The John Report: AEW Dynamite 01/01/25 Review

This week’s AEW Dynamite featured Jon Moxley’s Death Riders against Adam Copeland and FTR in a six-man tag main event.

Happy New Year, my friends. AEW presented the Worlds End PPV last Saturday, which featured some great matches as usual. The new year also means AEW’s shows are simulcast on the Max streaming service for those you in the US. It doesn’t change anything for me in Canada. However, AEW Collision on Saturdays is finally on TV here in Canada on a rebranded USA Network, so at least I could watch it regularly if I wanted to. I will most likely record it most weeks and I’m going to try writing condensed reviews too. Anyway, the next AEW PPV is Revolution on March 9, so they will have over two months to build up to that show.

This episode is being called “Fight for the Fallen” since they were raising money for North Carolina residents who were hit hard by Hurricane Helene last September. Check out AEW Together for more info on how to help.

This was AEW Dynamite episode #274 from the Harrah’s Cherokee Center in Asheville, North Carolina. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

It’s Wednesday and you know what that means. Excalibur was on commentary with Tony Schiavone aka the kiss ass “everything is amazing” announcers. They didn’t go with a third man in the booth this week. They had a crowd of about 3,300 people for this show according to Wrestletix, which is a solid crowd for AEW.

The new AEW Dynamite theme song is “I’m So Excited” from The Pointer Sisters from over 40 years ago.

Analysis: Do I think it’s a good thing to have a theme song that is so old? No. It doesn’t come across as cool. I’m not saying it’s a bad song. I’m saying it’s old and represents a different era, not some new alternative in pro wrestling.

A promo aired from Jon Moxley with his Death Riders group. Moxley said that Marina Shafir took a bullet tonight because she has an iron will and stands with him. Moxley said that he dragged this company through a pandemic and he’s taken bullet after bullet for this company. Moxley said that he’ll destroy the AEW World Title before somebody gets their fingers on it. Moxley said that he knows what Adam Copeland is all about. Moxley said he was the king and Copeland was just the loudest guy in the ring.

Rated FTR’s Adam Copeland and FTR did a promo talking about how they are going to fight for the people of North Carolina. Copeland said he’s sicker than Moxley. They are in action later.

Analysis: All of this should lead to a Jon Moxley-Adam Copeland match that will probably be at Revolution in two months, so they have a lot of time to build up to it.

Orange Cassidy vs. “Hangman” Adam Page

They both lost in the AEW World Title match at Worlds End. There is a higher angle for the main camera probably because of the building setup.

The first minute saw them go for signature moves, but the other guy kept avoiding the moves. Page worked over Orange with chops followed by a clothesline. Page hit a side belly-to-belly slam for two. Page hit a springboard lariat that knocked Orange off the apron to the floor. Page sent Orange into the barricade and Page sent Orange into another barricade. Orange hit a back body drop on Page on the floor. Orange worked over Page with the ten punch combo. Back in the ring, Page caught a leaping Orange and Page sent Orange crashing into the turnbuckle. Orange came back with a running kick to the chest. Page tried a move, but Orange hit the Stundog Millionaire leading to Page bumping to the floor. Orange went for a suicide dive, Page caught him and Page hit a fallaway slam on the floor.

(Commercial)

Page was in control with a rolling elbow to the jaw. Orange laid down on the mat and rolled out of the ring to avoid the Buckshot Lariat. Page kicked Orange on the floor, but Orange came back with a suicide dive. Page sent Orange into the barricade again. Orange rolled to the apron again. Orange put his hands in his pockets, the dumb fans cheered and Orange hit a dropkick. Orange sent Page into the turnbuckle a few times. Orange went up top, Page caught him and Orange countered a move with a DDT. Orange hit a second jumping DDT for two. Page hit a lariat. Page wet for a Buckshot Lariat, but Orange countered it with a Beach Break slam for two. Orange hit the Orange Punch two times in a row. Page was on the apron, Page kicked Orange, who hit a third Orange Punch and Page came back with a Buckshot Lariat for the pinfall win after 13 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: “Hangman” Adam Page

Analysis: ***1/2 I thought it was a great match with questionable selling. I say that because Orange uses the Orange Punch as a finisher and he hit that punch three times, yet Hangman basically no sold it leading to the Buckshot Lariat for the win. What’s the point of finishing moves if guys are going to no sell them? I don’t know. Anyway, I’m fine with Hangman winning because he’s lost too much of late.

After the match, Page beat up Orange with punches. Page hit the Deadeye slam two times in a row. Whenever Page does that, it makes me feel bad for his knees more than his opponent. Anyway, Christopher Daniels and the referees tried to stop Page, so Page punched Daniels. Page stomped on Daniels as well.

Analysis: That puts Page back in the heel role after being a bit of a babyface going into Worlds End against Jon Moxley.

Jay White did a backstage promo about how he planned to start 2025 as the AEW World Champion, but Wheeler Yuta cost White the AEW World Title at Worlds End. White said he’ll promise Wheeler he’ll show him how he feels. White said next week in the Casino Gauntlet he’s going to get his path to Moxley. White talked trash about Swerve Strickland and Roderick Strong about their triple threat match later.

During The Acclaimed’s entrance, Max Caster and Anthony Bowens bickered during a pre-tape. Max didn’t do a rap. Bowens and Max argued about how Max accidentally hit Bowens during a match that I didn’t see.

The Hurt Syndicate – Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin (w/MVP) vs. The Acclaimed – Max Caster & Anthony Bowens

Lashley was aggressive against Caster with kicks and an overhead suplex across the ring. Lashley hit a neckbreaker. Lashley worked over Caster with multiple shoulder tackles and Lashley clotheslined Caster out of the ring. Shelton tagged in to beat up Caster on the floor by sending Caster into barricade a few times. Bowens got the tag, he punched Shelton a few times and kicked him in the ribs. After Bowens did some kicks, Caster tagged in and the fans booed. Shelton nailed Caster with three German Suplexes while Bowens went off the apron to the floor. Shelton hit a fourth German Suplex along with a running knee. Lashley tagged in with a Spear on Caster along with a Spinebuster. Lashley applied the Hurt Lock full nelson for the tapout win. It went about four minutes.

Winners by submission: The Hurt Syndicate – Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin

Analysis: * A squash tag team match to put over THS as a dominant group while The Acclaimed are falling apart. Caster is going to be on his own soon while Lashley & Benjamin looked dominant as a duo even though they’ll be in singles most of the time.

Swerve Strickland, with Prince Nana, was interviewed by Alex Marvez. Swerve said that he’s been distracted the last few weeks, but tonight he’ll get back to doing what he does best and he’ll show why 2024 belonged to him. Swerve said tonight it starts in this three-way leading to a Casino Gauntlet match. Prince said “Happy New Year, everybody” to end it.

(Commercial)

Jamie Hayter vs. Julia Hart

Hayter was in control early with a hip toss into a slam. Hayter hit a running clothesline. Hart sent Hayter out of the ring, Hayter caught Hart on the floor and Hayter blocked it when Hart sent Hayter into the steel steps. Hart managed to send Hayter back-first onto the steel steps.

(Commercial)

The match returned with Hayter in control with punches and a back elbow. Hayter hit a backbreaker onto the knee for two. Hayter took way too long to charge, so Hart got her feet up to stop a charging Hayter. Hart jumped off the top with a moonsault, Hayter moved and Hart did a back heel trip. Hart applied her Hartless submission move lightly and Hayter kicked her way free. Hayter hit a Death Valley Driver onto the knee and Hayter hit a lariat for a two count. The crowd woke up for that. Hayter was up on the middle turnbuckle, but Hart tripped her up. Hayter was holding her left side after the fall. Hart brought an arrow into the ring, the referee took it and Hayter sprayed the black mist into the eyes. Hart covered Hayter for the pinfall win. It went about 10 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Julia Hart

Analysis: **1/2 This match was built up for a month or so and they went on to have a very average TV match in front of a quiet crowd. It was a cheap win for the heel Hart and it will probably lead to another match between them down the road. Hayter used to be so popular with the fans, but ever since she came back the reactions have been mild. I like Hayter. I just think creatively AEW has done nothing with her.

After the match, Hayter did a good job of selling the dreaded mist in the eyes.

A video aired about Will Ospreay beating Kyle Fletcher in the Continental Classic semifinals. They are now 1-1 in their rivalry.

Analysis: It should lead to a third match between Will and Kyle. They could wait until

(Commercial0

There was a video about Kazuchika Okada winning the Continental Classic to retain his Continental Championship. Kenny Omega returned to present the title to Okada.

That led to a video about Kenny Omega coming back to AEW Dynamite next week.

Kazuchika Okada was featured in a video. Okada talked about winning the Continental Classic proving he’s the best tournament wrestler alive. Okada said “nice try” to Will Ospreay. Okada wondered how many times he had to beat Omega. Okada told Kenny Omega to stay out of his business…bitch.

Analysis: They are obviously building to an Omega-Okada match. It will be interesting to see if they save it for All In during the summer or if they do it earlier.

Let’s Hear from Mercedes Mone

The TBS Champion Mercedes Mone was in the ring for a celebration. Mone had the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship in the ring with her. Mone said that she is the greatest TBS Champion to ever exist. Mone said it was an amazing 2024, so she had a video package for us. Mone said happy new year to only her and a video package aired about her.

Mone said if you thought 2024 was money, just wait until you see what she does this year. Mone said that at Wrestle Dynasty on January 5th, she’ll put her NJPW Strong Women’s Championship. Mone said she was coming for that Rev Pro Championship and said money changes everything. Mone had some champagne to end this.

Analysis: Yawn. The fans barely reacted when she mentioned Wrestle Dynasty and the match with Mina Shirakawa. It was a quick promo, but it didn’t accomplish much.

There was a brief video about how to donate to the disaster relief efforts in Asheville, NC after the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene a few months ago. They showed Dax Harwood handing out some checks donating to some causes. That’s nice.

Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly and Roderick Strong were interviewed by Alex Marvez. Cole said that the Undisputed Kingdom feels damn good because they are now complete. Kyle said that they can compete in trios, tag team, singles and triple threat matches. Strong said tonight he’ll win and guarantee himself in the Casino Gauntlet match next week and in there, it’s every man for himself.

Analysis: Good luck to this group. I don’t know if Matt Taven & Mike Bennett are in it because they were not shown in that interview, but I assume they are. AEW has too many stables already, so I have my doubts about this group really standing out a lot.

Roderick Strong vs. Jay White vs. Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana)

The winner of this match gets to be in the Casino Gauntlet Match next week on Dynamite. The winner of that will get an AEW World Title match.

Swerve clotheslined White out of the ring. Swerve did a hiptoss to Strong followed by a suplex. Swerve did a backflip over the top onto White on the floor. Back in the ring, Swerve hit an elbow to White’s back. White hit a double DDT on both opponents. White sent Swerve out of the ring and dumped Strong out of the ring. White suplexed Swerve onto the apron and a front suplex to Strong on the apron. Strong gave White a backbreaker. Strong tossed White over the top onto Swerve on the floor.

(Commercial)

The match returned with a belly to back Tower of Doom suplex off the turnbuckle with White taking a big fall. Swerve hit a backbreaker on Strong and tossed Strong into White. Swerve hit a powerslam on White for a two count. Strong hit a double knee attack on Swerve. Strong hit an Olympic Slam and a Tiger Driver. Swerve was back in the ring with a jumping stomp to the chest of Strong. White was back in, Swerve sent White into Strong and Swerve hit a flatliner on White. Swerve went up top, Strong stopped him there and Swerve kicked Strong on the floor. Swerve walked across the barricade leading to a kick on White. Ricochet showed up in the crowd wearing a suit and punched Swerve with scissors in his hands. Obviously the scissors didn’t touch Swerve, but Swerve did a blade job to sell the attack. No DQ’s in a triple threat, so it didn’t stop the match. White and Strong went back into the ring and White hit a Bladerunner for the pinfall win. It went about 11 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Jay White

Analysis: **3/4 This was an average match with a flat finish. The fans cared about Swerve while they barely reacted to the other two guys. The finish got almost no reaction. Strong was just there to get his ass beat up and take the fall. They obviously didn’t want to have Swerve do the job, so that’s why it was booked as a triple threat.

Ricochet attacked Swerve with the scissors, which you can easily protect because Ricochet held them in his hands. Ricochet worked over Swerve with punches and Ricochet had a white dress shirt, so the red blood was on his shirt. Ricochet sent Nana into the steel steps followed by a gentle chair shot to the back. Ricochet put Swerve on a chair and hit his Spirit Gun clothesline. The Undisputed Era’s Cole, O’Reilly and Strong finally went into the ring so Ricochet left. The fans were booing. Swerve was selling while the other wrestlers and the AEW doctor checked on him.

Analysis: This feud had been brewing for weeks so it wasn’t a surprise to see Ricochet attack Swerve like that. There is a logical issue because there are so many attacks in AEW where fights get broken up early, but this one took a few minutes until help arrived. It worked in terms of getting Ricochet some heat because the fans hate the guy. Also, I think Ricochet needed to do something more vicious than a running clothesline. It doesn’t look like a deadly move or anything like that, especially from a shorter guy like him. Anyway, I did like it overall as a way to get heat on Ricochet as a heel. He’s doing well in that role.

(Commercial)

Jeff Jarrett walked in to talk with Jay Lethal, Sonjay Dutt & Satnam Singh about Jeff’s announcement. Karen Jarrett walked in saying this business brought them together and it also broke Jeff multiple times. Karen said that what he wants is what she wants and she said they are unbreakable. Jeff hugged his wife. Karen handed Jeff his wrestling boots.

Analysis: It’s a tease of Jeff Jarrett making an announcement. On another note, how much money has Satnam Singh been paid by AEW to barely do anything for years? Nice life.

Mariah May was backstage with her AEW Women’s World Title. May sarcastically said she thinks the women’s division is great. May said that she had more matches than any woman in the company and none of the other women cracked the top ten. May said she did her job better than any other woman alive. May said she made it look so easy. May said that she is the epic and now it’s time for the greatest women’s division to prove themselves to her. May told the other women to work for it and said that they can’t touch her.

Analysis: They did book Mariah May very well last year and she is a good performer in the ring too. I like her as one of my favorite women in AEW. They don’t have the best women’s division in wrestling or even close to it, but May is fun to watch.

Let’s Hear from Jeff Jarrett

There was a guitar in the ring and Jeff Jarrett walked out with wrestling boots. Jeff said that there are so many things that he has to be thankful for in his career. There were some “Double J” chants. Jeff said it’s sad for him to think about things coming to an end. Jeff spoke about how for the Jarrett family it started in 1946 in Nashville when his grandmother sold pro wrestling tickets. Jeff said that decision changed his life, his father’s life and his entire family’s life forever. Jeff said that his grandma became the CFO of the Tennessee territory and then her dad got into the business. Jeff said that his father became a popular wrestler who went on to buy the promotion. Jeff said that his dad promoted in the Tennessee territory for 40 years. Jeff said that he got into the business in 1986 after dropping out of college basketball. Jeff said in 2002, he bet on himself and launched his own promotion (TNA Wrestling) and in his professional opinion, they have produced some of the greatest pro wrestlers of all time.

Jeff picked up the boots and the fans chanted “no” at him. Jeff said that as a 12-time World Heavyweight Champion and two-time Hall of Famer, he has to ask himself if The Last Outlaw should just ride off into the sunset? Jeff said that the answer is: “Hell no!” Jeff said that the thought that keeps going through his mind is that when he takes the biggest risks, he gets the biggest reward. Jeff said that he re-signed with AEW for his last pro wrestling contract. Jeff said he wanted one more ride. Jeff said he wants AEW gold. Jeff said that he wanted to take the biggest risk of his career and he could fall flat on his face while saying he wanted to be in the Casino Gauntlet Match. Jeff said on January 1st, 2025, his New Year’s Resolution is he wants to become the AEW World Heavyweight Champion. Jarrett’s music played after that.

Analysis: I looked it up and Jeff Jarrett is 57 years old. He is still in great shape, but he’s also older than anybody in AEW. I think as a storyline It will be interesting to see how far they go with it because I would be stunned if Jeff won the AEW World Title. I think they could book something where he gets a title shot and comes close to winning. I wouldn’t mind seeing him get a title shot and have some false finishes because it would be fun to see the crowd react. If it was me, I’d book that title match in Nashville, TN to get him the hometown pop. Just saying. With that said, why not use younger talent better? Guys like Malakai Black, Brody King or what about Ricky Starks? There are so many people doing nothing in this company and now we’re giving TV time to Jeff Jarrett. You need to attract younger fans, AEW.

Hook was featured in a promo with a message for Christian Cage saying he’s not finished. Hook told Christian to ask Nick Wayne how the Red Rum felt because Hook was coming for him.

It’s on for Dynamite Maximum Carnage in two weeks: Hook vs. Christian Cage.

Analysis: Maximum Carnage sounds like a straight to VHS 1990s Steven Seagal movie. Remember when Hook feuded with Chris Jericho, won the feud and it was supposed to elevate Hook? It didn’t work.

Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Rob Killjoy and Jon Cruz

Hobbs nailed one of the guys with a clothesline. Hobbs hit multiple running splashes and a powerslam. Hobbs hit a spinebuster on poor Killjoy. Hobbs gave Cruz a spinebuster on Cruz and pinned both guys at the same time.

Winner by pinfall: Powerhouse Hobbs

Analysis: Squash. It gives Hobbs a win after losing at Worlds End.

Big Bill and Bryan Keith were interviewed by Alex Marvez. Bill said that this place is good and Keith said “it’s ight” (alright) as if to say alright. Bill said that Chris Jericho is not coming. Bill insulted Adam Copeland and FTR, who were standing nearby. Bill trashed Adam and FTR telling them they needed to be taken down a notch. Keith called Adam a ”Rated R dumbass.” Adam told Bill his face is stupid. Adam said that this Saturday on Collision, let’s do Rated FTR against the Learning Tree.

Analysis: It was a quick backstage segment to set up a match on AEW Collision.

There was an image shown of wrestling legend Sweet Daddy Siki passing away. Rest in peace.

(Commercial)

A clip was shown from after AEW Worlds End where a bloody MJF bragging about his win over Adam Cole. MJF claimed that finally the chapter of his rivalry with Cole comes to a close. MJF said it’s time for the next chapter. MJF said that he didn’t lose the AEW World Title fairly and now it’s being paraded around in a briefcase. MJF asked Jon Moxley what’s a king to a God? MJF reminded Moxley that he’s the Devil. MJF said that he didn’t care what Moxley does to the company because, in 2025, the Devil gets his due…part two.

Analysis: I think MJF was my favorite AEW World Champion in company history. It was the longest reign in AEW history and he was the most entertaining champion. I don’t think he’s going to beat Moxley for the title, but it’s a good thing to have a top guy like MJF going after the AEW World Title.

It was main event time as the Death Riders group of AEW World Champion, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, and Marina Shafir made their entrance in the back part of the arena. Shafir had the AEW World Title in a briefcase. I guess Pac has been home in England for the holidays since he has missed a few weeks.

FTR’s Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler made their entrance. They were joined by Adam Copeland, who is back in action for the first time since last May when he broke his leg. Copeland is now called “Rated R Superstar” Cope rather than the Adam Copeland.

Analysis: My thoughts on the Cope name are that I get that it’s shorter and he probably likes that, but it’s not like Adam Copeland is that long. At least Cope is a better name than Land. I used to write “Adam” during play-by-play of his matches because it’s shorter. It’s what I do, but now I can use Cope. Thanks Cope.

Rated FTR – Cope, Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler vs. Death Riders – Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta (w/Marina Shafir)

Dax worked over Yuta with hard chops to the chest. Dax hit a back body drop followed by more chops. Cope tagged in against Claudio leading to Cope doing a hiptoss over the top to the floor. Cope hit a running dropkick on the floor. Cope sent Claudio back into the ring and Shafir shoved Cope face first into the ring post.

Analysis: So how long until Cope’s wife Beth Copeland (Phoenix) shows up in AEW to fight with Marina Shafr? It’s probably coming this month or next month.

(Commercial)

Claudio was in control of Cope with a boot to the throat and Moxley tagged in leading to punches. Claudio was back in for some strikes. Yuta tagged in leading to Cope hitting a back body drop. Cash tagged in with a cross body block, a dropkick and a spinning belly-to-back suplex. Cash ran the ropes leading to a powerslam for a two count. Dax was back in, Claudio was in illegally with a boot and Dax gave Claudio a brainbuster. Yuta rolled up Dax for two. Dax rolled up Yuta for two. Dax jumped off the middle rope with a cross body block. Yuta picked up Dax leading to a slam. Dax set up Yuta on the top rope leading to a belly-to-back suplex off the top and Dax got a slow cover two count because Claudio broke up the pin. Claudio sent Wheeler out of the ring and hit a running boot on Cope. Moxley did a necksnap on Dax off the top, Claudio hit a powerslam (he was still in the ring illegally) and legal man Yuta hit a top rope splash for two.

(Commercial)

It was Dax’s turn as the face in peril, so Yuta tagged in and Dax hit a belly-to-back suplex. Claudio was back in with a boot to send Cash down and Cope did a necksnap on Claudio. Dax broke free to bring in Cope against Moxley, so they had a showdown and the fans came alive. Cope and Moxley exchanged strikes leading to Cope hitting an Impaler DDT. Cope set up for a Spear, but Moxley left the ring. Cope punched Moxley over the barricade and the referee Paul Turner went after them in the crowd, which is not the way things should go. The referee. Cope and Moxley went back to ringside while Yuta went in to lose the match for his team. You knew it was coming at that point. Yuta hit a DDT on Cope. Yuta did the worst charging attack ever leading to Cope hitting a Ligerbomb for two. Moxley and Claudio tripped up Cope leading to a ball smash into the ring post. Cash went for a dive, but Claudio hit an uppercut. Claudio knocked down Dax on the floor. Moxley set up Cope on the commentary table, the referee was out of the ring for some reason and Jay White gave Yuta a Bladerunner in the ring. Cope gave Moxley a back body drop on the commentary table. Cope hit Moxley with a Spear on the floor that broke through a barricade. The director nearly missed it. Cash sent Claudio out of the ring. FTR hit a Shatter Machine on Yuta and Cope hit a Spear on Yuta for the pinfall win. It went about 19 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Rated FTR – Cope, Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler

Analysis: ***1/4 It was a pretty good TV main event although I wouldn’t say it got to that next level where I would call it a great match. The shitty refereeing, which is typical in an AEW tag team match, hurt the match as well. It was fine for what it needed to be as a match to put over the babyfaces. I don’t think anybody watching this would be shocked that Wheeler Yuta ate the pin in this match. Tony Schiavone tried to put it over as a great match, but it wasn’t close to that.

After the match, they showed highlights of the key spots toward the end of the match.

Rated FTR celebrated the win in the ring. That was the end of the show.

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Three Stars of the Show

1. “Hangman” Adam Page
2. Rated FTR – Cope, Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler
3. Orange Cassidy.

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The Scoreboard

This Week: 7.25 out of 10

Last Week: 7.5

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Final Thoughts on AEW Dynamite

The show was good for the most part although it felt like a lot of bigger names were missing. That’s because it was New Year’s Day and they probably let people stay home if they weren’t part of the show. The matches were okay, but I don’t think anything stood out. The Ricochet angle with Swerve was one of the better parts of the show although Ricochet hitting a clothesline doesn’t look that deadly.

I like Jeff Jarrett and respect him, but in 2025 are they going to devote a lot of time to a 57-year-old? Use your younger talent. You need to try to attract younger fans and old man Jeff isn’t going to lead to a rise in audience. I don’t know where this company’s priorities are sometimes. They also have a song from the 1980s as their opener. Why? Aim for the younger crowd. Anyway, we’ll see how the story plays out.

The 6-man tag main event was done to make the fans happy because Rated FTR got the easy win over the Death Riders. That match had the most obvious finish ever with Cope beating Yuta for the win.

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Thanks for reading. Go Los Angeles Rams, Toronto Raptors and Toronto Maple Leafs. You can contact me using any of the methods below.

John Canton

Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com

Twitter/X: @johnreport