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AEW Dynamite Holiday Bash was a stacked card, featuring an excellent AEW Tag Title Championship match in the main event. The Young Bucks faced The Acclaimed, who came into the bout with a strong eight-match win streak.
AEW Women's World Champion Hikaru Shida was also in action tonight, ahead of a championship bout against Abadon next week. AEW TNT Champion Darby Allin saved Sting from an attack by Team Taz, and more.
We kicked off the night with The Inner Circle, who faced one of AEW's fastest rising teams, Top Flight, in the AEW Dynamite Opener.
The Inner Circle (Chris Jericho and MJF) w/Jake Hager vs. Top Flight (Dante and Darius Martin) on AEW Dynamite
Chris Jericho started things off with Darius Martin, as the youngster lit up the former AEW Champion with a series of kicks. Top Flight was able to outmaneuver the Demo God in the AEW Dynamite Opener, hitting some quick-paced tandem offense.
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Dante lost control eventually, though, allowing Jericho to tag in MJF. Momentarily, at least, as Dante rocked MJF with an impressive standing dropkick, sending him to the floor. The Inner Circle and Top Flight came to blows, with Top Flight rocking both men with corner punches and dropkicks.
With some misdirection around ringside, MJF was able to clock Dante with a clothesline, turning things back in favor of The Inner Circle. MJF and Jericho took turns battering the younger brother, all the while antagonizing Darius.
After several minutes of fighting from underneath, Dante was able to counter a superplex, dropping Jericho to the mat and hitting an excellent flying crossbody. MJF and Darius tagged in, and Darius lit up the Inner Circle. After sending Jericho the floor, a rebounding Spanish Fly planted MJF. Darius followed that with a shotgun dropkick for a two-count.
Dante tagged back in but was planted with a powerbomb. Jericho followed up with a Lionsault but couldn't get the pin. As Darius sent MJF into the barricade, Dante avoided a Liontamer. Top Flight snuck a pin while Jericho's back was turned, and Dante hit MJF with a dive.
Jericho broke away from a sunset flip and tagged in MJF to beat the eldest Martin brother down in the corner. Darius caught them with a double DDT and set his sights on the legal MJF. As Darius went for a dive, a distracted referee didn't notice Jake Hager yanking him off the apron. MJF followed up with the apron pendulum piledriver for the win.
Results: The Inner Circle defeated Top Flight via pinfall on AEW Dynamite.
Grade: B-
Jake Hager congratulated The Inner Circle over yet another victory but called out Wardlow for failing to appear last week, instead choosing to deal with family business. Hager told MJF that next week, we'd be getting Hager vs. Wardlow. Neither MJF or Chris Jericho knew this was coming.
Team Taz confronts Sting and Darby Allin on AEW Dynamite
Tony Schiavone introduced Sting, once again, to AEW Dynamite. Sting said he was happy to be a part of "the jungle". Schiavone asked, once again, why Sting was here and pointed to AEW TNT Champion Darby Allin, who was up in the stands.
Sting said it wasn't an easy question to answer and went back in time to talk about Dusty Rhodes, a man who inspired so many, including himself. The Stinger said that Dusty was the reason why he started using the face paint and was responsible for his epic rivalry with 16-time World Champion Ric Flair. With another Rhodes putting big things in motion, Sting couldn't stay away from AEW.
Before Sting could address Darby Allin, Team Taz came out next on AEW Dynamite to hijack the segment. They threatened Sting, but the lights went out. When they came back on, Darby Allin was in the ring with Sting.
Taz held his boys back but said that they'd see Darby on January 6th for Brian Cage's AEW TNT Championship shot. Cage didn't want to wait, but Hook, Ricky Starks, and Taz talked him into waiting.
MJF brought a cameraman with him as he met Santana and Ortiz backstage at AEW Dynamite. He said he knew that Santana had lost someone very important to him, and MJF had lost someone close to him as well. His grandfather had recently lost his battle with cancer.
Santana accepted and shook his hand before embracing him. Ortiz did the same thing. Through tough times, MJF may have found a way to connect with the former IMPACT Wrestling Tag Team Champions.
The Dark Order (Colt Cabana, 5, and 10) vs. Jurassic Express (Marko Stunt, Jungle Boy, and Luchasaurus) on AEW Dynamite
Colt Cabana started this six-man tag on AEW with Marko Stunt, severely underestimating the runt of the Express. It was a poor choice on his part, as Stunt hit him with a diving hurricanrana. 5 tagged in but was rocked with some impressive offense by Stunt and Jungle Boy.
5 struggled to keep up with the speed and innovation of Jungle Boy and Marko Stunt, but Stunt was yanked off before he could get a pin by Colt Cabana. 5 took Stunt into The Dark Order's corner, where Cabana tagged in again. Stunt avoided his chops, ducking trough to tag in Luchasaurus.
10 tagged in but was easily overpowered by Luchasaurus. Jurassic Express dominated 10 with a series of tag team maneuvers. Jungle Boy was sent into the ropes where Cabana hit a shoulder thrust. The ref was distracted by Cabana, allowing 5 and 10 to rock Jungle Boy.
The Dark Order kept Jungle Boy down in their corner, tagging in and out to keep fresh. 5 and 10 hit a dropkick/fallaway slam combination but couldn't get the win. A rebounding lariat from Jungle Boy nearly decapitated 10, and though 5 pulled him back, Jungle Boy was able to tag in Luchasaurus.
Lucasaurus demolished 5 and 10, with the latter taking a nasty hook kick. A chokeslam/standing moonsault dropped 5 for a two-count, luckily being broken up by 10. Stunt tagged in next, as Cabana tried to break up their momentum. Though he failed to do so, taking a stiff rolling roundhouse, 10 rocked Stunt with a right hand.
A spinebuster/frog splash combo would've put Stunt away, but Jungle Boy broke the pin-up. Stunt sent 5 into his partners, and Jungle Boy launched Cabana and 1o to the floor.
Luchasaurus launched Stunt into The Dark Order before tossing 5 overhead for Jungle Boy's powerbomb, picking up a great six-man victory on AEW Dynamite.
Results: Jurassic Express defeated The Dark Order via pinfall on AEW Dynamite.
Grade: B-
Tony Schiavone went to the ring to interview Jurassic Express, the No. 3 tag team in AEW. Before Marko Stunt could get anything off his chest, former AEW Tag Champs FTR and Tully Blanchard interrupted on the big screen.
Blanchard said he knew that Jurassic Express wanted to take down the best tag team of the year, and they'd get their chance on January 6th. However, FTR plan on getting the AEW Tag Team Titles back and plan on running right through Jurassic Express.
AEW World Champion Kenny Omega and The Invisible Hand Don Callis were met by Alex Marvez at the hotel. The IMPACT Wrestling Co-EVP called out AEW President Tony Khan for letting the inmates run the asylum, talking specifically about PAC and Fenix.
Kenny Omega said that Fenix in 2020 has done nothing but choked. AAA, he choked. AEW Tag Title Match? He choked. The Eliminator tournament? He choked against his own brother. Kenny Omega said that he's genuinely frustrated, and when he faces Fenix, he may do more than beat him. He may injure him.
Fenix gets hurt, Kenny Omega wins titles.
The Butcher w/The Blade and The Bunny vs. PAC w/Penta El Zero M on AEW Dynamite
PAC looked to chop Butcher down with kicks to the legs. The big man was caught coming in the ring, taking a series of kicks to the chest and head. PAC looked to follow up, but Butcher ran after him, taking him out with a running crossbody.
The Butcher carved up PAC, battering him around the ring and bouncing him off the corners with some incredibly strong throws. Butcher was distracted by Penta, though, allowing PAC to rock him with some more kicks to the knees. Butcher shook them off, crushing PAC with some heavy boots. They moved to the floor, where Butcher nearly decapitated PAC with a running boot.
Throughout the break, The Butcher battered and bruised PAC, clubbing him and pounding him into the mat. PAC, after minutes of punishment, caught a break with a kneeling jawbreaker. A diving shotgun dropkick nearly sent The Butcher out of the ring. PAC set up for his finish, but The Blade sent Penta into the barricade. PAC was distracted, and when he turned around, was turned inside out with a clothesline.
A massive slam and falling powerbomb planted PAC for the two-count. Frustrated, Butcher and Blade antagonized the ref for the "slow" count. Eddie Kingston, on commentary, was frustrated that Butcher wasn't keeping the pressure up, and he and The Butcher were distracted by the emerging Lance Archer.
PAC rocked Butcher with a roundhouse and was able to hit the Black Arrow for the win.
Results: PAC defeated The Butcher via pinfall on AEW Dynamite.
Grade: B+
Backstage, Jade Cargill congratulated Brandi Rhodes on her pregnancy. However, Jade needs to know who she'll be facing now that Brandi is out of the picture.
The Wedding Party reveal the date on AEW Dynamite
Miro, Penelope Ford, and Kip Sabian were excited about the upcoming wedding and that the union between Ford and Sabian's marriage will be the greatest day in the lives of AEW fans.
As they were about to reveal the date for the big day, The Best Friends' music hit. However, it was all a joke played by Sabian and Miro. We saw some footage showing Trent being taken away by an ambulance, with Orange Cassidy and Chuckie T joining him on the ride.
Sabian allowed Miro to make the announcement. On February 3rd, Kip Sabian and Penelope Ford will marry at AEW Beach Break.
Evil Uno w/Stu Grayson vs. Dustin Rhodes w/Lee Johnson on AEW Dynamite
Just as Dustin Rhodes entered the AEW Dynamite ring, a right hand sent him to the floor. Back in the ring, though, Dustin took over as the bell rang, bouncing Evil Uno around the ring with clotheslines and punches.
Dustin wrenched Uno's hand around the ring rope and openly mocked Uno's "Seven" invitation before stomping him out in the corner. Uno caught him running in with a boot and hit a senton bomb for a two-count.
During the break, Uno pummeled Dustin. Dustin managed to catch him with a Code Red, but a piledriver nearly put him away. They traded right hands and forearms, with Dustin getting the better of Uno. A boot knocked Uno to his knees.
The running bulldog put Uno down for three.
Results: Dustin Rhodes defeated Evil Uno via pinfall on AEW Dynamite.
Grade: C-
The Dark Order attacked Dustin Rhodes post-match, but Lee Johnson sent them packing with a springboard split dropkick.
Shawn Spears was interviewed by Tony Schiavone, saying that he's better than 95% of the AEW roster. He came into this company as a serious hot commodity, but Tony Khan and Cody Rhodes stuck him in a hole that he had to climb out of.
Frustrated by the way he's been treated, Spears said that he'd come back if he ever felt like it.
Hikaru Shida vs. Alex Gracia on AEW Dynamite
Prior to the match, Abadon attacked the AEW Women's World Champion. Hikaru Shida shook it off and made her way to the ring. Shida bounced off the ropes, rebounding off a dropkick with one of her own that sent Gracia to the floor.
Gracia stunned Shida with an inside cradle, nearly getting the win. A back elbow and running boot in the corner rocked Shida for a two-count. Shida caught Gracia with a running knee lift but was distracted by Abadon.
Shida attacked Abadon and barely made it back inside for the ten-count. Shida was nearly rolled up but kicked out. A tilt-a-whirl backbreaker and falcon arrow planted Gracia for the win.
Results: Hikaru Shida defeated Alex Gracia via pinfall on AEW Dynamite.
Grade: C+
After the match, Shida looked to continue punishing Abadon. However, Abadon avoided a cane strike and bit deep into the neck of the AEW Women's World Champion. Blood gushed out of her neck as Abadon stared on.
Hikaru Shida is heading into her next title defense in rough shape. She'll defend her championship next week against Abadon.
AEW Tag Team Title Match: The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens and Max Caster) vs. The Young Bucks (Nick and Matt Jackson) (c)
Max Caster and Matt Jackson started the AEW main event off, with the veteran bringing Caster down with an arm drag into an arm wrench. Nick Jackson tagged in, as did Anthony Bowens. The Young Bucks easily took out The Acclaimed with a slingshot dropkick. On the floor, a pair of baseball slides took out the challengers.
Matt Jackson cut Max Caster in half with a spear. The Bucks hit their standing moonsault/springboard splash combo on the floor. Back inside, Anthony Bowens was sent into the corner for the slingshot/roundhouse combo. A backbreaker/elbow drop from the AEW Tag Champions took Bowens down for a two-count.
Caster tripped Matt up, and The Acclaimed sent Nick to the floor. Some tandem offense dropped Matt for a two-count. Matt escaped further damage and tagged to Nick, who hit Bowens with a springboard crossbody.
A slingshot X-Factor bounced Bowens off the mat, and Nick quickly moved to the floor for a moonsault on Caster. Back in the ring, Bowens got his knees up just in time for the Senton Bomb. Caster dropped him with a backdrop on the apron, further damaging the spine.
During the break, The Acclaimed managed to keep Nick from tagging in his brother. Caster drove his shoulders into the ribs in their corner, and the young duo hit a series of running strikes on Nick Jackson for a two-count, nearly securing the AEW Tag Team Titles.
Nick finally rolled through, tagging in his brother. Matt took on both challengers and hit a double DDT. Caster found himself on the floor, where Nick nearly kicked his head off. A series of northern lights suplexes from Matt set up the Sharpshooter.
Caster broke it up after sending Nick into the barricade. Well, he tried to, but Matt refused to break the hold. Nick dragged Caster to the floor, locking in a Sharpshooter of his own.
Bowens managed to make it to the ropes. A step up Doomsday Device took Bowens down to the mat, but he somehow kicked out. The AEW Tag Team Champions couldn't seem to put these kids away. Caster hung Nick up on the ring post and tagged in for a superplex. Connecting, Caster rolled through and held Nick up for a stalling suplex where Bowens hit a diving crossbody.
Matt just barely broke the pinfall up, saving the AEW Tag Titles just in time. Matt tagged in, and he and Caster traded blows. A superkick rocked Caster, but a roaring elbow laid him out. Nick caught Bowens with one, but a second one ended up hitting the referee.
The Acclaimed looked to steal the AEW Tag Titles with a low blow and a shot from the boombox. Another ref ran in, but Nick kicked out a two. Nick managed to rock Caster with a superkick as Bowens was tossed into a table with a powerbomb from Matt.
The BTE Trigger laid out Max Caster for the win.
Results: The Young Bucks defeated The Acclaimed via pinfall on AEW Dynamite.
Grade: B+
