This year, Christmas happened to fall on a Wednesday night, so you know what that means. Last night was the special “Dynamite on 34th Street” edition of AEW Wednesday Night “Dynamite.”
The name is, of course, a clever double entendre: paying homage to the classic Christmas movie “Miracle on 34th Street” and the show’s venue, the Hammerstein Ballroom, which is located on 34th Street.
The Hammerstein Ballroom is a classic professional wrestling venue, made famous by Paul Heyman’s original ECW. Last Friday, the venue hosted Ring of Honor’s “Final Battle” Pay-Per-View, followed by Saturday Night “Collision.” This week’s episode of “Dynamite” was actually recorded Sunday night, giving the wrestlers a night off for Christmas.
Did the final stop en route to “Worlds End” deliver?
Let’s dive in:
MISS: Opening with a match
Last week, “Dynamite” began with a short segment where Excalibur announced the card, accompanied by a series of promos from the wrestlers. It was a fantastic way to build anticipation for the evening and helped the show retain its audience through the third, fourth, and fifth quarter-hours. This was a vast improvement upon “Dynamite’s” regular formula, of opening the show cold with a match.
Last Saturday’s “Christmas Collision” followed suit with a similar segment to open the show, where Ian Riccaboni announced the card alongside Big Boom AJ and Big Justice.
This week, “Dynamite” opened with an impromptu match. To me, this seems like a step back. It’ll be interesting to see if this move reflects in this week’s ratings.
HIT: Will Ospreay defeated Brody King
This week’s episode marked the end of the round-robin portion of the “Continental Classic.” Last Wednesday, Will Ospreay tore the house down with Darby Allin, delivering one of the best matches in “Dynamite” history. Days later on “Collision,” Ospreay took center stage in the Hammerstein Ballroom with Ricochet — delivering another instant classic. Last night, for the first time ever, he shared the ring with Brody King.
This was everything I expected it to be and more. King is an uncompromising goliath, but Ospreay is, quite literally, on another level. However, King challenged Ospreay in the ways one would expect. Last week, Ospreay was able to overpower Allin with chops and forearms. This week, the roles were reversed. King slowly eroded at Ospreay’s defenses with one thundering-chop after another, backing Ospreay into the ropes. However, unlike most high-flying wrestlers, the “Aerial Assassin’s” quickness and dexterity belies his size and strength.
Ospreay weathered King’s storm, turning the tables with a Styles Clash. Unfortunately, King kicked out at two. To finish the job, Ospreay performed an impressive demonstration of strength, hoisting King up in the air and delivering a Storm Breaker to punctuate the affair.
With this win, Ospreay has kept his dreams alive. His hopes will hinge on the rest of the evening’s “Continental Classic” results.
Rating: ***¼
MISS: The Hurt Syndicate banned from entering the building
Over the last two months, the Hurt Syndicate have run roughshod of AEW. So, before they could enter the arena, they were met by Renee Paquette, Christopher Daniels, and security. Paquette informed them that MVP and Bobby Lashley have been banned from the arena, ahead of Shelton Benjamin’s scheduled match against Kazuchika Okada. Out of respect for Paquette, MVP acquiesces — demonstrating his confidence in the “Standard of Excellence,” Shelton Benjamin.
The Hurt Syndicate are clearly being positioned as heels, but the audience is still enamored with them. The crowd even cheered for them after they kicked Daniel Garcia and Mark Briscoe’s asses last week. So, not only are you potentially depriving the audience of an opportunity to see the Hurt Syndicate, but you’re setting a precedent that clearly isn’t being applied to other heel factions. Namely, the Death Riders, who have tried to murder multiple people.
This just seemed silly and contrived.
HIT: Ricochet vs. Darby Allin
Over the last few weeks, Ricochet has become increasingly more underhanded — willing to do whatever it takes to win in the “Continental Classic” and prove himself to the Hurt Syndicate. Last night, for the first time in his career, Ricochet faced everyone’s favorite daredevil, Darby Allin.
This was a superb match, with some breathtaking sequences. Ricochet’s 630-senton onto Darby Allin, through a table, particularly amazed me. If Darby Allin won this match, he would have tied Ricochet, Will Ospreay, and Claudio Castagnoli with 9 points (albeit Castagnoli had one match left). With wins over both Ricochet and Ospreay, it’s possible that he would have continued onto the semi-finals, although we will never know for sure.
With two minutes remaining, Allin gained control of the momentum — shifting the advantage in his favor. Unfortunately, he was unable to force Ricochet to submit or score a pinfall before time expired, forcing the match to end in a draw.
While the match ended in a tie, both wrestlers scored one point; earning Ricochet a spot in the semi-finals of the “Continental Classic.” This was an extraordinary conclusion to this match, leveraging the “Continental Classic’s” rules and both men’s current standing in the company. Both men were put on the same pedestal, leaving room for a rematch down the road.
Rating: ***½
HIT: Komander defeated Claudio Castagnoli
This match began quickly after the previous match. While Komander was making his way down the aisle, Darby Allin stopped him — whispering something to him and his manager, Alex Abrahantes. Surely, this would play into Komander’s bout with Claudio Castagnoli, who Allin has been waging war against.
Komander has been a glorified turnstile in this tournament, failing to score a single victory. However, therein lies the strength of a round-robin tournament. There are still stories to be told, when competitors who are mathematically eliminated face contenders.
In the end, Komander found Allin’s jacket; which was strategically left under the ring by Allin; reaching into its pockets and finding a pair of brass knuckles. Komander used them to stun Castagnoli, punctuating the affair with a breathtaking move off the top rope to pin the Death Rider’s general.
After the match, the other members of the Death Riders converged on Komander. Jay White and Orange Cassidy came to his rescue, fighting off PAC, Wheeler Yuta, and Marina Shafir. Then, Jon Moxley arrived — getting the drop on White and Cassidy. Queue Black Hat, beckoning the “Hangman.”
“Hangman” Adam Page slowly walked down the aisle, stopping Moxley dead in his tracks. Page distracted Moxley long enough for White and Cassidy to recover, creating a decisive advantage for the challengers. All three men took turns using their finishing maneuvers to punish the AEW World Champion, leaving them in the ring with Moxley’s briefcase.
This was an entertaining match, followed by an equally entertaining post-match segment.
Rating: ***
HIT: Kazuchika Okada defeated Shelton Benjamin
When the “Continental Classic’s” participants were announced, this was one of the most highly anticipated matchups. Kazuchika Okada and Shelton Benjamin, sharing the ring for the first time.
The two began the match with a hesitant handshake. Okada is known for methodically plotting a match, building towards building towards a climactic ending. In this case, it took a little longer than usual — which isn’t absurd given their lack of familiarity. Once they hit their stride though, Okada and Benjamin delivered in spades.
In the end, Okada finished the affair with his patented Rainmaker, solidifying his spot in the semi-finals of the “Continental Classic.”
There’s no shame here for Benjamin, losing to the champion. Okada is one of the most decorated champions in wrestling today. It seems like Benjamin will be shifting his focus towards Daniel Garcia and the TNT Championship for the immediate future, which will assuredly result in some entertaining television.
Rating: ***
MISS: Toni Storm defeated Taya Valkyrie
Toni Storm has amnesia. How much of her career has she forgotten? Apparently so much that she doesn’t remember getting her matching-tattoo with Deonna Purrazzo in Japan. Clearly, this isn’t amnesia, she’s just psychotic.
This match was definitely a step below the four “Continental Classic” bouts that preceded it. Taya Valkyrie has never quite impressed me since debuting in AEW, failing to replicate the heights she previously reached in AAA or TNA. I don’t fault the women for that, though. It’s just unfortunate that there were so many “Continental Classic” matches on this week’s episode. I wish this match were given a little more time to breathe.
Storm won the match with a small package, cementing this victory as a momentous win for the “rookie.” I’m interested to see how Storm’s storyline with Purrazzo continues to progress from here. I really enjoyed their feud earlier this year for the AEW Women’s World Championship.
Rating: **½
HIT: Kyle Fletcher defeated Daniel Garcia
The final match of the “Continental Classic’s” round-robin phase saw Kyle Fletcher face Daniel Garcia — to determine who would advance in the “Blue League.”
Both of these men exited “Full Gear” last month with incredible momentum. For Garcia, it was defeating Jack Perry for the TNT Championship. For Fletcher, it was defeating the “Aerial Assassin,” Will Ospreay, in a highly-anticipated rematch. However, their records in the “Continental Classic” tell their individual tales. Fletcher is 3-1 since “Full Gear,” while Garcia is 2-1-1. While both wrestlers lost to Mark Briscoe, it was their match against the Continental Champion, Kazuchika Okada, that separated their fortunes. Whereas Garcia’s match against Okada finished in a draw, Fletcher was able to defeat the “Rainmaker.”
Now, their fortunes come down to the final match. If Fletcher wins or the match ends in a draw, Fletcher will advance to the semi-finals. If Garcia wins outright, he’ll advance to the semi-finals instead — which means Garcia can’t afford to leave anything on the table.
When 2024 began, it would have been hard to predict that these two men would take center stage in the final “Dynamite” of 2024, in the Hammerstein Ballroom. This match was a testament to both men’s considerable improvement over the past year, culminating in this terrific match.
Garcia has proven himself time and time again in the ring, as one of AEW’s most relatable faces. The connection that he’s forged with the audience is as genuinely organic as anyone wrestling today. However, that connection means little, when you’re facing a force as dynamic and imposing as Fletcher.
After a back and forth contest, Fletcher narrowly escaped with the pin — earning his spot atop the “Blue League” in the “Continental Classic.” With the standings complete, the semi-final matches have been decided. The first seed in each league will face the opposing league’s second seed. So, Kazuchika Okada will face Ricochet, while Kyle Fletcher will find himself against a familiar foe, when he faces Will Ospreay.
In anticipation for their bout, Ospreay made his way down the aisle to confront Fletcher. The two stood face-to-face, into what seemed like the end of the show. Until…
Rating: ***¼
MISS: Jon Moxley backstage promo
This week’s episode ended with a backstage promo from Jon Moxley, addressing his challengers at “Worlds End,” but more importantly the state of AEW. Unfortunately, Moxley continues to speak in vague shorthand about how AEW has been consumed by vanity and unchecked egos. Then, he concluded his promo by calling himself the “one, true king.”
I understand what Moxley is saying, but do unchecked egos warrant the Death Riders to commit murder? Does it properly explain why they tried to assassinate Bryan Danielson? When this crusade began, we all expected it to be in service of a greater purpose. In the end, it really just seems flippant.
Fans were so invested in Roman Reigns’ historic run as Universal Champion in the WWE, because his motivations were easily understood. It was easy to understand the ethos of Roman Reigns: who he was and why he became the villainous “Tribal Chief.”
There was no metamorphosis for Moxley. One day, he just adopted this identity as the “one, true king” and appeared on “All Out” trying to kill Danielson. If this reign is going to continue into the foreseeable future, that’s where this story needs to improve. We need more characterization, a point of origin, and a direction; not just for Moxley, but for all of his “Death Riders.”
Final Verdict
This week’s episode was a mixed-bag. As a collection of wrestling matches, it was brilliant. We had five strong “Continental Classic” matches, to end the round-robin portion of the tournament. However, the abundance of wrestling matches left the show with little room to breathe. Thankfully, this week’s episode didn’t have much heavy lifting to do, after last Saturday’s phenomenal episode of “Collision” set the table for “Worlds End.”
Rating: ***
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