New Year, new champs?

AEW also takes Collision to the MAX, as Private Party defend their World Tag Team Championships while Daniel Garcia defend his TNT Championship! Will the landscape of AEW change already?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• AEW TNT Championship: Daniel Garcia VS Mark Briscoe; Garcia wins and retains the title.
• Jeff Jarrett VS Aaron Solo; Jarrett wins.
• AEW World Tag Team Championships: Private Party VS Lio Rush & Action Andretti; Private Party wins and retains the titles.
• Toni Storm VS Deonna Purrazzo w/ Taya Valkyrie; Toni wins.
• $100K Fatal 4 Way: Komander VS Dante Martin VS Brian Cage VS The Beast Mortos; Cage wins and earns the $100,000 prize.
• Six Man Tag: #RatedFTR VS The Learning Tree; wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Mark Briscoe speaks.

“It’s the New Year, but the only thing I’m bringing new is the fact that I’m cranking it up, baby! The violence! The intensity! All that! Tonight, Daniel Garcia, I’m coming for that TNT title! Danny G, you’re my boi, but I must whoop dat ass tonight, cuz I need that TNT title! Let’s go, baby! ARF ARF AAAH!”

Daniel Garcia speaks.

“Tonight, we make history. The first ever simulcast, TNT, MAX, Mark Briscoe, Daniel Garcia. Mark, I like you, but everybody in Charlotte, North Carolina wants to see a fight tonight, and I do, too. Let’s get it!”

The Learning Tree speaks.

Big Bill starts by telling Rated FTR that tonight, you get taken to school. They won’t give you a rating, they’re giving you a grade. Bryan Keith says they’re gonna flunk, dumbass! Chris Jericho says, “See you soon, guys.” Then his smile slowly sours to a frown.

Rated FTR speaks.

Dax Harwood says that for the first time ever, Collision is on both MAX and TNT. And three days after an absolute war on Dynamite, Rated FTR makes their Collision debut. And it is against Jericho & The Learning Tree. Cash Wheeler says more like The Ugly Trees. Or maybe they fell out of an ugly tree, hit every ugly branch, then got run over by an ugly bus driven by an ugly bus driver, full of ugly kids. Well, that said, #TopGuysOut. But will things get ugly here on the first Saturday night of 2025?

AEW TNT Championship: Daniel Garcia VS Mark Briscoe!

A rematch from the 2024 Continental Classic, Red Death wants to redeem himself against the Sussex County Chicken. Will Garcia make sure he’s still the Face of TNT in the New Year? Or will Briscoe take the intensity to the MAX?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and Collision kicks off with gold!

The bell rings and the fans rally up. Garcia and Briscoe circle, and the two tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but then Briscoe finds a point of leverage. Briscoe puts Garcia in a corner, the ref counts, and Briscoe lets off cleanly. The fans cheer and  Briscoe resets with Garcia. They tie up again, are in another deadlock, and Garcia waistlocks. Garcia spins Briscoe to snapmare, but then he lets off. Briscoe stands, the two circle again. The fans duel and the two feel things out. They tie up again, and Briscoe headlocks. Garcia powers up, powers out, but Briscoe grabs ropes. Briscoe ELBOWS Garcia, then TOSSES him out!

The fans fire up and Briscoe builds speed, but Garcia slides in while Briscoe slides out! The fans are torn but Garcia waits on Briscoe to return. Briscoe dares Garcia to bring the fight to him on the outside instead. The fans fire up but the ring count climbs, so Briscoe goes back into the ring. Briscoe and Garcia reset, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Briscoe wrenches, Garcia rolls and wrenches back. Briscoe rolls, trips Garcia, then drops into a headlock. Garcia headscissors, Briscoe kips free, and the fans cheer the standoff. Briscoe and Garcia circle again, the dueling continues, and the two tie up again.

Garcia waistlocks, rolls Briscoe, then ties up the legs. The fans rally as Garcia then hooks the legs, and he hears the fans get louder. Garcia STOMPS the legs, and Briscoe gets frustrated. The two reset, tie up, and Briscoe headlocks for the takeover. Garcia headscissors, Briscoe kips free, and now roles reverse as Garcia headlocks for the takeover but Briscoe headscissors. Garcia kips free, Briscoe kicks low! Briscoe underhooks but Garcia trips him! Garcia has the legs but Briscoe kicks him away! Another standoff and the fans cheer again. Garcia puts up his dukes, and he does his dance! Briscoe runs up but Garcia TOSSES him!

Garcia waits on Briscoe again, but Briscoe again dares Garcia to come get him. Garcia holds the ropes open, the ring count climbs, but Briscoe goes around the side to slide step in on his own. Briscoe won’t let Garcia do him like that, and the two go again. They tie up, break, then Briscoe dodges to CHOP! And ROCK! And CHOP again! Briscoe brings Garcia in to suplex high and hard! Cover, ONE!! Garcia is tougher than that, but Briscoe brings him up. Briscoe swings, Garcia gets around and spins Briscoe for a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Then TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT again! And then TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT again! Cover off the hattrick, TWO!

Briscoe goes to the corner, Garcia runs up, and Garcia LARIATS! Garcia climbs up, the fans count along as he rains down fists, buy Briscoe stops him at 5! Briscoe then UPPERCUTS Garcia off the corner! Garcia falls, Briscoe runs to WRECK him with a dropkick! The fans fire up and Briscoe goes to the apron! BLOCKBUSTER to the floor! The fans fire up more and Mark hops up onto the railing. The fans cheer as Collision goes picture in picture.

Briscoe drags Garcia up, CHOPS him, then follows him to the barriers. Briscoe ROCKS Garcia, CHOPS him, then refreshes the ring count. Briscoe then kicks Garcia, then snap suplexes him to the floor! The fans cheer while Briscoe goes up to the apron. BANG BANG, FOLEY ELBOW DROP! Briscoe has the fans all fired up, then he ROCKS Garcia. Briscoe again refreshes the ring count, and he BOOTS Garcia against railing! Briscoe CHOPS Garcia, the fans cheer, and then Briscoe CHOPS Garcia again! Briscoe brings Garcia around, but Garcia fights the suplex! Garcia slips free, slips into the ring, but Briscoe follows him.

Briscoe aims from the apron, RAMS into Garcia, then slingshots to sunset flip! Garcia rolls through and he gets a leg! Briscoe fights but Garcia still turns him over for a HALF CRAB! Briscoe endures, even as Garcia sits on the hold! Briscoe turns over and he kicks at Garcia! Garcia just steps through, only for Briscoe to BOOT him to the apron! Collision returns to single picture as Briscoe ROCKS Garcia! Garcia holds onto the ropes, Briscoe fires more shots! Garcia hits back! The fans rally as the haymakers go back and forth! Garcia then fires a flurry! Garcia storms in, storms up, but Briscoe body shots!

Briscoe suplexes but Garcia fights it! Garcia tries to suplex but Briscoe fights it! They fight for control, and Briscoe suplexes Garcia and himself up and out of the ring! The fans fire up while both men are down on the floor! The ring count climbs, both men stir at 4 of 10, but Briscoe grabs a foot. Garcia kicks free, goes to the apron, but Briscoe drags him back out! Garcia BOOTS Briscoe away, rolls into the ring, but Briscoe follows! Garcia catches Briscoe, but Briscoe goes to backdrop! Garcia fights that off, but Briscoe REDNECK KUNG-FU UPPERCUTS! Briscoe runs, but into a BOOT! Briscoe BOOTS in return!

Garcia rebounds, gets under, SAIDO! But Briscoe is right up! Both men run, Briscoe LARIATS first!! The fans fire up for “A E DUB! A E DUB!” making this the first match. Briscoe and Garcia rise up, and Briscoe runs up. Garcia BOOTS back, but Briscoe LARIATS again! Briscoe suplexes for a FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Garcia survives and the fans fire up! Briscoe calls his shot, hauls Garcia up and reels him in. Underhook and- NO, Garcia fights the driller! Briscoe adjusts to POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Garcia survives, then he clings to the ref, he must really be in a daze if he doesn’t know who is who!

Briscoe drags Garcia up, fireman’s carries, but Garcia fights with elbows! Garcia is free, and he JABS! Briscoe shakes his head, but Garcia JABS again! Briscoe fires up, but Garcia JABS, JABS, and JABS! Briscoe roars, the fans fire up, but Garcia fires a haymaker! Briscoe fires back, the fans rally as the shots go back and forth! Briscoe fires a flurry, but Garcia CHOPS! And ROCKS! And repeat! Garcia whips, Briscoe reverses and CHOPS! Then Briscoe fires forearms to put Garcia in a corner! Briscoe lets off, takes a swing, but Garcia dodges! Garcia CHOPS again! Garcia climbs up, and he rains down fists! The fans count along, all the way to 6 before Briscoe shoves him down!

Garcia comes back with a SHOTGUN! The fans fire up as Garcia goes for more shots! Garcia goes right to nine, then winds up for TEN! Garcia snarls, he reels Briscoe in, PILEDRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Briscoe survives and the fans fire up! Garcia snarls and he reels Briscoe in, but Briscoe BACKDROPS free! Briscoe underhooks but Garcia wrenches and body scissors for a takedown! Garcia has the legs, and he steps over for the DRAGON TAMER!! Briscoe endures, the fans rally, and Briscoe reaches out to the ROPEBREAK! Garcia lets go in frustration, but he drags Briscoe up in a corner. Garcia CHOPS Briscoe, puts him up top, then climbs.

The fans rally as Garcia brings Briscoe up to the very top, but Briscoe fires body shots! Briscoe then UPPERCUTS, and Garcia falls! The three minute warning is given, and Briscoe vows to end this! FROGGY-BOW!! Cover, TWO!! Garcia survives and Briscoe fires up! Briscoe calls his shot, underhooks Garcia, JAY DRILLER!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Garcia survives by a literal foot and Briscoe is stunned! Briscoe slashes his throat, he drags Garcia up again! Straitjacket, but Garcia grabs the ropes! Briscoe CLUBS away on Garcia, torture racks, but Garcia slips free! Tackle and jackknife bridge, GARCIA WINS!!

Winner: Daniel Garcia, by pinfall (still AEW TNT Champion)

With two minutes to spare, Garcia finds a way to win! Briscoe shows Garcia respect, that was definitely a fight! But will Garcia be able to keep up the pace through 2025?

The Death Riders speak.

Specifically, Wheeler Yuta tells Jay White that he had no business interfering with the main event match on Dynamite! But now, he is a marked man! White is Yuta’s target, because nobody, and he means NOBODY- Moxley has Yuta calm down, and he brings up FTR. Moxley has always had respect men who are a defining tag team in their generation. In Moxley’s generation. Taking old school to the next level, like their generation does. They are representative of an artform that is tag team competition. Two of the toughest SOBs East of the Mississippi. But FTR crossed a line interfering in Moxley’s business.

FTR paid a price, but as far as Moxley’s concerned, that was the end of it. Then what’d FTR do? They created a whole new mess! And they didn’t come alone, they brought a “friend,” if that’s what we’re calling it. What do we know about “Cope,” Adam Copeland? A legend, an innovator, perennial champion, and he has the gold to prove it. Reigns, belts, trophies, whatever you want. Spent nearly a decade on the shelf with a broken neck, almost extinct. But he defied the laws of nature to come to a new, more unforgiving world, in the most unforgiving sport in the world. Cope came up the hard way. Been through everything, seen everything.

But he’s always been a frontrunner. This new world, this AEW of the future… In Moxley’s world, survival comes at a cost, so Cope will have to become something new. If Rated FTR wants to keep going down this road, Moxley won’t stop them. But he promises them that they will find nothing good down this road. Hell on Earth, if you will. Moxley leads The Death Riders away, but will the New Year be the end for their enemies?

Jeff Jarrett VS Aaron Solo!

The Last Outlaw declared on Wednesday that his last wrestling contract is right here in AEW, and he wants to be AEW World Champion before the ride’s over! Double J got the better of QT Marshall, will he do the same to QT’s sidekick? Or will Solo remind us all that he’s Extra Talented?

Solo goes after Jarrett before the bell! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Solo keeps after Jarrett as the bell rings. Solo ROCKS Jarrett, whips him, then ELBOWS him down! Solo soaks up the heat while he mocks the Fargo Strut. Solo CLUBS Jarrett, ROCKS him again, but the fans rally for Double J. Solo laughs, whips Jarrett again, but Jarrett reverses and CLOBBERS Solo! And CLOBBERS him again! Solo blocks a kick but not the ENZIGIRI! Jarrett then runs to STRADDLE ATTACK! The fans fire up as we get the real Fargo Strut! Solo runs up, Jarrett dodges, and then Jarrett BACKDROPS him! Solo writhes but Jarrett brings him up.

Jarrett whips, Solo reverses, but Jarrett reverses back to KNEE low, and THE STROKE! But that’s not all, THE STROKE ENCORE! Cover, Jarrett wins!

Winner: Jeff Jarrett, by pinfall

The Last Outlaw puts this one to bed fast, he is all tuned up and ready to go for next week’s Casino Gauntlet! Will Jarrett earn himself that golden ticket to Maximum Carnage in Cincinnati? Will Moxley make Jarrett regret sticking around another year?

AEW World Tag Team Championships: Private Party VS Lio Rush & Action Andretti!

Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy brokered the #1 contenders match between both sides of Top Flight Airlines, and little did anyone know that The Bad Child & Sight to See would resort to new lows just to win. But now it is time for their “SHOTS! SHOTS! SHOTS!” at these titles, will Lio & Action make sure they’re the Men of the Hour? Or will there be no end to this party?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see whose time it is!

The teams sort out but there’s already some trash talk and even some shoving. The ref reprimands, gets the teams to sort out already, and Lio starts against Brother Zay. The fans rally as Zay and Lio circle. They talk more smack, the fans rally behind Private Party, and then Lio steps to Quen! Lio grins, Zay runs up, but Lio slips around. Zay elbows Lio, whips, but Lio reverses. Zay dodges Lio to BLAST Action! Lio BLASTS Zay, Quen BLASTS Lio! Then things start going off on the outside! The fans fire up as Private Party gets the edge, and they put the challengers back in the ring. The fans cheer, but then Lio & Action regroup.

Private Party returns, Zay blocks Action’s boot to give it to Lio. Quen kicks but Lio ducks! Zay ENZIGIRIS Action! Quen blocks Lio’s kick, flips him, then Zay pops Lio up for an atomic drop! ENZIGIRI! Action returns but into a DOUBLE BACKDROP! The fans fire up with Private Party, then they set up with Lio in the corner. PARTY IN- NO, Action drags Quen out and Lio CLOBBERS Zay! Quen is sent into barriers, then a DOUBLE SUPLEX onto the apron! The fans boo but Action & Lio mug Zay with their strike fest combos! They kick legs out then double FALCON ARROW! Cover by Lio, TWO!

Zay stays in this but Lio grins as he looms over him. The fans boo but Lio mocks the shots. Lio drags Zay up, the fans chant “LIO SUCKS!” Lio ROCKS Zay to the corner, tags Action, and they double snapmare. Zay sits up into a KICK after KICK! Then Action & Lio both run, DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKICK SANDWICH! Zay writhes, Quen crawls to the corner, but Action stomps a mudhole into Zay. Action stands Zay up to CHOP, but Zay CHOPS! Action RAMS into Zay again and again, then sits him down. Action goes corner to corner and back again, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!

The fans continue to rally but Action BOOTS Quen back down! Action stalks Zay, drags him up, and brings him to Lio. Lio tags in, he and Action DOUBLE SUPLEX! Zay writhes and Lio soaks up the heat. Lio talks smack, stomps away on Zay, then throws hands. Zay flounders, Quen drags himself up to the corner, but Lio stays between them while Collision goes picture in picture.

Lio wrenches Zay for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Lio taunts Quen, facelocks Zay and gator rolls him away. The ref won’t honor the tag via Lio’s foot, which Lio argues about, but Zay rolls Lio up! TWO!! Lio CLOBBERS Zay! Lio keeps Zay down with a headlock and Action talks smack to fans. The fans talk smack back while Lio rains down fists. Lio drags Zay up, brings him over to bump off buckles, and he tags Action. They mug Zay, stomp a mudhole in, but they stop as the ref counts 4. Action drags Zay to a cocky cover, TWO! Action scuffs Zay, taunts him, then stands him up. Zay CHOPS back and fires off hands, and Collision goes to break!

Collision returns and Action has Zay down again. Action may have also knocked Quen back down, he isn’t on the apron. Lio steps in so that he and Action can double whip Zay to the corner. Action runs up, but Zay TOSSES Action out! Lio runs up but Zay pops him up for a SPINEBUSTER! The fans fire up while Zay crawls, and Quen returns to the apron! Zay crawls, Lio grabs at feet, but Zay kicks free! Hot tag to Quen! The fans fire up as Quen rallies on Action! Forearm, forearm, BOOT, ROUNDHOUSE! Lio runs up, Quen fireman’s carries, but the back stops him! Lio goes to a corner, Quen runs up, but Lio BOOTS him!

Lio goes up, but Quen GAMANGIRIS! Quen fireman’s carries now, and he DEATH VALLEY DRIVERS Lio onto Action! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up and Quen brings Action over. Tag to Zay, and Zay puts Action up top! GAMANGIRI, and then Zay whips Quen, but Quen collapses! Zay helps Quen to his feet, then he ROCKS Action. Zay brings Action in, but Action denies the Twist of Fate! Action sends Zay into Lio’s CUTTER! Quen is stuck up top for Action’s SUPER SPANISH FLY! Lio DIVES onto Zay, then puts him back in! Lio hoists Zay up top, calls to Action, then climbs. Lio SUPER STEEINERS Zay into a CUTTER! GIN & JUICE?!? Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as Lio & Action could not score using Private Party’s own move! Lio & Action talk out what to do next, and wait! Top Flight is in the crowd taunting them! Lio & Action ignore Dante & Darius to climb up, but Quen gets in to help Zay. Zay & Quen dare Lio & Action to bring the fight, so Action & Lio run up! The hands fly and the fans fire up! Private Party gets the edge, then run, but Lio & Action both dodge! They send Private Party at each other, but Quen & Zay dosido! QUADRUPLE LARIATS take everyone down! The fans fire up and Top Flight pretend to be worried for Lio & Action.

Hot tags to Lio and Quen, and Lio gets around to ROCK Quen’s back! Lio runs, RUSH- NO! Quen stops the stunner to TOSS Lio! Zay CANNONBALLS Lio down! But Action ARABIAN PRESS SAULTS Zay! The fans boo but Quen is going up top! SUPER SWANTON! Down go Lio & Action! The fans fire up while Quen puts Lio in. Tag to Zay and he kicks Lio! TWIST OF FATE! Quen goes up, SHOOTING STAR PRESS! Cover, but Action 450 SPLASHES onto it all! Top Flight admits, that was good. Action drags Lio to their corner and then tags himself in. Action & Lio go after Zay but Zay fires off shots! But Action blocks his kick!

Zay still fights, and he manages a STUNNER on Lio! But action fireman’s carries! Zay fights with elbows, then goes to the apron. Zay GAMANGIRIS, sunset flips, but Action stays up! Lio grabs Action’s hand! DANTE BREAKS THAT UP! Zay rolls Action, PRIVATE PARTY WINS!!

Winners: Private Party, by pinfall (still AEW World Tag Team Champions)

Lio is furious, but Top Flight made sure justice was served! Will Darius & Dante make sure Lio & Action are humbled for the New Year?

Backstage interview with “Cope,” Adam Copeland.

Lexy Nair is with the Rated R Superstar and says Rated FTR takes on The Learning Tree, Chris Jericho and his group. But she wants to take us back to Worlds End, seeing him and FTR target The Death Riders. Why? Cope says it is real simple: You attack his friends, now they have a problem. Moxley and his Death Riders, they threw Darby Allin down a flight of stairs in the Hammerstein Ballroom, we haven’t seen Darby in the week since, no telling when he will be back. The Death Riders also attacked FTR, very dear friends of Cope’s. Therefore, we have a problem. And there’s also the fact that Jon Moxley is the AEW World Champion.

And while Cope was gone, he heard Moxley say that no one here wants to be AEW World Champion. Well, Cope wasn’t here, but he’s an ELEVEN-TIME World Champion! And it’s time to make that a dirty dozen! Cope won’t hide that title in a bag or a briefcase, hide it in a pouch, he will wear it around his waist proudly, like a world champion should! So Moxley, it is- Wait, Chris Jericho walks over. The ROH World Champion hears Cope talking about Moxley, but don’t forget what he has in front of him tonight, here on Collision. Because while Cope was gone, Jericho became a world champion for a NINTH time!

Jericho is El Nueve, the King of New York, and The Learning Tree! Cope has Jericho stop there. Jericho doesn’t need to be all fired up, because Cope gets it. Cope respects Jericho. Hell, Cope kinda likes Jericho. They have a long history. In fact, this is the fourth decade that they’ll compete against each other in, and it’s been about 15 years since they faced off. Jericho says wow, four decades, 15 years. He doesn’t remember any of that. Seems their “relationship” meant more to Cope than it did to Jericho. Because all Jericho remembers was Cope getting hurt all the time. Okay, Cope will take that “liking” thing back.

Because now Cope can only remember that Jericho’s an A-hole, and still is. See you out there. Cope heads out, and Jericho says as far as he’s concerned. Cope’s a Dope! Sick burn. Jericho leaves, having complimented himself, but will Cope add insult to injury when Rated FTR chops down The Learning Tree?

Toni Storm VS Deonna Purrazzo w/ Taya Valkyrie!

The Rockstar didn’t quite get The Virtuosa’s insult when Deonna mocked Toni’s apparent memory loss. However, Deonna also vowed to make this a night no one will forget. Will Deonna make sure to end “rookie” Toni’s time before it even begins? Or will no Vendetta take down the former AEW Women’s World Champion?

The bell rings and Toni offers a handshake. Deonna accepts it, the fans cheer, and the two circle. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and go shoulder to shoulder in a Test of Strength. The fans rally as Toni pushes Deonna, but Deonna trips Toni! Double knuckle lock cover, ONE as Toni gets an arm up! Deonna pushes it down, ONE as the other arm comes up! That arm goes down, ONE as Toni bridges. Deonna hops on, Toni drops, but then kips up to MONKEY FLIP! They have a double cover, ONE as arms come up! ONE as the other arms come up! ONE as both women bridge! They shake hands again, and the fans cheer.

But then Deonna SLAPS Toni! No more sportsmanship, and Taya taunts Toni. Deonna stomps Toni in the corner, then digs her boots in. The ref counts, Deonna steps off, but Taya pulls Toni’s hair! The fans boo but Taya gets away with that. Deonna brings Toni up to bump her off buckles, then she CHOPS! Toni goes to another corner, but Deonna CHOPS again! The fans “WOO~!” and Deonna RAMS into Toni. Deonna smiles as she digs her shoulder in, but the fans rally up. Deonna whips, Toni comes back and she CLOBBERS Deonna! Deonna bails out and Taya is there to cool her down. Taya coaches Deonna up but Toni storms out.

Taya stands in the way, Toni says look, what’s that? Taya falls for it and Toni goes after Deonna! Deonna clinches, Toni fires forearms! Toni RAMS Deonna into the barriers, CHOPS her, then SMACKS her off the apron! Toni puts Deonna in but Taya storms up! Taya drags Toni off the apron! The fans boo but Deonna WRECKS Toni with a dropkick! Deonna goes up the apron, and she CANNONBALLS! Not the cleanest tumble but Toni still falls, and Collision goes picture in picture.

Toni writhes while The Vendetta soak up the heat. Deonna brings Toni around to RAM into the barriers, then SLAPS her! Taya cheers while Toni staggers around. Deonna puts Toni in the ring, Toni goes to a corner, and Deonna storms up. Deonna stands Toni up to LARIAT, then LARIAT again! Then short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Deonna is annoyed but she drags Toni up to TOSS her out of the ring! The ref argues with Deonna but Taya gets a bunch of stomps in! Taya soaks up the heat, Toni crawls to the ring, but Deonna is there to stomp her! Deonna drags Toni up to throat chop! The ref reprimands but Deonna stomps Toni more.

Deonna whips corner to corner, runs up, and she blocks boots to put Toni in the ropes! DRAPING DDT! Deonna smiles as she strikes like a Viper, then covers, TWO! Taya is frustrated for Deonna but Deonna drags Toni up. Deonna whips, Toni reverses and Deonna is sent out of the ring! Taya coaches Deonna and Deonna hurries back in, but Toni CLUBS away on her! Toni whips, Deonna reverses and ELBOWS her down! Deonna soaks up heat while Toni sits up slowly. Deonna digs her knee into Toni’s back with the chinlock, but Toni endures. Toni fights up, Collision returns to single picture, and Toni fires body shots!

Toni is free but Deonna runs, only for Toni to scoop and BACKBREAKER! Toni and Deonna stand, and Toni hits a THESZ PRESS! Toni rains down fists, the fans fire up, and Toni brings Deonna up to FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect, but Toni hooks up the legs! DEATHLOCK STF! Deonna endures, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Toni lets go, Deonna goes to a corner, and the fans fire up for the rock ‘n’ roll! HIP ATTACK! And then STORM- NO, Deonna trips Toni to jackknife, TWO! Toni reels Deonna back in but Taya gets on the apron! Toni storms up on Taya, Taya avoids the shot, and Deonna GERMAN SUPLEXES!

Deonna BOOTS Toni down, covers, TWO!! Toni survives but Deonna goes for an arm! FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Toni endures, fights around, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Toni survives by a foot and Taya scowls. Deonna lets go in frustration, then reels Toni. But Toni wrenches out and fires forearms! The fans rally up, Deonna fires back! The forearms go faster and faster, meaner and meaner! Toni gets the edge but Deonna shoves her! Toni HEADBUTTS! Deonna BOOTS! Toni kicks and DDTS! Cover, TWO! Deonna survives but Toni has her up and in! Deonna RAMS Toni into a corner! And RAMS her again!

Deonna lets off to run up, but Toni ELBOWS her away! Taya storms up but Toni DEKCS her for it! But Deonna rolls Toni! TWO!! Toni escapes, Deonna wrenches, but Toni wrenches back! Cradle, TONI WINS!!

Winner: Toni Storm, by pinfall

Toni hurries away before Taya can get at her! The Vendetta got bested by the “rookie,” and even Toni is surprised! Will this win streak of hers bring Toni back to the top of AEW?

AEW shares footage from after Dynamite.

Alex Marvez was on standby as Christopher Daniels argued with Hangman Page given how Dynamite went down. Daniels says he keeps telling Hangman he is on Hangman’s side! All this anger is useless! Hangman could be world champion, and Daniels believes in him! Oh, Daniels bElIeVeS~ in him? What’s that even supposed to do for Hangman? It doesn’t mean s*it to Hangman! Y’know what Hangman needs? Daniels should’ve been at Worlds End, where was he? And what was Daniels supposed to do for Hangman? That was a Fatal 4 Way! Hangman says Daniels could’ve done something! Anything! But he got NOTHING.

In fact, what has Daniels given anyone? What has he given AEW? What has he given wrestling? When Hangman looks at Daniels, he sees an old man clinging on to a sport that left him behind a long time ago. Understand? And if Daniels hasn’t already lost his mind to old age, he would’ve hung it up five years ago when he still had an ounce of dignity! Hangman then SLAPS Daniels! The Fallen Angel seethes, but Hangman says, “That’s what I thought.” Daniels shouts at Hangman and TACKLES him! Daniels fires fists, HEADBUTTS away on Hangman, and even busts himself open with those! But he shouted at Hangman that he isn’t done!

Daniels fires off kicks and stomps, and he has Hangman reeling! Daniels says he is the Fallen Angel, and Hangman better respect him or go to Hell! Daniels storms off, and Hangman says if that’s how Daniels wants it, then he’ll get it. Is the Blackhat Cowboy about to go to war with one of the all-time greats?

AEW shares more footage from after Dynamite.

AEW Media caught up with Anthony Bowens to ask him about losing to Hurt Syndicate. Bowens says don’t ask him, ask Max Caster. Caster hobbles along and the reporter asks him what happened. Caster says what we witnessed was The Best Wrestler Alive in action, but a 2v1 attack by the Hurt Syndicate, a cowardly move by a couple of cowards. Caster said it before and will say it again, they don’t want The Syndicate here. Caster may have lost that battle but- Bowens returns to shout at Caster, “Are you kidding me?!” The Best Wrestler Alive BS got him exactly what he deserved out there!

And Caster has been annoying the hell out of Bowens, pissing him off, for MONTHS! By the way, that’s why Billy doesn’t even show up because he doesn’t wanna deal with Caster. Caster says F Billy! CASTER is the leader of The Acclaimed! He has to deal with Billy! Bowens gets mad and says the only reason he hasn’t punched Caster in the face is because Billy asked him not to. Oh? Then keep listening to Billy. Bowens storms off, is The Acclaimed going to fall apart before the year’s even begun?

$100K Fatal 4 Way: Komander w/ Alex Abrahantes VS Dante Martin w/ Leila Grey VS Brian Cage VS The Beast Mortos!

That’s right, ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS is on the line in this match! The Commander of the Skies is already ROH World Television Champion, but could he be rolling in the green? Will Angel Dorado win another big money match for Top Flight? Will The Machine win the money for The Don Callis Family? Or will the menacing minotaur make La Faccion Ingobernable proud by raking in the dinero?

The bell rings and the fans rally up as the four men watch each other. Charlotte rallies behind “BEAST! BEAST! BEAST!” Mortos roars and runs up, but Dante & Komander dodge! Cage UPPERCUTS, Mortos stays up, but then Dante and Komander BOOT! Cage CLOBBERS Mortos, the fans boo, but then Komander & Dante kick. They double whip but Cage blocks! Cage kicks Dante, CLOBBERS Komander, then whips Komander to ropes. Komander slips out of the pop-up to MONKEY FLIP Dante, but Dante uses that to RANA Cage! The fans fire up as the Cruiserweights now circle, and then they DOUBLE DIVE to take out the big men!

The fans fire up and Leila Grey cheers Dante on. Dante gets in with Komander, arm-drag into a lateral press, TWO! Komander has the ghost pin, TWO! Dante has the cover back, TWO! Komander has it back, TWO! Dante has a cover, TWO! Mortos HEADBUTTS Dante down! The fans fire up as Mortos runs up on Komander, DISCUS- NO, Komander gets under. Mortos switches, back suplexes, but Komander lands out! Komander dodges again, then tilt-o-whirls for a DEJA VU RANA! The fans fire up while Mortos tumbles out! Komander then runs to go up, up and ARIHARA SKY TWISTER! The fans fire up as Komander takes down the big men!

Komander fires hands on Mortos, but now Dante goes up, up and ESCALARA SWANTON! The fans fire up again, and Dante puts Komander in, only for Lio to CLOBBER Dante! Lio whips Dante hard into railing! There’s nothing that can stop Lio, or Action for that matter as he comes back out here, but the damage was done. Cage tells them to get outta here, and then he goes to fetch Dante. Cage whips Dante back into railing, but Komander leaps over Mortos! Mortos runs up to slingshot whip, then POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Cover, but Cage is right in! Cage CLUBS Mortos, hauls him up, PUMP HANDLE FACEBUSTER!

Cage shouts, “Who Betta Than Cage?” while fans boo, and Collision goes picture in picture.

Darius returns to ringside to check on his brother, but Cage bumps Mortos off buckles. Cage RAMS into MOrtos again and again, then he ROCKS Mortos! mortos flounders against ropes, but Cage CHOPS him! And ROCKS him! And CHOPS again! Cage fires off more forearms and CHOPS, then a flurry of forearms! Cage fires up while Mortos flops over! Cage goes out to fetch Komander, and he RAMS Komander into the apron! And then he hits an APRON BACK SUPLEX! Komander writhes, Cage storms in, and Cage drags Komander up to bump off buckles. Cage whips corner to corner hard, and Komander bounces off buckles!

Cage goes to the apron and he drags Dante up. Cage DECKS Dante, then aims from the apron. Cage BOOTS Dante down, then goes back to the ring. Mortos attacks but Cage ROCKS him first! Cage and Mrtos fire forearms, then haymakers! Mortos SMACKS Cage, Cage ROCKS Mortos, repeat! Cage JUMP KNEES, Mortos falls, and Collision goes to break!

Collision returns and Cage hoists Mortos up for a BIG back suplex! The fans rally but Cage runs up on Dante. Dante goes up, around, and GAMANGIRIS! Dante then dodges a shoulder to KICK Cage in the ropes! But Cage SUPERKICKS back! Mortos HEADBUTTS Cage! Cage goes to a corner, Mortos UPPERCUTS, LARIATS and GAMANGIRIS! Mortos snapmares to then NECK TWIST! Cage flounders away, Komander is back, but Mortos SOBATS, KNEES, and ELBOWS Komander! Snapmare, but Komander handsprings through! Things keepm oving, Komander rolls to then FACEBUSTER!

The fans fire up as Komander runs, goes up and up, FLYING DESTROYER!! The fans are thunderous and Komander is all fire dup! But then Cage FLAPJACKS Komander, reels him in, and puts one out! POWER- NO, Komander slips free to ENZIGIRI! Dante springboards to CANNONBALL! Cage is down, Dante fires forearms on Komander. Dante runs up, forearm SMASHEs, then wrenches to reel Komander in. Dante goes up the corner for a headstand, then uses the momentum to suplex Komander far away! Mortos returns to shove Dante and scoop! CIPHER UTAKI! Cage rises, Mortos runs up, but Cage puts Mortos outside!

Mortos and Cage fire forearms, then Cage ROUNDHOUSES Mortos! Cage goes up the ropes and he deadlift SUPERPLEXES Mortos!! The fans fire up and Cage rises, but Komander QUEBRADAS! Cage catches him, swings him, btu Komander still DDTS through! And then POISON-RANA for Mortos! The fans fire up as Komander runs and aims at Cage! Springboard, but NO Destroyer this time! SPINEBUSTER and deadlift, into a fireman’s carry and F5!! Cover, but Dante runs up to sunset flip! Cage stays up, he YANKS Dante up, and then whips for the DISCUS LARIAT! Ripcord into the Gory Especial, for WEAPON X!! Cover, CAGE WINS!

Winner: Brian Cage, by pinfall (earns the $100,000 prize)

Don Callis is in Japan with Konosuke Takeshita right now, but clearly he’ll be happy to learn the family just made some serious bank! Will there be plenty to go around as the Don Callis Family looks to take over the wrestling world?

FTR talks with the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express.

Dax & Cash are honored to be standing in front of tag team greatness! The greatest tag team of all time, and for once, he doesn’t mean FTR. Well, don’t think they forgot about FTR dropping Ricky Morton on his head. Dax promises Ricky, that was a dark place in their lives. They apologize for that spike piledriver and almost breaking Ricky’s neck. From the bottom of Dax’s heart, he wants them to forgive him and Cash. Nah, just another day at the office. But then in step The Outrunners! Turbo Floyd & Truth Magnum look at the 80s legends, and Turbo says Memphis, Tennessee, Colt Convention Center, 1982, Rock ‘n’ Roll Express still owe them a dance!

FTR has The Outrunners calm down, and Ricky’s pretty sure these guys weren’t even born in 1982. Aw c’mon, they were just really young then. Yeah, Youngest Men Alive! And they’re here to collect! Well, Ricky isn’t sure what to say, but how about, “We’re sorry.” FTR says just bury the hatchet, guys. The 80s were a long time ago. Turbo tells Ricky & Robbie, “You son of a b*tch!” They all shake hands, and FTR says #TopGuysOut!

Six Man Tag: #RatedFTR VS The Learning Tree!

Adam Copeland is making sure his return is a strong one, going after not just The Death Riders for all their crimes, but also accepting the challenge from Bryan Keith, Big Bill & Chris Jericho. Will the Learning Tree find a way to take the Top Guys out? Or will Jericho have to cope with a loss to Rated FTR?

AEW is taking Dynamite to the MAX!

On the mother of all simulcasts, AEW Dynamite will Fight for the Fallen! TBS, MAX, and you can help Asheville, NC in their time of need!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Orange Cassidy VS Hangman Page; Hangman wins.
• The Acclaimed VS The Hurt Syndicate w/ MVP; The Hurt Syndicate wins.
• Jamie Hayter VS Julia Hart; Julia wins.
• Casino Gauntlet #1 Spot Triple Threat: Jay White VS Roderick Strong VS Swerve Strickland; White wins and will enter #1 at the next Casino Gauntlet.
• 2v1 Handicap: “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS Jon Cruz & Rob Killjoy; Hobbs wins.
• Six Man Tag: The Death Riders VS #RatedFTR; Rated FTR wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

AEW mourns the loss of Sweet Daddy Siki, 1933 – 2024.

AEW shares footage from after Worlds End.

Last Saturday, technically last year in 2024, Jon Moxley escaped with the AEW World Championship, but he was more upset about how “they” were all “talk and talk” about who they are and what they’ll do. But when bullets start flying, when things get real, that’s not who they are at all. Who they are when their feet are put to the fire is very, very different. Marina Shafir took a bullet tonight, because she is a woman of integrity and iron will. She is someone who stands with Moxley and he accepts nothing left! What would you take a bullet for? Moxley grabbed AEW by the strap and dragged it to safety through a pandemic!

Moxley has taken bullet after bullet after bullet for AEW! And if he has to, he will burn it down, sink it, and destroy the AEW World Championship before he lets anyone get their greedy, soulless, criminals fingers on it ever again! Moxley knows what Adam Copeland is about. The Death Riders are not rebels, they rebel against authority. No one has authority over them. Moxley is king. Tonight, Copeland was just the loudest guy in the room.

Rated FTR responds.

Dax & Cash stand with the Rated R Superstar while he paces, and Dax says if the Death Riders want a fight, they’ll get the damndest fight of their lives! Cash says tonight is Fight for the Fallen, and this is for North Carolina! This is for the people who never keep fighting, so FTR will never keep fighting. Copeland says Death Riders have tried to take out his friends, they’ve taken out Darby Allin! Well, it’s 2025 now! First Dynamite of the New Year, first one streaming on MAX, so let’s get going! At Worlds End, Edge saw something he never saw in Moxley’s eyes before: FEAR. And it is the fear that Edge is SICKER than Moxley. This’ll be fun!

Orange Cassidy VS Hangman Page!

Freshly Squeezed wanted Team AEW to stick together against the Death Riders, but that didn’t happen. Why did it NOT happen? Because the Blackhat Cowboy only cared that he would become champion. That didn’t happen, either, so now Cassidy and Hangman will settle things with each other! Who stands tall tonight so they can go back for the gold in the near future?

The bell rings and fans already duel between “Freshly Squeezed!” and “Cowboy S*it!” The two run up, Hangman avoids an Orange Punch but Cassidy avoids Deadeye! Hangman drags Cassidy up but Cassidy slips free to then BEACH- NO, Hangman fights that to lift Cassidy! Cassidy slips free again, Hangman dodges another punch and loads up! BUCK- NO, Cassidy dodges that and then lounges against ropes! The fans fire up while Hangman scowls. Hangman storms up but Cassidy bails out. The fans duel again, Hangman goes out after Cassidy, but Cassidy gets in the ring! Oklahoma Roll, TWO!

Cassidy ROCKS Hangman, but then Hangman stays up! Cassidy fires more forearms but Hangman ROCKS him in return! Cassidy staggers, Hangman CHOPS him to a corner! Cassidy flounders but Hangman whips corner to corner. Hangman runs up to LARIAT in a corner, then he sits Cassidy down to stand tall. The fans fire up but Cassidy gets under Hangman! Hangman rains down fists and Cassidy staggers away. Hangman storms up to clinch and BELLY2BELLY! Cover, TWO! Hangman scowls but the fans rally behind him. Hangman CHOPS Cassidy, then GRINDS his face on the ropes!

The ref reprimands, but Hangman CHOPS Cassidy in a corner. Hangman whips corner to corner, runs up, but Cassidy dodges! Cassidy comes back but Hangman puts him on the apron! Triangle jump LARIAT! Down goes Cassidy and the fans fire up again. Hangman goes out after Cassidy, and he shouts for media to move! Hangman whips Cassidy hard into the railing! Cassidy falls over but Hangman brings him back up. Hangman whips Cassidy hard into more railing! The ring count climbs but the fans fire up. Hangman flips them off so they boo. Hangman refreshes the count to then drag Cassidy up.

Hangman brings Cassidy around, reels him in, but Cassidy BACKDROPS free! Hangman flounders away to a corner, Cassidy storms up and has him in a chair! Cassidy rains down fists! The fans count along and Cassidy goes all the way to TEN! The fans cheer while Hangman sputters. Cassidy refreshes the ring count, but Hangman BOOTS him! They get back in the ring, Cassidy goes to a corner, and Hangman runs up. Cassidy BOOTS him back! Then ELBOWS him! Cassidy goes up and leaps, but Hangman catches him! FALL AWAY SLAM into the corner! Cassidy falls over, Hangman covers, TWO! The fans rally while Cassidy writhes.

Hangman looms over Cassidy, drags him up, then fireman’s carries. Cassidy fights free, O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Cassidy comes back to PENALTY KICK! The fans fire up and Cassidy keeps moving! Tilt-o-whirl but Hangman stops the DDT! Hangman suplexes, but STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE hits! Hangman tumbles out, Cassidy builds speed, and he DIVES! But Hangman catches Cassidy, shoves Cassidy at the apron, then pops him up! But Cassidy slips fere! Only for Hangman to scoop him and FALL AWAY SLAM to the ramp! The fans fire up while Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Hangman soaks up cheers and jeers, goes up the steps, and he refreshes the count to then go fetch Cassidy. Hangman drags Cassidy up, brings him back to the ring, then covers, TWO! Hangman paces around, kicks at Cassidy, but Cassidy huffs ‘n’ puffs. Cassidy fires body shots, but Hangman fireman’s carries! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Cassidy stays in this but Hangman keeps him down with a chinlock. Cassidy endures as Hangman shifts into a CROSSFACE! Cassidy fights around, reaches out, and fights his way to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Hangman lets go at 4, and he looms over Cassidy.

Hangman soaks up more cheers and jeers, then storms up on Cassidy. Cassidy fires hands while Fight for the Fallen returns to single picture. Hangman DECKS Cassidy, then stands him back up. Hangman ROLLING ELBOWS Cassidy right back down! The fans rally up, Hangman aims from the apron, but Cassidy flops down and rolls out of the ring! The fans cheer but Hangman is pissed. Hangman storms around the outside, and he BOOTS Cassidy into barriers! Hangman puts Cassidy back in the ring, but Cassidy DIVES! Direct hit and Hangman hits barriers! But then Hangman sends Cassidy into barriers!

The ring count climbs, Hangman puts Cassidy back in, and he reloads on the apron. But Cassidy slow rolls and even waves bye! Cassidy is on the far side so Hangman cuts through the ring. Hangman drags Cassidy up and tell shim to stop messing around. Cassidy raises his hands, to put in his pockets! The fans cheer, Hangman shoves Cassidy, but Cassidy dodges to SHOTGUN! Hangman i sin a corner. Cassidy runs up! Hangman dodges, Cassidy goes up and out, and Cassidy SMACKS Hangman off buckles! And then side to side for more buckles! And back again! The fans fire up as Cassidy goes for one more! And then one more!

The fans fire up while Hangman flops and flounders! Cassidy goes up, takes aim, and DIVING- NO, Hangman catches him again! Hangman pops Cassidy around for a swing, but Cassidy makes it a DDT! Cassidy gets moving again, tilt-o-whirl DDT! Cover, TWO! Hangman survives but the fans rally for Cassidy. Cassidy “kicks” Hangman again and again, but then fires off shots! Hangman blocks the superkick, takes a swing, but Cassidy dodges! SUPERKICK! But Hangman rebounds to LARIAT! Cassidy is down, Hangman loads up on the apron! BUCK- NO, Cassidy gets under to BEACH BREAK! Cover, TWO!!

Hangman survives and the fans hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” But this is the opening match so something has to finish this. Cassidy throws off the elbow pad, ORANGE- DEAD- SUNSET FLIP! TWO!! Hangman escapes, ORANGE PUNCH!! Hangman staggers around, ORANGE PUNCH again!! Hangman goes to the apron, he BOOTS Cassidy, but an ORANGE PUNCH on the return! Only for Hangman to slingshot! BUCKSHOT!! Cover, HANGMAN WINS!

Winner: Hangman Page, by pinfall

Cassidy is tougher but Hangman is tougher! And meaner! Because he rains down fists on Cassidy! The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Hangman drags Cassidy up to reel him in, DEADEYE!! But then Hangman holds on and reloads! DEADEYE again!! Christopher Daniels storms out here to get in Hangman’s face, so Hangman DECKS him! The fans boo but Hangman snarls as he looks at Daniels with wild eyes. Hangman STOMPS Daniels, then leaves. Will the rage of Hangman be the only thing that sees him through 2025?

Jay White speaks.

“We are not starting 2025 off the way I had planned. No, I had planned, after Worlds End, by January 1st, to be THE AEW World Champion. And that planned worked almost perfectly. Bladerunner, one, two, and then Wheeler Yuta throws himself on top of the referee. Not just costing me any moment. Costing me the moment! He cost me MY moment! And that makes me feel… Words don’t do it justice. So Wheeler, I promise you, I will show you over and over again exactly how I feel. But don’t worry, because I still have a path to Moxley at Maximum Carnage! And next week, in the Casino Gauntlet, I will walk along that path to you, Moxley!

“But first, tonight, I face two former AEW champions, and I BEAT two former AEW champions. It’s nothing personal, fellas. Roderick Strong, Swerve Strickland, you’ll simply be the catalyst collateral on my way to the gold. It doesn’t matter who’s the Messiah, it doesn’t matter whose house this is, you will breath with the Switchblade!” White makes his intentions known, but will he be number one with a bullet going into the Casino Gauntlet?

The Acclaimed VS The Hurt Syndicate w/ MVP!

Max Caster & Anthony Bowens have been a bit dysfunctional lately, but maybe getting back into the swing of things will help them. However, will even The Best Wrestler Alive & Five Tool Player be able to overcome the Standard of Excellence & The All Mighty?

Caster surprisingly skips the diss track, and he is in awe of a fan sign that says, “Bowens Will Be Fine.” The teams sort out, Caster and Bowens argue about this, but Lashley CLOBBERS them both! The fans fire up as Lashley CLUBS Bowens, fires off on Caster, and MVP joins commentary while Lashley digs his boots in. The ref counts, Lashley lets off, and fans sing the song, “We Hurt~ People!” Lashley TOSSES Caster across the way and MVP laughs. Lashley talks trash on Bowens, storms up on Caster, and Lashley hits a NECKBREAKER! The fans rally for Bobby, MVP reveals that A) Caster took to long to decide and B) Lashley & Shelton don’t want Caster.

Lashley whips Caster to a corner, runs up and RAMS into him! Then he RAMS in again, again, and again! The fans fire up while Lashley lets off, then he runs up again. Caster ELBOWS Lashley, but Lashley LARIATS Caster up and out! Lashley tags Shelton and the fans fire up. Bowens checks Caster but Shelton fetches Caster to throw him into apron, barrier, and repeat! Bowens tells Shelton to back off but Shelton tells Bowens to shut up. Shelton puts Caster in the ring, drags him up, and hits a BIG back suplex! Caster lands out, hot tag to Bowens! Bowens LARIATS but Shelton doesn’t budge! Bowens dodges Shelton, ROLLING ELBOWS Lashley, then fires off on Shelton!

The fans fire up as Bowens ROCKS Shelton! Then mule kick, front kick, and Bowens runs! Bowens KICKS the leg! Bowens CHOPS, mule kicks, then KICKS again! Bowens runs, Caster sneaks a tag, and the fans boo. Bowens is also upset, he and Caster argue, but Caster wants Bowens to chill. Bowens says fine, go get Shelton. Caster runs up, but into a GERMAN SUPLEX! And then another GERMAN SUPLEX! the fans fire up and Bowens is fuming. MVP says one more for the house! Shelton obliges and hits another GERMAN SUPLEX! Caster flounders to a corner while Bowens isn’t even on the apron!

Shelton storms up, gets Caster for a FOURTH GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up as Shelton STEP-UP KNEES Caster! Tag to Lashley for the SPEAR! And then MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER! The fans fire up as Lashley wants Caste rot stand. HURT LOCK!! Caster TAPS, Hurt Syndicate wins!

Winners: The Hurt Syndicate, by submission

Bowens says that’s what Caster’s selfish ass gets! Then is this the end of The Acclaimed? Will the Syndicate continue to hurt people on their way to total domination?

Backstage interview with Swerve Strickland & Prince Nana.

Alex Marvez brings up the Triple Threat to determine next week’s #1 entrant into the Casino Gauntlet. Swerve VS White VS Strong, and Swerve says he still hears them. And he has to apologize to the fans who scream his name arena after arena, city after city, because he’s been distracted. But hey, this all ends tonight. Swerve gets back to doing what he does best, better than anyone in the world, and he shows us why 2024 was in whose house. This comeback starts tonight with winning #1 for the Casino Gauntlet. And y’know what? Swerve has never been in one of these. But why is that? Marvez says it’s cuz he was world champion.

Swerve smiles and says exactly. Swerve heads out, and Nana adds: Happy New Year, everybody! Will it be an even happier New Year when Swerve owns that golden ticket to the top?

Jamie Hayter VS Julia Hart!

Ever since making her return at All In London 2025, the former AEW Women’s World Champion has been in the crosshairs of a certain Princess of the Black Throne. But will Julia prove she is truly Hartless in ending Jamie’s comeback tour? Or will she learn that Hayter Hits Hard?

The bell rings and the fans fire up already. Jamie and Julia stare down, then slowly step up. Julia smiles as the two approach, and then Julia dodges. Julia smirks again but they tie up now. Julia shoves Hayter, but then Hayter comes back. Julia wrenches but Hayter is unbothered. Julia throws Jamie down by her hair, but Jamie kips up! Julia throws her back down, but Jamie kips up again! The fans fire up, Julia throws Jamie down again, but Jamie kips right back up! And now Jamie throws Julia down by her hair! The fans fire up while Julia staggers to her feet. The ref reprimands them both, and Jamie “apologizes.”

The fans rally for Jamie as she and Julia reset. They tie up, Julia KNEES low, but Jamie fires off forearms! The fans fire up as Jamie whips Julia to ropes. HIP TOSS NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up while Julia flounders to a corner. Jamie runs corner to corner and LARIATS in the corner! Jamie keeps going, and she LARIATS again! The fans fire up as Jamie flexes and kisses the bicep. Jamie runs up but Julia ELBOWS her away! Julia then CLOBBERS Jamie from behind! Julia DROPKICKS Jamie out, then goes to the apron! CROSSBODY, but Jamie catches Julia! Jamie pops Julia around, but Julia slips free to shove her into steel streps!

Jamie stops herself short, and she ELBOWS Julia back! Jamie reels Julia in, suplexes, but Julia lands on top of the steps! She SLAMS Jamie down on the steel! The fans rally while Julia goes up the corner. The Princess soaks up the cheers and jeers while Jamie flops to the floor, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Julia brings Jamie up to throw into barriers! Julia then stalks Jamie, THROWS her into the barriers again, then fires forearms! But Jamie RAMS Julia into the apron! And again, and again, and again! Jamie then snap suplexes Julia to the floor! Jamie high-fives fans, puts Julia in the ring, and then storms to the apron. But Julia knees low! Julia drags Jamie into the ring, DDT! Cover, TWO! Julia grows frustrated already, but she DRIBBLES Jamie off the mat! Julia then covers, TWO! Julia is again frustrated, but she drags Jamie up to then SMACK off buckles! Julia fires forearms and stomps, then digs in her boot.

The ref counts, Julia steps off, then Julia stands Jamie up to run her side to side. Jamie stops the buckle bump to ELBOW Julia away! Julia comes back to ROCK Jamie! Julia goes side to side now, and she ELBOWS Jamie in the corner. Julia brings Jamie out but Jamie fires body shots. The two scrap. Julia CLUBS Jamie but Jamie fires shots from below. Julia shifts to a BULLY CHOKE! Julia grinds Jamie down, leans on the hold, and has her on the mat. Jamie endures, fights around, and kicks her way over to ropes. Julia turns Jamie away, so Jamie just goes to the other side! Julia brings her up, but Jamie fires body shots!

Fight for the Fallen returns to single picture as Jamie fights free and ENZIGIRIS Julia down! The fans fire up as both women stand, and Jamie roars! Jamie runs corner to corner, dodges Julia and DECKS her! And ELBOWS her down! And then BOOTS her! Julia flounders but Jamie HAMMERS away! Jamie drags Julia up, short arm- NO, Julia dodges, comes back, but Jamie clinches! HAYTBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Julia survives and Jamie is beside herself. Jamie stomps Julia, kicks her, then stalks her to a corner. Jamie stomps Julia, lets off as the ref counts, then kisses the bicep again. Jamie goes corner to corner, but Julia BOOTS her down!

Julia stomps Hater into the drop zone, then she goes up! MOONSAULT but Jamie moves! Julia rolls through, catches Jamie, STO! Cover, TWO! Jamie survives but Julia keeps her down! HARTLESS LOCK!! Jamie endures, kicks from below, and she rolls around to then pick Julia up! The fans fire up as Jamie carries Julia around, but Julia fires elbows! Julia shifts to a crucifix, but Jamie blocks the driver! Jamie flails, brings Julia up to a fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI! Then SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Julia survives and Jamie is shocked! Jamie CLUBS Julia’s legs, then rises up. Julia flounders to a corner while the fans fire up.

Jamie storms up, CHOKES Julia in the corner, but lets off as the ref counts. Jamie puts Julia along the top rope so she can CLUB away on her! The ref counts again, Jamie CLUBS Julia again before putting her on the apron. Jamie climbs up, but Julia trips Jamie up! Jamie lands hard on the mat, and she clutches her bad arm, as well as some ribs. Julia gets in with her bow ‘n’ arrow! The ref says no and she snatches the arrow! Julia still storms up on Jamie, but Jamie wrenches, only to get the BLACK MIST!! Julia tricked us all! Cover, JULIA WINS!

Winner: Julia Hart, by pinfall

The House Always Wins, especially when Julia uses such sneaky tactics! Jamie flounders around in pain and blindness, is Julia going to leave her behind in the dark? Or will Jamie come back for revenge soon enough?

Kazuchika Okada speaks.

“I came to AEW in 2024, the Year of the Rainmaker. I won the Continental Classic, proving I’m the best tournament wrestler alive. Will Ospreay, lil’ brother, nice try. Kenny, Kenny, Kenny. How many times do I have to beat you? So stay out of my business. MWAH, b*tch!” The Continental Champion has called out his rivals, but will he not like how they’ll response in the New Year?

Mercedes Mone is here!

The CEO, the Two Belt Boss, makes her way out to the ring, the red carpet and a table waiting. She also has champagne on ice, and then grabs the mic. “Asheviiiiille~! Say hello to your C E O!” The fans are torn, but Mone says she is the greatest TBS Champion to ever exist! And wow, what a 2024! It was so amazing that she had AEW put together something special for the fans. Happy New Year to her! Play the package. The video plays on the tron, and it is indeed a highlight reel of Mone’s matches and victories, both in AEW and in NJPW. She is 15-0 since joining AEW, and the fans are torn about that.

Mone thanks the fans, then says if you thought 2024 was money, just wait to see what she does this year! The first stop on the Mone Train is the Tokyo Dome! January 5th, WrestleDynasty, she pits her NJPW Strong Women’s Championship against Mina Shirakawa! And Mina has something Mone wants: More gold! Mone wants the Rev-Pro British Women’s Championship! So on January 5th, just remember that Money Changes Everything! Mone has issued her business plan for 2025, but will she make a statement at the first-ever WrestleDynasty?

Backstage interview with The Undisputed Kingdom.

Alex Marvez is specifically with Adam Cole, Roderick Strong, and even Kyle O’Reilly. Tonight is a big match for Roddy against Swerve and Jay White, how is he feeling? Cole says first off, this trio here feels damn good. The Kingdom is now complete! Trust Cole when he says that 2025 will be their year! Ain’t that right, Kyle? Kyle says oh yeah! They got all the bases covered now! Trios, tag team, singles titles, and of course Triple Threats. Ain’t that right, Rod? Roddy says he couldn’t have said it better himself! He’ll win and guarantee himself a spot in the Casino Gauntlet. And when he does, remember this: Every man for themselves.

Roddy high-fives his guys then heads out. Will The Savior of the Backbreaker make sure the New Year is undisputed?

Casino Gauntlet #1 Spot Triple Threat: Jay White VS Roderick Strong VS Swerve Strickland!

The bell rings and the fans rally for “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” White talks some smack on Roddy and Swerve, so Swerve fires hands on them both! Roddy waistlocks, Swerve elbows free, but White knees low. White & Roddy kick and CHOP and ROCK Swerve, then double whip. Swerve flips through the ropes, dodges Roddy and CHOPS White! Then CHOPS Roddy! Swerve LARITS White up and out, but Roddy CHOPS Swerve! Roddy whips, Swerve reverses to hip toss and gator roll! Then a suplex! The fans fire up while Roddy bails out, and Swerve builds speed to FOSBURY FLOP! Down goes White and the fans fire up!

Swerve revels in the cheering a moment, then storms back over to White. Swerve puts White in, climbs a corner, and he aims for the FALLING UPPERCUT! White flounders, Swerve hits the Griddy, then Swerve covers. ONE, Roddy CLUBS away on Swerve for good measure. Roddy brings Swerve around but Swerve kicks and ROLLING ELBOWS! Swerve swings on White but White wrenches him then kicks Roddy! DOUBLE DDT! The fans rally while White watches the two tumble away. Swerve flops out of the ring so White focuses on Roddy. CHOP! Swerve is back so White CHOPS him, too! Roddy and Swerve go to corner.

White runs to UPPERCUT Swerve, then he UPPERCUTS Roddy! Swerve runs in but White TOSSES him out! White reels Roddy in but Roddy elbows free! Roddy runs up but into an EXPLODER to the outside! The fans fire up while White goes out yo get Swerve! APRON GOURD BUSTER! Swerve sputters while White mocks Nana’s dance. White gets Roddy for an APRON GOURD BUSTER! Guns up for Asheville, then White puts Roddy in the ring. Clinch and- NO, Roddy fights free to HALF NELSON BACKBREAKER! Then an ATOMIC TOSS out onto Swerve! The fans fire up while Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Roddy goes out to bring White up and CHOPS him! Roddy stomps Swerve while stalking White, and he CHOPS White against barriers. Roddy puts White in the ring, stomps away on him, then digs his boots in. Roddy rains down fists, stands White up, and he scoops for a BACKBREAKER! Roddy WRECKS Swerve to keep him out, then he covers Roddy. TWO, but Roddy stomps White around more. Roddy drags White up, CHOPS him, and White flops over. Roddy WRECKS Swerve again, then looms over White. Roddy stands White up but White fires elbows. Roddy KNEES low, CHOPS him again, then puts him on the apron.

Roddy kicks White to the floor, goes out after him, and the CHOPS go back and forth! The CHOPS fly, Swerve storms up but Roddy BOOTS him down! Roddy rains down fists on Swerve, then drags White up. Roddy fireman’s carries to SNAKE EYES off the barriers! And then he gives SNAKE EYES to Swerve! Roddy puts White in the ring, covers, TWO! Whtie stays in this but Roddy stays on him with a chinlock. White endures as Roddy grinds him down. Nana coaches Swerve while Roddy has the keylock. White fights up but Roddy KNEES him down! Roddy then puts White up top and climbs up behind him.

Roddy and White fight up top, and White fires elbows to fight the back suplex. Roddy holds onto ropes to stay up, and he CLUBS White in return. Fight for the Fallen returns to single picture as Swerve joins in! Swerve CLUBS Roddy, climbs up behind him, DOUBLE SUPER BACK SUPLEX!! All three men are down but the fans rally for “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” Swerve rises with a scowl, and White goes to one corner while Roddy chooses another. Swerve runs up to LARIAT White! Then he DECKS Roddy! And CLOBBERS Roddy again! Roddy kicks but Swerve blocks to slip around, BACKBREAKER for Roddy!

Swerve hauls Roddy up to POWERBOMB into White! They both fall down, Swerve gets White up for the POWER POWERSLAM! Cover, but Roddy breaks it! Roddy stands Swerve up but swerve kicks, somersaults, but inot a CODE BREAKER! White brings Roddy around but Roddy CHOPS! Roddy DROPKICSK Swerve out, then gets White for an OLYMPIC SLAM! Gator roll and underhooks, TIGER DRIVER! High stack, TWO!! White survives, he’s NJPW Grand Slam Champion for a reason! The fans rally up while Swerve slides back in. Swerve CLUBS Roddy, Roddy fires back with elbows! Roddy runs but Swerve jumps up, STOMP!!

The fans fire up while Swerve stands tall! Swerve aims at Roddy, but Roddy avoids the House Call! White has the BLADE- NO, Swerve dosidos with White, sends him into Roddy, then O’Conner and FLATLINER on White! White is in a drop zone, Swerve goes up a corner! The fans fire up but Roddy is back! Swerve fights him off, but then White goes outside. Swerve has two targets, which does he choose? Swerve hops down to BOOT Roddy, but White goes to barriers. Swerve hops up onto the barriers, tightrope walks his way over, and he BOOTS White, too! The fans fire up but RICOCHET GRABS SWERVE!

Ricochet has something in his hands, and he JABS Swerve in the forehead with it! It’s a PAIR OF SCISSORS!! Ricochet scowls at Swerve while the fans boo, but there’s nothing the ref can do about this! Roddy drags White up, puts him in the ring, and then leaves Swerve behind. But White catches Roddy, BLADERUNNER!! Cover, White wins!!

Winner: Jay White, by pinfall (#1 in the Casino Gauntlet)

The Switchblade strikes, and he vows to take aim at the “false king” that is Jon Moxley! As for Swerve, he is busted open, bleeding a crimson mask already! Ricochet throws off his jacket and he stalks Swerve, still armed with those scissors. Nana says don’t but Ricochet threatens Nana now! Nana says it’s like that, huh? Ricochet has to resort to something like this? But Ricochet DIGS the scissors into Swerve’s forehead!! And then he fires hands on that bloody wound! Ricochet lets the blood get on his hands, on his shirt, and his forehead as he HEADBUTTS Swerve! The fans tell Ricochet he’s sick, but Ricochet keeps going!

Ricochet puts Swerve in the ring, he grabs a chair, but nana grabs it, too! Ricochet SHOVES Nana into steel steps! And then SMACKS Nana down with the chair! Ricochet stalks Swerve again, but he takes a seat in the chair. Ricochet stares Swerve down, HEADBUTTS him again and again, and fans tell Ricochet off. Ricochet brings Swerve around, makes him take a seat, and Ricochet says this is what Swerve gets for embarrassing him. Ricochet loads up, SPIRIT GUN!! Swerve is down, the fans boo, but The One & Only grins. Kyle & Cole hurry out here, they run Ricochet off, but Ricochet is laughing like a maniac!

Ricochet makes sure he leaves with the scissors, but his shirt is covered in the evidence of his crime! Has Ricochet ended Swerve’s comeback before its even begun? Or will Ricochet regret giving the most dangerous man in AEW a reason to come after him?

Backstage interview with Team Triple J.

Alex Marvez is with Jay Lethal, Sonjay Dutt & Satnam Singh and says he hasn’t been able to get a word with Jeff Jarrett. Have any of them spoken with Jarrett before tonight? Of course they have, he’s their friend. But he hasn’t answered their calls or texts. Oh, but Jarrett walks in, and he says he’s been here all day. A lot is going on, and this is a big night. Do any of them know where Karen went? Sonjay asks Marvez to give them the room. Marvez nods and exits. Sonjay says yes, tonight’s a big night, so they need to ask. Is Jarrett sure about his announcement? Lethal says before he answers, just know that whatever he decides, they support him 100%.

But even so, they want to make sure that Jarrett is sure. No regrets, right? Jarrett says they all go way back. Oh, Karen walks in now. Mrs. Jarrett says she needed a minute. She knows this business is what brought them together, but is also what almost broke Jeff at times. Karen knows this is what’s in his heart, which his what makes this so hard. But whatever he wants, she wants. They are unbreakable. Jeff nods and hugs Karen. Karen gives Jeff his boots, and Jeff takes his leave. Is this what we think it is?

Mariah May speaks.

“I was told not to say any more ‘bad things’ about this Women’s Division. Okay. I think the Women’s Division is great! Happy? Good. Now let’s talk about why. I had more matches last year than any other woman. In fact, nobody else in that locker room even cracked the top ten. They were all either faking injuries, failing auditions, or they can’t even remember who they are. Meanwhile, I was doing my job better than any other woman alive. I left a trail of broken hearts, bodies and minds, and I made it look so easy, you didn’t even realize how good it was. I don’t have epics, I AM the epic. And now it’s time for the greatest women’s division to prove themselves to me.

“I am the Woman From Hell, and I am still standing on your necks. And you want a chance to even breathe again? You’re gonna have to work for it. You can’t touch me. But I’d love to see you try.” The Glamour has thrown down the challenge, who steps up to prove her wrong?

Jeff Jarrett heads to the ring!

Waiting in the ring is his signature red guitar, and he has his boots draped on his shoulders. The Last Outlaw steps into the ring, grabs a mic, and he says he might as well get started with a Slappy New Year, Asheville! Now, to business. Over the last few days, Jarrett’s been trying to figure out, put words together, but a ton of emotions have come over him. At the top of his list: gratitude. There are so many things he has to be thankful for in his career. The fans cheer on “DOUBLE J! DOUBLE J!” Jarrett says it is sad for him to start thinking about things coming to an end. But when he started thinking about that, it made him think of how everything began.

For the Jarrett Family, it started in 1946, Downtown Nashville, Grandma Jarrett took a second job selling tickets. That decision changed the family’s life forever. Grandma parleyed that decision into multiple high-risk, high-reward decisions, and she became the CFO of the Tennessee Territory! Then Jarrett’s dad got into the business, promoting shows in high school, wrestled, and became the most popular wrestler, and that afforded him the opportunity to buy the promotion. After a series of even more high-risk and high-reward, he promoted for 40 years. That brings us to 1986, when Jarrett got into the industry.

Jarrett made HIS first high-risk, high-reward decision. Against his family’s wishes, and specifically his mom’s, Jarrett was playing college basketball as a Freshman, but dropped out of school to start his in-ring career. The fans cheer that! Jarrett says he could go on and on about high-risk, high-reward, but he’ll just talk about one more. In 2002, Jarrett bet on himself by launching his own promotion. And in his professional opinion, that promotion has produced some of the greatest pro-wrestlers of all time. The fans cheer that! But that brings Jarrett to here tonight. Jarrett holds up the boots and fans are a bit worried.

The fans chant “NO! NO! NO!” but Jarrett says as a TWELVE TIME World Champion, a TWO-TIME Hall of Famer, he had to ask himself, “Should the Last Outlaw just ride off into the sunset?” The fans say “NO!” Jarrett hears that and says his answer is “HELL NO!” The fans fire up as Jarrett says the thought that goes through his mind is that when you take the biggest risk of your life, you’ve got the biggest reward! So Jarrett is here to announce that he has signed his very LAST pro-wrestling talent contract with AEW! Because the Last Outlaw wants one more ride! And not just any ride. Jarrett wants A E W GOLD!

And we’re not talking Trios or Tag, but about the biggest risk of his career! Hell yeah, he could fall flat on his face. Hell, there’s that Casino Gauntlet, put his name in the hat! Because Jarrett vows that from tonight, January 1st, 2025, The Last Outlaw’s New Year’s Resolution is to be A E W WORLD CHAMPION! Double J is swinging for the fences, will he hit that homerun? Or will he go down swinging?

Hook speaks.

“Christian Cage. I hope you’re not looking forward to this New Year. See, just cuz I beat your ass in a luxury box a couple weeks ago, and since I choked out your ‘son,’ Nick Wayne, in the middle of New York City, doesn’t mean my job is finished. So why don’t you go ask Nick what it’s like to be locked in the Redrum. Cuz I’m gonna finish what that chowderhead started, and choke your ass out.” The Cold-Hearted Handsome devil has spoken, and he’ll get his fight in two weeks! Will it truly be Maximum Carnage when Hook gets his hands on Christian Cage?

2v1 Handicap: “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS Jon Cruz & Rob Killjoy!

He may not have won the AEW International Championship at Worlds End, but it’s a New Year and the Book of Hobbs can write another chapter. Will that chapter start with the mauling of two mortal men at the same time?

The bell rings, Hobbs CLOBBERS Cruz, and Killjoy is worried. Killjoy CHOPS, but it does nothing! Killjoy swings but Hobbs catches the haymaker! Hobbs then short arm LARIATS Killjoy inside-out! Hobbs runs up to SPLASH Cruz, “MEAT!” Then SPLASH for Killjoy! “MEAT!” Another SPLASH for Cruz, then Hobbs whips Cruz hard into Killjoy! Cruz staggers forward, Hobbs hits a SNAP POWERSLAM! Killjoy staggers, Hobbs whips and SPINEBUSTERS! Killjoy sputters, Cruz crawls, and the straps come down! The fans fire up for Hobbs as he looms over Cruz. SPINEBUSTER onto Killjoy! Stack and double cover, Hobbs wins!

Winner: “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs, by pinfall

Jay White may be entering the gauntlet #1, but Hobbs is looking to get in on that. Will no one stop the Powerhouse from having his golden ticket to the AEW World Championship?

Backstage interview with “Big Bill” Morrissey & Bryan Keith.

Alex Marvez is with The Redwood and The Bad Apple, and he asks where Chris Jericho is tonight. Bill tells North Carolina that this place is great! W-Well, it’s good. Keith says it’s aight. Well said, Keith! It’s aight. But The Nueve… isn’t coming. Oh, but look! The hometown heroes! The camera pans over and it’s #RatedFTR! Bill & Keith walk over, and Bill says he isn’t sure who should be more ashamed: These three being proud of Asheville, or Asheville being proud of Rated FTR. As the Learning Tree always says, “Home is where you find yourself.” And well, they find themselves in a situation where the hOmEtOwN hErOeS~ need to be taken down a branch or two.

Keith says, “Yeah! Rated R Dumbass!’ What? Is that the best he has? Did Jericho feed Keith that in an earpiece or something? No? Well, Copeland doesn’t see a Bad Apple, just a tumbleweed. As for Bill, well, his FACE is stupid! How about this? Asheville, Saturday Night Collision, Rated FTR VS The Learning Tree! See you, kids. Bye, guys~! Edge leads Cash & Dax to gorilla, will they tear down one arrogant trio before going after another?

AEW shares more footage from after Worlds End.

A bloodied and battered MJF crawls backstage but laughs while sarcastically applauding. “Congratulations on your big win, Adam Cole. Oh, wait, that’s right, you lost! It took a whole entire army just to beat me up! Typical. Well, finally, FINALLY, the chapter of Better Than You Baybay in my career, finally, 2024 comes to a close! Mercifully! It’s time for the next chapter, my friends. Now, it’s time for retribution. See, something was taken from me. Something that I did not lose fair and square. MY TRIPLE B! MY CHAMPIONSHIP! Is now being paraded around in a briefcase? By a man who walks around claiming he’s the king of these lands.

“Well, Dictator Jon, I got a question for ya, bud. What’s a king to a god? Because ain’t nobody, and I mean ain’t nobody, on the LEVEL of the DEVIL! And nobody knows that better than you, ‘ey, Jonny Boy?” MJF laughs more, and he says he has no problems with Moxley. Moxley can burn AEW to ashes, MJF just wants the championship. And he doesn’t give a damn who has it, but MJF will get it! Come Hell or high water! Because 2025, the Devil gets his due, part 2. The Wolf of Wrestling is ready to bring out his inner demons again, but will he regret riding that highway to Hell?

BREAKING NEWS for Collision!

For one, Collision is back on live this Saturday, and for another, it’ll also be simulcast on MAX! And while we know Rated FTR VS Learning Tree will happen, we’re also getting Private Party defending the AEW World Tag Team Championships against Lio Rush & Action Andretti! Will The Bad Child & Sight to See make the most of their title “SHOTS! SHOTS! SHOTS!” this Saturday? Plus, Mark Briscoe made the challenge to Daniel Garcia during the Worlds End Zero Hour, and now he’ll get his match! Garcia VS Briscoe for the TNT Championship, who will be the Face of TNT?

Six Man Tag: The Death Riders VS #RatedFTR!

Jon Moxley took on three challengers, and he found a way to screw three challengers with some help from Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta and Marina Shafir. But will any of them be able to focus on tonight with so much on the horizon? Or will they find a way to take the #TopGuysOut?

The trios sort out and the fans rally hard for FTR as Dax starts against Yuta. They circle, tie up, and go around. Dax puts Yuta in a corner but Yuta turns it around. Yuta gives a mocking pat on the cheek before he backs off. Dax laughs that off as he and Yuta reset. They tie up again, Yuta arm-drags then SLAPS Dax! The fans boo but Yuta smirks. Yuta eggs Dax on, but Dax paces. Dax tie sup with Yuta again, Yuta headlocks, but Dax powers up and out. Yuta runs Dax over! Things speed up, Yuta slides under but Dax CHOPS! And CHOPS! Yuta falls but Dax puts him in a corner to CHOP again! Dax whips corner to corner, then BACKDROPS Yuta!

The fans fire up as Dax stomps Yuta, then CHOPS again! The fans rally as Dax tags “Cope,” but Yuta runs away! Tag to Claudio and he stares Cope down. The fans fire up as these two tie up, go around, and Cope headlocks. Claudio powers up and out but Cope RAMS him! Claudio flexes but the fans boo. Cope and Claudio feel out a knuckle lock, but Claudio kicks low! Claudio headlocks, Cope powers up and out, they RAM shoulders again, and the two stare down. Claudio UPPERCUTS, Cope headlocks, but Claudio powers up and out. Cope turns things around to send Claudio to ropes, then drops down.

Claudio stops the hip toss but so does Cope! Cope HIP TOSSES Claudio out! Then he WRECKS Claudio with a dropkick! Claudio tumbles, Cope goes out to fire forearms, then he SMACKS Claudio off the apron! Cope puts Claudio in, but Claudio distracts the ref so Marina can POST Cope! She’s being a Problem already! The fans boo but the Death Riders stand over Cope while Dynamite goes picture in picture.

FTR storms over but the ref keeps them away from The Death Riders. Moxley puts Cope in while Marina dares FTR do do something. Claudio DECKS Cope, then tags in Moxley. Claudio sits Cope up for Moxley to kick him. Moxley stomps Cope to ropes, stomps him at the ropes, then digs his boot in! The ref counts, Moxley lets off, but that just lets Claudio stand on Cope! The ref has to keep FTR back again, and Death Riders get away with one. Moxley goes out to CLUB and CLAW Cope, but ELBOWS him while the ref counts. Moxley storms in, sucker punches Dax, then he stands Cope up. Moxley fires hands, then clamps on a double wristlock.

Claudio tags in, the Death Riders mug Cope, then Claudio holds Cope down with a chinlock. Cope endures, even as Claudio leans on the hold. Claudio grinds Cope but the fans rally up. Cope fights to his feet and JAWBREAKERS free! Yuta tags in to anchor Cope’s legs! Yuta stomps away on Cope, then soaks up the heat. Yuta stomps Cope more, tags Claudio, and Claudio stands Cope up. Fight for the Fallen returns to single picture as Claudio UPPERCUTS Cope! Tag to Moxley, the Death Riders mug Cope, but the ref counts and the fans boo. Moxley stands on Cope, tags Claudio, and Claudio drags Cope to a cover, TWO!

Claudio clamps onto Cope with a chinlock but Cope endures again. The fans rally back up and Cope fights to his feet. Cope fires body shots but Claudio knees low! Tag to Yuta and Yuta stays between Cope and FTR. But then Cope BACKDROPS Yuta! Hot tag to Cash! Cash goes up to DOUBLE CROSSBODY Claudio & Moxley! Cash DECKS Yuta again and again, then JABS, JABS, and DECKS him! DROPKICK for Claudio! The fans fi reup as Cash slips around Yuta to hit a BIG back suplex! The fans fire up as Cash CHOPS Yuta in a corner! Cash whips corner to corner, Yuta ELBOWS Cash and goes up, but Cash makes that a backslide!

Yuta rolls through, Cash headlocks, but Yuta powers up and out. Cash ducks ‘n’ dodges to then catch Yuta for a POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives but Cash tags Dax. The fans fire up as FTR sets Yuta up! Cash goes up, but Yuta fights the driver! Claudio storms in and BOOTS Dax! Cash leaps, but into an UPPERCUT! Dax runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then catches the uppercut! But Claudio fights the backslide! Dax spins Claudio, wrenches, and suplexes, for a BRAINBUSTER! But Yuta ghost pins! TWO!! Dax escapes, gets around and O’Conner Rolls! TWO, Dax goes up the corner! CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO!

Yuta hurries up, catches Dax and wrenches to a PAIN THRILLER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Yuta goes to a corner, climbs up, but Dax hurries to ROCK Yuta first! Dax then turns Yuta around, climbs up behind him, and the fans fire up as he brings Yuta to the top rope! SUPER DUPER BACK SUPLEX!! Both men are down and Asheville fires up! Dax reaches out for the cover, CLAUDIO BREAKS IT! Cash goes after Claudio but Claudio DUMPS him out! Claudio even BOOTS Cope! Claudio hauls Dax up and reel shim in, but Dax fights the lift! Dax BACKDROPS free, Claudio lands on his feet, and Moxley HOTSHOTS Dax!

Claudio suplexes Dax for the JACKHAMMER! Yuta is back up top, DIVING SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Dax survives and the fans fire up! Moxley is pissed but Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Moxley and Claudio both pace around while Yuta is beside himself. Yuta drags Dax up, brings him around, and puts him in an open corner. Yuta CHOPS, then ROCKS Dax, but Dax fires back! Dax throws hands but Yuta kicks low. Yuta whips corner to corner hard, and Dax bounces off buckles! Tag to Moxley and Yuta anchors Dax. Moxley paces around to soak up the heat, then he CHOKES Dax! The ref reprimands, Moxley gets in the ref’s face, then he goes back for Dax. Moxley stands Dax up but Dax fires body shots! Moxley fires knees, then he scoops Dax to SLAM! Cover, TWO! Moxley stalks Dax, drags him onto ropes, and then CHOKES him!

The ref counts, Moxley CLAWS Dax on the back, then lets off so Marina can get a cheap shot in! Moxley tags Yuta in and Yuta drags Dax. Dax grabs ropes, so Yuta YANKS Dax to SLAM him down! Yuta drops an elbow, covers, TWO! Yuta brings Dax up to tag Claudio, and they mug Dax. Claudio facelocks Dax to grind him down. Dax endures, the fans rally, and Dax fights to his feet. Dax powers his way towards the Rated FTR corner, pushing and lifting Claudio! Claudio holds on, sunset flips through, TWO!! Dax escapes but Claudio CLOBBERS him! Cover, TWO! Dax survives again but Claudio tags Yuta.

Yuta storms up on Dax while Fight for the Fallen returns to single picture. Yuta whips Dax to ropes, but Dax slips around to hit a BIG back suplex! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Dax and Yuta crawl, hot tag to Claudio! Claudio blows past Dax to BOOT Cash! But then Cope HOTSHOTS Claudio! Only for Claudio to collide with Dax! The fans fire up as Cope rises up! Claudio and Dax meet at the center of the ring, but Dax slips under! Hot tags to Mox and Cope! The fans go wild as these two fire forearms! They go faster and faster, then Cope gets the edge! Only for Moxley to kick low! Moxley facelocks but Cope wrenches out!

Cope kicks low and he facelocks, to IMPALER DDT!! Moxley sputters and flounders, but Cope aims from the corner! But Moxley runs from the Spear! The fans boo but Moxley goes around the outside. Cope pursues and ROCKS Mox! They go into the crowd, the ref hurries after, and the fans fire up as the brawl continues! They both throw heavy hands, the fans are thunderous, but the ref wants this in the ring. Moxley storms up to BOOT Cope! And CLUB him! But Cope CHOPS back! Cope then TOSSES Moxley over barriers! Cope hurries back to ringside, as does the ref, but Moxley tags out to Yuta!

The fans boo as Yuta sneaks up on Cope to CLAW his face! The ref reprimands, Yuta reels Cope in, DDT! Cope sputters and the fans boo but Yuta aims at Cope. Yuta almost mocks Cope’s stance, and he runs up, but into a POP-UP LIGER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives and the fans boo! Cope keeps his cool and goes to a corner. COpe reloads, takes aim, but that’s the Death Rider corner! Yuta slowly rises, but CLaudoi & Moxley trip Cope up! They YANK him into the post! The fans boo but then Cash BLATSS Moxley! Cash runs and DIVES but into an UPPERCUT! Claudio intercepts Cash but Dax goes after Claudio!

Dax whips Claudio into barriers, but Claudio comes back to LARIAT Dax down! The fans boo but The Death Riders now clear the announce table! They haul Cope up, put him on the table, and Moxley gives Schiavone a kiss on the cheek. Moxley climbs onto the table, gives Cope his last rites, and he reels Cope in. Moxley flips the fans off before he hauls Cope up, but JAY WHITE slides into the ring! He did promise Yuta he’d get his! BLADERUNNER!! The fans are thunderous as The Switchblade says bang bang and runs off. And then Cope BACKDROPS Moxley on the desk!! The fans fire up while The Death Riders are all confused!

Cope SPEARS Moxley through barriers!! But then Claudio UPPERCUTS Cope! Claudio puts Cope in the ring, only for FTR to CLOBBER Claudio! Then they give Yuta the SHATTER MACHINE!! Feed to the SPEAR!! Cover, RATED FTR WINS!

Winners: Rated FTR, by pinfall

Jay White comes through with an assist so that the numbers were even! The Death Riders lose at their own numbers game, but will they make sure White regrets coming after them? As for Rated FTR, will they do this all again against The Learning Tree in Charlotte, North Carolina? Will this all lead Adam Copeland, Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler back to title opportunities in 2025?

My Thoughts:

A great episode for AEW, especially as the return of Fight for the Fallen, the first Dynamite of 2025, and the first Dynamite to be livestreamed on MAX. With AEW Revolution not until March, Maximum Carnage is quickly being built as a big episode to make up for no PPV. And I think AEW is taking off January for a PPV because WrestleKingdom & WrestleDynasty this weekend kinda has them covered. Quite a few names are going to Japan for those events, and win, lose or draw, they’ll have a great time. That said, Mercedes Mone had a good promo, but it was literally just her putting herself over, not even a little bit of a response from Mina Shirakawa.

Mone is doing great Heel work, but with that needs to be comeuppance, so I’m hoping Mina takes the NJPW Strong Women’s title this weekend, sending Mone back to AEW in a bad mood. Then if they really want to, Kamille could return and go after Mone for the TBS Championship, or even just as payback for whatever sneak attack that was weeks ago. Mariah May’s promo was also really good, and we can only hope it is Athena coming after her. Athena can, and perhaps should, win the International Women’s Cup to then get her shot at any title she wants. While I thought Athena was going to drop the ROH Women’s title to Billie Starkz, making it Mariah VS Athena, Champion VS Champion, would be really good stuff, and really help push that ROH cable deal along.

Very good match from Jamie and Julia, though Julia seemed to be working off that ring rust just a bit. However, incredibly clever finish with the arrow as the decoy for the classic black mist. Clearly we’ll get a rematch of this, perhaps part of Maximum Carnage, and it should really be a House Rules match so that Jamie can in part choose a stipulation. Then per the standard formula, Jamie wins so that we get the tiebreaker in something even crazier, like a Street Fight. Hook had a very good promo to call out Christian Cage, they’ll have a great match, and I would think Hook wins, just to make us think Christian won’t cash in…

Jeff Jarrett had a great couple of promos, and when he first announced this announcement at Worlds End, I could just tell Double J was gonna double down and go for the world title instead of retiring. Jarrett and Team Triple J feuding with The Death Riders could actually be some good stuff. MJF had a very good promo to move on from Adam Cole, and I guess per his “relapse” into Heel behavior, he’s of course “relapsing” back to his AEW Devil gimmick. MJF getting in on the Casino Gauntlet might actually be some great stuff. Hobbs crushes that Handicap match, he should have a great showing in the gauntlet, too.

Great promos from Jay White, Swerve Strickland and Roderick Strong, awesome Triple Threat, but I should’ve figured Ricochet would go after Swerve. I just didn’t think he’d go full psycho like that. Though, that might actually work out for the better as his apparent “Andrew Tate” gimmick wasn’t working. White having the first spot is certainly some good stuff, but hard to say if he wins the gauntlet. Especially when he went after Yuta tonight to screw Death Riders in the main event. I just hope the Gunns are near healthy again so they can help White against Death Riders. Then Rated FTR had a good promo with Bill & Keith, they’ll have a great Six Man Tag on Collision.

Great opening match from Hangman VS Cassidy, and a solid win for Hangman. Obviously the big stuff was him beating up on Cassidy after, and even hitting Christopher Daniels. Hangman is again burning bridges between him and friends, but that’s consistent with his character. Daniels stepping down from being an EVP with Kenny Omega returning could mean Daniels tries to settle things with Hangman in the ring, only to give Hangman another solid win. And speaking of Kenny, Okada calling Kenny out in his promo was some good stuff. While Kenny has WrestleDynasty as the first test of his in-ring shape, he and Okada could certainly have something going towards Revolution in March.

Great stuff with The Acclaimed VS Hurt Syndicate. Though, with what MVP was saying on commentary, I hope TK hasn’t dropped the recruitment storyline on all fronts. Hurt Syndicate not wanting Caster anymore does make sense given his attitude, but they also rejected Ricochet so what was the point of MVP handing out cards? That said, Bowens ditching Caster was a bit of a surprise. If this is how Acclaimed ends, it’s a bit of a whimper rather than a bang. I suppose a promo on Collision can help steer things towards a proper implosion, and then we can build towards Caster VS Bowens, maybe even get multiple rounds of it with Billy Gunn stuck in the middle, just something more befitting of a true homegrown AEW team falling apart.

My Score: 8.9/10