The John Report: AEW Dynamite 12/16/20 Review
Welcome to the AEW Dynamite review here on TJRWrestling. The banner above is for the advertised 14-man tag team match that got shortened to a 12-man tag team match earlier on Wednesday. I’ll explain in the review. I’m not getting my banner guy to make a banner change for it.
This is episode #63 of AEW Dynamite from Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, FL. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport. Here’s my AEW Dynamite TV review archive. Let’s get to it.
The AEW introduction video aired to begin the show. They had the wrestlers/staff surrounding the ring while there were some fans and the pyro went off. The regular announce team of Jim Ross, Excalibur and Tony Schiavone welcomed us to the show.
“Hangman” Adam Page entered in his cowboy attire with Dark Zero members John Silver and Alex Reynolds dressing in similar attire, which Page didn’t really like. The story is that Page was willing to team with them, but he didn’t want to be part of Dark Order. Matt Hardy had a new shirt saying “The Truth is the Truth” since he’s got a new heel persona.
Matt Hardy and Private Party (Marq Quen and Isaiah Kassidy) vs. “Hangman” Adam Page, John Silver and Alex Reynolds
Page and Quen did some flipping early on to avoid eachother’s moves in what looked like some choreographed wrasslin’ to open the match. Hardy had Page against the ropes, Private Party made two tags and Silver/Reynolds went in illegally with kicks because it’s AEW where the rules don’t matter. Page and partners cleared the ring with Silver jumping on Page’s back to celebrate, so Page dropped down with Silver on his back onto Kassidy for a two count. Reynolds tagged in against Kassidy, Silver tagged and they did a double team slam. Page hit a running shooting star press and Silver covered for a two count. JR actually said that Dark Order are a “formidable faction” even though they lost nearly every match on Dynamite except Brodie Lee’s brief run of success. Silver with a clothesline on Kassidy, who broke free and Quen hit a hiptoss. Quen with a back body drop on Reynolds and a kick to the face of Silver. Private Party tripped up Silver and a double dropkick got a two count for Kassidy. Private Party did a double team move where Quen hit a moonsault on Silver, who was on Kassidy’s knees. Hardy slapped on a chinlock on Silver, who broke free and then Hardy hit a neckbreaker. Silver hit a brainbuster to break free. Page tagged in with two clotheslines on Kassidy, then a springboard clothesline on Quen and a fallaway slam on Kassidy. Page with a dive over the top onto Hardy on the floor. Page with a running clothesline for two because it’s not his finisher clothesline. Hardy tagged in with a side effect slam on Page. There was another powerful from Page, this time on Hardy. Reynolds tagged in with a running elbow on Quen and a jumping elbow. Reynolds with a spinning punch along with a lifting neckbreaker for two on Quen because Kassidy broke up the pin. Silver was in the ring illegally, two kicks, Reynolds with a Stunner, popup Powerbomb by Page and Silver hit a German Suplex, but Hardy pulled Reynolds out of the ring. Hardy hit a Twist of Fate/Cutter on Silver on the floor. Kassidy sent Page over the barricade. Reynolds to the middle rope, Hardy pulled his hair and Private Party hit the Gin N Juice double team move (headscissors into a Cutter) and Hardy tagged himself in to get the pin after 11 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Matt Hardy and Private Party (Marq Quen and Isaiah Kassidy)
Analysis: *** It was a good opening tag team match that was a bit different because you would think the faces would have the face in peril, but Silver was in that spot for most of the match. Then again, AEW doesn’t care about face/heel in some situations. There are so many instances where the refereeing is so bad that it takes me out of the match. Yes, the sequence of moves were very good, but the whole point of rules is to not allow three guys on the same team to be in there for a long time doing moves. Why don’t people in AEW care about this stuff? It’s strange that it has happened for over a year. Anyway, Hardy and Private Party win although it’s not like either tag team on either side is featured very much. It’s another loss for Dark Order, who JR called a “formidable faction” earlier. That’s not true.
The announcers plugged what’s coming up later.
The Inner Circle group was interviewed backstage by Alex Marvez. MJF had some plaque for his mention in a New York Times article, he thanked Jericho and said he’s a mentor while calling him his best friends. MJF told Jericho that he loves him. Jericho: “Congratulations.” Awkward moment.
(Commercial)
There was a video of Cody and Brandi Rhodes in their big house with Cody dressed in a suit as if we are to think he dresses in a suit in his house. Anyway, they had a tiny box delivered to their door. They opened it up to reveal “We’re Expecting a New Baby in 2021.” The closeup of the dog Pharaoh said something saying that he was Baby Security. That was cute.
Analysis: Congrats to Cody and Brandi on the baby news. They have been married for several years after dating going back to their WWE days. That was a creative way to share the news with wrestling fans. Best wishes to the happy couple and good health to their baby when he or she is born next year.
Cody Rhodes made his entrance with wife Brandi (with a brace on her left wrist) and Arn Anderson. Brandi put her hands over her stomach before hugging her husband Cody. Justin Roberts announced Cody as a “future father” as part of the entrance. Angelico entered with tag team partner Jack Evans. Angelico has good dance moves.
Cody Rhodes (w/Arn Anderson) vs. Angelico (w/Jack Evans)
Angelico with a wrist lock, Cody came back with one of his own leading to a flip bump by Angelico, who then got back to his feet. Angelico with an arm drag that sent Cody across the ring. Cody with a leapfrog, Angelico ran the ropes for a long time and Cody hit a dropkick for two.
(Commercial)
The show returned with Cody getting a trip followed by a running knee to the face. Cody with two clotheslines followed by a powerslam for a two count. Angelico used his legs to tie up Cody in a submission position with Cody putting his mouth on the bottom rope to break it up even though he easily could have used his feet. Cody with a pump kick followed by a backslide pin for two. Cody went for a Disaster Kick, but Angelico countered it by pulling him down by the leg. Angelico used a Navarro Death Roll submission on the legs of Cody with Cody getting his hand on the bottom rope to break it up. Cody with a boot, then a punch, Angelico got out of Cross Rhodes, Cody fought out of Angelico trying to do Cross Rhodes, Cody to the ropes and Cody jumped off the turnbuckle with a Cody Cutter for the pinfall win after 10 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Cody Rhodes
Analysis: **3/4 It was just an average match with the EVP top guy singles wrestler beating the tag team wrestler in a match that went a few minutes longer than I would have thought going into it. That’s not a slight against Angelico, who I like. I just figured this was going to be a dominant win for Cody. The finishing sequence was great and it’s nice that somebody on this show can win with a Cutter or Stunner.
Team Taz showed up with Taz saying on behalf of Cage, Starks, Hobbs and Hook (Taz’s son), they congratulated Cody on being a daddy although Taz was sarcastic. Starks said that last month they made Cody and Darby Allin (Turtle Kid) their sons. Taz told Darby that Bryan Cage is going to whip his ass. Taz said that they’re going to the ring to put Cody on paternity leave.
The lights went out in the building and when they came on there was the fake snow in the arena as the music of Sting played, so Tony did the “It’s Sing” yell as if it was 1997 even though it is not. Powerhouse Hobbs tried stepping towards Sting, but the other guys pulled him back as Team Taz left. Sting stared up to Allin in the bleachers and pointed his bat at him while Sting also stared at Cody as well.
Analysis: That means that Team Taz is afraid of a dude in his 60s. They look like losers to me, but I guess that’s what cowardly heels do. Also, AEW is paying Sting a lot of money
(Commercial)
Miro was interviewed backstage by Alex Marvez, who claimed Miro hospitalized $75,000 for hospitalizing three staff members last week saying that it’s $25,000 for each guy in the hospital. Miro the badass video gamer said that it’s all about the numbers and Orange Cassidy doesn’t care about anything. Miro said next week it’s the holidays, we’ll have a huge announcement and he’ll go on Dark to face Sonny Kiss. Miro said that next week on Dynamite they’ll have a wedding date announcement for Kip and Penelope. Marvez asked about the people in the hospital, Miro said “bah humbug” and that Christmas is his birthday.
Analysis: The fine number is ridiculous. If you’re going to come up with fake fines, try to be more realistic. Miro should be booked so much better. Instead, he’s feuding over video games and wrestling on the Dark show that doesn’t matter.
Eddie Kingston did a promo saying that at the end of the day he doesn’t care about any of you people. Eddie said that he had a lot of enemies noting that the big guy upstairs is his enemy noting he’s not dead yet. Eddie said that they took out the bastard Pac, who he claimed was nursing his injuries at home and his career is done. Eddie mentioned another bastard, Lace Archer, which led to Archer’s entrance.
Lance Archer went running out to the ring to brawl with Kingston, so The Butcher and The blade showed up as well. The three on one attack slowed down Archer while Rey Fenix and Penta joined the ring and there was a returning Pac as well. Death Triangle was back as they joined Archer beating up Kingston, Butcher and Blade. Penta and Fenix hit double superkicks on Butcher and Blade. Fenix ran the ropes leading to a twisting splash over the top onto Butcher and Blade. Back in the ring, Pac hit Kingston with a pump kick and Archer didn’t like that Pac got in the way. The heels retreated while the other four guys were in the ring.
Analysis: It’s a decent midcard feud. I like seeing Pac back on the show although I think they’re missing out by making a face instead of a heel because he was such a great heel.
Dustin Rhodes was interviewed by Dasha. Dustin said that Seven was a bad idea and Seven is a bad idea now. Dustin said that all of Dark Order will fall and he’s going to face Evil Uno next week on Dynamite’s Holiday Bash.
It’s time for a 12-man tag team match with Best Friends duo of Trent and Chuck Taylor entered with Orange Cassidy, who is on commentary even though he doesn’t talk.
(Commercial)
The Inner Circle group made their entrance to Chris Jericho’s “Judas” theme song. This was going to be a 7 on 7 tag team match, but Wardlow had a family matter to attend to, so it became 6 on 6 instead.
Chris Jericho, Maxwell Jacob Friedman, Jake Hager, Ortiz, Santana and Sammy Guevara vs. Best Friends (Trent and Chuck Taylor), Varsity Blondes (Brian Pillman Jr. and Griff Garrison) and Top Flight (Darius and Dante Martin)
Pillman faced off against Jericho because Chris new Brian’s dad very well. Pillman knocked down Jericho, so Jericho chopped him down and stepped on him against the turnbuckle. Pillman with a slap, then chops of his own and Pillman hit a cross body block off the top, then a dropkick and another dropkick knocked Jericho off the apron. Pillman jumped over the top with a flying body attack onto Jericho on the floor. Pillman with a body slam, Garrison tagged in and hit a leg drop over the top onto Jericho for a two count. Jericho chopped Garrison leading to Sammy tagging with a chop. Garrison with a hiptoss on Sammy with JR saying Garrison reminded him of Adam Copeland (that’s Edge). Sammy faced off with Dante Martin with Sammy giving him the middle finger followed by a dropkick. Sammy and Dante had a slip, so then they did it again with Dante hitting a leg lariat for two. Dante with a forearm, Darius tagged in and Darius did a crucifix into a kick to the chest. Dante was back in, but Sammy decked him with a punch to the face. Trent faced off with Santana, so Ortiz and Trent went in and that’s a sight we saw in September when they had the Parking Lot Fight. All 12 guys went into the ring with the faces clearing the ring. There was a six-man hug for the Best Friends team with Excalibur SCREAMING about it as if it’s exciting. Ortiz grabbed the leg of Trent, Santana went into the ring and hit the rolling vertical suplexes (two of them and Ortiz tagged in for a double team suplex. MJF tagged in with a double foot stomp on the arm of Trent. When Trent rolled out to the floor, Inner Circle stomped on him and Santana whipped Trent into the barricade. That led to a picture in picture break.
Jericho and Sammy hit a double shoulder tackle followed by some ridiculous posing. Sammy went up top with Shooting Star Press, but Trent moved and Trent hit a running knee to Sammy. Trent with a belly to back suplex on Ortiz. Darius tagged in with a standing Spanish Fly on Ortiz. That was cool. Darius went for a charging attack, Santana kicked him and Dante jumped over the top onto Santana/Ortiz on the floor. Dante with a running forearm. Trent and Chuck hit their half n half combination, Pillman with a springboard shoulder tackle, Garrison avoided two guys and Hager took a silly bump to the barricade. Garrison with a forearm to the face. Jericho got in a cheap shot by using the bat to the back of Garrison to knock him down. Hager tagged in for the first time in the match with a clothesline on Garrison. Hager hit a spinning slam off the shoulders and MJF tagged in for the pinfall on Garrison after 14 minutes. Hager’s finisher was like the F10 that Wardlow does, but it didn’t look as good as that.
Winners by pinfall: Chris Jericho, Maxwell Jacob Friedman, Jake Hager, Ortiz, Santana and Sammy Guevara
Analysis: **1/2 This was just average. I don’t want to see 12-man tag team matches often because it’s difficult to get everybody involved, but I understand why it was done to try to show that Inner Circle were on the same page after having problems in the past. The finish was weak. I would have liked to see more nearfalls to build it up more. MJF tagging in to get the pin is fitting for his character, but it doesn’t mean that much when the other team is mostly guys who are barely on the show.
After the match, the Inner Circle guys attacked, so Top Flight hit dropkicks on Jericho and MJF to knock them out of the ring. The heels retreated as the victors of the match.
Thunder Rosa was interviewed backstage by Alex Marvez. Rosa told Britt Baker that she cost her the NWA Women’s Title, so that’s why Rosa is beating her ass. Reba/Rebel showed up, so then Baker attacked Rosa from behind. Baker told Rosa that she doesn’t belong here and slapped on her submission while messing up the facepaint. Baker and Reba left.
Analysis: At least they have one women’s feud in AEW. They don’t have many storylines for women in this company.
The SCU team of Frankie Kazarian and Christopher Daniels made their entrance. I’m still not sure why Scorpio Sky is rarely used on television.
(Commercial)
The Acclaimed duo of Max Caster and Anthony Bowens made their entrance. They are a new team that have been on a winning streak on Dark, but not used on Dynamite very much. Caster did a rap on the way to the ring where he ripped on Kazarian where he said he heard he had hair plugs. Kazarian replied saying that he hopes they wrestle better than they rap because that was crap and he wondered if they were The Acclaimed or Men on a Mission. Kazarian also said that like 2020 that was the shits and called them “green boys” as well. The Young Bucks were watching with the AEW Tag Team Titles on their shoulders.
So Cal Uncensored (Frankie Kazarian) vs. The Acclaimed (Max Caster and Anthony Bowens)
Kazarian took down Bowens with a headlock, Kazarian with a shoulder tackle and Kazarian caught him with a bridging suplex for two. Kazarian and Daniels did a combo of moves including a double foot stomp for two. Caster worked over Daniels with punches, Daniels with a boot to the face and a missile dropkick got a two count. Daniels with an elbow drop followed by Kazarian with a leg drop. Bowens tagged back in with Kazarian hitting him with an arm drag. Caster and Bowens took over by sending Kazarian into the turnbuckle and the show went to break for picture in picture action.
(Commercial)
Bowens was in control with a knee to the ribs, then Kazarian with a boot to the face and he sent Bowens out of the ring. Kazarian with a leaping DDT on Caster. Bowens tagged in, Daniels tagged in for his team and he hit two clotheslines along with a back body drop on Caster, who was not legal. Daniels with an STO on Caster and a Blue Thunder Bomb on Bowens for a two count. Daniels with a uranage slam, Caster with a clothesline and Kazarian took Caster out of the ring. Daniels shoved Bowens off the top, Caster grabbed the ankle of Daniels, but Daniels came back with a cross body block off the top onto Bowens for two. Caster sent Kazarian into the barricade. Bowens kicked out of a rollup by sending Daniels into the ropes, Caster hit Daniels with a boombox and Bowens hit a lifting sitout slam for the pinfall win after about 9 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: The Acclaimed (Max Caster and Anthony Bowens)
Analysis: **1/4 A big win for the younger team over the seasoned veterans. I think it was booked well although the match felt off a bit. I think Bowens is very talented in the ring and I’m glad he’s in AEW because he can continue to grow working with the experienced roster that AEW has. Cheating to win is fine with me because it establishes The Acclaimed as a heel team willing to do anything to win a match.
After the match, Caster did his 2003 John Cena promo routine doing a promo about the Young Bucks saying they act like girls who are on their cycle. Caster said he was “shooting” on them too. Sure he is. Bowens said if the Young Bucks have the balls, they’ll put those AEW Tag Team Titles on the line against The Acclaimed…bitch and that’s a mic drop.
Analysis: It was made official later in the show.
Top Flight were interviewed by Dasha in the backstage area. They did a promo about Chris Jericho and MJF introducing themselves as Darius and Dante, so they challenged Jericho and MJF to a match next week on Dynamite. Darius said they can accept or run away like two little bitches.
Analysis: The previous promo said bitch and this one said bitches. There’s your word of the week, kids.
Big Swole and Serena Deeb vs. Ivelisse and Diamante
There aren’t many characters in the women’s division, but Swole and Serena are the faces while Serena is also NWA Women’s Champion. Ivelisse and Diamante are heels, I guess. Serena with a clothesline on Ivelisse and when Swole tagged in, Ivelisse slipped away while Diamante tagged in. Swole hit a backbreaker on Diamante followed by a back body drop. Diamante hit a German Suplex on Swole.
(Commercial)
Serena with a body slam on Ivelisse and a clothesline on Diamante. Serena hit a suplex on Diamante while she had Ivelisse’s legs tied up. That was cool. Serena hit a neckbreaker on Ivelisse by the ropes followed by a gutbuster and Serena slapped on the Figure Four Leglock, but Ivelisse got to the ropes and Diamante tagged in. Ivelisse and Diamante hit a double team slam for a two count. Serena with a neckbreaker, Swole tagged in with chops, then Diamante ducked a forearm and Swole hit a headbutt. Swole hit a Tiger Driver that didn’t look great, but it was sold anyway. Swole slapped on the Clearwater Cloverleaf (name according to Excalibur) on Diamante for the submission win with Serena tackling Ivelisse to prevent her from making the save.
Winners by submission: Big Swole and Serena Deeb
Analysis: ** Just a regular match. There’s no story like most things in their women’s division, so that makes it difficult on the talent. Serena is great and a level above the others that were in this match.
Post match, Nyla Rose ran out to the ring to attack Serena and Swole with Vickie Guerrero joining in the fun. Red Velvet showed up with a steel chair that she used to hit Rose in the back and the heels retreated.
Analysis: I guess that is building to a six-woman tag team match soon. It doesn’t excite me much.
Best Friends trio were backstage with Trent, Chuck Taylor and Orange Cassidy. They’re excited about Miro’s announcement for the wedding date of Kip and Penelope’s wedding. Thrilling.
There was a video about the Jurassic Express trio of Luchasaurus, Jungle Boy and the tiny kid Marko Stunt.
Next week on Dynamite: Jurassic Express vs. Colt Cabana, Dark Order’s Five and Ten.
The FTR team was at the announce table complained about their spot in the company. They whined about Jurassic Express getting attention while saying that Jurassic Express are in the crosshairs.
Here is what is advertised for next week’s AEW Dynamite that will air at approximately 10pmET after the NBA game on TNT next Wednesday. They are calling it the AEW Dynamite Holiday Bash:
* AEW World Tag Team Titles: The Young Bucks vs. The Acclaimed
* Chris Jericho and MJF vs. Top Flight
* AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida in action
* Evil Uno of the Dark Order vs. Dustin Rhodes
* Jurassic Express vs. Colt Cabana, Dark Order’s Five and Ten
* Pac vs. The Butcher
Analysis: That’s not a particularly strong lineup next week although I like seeing Pac in action.
On the December 30 Dynamite called New Year’s Smash Night 1, Chris Jericho will be on commentary. On January 6 Dynamite called New Year’s Smash Night 2, Snoop Dogg will be there.
Joey Janela made his entrance with Sonny Kiss for the main event.
Analysis: I don’t remember the last time Janela won a match on this show, yet he’s in the main event. I’m not knocking Janela as a performer. All I’m saying is if you are going to put a guy in main events then maybe you should try to build them up more.
(Commercial)
There was a ridiculous entrance for AEW World Champion Kenny Omega bragging about television ratings on Dynamite and Impact Wrestling with Justin Roberts doing a good job on the introduction. There were four women with brooks for “The Cleaner” Kenny Omega, who had the AEW World Title around his waist and manager Don Callis by his side.
No Disqualification AEW Championship Eliminator Match: Kenny Omega (w/Don Callis) vs. Joey Janela (w/Sonny Kiss)
If Janela wins then he gets a World Title match, I think. This is a match that was going to be in the tournament, but it didn’t happen, so we get it now. I think. It’s not like they explained this well.
Janela attacked with two trash can shots, so Callis told Schiavone to get out of there so he can call the match and Tony told him to kiss his ass. Janela hit a suicide dive onto Omega on the floor. Omega hit a kitaro crusher onto the steel chair. Excalibur tried to explain the match saying that Omega was supposed to face Janela, but instead faced Sonny Kiss in that tournament two months ago. Omega hit a somersault over the top onto Janela on the floor with Callis doing commentary on a microphone. Omega with two cookie sheet shots to the back. Omega did a promo saying listen to this as he hit Janela with a cookie sheet. Omega made the referee hold the microphone, Omega held the trash can and hit a moonsault onto Janela with the trash can for two. Omega with chops along with a knee as he continued to trash talk Janela and used a cookie sheet to the back. Omega with a double foot stomp off the top on a trash can on Janela. When Janela put Omega on his shoulders, Janela hit a reverse rana that dropped Omega on his head. Good spot there. Sonny Kiss set up a table on the floor. Janela punched Omega a few times, Omega was on the table and Janela jumped off the top with a leg drop onto Omega through the table. Back in the ring, Omega avoided a moonsault and hit the V-Trigger knee two times. Omega hit the One Winged Angel for the pinfall after about seven minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Kenny Omega
Analysis: ** This was more about Omega further establishing his heel persona by doing promos during the match. There were some good spots with Janela getting the reverse rana and table spot, but it didn’t last much further after that. Those V-Triggers and One Winged Angel look vicious, so it’s a nice way to end a match in an emphatic way.
There were a few more minutes with Callis saying that there are no more unanswered questions for the AEW World Champion.
Pac showed up with Rey Fenix and Penta with a promo on the stage. Pac said that he has unfinished business, but he’s not there to be selfish. Pac said that they are there to speak about injustice. Pac pointed out that Rey Fenix never lost in the number one contender’s tournament, so he wondered how Omega is the champion. Callis said that wrestlers don’t tell the World Champion what to do. Pac said he spoke to Tony Khan and a match has already been sanctioned: December 30 will be Kenny Omega defending the AEW World Title against Rey Fenix. Kenny did a promo saying “you can’t do this” repeatedly and that was the end of the show.
Analysis: Kenny Omega vs. Rey Fenix on December 30 on the last Dynamite of the year. That’s going to be outstanding. I don’t expect Fenix to win the title obviously, but if they get 15 minutes or more then it will be one of the better AEW TV matches this year.
Three Stars of the Show
- Cody Rhodes
- Kenny Omega
- Matt Hardy/Private Party
The Scoreboard
This week: 6.25 (out of 10)
Last week: 6.75
2020 Average: 7.16
Final Thoughts
This was a solid show although there wasn’t the kind of great in-ring wrestling that AEW usually provides. A lot of average matches this week. There just weren’t a lot of big matches or moments this week. If I was a casual fan, I don’t think a main event of Omega vs. Janela would appealing at all since Janela is barely on the show most weeks. Omega was great as the heel World Champion and I look forward to seeing him against Rey Fenix in two weeks.
The presence of Sting already doesn’t feel like a big deal. Two weeks after he showed up, all he did was stare at Darby Allin and Cody Rhodes while making Team Taz back away from a guy in his 60s. A guy like Hangman Page should be at the main event level, not in storylines with the Dork Order (spelled wrong on purpose). JR calling Dark Order a “formidable faction” was laughable. The tag team matches were okay while the 12-man tag was a nice reminder of why you don’t do matches with that many people because it’s difficult to get everybody in the ring so they can show off their stuff. It seemed like every promo had somebody complaining about something and/or calling somebody a bitch, so those get repetitive too.
I do like that AEW is trying to feature young talent more like The Acclaimed, Top Flight, Private Party and others. It’s what you should do. I just don’t think this show was as exciting as some recent weeks of Dynamite.
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John Canton
Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com
Twitter: @johnreport