AEW Dynamite
Episode 14
#AEWDynamite
Original Air Date: January 1, 2020
Event Date: January 1, 2020
(aired live on TNT)
City: Jacksonville, FL
Venue: Daily’s Place
Commentary: Jim Ross, Excalibur, Taz
Ring Announcer: Justin Roberts
Video
Cody, Page, Omega, and the Young Bucks were supposed to be the elite of AEW, but the past few months haven’t felt that way. Tonight will be a turning point.
Match 1
Darby Allin w/ Rake vs “The American Nightmare” Cody w/ Arn Anderson
(referee: Aubrey Edwards)
Result: Cody wins via pinfall after countering Allin’s Coffin Drop
Time: 17:18
Match Thoughts
Great match. This was a super good way to start the year. Cody and Allin work very well together, and I think they bring out the best in each other. Allin incorporated a little bit of mat work into his arsenal while Cody showed his toughness and resilience against Allin’s more dangerous moves. This match went on a good while, and it felt like it might go to another time limit draw as the minutes passed by. Every minute was good though. I enjoyed this very much.
Backstage
Jenn Decker welcomes SCU. The tag champs don’t seem too worried about any possible challengers. Sammy Guevara walks up and says Santana and Ortiz will be taking those titles. Guevara also questions what Christopher Daniels has besides wrinkles on his face and a bunch of L’s on his record. Daniels challenges Guevara to a match next week.
Match 2
AEW Women’s World Title Four Way Match
Nyla Rose vs Hikaru Shida vs Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. vs Riho (Women’s Champ)
(referee: Rick Knox)
Result: Riho pins Britt Baker with a jackknife cover
Time: 9:47
Match Thoughts
Great match. Rose started the action with a pre-match attack on Riho, and that kicked off a non-stop title match where everyone displayed some great wrestling. Shida showed impressive strength by lifting Rose multiple times, Baker showed her brains by picking her spots well, Rose showed surprising agility to supplement her devastating moves, and Riho’s speed and tenacity were her strongest assets. There were more than a few very close near falls that had me fooled, and this was just super fun the entire way through.
Ring Area
After the match, Nyla Rose attacks Riho. Rose finishes her attack by hitting Riho with a diving splash through a table.
Backstage
Alex Marvez welcomes Joey Janela. As Janela speaks, Penelope Ford hits him in the groin. Kip Sabian walks up, smiles, and walks away with Ford.
Video
Evil Uno talks to “the exalted one,” saying that The Elite has fallen.
Match 3
Trent w/ Chuck Taylor, Orange Cassidy vs Jon Moxley
(referee: Paul Turner)
Result: Jon Moxley wins via pinfall after two Paradigm Shifts
Time: 11:01
Match Thoughts
Great match. Moxley came in hot as usual, but Trent would not be phased by any of Moxley’s support or presence. Trent met Moxley face to face in the center of the ring, and the two men traded some good shots early in the match. The momentum swung back and forth a couple of times, but both men fought evenly up until the very end. The finish wasn’t a surprise, but the whole match was very well done. Trent has had great showings with some of AEW’s top guys recently. I hope that means he might have a nice singles run in AEW in addition to his tag stuff with Chuck.
Ring Area
After the match, Sammy Guevara shows up in the crowd. Guevara says he isn’t here for a fight. Instead, the Inner Circle has a surprise for Moxley. Chris Jericho appears on the video screen. Jericho says he wants Moxley to be an equal partner in the Inner Circle with 49% of the faction and an Executive Vice President title. He also has a car to give to Moxley. The world can be theirs. All Moxley has to do is say “yes.”
In the ring, Moxley says he’s always considered Jericho a friend and mentor. Out of respect for their relationship, Moxley will give Jericho his answer in person next week.
Ring Area
During a commercial, Sammy Guevara shows written messages during the picture-in-picture break. He asks Victoria Justice’s sister to contact him, and he makes fun of Dustin Rhodes.
Match 4
Sammy Guevara vs Dustin Rhodes
(referee: Bryce Remsburg)
Result: Sammy Guevara wins via pinfall after Jake Hager hits Dustin Rhodes in the groin
Time: 11:23
Match Thoughts
Good match. It seemed like the match was going to be very short at first. Dustin quickly dominated Guevera with a surprise attack to start the bout, but Guevara was able to survive the early onslaught. Guevara kind managed to do just enough to keep alive in the match as it went on, then Jake Hager came to ringside and the mood changed. Guevara was confident as ever, and Hager seemed to be waiting for the right opportunity to get involved. This was entertaining, and I think it sets up soe good stuff going forward for these three guys.
Backstage
Jenn Decker welcomes Private Party. Quen and Kassidy say stuff, and as they talk, Adam Page walks up in the background an pours himself a drink at the bar. Private Party questions how page got into the bar, so Page gets mad and tells them he can beat them up. Then Page takes his drink and walks away.
Ring Area
MJF and Wardlow head to the ring. MJF names his stipulations for having a match with Cody: the match will be at Revolution, Cody can’t touch MJF before Revolution or they will never have a match, Cody must beat Wardlow in a cage match before Revolution, and Cody must submit himself to being whipped by MJF ten times.
Backstage
Jenn Decker welcomes the Jurassic Express. Jungle Boy says 2020 is going to be big for the Jurassic Express.
Backstage
Alex Marvez welcomes Riho and Michael Nakazawa. Before Riho can talk about her title match next week, Britt Baker walks up and complains about Riho stealing wins and not being on TV every week. Riho says she will do her best next week.
Match 5
Lucha Brothers & Pac vs Young Bucks & Kenny Omega
(referee: Rick Knox; guest commentary: Adam Page)
Result: Kenny Omega pins Rey Fenix after the One-Winged Angel
Time: 12:23
Match Thoughts
Great match! Fast-paced, high-flying, hard-hitting. This was a fantastic main event to start off 2020!
Show Impressions
This was a great show top to bottom. The set the bar high for 2020 already.
Match of the Night
Lucha Bros. & Pac vs The Elite
I think the Women’s Title Match was a close second, but this main event was completely satisfying in pretty much every way.