AEW Dynamite Live Coverage - January 29th, 2025

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AEW Dynamite

After last week’s brawl with the Don Callis Family, Will Ospreay collides one-on-one with Brian Cage. Mercedes Moné defends the TBS Championship against Yuka Sakazaki. Plus, if Jeff Jarrett wins against Death Riders’ Claudio Castagnoli, he gets a World Title shot against Jon Moxley.

:aew:

We kick off the show with Will Ospreay heading down to the ring for our opening contest to a big pop from the Huntsville crowd.

Will Ospreay vs. Brian Cage

Ospreay starts to fight back, hitting the ropes for speed before being caught by Cage for a powerbomb attempt. Will fights out of the grip, using his agility to force Brian out of the ring. He goes for a dive, but Cage steps out of the way before taking Ospreay down with a shoulder tackle. Brian hoists Will up to send him into the ring post, but Ospreay breaks free to send the Machine into it instead! Ospreay gets on the barricade…but Cage catches him, keeping him up for a delayed vertical suplex.

How delayed, you ask? Cage walks around the ring with the ref making his count, finally stopping at the announce desk to drop him to the floor! He gets back in the ring, distracting the ref as Archer attacks Ospreay at the desk. Lance steps away enough for Cage to bring the Aerial Assassin back in the ring, before driving him into the corner.

Cage drops Ospreay to the mat hard for a nearfall, before transitioning to a chinlock…before Ospreay fights back to his feet with some forearm strikes. Will takes to the ropes, only to be dropped to the canvas by Cage who mounts up on him for some punches. Cage continues to overpower Ospreay, sending him back down for a nearfall.

With both men back on their feet, Cage locks in a bearhug until Ospreay manages to break free of the grip…sending Cage down to the mat before dropping as well! Ospreay back to his feet, landing a kick before Cage sends him to the corner…but Ospreay catches him with a boot in the corner to turn things around. He hits a springboard elbow strike on the Machine for the cover…but it’s only good for a two count!

We see Callis at ringside trying to cheer Cage on, as Ospreay lays in a series of strikes forcing him to the outside…leading to a Sasuke Special to get the drop on the Machine, sending him to the floor! He brings Cage back to the ring, but is distracted by Archer which allows Cage to strike back. Cage goes up on the turnbuckle for leverage, hoisting Ospreay up and over the ropes to drop him with a vertical suplex to the mat…but Ospreay kicks out!

Ospreay hits the ropes for a hurricanrana, but is caught for a powerbomb attempt by Cage. Will breaks free, looking for an Oscutter…but gets dropped with a forearm and a discus lariat, with a Liger Bomb getting Cage a nearfall in the process.

Cage sends the Aerial Assassin back to the corner, hitting an avalanche Samoan drop that sends Ospreay to the mat! Cover by Cage as Ospreay gets a foot on the rope…only to have it shoved away by Archer, who gets caught by the ref. The argument between Archer, Cage, and the ref leads to Cage getting caught by Ospreay, who hits a Styles Clash for the win!

Winner: Will Ospreay

After the match:
The celebration is short-lived as Archer rushes into the ring to initiate a beatdown on Ospreay after the match…until Kenny Omega makes his way to the ring with a chair in hand! He clears the ring of Cage and Archer, only for Konosuke Takeshita and Kyle Fletcher to come rushing down to keep the advantage for the Don Callis Family. They lay into Ospreay and Omega before standing tall over their opponents for Grand Slam Australia…but they can’t help themselves, going right back at it. They stop for a moment, but Omega keeps getting up which leads to yet another attack before Ospreay heads over to give cover. This finally stops.

Backstage:
Renee tries to get a word with Swerve Strickland but is interrupted by Hangman Adam Page storming around, looking for…something. He won’t answer any questions as he bumps into MJF, who remarks about Page just walking around with no repercussions before addressing Jeff Jarrett. He says that tonight Jarrett has to go out there alone against Claudio, and all because he refused MJF’s offer a few weeks back. Friedman has an offer for Jarrett, one he won’t be able to decline…the Last Outlaw’s last ride. Ain’t he great?

Video Package:
We get a look back at the issues rising between Big Bill and Powerhouse Hobbs the past couple weeks, before going to Hobbs promising that “hell is just the beginning.”

Claudio Castagnoli vs. Jeff Jarrett

The two lock up, with Claudio sending Jarrett to the corner before the ref intervenes with the count. Jarrett gets an opening as he sends Castagnoli to the ropes, catching him with a Japanese style arm drag on the rebound…only for Claudio to power back with a clothesline for a nearfall. Jeff counters a Neutralizer before cinching in the Figure Four Leglock, with Castagnoli managing to get to the ropes to force a break.

Claudio leaves the ring, taking a breather as we see Wheeler Yuta arriving to the front row, causing quite the distraction as we go to ad break.

We go to commercial.

Back from break, both men are in the ring as Claudio sends Jarret to the corner with a hammer throw before dropping him to the mat for a nearfall. Jeff fights out of a Sharpshooter attempt, but is stomped hard by Castagnoli to get another quick nearfall. Jeff gets to his knees as Claudio mocks him with a stomp to the head before going to the ropes…but Jarrett catches him with a low Russian sweep! Cover by Jarrett for the two count.

Both men back to their feet now, trading strikes until Jarrett takes Claudio to the mat. He looks for another Figure Four but is shoved away as Castagnoli gets back to his feet…ducking an enziguri to force Jeff back to the mat, setting up for a giant swing! It’s a short swing this time due to the damage done to his knee, but Claudio still manages to get a Sharpshooter locked in on Jarrett. Jeff does all he can to fight back, and the pain in Claudio’s knee forces him to break the hold.

This allows Jarrett to lock in a Sharpshooter of his own! Claudio is in a bad way here as Jarrett pulls him back to the center of the ring. Yuta circles around the ring, sliding in a steel chair before distracting the ref and Jarrett. This forces a break of the hold, as Claudio grabs the chair to take a swing…but Jarrett ducks it! He goes for the Stroke on Castagnoli, but Jon Moxley rushes to the ring to drop him with a Paradigm Shift. Mox leaves the ring as Claudio drops him with not one but two Neutralizers to pick up the victory.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

After the match:
With the damage done, the Death Riders make their exit through the crowd as MJF’s music hits. MJF enters the ring with a microphone, starting to say something other than Jarrett before simply laying him out with the Dynamite Diamond Ring. MJF says he respects his elders, and that’s why he’s not going to say “I told you so.” He drops the mic over the fallen Jarrett, making his way back up the ramp as Jeff comes to.

Video Package:
We go to a video hyping AEW Revolution for March 9.

We go to commercial.

Backstage:
Renee tells Ricochet that any interference from Swerve Strickland during the match against AR Fox will result in the Strickland/Ricochet match in Atlanta being forfeited, something Ricochet seems quite pleased to hear before saying he’ll address things further this Saturday on Collision. His music hits as Ricochet walks off, and we head back to ringside to see the man head down for our next match.

Ricochet vs. AR Fox

After a slow start the two lock up, with Ricochet sending Fox to the corner. AR fights back as he hits the ropes, taking Ricochet down for a nearfall. Fox heads to the corner, catching Ricochet by surprise for a nearfall…but as soon as he kicks out, Ricochet also rolls out of the ring for a breather. That doesn’t last long as Fox gets a big dive on him, before sending Ricochet into the barricade. He brings Ricochet to the apron for a Death Valley Driver, but Ricochet counters into a hip toss forcing Fox onto the hardest part of the ring!

Fox is on the floor and in pain as Ricochet teases a dive…only to mock the crowd for their foolishness as we go to ad break.

We go to commercial.

Back from break, Ricochet catches AR Fox with a dropkick in the ring for a nearfall. He stays on the attack with a knee to AR’s back, before hitting Fox with a spinebuster. He taunts the crowd before hitting the ropes for what I can describe as the people’s standing moonsault for a close nearfall. Fox fights back for a nearfall of his own, before the pair get to their feet. Enziguri by Fox, who evades an attack by Ricochet to get the drop for another nearfall.

Fox continues the attack, sending Ricochet into the corner and then to the mat to set up for a 450 splash. Cover by Fox, but Ricochet manages to kick out just in time! Ricochet rushes to the apron to seek escape, only for Fox to catch him at the ropes. He sets up for a Death Valley Driver but Ricochet grabs the ref, allowing him enough time to escape and drop Fox for a nearfall. Spirit Gun by Ricochet, who follows up with Vertigo to pick up the win!

Winner: Ricochet

After the match:
With the match over, Ricochet looks to do extra damage as he pulls out his scissors from a turnbuckle pad…only to be pulled out of the ring with a chain by Swerve Strickland! Ricochet scrambles to the center of the ring as Swerve goes up top for a Swerve Stomp…but Ricochet grabs Fox like a human shield, scissors pressed against his throat by Ricochet. This gives him the chance to escape, heading up the ramp as Swerve reminds him that they have one week before they face off to settle things.

Video Package:
We cut to a clip from Close-Up with Renee Paquette, in which Jon Moxley addresses keeping the World Title locked up. He talks himself being the World Championship and more. You can watch the 20 min video below.

Close-Up w/ Renee Paquette - Jon Moxley, AEW World Champion, & Death Riders

AEW merchandise:
We cut to 30 Second Merch Madness with Daddy Magic. It’s well, madness to sell merch, and does well to do so within 30 seconds before we go to ad break.

We go to commercial.

Video Package:
Back from break we get a look at the upcoming film Dark Match starring Chris Jericho.

“New York Minute”
Jericho talks about the violence of the film before transitioning to how violent Big Bill can be. Bill talks about feeling stronger since he’s been taking LT’s words to heart, but Jericho says he needs to work harder before addressing the tag match he and Bryan Keith will be in this Saturday. He runs down the Outrunners before ensuring he will get revenge for losing the big 12-man tag match a few weeks back. Thanks, guys!

Wheeler Yuta vs. Jay White

Jay charges at him again, only for Wheeler to escape to the outside once again. They eventually lock up inside the ring, with the Switchblade taking Yuta to the mat to stomp away at him. Wheeler gets away to the corner, but is caught by White who lays in a hard chop. Yuta turns it around, sending Jay to the ropes for a back body drop on the rebound. Jay is quick to go back on the attack, until Yuta rolls out of the ring for an escape.

White goes on the pursuit, laying into Wheeler before Yuta responds with a dropkick to the knee of the Switchblade. He breaks the ref’s count before going back after the leg, sending it into the ring steps for added damage before sending the Switchblade back into the ring. Fisherman suplex by Yuta, but it’s only good for a nearfall!

Yuta goes back to work on the leg, twisting it around with a spinning toe hold before stomping on it and culminating in a dragon screw leg whip. Jay tries to get to his feet but is sent to the outside, where Wheeler slams his leg against the barricade as we go to ad break.

We go to commercial.

Back from break, Yuta is still firmly in control as he sends Jay to the corner, setting him up on the turnbuckle…but White fights him off, sending him back to the mat. Jay drops down to hit a dragon screw on Yuta, favoring his own leg as Wheeler heads to the corner. Jay intercepts him, only to be fended off for a moment.

Jay once again sets him up on the turnbuckle, this time connecting with a superplex for a nearfall. White goes back on the attack, until Yuta catches him with a crucifix pin…but the Switchblade counters to trade off nearfalls!

Yuta is quick to his feet, keeping Jay grounded with a single leg crab before White reaches the ropes to force a break. Yuta back up as he takes the Switchblade down, but it’s only good for a two count before Wheeler goes for hammer and elbow strikes….but White fights back with a snapmare to create some space.

Jay gets to his feet but is quickly rolled up by Yuta for a nearfall, before Wheeler takes him down with a German suplex for another. Yuta goes up top but White rolls away, only for Wheeler to head to the corner for a Busaiku Knee…countered into a Blade Runner! Jay White picks up the win!

Winner: Jay White

After the match:
Jay hits another Blade Runner on Yuta, the crowd chanting for one more until Mox and Shafir come rushing down. White teases them with hitting the Blade Runner on Wheeler, but is blindsided by Claudio! Death Riders go on the attack until COPE’s music hits, with Rated FTR clearing the ring of the Riders before Dax gets a mic. He talks about how the Death Riders have operated, challenging them to a Mid-South Street Fight!

We take a look back at Collision, where “Timeless” Toni Storm made her presence known after Mariah May attacked her in the ring. Storm challenges May for the AEW Women’s World Championship at Grand Slam Australia, as we head back to ringside to hear from the champion herself! May starts shouting at Renee, running her off before addressing Toni’s remarks. She brings up destroying the Timeless one to win the championship, and how the result will be the same when they face off in Australia. Look now and never forget, for this is your AEW Women’s World Champion!

Video Package:
For the first time in a while, we get a look at The Gunns as they look ahead to the next chapter of their career.

We get the rundown for what’s going down on Saturday night at Collision, including a 3-Way match for the TNT Championship as Daniel Garcia defends against Kyle O’Reilly and Lee Moriarty. We then take a look at how we got to the match, with issues between STP, Undisputed Kingdom, and the pairing of Garcia and Daddy Magic.

A look at the upcoming spring tour.

We go to commercial.

Video Package:
Konosuke Takeshita, a man so good he is not only the AEW International Champion but NEVER Openweight Champion after a recent New Japan event!

Backstage:
We get a look back at earlier tonight, and the attack on Will Ospreay and Kenny Omega ahead of the big tag match against Takeshita and Kyle Fletcher at Grand Slam Australia. This is followed by a look at Claudio defeating Jeff Jarrett earlier tonight, before MJF teased the Last Outlaw in the ring.

Backstage:
The Vendetta addresses the TBS Championship match coming up, and then call out Harley Cameron for this Saturday at Collision, saying she belongs to The Vendetta.

TBS Championship
Mercedes Moné (c) vs. Yuka Sakazaki

The pair lock up as the crowd chants for Yuka, who counters a wristlock by the champ…only for Moné to strike back with a chinlock. Yuka counters, but the champ is quickly back in control until she is sent to the ropes by Sakazaki. The challenger builds up speed as she drops the CEO with a shoulder tackle, locking in a modified body scissor to roll Moné around the ring for a nearfall. Mercedes finally breaks free to slap Yuka in the face, sending the Magical Girl to the mat with an arm drag.

Yuka leaves the ring as Moné tries to hit a baseball slide, only to be fended off by the challenger…but Mercedes takes control just as quickly, before Sakazaki catches her with a kick. She goes up top but Moné steps away, turning things around to send the challenger into the apron with a Meteora as we go to ad break.

We go to commercial.

Back from break, both women are in the ring as Moné gets rocked with a forearm strike by the challenger. She responds with a knee strike before setting Yuka up for a powerbomb…that gets countered into a hurricanrana by Sakazaki! Yuka in the corner, and she escapes a Meteora attempt before setting up for a springboard missile dropkick after a brief slip. Sliding lariat twice over by the challenger, but both result in just a nearfall.

She goes for a suplex but Moné counters, setting up for a vertical suplex. Three Amigos connect, but the challenger kicks out at two! This frustrates the champion, who steps on Yuka before heading to the corner. Moné climbs the turnbuckle but is intercepted by Yuka for an elbow strike, before landing some mounted elbows on Mercedes.

She hoists the champ up for a superplex that sends Moné crashing onto the mat, but the cover only yields a two count before the champ kicks out. Moné sets up the Money Maker but the challenger counters out, hitting an airplane spin to drive the champ to the mat for a nearfall of her own. Moné heads to the corner, where she catches Yuka by surprise before cinching in the Statement Maker…only for Yuka to roll the champ onto her shoulders for a nearfall that breaks the hold! She follows up with a crucifix pin but the champ kicks out.

Moné takes control from here, taking Yuka out with the Money Maker for the win to retain.

Winner:: Mercedes Moné (retains championship)

After the match:
Moné celebrates her win as we get a graphic confirming the Mid-South Street Fight tag match for Collision before Dynamite comes to a close.

End of show.