AEW Dynamite: Jon Moxley returns, Cody’s speech, Sting & Darby win

John Siino reviews Dynamite featuring Jon Moxley's return, Cody Rhodes has a speech, Sting & Darby Allin team, and CM Punk pins Shawn Spears.

AEW Dynamite

January 19th, 2022

By: John Siino

Entertainment & Sports Arena in Washington, D.C.

Commentary: Jim Ross, Excalibur & Tony Schiavone

Jon Moxley is Thirsty for Blood

Jon Moxley comes out to ‘Wild Thing’ through the crowd to start the show to a great reaction, looking very healthy and refreshed. Before Moxley says a thing, he looks a bit emotional as the crowd chants ‘welcome back’. Before he can talk, a fan yells ‘get this drunken piece of trash out of the ring’, which prompts Moxley to drop an F-bomb and tells them to get the fan out of there. Moxley says that a little while ago he landed in a plane and didn’t know what city he was in and when he woke up it felt like he was in a bad dream and felt like a black cloud and a demon was over him and following him his whole life. The cloud was laughing at him and everything in his life that was good wasn’t supposed to happen, and the demon asked him ‘do you really think you were going to make it out’, and he woke up before he had a chance to answer him. He has more scars on his body than the average person, but the important ones are the ones we carry on the inside that are hard to see and sometimes we try to cover them up and pretend they aren’t there, but those are the ones that tell our story and give us strength and make us the people that we are. Nobody is perfect, and if everybody was perfect the world would be a boring place. With that being said, there are plenty of people that want to write him off, that doubt him, and it won’t be the first or last time, and if they want to do that they can say what they want to say and he’ll tell him to take all that shit and shove it right up their ass. He doesn’t run from demons; he just beats the shit out of them. He thanks everybody who’s had his back and tells them to buckle up as he goes on a pilgrimage in the year 2022 and grabs the world of wrestling by the balls and does whatever he wants, because now more than ever he is truly free. He says there isn’t any hell he hasn’t been in, and if there is anybody there that can think they can put him through it, and now he’s thirsty and all he thinks is blood.

Docking Pay

We go backstage to MJF who’s with Wardlow who says last week was a disgrace, that last week after taking all those powerbombs, instead of taking the loss like a man, he took the easy way out and took advantage of Wardlow’s brain to win. MJF then starts apologizing to Wardlow and says since it’s his birthday his gift to Wardlow is an apology. However, Wardlow put his hands on him and as much as it hurts for him to do this, he will have to dock his pay, but when MJF wins the AEW World Championship he’ll put it back because he believes him just like he believes in Shawn Spears to get the job done, and he’ll be calling all the action for it. MJF puts his arm around Wardlow, who gives him a bit of a look.

Adam Cole & Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. vs. Orange Cassidy & Kris Statlander

Statlander and Baker start the match, but right away Baker tags out to Cole, which prompts Cassidy to tag in as this is mixed tag rules. Cole tags out to Baker, who gets right in Cassidy’s face. Cassidy starts giving his lazy kicks to Baker, but Baker stomps on his foot to stop him. Statlander comes right in and slams and boops Baker and goes for the Big Bang Theory, but Baker escapes and tags out. As Cole is pushing Statlander into her corner, Cassidy surprises Cole with a dive off the top rope. Cassidy hits a DDT knocking Cole to the outside, Baker tries to sneak attack Cassidy, but Statlander catches her and hits a suplex on Baker with some ‘help’ from Cassidy. Statlander and Cassidy attack Baker and Cole outside with a Pendulum Moonsault from Statlander and a lazy dive from Cassidy, as they go and hug after before running into double superkicks from Baker and Cole who kiss as they go to picture in picture.

When we come back, Cole is in control whipping Cassidy to the corner, but he comes back, as they hit a double clothesline. Statlander and Baker come in, with Statlander hitting a bit of offense including a Blue Thunder Bomb for a two count. They lock up in a backslide position, with a pin attempt until Baker escapes and hits a Fisherman’s neck breaker. Cole and Cassidy tag in, as Cassidy is fired up hitting a flurry of punches, before getting an Enziguri and countering into a stunner. Baker comes in and hits a stomp on Cassidy as Cole is distracting the referee. Baker and Statlander go at it, with Statlander going to the top rope, but Cole goes and covers to protect Baker, which doesn’t stop Statlander from hitting Area 451 on both of them. Cassidy comes in and hits the Beach Break on Cole, but only gets a two. Cassidy throws down his elbow pad and goes for the Orange Punch, but Cole escapes to the ramp. Cassidy goes to dive onto Cole on the outside, but Cole hits him with the superkick. With Cassidy on the ramp still, Cole sets him up for the Panama Sunrise. Statlander pushes Cassidy into the ring to protect him, as Cole teases hitting her with it instead, but Baker superkicks Statlander before hitting her Pittsburgh Sunrise. As that happens, Cole hits a Panama Sunrise on Cassidy inside, but only gets a two count as the crowd gets into this. Cole goes to the outside and grabs the timekeeper’s table with help from Baker, setting it up closer to the ring. Cole goes inside where he dodges an Orange Punch from Cassidy and prompts Baker to fall back into the table, just coming short of connecting with her. Cole hits a low blow on Cassidy followed by The Boom for the three-count.

Winners: Adam Cole & Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. by pinfall at 14:25

No, I Don’t Feel You

Alex Marvez is backstage with Chris Jericho, Santana & Ortiz who says next week they’ll be facing off against Daniel Garcia and 2point0. Jericho mentions not caring about Eddie Kingston, but Santana and Ortiz stop him and say not to talk about Kingston like that, and maybe he was right about Jericho not caring about them and holding them back and asks when they truly had his back and maybe next week, they’ll focus more on them instead of ‘this’ and see if Jericho will really have their back.

Lights Out at Beach Break

Alex Marvez is backstage with Adam Cole and asks about Britt Baker’s fall. Cole tells him to get out and says Orange Cassidy has been a thorn by his side for far too long and then he puts his hands on his girlfriend. Cole says he beat him in singles competition, mixed tag match and asks him what else to do so next week at Beach Break he will destroy him in an anything goes, no disqualification, Lights Out match. He can’t stand to look at Cassidy’s stupid face any longer so it’s time to end his career.

Shawn Spears vs. CM Punk

Right before the match starts, MJF comes out and makes his way to commentary. They go at it right away, with Punk hitting the GTS right away for the pin.

Winner: CM Punk by pinfall in 12 seconds

As Punk is celebrating, MJF tries to sneak attack him from behind, but Punk catches him and grabs him by his scarf. MJF escapes, leaving the scarf in Punk’s hands.

Gunning for a Title Shot

Billy Gunn is backstage where he commandeered one of the cameras and shows him meeting Christian Cage coming into the building and says that his boys Austin & Colten are ranked in the top 5 and should get a title shot against Jurassic Express. Christian says there is no doubt they are talented and got their genes from their dad, but like their dad always seemed to fall short as the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. This prompts Billy to shove Christian and get attacked from behind by Austin & Colten as they attack Christian against the garage door behind them.

What Do You Want to Talk About?

Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring as they go to a Go-Big Show promo, when we come back Cody has a giant ladder in the ring, as the fans boo and says, ‘what do you guys want to talk about?’. Cody starts talking about CM Punk and his infamous pipe bomb and how it sparked a revolution. Someone told him to save this promo, but he doesn’t know if he’ll get the chance, so he’ll do it now. Cody continues talking about CM Punk’s promo on NJPW, ROH, teaming with the Young Bucks and as destiny and faith would have it, he would not be able to do any of that. The crowd starts chanting ‘Royal Rumble’ and ‘Cody sucks’ at Cody. Cody said in the absence and void that CM Punk left behind, someone was able to do those things and that was him. And as he did all of this, everybody cheered and the reason he won’t turn heel is that they chanted when he didn’t need it. He brings up the Forbidden Door, brings up journalists, and says he is the one that built it. When he’s gone for two weeks, the Young Bucks almost tried to start the Wednesday Night War again with reDRagon, Ricky Starks struggled with Jay Lethal who has a Lethal Injection that everybody kicks out. Cody brings up Malakai Black, how they aren’t in the business of renaming people like Gunner McGillicutty and Brody King has the balls calling himself Brody and in 8 years ‘that kid’ will come calling. Cody keeps rambling on and on and ends it by basically saying to have a ladder match with Sammy Guevara at Beach Break to see who is the one and only AEW TNT Champion.

That Bitch Show Open Challenge

Tony Schiavone is backstage with Jade Cargill, Mark Sterling, Anna Jay, and John Silver, where Jade puts out an open challenge which Anna Jay has accepted. Anna Jay says there is a dark side to her and wrapped barbed wire around her arm to win and will do anything to win. Jade says she needs to understand who she is and where they are, and this is That Bitch Show.

The House of Black (Malakai Black & Brody King) vs. The Varsity Blonds (Brian Pillman Jr. & Griff Garrison) (w/ Julia Hart)

The House of Black has their own theme music and entrance, as Brody and Garrison start the match. Brody and Black start by trading tags back and forth before Garrison escapes and tags in Pillman. Pillman goes for his springboard clothesline, but is reluctant and can’t do it, dropping to the floor. Garrison wonders what he’s doing, as Brody takes him out on the outside. Brody and Malakai double team Pillman, ending with Dante’s Inferno, and pinning Pillman quickly.

Winners: The House of Black (Malakai Black & Brody King) by pinfall at 1:53

Pac Looking For Malakai

Malakai Black gets on the mic and tells the crowd to rise, but a video on the screen pops up from Pac. Pac says he’s found a new vision and has found Malakai and says he’s just the same as every other cretin in AEW. Self-obsessed and power-hungry, and it’s exhausting. Pac takes off his blindfold revealing his eyes are ok and says he is going to make a martyr out of Malakai.

Not Waiting in Line

We see a video of Lance Archer with Jake Roberts and Dan Lambert with Roberts doubting what kind of cowboy Hangman Adam Page is and Archer doesn’t wait in line anymore. Page chimes in and says he wanted a challenger and he found one, and if he wants a fight to come and get it. Roberts ends it and says when it’s time, Page will bite the dust, and it’s time.

Roppongi Vice Reunites

Brandon Cutler is backstage with the ‘Cutler Cam’ looking for the Young Bucks, but instead, Trent Beretta and Rocky Romero take it and tell Cutler to keep the camera running or they’ll kick his ass. Beretta says he gets bullied enough so asks Cutler nicely to keep rolling. They mention how they’ve been losing a lot and reminisce about beating the Young Bucks for the tag titles in NJPW, and can beat them easily so they challenge them for Rampage on Friday with Roppongi Vice reuniting to take on the Young Bucks.

Frankie Kazarian vs. Lance Archer (w/ Jake Roberts & Dan Lambert)

Archer hits an elbow strike right away to start the match, as Kazarian tries to fight back right away, but Archer takes him out with a clothesline to the back of the neck. Archer keeps Kazarian in the corner with punches and strikes, followed by a suplex. Kazarian tries to fight back but gets clotheslined off the apron as we go to commercial.

When we come back, Archer is still dominating Kazarian, keeping him in the corner with chops. Archer keeps at it until Kazarian tries to fight back but gets tossed into the corner and placed on the top rope where Archer tries to hit the Blackout. Kazarian lands elbows and bites Archer to get out, before hitting a missile dropkick. Kazarian gets stopped by a chokeslam and the Hellacoaster. Instead of going for the pin, he keeps at it and eventually hits the Blackout and gets the pin.

Winner: Lance Archer by pinfall at 10:02

Tony Schiavone goes in the ring and tries to understand the relationship between Lance Archer and Dan Lambert. Lambert says he doesn’t have to understand, and Adam Page just isn’t old enough for this, and all he did was play video games inside and the Toy Story movie made him want to be a cowboy. Archer takes the mic and says enough of this cowboy bullshit, and he’s going to show him what he’s going to do. He tosses a chair and Kazarian to the outside and teases hitting a chokeslam, but Hangman Adam Page makes his way out and goes face to face with Archer, which eventually leads to them trading blows. Archer gets the best of him and goes to grab the chair, but Page stops him with his boot, sending him inside where he goes for the Buckshot Lariat, but Archer stops him. Page lands a couple of punches and knocks Archer to the outside.

How Many Brothers You Got?

Alex Marvez is backstage with Dante Martin who’s with Lee Moriarty and Matt Sydal who say they’ll have each other’s back. We cut to Ricky Starks and Powerhouse Hobbs, where Starks asks ‘how many brothers you got’ before warning Martin to watch his back.

Tony Schiavone is backstage with Kris Statlander and Red Velvet, but Leyla Hirsch interrupts them and says that Statlander cost them their match and money, Red Velvet gets in between but Hirsch tells her to shut up before attacking her then attacking Statlander putting her in an armbar.

Skye Blue vs. Serena Deeb

They go at it quick and fast, with Deeb sending Blue to the apron where she puts on a guillotine followed by a neckbreaker onto the ropes. Deeb hits a series of uppercuts and a swinging neckbreaker. Deeb hits the Deeb Tox but doesn’t go for the pin. Instead, she locks on the Serenity Lock as Blue immediately taps out.

Winner: Serena Deeb by submission at 2:51

Look No Further

Dan Lambert is backstage with the Men of the Year, where they talk down on Jon Moxley and Ethan Page says since he’s been gone, Page has been racking up wins and if Tony Khan is looking for a marquee match for Friday, look no further.

Rampage Line-Up

·       Jon Moxley vs. Ethan Page

·       Roppongi Vice (Trent Beretta & Rocky Romero) vs. Young Bucks (Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson)

·       Hook vs. Serpentico

·       TBS Championship: Jade Cargill (c) vs. Anna Jay

Beach Break Line-Up

·       TNT Championship Ladder Match: Cody Rhodes vs. Sammy Guevara

·       Lights Out Match: Adam Cole vs. Orange Cassidy

·       Trios Match: Chris Jericho, Santana & Ortiz vs. Daniel Garcia & 2point0 (Matt Lee & Jeff Parker)

·       Red Velvet vs. Leyla Hirsch

AHFO

Matt Hardy & Andrade El Idolo are in the back with the rest of the Hardy Family Office and say they have come to an agreement where Andrade owns 51 percent of HFO, but they still have the majority of the seats with Matt Hardy and Private Party representing three seats while Andrade and Jose are 2 seats. Matt Hardy will remain CEO while Andrade is president of what they are now calling AHFO and will look for more members as they mention ‘the kid who hangs around Sting’ is a possible member.

The Acclaimed (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens) vs. Darby Allin & Sting

Max Caster’s freestyle includes saying Sting will look worse than he did at Starrcade ’97. The Acclaimed start attacking them before the bell even rings and put Darby’s head in between the chair and ram him into the ring post. Officials check on Darby and carry him to the back as the referee starts this as a handicap match with Sting and Bowens. Bowens ends up pulling the top turnbuckle off as Sting crashes into it and Bowens gets a two count as they go to commercial.

When we come back, Sting puts the Scorpion Death Lock on Caster, but Bowens attacks Sting until he finally let’s go. As Caster has the referee distracted inside, Bowens attacks Sting with the boombox. They set up the steel steps outside, but before they can do anything to Sting, Darby makes his way back out and takes out The Acclaimed with a Coffin Drop to the outside. Darby puts on a guillotine choke on Caster, but Caster tags out to Bowens, as Caster hits the Mic Drop which Sting breaks up the pin. Sting knocks The Acclaimed out to the ramp, where he goes and jumps off the ramp onto Caster through a table that he was leaning on. Darby hits Bowens with the stunner followed by the Coffin Drop for the pin and the win.

Winners: Sting & Darby Allin by pinfall at 9:22

About John Siino 400 Articles
New York native and reporter at POST Wrestling. He is also Associate Producer at POISONRANA, co-host of 'Collision Course' and the host of the 'Shot in the Dark' podcast.