**CONTAINS SPOILERS**
Jim Ross, Tony Schiavone, and Excalibur were the broadcast team for tonight’s event.
The opening match was “Hangman” Adam Page vs. John Silver of the Dark Order, who accompanied Silver to the ring!
Silver offered a fist bump to “Hangman” Page before the match began, but Page declined.
“John Silver has become somewhat of a sensation on the Internet. I think he’s demented to be honest with you,” noted Tony Schiavone.
Page knocked Silver down with a shoulder block. Page bounced off the ropes and Silver tried to leapfrog over him, but Page caught him with a scoop slam. Silver battled back, connecting with a dropkick to Page. Silver flexed and posed in Page’s face, showing off his guns. As he was smiling and pointed at Page’s arms, Page hit Silver with a right hand shot. Page followed up with hard knife edge chops.
“The thing that I love about ‘Hangman’ Page’s game, when he’s on his game, his strikes are as lethal as anybody’s here in AEW,” said Jim Ross.
Silver reversed Page in the corner and dished out some chops of his own, but Page got the better of the exchange. Page sent flying Silver high up into the air with a back body drop!
“His buddies call Silver the ‘meat-man’ and the meat-man’ went flying!” said Jim Ross.
“Looks like Adam is having a good time,” replied Schiavone.
“Yeah, first time he came out here without a beverage,” said Jim Ross.
Page jumped to a turnbuckle but Silver sent him flying with a quick thrust kick. Silver flew off the top rope with a tremendous crossbody block on Page for a one-count.
“Silver is a very difficult man to prepare for because of his lower center of gravity, he’s often firing up at his opponents,” noted Excalibur.
Silver used roundhouse kicks on a downed Page. “Hangman” got to his feet and answered Silver with a resounding chop! Silver countered with a back elbow, dropping Page. Silver got behind Page with a snap German suplex for a near fall! Page bought some time with a clothesline that sent Silver to the arena floor.
“That’s a move that Silver should have had better scouted,” said Jim Ross.
“Hangman’s explosivity is hard to prepare for,” replied Excalibur.
Page dropped with a sliding lariat onto Silver for a two-count before Silver kicked out.
Silver tried to jump off the turnbuckle with a cross-body but Page caught him and countered with a Samoan drop. Page followed up with a running shooting star press. Silver kicked out at two!
“Very resilient, is John Silver. Whenever you see a faction, you’re always looking for someone who is going to break out. I think John Silver has done a pretty damn good job of that here in 2020,” said Jim Ross.
Hangman attempted the buckshot lariat but Silver countered with a hurracanrana for a near fall on Page! He followed up with kicks and a suplex on Page! Silver blasted Page with a brainbuster, but Page kicked out at the two-count!
Silver blistered Page with stiff kicks, but Page smiled and absorbed them. Silver cracked Page right under the jaw but Page used a lariat to turn Silver inside out! Page Liger-bombed Silver but Silver kicked out! Silver was slow to rise and Page waited and when the time was just right he nailed him with the buckshot lariat for the victory!
“Page has just beaten the meat-man,” said Jim Ross.
“This is an important first step for Adam Page as he rebuilds,” said Excalibur.
The Dark Order entered the ring, with Evil Uno taking the microphone: “We’re not here to jump you, Adam. We have many regrets, but I know you have some regrets of your own. When I look at you, Adam, I see an individual who was part of one of the most popular groups ever. But I also see an individual who no matter how many times he tried to escape, the group would not let him go. And if that’s not a cult, I don’t know what is. Adam, my friends and I are here for you. You know where we are. You know where to find us.”
“A very compelling offer from the Dark Order to the Lonesome Dove, shall we say,” said Excalibur.
Alex Marvez was backstage to interview Kenny Omega!
“After an uneventful week, it’s given me a lot of time to reflect. I’ve come to the conclusion that the more things change, the more they stay the same. If I reflect almost a year ago to the date, I was nursing injuries that I incurred from you, Jon. Yeah we had a match, I lost, I can admit it. I can change. Fast forward the clock now to present time. We’re about to do the dance again. Things stay the same. The only difference now is instead of me, I see your face plastered everywhere on pro wrestling magazines. I see people calling you ‘the best in the world.’ Things change. But then after the Eliminator Title Tournament, suddenly my name is brought back up. Suddenly it’s the return of ‘The Cleaner.’ The return of the “Best Bout Machine.’ The return of the true ‘Best in the World.’ The common thread that binds us is what you have and what I don’t. That is the AEW Championship. For a year I have struggled and I have clawed my way back up to the top to be taken seriously again. And it isn’t until I get your belt that people really consider me as being the best. So Jon, I wouldn’t consider it a stipulation, it’s just a gentleman’s challenge. Just for one night only, please, leave the garbage wrestling at home. No tables, no chairs, no thumbtacks. You want to be the best? Beat me in the middle of the ring but do it with your ability. Let’s sign that contract.”
Up next: Powerhouse Hobbs (with Taz) against Lee Johnson!
Taz joined the broadcast team for this match.
Hobbs clobbered Lee, muscling him right down to the mat in short order! Hobbs sprinted on the outside of the ring and delivered a running lariat to Lee! Hobbs grabbed Lee by the skull and flung him into the steel barricade. Hobbs lifted Lee and then squashed him right down, earning a decisive victory over Lee!
“Hobbs is a blue chip recruit if there ever was one,” said Jim Ross.
“Powerhouse Hobbs making an example of the Nightmare Family’s Lee Johnson here tonight,” remarked Excalibur.
Taz took a microphone and carried the FTW Championship with him to the ring: “My man, you go and celebrate. I’ve gotta take care of some business. I’ve got a problem and it’s this FTW Championship and this company, AEW. They are not acknowledging what this championship is. I am sick and tired of Team Taz being disrespected. I am sick and tired of this FTW Title not being recognized in this company. I’m not leaving this ring until somebody from management comes down here and takes this title and makes it mean something in this company. Because there’s a legacy behind this. There’s a reason why tough men hold this title.”
Taz’s microphone was cut off. Taz demanded that ring announcer Justin Roberts bring his mic to him.
“Hey, Keith Mitchell, Tony Khan, you shut off this mic, and I’ll go over to the announcers’ headsets. This isn’t my first rodeo and—”
Again, Taz’s microphone was cut off.
Cody Rhodes came out in business attire with a microphone and told the audience to give Taz a round of applause because he’s done.
Cody Rhodes: “I’m coming out here out of total respect because you’re wasting time. And next week we can leave it here in the ring. Because next week it is Ricky Starks and your new cohort Will Hobbs against myself and Darby Allin. Is that good enough? Are you happy with that?”
Taz replied: “I’m out here for a reason. Next week the same thing is gonna happen. I need one of you management people to take that FTW Championship and give it the respect it deserves.”
Cody: “Ok, ok. Someone from management is here. I hear what you’re saying. I’m digesting it all. I see the FTW Championship. How about this? I’ll run it up the flagpole.”
Taz didn’t like that answer so Cody retorted, asking why Taz’s son is training with Cody to be a pro wrestler and not with Taz.
Taz said Cody went too far with that remark and as Cody had his back turned, Taz jumped him with the Tazmission! The Gunn Club came to the aid of Cody Rhodes and Taz retreated from the ring before he could be outnumbered. Taz’s son, Hook, was outside the ring and carried the FTW Title. He and his father walked away as Cody was helped to his feet by the Gunn Club.
Top Flight—“Air Wolf” Darius Martin & “Angel Dorado” Dante Martin vs. The Hybrid2—Jack Evans & Angelico was next!
Angelico grappled Darius to the mat. Darius cartwheeled away as a counter. After some impressive chain wrestling, Darius used two consecutive arm drags to get the advantage on Angelico. Dante tagged in and Top Flight executed smooth tandem offense on TH2. Dante hooked Angelico deep for a two-count.
“I like their strategy. Try to get the win quickly,” said Schiavone.
Angelico dodged a high dropkick attempt from Dante and then took him down with a swift kick! Jack Evans tagged in and TH2 employed some tandem offense of their own. Evans was driving knees to Dante’s face and then grabbed a handful of hair to send Dante to the canvas. Dante managed to tag Dante, who hit Evans with a big boot and then an explosive uppercut. Dante followed up with a shotgun dropkick as Evans was reeling. Top Flight used smart tags in and out, ending with Jack Evans being set up in a powerbomb and a pinning attempt by Dante Martin. Angelico was there to make the save for his team.
“That was a veteran move by Angelico, who has been competing for 13 years,” noted Jim Ross.
Evans was kicked to the outside of the ring by Top Flight. Evans crashed into the arms of Angelico. Top Flight recognized the opportunity they had and went after TH2 with a tope suicida and tope con hiro! Dante hit a giant frog splash on Evans, but Evans was able to kick out!
“They gotta be a little more firm on their covers, that’s all,” said Jim Ross of Top Flight.
Evans hit a back elbow on Dante and tagged in Angelico. TH2 used combination offense but Dante kicked out of it! Dante managed to connect with a Code Red but Evans pulled Angelico out from the pin. Evans pulled down Dante’s head on the ropes in a guillotine like maneuver and then Angelico kicked Dante’s legs out from under him. Angelico applied a leg lock on Dante, forcing him to tap out!
TH2 continued to beat down Dante, trying to injure him, until The Young Bucks—Nick and Matt Jackson ran down to save Top Flight!
“It looks like Top Flight’s got some pretty good mentors,” said Jim Ross.
Nyla Rose and Vickie Guerrero were backstage.
Vickie accused Brandi Rhodes of using nepotism. “Brandi Rhodes it looks like your business plan is set up for failure, so if you need any advice—call me,” said Vickie.
SCU—“The Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian vs. “Demo God” Chris Jericho & Jake Hager of the Inner Circle!
The Inner Circle walked out with Jericho and Hager and this included new members MJF and Wardlow. The Inner Circle seemed a little worse for the wear after their Vegas trip last week—like they’d binged on too much cereal at midnight.
Jericho and Daniels locked up for the first time ever in their careers! Daniels used an arm drag to take down Jericho. Daniels was leveled by a shoulder tackle from Jericho. Daniels managed to isolate Jericho in SCU’s corner and they ping-ponged him back and forth with stiff shots to the head. Frankie tagged in and stomped on Jericho’s spine!
Hager tagged in and battered Frankie with shots to the ribs! Hager rammed Frankie into the corner turnbuckles, and when the ref was distracted, Jericho worked over Frankie. Daniels managed to tag in and took Hager off his feet with a clothesline! Daniels ran into the ropes but Santana swept at his ankle, tripping up Daniels. Hager was there to grab Daniels with a modified powerslam! Jericho tagged in and shut Daniels right back down with a running lariat. Jericho tore off Daniels’ shirt and hit him with knife edge chops. Jericho suplex Daniels and then flexed. He followed up with a lionsault but Daniels moved out of the way! Jericho grabbed Daniels by the ankle and pulled him to the Inner Circle’s corner. He and Hager worked over Daniels with punches to the rib.
Daniels managed to break away and get the hot tag to Frankie, who cleaned house on Jericho and Hager! Frankie knocked Jericho loopy with a high forearm! He dropped a leg across Hager, blocking his attempt to interfere.
“The ever underrated Frankie Kazarian showing why he is really an outstanding, great wrestler,” said Jim Ross.
Kazarian took some of the fight to the Inner Circle on the outside after they tried to get involved in the match. When Kazarian returned to the ring, Jericho was waiting for him.
“He allowed Jericho precious moments to recover,” said Excalibur.
Fortunately Daniels was able to tag in and hit the boots to Jericho, and then took flight with a tope suicida to Jake Hager! Daniels returned to the ring with a diving cross body block onto Jericho for a two-count! Hager tagged in but Daniels connected with a diving flatliner! Daniels followed up with the BME—Best Moonsault Ever—onto Hager, but Jericho broke up the pin!
As the ref was distracted, MJF walloped Daniels with the Dynamite Diamond Ring! Jericho wasted no time and decimated Daniels with the Judas Effect! The ref turned around and saw Hager covering Daniels and she counted Hager’s pin on “The Fallen Angel!”
“Strength in numbers. Who can beat the Inner Circle?” asked Excalibur.
Kazarian checked on his partner and then decked MJF! The Inner Circle swarmed on SCU! Scorpio Sky rushed to the ring with a steel chair to fend off the Inner Circle from his friends in SCU!
Kip and “The Best Man” Miro debuted their “Video Game Extravaganza” segment—at least, they tried to!
Before they could get started, Orange Cassidy walked in and turned off their projector. Kip and Miro chased Orange outside, but Best Friends—Chuck Taylor and Trent—were there to back him up. Best Friends brawled with Miro and Kip!
It was time for the contract signing for the AEW World Title Match that’ll happen live next week on DYNAMITE!
Tony Schiavone was in the ring and introduced “The Cleaner” Kenny Omega first.
As Kenny was waiting in the tunnel to make his entrance, Moxley attacked him from behind!
“Moxley bludgeoning Omega. It is very clear that Moxley blames Omega for that assault last week. What condition will Omega be in next Wednesday night when he challenges Jon Moxley for the AEW World Championship?” asked Excalibur.
Moxley spiked Omega with a Paradigm Shift directly onto the world title!
“Gentlemen’s agreement? Riiiiight. I don’t know who you hired to take me out last week, but they did a pretty piss poor job. Next time you want to put a hit on somebody, give me a call, I’ll hook you up with some guys from Philadelphia. They do great work,” said Moxley.
“I thought our beef was squashed one year ago. And then you had to go and piss me off! But don’t worry. Consider us even,” continued Moxley, staring down into the face of Omega.
Moxley: “The only way you become AEW World Champion is you dig down deep into your guts and you find the Kenny Omega that everybody thinks you are. You’re gonna have to climb a mountain that nobody’s been able to climb in 18 months. You gotta beat me! On December the 2nd here on TNT, the biggest match in AEW DYNAMITE history, the two best wrestlers on the planet tangle for the world’s championship. Win, lose, or draw, winter is coming for you, Kenny. You come at the king, you best not miss, ‘cause I don’t take prisoners. Steady your hand, aim, and take your shot, Kenny, ‘cause you’re only gonna get one,” and then Mox signed the contract!
Backstage, Jericho challenged Frankie Kazarian to a match for next week’s episode!
Up next, for the AEW Women’s World Championship, it was “The Queen Slayer” Anna “99” Jay (with Tay Conti) challenging the champ Hikaru Shida!
“This is a rematch, but now the stakes are even higher. The AEW Women’s World Championship is on the line here,” noted Excalibur.
The Dark Order strolled onto the ramp to oversee the match and have Anna Jay’s back.
Shida and Anna pushed and shoved each other. Shida shoulder tackled Anna Jay, who then countered with a standing switch on the champ.
“She’s looking for that ‘Queenslayer,’” said Excalibur.
“That’s what she put Brandi Rhodes out with when they attacked Cody,” replied Tony Schiavone.
Shida escaped and used a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker to take Anna Jay down hard! She followed up with a running dropkick. Shida tried for her running knee to Anna Jay, whose head was draped over the ring apron, but Anna Jay had it scouted! She chopped at Shida, keeping the pressure on her on the outside of the ring!
“She’s laying it in here, man,” said Schiavone.
“Anna Jay looks very comfortable challenging the very best in AEW,” noted Jim Ross.
Shida was on the second turnbuckle when Anna Jay hit her with a spinning back kick, knocking her down to one knee. She took advantage of the situation with a snapmare to Shida.
Anna Jay asked Tay Conti for a steel chair. Tay told her that she didn’t need the chair, but Anna grabbed it away from her to use on Shida. The referee took the chair away, and while his back was turned, John Silver handed a kendo stick to Anna Jay. She hit a homerun on Shida’s knee with the kendo stick! Anna Jay covered Shida who kicked out at the very last moment, narrowly avoiding defeat. The Queen Slayer was locked in, and Anna Jay was trying to put Shida to sleep!
Shida rolled out of the Queen Slayer and countered with a shot to the back of Anna Jay’s head! Shida had Anna Jay in a vertical suplex, and when she came down Anna Jay reversed it for a near fall on the champ!
“A scintillating near fall for Anna Jay,” said Jim Ross.
Anna Jay charged but Shida ducked under, hooking on the straight jacket German suplex on the challenger! Shida slid through with an elbow, but Anna Jay kicked out of the pin!
“What a battle!” remarked Tony Schiavone.
Shida charged in with the running knee, hitting it right on the money, and finally pinned Anna Jay!
Shida celebrated on the ramp but then Abadon’s music began to play! Shida stumbled back and dropped the belt. Abadon crawled over and licked the belt, her bloody tongue marking the title.
Time for the main event!
The Butcher & The Blade (accompanied by The Bunny & Eddie Kingston) vs. Rey Fenix & “The Bastard” PAC (with Penta El Zero Miedo of Death Triangle)!
Kingston joined the commentary team for this match.
All four men brawled on the ramp before the bell was even rung! Butcher hurled Rey Fenix over the top rope into the ring! PAC and Blade continued to tangle ringside.
PAC saved Rey Fenix from Butcher with a pump kick! Rey Fenix got great elevation and dropkicked Butcher from off the ropes! Death Triangle took flight and took out Butcher and the Blade on the outside!
PAC tagged in but Butcher met him with all of his weight and a crossbody block! He hoisted PAC with a gut wrench and tagged in Blade, who dropkicked PAC on the back of the head. Butcher finished the sequence with the gut wrench to put an exclamation point at the end of the sentence.
Rey Fenix tagged in and quickly hit a dropkick on Blade. Rey Fenix used ground and pound on Blade! PAC tagged in and used a hard hammer throw to the corner on Blade. PAC and Blade exchanged forearm shots. Blade dropped Rey Fenix with a hot shot—Eddie Gilbert-style! Butcher tagged in and crashed his knees onto Rey Fenix! He rammed Rey Fenix sternum-first into the turnbuckles. Blade tagged in but Rey Fenix had a cutter waiting for him!
“What precision and marksmanship by Rey Fenix,” said Jim Ross.
PAC tagged in and wiped out the Blade with a kicking combo and then a single leg dropkick! He followed up with a northern lights suplex but Blade managed to kick out before the three! PAC attempted a shooting star press but Blade moved out of the way. Blade scooped PAC with a powerslam!
“Beautiful powerslam a la Buzz Sawyer,” remarked Jim Ross.
Blade doctor bombed PAC and went for the pin but Rey Fenix broke it up just in time! Rey Fenix climbed to the top turnbuckle and while the referee was distracted by Butcher and PAC on the outside, Eddie Kingston sprinted to the ring. Kingston swept out the legs of Rey Fenix, who crashed down onto the mat! After their double-team finisher, Blade pinned Rey Fenix!
“A tremendous victory for Butcher and the Blade but it would not have been possible without the intervention of the Bunny and Eddie Kingston,” noted Excalibur.
“Eddie Kingston is a difference maker, no doubt about it,” agreed Jim Ross.
Kingston DDT’ed a defenseless PAC onto a steel chair! Kingston did it a second time, while Blade forced Penta El Zero Miedo to watch on! Kingston was going for a third DDT but “The MurderHawk Monster” Lance Archer ran to the ring! Archer took down Butcher and the Blade and then went to chokeslam Kingston! Butcher and the Blade prevented the chokeslam, but Lance Archer went back to attacking Kingston. Archer sent Kingston to the ropes but Kingston bailed out!
“How did Lance Archer get attached to this situation?” asked Jim Ross.
“Well he’s had a problem with Eddie Kingston ever since the anniversary show. It’s been personal between those two,” replied Tony Schiavone.
Be sure to join us next Wednesday for all the explosive action as AEW DYNAMITE is broadcast on TNT! Winter is Coming—as AEW Champion Jon Moxley defends his title against the #1 contender Kenny Omega!