AEW Dynamite
Episode 12
#AEWDynamite
Original Air Date: December 18, 2019
Event Date: December 18, 2019
(aired live on TNT)
City: Corpus Christi, TX
Venue: American Bank Center
Commentary: Jim Ross, Excalibur, Tony Shiavone
Ring Announcer: Justin Roberts
Match 1
Lucha Brothers vs “Hangman” Adam Page & Kenny Omega
(referee: Aubrey Edwards)
Result: Pentagon Jr. pins Kenny Omega after a tandem diving stomp (Fenix) and package piledriver (Pentagon)
Time: 17:48
Match Thoughts
Very good match. The commentators made a big deal about Page and Omega not being completely unified in their previous tag match, so that was sure to play a role in this week’s match. It did, but beyond the miscommunication late in the match, Page and Omega did well for most of the match. The Lucha Brothers worked together more, but Page and Omega’s individual efforts helped make the match very fun.
Ring Area
After the match, Page and Omega begin to argue about what happened at the end of the match. They start to shove each other when Pac appears on the big screen. Pac says he’s going to remind Omega exactly what he’s capable of. Pac walks into the locker room where Michael Nakazawa is. The door shuts, so Omega runs to the backstage area.
Backstage
Omega runs into the locker room, but neither Pac nor Nakazawa are there. As Omega leaves, the Lucha Brohters attack Omega. Adam Page intervenes and gets the Lucha Brothers to leave, then Omega and Page continue to search for Pac and Nakazawa.
Backstage
Darby Allin skateboards as the commentators talk about the next match.
Match 2
The Butcher & The Blade w/ The Bunny vs Darby Allin & Cody
(referee: Paul Turner)
Result: Cody pins The Blade after the Cody Cutter
Time: 10:47
Match Thoughts
This was fun. Darby and Cody make an interesting team, and an effective one when they both start to get going. The Butcher and The Blade kind of dominated early in the match, but Allin’s sacrifices and Cody’s smarts put them in the lead towards the end.
Video
A look at Jungle Boy’s training routine as he gets ready for his match with Jericho.
Match 3
Miranda Alize vs Awesome Kong w/ Brandi Rhodes, Melanie Cruise
(referee: Rick Knox)
Result: Awesome Kong wins via pinfall after a double
Time: 0:46
Match Thoughts
Squash.
Ring Area
After the match, Kong cuts a lock of hair from Miranda’s head.
Video
Before tonight’s show, Jim Ross sat down with Jungle Boy. Jungle Boy respects what Jericho has accomplished, and he’s aware of the pressure he’s under as he goes forward to face Le Champion. Jungle Boy also knows that his father, Luke Perry, would be happy and proud of him tonight.
Match 4
Chris Jericho (World Champ) w/ Jake Hager, Sammy Guevara vs Jungle Boy w/ Luchasaurus, Marko Stunt
(referee: Aubrey Edwards; stipulation: 10-minute time limit)
Result: Jungle Boy survives the full ten minutes (the match ends in a Time Limit Draw)
Time: 10:00
Match Thoughts
I enjoyed this. The crowd was solidly behind Jungle Boy, and he and Jericho brought a lot of energy to the first part of the match. Their friends at ringside of course got into a scuffle partway through the match, and it felt like that helped pad the action so it could get tensely close to the ten-minute mark. The finish initially felt a bit underwhelming (just due to the nature of the match stipulation), but Jericho helped make it memorable.
Ring Area
After Jericho and Jungle Boy leave the ring area, Jericho returns. Jericho yells at Jungle Boy’s family in the crowd, and he basically just throws a tantrum around the ring.
After Jericho’s tantrum, Tony Shiavone tries to get some words from Le Champion. Jericho says Jungle Boy couldn’t beat him tonight, just like what Jericho said would happen. Shiavone reminds Jericho that he said Jungle Boy wouldn’t be able to last ten minutes with Le Champion, but he did. Jericho says he never said that.
Moving on, Jericho addresses the ongoing situation with Jon Moxley. Jericho isn’t rushing Moxley for a decision about joining the Inner Circle, but he once again tells Moxley that joining his group would be a benefit for everyone. He also wishes Moxley a merry Christmas.
Backstage
Jenn Decker asks SCU about their title match tonight. Christopher Daniels answers, saying SCU is going to do what they always do. The Lucha Brothers walk up and get in Daniels’ face, saying he’s not as good as he used to be. Everyone is ready for Daniels to respond, but Daniels just walks away.
Backstage
The Young Bucks warm up for their title match.
Backstage
Daniels hands Scorpio Sky and Kaz their title belts.
Match 5
AEW Women’s Title Number One Contender Match
Kris Statlander vs Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D.
(referee: Bryce Remsburg; watching from ringside: Riho)
Result: Kris Statlander wins via pinfall after the Big Bang Theory
Time: 9:35
Match Thoughts
Good match. It’s been an interesting journey for Britt Baker in AEW so far. A few months ago she would be a lock for number one contender in this match, but Kris Statlander has really come into the company strong. This was a nice match with some good back-and-forth.
Ring Area
Tony Shiavone tries to interview Statlander at ringside, but Brandi Rhodes comes out and interrupts them. Brandi asks Statlander if she’s with the Nightmare Collective or not. Statlander wags her finger back and forth in response. That’s a “no,” so Awesome Kong and Melanie Cruise come out as Brandi hits Statlander with her shoe. Sadie Gibbs comes out to help Statlander get back to her feet.
Backstage
Shawn Spears (with Tully Blanchard) is amazed that AEW has made tag team wrestling matter. Spears tells Blanchard that he needs him to find him a good partner. He needs to find “that guy.”
Video
A look at the Young Bucks’ journey to tonight’s tag title match.
Match 6
AEW World Tag Team Title Match
The Young Bucks vs Scorpio Sky & Frankie Kazarian (Tag Champs)
(referee: Rick Knox)
Result: Frankie Kazarian pins Matt Jackson after SCU Later
Time: 10:45
Match Thoughts
Very good match, though I was a little surprised it didn’t go longer. Regardless, this had a lot of fun action in it. A good main event and a good title match.
Ring Area
After the match, creepers come out and surround the ring. The lights go out, then Evil Uno and Stu Grayson come out to the stage. Uno says they are not here for a recruitment, they are here for an initiation. Alex Reynolds and John Silver are among the creepers beating up SCU and the Young Bucks. Kenny Omega runs out to fight the creepers, and so do Cody and Dustin Rhodes.
After all the good guys are beaten up, Matt and Nick Jackson are left in the ring with the Dark Order. Silver and Reynolds put on creeper masks as Evil Uno sits on his throne of people.
Show Impressions
This was a good show. It felt like a lot more setup than payoff, but I think that’s fine for the final show of the year (next week is a best-of I believe). That will let AEW get off to a running start in 2020.
Match of the Night
Omega & Page vs The Lucha Brothers
I liked the main event too, but I think the opener was a bit more interesting and exciting. It was a good night for tag wrestling overall though.