After an electric start to the New Year, AEW Dynamite returns with another stacked card for the young decade and the crowd at the Landers Center in Southaven, MS. To think this will be one year to the day that AEW all started with that one press conference in Jacksonville is hard to believe. What a ride it has been, and will continue to be it seems.
This week will be a “Tribute to Legends of Memphis Wrestling” as well, adding a little unique flavor to an already action-packed night. We will also be hearing the answers from Jon Moxley and Cody on their individual situations. Furthering those two excellent narratives should also break up the five matches on the card nicely.
But let’s jump right into what we’ll see tonight on AEW Dynamite.
Tribute to Legends of Memphis Wrestling
With so many great names affixed to this graphic, it is hard not to get excited for a celebration of wrestling history like this one. A little out of place perhaps, not landing in Memphis as one might imagine but still a great effort to celebrate the wrestling history that influenced the wrestling world before some of these wrestlers in AEW took their first step. In some cases that is both figurative and literal. But regardless of all of that, seeing AEW celebrating history like this without having it be celebrating their own history like WWE tends to do is a refreshing sight.
Cody & Dustin Rhodes vs. The Lucha Bros (Pentagon Jr. & Rey Fenix)
While on paper this looks like a stylistic clash, the results will no doubt be spectacular given that this is the first time these duos have faced each other and the combined talents shared. Rey Fenix and Pentagon Jr. have been arguably the best team in all of wrestling in 2019. Showcasing that against Cody and Dustin Rhodes, who had the match of the year in many’s eyes against one another before teaming together against The Young Bucks. The only worrisome fact is this does come on a very stacked night with MJF and Wardlow waiting on answers from Cody. Perhaps we see the two come out and demand they get them, leaving this match up in the air in terms of a clean contest. Fingers crossed they stay in the back so we can get this great bout.
Will Cody Accept MJF’s Stipulations?
Speaking of MJF and Wardlow, it has been announced that Cody will answer his list of stipulations from last week’s AEW Dynamite. What this entails and whether or not he will accept is purely speculative at this point. However, with that in mind, I have full confidence that we can expect Cody to do whatever it takes to get his hands on his former protege after the history they share. 10 lashes, a cage match with Wardlow, easy enough to accept despite the daunting challenges. But keeping his hands off MJF may be more challenging. Everyone in the world expected Cody to beat Chris Jericho for the gold, but that was thwarted by MJF throwing in the towel costing him a chance at ever claiming that belt. On the road to Revolution, this one is certainly an interesting speed bump along the way there.
AEW Women’s World Championship: Riho (c) vs. Kris Statlander
Getting her first shot at AEW gold, Kris Statlander will take on Riho for her AEW Women’s World Championship. With all the momentum in the world behind her, it will be interesting to see how Riho faces her biggest test yet as champion. ‘The Galaxy’s Favorite Alien’ has been tearing through the women’s division whilst Riho has been on the sidelines watching it unfold. Has she been doing her homework? Or will she succumb to Statlander’s momentum?
Kenny Omega and Adam Page vs. Private Party (Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy)
A tough test for the youth of Private Party here, as they face off against Kenny Omega and Adam Page. But that is where this match may get very interesting. Having a lot of tension and friction between them, Omega and Page have been sharing some interesting back and forths over the past few weeks. Proving that he was no longer affiliated last week, Page refused to join the other Elite members in celebrating in the ring. Does this storyline develop further and start to show a darker side of the “has he been drinking” memes? Does the “cowboy shit” he loves to reference mean that he is going outlaw? We will have to wait and see.
Sammy Guevara vs. Christopher Daniels
Another developing story comes from the former Fallen Angel himself, Christopher Daniels. Clearly shaken by his botched moonsault, Daniels even showed some deer-in-the-headlights style hesitation when going for the move on Dark last night. As for Sammy Guevara, he is riding high with youth and The Inner Circle behind him. Does this lead to an easy victory further breaking Daniels’ confidence? Or perhaps Daniels came to go to war and will give Sammy the fight of his career. He has the abilities, as long as his confidence can be regained. Unless, perhaps, there is a darker order behind (or under leadership of) the Fallen Angel?
Orange Cassidy & The Best Friends (Chuck Taylor & Trent) vs. The Jurassic Express (Luchasaurus, Jungle Boy & Marko Stunt)
The Best Friends and Orange Cassidy are quickly becoming a major crowd favorite. However, the support Jurassic Express has is unmatched. The trio of Luchasaurus, Marko Stunt, and Jungle Boy has captured the hearts of many, this author included. The beautiful absurdity of having a dinosaur, a Tarzan-esque man, and the new generation Spike Dudley (yes, I said it) all teaming together for a common goal. Only in pro wrestling, folks. Over on the Best Friends and Orange Cassidy side, Cassidy has achieved much of that same level of instant stardom. Bringing that to join the veteran pair of Trent and Chuck Taylor who has lit up indy fan faces for years was a brilliant addition. Now in this fan-favorite versus fan-favorite six-man tag match, it isn’t a question of will it be entertaining or deliver. It becomes simply who do you root for? Expect a lot of dueling chants in Missouri this evening.
Will @jonmoxley accept the offers made by @IAmJericho?
Moxley will give his answer in Southaven!Get your tickets at https://t.co/5WsWwyDkwZ or watch #AEWDynamite LIVE every Wednesday on @TNTDrama 8e/7c. #AEWonTNT @AEWonTNT pic.twitter.com/evelWXAOqx
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) January 6, 2020
Will Moxley Join The Inner Circle?
The biggest question coming into this week’s Dynamite is what is on the mind of Jon Moxley? Will he be persuaded by the allure of the fancy car and the power? Or will he stick to his ground and declare war against the stable that holds the most power in the company? Only Moxley himself knows how this one will play out, and that makes it all the more interesting heading into tonight’s episode. For now, all we know is the options he has. Whether Mox takes the red or blue pill is now his cross to bear. Expect all of the questions posed to be answered this week on AEW Dynamite. Or at the very least touched upon and set for a bigger bang down the line.
Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can catch AEW Dynamite every Wednesday night at 8:00 pm Eastern, 6:00 pm Pacific on TNT and internationally on AEW Plus on Fite TV
