AEW Dynamite – 1/1/25

By / / Television Reviews

Spinning out of World’s End, the first AEW Dynamite of 2025 (and the first to be simulcast on MAX) featured Orange Cassidy vs. Hangman Adam Page, Julia Hart vs. Jamie Hayter, The Acclaimed vs. The Hurt Syndicate, Jay White vs. Roderick Strong vs. Swerve Strickland, and the Death Riders vs. Rated FTR.

Highlights:

  • The first match of the night featured Hangman Page defeating Orange Cassidy in a match that played on Page costing Cassidy the championship at the PPV and was immediately followed by a Hangman beatdown of Cassidy and Christopher Daniels (who attempted to get between Page and Cassidy). Fun opening match, even if the timing between the two look slightly off on a couple of moves.
  • Backstage promo from Jay White promising revenge against Wheeler Yuta (which he got later tonight) and setting up his three-way match later in the night against Swerve Strickland and Roderick Strong which has stipulations for next week’s Casino Gauntlet. Strickland was given his segment later in the night. Strong got similar treatment backstage with Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly celebrating the Undisputed Kingdom being at full strength. Eventually this all led to the match to kick-off the show’s second hour. Ricochet‘s interference from the crowd allowed Jay White to hit the Blade Runner and pin Strong for the win. Ricochet continued the onslaught after the match on both a bloody Swerve and Prince Nana.
  • In-ring celebration of Mercedes Moné who shared off a pre-taped package showcasing her best moments of 2024 and setting up her match at Wrestle Dynasty against Mina Shirakawa.
  • Julia Hart made her return after 255 days with a win over Jamie Hayter spraying mist in Hayter’s eyes to secure the win. Great to see Julia back and the shenanigans ending suggests this is just the beginning for these two. 
  • The Acclaimed (who made their way to the ring with a picture-in-picture backstage interview highlighting the duo’s recent problems) took on the The Hurt Syndicate. Their dysfunction, and Max Caster‘s out-of-control ego, played into the match with Anthony Bowens abandoning his partner for a well-deserved beatdown that everyone could enjoy.
  • After a backstage promo with his bros and wife, Jeff Jarrett hit the ring teasing his retirement but instead announced resigning with AEW for “one more ride” and his plans to win AEW gold.
  • Post-World’s End backstage promo from MJF announcing his plans to regain the AEW Championship. Call me crazy, but I think this is far likely than Jarrett winning the belt.
  • The night kicked off with a pre-taped segment with the Death Riders with Jon Moxley doing all the talking followed up by a live backstage segment with Adam Copeland & FTR having words for their opponents who they would meet in the six-man tag main event. Before heading to the ring for their match later in the night, Rated FTR ran into a mouthy Big Bill and Bryan Keith setting up another trios match for Collision. In tonight’s main event, the local boys took on Wheeler Yuta, Claudio Castagnoli, and Jon Moxley with an active Marina Shafir at ringside. Great back and forth with the faces getting a Shatter Machine followed by a Spear to claim the win.

Less Notable:

Misses:

  • Mariah May had a backstage promo putting down the rest of the Women’s division (again). Stop having your Women’s Champion bury the rest of the roster every week if you aren’t going to hear from anyone rebutting her statements.
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