AEW Dynamite Live Coverage - January 31st, 2024
:aew:
AEW Dynamite Live Coverage
January 31st, 2024
The opening pyro brings into another exciting edition of AEW Dynamite as we cut to ringside…only to head backstage as Jon Moxley heads toward ringside for our opening contest! Mox makes the scenic route, walking through the crowd as we make note of CMLL stars watching at ringside. Mox gets to the ring, ready to go as Jeff Hardy heads out next. Hardy looks slightly worn down but still heads down the ramp, giving high fives on his way into the ring before this match gets underway!
Jon Moxley vs. Jeff Hardy
Mox catches Hardy at the opening bell, sending him to the corner before going after him with a bite to the head…until Hardy sends him over to the outside! Mox gets back to his feet but is wiped out with a forward dive by Hardy off the apron! Jeff continues the attack, slamming Mox against the barricade before sending him back into the ring…where Mox responds with a dive through the ropes!
Mox follows up with an atomic drop of sorts onto the barricade, before sending Hardy back into the ring for more damage as he stomps at the hand. Mox hits a release vertical suplex before getting a nearfall, only to transition into a submission hold keeping Jeff’s legs at bay! Mox eventually changes things up with some hard kicks to the chest of Hardy, bringing him up for a piledriver…but Hardy reverses into a back body drop!
Hardy sends Mox into the corner, running full speed…but Mox evades, forcing Jeff to crash hard into the turnbuckle! Mox stays on the attack now, pummeling away at Hardy before bringing him out of the ring for even more damage…sending Hardy into the barricade, right in front of the CMLL stars that are watching!
Mox tries to follow up, only for Hardy to turn it around and send him over the barricade and into the luchadores…who get riled up, leading to a near fight between them and Moxley! Hardy interrupts to keep on the attack, bringing him back into ringside for a running attack…only to get rocked with a right hand by Mox, as we go to picture-in-picture!
Picture-in-Picture: Mox continues to lay into Hardy around ringside, stealing a pen from the announce table before bringing him back into the ring itself, keeping an armbar of sorts locked in as he targets Jeff’s ear to cause even more pain! Hardy in the corner now, finally getting to fight back…but not for long before Mox rattles him once again, bringing Jeff up on the turnbuckle as we come back!
Mox goes back to using a pen on Jeff’s ear, only for Hardy to fight him off and send him to the outside. Hardy is on the upswing here as he hits a basement dropkick on Mox for a nearfall. Mox turns it back around with some hammer and elbows, dropping Hardy to the canvas for the cover…but Hardy kicks out!
Mox brings Hardy to the apron, looking for a Gotch style piledriver…but Hardy fights back, reversing into a Twist of Fate driving Mox into the apron instead! Mox rolls into the ring as Hardy goes up top, hitting a Whisper in the Wind for the cover….BUT MOX KICKS OUT!
Hardy sends Mox into the corer for a double stomp, but his attempt to follow up is intercepted as Mox goes after his back before nailing a superplex on Jeff! Mox gets to his feet as does Hardy, and we get an exchange of strikes before Mox counters a Twist of Fate into a cutter! Hardy fights out of a Death Rider attempt for a DDT, catching Mox with a nearfall that the former World Champion narrowly kicks out of!
Jeff with a Twist of Hate and a Twist of Fate for good measure, before going up top for a Swanton Bomb…but Mox rolls out of the way, before locking in the rear naked choke! Jeff is fading fast, and he’s out cold as the ref calls for the bell!
Winner: Jon Moxley
After the match:
We see a tease of sportsmanship after the match, only for Hardy to give out to Mox before leaving the ring. Suddenly, the CMLL stars jump the barricade to go after Moxley, beating him down as staff comes in to intercept…and the locker room starts clearing out for an assist as well, before the luchadores leave the ring. We get a staredown between the groups.
We go to commercial.
Back at ringside, Hangman Page makes his way to the ring for our next match as an inset promo from Saturday shows that Page is making Swerve wait “the whole f’n show” to find out who he’s facing tonight. Out next is Toa Liona, and this match is underway!
Dealer’s Choice
Hangman Page vs. Toa Liona
The two go at it from the opening bell, with Liona getting an early advantage until Page hits a big kick to turn it around…but not for long, as Toa is back to his feet and in control! He sends Page to the ropes, using his legs to wear the Hangman down before catching him in midair…only for Page to cradle him for a nearfall!
Page sends Toa to the outside, following up with an attack on the apron as Toa tries to enter…and Liona sends him into the turnbuckle, forcing him out of the ring to the outside! Liona leaps off the apron onto an approaching Hangman, dropping him to the floor with a cross body for more damage. He brings Page back into the page, using the ropes for a seated hip attack for another nearfall! He even dodges an incoming right hand by Page before hitting a pounce that sends him clear out of the ring as we go to picture-in-picture!
Picture-in-Picture: Liona stays on the attack, bringing Page back in the ring and going after his neck before the Hangman fights back…only to be dropped to the canvas, giving Toa a nearfall. Toa back to his feet, driving his foot into the face of Page before bringing him back to his feet for a right hand. He sends Page into the corner, twice over for added effect before wearing him down some more…but Page fights back with a boot as we come back!
Liona makes him pay for this before setting Page up in a tree of woe…and nailing him with a diving headbutt in the corner! With the Hangman prone on the apron, Toa goes for a running leg drop…but Page evades at the last second! Page catches him off guard as he sends Toa back in the ring, going up top for a cross body and the cover…BUT LIONA KICKS OUT!
Page with a couple forearm strikes before lifting him for a Dead Eye…but Toa flattens him to the canvas instead. Page back to his feet, only to take a thrust kick as Liona covers…BUT PAGE KICKS OUT THIS TIME!
Toa brings Page back to his feet again, but Hangman fights back with some strikes before dodging a cross body by Liona…and laying him out with a lariat! Page gets the Dead Eye on Toa this time…but Liona gets right back to his feet! Big headbutt by Toa! Page brought to his feet as Liona hits the ripcord discus lariat…but only gets a nearfall for his efforts!
Toa continues to wear Hangman down now, sending him out of the ring before going to the apron for a moonsault…but Page dodges it! Now it’s the Hangman going for a moonsault from the turnbuckle, and it connects! Page sends him back into the ring, but Liona ducks a Buckshot Lariat! Samoan Drop sends Page to the canvas…but Hangman reverses into a crucifix pin, getting the win in the process!
Winner: Hangman Page
Earlier Today:
The Young Bucks arrive in their limo SUV, angry at the “disrespect” being shown as they head toward the venue for the show.
Back at ringside, Wardlow heads to the ring accompanied by Undisputed Kingdom for our next match! Out next is Komander as this match gets underway!
Wardlow vs. Komander
Wardlow stares down the luchador with a smirk before they lock up…and Komander is shoved down hard. They lock up again and Wardlow overpowers the luchador once again. Komander ducks the reach of Wardlow for a waistlock, only to be dropped hard to the canvas! The action heads to the apron as Komander uses his agility to evade the big man, hitting a couple low dropkicks to keep him off his feet…but it’s all for naught as Wardlow catches him with a big power slam!
Wardlow stays on the attack with his friends watching on from ringside, stomping away at the luchador before driving him against the ropes before the ref steps in. Wardlow goes back at it again, taking advantage of the five count to do more damage before bringing Komander onto his shoulders…before spinning him around and launching him to the canvas! Wardlow flexes as he watches himself on the screen, before going after Komander who’s gone to the outside…but the luchador reverses a powerbomb, sending Wardlow into the steps! Komander follows up with a springboard attack, and catches Wardlow by surprise when the big man gets back into the ring!
Rope walk into a dropkick by the luchador, followed by a Phoenix Splash for a nearfall! Komander walks the ropes again, but is caught into a big power slam by Wardlow…followed by a top rope uppercut! Powerbomb on the luchador wraps things up, a little shakiness in his knee not stopping him from getting the pin and the win!
Winner: Wardlow
After the match:
Things aren’t finished yet, however, as the Undisputed Kingdom bring the luchador back into the ring for another beatdown…before the Best Friends come down the ramp for the save! Roderick and his friends want none of this, leaving the ring as we go to break.
We go to commercial.
Backstage:
We head backstage for a face-to-face interview between the AEW World Tag Team Champions and their potential challengers, Sting and Darby Allin. We get the announcement of a non-physicality clause before their match next week, before Starks addresses the Icon’s first AEW match, when he got a win over Starks…something he still hates to this day. Things start to get heated as Starks promises he will make it so Sting doesn’t make it to his retirement match. Bill follows up by airing his grievances over the fact the tag division seems to be overlooking the champions. Sting retorts by telling Starks he has to earn respect, and telling Bill that he’s not sure he’s a killer like the other big men he’s faced in this business. Darby says Ricky can only blame himself, and that sets Starks off, trying to get Darby to hit him. Cooler heads prevail, before we end things here.
Back at ringside, Chris Jericho makes his way to the ring for our next match. Out next is Kyle Fletcher alongside Don Callis and Powerhouse, before this match gets underway!
Non Title Match
Chris Jericho vs. Kyle Fletcher
The two go at it immediately, before Fletcher blindsides the Ocho to hit a Michinoku Driver for a quick nearfall! Jericho back on his feet as Fletcher hits him, but the former World Champion catches him with a dropkick sending him off the apron! Callis tries to intervene but Jericho chases him…and this gives Fletcher an opening as he attacks him from behind!
Jericho sent to the corner as Kyle mounts up for some punches and a big right hand, only to send him into another corner for a splash and a kick to the back for another nearfall! Fletcher climbs the turnbuckle, but is intercepted by Jericho who hits a series of punches followed by a hurricanrana! Hobbs distracts the ref while Callis trips the Ocho up, and Fletcher is firmly in control now as we go to picture-in-picture!
Picture-in-Picture: Fletcher keeps Jericho at bay, eventually sending him into the corner for further damage before the ref intervenes. Fletcher goes right back at it, wearing the Ocho down with Hobbs and Callis watching on…but Chris fights back with some chops, only for Kyle to retaliate and we get an exchange as we come back from break!
Kyle hits a half and half suplex to end things here, sending Jericho into the corner before hitting a brainbuster for the cover…BUT JERICHO KICKS OUT!
Jericho is getting back into it now, getting on the turnbuckle for a double ax handle…but Callis distracts the ref as Hobbs blocks a Lionsault attempt! Cover by Fletcher, but the Ocho kicks out once again!
Fletcher back to his feet, but Jericho fights back to lock in the Walls! Fletcher is fighting to get to the ropes, finally grabbing the bottom one to force a break of the hold. Fletcher catches Jericho with a thrust kick, but once again only gets a nearfall for his efforts. Jericho catches him with a modified Codebreaker for the cover…BUT THIS TIME KYLE KICKS OUT!
Kyle is sent to the corner as Jericho goes back on the attack, only for Fletcher to catch him with a kick to the face on the turnbuckle! Fletcher hits a modified brainbuster on the turnbuckle for another cover…BUT THE OCHO KICKS OUT AGAIN!
Jericho fights back, getting another nearfall in the process…but a Callis intervention leads to a Fletcher thrust kick sending him out of the ring! Kyle goes for a dive through the ropes…but takes a Judas Effect instead! Hobbs is laid out as Chris sends Kyle back in the ring, going up top for an elevated Judas Effect giving him the pin and the win!
Winner: Chris Jericho
After the match:
The celebration is cut short as Konosuke Takeshita steps onto the stage, staring Jericho down ahead of their match now set for next week!
Video Package:
Deonna Purrazzo talks about the significance of her tattoos, particularly the one she and Toni Storm got as friends…before asking what that tattoo means for the AEW Women’s World Champion now?
Ringside:
he Bang Bang Scissor Gang make their way to the ring as they get the crowd hyped up. The occasion brings back Cardblade, only to be “fired” again by Bullet Club Gold before they bring out the “Juice Board”…a cardboard cutout of Robinson, to be clear. Austin Gunn starts to say if they’re not down with the Bang Bang Scissor Gang, they’ve got two words for ya…only to be interrupted by his father Billy, who seemingly has a flashback to a bygone era before declaring it’s a new era, Guns Up! The group, ummmm…scissors in celebration before we go to commercial break.
We go to commercial.
Back from ringside, “Timeless” Toni Storm heads to commentary for our next match before Deonna Purrazzo heads to the ring. Out next is Taya Valkyrie accompanied by Johnny TV, and this match gets underway!
Deonna Purrazzo vs. Taya Valkyrie
Tie-up at the start yields no net result, before Taya sends Purrazzo to the corner…but Deonna fights right back into setting Taya into an armbar. Back to their feet, and Deonna maintains control as she goes after the arm of Valkyrie once again…only for Taya to hit a side legsweep, and going after the legs and neck of the Virtuosa. Taya sends Deonna to the corner for more damage, until Purrazzo sends Taya to the outside!
Taya escapes the offense of the Virtuosa as Johnny TV distracts her, leading to a spear onto the ramp by Taya…who then sends her into the steel steps! Taya and Johnny have a smooch in celebration as we go to picture-in-picture!
Picture-in-Picture: Taya maintains control of the match, keeping the Virtuosa at bay for a nearfall before sending her to the corner for a chop and some stomps for good measure. Taya drives her boot into Deonna’s face before getting another nearfall…before Purrazzo starts to fight back! Taya stops it quick with a big boot before the action spills to the outside, where the two go at it until Deonna gets sent onto the apron. Taya rolls back into the ring and Deonna follows as we come back from break!
Virtuosa fights back now, sending Taya down with a legsweep but Taya reverses for a nearfall! Pump kick by Deonna for the cover…but Taya kicks out!
Taya catches Purrazzo by surprise for a cover of her own, but this time it’s Deonna who kicks out…only for Deonna get in a leglock! Taya fights out for a cover, but Deonna kicks out once again!
Taya gets sent to the outside before Deonna hits a baseball slide dropkick…and confronts the champ at ringside before Taya goes on the attack! Deonna turns it around on Valkyrie however, bringing her back to the ring for what I can best describe as a double armbar forcing Taya to submit for the win!
Winner: Deonna Purrazzo
Backstage:
Renee talks to Darby about…his “admiration” for the Young Bucks? We soon see why the question was framed that way as Nicholas and Matthew arrive, asking Darby why he’s hitching himself to the wagon of Sting. Instead, he can join the Bucks as a hot new trio. Nicholas changes the subject quickly, asking why Darby and Sting are ducking their challenge…but Darby says his focus is on winning the Tag Team Championships. Darby walks off, leaving the Bucks to pay Renee a compliment before we go to commercial break.
We go to commercial.
Ringside:
Samoa Joe heads to commentary for our main event! Swerve Strickland makes his way to the ring first, as we await the announcement of his opponent…and, as hinted at earlier, it’s the “Whole F’n Show” as Rob Van Dam makes his way to the ring! The crowd is loving this as RVD gets to the ring, before this main event gets underway!
But wait, there’s more! On the screen, Hangman Page reveals that the Dealer’s Choice means they got to pick the stipulation…and our main event is a Hardcore Match! With that, Swerve takes a chair to the face as the bell rings to get underway!
Dealer’s Choice (Hardcore Match)
Swerve Strickland vs. Rob Van Dam
RVD takes advantage of the opening to bring Strickland out of the ring, before nailing a leg drop on him…and then throwing him clear into the barricade! The crowd chant for tables as RVD hits a forearm on Swerve, bringing him back into the ring for a leg drop that sandwiches Strickland against the apron!
RVD enjoys the roar of the crowd before going back into the ring, sending Swerve right back out and into the barricade…and a roundhouse leg drop connects, forcing Strickland off the barricade and to the floor as we go to picture-in-picture!
Picture-in-Picture: Despite this early run by RVD, Strickland turns it all around as he goes on the offense, dropping the hardcore legend on the ropes with a neckbreaker before sending him to the outside for even more damage. Swerve finally answers the earlier call of the crowd, pulling out a table and setting it up…but this gives RVD a chance to get back into it, keeping Strickland at bay to the delight of the crowd. Both men back in the ring now, and Swerve sends Van Dam into the turnbuckle before nailing him with a chair as we come back!
A chair’s been set up in the corner, and RVD takes the brunt of it as Swerve sends him into it for a nearfall! Strickland sets a chair back up in that corner before turning his attention back to Van Dam…who sends Swerve into the chair this time! Rolling Thunder connects, and RVD grabs a chair still laying on the canvas…before hitting a dropkick that drives the chair into Swerve’s face! Cover by Van Dam, but Swerve kicks out!
Swerve gets sent to the corner as RVD looks for a monkey flip…but Swerve counters, driving him onto the chair for the cover…BUT IT’S ROB WHO KICKS OUT THIS TIME!
Both men fighting for an opening now, and it’s RVD who succeeds in sending Strickland on the ropes, right onto his little Swerves before RVD goes up top….only for Brian Cage to knock him off the turnbuckle! Cage looks to intercede further until HOOK arrives with chair in hand, keeping the Machine at bay…but not for long as they duke it out on the outside!
Back in the ring, RVD watches on until Swerve catches him from behind…but Van Dam rolls him up for a nearfall instead! Rolling Thunder gets dodged, allowing Swerve to get a nearfall of his own. Strickland pulls him outside after setting a chair up, nailing a right hand twice over before hitting a kick from the apron that sends RVD onto the chair…before stomping him from the apron, forcing him to collide with the steps in the process!
RVD gets sent back into the ring as Swerve climbs up top…but Van Dam catches him, dropping him from the turnbuckle through the table that was set up at ringside! RVD brings him back in before going up top for a Five Star Frog Splash…but Swerve rolls away! House Call by Strickland, but RVD kicks out!
Swerve brings RVD to the corner, stopping him when he fights back…and hitting a Swerve Stomp for the pin and the win!
Winner: Swerve Strickland
After the match:
Hangman Page quickly makes his way to the ring to “congratulate” Swerve, before addressing the rankings to be revealed later tonight. He sees that both of them are undefeated after tonight, so he expects them both to be up there in the rankings. He won’t let go what he went through with Swerve, but Page will be the next World Champion…not Strickland. Swerve points out that he’s already beaten Page twice, so he has nothing to prove against Hangman…but Page retorts that it took all of Mogul Embassy to beat him.
Swerve has had enough of this, and lays down the challenge…the two of them, one more time, and after he beats Page once again, they are finally through. The two stare each other down as we get the announcement that this match not only takes place next week, but the winner will earn their shot at the AEW World Championship at Revolution!
Swerve leaves the ring as Joe promises that whoever wins will face defeat against the champ, as this show comes to a close.
End of show.
