Post-Full Gear, the structure and surprises of the Continental Classic have given AEW and AEW Dynamite both shape, consistency and direction. The Death Riders are finally being challenged by an array of potential contenders threatening to remove their gold.
AEW creatively has made progress between Continental Classics for the most part, while some issues remain the same.
It’s ironic that for a card with a cold winter vibe, several of the night’s matches are packing heat. A rematch between Will Ospreay and Claudio Castagnoli could steal the show from an athletic standpoint.
Ricochet might be flying around against his will when facing Brody King. We get another chapter in AEW’s Best Woman’s storyline as Mariah May takes on her mentor/partner, Mina Shirakawa. Check out the site for an in-depth look at their story later this week.
Bring in the crowd.
A chill floats through the air… #WinterIsComing!
The tradition continues as #AEWDynamite will be LIVE THIS WEDNESDAY December 11th from the @tmobilecenter in Kansas City, MO and on @TBSNetwork at 8pm ET/7pm CT! pic.twitter.com/TSWKpGlfkX
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) December 9, 2024
Announced Card Thus Far:
Matches announced:
- Winner faces MJF at Worlds End: Adam Cole vs. Kyle O’Reilly
- Continental Classic Gold League: Ricochet vs. Brodie King
- Continental Classic Blue League: Claudio Castagnoli vs. Will Ospreay
- AEW Women’s World Championship: Mariah May vs. Mina Shirakawa
- Jon Moxley and PAC vs. Jay White and Orange Cassidy
Gamble of The Night: Adam Cole vs. Kyle O’Reilly
Two battles between former close friends take place on Dynamite. Contrasted to Mariah May vs Mina Shirakawa, however, the storyline, characterization, and crowd reaction to Adam Cole vs Kyle O’Reilly have set expectations low. It’s not about the quality of their match.
Cole and O’Reilly have been fighting against and alongside each other since 2009. This will be their fourteenth match against each other. There’s history that stretches across promotions.
O’Reilly has been one of the most reliable wrestlers in AEW in 2024, yet often on the losing side, which has made him as a character a victim of AEW’s flawed focus on where the best wrestle is.
A big issue is the wider apathy towards the Devil storyline’s need for a conclusion. Mechanically, this might be a good match. Can these two wrestlers find a way to overcome the storyline’s restraints and make the crowd feel something for them and the outcome?
The Death Riders vs. Jay White and Orange Cassidy
The AEW World Championship picture looks dynamic right now, with so many men vying for Jon Moxley. Jay White is slowly ascending as a babyface. His switchblade could become almost RKO-like in terms of set-up and fan investment. Shockingly, Orange Cassidy returned and now refuses to let Moxley getaway.
Two strange bedfellows now face off against two of the nastiest and unrelenting fighters in AEW. The graphic nostalgically has that AEW dream match strangeness—two clashing personalities and characters working together.
The defensive strategizing of White, mixed with the minimal effort/high impact maneuvers of Cassidy, might halt the Death Riders’ brutality.
The result could impact who goes on to challenge Moxley at Worlds End. It might grab the attention of “Hangman” Adam Page, who is determined to pick up his bloody concussive feud with Moxley. Christian Cage will likely be watching.
Yet, as seen on Collision, FTR might not be too far away either.
Expect fireworks at all stages of this match come AEW Dynamite.
More From LWOS Pro Wrestling
Header photo – AEW – 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 on Wednesday nights at 8 PM ET on TBS. AEW Rampage airs on TNT at 10 PM EST every Friday night. AEW Collision airs Saturday at 8pm Eastern on TNT. More AEW content available on their YouTube.
