The John Report: AEW Dynamite 12/10/25 Review (Winter Is Coming)

This week’s AEW Dynamite features Samoa Joe defending the AEW World Title against Eddie Kingston, the Women’s Tag Team Title Tournament finals, and more.

They are calling this the annual Winter Is Coming episode of Dynamite. There’s nothing that special about it, but they do have some bigger matches on this week’s show.

I’ll go with a summary style for some matches and full play-by-play for two matches.

This was AEW Dynamite episode #323 from Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Bryan Danielson and Tony Schiavone.

The finals of the tournament to crown the first-ever AEW Women’s Tag Team Champions was up first. Good choice since it’s a babyface match between the Timeless Love Bombs and Babes of Wrath. They had about 3,000 fans in the arena this week, which is good for AEW TV in 2025.

AEW Women’s Tag Team Tournament Finals: Babes of Wrath – Willow Nightingale & Harley Cameron vs. “Timeless” Toni Storm & Mina Shirakawa

The announcers tried to tell us that Babes of Wrath were underdogs to make it this far, even though many people felt like they would be the first champions. Mina and Harley did some comedy stuff early on, including Harley using her plentiful chest to smother Mina a bit. Willow and Storm faced off for about a minute until all four women got into the ring and Willow dove off the apron onto both opponents on the floor. The match slowed down a bit as Storm and Mina made quick tags as they hit moves on Harley. After Willow got in the ring, she hit a Pounce on both opponents and cleared the ring. I don’t review the picture-in-picture action, so I’ll just mention when they go to commercials during a match.

(Commercial)

Willow was in control of Mina until Mina hit an impressive Tornado DDT. Storm was back in with dropkicks and a flurry of offensive moves. Storm hit a DDT on Harley. Mina hit a DDT on Willow while wrenching on Harley’s legs. All four women were in the ring for over a minute doing spots so they could lay down at the same time and get “AEW” chants. A common thing in AEW matches. Storm wasn’t legal and hit a Storm Zaro on Harley, leading to Mina getting a two count because Willow made the save. Willow suplexed Storm on the floor. Mina worked over Harley with kicks (one of them whiffed) and hit a spinning back fist. Harley hit a spinning neckbreaker on Mina and Willow hit a sitout Powerbomb on Mina for the pinfall win after 14 minutes.

Winners by pinfall AND NEW AEW Women’s Tag Team Champions: Babes of Wrath – Willow Nightingale & Harley Cameron

Analysis: ***1/4 Good match where everybody worked hard. Harley has improved a lot in the last couple of years and looks like she belongs with the top women in the company. Willow is likable as a partner and is a powerhouse, so I like their team a lot because of how different they are, but it works. There are still some spots with wrestlers in the ring who are not legal, but that’s the norm in AEW. Storm and Mina are talented veterans who have a lot of credibility, so it puts over Willow and Harley in a big way because they got that win. There were some sloppy moments in the match, so I’m not going to call it great, but they got time and it was fun overall.

The Babes of Wrath duo Willow Nightingale and Harley Cameron celebrated as the first-ever AEW Women’s Tag Team Champions. Renee Paquette spoke to them in the ring. Willow said that was a hard fight and Harley’s mouth was all bloody. Willow said she’s so proud of Harley. Willow said that Harley has been there for her in the ring and out. The fans chanted, “You Deserve It.” Harley said that she met Willow in her second match and now they are Women’s Tag Team Champions. They chanted “Babes of Wrath” and the fans joined in. Storm and Shirakawa shook their hands and hugged the champions.

Analysis: Good job by AEW with the Women’s Tag Team Title tournament. I think they made a lot of right decisions in terms of who advanced in the tournament and putting two babyfaces teams in the finals was the right call. I like Babes of Wrath as the first champions.

Samoa Joe, the AEW World Champion, was backstage with The Opps. Joe said that this is the real him. Joe said he doesn’t care about men like Eddie. Joe said that the man Eddie looked up to was wonderful, but the man who will beat Eddie tonight will show Eddie the reality of what this industry is.

(Commercial)

Jon Moxley was in a stairwell with Death Riders members Wheeler Yuta, Daniel Garcia, and Marina Shafir. Moxley said that time is running out on him in the Continental Classic. Moxley said if there’s one grain of sand left in the hourglass, he can still score big. Moxley said that they are the hungriest group in pro wrestling and the hardest working group in pro wrestling. Garcia said that when they wake up, they choose to win. Garcia said if you want something, you have to go take it, and that’s what they’ll do every single time.

Analysis: It’s nice of Garcia to say stuff like that, but he has been booked terribly since joining the Death Riders. Moxley has been losing a lot more than usual of late, so it will be interesting to see if he can get some wins.

Continental Classic Gold League: Kazuchika Okada vs. “Jungle” Jack Perry

Jack Perry replaced Darby Allin in the tournament because Alli is too injured to continue. Allin started 0-1 in the tournament. Don Callis was on commentary to support Okada.

They did a spot early in the match where Perry was punching Okada by the turnbuckle, Okada broke free and dropkicked Perry to the floor. There was some random guy in black on the floor that Perry landed on, so they likely planned that to soften the bump a bit. Okada hit a DDT on the floor.

(Commercial)

Okada was in control with punches, but Perry came back with a clothesline. Perry hit a German Suplex, followed by a DDT for two. Okada hit a neckbreaker across the ring, body slam and his top rope elbow. Okada hit a dropkick. Perry came back with a Reverse Rana to spike Okada on his head. Perry hit a running knee for a two count. The fans chanted, “This is awesome” for them. Perry went for a submission, so Okada bit the hand to stop that. Okada went for a Tombstone, so Perry bit Okada low. Callis: “Oh he bit him in the crotch! That’s ridiculous!” Perry got a rollup for two. Danielson: “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen that before!” Perry applied the Snare Trap and Okada got to the ropes. Callis said what Perry did was assault. Back in the ring, Okada hit a Rainmaker, held on for another and Perry got out of it. Perry charged right into a powerslam by Okada. Okada hit a Rainmaker lariat on Perry for the pinfall win after 13 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Kazuchika Okada

Analysis: ***3/4 That was great. It was an entertaining match that was a reminder that Perry is a lot better as a face than he was as a heel. I didn’t think he was very good as a heel, but when he’s in that babyface role, he is a lot more natural. Okada remains among the best in AEW, as usual. The “low blow” biting spot that Jack did was silly, but it’s AEW and they like doing stupid shit to get attention. The finishing sequence was done well and Okada getting the win was what I expected here.

Kazuchika Okada is now 2-1 with 6 points, while Jack Perry is 0-2 with 0 points.

Don Callis did a promo while other members of the Don Callis Family went into the ring. Callis said there is no shame in losing that match. Callis offered Perry a spot in the Don Callis Family. Callis offered Perry a signing bonus that he will pay him with the Young Bucks’ money. Callis said there were seven of them and just Perry. After thinking about it, Perry said for the second time tonight, he might bite off more than he can chew. Perry tried to fight, but he was attacked by the Callis Family members. Luchasaurus finally got out there after five minutes. The Young Bucks went into the ring with steel chairs to fight the Callis Family with Luchasaurus. They beat up the losers in the group. The Bucks hit a BTE Trigger for Okada. Callis handed the Bucks the bag of money that belonged to them and Takeshita went into the ring and ate a double superkick from the Bucks. The Bucks superkicked Rocky Romero and Luchasaurus hit a Chokeslam on Romero as well. The Bucks and Jurassic Express stood tall in the ring.

Analysis: It took a while to get through that, and I think the brawling aspect of it looked a bit silly since three dudes easily beat up seven people, but the Bucks had chairs, so I guess that made them tougher. Anyway, it’s another way to show that the Bucks are faces now after they had a lengthy run as heels.

They showed The Conglomeration celebrating with Willow Nightingale and Harley Cameron as the new Women’s Tag Team Champions. Roderick Strong just stood there with his arms folded. Toni Storm and Mina Shirakawa also joined in on the celebration.

A video aired about Mercedes Mone losing to Kris Statlander in an attempt to win the AEW Women’s Title, and then Mone lost the ROH Women’s TV Title to Red Velvet. Mone was very angry on Collision. She still has 12 titles or whatever it is. Yawn. Good performer, but as a “story,” I’m not that interested.

(Commercial)

Eddie Kingston was interviewed by Renee Paquette backstage. Eddie said he was nervous about his match with Samoa Joe. Eddie said that today is the 50th anniversary of when Terry Funk first won the AEW World Championship. Eddie said he knows his mom and dad are watching. Eddie said he’s emotional because he’s 0-2 in World Title matches. Eddie told Joe he’s going to have the fight of his life, and he’s not going to go down easy.

Analysis: I like Eddie Kingston a lot, and I think he’s very believable, but I doubt anybody watching this show thought he had a chance in the AEW World Title match.

Let’s Hear from Mark Briscoe

The TNT Champion Mark Briscoe was interviewed by Tony Schiavone in the ring. Collision has Briscoe defending the TNT Title against Daniel Garcia on Saturday at 4:30 p.m ET. It’s being taped in Wales, but obviously, they don’t want to compete against WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event at night too.

Mark spoke about how the haters thought he would never be a champion, but here he is with the gold, and it means he’s a champion. Mark told the doubters to kiss his big white ass. Mark said on Saturday afternoon on TNT that he’ll defend his title against Danny Garcia in Cardiff, Wales, and there was an interruption.

The Death Riders’ Wheeler Yuta, Daniel Garcia, and Marina Shafir showed up. Yuta trashed Mark for being dumb and lacking teeth. The fans chanted, “F**k you, Yuta” as usual. Garcia got in the ring with Mark too. Garcia said he felt bad for Mark and said everything about him is sad. Garcia said that when he beats Mark on Saturday, he’ll be a 2-time TNT Champion, and Mark has to provide for his family with a broken leg. Mark said that on Saturday he’ll get an ass whooping. Mark threatened to beat up Garcia for an ass whooping, but Yuta and Shafir got Garcia out of there.

Analysis: This was a lot of talking for a random TNT Title match on Collision. I didn’t find it interesting at all. I guess they had no other major stories to push with promos. Mark Briscoe is easy to like, but Daniel Garcia doesn’t come across as a threat in any way.

There was a backstage scene where the Triangle of Madness trio were beating up some random women backstage. Kris Statlander walked in with a chair and beat up Julia Hart and Skye Blue while Thekla ran away. Statlander and Jamie Hayter are against Hart and Blue on Collision. Thrilling.

Tornado Tag Team Match: Swerve Strickland & “Hangman” Adam Page vs. The Opps – Powerhouse Hobbs & Katsuyori Shibata

Swerve Strickland has a new theme song and looks bigger than ever after missing over three months with a knee injury. Page and Swerve had chains with them and they beat up The Opps jobber security guys. Swerve tried to use a staple gun on Shibata in the crowd. Hobbs and Page fought in the crowd as well. Swerve was fighting Shibata in the concourse area and Hobbs was fighting with Page in the concourse as well. Page slammed Hobbs through a table and Page had some beer. Shibata kicked Swerve in the chest while he was on a chair.

(Commercial)

The wrestlers were fighting around the ringside area. Hobbs and Page finally got in the ring to start the match. The referee took a chair from Page, and the announcers had to explain how you can’t use weapons in a match like this, even though it’s a Tornado Tag Team Match. Hobbs and Shibata isolated Page with a double suplex while Swerve was out on the floor. Shibata and Hobbs beat up Page for a couple of minutes. Swerve got back into it with a suicide dive and a jumping uppercut to Shibata’s back. Shibata hit a low blow on Page (find somebody to love you as much as AEW loves low blows in matches) and Swerve sent Hobbs into the steel steps. Swerve hit a Swerve stomp off the top onto Shibata, who was applying an armbar on Page. The faces were on fire, with Page hitting a fallaway slam while Swerve hit a 450 Splash. Page punched Hobbs in the back and Swerve hit a flatliner on Hobbs. Page and Swerve gave Hobbs a Powerbomb through a table on the floor. What about not using weapons in a match? Anyway, Page hit a Buckshot Lariat on Shibata and Swerve hit a House Call kick on Shibata for the pinfall win. The match went about 10 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Swerve Strickland & “Hangman” Adam Page

Analysis: ***1/4 A brawling match to put over Swerve & Page as a duo that are going to be tough to beat when they are allies. It was weird how the announcers had to try to explain why the referee took the chair from Page even though we have seen Tornado Tags in the past that were full of weapons. This is AEW, after all, where the rules are very relaxed. After that, they used a table spot to finish off Hobbs. I guess table spots are allowed in AEW matches sometimes. I don’t know. Anyway, it turned into a dominant while by Swerve and Page.

Don Callis did a promo about how he wants to get his money back from The Young Bucks. Callis said that he’s got Takeshita, Okada and Hechicero for a 6-man tag team match against The Young Bucks next week on Dynamite. The winners get the $1 million cash prize.

Analysis: The $1 million was won by The Young Bucks and Josh Alexander in a match, so it doesn’t really belong to Don, but heels lie. Anyway, this sets up the Bucks to reunite with Kenny Omega for a tag team match. I think the “$1 million cash” prize for matches is lame storytelling. Be better, creative team.

(Commercial)

Stoke was backstage with his FTR shirt on, while AEW Tag Team Champions FTR were not with him. Stoke did a promo about FTR defending the AEW Tag Team Titles against Juice Robinson and Austin Gunn on Dynamite next week. Stoke said that Bang Bang Gang will move to the back of the tag team division where they belong.

Continental Classic Gold League: “Speedball” Mike Bailey vs. Kyle Fletcher

Bailey and Kyle exchanged pin attempts early on. Bailey did a sunset flip pin for a two count. Kyle bailed to the floor to stall. Kyle got some stomps in, Bailey did a backflip, and hit a hurricanrana. Kyle left the ring, so Bailey hit a suicide dive hurricanrana on the floor. Back in the ring, Bailey jumped off the top, Kyle caught him and hit a spinning backbreaker. Bailey broke free with a kick, followed by a missile dropkick. Bailey went for a running SSP, Kyle avoided it Bailey sent a charging Kyle to the floor. Bailey hit a springboard, twisting cross-body block on Kyle on the floor. Kyle did some more stalling on the floor, Bailey went after him and Kyle kicked him in the ribs. They both stood on the barricade and Kyle gave Bailey a body slam on the barricade.

Analysis: Both guys were out of the ring for about a minute to set up that spot. There was no indication that the referee was counting them out of the ring. I understand why they want to do spots like that, but do it while trying to stay within the rules of the match. Just saying.

(Commercial)

The match continued with Kyle and Bailey exchanging strikes on the apron. It was 10 minutes into the match with a 20-minute time limit. Bailey avoided a suplex on the apron and did a backflip knee drop on Kyle. Danielson was shocked Bailey could do that after the barricade bump. Well, Bryan, it’s because they don’t sell long enough. Bailey hit a top rope hurricanrana. Bailey went for a SSP of the top, but Kyle got his feet up to block. Kyle lawn darted Bailey into the turnbuckle and hit a sitout Powerbomb for two. They did the “stand and throw chops” sequence for about a minute. Kyle hit a boot to the face, and a Half N Half Suplex. Bailey no sold that and hit a Spanish Fly for two. They countered a bunch of moves and Bailey hit a hurricanrana for two. Bailey did another flipping knee drop. Bailey hit a head kick for two. Bailey hit a lefty spin kick to the jaw for two. Kyle hit a superkick. Bailey hit a thrust kick, spin kick and another kick to the head. Bailey went up top and hit the Ultimate Weapon knee drop to the back for a two count. Kyle was on the floor. Bailey went for a knee attack, Kyle moved, and Kyle hit an apron Powerbomb. Back in the ring, Kyle hit a running kick and a sheer drop Brainbuster for a two count. Bailey got his left shoulder up. The fans were genuinely shocked and were the announcers and Fletcher. Even though Bailey just took a lot, he was back up with a Powerbomb into a pin attempt for two. Kyle hit a lariat, leading to a flip bump. Bailey hooked the arms, then did a sunset flip and pinned Fletcher for the pinfall win. It happened with 1-minute left in the time limit, so it went 19 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: “Speedball” Mike Bailey

Analysis: ****1/2 Awesome match by Bailey and Fletcher. It’s one of the best TV matches of the year on any wrestling show. I can see people going five stars for this and that’s fine if you think it’s worth that. I pointed out the logical problem with the barricade spot they did. I was impressed by a lot of what Kyle and Bailey did, but I’d be more impressed if they tried to do spots that didn’t make pro wrestling “rules” look dumb. I think the pacing was too fast at times. What I mean is, after Bailey took a Powerbomb on the apron, a kick, and Fletcher’s finisher Brainbuster, it was about 30 seconds later when Bailey hit a Powerbomb. I’d rather see people sell big moves. They need to slow down and sell moves more. I understand that in the final few minutes, the pace was super fast because of the 20-minute time limit. I just think pro wrestling is better when you sell moves more than what these guys did. The result of the match was an upset since Fletcher is a former TNT Champion and Bailey has been a tag team wrestler, so I like seeing an upset like that. I enjoyed it a lot, but I also wanted to try to explain why I didn’t think it was five stars. As I said, if you think it’s at that level, then that’s cool too.

Mike Bailey now has a 1-1 record for 3 points, and Kyle Fletcher has a 2-1 record for 6 points.

“Hangman” Adam Page was interviewed by Renee Paquette, who asked what is next for him. Page said that the AEW Men’s World Title is next for him. Page said that regardless of who leaves as the World Champion, at Worlds End, he is coming for his World Championship.

(Commercial)

The Young Bucks spoke to a camera backstage, saying that they need a partner for the match next week. Luchasuarus turned them down and pointed at Kenny Omega’s locker room door. The Bucks asked Omega if they could do this one more time. Nick said that there’s a lot of money on the line. Omega said he didn’t want the money. Omega said he’ll do it for free since it’s Don Callis and his family. Omega said that it’s The Elite against the Don Callis Family with all your precious money on the line. Omega said he’ll see them in Manchester and did his catchphrase.

Analysis: That should be a win for The Young Bucks and Omega.

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The main event was next. I’ll update as I watch and add final thoughts soon.