Welcome to Fightful's live coverage of AEW Dynamite for January 4, 2023.
Here is what's on tap for the show:
AEW Dynamite (1/4)
- AEW World Tag Team Championship: The Acclaimed (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens) vs. Jeff Jarrett & Jay Lethal
- Bryan Danielson vs. Tony Nese
- TNT Championship: Samoa Joe (c) vs. Darby Allin
- Jade Cargill & Red Velvet vs. Kiera Hogan & Skye Blue
- Chris Jericho vs. Ricky Starks
- Swerve Strickland vs. AR Fox
- AEW World Champion MJF is contractually obligated to appear
- Update on Hangman Page's medical condition
- We'll hear from Jon Moxley
Chris Jericho vs. Ricky Starks
Going into the first commercial break of the evening, both men spilled it to the floor, following Chris Jericho's superplex. Back in the ring, The action would sway back and forth until Chris Jericho got Ricky Starks in the Walls of Jericho. On the outside of the ring, Daddy Magic struck Ricky Starks in the face with Floyd the baseball bat as the referee was distracted, but Ricky Starks was still able to power out of the submission hold and get a near fall with a small package. Eventually, Ricky could knock down 2point0, hit Chris Jericho with a Spear, and secure the victory.
Winner: Ricky Starks by pinfall.
- After the match, The Jericho Appreciation Society hit the ring in full force and attacked Ricky. Action Andretti, sporting a burn on his face, hit the ring with a steel chair to make the save. He is briefly able to overcome the heels. Ultimately, JAS leaves them lying and Jake Hager powerbombs Ricky through a table.
- Hangman Page is interviewed by Tony Schiavone and says he is still on track to be cleared next week. Jon Moxley comes out to interrupt him; he reiterates that he is sick of people feeling sorry for Hangman. Hangman says he is coming for revenge against MOX next week, and Jon Moxley says next week, he will make sure Hangman doesn't get back up.
- Samoa Joe cut a promo on Darby ahead of tonight's main event.
AEW World Tag Team Championship: The Acclaimed (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens) vs. Jeff Jarrett & Jay Lethal
Early on, Jeff Jarrett starts with Anthony Bowens. Jarett gets an early cheap shot in on Max Caster. Eventually, Max Caster and Jay Lethal became the legal men, and Caster paid homage to Kurt Angle to antagonize Jeff Jarrett further. Jay Lethal was able to punch Daddy Ass, and when he tried to retaliate, he was ejected by the referee. The action continued to go back and forth, and eventually, the referees needed to remove Sonjay Dutt and Satnam Singh from ringside. While they were doing that, Jeff Jarrett hit The Stroke on Anthony Bowens. Jay Lethal covered Anthony Bowen's and got a three-count after Sonjay removed Anthony's foot from the ropes. The referee called for the bell, but Aubrey Edwards quickly reversed the decision, and the match continued. Shortly thereafter, Jay Lethal tried to get another Advantage by putting his foot on the ropes during a roll-up. Still, Max Caster was able to push his feet off, allowing Anthony Bowen to reverse the momentum and pin him for the victory.
Winners and still tag team champions: The Acclaimed by pinfall
- Britt Baker and Jamie Hayter cut a promo on their tag team match for next week. Baker called herself the boss and said it "was" Saraya's house.
- Jack Perry cut a promo he wants to team up with hook next week in LA.
Bryan Danielson vs. Tony Nese
Danielson is in complete control for the majority of the match. He Nails Tony with an elbow strike and takes him down with the Running Knee. Then, Stomps on his head. In the end, Tony Nese taps out to the Regal Stretch.
Winner: Bryan Danielson by submission.
- After the match, Bryan Danielson says he's ready to fight MJF. MJF arrives and eventually agrees that, as long as Bryan Danielson can win every match between now and February 8, he will be the number one challenger and face him at Revolution. Bryan Danielson said he agrees to that as long as Maxwell Jacob Friedman agrees to face him in a 60-Minute Iron Man Match at Revolution.
- Vignette hypes Orange Cassidy vs. Kip Sabian at Battle of the Belts V.
Swerve Strickland (with Mogul Affiliates) vs. AR Fox
Swerve Strickland and AR Fox traded offense, complete with callbacks to Lucha Underground. Fox would get a two-count after a Brainbuster. Swerve was eventually able to get the upper hand after interference from his goons. he was able to get a near fall following a Flatliner. Fox was able to mount a comeback and get near fall with a 450 Splah. In the end, more interference from the Affiliates allowed Strickland to hit a Death Valley Driver from the top rope onto the apron and get a three count after a double stomp to the throat of Fox.
Winner: Swerve Strickland by pinfall.
- In an interview with Renee Paquette, Saraya, much to the chagrin of Hikaru Shida, announced she would be teeming with Toni Storm next week.
- Austin & Colten Gunn mocked the downfall of FTR. They stated that while FTR can work in any promotion, they will never work in AEW again.
Kiera Hogan and Skye Blue vs. Jade Cargill & Red Velvet
Problems between velvet and Jade persisted throughout this match. Finally, everything came to a head when Velvet refused to tag in toward the end of the match. This did not matter as Jade was able to hit Kiera Hogan with a big boot for the victory.
Winners: Jade Cargill & Red Velvet by pinfall.
- Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal promise to win the Tag Team Titles on Friday in a No Holds Barred match at Battle of the Belts V
AEW TNT Championship: Samoa Joe (c) vs. Darby Allin
Nick Wayne was in the front row for this match and Samoa Joe decided to tease attacking him early on, leading to Allin diving out onto Joe and attacking him with his skateboard. Once the match got in the ring, Samoa Joe took control. Darby would fight back with sleeper hold attempts, but Joe would continue to overpower him. Darby would get in a roll-up attempt but Samoa Joe is able to pop in the rear naked choke. Darby was able to fight out of it the first time but he would quickly find himself in it again and was once again able to power out of it, utilizing an exposed turnbuckle to hit a code red on Samoa Joe and then 2 Coffin Drops to recapture the championship.
Winner and new champion: Darby Allin by pinfall.
- After the match, Sting celebrated with the new TNT Champion to close the show.
