT!! Moxley aims from the corner, CURB STOMP!!! And then the underhooks at the five minute warning! DEATH- NO, White slips free and clinches! BLADERUNNER!!! Cover, WHITE WINS!!!!

Winner: Jay White, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Moxley earns 0)

Just as Dynamite entered the overrun, the Switchblade cuts down The Maniac! And now, three men standing at 4-1 with 12 points in the Gold League are primed for a wild Triple Threat semifinal!! And speaking of, here comes Swerve! The Realest gets a good look at both his opponents, and White mocks the Nana dance. Moxley tries to stand on that bad leg, but White kicks the leg out!! White has a lot of confidence after tonight, but who takes the massive win at New Year’s Smash to then move on to Worlds End?

My Thoughts:

An awesome Dynamite here, all thriller no filler. Great match from Riho VS Saraya, with Storm and Soho each watching. And I figured Riho would win, that’s the hole point of her returning. Riho VS Storm will be a lot of fun, and we’re definitely getting Saraya VS Soho on the side. And really good detail of Mariah May wanting Storm to go Heel on Riho and beat her down but Storm didn’t even acknowledge Mariah. Mariah as the number one fan, she is going to become angry with her hero and go after her, but the question is: will it cost Storm the title? Also, fun promo from Best Friends to give us Cassidy VS Rocky for the International Champion on Rampage. That’ll be fun but I would think Cassidy retains.

Great stuff in the “Who is The Devil?” story. Great promo from Joe and MJF where they accuse each other of being the villain, only to have them team up again against the Devil’s Minions. That ROH World Tag Team Championship match could possibly be where the Minions reveal themselves, but only in the case where they win the titles. And honestly, to put some pressure back on MJF, maybe MJF & Joe should lose the tag titles. New Year’s Smash is also the go-home to Worlds End, so MJF & Joe will be even whether they win or lose, so why not? And if it turns out The Kingdom are among the Minions, what better way to get those titles onto The Kingdom so they can return to ROH triumphant?

Speaking of which, great match from Strong and Komander with Strong getting the win. Strong putting up those “MJF is The Devil” posters feels like he’s leaning so into accusing MJF that Strong has to be involved in the plot against MJF, too. Great promo from MJF with Swerve but Swerve definitely shouldn’t be involved with The Devil’s faction. Wardlow’s newest warning, it feels a bit heavy-handed if he’s also a Devil’s Minion, but there’ve been obvious clues that Wardlow’s been one of those bigger, bulkier guys. Honestly, I’d love it if it wasn’t just one mastermind but a collaboration of all of MJF’s enemies. Adam Cole, Wardlow, Jack Perry, Roddy & The Kingdom all working together to ruin MJF’s life, that’d be some wild stuff.

And going back to Swerve, awesome Continental Classic matches tonight. Swerve beating Rush was the right move there, giving him a guaranteed spot in the semifinals next week. Briscoe VS Lethal was great stuff, but I was personally hoping for a time limit draw that gives both men one point so no one is a zero point Mr. Irrelevant. But hey, maybe this fifth loss makes it clear to Lethal he needs to ditch Triple Jay and get back to being the former ROH Grand Slam Champion. And then an awesome main event, with an awesome choice for White to win and force a Triple Threat next week. White VS Moxley VS Swerve is even more unpredictable than just a 1v1 match, but I am personally sticking by Swerve making it to the finals to capitalize on this momentum he’s built.

My Score: 9/10