AEW Dynamite results and highlights (Jan. 22): Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay form a super-team
"AEW Dynamite" was once again loaded with plenty to talk about. After this week, extremely thrilling possibilities have started to develop.
Wednesday's show featured several of AEW's numerous champions. Some even lost their titles, while others continued their reigns of terror — or got a night off like AEW Women's World champ Mariah May. The latter was no bueno, but not every swing will be a hit.
With that in mind, we could be on the cusp of history. I can see it now.
Let's fantasy book greatness ...
Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay are two of the greatest wrestlers the world has ever known. That goes without saying, right? As much as we'd love to see an extension of their all-time great matches they've already had — with each other and anyone else who steps in the ring with them — they're about to team up.
I'm revisiting memories of the incredible story involving The Elite and Hangman Adam Page that crescendoed with the latter's big world title victory. It was one of the greatest stories in recent wrestling history, and we can be headed in a similar direction with Ospreay in that Hangman role this time.
Now, hear me out. I'm not suggesting completely recycling, but some incredible intertwining can be done.
Will Ospreay's attempt to extend the olive branch to Kenny Omega doesn't seem to be working out...
Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on @TBSNetwork & @SportsOnMax@WillOspreay | @KennyOmegamanX pic.twitter.com/eu4qxTJzIb— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) January 23, 2025
Omega and Ospreay's history with The Don Callis family is their first order of business, as Omega refused to trust "The Aerial Assassin" until they had to beat the squad around the whole damn arena to start the show. Throwing Lance Archer through a merch table and hitting moonsaults in the stands will bring men together. The pair will have their first match as a team against Konosuke Takeshita and Kyle Fletcher at Grand Slam. Get ready to break out the freaking hose for that one because I smell a treat cooking.
This is it. This is how AEW can build toward the most incredible tag team of all time.
Omega and Ospreay take to the sky!
Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on @TBSNetwork & @SportsOnMax@WillOspreay | @KennyOmegamanX | @TheDonCallis | @takesoup | @KyleFletcherPro | @BrianCageGMSI | @LanceHoyt pic.twitter.com/F1u7sRx9EO— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) January 23, 2025
When The Hurt Syndicate's Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin first teamed in AEW a couple of weeks ago, I instantly wanted to see them become a dominant force as champions — because that wouldn't be difficult to book for them. WWE couldn't utilize Benjamin this well in the past decade. I foreshadowed it and will pat myself on the back as the dynamic duo battered the AEW Tag Team champions, Private Party, in the night's opening match to become the new titleholders.
Who the hell can realistically beat them? There's no one right now who should be able to. Have Omega and Ospreay be the ones, build to a crazy feud against Lashley and Benjamin — then the returning Young Bucks. Omega and Ospreay dealing with The Don Callis Family gives everything time to breathe and play out naturally with this great timing.
The possibilities are endless here, and matches between Omega and Ospreay against practically any tag team are ludicrous in the best way. The thought of them against Matt and Nick Jackson excites me beyond belief. We need it.
You're welcome, Tony Khan. Don't let me down.
Kenny Omega lays out a challenge for #AEWGrandSlam with Will Ospreay against Fletcher & Takeshita!
Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on @TBSNetwork & @SportsOnMax@WillOspreay | @KennyOmegamanX | @TheDonCallis | @takesoup | @KyleFletcherPro pic.twitter.com/OjbRXBjMYM— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) January 23, 2025
Unknown endgame
I still have no clue how the Jeff Jarrett saga will end.
Double J received a good pop in front of the Knoxville crowd. That was no surprise after Jarrett's wife, Karen Jarrett, consoled him backstage. It's getting ridiculous, though.
Jarrett continues to push for his last attempt at becoming a world champion, and he's now resorted to calling out the champion, Jon Moxley. That, instead, earned him a quick uppercut and warning from Claudio Castagnoli, telling Jarrett to stay out of the Death Riders' business.
That was perfect. There should be no more time given to Jarrett from that stable than what Castagnoli provided. Really, not even coming out at all would have worked, too. Even though it's also the audience perspective, why waste time on this if you're Moxley and the crew?
Claudio Castagnoli looks to be sending a message on behalf of AEW World Champion Jon Moxley, Jeff Jarrett has something else in mind!
Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on @TBSNetwork & @SportsOnMax@RealJeffJarrett | @ClaudioCSRO | @JonMoxley pic.twitter.com/HWXOKXJyt4— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) January 23, 2025
Jarrett challenged Castagnoli to a match next week, which he accepted, stipulating that a Jarrett win gets him a title match with Moxley. OK. Castagnoli will kill him, and then what? If this leads to an MJF match, that is also a waste of more time than their feud already has been.
Trilogy in the making
Jamie Hayter and Julia Hart have fantastic presences, entrances and even better chemistry.
The duo had their rematch on this "AEW Dynamite," and it delivered like the last, starting with strong intensity from the former world champ Hayter. She got the job done to score redemption cleanly. I will say that Hart's first win feels a bit undermined now because she needed the mist. Ultimately, we have a trilogy set up, and Hayter addressed it on the microphone after as she gave Hart props — plus our beloved "attempted murder" shout.
Jamie Hayter shows some respect for Julia Hart and lays out the challenge for Round 3!
Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on @TBSNetwork & @SportsOnMax@jmehytr | @TheJuliaHart pic.twitter.com/IMeOCm3Oj8— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) January 23, 2025
Hayter's just a gem, isn't she? Well, she would be tonight if it weren't for the one and only ...
👑 Uncrowned Gem of the Night 👑
I said it two weeks ago, and I'll repeat it: Harley Cameron is the best thing in wrestling right now, damn it!
The Aussie is just an attention magnet. She demands you watch every time she's on screen to see what nonsense she'll say — or sing — and Wednesday night, we got a double dose. AEW clearly sees the value in Miss Cameron as she gets more and more weekly screen time, whether in the ring or with these brilliant pieces of entertainment.
Whenever I feel down, I search for Cameron clips, and peace is restored in the world. FEEL THE WRATH!
From one Aussie to another, Harley Cameron wishes Toni Storm the BEST of luck in her title opportunity vs @MariahMayx at GRAND SLAM Australia!
Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on @TBSNetwork & @SportsOnMax#ToniStorm | @harleycameron_ | @ReneePaquette pic.twitter.com/YJlL7MOnSc— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) January 23, 2025
'4 Belts' Mercedes Moné feels UNSTOPPABLE in the AEW Women's Division, and wants to know who's NEXT to try the Money Train!
Someone nearby might want to take that ride...
Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on @TBSNetwork & @SportsOnMax@MercedesVarnado | @ReneePaquette | @harleycameron_ pic.twitter.com/uwbo2BbJ7T— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) January 23, 2025
Same old, same old
AEW is experiencing the unfortunate same lack of ideas as WWE with the Cody Rhodes vs. Kevin Owens feud. We've exhausted all avenues with the Death Riders and Moxley.
Cope defeated Pac in what was somewhat of a dream match on paper. However, it was pretty slow throughout, and the finish was the same way it was paced. Pac's standing Brutalizer after avoiding a Spear was excellent, but that was the only highlight moment. Cope Speared Pac twice — once to the back, then the front. It was a spinning fireman's cutter to get the pin for Cope after the two spears.
"Jon Moxley delivering a sermon on violence to the Rated R Superstar along with the Death Riders"
Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on @TBSNetwork & @SportsOnMax@RatedRCope | @BASTARDPAC | @ClaudioCSRO | @WheelerYuta | @MarinaShafir | @JonMoxley | @JayWhiteNZ pic.twitter.com/ujVY8tbs1k— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) January 23, 2025
The Death Riders were then shown on the screen beating down FTR and The Rock N' Roll Express before they came to the ring and did the same to Cope and Jay White, who tried to make the save. It's just gotten repetitively boring, and we've got to move on.
Moxley is doing incredible work, but he's still always at his best as a badass loner who doesn't need any help or cheap tactics. This storyline has been chiefly the latter.
👍EXPLOSIVE👍
1. Although May wasn't on the show, she did have a good video package for her upcoming Toni Storm match. The continuation of their story feels early, but they're both so good at what they do that it will be fine, regardless.
AEW Women's World Champ Mariah May believes she has raised the title to heights never seen before, and now she looks forward to meeting her next "rookie" challenger - the one and only Toni Storm! 🤘
Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on @TBSNetwork & @SportsOnMax@MariahMayx | #ToniStorm pic.twitter.com/OPGV6pSonT— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) January 23, 2025
2. Swerve Strickland had a solid match against AR Fox and won, ultimately setting up his match with Ricochet in two weeks.
3. I immensely enjoy Chris Jericho's New York Minute. This week, it set up Big Bill vs. Powerhouse Hobbs. Meat. That is all.
A somber New York Minute from "The Nueve" Chris Jericho that looks to teach a valuable lesson!
Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on @TBSNetwork & @SportsOnMax@IAmJericho | @TheCaZXL | @bountykeith pic.twitter.com/QgY0Zq5z6S— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) January 23, 2025
4. Christopher Daniels confronted Hangman after he squashed a jobber. Daniels essentially told him he ended his career with their deathmatch this past weekend, hoping he's happy. Hangman seemed conflicted about his actions, which isn't typically seen from this version of the cowboy.
Christopher Daniels has been advised to never wrestle again?!
Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on @TBSNetwork & @SportsOnMax#HangmanAdamPage | @FACDaniels pic.twitter.com/lzPB2qQyBT— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) January 23, 2025
5. There was an explicit House of Black vignette without Malakai Black. I'm not sure how I feel about this yet. In recent weeks, I've hoped everyone goes their own separate ways, and that's what's been hinted at. They're all good enough to where they should stand out on their own. I'm optimistic they can become one of those factions who are together but not seen together as often.
6. Omega's continued impatience with Callis is amazing. He's cut off his old manager multiple times now by charging him.
The Don Callis family has descended onto Omega & Ospreay!
Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on @TBSNetwork & @SportsOnMax@WillOspreay | @KennyOmegamanX | @TheDonCallis | @takesoup | @KyleFletcherPro pic.twitter.com/kDhrEMlNKZ— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) January 23, 2025
👎DUDSVILLE👎
1. Wheeler Yuta still sucks. And he'll probably be the one to dissolve the Death Riders.
Wheeler Yuta going through a 2005 emo phase I guess. pic.twitter.com/CWBh5BvRq9
— AUTHORS OF WRESTLING (@authofwrestling) January 23, 2025
👑 The foundation is in place to do something incredible, AEW. We've seen iconic tag team wrestling from the company, so here's to hoping. I give this show a Crown score of: 7/10. 👑