This was AEW’s annual “Winter is Coming” edition of “Dynamite,” which has historically produced some of the most memorable matches and moments in AEW history.
Did this year’s installment of “Winter is Coming” live up to its predecessors?
MISS: Jon Moxley & PAC vs. Jay White & Orange Cassidy
The opening contest furthered the ongoing story between the Jay White, Orange Cassidy, “Hangman” Adam Page, and the Death Riders. This match in particular saw Jon Moxley and PAC face the odd-couple team of White and Cassidy.
Last week on Saturday Night “Collision,” the Death Riders tried pouring a cleaning solution down Cassidy’s throw with a funnel. Fortunately, FTR intervened, preventing them from murdering Orange Cassidy. The Death Riders were still allowed in the arena this evening for their regularly scheduled bouts, because in AEW you can commit common misdemeanors, assault and battery, arson, and attempted murder without being fired. Well, maybe not assault. That might get you fired.
While this was a fun match, I still fundamentally believe that “Dynamite” would benefit from beginning with a cold open segment. This match in particular certainly wasn’t enjoyable enough to retain any potentially-fans attention in the second or third quarter-hours.
With that said, I did enjoy the match’s ending. Before either team could take a decisive lead in the match, “Hangman” Page intervened — attacking Moxley and forcing the match to end in a no-contest. Page’s interference frustrated Cassidy, which caused a scuffle between all three would-be challengers.
Rating: **¾
HIT: Bandido vignette
This vignette was… okay. More importantly though, it reintroduced Bandido — who has been absent since June 2023.
While the quality of the vignette itself was reminiscent of vignettes from WWE’s New Generation Era, it’s AEW’s effort that made this segment a “hit.” Historically speaking, AEW has failed to give their viewers the cursory information they need to know the product. Hopefully, this translates to real traction for the masked superstar.
Undecided: “Worlds End” main event is official
Jon Moxley was backstage with the other members of the Death Riders, following his match with Orange Cassidy and Jay White. Moxley reiterated the same rhetoric that we’ve heard time and time again: AEW has been run into the ground by egomaniacs. In this case, he’s referring to Cassidy, White, and Page. So, Moxley gives them all a chance to test their mettle against the “Last True King.”
At “Worlds End,” Moxley will face Cassidy, White, and Page in a fatal four-way match.
Finally, the title picture is abundantly clear. All four men will face off at “Worlds End.” Whoever wins will assuredly have to deal with Christian Cage shortly thereafter, who still possesses the Casino Gauntlet Contract.
While I’m not thrilled about the main event, I’m glad that the title picture is clear.
HIT: Will Ospreay defeats Claudio Castagnoli
The Continental Classic is a mixed-bag. On one hand, I love the idea of a round-robin tournament in American wrestling. On the other hand, it is yet another narrative device for Tony Khan to rely on, that eschews traditional storytelling.
This match is a shining example of why I love the idea of a round-robin tournament.
AEW has done an impeccable job over the last month, rebuilding the mystique of Claudio Castagnoli. Will Ospreay is arguably the best wrestler alive. Together, these two delivered the best match of the evening.
In the end, Ospreay pinned Castagnoli with a small package, leaving both men at the top of the Gold League with 6 points each.
After the match, Castagnoli attacked Ospreay while he was celebrating — delivering a Neutralizer. Afterwards, he exited the ring and grabbed a steel chair to continue his assault. However, Darby Allin intervened, running down to the ring with a baseball bat in hand.
Rating: ***¼
MISS: Adam Cole defeats Kyle O’Reilly
Shortly before this match began, we learned that MJF had arrived at T-Mobile Center. Would it have been better if MJF surprised the Kansas City crowd when he inevitably intervened in the match? Yes. Would this episode have benefited tremendously from MJF cutting a promo? Absolutely. Did either of those things happen? No.
Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly faced off for a shot at MJF, at “Worlds End” for the Dynamite Diamond Ring. In recent weeks, my interest in this feud has waned. It’s hard to tell a story between Cole and MJF, when the latter isn’t actively participating in the feud. Cole’s face-turn has just been so jarring to watch.
However, I was pleasantly surprised. By-and-large, this was a good match. Not only are Cole and O’Reilly great workers, but their chemistry is undeniable. These two have shared the ring over 70 times, so it’s no surprise that they work so well together.
In the end, MJF tried to intervene, but was superkicked by Adam Cole. Then, Cole rolled O’Reilly up with an inside cradle to win the match. Afterwards, O’Reilly was so frustrated that he refused to shake Cole’s hand.
While the match was good, I still can’t defend Tony Khan’s decision to allow MJF’s appearance to be a 30-second run-in interference. It’s unconscionable. Why wouldn’t you give MJF a microphone and let him operate?
Rating: **½
HIT: Darby Allin promo
It’s very rare that AEW’s backstage, pre-taped interviews strike a chord. This was a homerun.
Darby Allin’s passion and intensity was palpable. Watching him punch himself in the face until he busted his own lip only drove his point even further. Allin is sick and tired of the Death Riders chiseling away at AEW’s foundation.
We know what Darby Allin is capable of in the ring. Now, Allin is proving to fans that he can entertain people on the microphone too.
HIT: Ricochet defeats Brody King
This was a good “Continental Classic” match. Not great, but certainly not average. That’s not surprising though, given the names involved. Before the match, Ricochet was interviewed backstage by Renee Paquette. During his interview, Ricochet was clutching MVP’s business card — showing a little interest in the Hurt Syndicate.
This was a back and forth contest that either man easily could have won. In the end, it was Ricochet who escaped with the victory — pinning Brody King with the Spirit Gun. Ricochet was showered with a chorus of boos, lending credence to his potential heel turn. By defeating King, Ricochet has no scored 6 points in the Gold League — tying Ospreay and Castagnoli at the top of the leaderboard.
Rating: ***
HIT: Mercedes Moné and Anna Jay face-to-face
Mercedes Moné and Anna Jay met face-to-face, ahead of their match next week on the special “Holiday Bash” edition of “Dynamite.”
In 2024, Anna Jay emerged as a young lion in AEW’s women’s division — showing considerable improvement since returning from STARDOM. Jay’s trilogy of matches with Mariah May were terrific, despite the fact that they were relegated to “Collision.” Now, she has her sights set on the TBS Women’s Champion.
While Moné acknowledged Jay’s improvement, she was adamant that the 26-year-olds innate talent and potential pales in comparison to her own. When Moné was 26-years-old, she was already a 5-time champion.
I’m excited to see how far Jay can push Moné. More importantly, if this budding rivalry will continue until “Worlds End.”
HIT: Mariah May defeats Mina Shirakawa
The main event for “Winter is Coming” saw the AEW Women’s World Champion, Mariah May, face her former tag team partner and friend, Mina Shirakawa. This match was the culmination of months of storytelling that began in April.
Admittedly, I’ve been largely underwhelmed by Mariah May’s championship reign. Not because of the champion herself, because May has delivered in spades, but because of AEW’s booking. She didn’t defend her title at “All Out” or “Full Gear.” Instead, three of her four title defenses have been relegated to “Dynamite” and “Collision.”
Even her inevitable implosion with Shirakawa seemed rather abrupt. Nonetheless, here we are. May and Shirakawa delivered a hard-hitting, solid match. While May was unable to pin Shirakawa with her patented May Day, she ultimately finished her former tag team partner with StormZero.
Just as the show was beginning to go off air, Toni Storm’s original theme, “Watch What’s Next” began to play.
Toni Storm made her triumphant return to AEW in her old ring gear — locking eyes with the AEW World Champion. This was an electrifying way to end an otherwise mundane episode of “Dynamite.”
Rating: ***
Final Verdict
This was yet another average episode of “Dynamite.” I’m not interested in the AEW World Championship title-picture or Adam Cole and MJF’s feud. The “Continental Classic” has been entertaining, but it can’t further the bulk of AEW’s narrative. Thankfully, this episode was saved by the return of Toni Storm — who seems to have shed her “‘Timeless’ Toni Storm” gimmick.
Rating: ***
The rest of the week’s programming
- Konosuke Takeshita & Lance Archer vs. Powerhouse Hobbs & Mark Davis
- Matt Cardona vs. Bryan Keith
- Toni Storm vs. Harley Cameron
- Deonna Purrazo in action
- We’ll hear from Kyle Fletcher & Don Callis
Saturday Night “Collision”
- The Beast Mortos vs. Kazuchika Okada
- Mark Davis vs. Kyle Fletcher
- Jamie Hayter vs. Willow Nightingale
- Top Flight vs. Lio Rush & Action Andretti
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