The John Report: AEW Dynamite 01/22/25 Review
This week’s AEW Dynamite featured Adam Copeland in action against Pac while Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay talk face-to-face in the ring.
There were some travel issues for some people involved in AEW as mentioned by Tony Khan on social media. Tony also announced that Samoa Joe’s match against Nick Wayne was postponed due to the weather issues involving the snow that has hit some southern US cities that aren’t used to that kind of weather. It’s -15 C where I live in southern Ontario, Canada, but we are used to it. In climates that aren’t used to it, that sort of thing can have a major impact in a negative way.
This was AEW Dynamite episode #276 from the Knoxville Coliseum in Knoxville, Tennessee. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.
It’s Wednesday and you know what that means. The commentary team was Excalibur, Tony Schiavone and Taz. The crowd was about 2600 people in attendance according to Wrestletix.
Face to Face: Will Ospreay and Kenny Omega
Tony Schiavone was in the ring where he introduced Will Ospreay first followed by Kenny Omega for a heavily promoted “face to face” segment. Will talked to Kenny saying it’s good that he’s not dead. That’s nice to say. Will talked about how he keeps running the Don Callis Family and he can’t do it on his own anymore. Will said they knew they had their differences, so Omega took the microphone.
Omega said that Will didn’t remember the last time they faced eachother in the ring. Omega said it was Forbidden Door when Ospreay dropped Omega on his head to nearly break his neck and used a screwdriver like Don Callis used on Omega months before. Omega said that it was all because Will was trying to prove that he was the best and better than Omega. Kenny said he didn’t believe Will was better than him back then and didn’t believe Will was better than him. Omega said diverticulitis almost killed him, so that is what made people notice Will. Omega said that there’s no chance in hell he’ll help Will because he’ll never trust somebody like him…bruv.
Analysis: It pushes the idea that Ospreay and Omega still don’t get along, but Ospreay is trying to make the point that he needs help against their common enemies.
The Don Callis Family made their presence felt as Konosuke Takeshita and Kyle Fletcher attacked Omega and Ospreay in the ring. After Omega sent Takeshita out of the ring, he wanted a dive, but Fletcher hit Omega with a dive. Ospreay was on the floor, so Fletcher kicked Ospreay over the barricade. Fletcher dove over the barricade onto Ospreay on the floor. Ospreay tried to fight back against Fletcher, but Lance Archer hit Ospreay with a low blow as they fought by the fans. Archer nailed Ospreay with a forearm and they went in the concourse area of the building. The other Callis Family guys were fighting Omega like Brian Cage, but Omega tried to fight back. Ospreay was fighting with Archer in the merchandise section. Archer grabbed Ospreay across the throat, but Omega was there to help Ospreay. Omega and Ospreay suplexed the big man Archer through the table. Cage and Fletcher beat up Ospreay some more while Takeshita grabbed Omega. There was nobody around to try to stop this fighting except for the useless referees giving time cues to the talent. I could hear them. They did a spot where Ospreay climbed a barricade and hit a moonsault onto the heels while Omega hit a moonsault off a metal truss as well.
Kenny Omega said that you just saw what they did to Don Callis’ boys. Callis and his group were in the aisle. Omega said that the next time they get the chance, they’re going to put Callis down under. Omega said maybe he should apologize and said he should have trusted Ospreay from the beginning. Ospreay said that on AEW Grand Slam in Australia it will be Omega & Ospreay against Fletcher & Takeshita. Omega’s music played before he could say his catchphrase, but then Omega’s music stopped. Omega did his catchphrase to end it while saying he was scared of heights also. The fans loved it.
Analysis: This was a solid brawling segment that lasted a long time without anybody trying to break it up. That was done that way so that Ospreay and Omega could hit their big highspots. It was obviously building to the tag team match and now we know it’s at AEW Grand Slam Australia on February 15. That sounds good to me.
There was a video about the Cope-Pac main event match showing some of Pac’s career highlights.
Jon Moxley was backstage with his Death Riders group including Marina Shafir and Wheeler Yuta. Jon spoke about how it’s his buddy Pac facing Adam Copeland in the main event. Jon talked about how there are plenty of weak, pathetic creatures on here, so they would be glad to throw Adam Copeland’s head on the pile. Moxley said that Copeland’s neck is hanging on by a threat while talking about what he did to Bryan Danielson and Darby Allin too. Moxley said that he wouldn’t lose sleep if Copeland got some bad news the next time he saw his doctor. Moxley said he doesn’t sleep much because there’s too much work to do and they are building to the future.
Analysis: There was a lot of rambling in that promo and it really wasn’t that interesting, but at least he’s focused on his rivalry with Adam Copeland. That’s obviously going to be the match at the Revolution in PPV, but it’s not official yet.
AEW World Tag Team Championships: Private Party – Zay & Quen vs. The Hurt Syndicate – Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin (w/MVP)
MVP joined commentary. I like The Hurt Syndicate, but they’ve only won one match as a team in AEW and they already get a title shot. That seems pretty easy.
Lashley was in control early with a clothesline on Zay. Shelton tagged in for his team leading to Zay hitting a Tornado DDT. Quen tagged in leading to a double team move that was a senton bomb/neckbreaker combo. Lashley grabbed Quen, so Zay knocked Lashley off the apron. Shelton was sent out of the ring. The champions tried dives, but Lashley and Shelton hit suplexes on Zay and Quen on the floor. Lashley gave Zay a spinebuster onto the hood of the commentary table, which broke the table. MVP: “We hurt people!” They went to a picture-in-picture break.
(Commercial)
There was a short break as Lashley hit a forearm to knock Quen off the apron to the floor. Zay was still out on the broken table. Shelton sent Quen into the apron and barricade, so the fans chanted “one more time” and Shelton did it again, which drew cheers. Shelton launched Quen with an overhead suplex for two because Zay made the save. Shelton and Lashley worked over Quen a bit more until Zay got the tag. Zay hit a dropkick on Shelton followed by a flatliner after Zay jumped off the middle turnbuckle. Quen hit a 450 Splash off the top even though he wasn’t legal and Zay covered for two because Lashley made the save. Shelton hit a spinning kick to the head. Lashley tagged back in, the champions each kicked Lashley and Zay covered Lashley for two. Lashley got back up with a Spear on Zay for two because Quen made the save. Shelton gave Quen two German Suplexes in a row. Lashley gave Quen a massive spinebuster. Shelton hit a running knee lift on Zay. Lashley hit a Spear on Zay for the pinfall win. Lashley covered Zay for the win so The Hurt Syndicate are the new Tag Team Champions. It went about 9 minutes.
Winners by pinfall AND NEW AEW Tag Team Champions: The Hurt Syndicate – Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin
Analysis: **1/2 It felt like a squash tag team match in a lot of ways. Lashley took out Zay with the slam through the table and Private Party never really came close to winning the match after that. Private Party’s title win over The Young Bucks a few months ago was a big deal, but their title reign was forgettable.
After the match, The Hurt Syndicate celebrated with the AEW Tag Team Titles. Mark Briscoe was at ringside to encourage Private Party after their loss.
A video package aired about Mariah May bragging about being the AEW World Champion. The first ever Women’s Casino Gauntlet match was won by Toni Storm, so May said it was fine because she beat Storm in the past and she’ll beat her again. May said everybody will realize that you don’t deserve her.
Toni Storm was interviewed by Renee Paquette backstage. Storm said she was so nervous to meet Toni Storm on Collision. Harley Cameron wished Storm good luck. Storm encouraged Cameron saying she could be in a match in Australia too and they said some Aussie phrases together. Storm said she’ll her in Australia and Harley said yeah.
This Saturday on AEW Collision, Mariah May meets Toni Storm. Their AEW Women’s World Title match is on AEW Grand Slam on February 15th in Australia.
Analysis: It’s a silly gimmick with Toni Storm forgetting that she’s a three-time AEW Women’s Champion and had success as “Timeless” Toni Storm. I know fans enjoy it because of how silly it is, so that’s cool. My prediction is Storm reveals she was faking the whole thing and she’ll beat Storm for the title when they meet at AEW Grand Slam Australia because Storm grew up in Australia.
(Commercial)
Jeff Jarrett was about to be interviewed by Alex Marvez, but Karen Jarrett interrupted. Karen said that she didn’t like what Jeff did and said with MJF last week. Jeff said he’s got it, he kissed his wife on the forehead and went to the ring.
Let’s Hear from Jeff Jarrett
It’s Jeff Jarrett promo time again for the third week in a row. Jeff said it was great to be back in the Volunteer State, which is his home state. Jeff said one of his greatest mentors came to his mind, “The King” Jerry Lawler. Jeff talked about how early in his career, Lawler and these other guys kicked his ass and trash talked him. Jeff said that Jerry advised him not to ever get in the gutter with your opponent. Jeff said that sometimes it’s great to come back home to remember who you are. Jeff said that MJF will find out who the Last Outlaw is. Jeff said that they are going to settle this southern style while claiming it will be no lights and no cameras. Jeff said he’ll take Max out to the woodshed to beat his ass. Jeff said that the fans inspired him, they gave him the juice to get him in the Owen Hart Cup last year and they gave him a gift. Jeff said that the fans gave this 57-year-old man the gift to believe that he can become the AEW World Champion. Jeff mentioned Jon Moxley and told him to come out here to talk.
The Death Riders music played, Jeff looked around to the back of the arena and Claudio Castagnoli was there to deck Jeff with an uppercut. Claudio said that nobody gets to Jon Moxley without getting through Claudio first. Claudio told Jeff to stay out of their business. Claudio went over the barricade.
Jeff told Claudio that you’re going to have to kill Jeff to stop him. Jeff said that Mox was his target. Jeff suggests that if he beats Claudio’s ass next week then Jeff gets his World Title shot. Claudio said that beating Jeff lifeless is an interesting proposition so he’ll see him next week. Jeff said it’s on next week in Huntsville, Alabama. Jeff’s music played to end it.
Analysis: This storyline of 57-year-old Jeff Jarrett continues to get a lot of TV time and now he gets a World Title shot if he wins one match. Shouldn’t AEW be appealing more to younger fans who want to see exciting wrestlers in the ring? Instead, it’s Jeff Jarrett every week. I don’t get it. The fans barely reacted when he thanked them for supporting him, which is probably because Jeff was a heel for most of the last 40 years. Anyway, it sounds like Claudio will put over Jeff next week on Dynamite in their match because then Jeff will get his World Title match. I guess Claudio could win and make it tougher on Jeff to get a title shot.
(Commercial)
There was a quick video about Megan Bayne being in the Casino Gauntlet Match on Dynamite last week, so she’s somebody to keep her eye on in the future.
Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana) vs. AR Fox
I don’t remember the last time Fox had a match on Dynamite. It’s been a long time.
They battled over a suplex spot, Swerve sent Fox out of the ring and Swerve did a moonsault onto Fox on the floor. Back in the ring, Swerve went for an elbow, but Fox kicked him in the shoulder. Swerve ran over Fox with a shoulder tackle. Swerve hit a suplex. That led to a picture-in-picture break.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Swerve hitting Fox with a backbreaker. Fox left the ring, Swerve tried to follow and Fox hit a DDT from the apron. Fox jumped off the turnbuckle with a moonsault onto Fox. Swerve nailed Fox with a powerslam. Swerve was in control with an uppercut to the back. Ricochet showed up at ringside with his DREADED SCISSORS, but Swerve saw him and Ricochet left. Nana chased Ricochet to the back while carrying some sort of weapon. Fox hit a move like a Spanish Fly off the top for two. Fox went for a 450 Splash, but Swerve moved out of the way. Fox got a rollup for two. Swerve hit a jumping flatliner and a House Call kick. Swerve jumped off the top with the Swerve Stomp for the pinfall win after 9 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Swerve Strickland
Analysis: **3/4 An easy win for Swerve. AR Fox got some offense, but he had no shot here.
After the match, Swerve extended his hand to try to help Fox up since they used to be friends.
Ricochet appeared on the video screen saying that next week, you will be forced to hear what he had to say. Ricochet had his scissors by the throat of Nana. Ricochet said that Nana needs to tell Swerve that this may be his house, but the rent is due. Ricochet left.
Analysis: The audio was bad during that promo from Ricochet. They need to fix that. Anyway, the Swerve/Ricochet feud is one of the better stories in AEW right now. I like both guys.
The ROH World Champion Chris Jericho was backstage with his buddies Big Bill and Bryan Keith. Jericho talked about how they lost on Collision while mentioning Powerhouse Hobbs. Big Bill said some line about learning, so Jericho said that they lost last week because of Will Hobbs. Jericho asked Bill what is he going to do? Bill said that Hobbs may have won the match, but he didn’t beat Bill because he can’t beat Bill. Bill said he’s the biggest and baddest man in this company and in this industry. Bill said this Saturday in Jacksonville, he’s coming to find Hobbs.
Analysis: It was a decent promo from Big Bill to challenge Powerhouse Hobbs to a match on AEW Collision this Saturday.
There was a wrestler in the ring for a match, but MJF’s music hit and MJF told him to get out of the ring.
Let’s Hear from Maxwell Jacob Friedman
MJF said that Jeff Jarrett should give an apology after his words last week. MJF talked about his past offer to help Jeff Jarrett become AEW World Champion and give MJF the first AEW World Title match. MJF said that he thought Jeff would be the easiest to manipulate and the easiest to beat. MJF said that the fact that Jeff actually thinks in 2025 that he can be AEW World Champion without MJF’s help shows that Jeff is about as senile as he looks. MJF mentioned Claudio Castagnoli beating Jeff’s brains in next week. MJF said that professional wrestling doesn’t love Jeff anymore, so some fans booed that. MJF said that the fans don’t even love Jeff anymore. There was a weak “Double J” chant that didn’t exist when Jeff was out there. MJF said that sometimes you’re better off making a deal with The Devil instead of defying him.
Analysis: That was a quick promo from MJF trying to get the fans to like Jeff Jarrett. There was a brief “Double J” chant, but it wasn’t that loud. There have been so many MJF promos in front of hot crowds that hate him, yet in this feud and in current AEW, there just aren’t big reactions for MJF like there used to be. That’s because this storyline is not working that well.
“Hangman” Adam Page made his entrance with the announcers saying Page was scheduled for a match against the guy that MJF told to leave the ring. Page got in MJF’s face, told MJF to leave and MJF left.
“Hangman” Adam Page vs. Tyler Shoop
Page beat up Shoop with punches and a lariat was enough to get the pinfall win after about ten seconds.
Winner by pinfall: “Hangman” Adam Page
Analysis: Squash city.
After the match, Page hit the Angel’s Wings move which was Christopher Daniels’s finisher. Page beat Daniels last week on Collision in Daniels’ last match.
Christopher Daniels showed up wearing a neckbrace. Daniels said he didn’t want to fight him. Page got in Daniels’ face. Daniels said that he regrets fighting him. Daniels said that after that Texas Death Match and that last Buckshot Lariat, Daniels’ doctors advised him to never wrestle again. Daniels told Page that he won the last match that Daniels would ever wrestle. Daniels said that this was goodbye. Daniels said he’s sorry and he hopes Page can be happy now.
Analysis: That was Christopher Daniels’ way of saying he was retired as a wrestler. This was known online since we reported about it over the last week that Daniels wanted to retire as a wrestler and it was that match with Page that was considered his retirement match. Daniels still works for AEW as the Head of Talent Relations just like he has been for the last six years, so he still has a big role in the company.
(Commercial)
Mercedes Mone was shown walking backstage with her four championships when Renee Paquette showed up for an interview. Mone claimed she was a global champion who wrestled all over the world while noting she’s about to compete in Australia, so she is interested in seeing who challenges her next. Harley Cameron showed up with a guitar with a unique song saying she wanted the Mone Train. Harley ended it by asking: “What do you say?” Mone said she fights all around the world against he best, but Harley hasn’t won a match on AEW TV not this year, not last year and not ever. Mone left while Renee told Harley it was a good song.
Analysis: I like Harley Cameron as a character and she’s a beautiful woman, so I don’t mind seeing her on the show. Perhaps this will lead to a story where Harley finally gets a win and gets a shot at Mone’s TBS Title. Since Harley is from Australia, it makes sense for her to be in a match on AEW Grand Slam in Australia.
Julia Hart vs. Jamie Hayter
They had a match three weeks ago where Hart beat Hayter on Dynamite. I rated it **1/2, which means average, but the announcers are trying to act like it was some classic match.
Hart left the ring right away, so Hayter sent Hart into the barricade. Hayter sent Hart into the barricade again. Hart tackled Hayter into the apron, but Hayter sent Hart into the steel steps. Back in the ring, Hayter hit a missile dropkick off the middle turnbuckle. Hart hit Hayter with a running clothesline and a running elbow attack. Hart swept Hayter’s legs to take her down off the turnbuckle. Hart did some weak head slamming for a two count.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Hayter giving Hart a belly-to-back superplex off the top rope. Hart ducked her head for a move, so Hayter slammed her down by grabbing the hair. Hayter hit Hart with three German Suplexes in a row while Hart was on the mat holding her head. Hayter gave Hart a spinebuster for two. Hayter applied a single leg crab submission, but Hart crawled to the bottom rope to force a break. Hart jumped on Hayter’s back for an Octopus Hold, but Hayter got out of it with a backbreaker. Hart did a hair pull takedown for two. Hart hit a Crucifix Bomb for a two count. Hart hit a running elbow to Hayter’s back. Hayter came back with a Hatebreaker backbreaker and a Haterade lariat for the pinfall win. It went about 9 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Jamie Hayter
Analysis: **3/4 The match was fine with Hart coming close to winning a few times, but Hayter was too much for her. Two big moves by Hayter gave her the easy win.
After the match, Jamie Hayter said she respected women like Julia Hart, who do what they want to do no matter what anybody says. Hayter mentioned Hart spitting black mist in her face or using an arrow. Hayter talked about how Hart hangs around two big guys in reference to Brody King and Buddy Matthews. Hayter said that Hart is still a tough bitch. Hayter said that Hart has won one, Hayter won one and when Hart wants a third match, she’s got it.
Analysis: That sets them up for a third match at some point soon.
Powerhouse Hobbs did a promo backstage saying if Big Bill is looking for him on AEW Collision, he won’t have to look very hard because Hobbs will be looking for him in the parking lot.
The Cope-Pac main event match was next.
(Commercial)
Swerve Strickland did a promo in the backstage area with Prince Nana. Swerve said two weeks from now in Atlanta, he’ll finally get his hands on Ricochet. Swerve suggested that maybe he’ll get Ricochet sooner than that.
There was a video featuring Brody King, Buddy Matthews and Julia Hart. King said that they had a voice guiding, but now that voice has gone silent. Buddy said no leaders and Hart said no masters. King said just violence. King said when they bark, they will bark together.
Analysis: That was their way of saying that Malakai Black is gone from AEW, which has been known for a few weeks now. The video was done to tell us that the trio of King, Buddy and Hart and are still together in a group where they are equals with no leaders.
It was main event time with Adam Copeland aka Cope up first. The graphic said “Rated R Superstar” Cope, which is what they are pushing as his ring name. Pac made his entrance from the back part of the arena like the Death Riders group likes to do.
Cope (Adam Copeland) vs. Pac
The first couple of minutes featured some basic moves while doing some counters to give neither guy the advantage. Pac set up Cope against the ropes leading to a kick to the gut. Cope jumped off the ropes leading to a headscissors that sent Pac out of the ring. Cope got a hold of Pac on the floor and Cope sent Pac face first onto the steel steps. Cope sent Pac into the LED board barricade. Cope broke the referee’s count and back out to suplex Pac ribs first onto the barricade. Cope rammed Pac’s head onto the hood of the commentary table, which was rebuilt after being broken earlier. They were still on the floor where Pac kicked Cope in the knee. Pac rammed the side of Cope’s head into the ring apron, so it was Cope selling a neck injury. Referee Bryce Remsburg made Pac back away. Pac did a slingshot dive over the top onto Cope on the floor. That led to a final PIP break.
(Commercial)
Pac was in control with a side headlock while the announcers put over Cope’s past history of neck issues. Pac hit a snap suplex. Pac charged right into a boot by Cope and Cope hit a running dropkick. Cope hit a flapjack sending Pac into the mat. Pac hit a jawbreaker by the ropes. Cope hit a sitout spinebuster. Pac kicked Cope in the legs a few times. Pac ran the ropes, Cope hit a running lariat and Pac did a great flip bump. Cope hit an Impaler DDT. Cope charged, Pac jumped over him with a leapfrog and Pac applied the Brutalizer submission on Cope’s upper body until Cope fell into the ropes to force the break. Pac delivered a superkick to the back of the neck along with a pump kick to the back of the neck. Pac hit a German Suplex while Cope was selling the neck injury, so the referee Bryce Remsburg checked on Cope. Pac applied the Brutalizer submission with his hands around Cope’s neck. Cope managed to get back up to his feet and Cope swung Pac around for a spinning slam. Cope got back up with a Spear to the back of Pac. Cope charged again with regular Spear, but Cope was too hurt to make the cover. Cope had Pac on his shoulders leading to a TKO style Stunner. The fans barely reacted to it, but then Cope made the cover for the pinfall win, so the fans reacted when Cope’s music hit. The match went 18 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Adam Copeland aka Cope
Analysis: ***1/2 I thought they had a great match, but this crowd sounded like they didn’t care that much. Cope has used the Spear as his finisher for so many years, so when he hit that TKO slam off the shoulders, the fans barely reacted to it. Anyway, we all knew watching this that Pac was there to do the job to give Cope a win over a guy in the Death Riders, so there wasn’t much drama to the match. What I liked is that Cope sold the neck injury very well throughout the match. The story of Cope fighting back from the neck injury was a good one. I just wish the fans cared more.
There was a video shown of the Death Riders, who had FTR’s Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler taped to chairs back there. The Rock N Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) was also back there tied up with Claudio doing a Conchairto smash to wrestling legend Ricky Morton. Jon Moxley spoke into the camera telling Cope to stay there.
The Death Riders group of AEW World Champion Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli and Pac attacked Cope in the ring. Marina Shafir was also there on the floor. The Death Riders kicked and did knee drops to Cope. Jay White made the save with a clothesline on Yuta in the aisle. White sent Claudio over the barricade. White sent Pac out of the ring. White tried a Bladerunner, but Yut was back in the ring with a low blow on White. The Death Riders stomped on White. There was nobody attempting to help Cope and White in the ring. Moxley applied the Bulldog Choke on Cope. Moxley warned Cope that he would break it saying that he was going to break Cope’s neck. The Death Riders group left. Cope was out in the ring as Dynamite came to an end there.
Analysis: It was more of the same with The Death Riders dominating their rivals. We have seen it many times in the last few months. The FTR guys and Rock N Roll Express were taken out even though we didn’t see that part. I find it strange that AEW security and referees aren’t trying to help Cope from getting beat up by four guys. I understand wanting to let angles play out, but you need to tell the viewers watching at home that at least some people are trying to help this defenseless man. By having nobody try to help Cope, it makes Cope look like an asshole with no friends except at least Jay White showed up to try. Anyway, they are continuing the build to Moxley against Cope at Revolution, but it’s not an official match yet.
This week’s Dynamite went 2 hours, 6 minutes.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Adam Copeland aka Cope
- Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin
- Will Ospreay/Kenny Omega
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The Scoreboard
This Week: 7 out of 10
Last Week: 7.25
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Final Thoughts on AEW Dynamite
A good show overall that never felt great. I like how they advanced a lot of different stories throughout the night. The Ospreay-Omega segment to start the show was a smart move because the fans were hot for it. They didn’t react that well to some stuff, but they cared about Will and Kenny fighting together.
I liked the Cope/Pac match. The Death Riders attack after the match is something we have seen many times while the babyfaces in AEW are made to look like fools.
The match quality used to be the strength of these Dynamite shows, but there was less wrestling this week. The first hour only had one match that was essentially a tag team squash title change and then Swerve’s easy win over Fox started the second hour. None of the first four matches got over 10 minutes of TV time, which is rare for AEW matches.
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Thanks for reading. Go 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