As if 2025 wasn’t already big enough!

AEW Dynamite not only holds a Casino Gauntlet to determine Jon Moxley’s challenger for Maximum Carnage, but we also welcome back Kenny Omega! What will The Cleaner have to say about the mess The Death Riders have made?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Will Ospreay VS Buddy Matthews; Ospreay wins.
• Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Syndicate VS Mark Briscoe; Lashley wins.
• Men’s Casino Gauntlet: “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs wins and will challenge Jon Moxley for the AEW World Championship at AEW  Dynamite: Maximum Carnage.
• Women’s Casino Gauntlet #1 Spot Triple Threat: Kris Statlander VS Willow Nightingale VS Toni Storm; Statlander wins and will enter #1 in the inaugural Women’s Casino Gauntlet.

PLAY BY PLAY

Will Ospreay VS Buddy Matthews!

The Aerial Assassin may not be Continental Champion after Worlds End, but you best believe he is going to shrug that off and keep on fighting. Will Ospreay make 2025 the Year of the Bruv? Or will the Aussie Juggernaut show that even in the New Year, the House Always Wins?

The bell rings and the fans fire up already. Ospreay gets Clarksville even more fired up as he and Buddy circle. They tie up, Buddy wrenches an arm to a wristlock, but Ospreay rolls and wrenches back. Buddy spins, headlocks, but Ospreay powers up and out. Buddy runs Ospreay over, but Ospreay kips up! The fans fire up, then Ospreay kicks low. Ospreay headlocks, Buddy powers up and out, and they RAM shoulders. Buddy comes back to CLOBBER Ospreay! The fans fire up, Buddy runs but Ospreay drops down. Ospreay hurdles, Buddy leaps over, but Ospreay dodges! OSCU- NO, Buddy blocks, then half nelsons!

Ospreay slips out of the suplex to then backslide Buddy, ONE! Buddy sweeps the legs and covers, ONE! Ospreay kicks but Buddy ducks one, then another! The fans cheer the standoff! Buddy and Ospreay reset, the fans duel, and the two tie up. Buddy powers Ospreay to a corner, the ref counts, and Buddy lets off. Buddy then CHOPS! The fans cheer, and then Ospreay puts Buddy in a corner to CHOP! Buddy CHOPS back, then whips. Ospreay grabs ropes, then he puts Buddy on the apron! Ospreay ROCKS Buddy, CHOPS him, then runs, but Buddy slingshots up and over! Ospreay slides out, Buddy DROPKICKS him!

Buddy builds speed, Ospreay is back in, and he runs past Buddy to then come back and RANA! Buddy tumbles out, Ospreay PLANCHAS! Down goes Buddy and the fans fire up! Ospreay grins as the fans chant “BRUV! BRUV! BRUV!” Ospreay puts Buddy in the ring, springboards, but Buddy avoids the flying forearm! Buddy goes to a corner, Ospreay runs in, but Buddy goes up and over to snapmare and KICK! Then Buddy runs to PENALTY KICK! And KNEE DRPO! Cover, TWO! Buddy snarls and he KNEES Ospreay in the back. Buddy clamps on the chinlock, Ospreay endures, and the fans rally again.

Ospreay fights up, fires body shots, but Buddy CLUBS him on the neck. Buddy back suplexes, Ospreay lands out! Ospreay ducks ‘n’ dodges but then so does Buddy! DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! The fans fire up while both men are down! The ref checks, Ospreay and Buddy are both okay to continue, so a standing count starts. Both men are still down at 5 of 10, but they rise up at 7. They find each other, and Ospreay fires forearms! Ospreay whips, Buddy reverses but Ospreay handsprings! NEURALIZER KICK! Buddy goes to a corner, the fans fire up, and Ospreay runs in, only to be put on the apron!

Ospreay ROCKS Buddy first, then springboards, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO! Buddy stays in this but Ospreay stays focused. Buddy goes to a corner, Ospreay runs in again, but Buddy BOOTS him! Buddy goes up, but Ospreay tucks him in! CHEEKY- NO, Buddy avoids the superkick! Buddy then KNEES Ospreay in the back, and gives him a LUMBAR CHECK! A shoutout to an old rival, and Ospreay bails out of the ring. Buddy FLIES! Down goes Ospreay, and Buddy just barely clears the desk! The fans fire up and Buddy puts Ospreay in the ring. Buddy goes up, “This is Awesome!” as he METEORAS! Cover, TWO!!

Buddy is frustrated as Ospreay finds a way to survive, but Clarksville still loves it. Buddy goes out after Ospreay on the apron, then brings Ospreay up. Buddy half nelsons, but Ospreay fights with elbows! Buddy BOOTS Ospreay! Ospreay BOOTS Buddy! Then Ospreay blocks a boot, only to get a KNEE! Ospreay SUPERKICKS back! Ospreay goes up the corner, for an APRON OSC- NO! Buddy stops that to TOSS Ospreay at the desk!! Ospreay clutches his jaw while Buddy grins, and Buddy storms over to bring Ospreay up. Buddy CHOPS Ospreay, then he barks on behalf of Brody King. The fans join in and Buddy gets space.

Buddy runs back up, and he BOOTS Ospreay against railing! The fans fire up and Buddy leaves Ospreay to refresh the ring count. Buddy runs back in, but Ospreay SUPERKICKS! Ospreay goes up the barriers, OSCUTTER to the floor! The fans fire up for “A E DUB! A E DUB!” as Ospreay crawls. Ospreay leaves Buddy behind now, safe in the ring. The count climbs to 7, but Buddy staggers his way over. Ospreay goes out to the other side of the ring, and as Buddy crawls in at 9, Ospreay goes COAST2COAST! Ospreay fires up with the fans, and he hits an OSCUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Buddy survives and the fans fire up again!

Ospreay powers up the arm! Ospreay aims as Buddy sit sup, but Buddy ducks the Hidden Blade! POP-UP KNEE! HIDDEN BLADE ANYWAY!! Cover, TWO!! Buddy survives again and the fans hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” But this is the first match of the show, it has to end somehow! Ospreay hauls Buddy up, underhooks the arms, but Buddy is a ragdoll! Ospreay lets go so he can fire Kawada Kicks! The fans are torn, but Ospreay stands Buddy up to CHOP! Buddy drops to his knees, the fans rally, and Buddy stands. Ospreay ROCKS Buddy, eggs him on, so Buddy stands again. Buddy blocks a shot to fire his strike fest!

Buddy stomps Ospreay’s foot but Ospreay avoids the knee! But then Buddy BOOTS, BOOTS, KICKS, and runs! But into a TIGER WALL KICK! ENZIGIRI! Ospreay calls it, springboards, but Buddy catches him! Torture rack and REVERSE GO TO SLEEP!! CURB STOMP!! Cover, TWO?!? Buddy gave shoutouts to The Second City Saint AND the Visionary, but it wasn’t enough to stop Ospreay! Buddy hauls Ospreay up, short arm- NO, Ospreay slips through the lariat! He hoists Buddy up, tucks him in, STYLES CLASH!! Cover, TWO!!! Buddy survives that phenomenal shoutout, but Ospreay throws his elbow pad away!

Ospreay aims as Buddy flounders. Buddy grins as he dares Ospreay to do it! BONE HIDDEN BLADE!! Cover, Ospreay wins!

Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall

The Juggernaut pushed the limits, but the Assassin still found the way to win! Ospreay does applaud Buddy, then he grabs a mic. Ospreay says, “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, whatever you identify as, give it up for Buddy Murphy Matthews.” The fans do cheer, and Ospreay continues with, “Listen. I’ve admired you from afar. I wrestled your best mate, and I can tell you this, my friend. I wrestled you and I wrestled Brody King. Both of you guys don’t need to be following no leader at all, you can definitely do it all by yourself.” The fans cheer that, too.

Ospreay says today, Buddy showed he can go with one of the best, and while Ospreay sees tag gold in the House’s future, he also knows Buddy can have singles gold if he works hard enough. So believe Ospreay, this isn’t the last time they meet. If Buddy ever needs a man in his corner, then Ospreay is his guy. Ospreay offers a hand, and Buddy shakes it! The fans cheer and Ospreay heads out, will what he said have Buddy thinking of his own fortune?

AEW shares highlights from WrestleDynasty.

Don Callis says, “Oh my God, has there ever been two better days in Japan than the ones we just had? Takeshita is the best wrestler in the world!” Brody King says, “AEW and NJPW, these dogs will fight again.” Mercedes Mone says she told us she was going to be Three Belts Mone, but look! She has an extra one! So now, call her FOUR Belts Mone! And Claudio Castagnoli says that, though he lost, the difference between him and everybody else is that he is still here!

And of course, the NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, The Young Bucks say that they’ve been working from home for a long time, who knows when they will be back. Maybe soon. They might even bring these tag titles with them to Dynamite on MAX. Maybe. As for Kenny Omega, he says people have been wondering if he’s back. After his brutal match with Gabe Kidd, yeah, he’s back. In fact, we will hear from Omega in person later tonight, what will he have to say to his company?

Private Party is here!

Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy are here, bringing both the AEW World Tag Team Championships and some special VIP guests. Cheesecake lets the ladies beyond the velvet rope, and they drink up while Brother Zay gets the mic. “Ey yo, Tennessee, what’s good?” The fans cheer, and Zay says no no, not like that. Tennessee, what’s good?! The fans get louder and Zay likes it. But last Saturday on Collision, ya bois made history! They were in the first-ever tag team title match to be featured on both MAX and TNT! The fans cheer that, and Zay says they walked into Charlotte, North Carolina the AEW Tag Team Champions, and they left still your tag team champions!

And y’know what? Zay says it’s time to celebrate! Tennessee, you wanna celebrate, right? The fans cheer, so Zay says how ’bout this? Let’s celebrate- WAIT! The Hurt Syndicate is here? The fans cheer as Montel Vontavious Porter leads Shelton Benjamin & Bobby Lashley out here, and Zay tells Cheesecake that it’s alright. MVP says what a party! The Syndicate wants to party, too. They like having a good time. They’re not all business. And the velvet rope and the VIP room, MVP invented this! Zay says that’s true, that’s true. Quen gives the Syndicate glasses, and MVP says how about they all raise a toast to Private Party?

The fans cheer, and MVP asks for a shot. Zay says go ahead. MVP picks up a glass, and he proposes a toast to these young and incredibly talented athletes, who successfully defended the AEW World Tag Team Championships! Zay loves that! And Bobby adds, “Here’s to the Hurt Syndicate… taking those tag team titles.” Okay, now there’s a problem. Lashley DUMPS the shot into the ice bucket, then he heads to the ring, ready for his match tonight. Will The All Mighty strike fear into the hearts of all the champions of AEW? Or can the Sussex County Chicken #ManUp and bring down the Rocky Mountain Machine?

MVP joins commentary to explain that this match is happening because Briscoe “interfered” with Hurt Syndicate business, which is to say Briscoe saved Daniel Garcia from them. The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. Briscoe and Lashley tie up, and Lashley powers Briscoe to a corner. The ref counts, Lashley lets off slowly, and the fans cheer for #DemBoys. Lashley pats Briscoe on the head, then opens ropes for Briscoe to step out. Briscoe shoves Lashley and tells him he’s playing with the wrong one. Lashley and Briscoe reset, circle, but then Briscoe dodges Lashley and CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” while Lashley scowls.

Briscoe ROCKS and CHOPS, then runs, but into a clinch! FLATLINER! Lashley brings Briscoe up for another FLATLINER! Lashley then snap suplexes Briscoe! Briscoe goes to a corner, Lashley runs up and RAMS him! Then Lashley turns Briscoe for a NECKBREAKER! Lashley drags Briscoe up, gut wrenches, and he hits the AK47! Cover, TWO! Briscoe survives but Lashley stalks him to ropes. MVP says it is courageous for Briscoe, but it’d be much safer if he just stayed down. Lashley puts Briscoe in the corner, whips him corner to corner, but Briscoe goes up and out! Briscoe UPPERCUTS and the fans fire up!

Briscoe climbs, leaps, but into Lashley’s arms! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Briscoe tumbles out of the ring, but Lashley goes out the side and runs in, to CLOBBER Briscoe! MVP is having fun, “Like a Mack truck with no brakes, Bobby Lashley coming through!” Lashley hauls Briscoe up and throws him OVERHEAD again! Briscoe writhes, Lashley grins, MVP mockingly says Briscoe looks hurt, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Lashley high-fives MVP and Shelton, then goes back to Briscoe. Lashley drags Briscoe up to then RAM him into the railing! The fans fire up and Lashley grins as he brings Briscoe around, to RAM him back into railing! The ref reprimands, Lashley leaves Briscoe to the ring count, but Briscoe is in at 5 of 10. Lashley stomps away on Briscoe at the ropes! The ref counts, Lashley steps off, but then Lashley CHOKES Briscoe! Lashley fires crossface forearms, but he stops as the ref counts to 4.

Lashley drags Briscoe up, RAMS him in the corner again and again, then brings him around to TOSS out of the ring! Briscoe sputters, Lashley argues with the ref, but Shelton steps a little closer to Briscoe. Shelton takes off his winter coat, but Briscoe is up already! Briscoe dares Shelton to do something, but Lashley goes out to fetch him first. Lashley gives Briscoe an APRON SPINEBUSTER! Lashley grins as he soaks up cheers and jeers, then goes into the ring. Lashley stalks Briscoe to ropes, CHOKES him, but he lets off at 4. Lashley ELBOWS Briscoe again and again, but again lets off at 4. Briscoe gets up to fire back!

Lashley throat chops Briscoe! The ref reprimands but Lashley RAMS into Briscoe the corner! Then Lashley whips Briscoe corner to corner hard, and Briscoe bounces off buckles. Briscoe slumps down, Lashley says one more time, and he whips Briscoe hard the other way! Briscoe slumps down again, Dynamite returns to single picture. and Lashley whips a third time! Briscoe goes up and up to FLYING FOREARM! Briscoe CHOPS, forearms, and repeat! The fans fire up as Briscoe fires more strikes, then whips. Lashley reverses but Briscoe goes up, only to get caught! Lashley puts Briscoe on the apron, and throat chops again!

The ref reprimands but Lashley runs to ELBOW Briscoe down! Briscoe hits the floor hard and MVP asks if they know a good chiropractor. Lashley soaks up the cheers and jeers again, then goes outside, but where’s Briscoe? Lashley looks under the ring, and Briscoe JAMS Lashley with a chair! MVP protests but the ref didn’t see it so he can’t call it! Briscoe then sets the chair up in the ring, runs and FLIES! Down goes Lashley and fans fire up while MVP is freaking out! MVP demands to know, where’s the disqualification? Briscoe high-fives fans, then brings Lashley up, but Lashley fireman’s carries!

Lashley aims for a corner, but Briscoe CLAWS Lashley’s eyes! Then he BITES Lashley’s face! Then Briscoe POSTS Lashley, and he climbs the corner! SUPER MARIPOSA! The fans are thunderous but MVP says this is a travesty! Briscoe puts Lashley in, gets moving, and he SLIDING LARIATS! Briscoe calls his shot and climbs a corner! FROGGY-BOW! Cover, ONE?!?! Lashley is angry, MVP says this is what cheaters get! Briscoe gets the fans fire dup more, then runs up, but Lashley ELBOWS him away! Briscoe just fires up more! But Lashley BOOTS him away! Briscoe comes back again, but Lashley dodges!

Lashley runs and he SPEARS Briscoe down! But that’s not all, MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER! And then HURT LOCK!! Briscoe flails, but he’s stuck! Briscoe is OUT, Lashley wins!

Winner: Bobby Lashley, by submission

But Lashley holds on until MVP & Shelton join him in the ring! They get him to drop Briscoe, and now The Hurt Syndicate adds on! They all punch and stomp, but here comes Private Party! The fans fire up as Quen & Zay storm the ring! They’re friends with Daniel Garcia and with Mark Briscoe, so they won’t let this stand! MVP says that’s fine, he respects that. The Syndicate stands down, but will they put Private Party through a world of hurt once those tag titles are on the line?

Men’s Casino Gauntlet!

The AEW World Championship will be on the line next week when Jon Moxley returns home to Cincinnati, Ohio, and it will be against the man who wins tonight’s big gamble! The Switchblade won the right to start this match, but will he be able to run the Casino Gauntlet? Or is first truly the worst?

Joining Jay White out here is… HANGMAN PAGE! A fitting way to start given the grudge between these two. The bell rings and the fans fire up for this already. Hangman and White stare down but the third man could join any time. White and Hangman talk trash, but Hangman points out how White took the fall at Worlds End. White counters with how Hangman didn’t win, though. They poke at each other, then shove! Then White CHOPS! The fans “WOO~,” Hangman CHOPS back, but so does White! Hangman CHOPS again, White staggers, but comes back to CHOP! They fire hands, then Hangman tells the ref to shut up.

White CHOPS back! And CHOPS again! But Hangman headlocks, only for White to power up and out. Hangman CLOBBERS White, covers, ONE! Hangman stays on White with a CHOP, then he fireman’s carries. White fights free, CHOPS again, then whips. Hangman reverses to scoop, but White drags Hangman into a cradle! TWO, and White TOSSES Hangman out! Hangman ROCKS White, slingshots, but into the BLADE- NO, Hangman fights free to a DEAD- NO, White fights free to CHOP! Hangman ROLLING ELBOWS! Hangman runs up but White turns things around and hoists Hangman up top!

White hurries up to the very top, SUPER DUPER PLEX! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Wait, we get a countdown, and the third man is… WHEELER YUTA! The Decoder is a Death Rider, so he must be here just so he can hand Moxley an easy win next week. Yuta also takes his time entering from the crowd, watching White writhe. Yuta then slides in and runs up, but into a BLADERUNNER!! Cover, Hangman breaks it! Hangman stomps White, stomps him some more, then stalks him while fans rally. White CHOPS back, CHOPS again, then whisp. Hangman reverses but White ducks ‘n’ dodges, only for Hangman to scoop! FALL AWAY SLAM!

The fans fire up while Hangman aims from a corner. Hangman runs corner to corner to LARIAT! The fans rally, Hangman whips corner to corner, then hits another LARIAT! Hangman whips yet again, but White dodges Hangman, and he CHOPS! White runs up, is put on the apron, but he blocks a shot! Hangman HOTSHOTS White, Yuta is on the apron, Hangman triangle jumps and White ducks, the LARIAT hits Yuta! White swings, Hangman dodges, and he triangle jump LARIATS! White is down now and the fans fire up again! The countdown is back, and the fourth man is… SWERVE STRICKLAND!

The fans fire up, Hangman is incensed, but then “SURPRISE, B*TCH! AHA~!” It’s RICOCHET!? How dare he swerve us like that! But at the same time, The One & Only has made it home from Japan. Ricochet takes his time walking down the ramp, and Yuta slithers in! Yuta whips Hangman but Hangman reverses to TOSS him out of the ring! Ricochet springboards in to FLYING LARIAT! The fans boo but Ricochet runs to DIVE! Direct hit on White, then Ricochet hurries back up, a springboard CROSSBODY for Hangman! LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Hangman stays in this but Ricochet says this is HIS house!

The fans boo, Yuta is back, Ricochet says hold on a minute, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

White runs in but Ricochet kicks White first. Yuta throws White down by his hair, then SENTONS! Ricochet STANDING MOONSAULTS! Ricochet and Yuta have an unlikely alliance right now, perhaps bonded by how they’re awful. Ricochet goes after Hangman, Yuta stomps White out of the ring, and then Ricochet CHOPS Hangman in the corner. Yuta punches Hangman, Ricochet stomps Hangman, repeat! Then they both stomp a mudhole in! Ricochet goes out to THROW White into barriers, and Yuta JAWBREAKERS Hangman! Hangman ends up on the apron, Yuta DROPKICKS him to the floor!

Ricochet drags Hangman up, POSTS him, then dusts his hands. Ricochet talks trash on Clarksville, Yuta throat chops White! Ricochet whips Hangman, but Hangman reverses to send him into railing! Hangman storms up on Ricochet white Yuta digs his boots into White. Hangman puts Ricochet in the ring, but Ricochet CLOBBERS Hangman in return! Ricochet CLUBS Hangman down, stomps him, but White turns things around on Yuta! White SMACKS Yuta off a chair! Ricochet stomps away on Hangman, then he CLOBBERS White once he’s in the ring! Yuta is back and he rains down fists on White! Ricochet fires hands on White in a corner.

Yuta rains down some HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS, then he puts White in a corner. Hangman storms up on Ricochet, Ricochet apologizes, but Hangman fires hands! White CHOPS away on Yuta, Ricochet DEROPKICKS Hangman! Yuta CLAWS White’s eyes, and has him back in the corner. Ricochet brings Hangman up to ROCK him! Yuta does the same with White. Ricochet CHOPS Hangman, Yuta CHOPS White, and Dynamite returns to single picture. Yuta and Ricochet trade to LARIAT White and Hangman at the ropes! Then they go back the other way, only for White and Hangman to DUMP them both out!

The fans fire up as Hangman and White turn around to see each other, but now the fifth man is here! White has Hangman hold on a moment, and it’s… ADAM COLE BAYBAY! The fans fire up as the Panama City Playboy storms down to the ring, and he dodges White! SUPERKICK! Hangman waistlocks, Cole breaks free to PELE! Then SUPERKICK! Hangman tumbles out, Cole SUPERKICKS Yuta out! Cole runs up on Ricochet, Ricochet blocks a haymaker to ROCK Cole! Ricochet springboards, into a SUPERKICK! The fans fire up for “ADAM COLE, BAYBAY!” Cole then goes to a corner and he aims at Ricochet!

Ricochet staggers up, into the PANAMA City SUNRISE!! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives, and we’re already getting the sixth man! Cole hurries to his feet, and it’s DANIEL GARCIA! The TNT Champion is looking to add some more hardware to the collection! The fans fire up as Garcia slide sin, dodges Cole, and he fires hands! Cole fires back, the fans fire up as Garcia gets the edge! But then Cole 52 Fake Out, suplexes, but Garcia fights that to a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up again and Garcia has Cole in a corner. Garcia climbs up, rains down fists, but White brings Garcia down! Garcia knees low, puts White in the corner, then climbs up!

Garcia rains down fists, Hangman storms up, but Garcia just adds him to the mess! Garcia climbs up to rain down fists on three former Bullet Club members! Then he tops it off with TEN! The fans fire up, but here comes Yuta! The fans boo Yuta but Garcia steps to him. Yuta SLAPS Garcia, Garcia CHOPS, repeat! The fans fire up and then Garcia CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Garcia winds up, but Yuta pokes him in the eye! Ricochet is back and he KNEES Garcia down! The fans boo Ricochet and Yuta, but they haul Garcia up to TOSS him out! The fans tell them, “You Both Suck!” but they just soak that up.

The countdown is back, and the seventh man is… “POWERHOUSE” WILL HOBBS! Ricochet & Yuta stand their ground, but then Hobbs SLINGSHOTS Ricochet out onto the others! Yuta LARIATS, but Hobbs doesn’t budge! Hobbs hooks Yuta up for an EXPLODER! Cole returns but Hobbs scoops him, for an EXPLODER! White is in, but Hobbs catches him, for an EXPLODER! Hangman fires hands, ROCKS Hobbs, then mocks Hobbs’ big muscles. Hangman runs corner to corner, SPLASHES, but Hobbs catches Hangman?! And then he gives Hangman an EXPLODER! The fans fire up for Hobbs as Dynamite again goes picture in picture.

Hobbs soaks up the cheers, then he goes out to LARIAT White against railing! Hobbs LARIATS Yuta, CLOBBERS Ricochet, then LARIATS Garcia! Hobbs keeps going and he CLOBBERS Cole, puts him in the ring, and he runs up to SPINEBUSTER! Cover, EVERYONE breaks it! Garcia HAMMERS away on Hobbs, White adds on, and so does Yuta. Yuta stomps Hobbs’ legs, Garcia stomps Hobbs’ arms, but then White CHOPS Yuta out of the ring! Garcia goes after Hangman in a corner, Ricochet goes after Garcia! Ricochet ROCKS Garcia, fires off in a corner, Yuta and White brawl outside. Ricochet fire smore hands on Garcia, then CHOPS!

Ricochet CHOPS away at the ropes, then runs, but Garcia ELBOWS him! Garcia snap suplexes Ricochet, then snarls. White APRON GOURD BUSTERS Yuta! Hangman CLOBBERS Garcia! Hangman storms around, he brings Yuta up, and CHOPS! White steps in and says he’ll handle Yuta, then he CHOPS! Hangman fires hands on Ricochet, CHOPS him in a corner, and then White brings Ricochet around to CHOP!  Yuta and Garcia brawl outside, Garcia sends Yuta into barriers! Hobbs and White fire hands, and Hobbs DECKS White! Garcia SHOTGUNS Yuta against barriers! Hobbs paces, Garcia goes back to the ring, but Hobbs TOSSES him back out!

Hobbs has Clarksville fired up, but Ricochet runs up to fire hands! Hobbs doesn’t budge, and he dares Ricochet to fire more shots. Dynamite returns to single picture as Ricochet fires another. The fans tell Ricochet he messed up, and then Hobbs LARIATS Ricochet inside-out! Ricochet flops out of the ring, White LARIATS! White runs, LARIATS again, but Hobbs just grins! White tries again, but Hobbs scoops him! Hobbs SLAMS White down, then watches him flounder. The fans rally for “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” Hobbs runs corner to corner, but White drop toeholds him into buckles! Hobbs sputters, and the countdown is back!

White gets space from Hobbs, and the eighth man is… RODERICK STRONG! Strong gets in to give White a BACKBREAKER! Hangman runs up, into a BACKBREAKER! Yuta is in, Roddy SLAMS him onto Hangman! Roddy KNEES Hobbs in a corner, then brawls with Ricochet! Ricochet kicks the legs out, then CLUBS Roddy down! Ricochet talks trash, but then Cole and Garcia step in. They whip Ricochet to  a corner, and Roddy KNEES Ricochet down! Roddy, Cole and Garcia all stomp away and the fans fire up! Hobbs is back, he DOUBLE LARIATS Cole and Garcia! Roddy runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and he SICK KICKS Hobbs down!

Hangman DISCUS LARIATS Roddy! Ricochet dodges Hangman to handspring and BACK ELBOW! White is back, he hits the CUTTHROAT PLEX on Ricochet! White clinches Ricochet, but Yuta shoves the ref so he can LOW BLOW White!! The fans boo Yuta, and he shakes his head at White. But the countdown is back, and the ninth man is… LANCE ARCHER! The Murderhawk storms to the ring, but Yuta PLANCHAS! Only for Archer to catch him! APRON CHOKE SLAM! Archer storms in to grab White, CHOKE SLAM! Roddy jumps in, as does Cole, but Archer catches Roddy, BOOTS Cole down, then he CHOKE SLAMS Roddy onto Cole!

The fans fire up and Garcia CHOPS Archer! Archer grabs Garcia, and he CORNER CHOKE SLAMS Garcia! Ricochet jumps in, but Archer catches him! Archer TOSSES Ricochet, but now Hobbs is up! Hobbs puts Ricochet in a corner, then TOSSES him back to Archer! The fans are thunderous as the biggest men stare down. Archer puts Ricochet in another corner, and TOSSES him back to Hobbs! Hobbs ignores Ricochet this time, he and Archer circle. Archer runs up, Hobbs dodges, and Hobbs SNAP POWERSLAMS!! But Archer’s right up!? Archer scoops Hobbs for the HELLICOASTER! The fans fire up as Hobbs rises!

Archer and Hobbs get face to face, “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” The forearms start flying, Archer gets the edge and has Hobbs in the corner! But the countdown is here! The tenth man is… KYLE O’REILLY! He fires off strikes on Yuta, and SWEEPS the leg! Archer wants it, and he runs up on Kyle! Kyle dodges the boot to then DRAGON SCREW! Archer falls out to the floor, Kyle BOOTS Ricochet into Roddy’s clinch! GUT BUSTER, then KING KONG KNEE DROP! The Undisputed boys are fired up, but Hangman returns! Hangman BOOTS Roddy, blocks a kick to spin and Alabama Lift Kyle! Kyle slips free, and shoves him into Roddy’s BOOT and ENZIGIRI!

Cole’s back, he fireman’s carries Hangman for UASHIGOROSHI! Kyle adds a PENALTY KICK! The fans fire up with The Undisputed trio, but Hobbs fires hands on them all! Garcia is back, he hops onto Hobbs for a SLEEPER! Hobbs SLINGS Garcia off, but Cole SUPERKICKS! Kyle and Roddy give Hobbs TOTAL ANNIHILATION! But the eleventh man is… JEFF JARRETT!! Double J said he was aiming for the world title, and he might’ve picked just the right spot! But Yuta CLOBBERS Jarrett from behind! The fans boo Yuta as he beats down on the Last Outlaw and takes him to the back! Back in the ring, Archer rises up!

Roddy hits a KNEE on Archer, Cole SUPERKICKS! Kyle and Garcia work together, but then Kyle KNEES Garcia! The Undisputed trio argue about whether or not Garcia was still on their side. But Hobbs is back, and he CLOBBERS them all! Archer is up to BOOT Hobbs! Archer BLASTS White off the apron, ELBOWS Hobbs in a corner, then he hoists Hobbs up! Archer has the crucifix lift! BLACK- NO, Hobbs slips free and shoves Archer! Hobbs LARIATS Archer up and out, but Kyle KICKS Hobbs’ legs! Kyle fires off more kicks, Hobbs kneels, and Kyle runs! But into a SPINEBUSTER!! Cover, HOBBS WINS!!

Winner: “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the AEW World Championship)

The Powerhouse puts an end to the gauntlet, and Renee Paquette steps in for an interview. The fans chant “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” as Renee says huge congratulations are in order. It is now official for next week, January 15th, Maximum Carnage, Moxley VS Hobbs for the AEW World Championship! Hobbs has been through so much just to make it to this point, what does it mean to him to have this world title match? Hobbs says, “Let’s shoot for a second. Let it be told that Jon Moxley is the one that brought me to AEW. But next week, I plan on shocking the world. But not only that, I plan on making Jon Moxley my B*TCH!”

The fans fire up for that, and next week will be a massive rematch from the night Hobbs went out with injury. Will the Book of Hobbs finally have a chapter about the world title? Or will The Maniac refuse to lose in his hometown?

Jeff Jarrett returns to the ring.

Ian Riccaboni meets The Last Outlaw there to say that we were hoping for a more “storybook ending” in the Casino Gauntlet. Tennessee is a state the Jarrett Family helped put on the pro-wrestling map, so how is he feeling? The fans cheer Double J, and Jarrett says it is 2025, and the Last Outlaw just has to ask himself one question: “Do I still have what it takes to climb that mountain?” The fans sure feel so! But wait! MJF makes his way out here! The fans are a bit torn as Maxwell Jacob Friedman joins Jarrett and Ian in the ring, and MJF tells Ian, “You Bible thumping p*ick, get outta my ring.”

Ian exits, and MJF tells “Jeffrey” that they’ve yet to officially meet. “You are looking at the longest-reigning and greatest AEW World Champion of all time. My name is Maxwell Jacob Friedman, M J F.” And MJF wants Triple B back, but the title scene is just a lot of hard work. “Dictator Jon” has the belt, Hobbs is the #1 contender due to Jarrett’s failure, because he got beat up by Wheeler Yuta…? Wow. Then there’s Adam Copeland, Christian Cage, Hangman Page, a regular Dr. Seuss nightmare of names. But none of these men are worthy of holding the Triple B. But MJF can think of one man who just might be.

“A man who has beaten some of the biggest icons in the history of this sport. A man who has given his blood, sweat and tears to this game for 35+ years. A 12-time world champion, a two-time Hall of Famer, Tennessee’s own Double J, Jeff Jarrett!” Fans cheer the surprising amount of respect MJF is showing for Jarrett. MJF says, “Not that I knew any of that personally, I had to google all that because I’m not a dinosaur. But hey, kudos, because my dad told me he was a big fan of yours when he was a little kid, so good job.” MJF knows Jarrett wants to be world champion here, but based on what he said last week about this being his last wrestling contract… Clock’s ticking.

But MJF did some digging, and apparently Jarrett’s not been completely honest with the people. MJF imagines that is more out of sheer embarrassment. Because it turns out the contract Jarrett signed with AEW is only… for one more year. Oh, was MJF not supposed to say that? And the reason that is embarrassing is because that is not what Jarrett wanted. He doesn’t wanna retire yet. He had to sign that contract, because that is all pro-wrestling thinks Jarrett has left to give. The fans boo but MJF says hey, no, guys, he’s just telling the truth. He’s a facts man. He’s not here to piss off Double J. He’s here to help!

Because as MJF sees it, Jarrett only has one year to prove that he’s still got it. The fans chant, “You Still Got It!” MJF says one year to make sure Jarrett can listen to those chants for years to come! To prove himself! To make it back to the top of the mountain. MJF says he can help Jarrett become champion of the world one more time. He can. Because without MJF’s help, Jarrett probably can’t even win another match. MJF laughs, but he says hey, hey, all he is asking is one tiny little favor. When MJF helps Jarrett procure the Triple B, then MJF is first in line for the next shot. Okay, Tennessee, MJF knows you ain’t bright, but he’s still talking!

The fans boo but MJF Fargo Struts his way back to Jarrett. MJF asks J E Double F, J A Double R E Double T~… Wanna make a deal with lil’ ol’ MJF? The fans boo, don’t make a deal with the AEW Devil! MJF says shut up, who even asked them?! Jarrett takes the mic, and he tells Max, MJF was AEW World Champion. And just like MJF said, MJF was the longest-reigning champion in this company’s history, and that is impressive. But MJF’s still too damn young to understand that you learn more from your failures than you do your successes. Just because MJF was on top before doesn’t mean he’ll get there again

In fact, does MJF know what kids like him around here? “One hit wonders.” The fans echo that, and Jarrett tells Max, Jarrett knows the road he has to go down. He’s been at the bottom, and is comfortable there. This business, and this life, has put him there many times. But Jarrett knows that all gives him the opportunity to crawl, to scratch, to fight his way back to the top of the mountain. Max, you know it and Jarrett knows it. MJF could’ve entered tonight’s Casino Gauntlet, but what does he choose? To come out here later, to scheme and connive. That is what MJF does. Jarrett has been on top 12 times, and is looking for number 13 in 2025.

And like that old expression goes, “What a difference a year can make.” Jarrett sure as hell will make the most of 2025. So it comes down to this: Jarrett doesn’t need MJF! And as far as what MJF’s trying to sell him, Jarrett ain’t buying, “You entitled p*ick!” The fans fire up as Double J turns down MJF, but will the Wolf of Wrestling make him regret it?

Adam Copeland is here!

Clarksville fires up for the Rated R Superstar, and “Cope” makes his way to the ring. Cope gets the mic to call out Jon Moxley! “You and your Death Riders, right? While I was gone, you took out Bryan Danielson, possibly for good. As we just saw (on a replay), you threw Darby Allin down a flight of stairs, we haven’t seen him since. But man, the sin you can’t repent in my world is you tried to go after FTR. Now, I don’t know if you know this, but we’re very close friends, so massive mistake.” The fans applaud that. Cope continues by saying Moxley has named guys like Hangman, Jay White, Orange Cassidy and Darby Allin “don’t have what it takes to endure the grind.”

The fans boo and Cope says yeah, he also disagrees with Mox. But Cope wants them to know that no one, and he means no one, has fought through what COPE has fought through, just to be standing here in this ring! The fans cheer that! Cope says he will DIE on that hill, because he is a different animal entirely! “You’re looking at a man who broke his neck in a match with Eddie Guerrero!” You wanna know what Cope did? HE GOT UP! He wrestled another 20 minutes, and he WON that match! The fans cheer that, too! Cope says you are looking at a man who fought Malakai Black in a barbed wire steel cage match, broke his leg, and what’d he do?

HE GOT UP! Cope wrestled another 10 minutes, and he WON that match! So please, Moxley, as much as we know you’re one of the toughest bastards to ever step in this ring, please “enlighten” Cope what Moxley can do to him that hasn’t been done before?! But wait, here come the Death Riders! Jon Moxley himself makes his way out from the back, leading Yuta and Claudio. Cope is wary, because where could Marina and Pac be? The Maniac, the Swiss Cyborg and The Decoder seem to be the only ones making their way out here, but wait! FTR attacks them in the crowd! The fans fire up as Cash & Dax take care of Claudio & Yuta!

Cope storms out of the ring and goes after Moxley! He SMACKS Mox off the steel steps, then puts him in the ring! But Moxley stomps away on Cope now! Trash goes flying in the crowd, Cash sends Yuta into barriers! Moxley knees low, runs, but Cope BOOTS him down! The fans fire up for Cope and FTR keeps the Death Riders at bay! But now Marina Shafir is here! She slides the briefcase to Moxley while she goes after Cope, but Cope grabs her by the hair! But despite his rage, Cope has morals, so he lets her go. But PAC ATTACKS! The fans boo as The Bastard gets Cope down! Claudio & Yuta send FTR into barriers!

Moxley is back up, Pac sits Cope up for him, and Moxley clamps on the BULLY CHOKE! Cope is turning red already! The fans boo but The Death Riders all surround Cope as he fades out! FTR keep fighting but Claudio keeps them out of the ring. Marina gives Moxley a plastic bag!! But wait! Hobbs makes his way back out here! Hobbs may not be a friend of Cope’s but he wants to get at Moxley early! The straps come down as Hobbs storms up, and The Death Riders retreat! Not even all five of them want to mess with Hobbs! Will Powerhouse Hobbs be unstoppable at Maximum Carnage?

Mariah May speaks.

“The first-ever Women’s Casino Gauntlet for my AEW Women’s World Championship. Ladies, let’s make history… by dancing for me like the marionettes you are before I cut your strings and burn you alive.” But then Harley Cameron shouts, “YES! EXCELLENT!” Harley, c’mon, they’re rolling. Harley rolls in on her swivel chair and says, “I KNOW~!” She was just so moved! And while Mariah has so much on her plate, but why not give the people an “appetizer?” This Saturday Night Collision- Mariah stops Harley there and says she is NOT getting a world title shot. Harley says that’s fine, non-title, Mariah, Harley, and #HotGirlGraps!

Harley says c’mon, they’re both attractive. Sometimes. Mariah says that’s actually not a bad idea. Hot Girl Graps. And then Mariah will rip Harley’s head off. Oh, yes, then she will… Harley trails off and Mariah asks her what was that. Harley says Mariah will feel the… Just say it. FEEL THE WRATH!! Harley rolls away, Mariah composes herself, but will Mariah feel the wrath of Harley Cameron? Or will Harley understand why Mariah is the Woman From Hell?

Women’s Casino Gauntlet #1 Spot Triple Threat: Kris Statlander VS Willow Nightingale VS Toni Storm!

Speaking of the first-ever Women’s Casino Gauntlet, the title shot being saved for Grand Slam: Australia, three great former champions are stepping up for that number one spot! The #BornAgainKristen and Babe with the Power being former TBS Champions, is it time for them to move up to the world title scene? Or will the “rookie” Rockstar show us that 2025 is #ToniTime?

The bell rings and Toni offers handshakes. Kris and Willow accept, and then Toni sends Willow into Kris! Toni waistlocks Willow but Kris returns, Willow gets away and Kris CLOBBERS Toni! Willow rolls Kris, TWO as Toni rolls Willow! TWO as Kris rolls Toni! TWO, Kris comes back but Toni puts her in a corner. Willow CLOBBERS Toni! Willow runs up on Kris but Kris dodges. Kris whips, Willow cartwheels and ENZIGIRIS! Kris tumbles out, Willow whips Toni, but Toni cartwheels over! Willow CLOBBERS Toni, and she gives those rocker fingers back. Things speed up, Toni drops but Willow stops the hip toss!

Willow scoops, Toni slips free, and Toni waistlocks. Willow elbows free, runs, but Toni follows, only for Willow to SPINEBUSTER! The fans fire up but Kris is back to sweep the legs! Willow avoids the senton to ghost pin, TWO! Kris has a cover, TWO! Both women stand, and Willow scoops! Kris slips free to scoop, but Willow slips free. Willow headlocks< Kris powers up and out, but Willow runs her over! Toni is back but Willow TOSSES her back out! Kris runs up to headlock Willow, but Willow powers up and out. Kris runs Willow over, Toni comes back, but Kris TOSSES her! Willow wrenches and clamps onto an arm!

Kris wrenches back, but Willow wrenches Kris. The fans rally for Toni while she watches. Toni climbs, Kris and Willow go back and forth with the wrenches, but then Toni DOUBLE CROSSBODIES! The fans fire up and Toni rocks out! Toni whips Kris to ropes, but Kris reverses. Toni sunset flips, but Kris stays up! Willow has Toni’s legs to CATAPULT Toni into Kris’s galaxy! The fans cheer as Willow takes a bow, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Willow brings Toni into a chinlock and she squeezes tight. Toni endures, fights up, and snapmares free! Willow tumbles out but Kris kicks Toni! Kris snapmares Toni into another chinlock, but Toni still endures. Toni fights up, snapmares free, but Willow is back to snapmare Toni again! Willow has the chinlock on Toni, but Kris puts the chinlock on Willow! Toni endures, fights up, and she DOUBLE JAWBREAKERS free! Toni snapmares Willow, then snapmares Kris! Willow is up so Toni snapmares again! Kris is up so Toni snampares again! Snapmare for Willow! Snapmare for Kris! It’s Snapmare City!

The fans fire up, and Toni follows Kris outside. Snapmare to the floor! Willow is up, Toni gives her a snapmare to the floor! Toni keeps going with snapmare after snapmare, and then she gets them both! DOUBLE SNAPMARE! Toni is all fired up with Clarksville, and then she puts Willow in the ring. Toni storms up on Willow, stomps her, then she stomps Kris as she enters the ring. Toni CHOPS Kris to a corner, but Kris CHOPS back! Willow CHOPS Toni! Kris ROCKS Toni! Willow CHOPS Toni! Toni CHOPS Willow, Kris CHOPS Toni, Toni CHPOS Kris! The CHOPS are passed around while Dynamite returns to single picture.

The fans fire up as the CHOPS keep going, then Toni gives Willow and Kris a meeting of the minds! Toni goes up a corner, leaps, DOUBLE- NO, Willow & Kris catch her for a DOUBLE FALL AWAY SLAM! The fans fire up as the former friends now stand tall. Kris says Willow can have a free shot, but then Toni shoves Kris into Willow! Toni then fires forearms on Kris, but Kris fires back! The fans rally and Toni gets the edge. Toni swings, Kris dodges, but then Toni ducks Kris’s haymaker and it ROCKS Willow! Toni ROCKS Kris, then dodges Willow to HEADBUTT! Kris ROUNDHOUSES Toni, Willow LARIATS Kris!

The fans fire up as all three women fall! Willow crawls to ropes, fans cheer on “A E DUB!” and Toni brings Kris up. But Kris backdrops free! Then she SHOTGUNS Toni into a corner! Kris fires up, the fans are fired up with her, and she runs in, but Willow POUNCES! PERIOD! The fans fire up as Willow fireman’s carries Toni, but Toni fights free! Willow blocks the whip, but Toni kicks her! Toni whips successfully, but Willow reverses, so Toni HIP ATTACKS Kris! Willow SPLASHES Toni! Toni sits down with Kris, Willow CANNONBALLS! Willow hauls Toni up to fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as Toni survives, but Willow rises back up. The straps come down and the fans fire up! “This is Awesome!” as Willow gut wrenches Toni. Toni fights it, wrenches out, and JAWBREAKERS! Kris Electric Chair Lifts Toni, but Toni slips out to GERMAN SUPLEX! Willow BOOTS Toni! Kris DISCUS LARIATS Willow! Toni swings on Kris, but Kris gets around to go to the corner. Toni bucks the O’Conner, but then Willow waistlocks Kris. They go to the same corner, Kris grabs Toni! Willow DOUBLE GERMAN SUPLEXES!! The fans are thunderous and Willow storms up on Toni! Willow suplexes, Toni cradle counters! Kris breaks it!

Willow kicks Kris, gut wrenches, but Kris switches! Willow switches, repeat! They go around and around, Kris TOSSE Willow, then she scoops Toni! STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! Cover, Kris wins!

Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall (earns the Number One Spot in the Women’s Casino Gauntlet)

Kris pins the THREE-TIME AEW Women’s World Champion, and now she will lead off in next week’s historic Women’s Casino Gauntlet! But will Kris prove she is still the Galaxy’s Greatest? Or will another woman earn that golden ticket to Grand Slam: Australia?

BREAKING NEWS for Collision!

AEW is in Athens, Georgia when The Rated R Superstar takes on Big Bill 1v1, and the same for Dax Harwood with Chris Jericho! #RatedFTR already won in the Six Man Tag, will they tear down The Learning Tree one Branch at a time?

Backstage interview with Toni Storm.

AEW returns and Renee is with Toni, and says that was an unfortunate loss out there, and many were surprised she didn’t win. Toni is not surprised, though. She gave it her best, but clearly she’s “just not ready.” But it was an honor to be out there with those two, Kris really deserves this. The Casino Gauntlet is going to be amazing, but Toni just doesn’t feel ready for the big time. She’ll keep working hard, but it seems it can’t be #ToniTime all the time. Toni apologizes then heads out. Will the “new kid” find a way to regain some confidence in herself?

And now…

With the same theme he used for his epic return to NJPW on Sunday, The Best Bout Machine emerges from the shadows and into the spotlight! Clarksville is all fired up for Omega rising like a phoenix! Omega goes to the ring, grabs a mic, and the fans cheer “KENNY! KENNY!” “Welcome Back! Welcome Back!” Omega takes a moment to soak it all in, then says, “This isn’t making it any more easy, guys. But thank you. It was a little over a year ago I checked myself into a hospital, and I was given the bad news. I had something called diverticulitis.” The fans boo diverticulitis, and Omega nods.

Omega explains that diverticulitis took two feet of his intestines from him, and says that if he hadn’t checked himself in when he did, the doctor let him know that Kenny would’ve died. So for the past year, it has been a roller coaster ride. The fans cheer Omega on, and chant, “Never Give Up!” Omega says upon a successful surgery, he had two questions. One: How long was recovery going to be? Two: When could Omega get back in the ring? The fans cheer that! Omega’s doctor told him that Omega would be lucky to return to a normal way of life, let alone to the ring, let alone to the Kenny Omega he used to be.

Omega says being a pro-wrestler and doing what pro-wrestlers do, he of course pushed through, maybe pushed a little too hard. He ended up being in the hospital four more times, four weeks at a time, and he had to really ask himself: Is this really worth it? Can he even do it? The fans chant “YES! YES! YES!” Omega says he can’t lie, there was a moment when he felt like giving up was the safest option. The fans boo that idea, but Omega says once he considered that option, he realized… “What purpose do I even have? What purpose do I even have on this planet if I don’t have you people with me?”

The fans cheer again, and Omega says he tested his theory. He found his purpose in Tokyo, just like he found it here tonight! And that is, if he’s not in the ring in front of the people, giving them everything he has every single week he has, then he’s not living! If he’s not showing the world that Kenny Omega CAN be the best, CAN be the Wrestling God, then he is NOT living! So even though he can’t be the same Omega, even though he can’t do the things he used to, this NEW Omega, the one that isn’t concerned about money, isn’t concerned about power, isn’t concerned about revenge, THIS Kenny Omega can still prove-

Wait, is that Don Callis? Guess he’s also back from Japan… The fans boo as Callis goes to the ring, mic in hand, but Omega is wary of the Don Callis Family ambushing him. Callis says, “Well look who’s back from the dead!” Callis barely finishes that sentence before Omega rushes him at the ramp! Omega fires hands on Callis, and NOW the Family rushes out! Brian Cage & Lance Archer mug Omega, twist his legs, and then send him into railing! Cage then puts Omega back in the ring, and both Murder Machines get in, only for Omega to fire hands in return! The fans fire up but this is still 2v1! And then 3v1 as Kyle Fletcher joins in!

The fans boo but Kyle DECKS Omega! The Callis Family drags Omega up again, and then Cage throws a BODY SHOT!! Omega crumples to the mat, and Cage hauls Omega up! Cage reels Omega in, but WILL OSPREAY hurries out here! And he has a chair! Ospreay JAMS Archer, SMACKS him down, then slides into the ring! Kyle & Cage go running! The fans fire up as the Aerial Assassin saves The Cleaner, but wait! He takes aim! Omega sees Ospreay first, and Ospreay drops the chair. The fans lose their minds as after fighting tooth ‘n’ nail over a year ago, these two are oddly on the same side: against Don Callis!

As such, Ospreay and Omega nod, and they stand down. Will Omega and Ospreay put their differences aside long enough to tear down The Don Callis Family? But BREAKING NEWS for Maximum Carnage: Omega will face Brian Cage 1v1 for his first match back in AEW! Will the 2025 version of Kenny Omega still be better than the rest?

My Thoughts:

An awesome Dynamite here as one part go-home to Maximum Carnage, one part turning-the-corner from the New Year stuff, including WrestleDynasty. Ospreay VS Buddy was awesome as an opener, and partly just an excuse to keep Ospreay out of the third Men’s Casino Gauntlet since he’s undefeated in those. At the same time, it is an interesting move that he’d try and get Buddy to think about what Buddy can do on his own. And given the constant “Is he gone or isn’t he?” nature of the Malakai Black speculation, it feels like another badly done work-shoot from AEW all because Tony Khan can’t figure out that, uh, duh, he could just book the House for various singles titles.

It was even pointed out by AEW themselves that Buddy Matthews won that Fatal 4 Way at Full Gear in November, did diddly squat all December because he wasn’t in the Continental Classic, and now he’s back. I said it when the C2 field was announced and I’ll say it here: Why wasn’t Buddy in the tournament? As for the present, the House of Black doesn’t even need to break up, they just need to be booked for singles titles. Buddy could challenge Okada for the Continental Championship, or he could challenge Takeshita for the International Championship, and even if he doesn’t win, he’ll give those guys one hell of a match, and we all want to see it.

I don’t include the TNT Championship in that right now because clearly there is more building between Hurt Syndicate and the various other champions. Great promo from Syndicate and Private Party for them to set up a possible tag title scenario. Private Party’s friendship with Garcia should also inspire Hurt Syndicate actually recruiting another wrestler to give us a Six Man Tag, then we split off into the various title matches. I’ll only lightly touch on TK fumbling that recruitment story where MVP handed out the cards to only a few people, yet decided none of them were good enough to join up because TK ended up having other story ideas first.

Very good promo from Mariah May and Harley Cameron to set up their non-title match, which should really just be advertised as Title Eliminator since duh, if Harley were to miraculously beat Mariah, she’d basically be in line for a title match. But at the same time, we know Mariah is winning so why try and kayfabe Harley’s hopes? Plus, we finally get a Women’s Casino Gauntlet and the winner of that goes to Grand Slam: Australia with Mariah. Awesome Triple Threat as the main event match, and a great choice for Toni to not win. Kris will make a great leadoff wrestler like Jay White was in the Men’s Casino Gauntlet. Toni’s promo after was really good, too, maybe she’s taking the long route back to the title, perhaps being the challenger for Revolution.

And speaking of the Men’s Casino Gauntlet, it was great for White to lead, but I figured he wasn’t winning. Ricochet with the swerve entrance was hilarious. And very clever idea for Yuta to get in this match, perhaps teasing a Finger Poke of Doom type scenario. I’m surprised he went after Jarrett that hard so as to take him completely out of the running. Why not do that to White to paint White as the biggest threat to Moxley while also hyping up a 1v1 match between them? Hobbs winning is great, this is essentially a rematch from their IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match, and a good way to make it up to Hobbs for him getting hurt back then. However, there’s a very good chance The Death Riders work to screw Hobbs over so Moxley wins in his hometown.

MJF and Jarrett have a great promo to follow that up, and now we have our countdown for Jarrett. Jarrett VS MJF is obviously what’s happening next, that’ll be great stuff, and it can be used to help either guy get to the title. Omega had a great segment to close, great promo and then great brawl with the Callis Family. A little surprising that’s the feud we’re going with for Omega, but it does make sense when Callis is just that much of a scumbag. Omega and Ospreay being unlikely allies is good stuff, Omega VS Cage next week will be great, and I’m sure this will be a pretty good story going to Grand Slam: Australia and even to Revolution.

My Score: 9/10