AEW Dynamite live results: Holiday Bash
The Continental Classic Gold League finalists will be decided on tonight’s AEW Dynamite Holiday Bash.
The top two in points in the Gold League following tonight’s matches will meet on next week’s AEW Dynamite New Year’s Smash to decide who will advance to the Continental Classic finals set for the Worlds End pay-per-view on Saturday, December 30.
Jon Moxley (12 points) will face Jay White (9 points) in a critical matchup on tonight’s show.
Swerve Strickland (9 points) will take on Rush (6 points) in another matchup with implications for next week’s semifinals.
Mark Briscoe (0 points) will face Jay Lethal (0 points) in a battle strictly for bragging rights, as both are mathematically eliminated from making the semifinals.
A match to determine “Timeless” Toni Storm’s Worlds End challenger for the AEW Women’s World Championship is also set for tonight’s show, as Riho faces Saraya.
Roderick Strong vs. Komander will also take place.
Promos from the AEW World Champion MJF & his Worlds End opponent Samoa Joe are also set for tonight’s show.
AEW Dynamite Holiday Bash comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone and Taz as we head right into the entrance of Swerve Strickland before our opening contest.
Swerve Strickland [12] defeated Rush [6] in the Continental Classic Gold League
(Despite Rush being mathematically eliminated prior to this, he was hell bent on playing spoiler for Strickland. It just wasn’t meant to be though, as Strickland wasn’t taking two loses back to back following the controversial loss to Jon Moxley last week. The crowd was loudly behind Strickland tonight and Rush did a good job heeling it up when necessary in a hard hitting opener.)
Rush’s hamstring is still taped up, as both men traded a series of counters and takedowns before an early stalemate. Strickland fired off strikes before missing a corner splash and Rush decked him with a charging forearm to the floor, where he followed up with a dive. Back inside, Rush stomped down in the corner before the delay kick connected, all while flipping off the crowd, who were firmly behind Strickland. Rush kept Strickland down with a snap powerslam, but Strickland responded, hanging up the bad leg in the corner, which got dropkicked. Strickland tried a running boot from the apron, but Rush caught it and slammed Strickland shoulder first on the edge of the ring. Strickland caught a charging Rush with a snap German on the floor, but Rush rolled through and hit a shotgun dropkick into the barricade heading to commercial.
Back from break, both men traded snap Germans and pump kicks simultaneously, which led to the double down. Strickland charged, but Rush was ready and hit an overhead belly to belly in the corner. Rush wanted Bull’s Horns, but his leg gave way, allowing Strickland to apply a single leg crab into a Stretch Muffler, which Rush countered into an inside cradle. Rush unleashed loud strikes into a straightjacket piledriver for two. Both went to the apron and exchanged chops until Rush threw Strickland over his head to the floor. Back inside, Rush took a long time going to the top due to the bad knee and missed a senton, as Strickland answered with a 450, but Rush kicked out at one. Rush charged, but Strickland met him with a rolling Flatliner into a brainbuster for two. House Call kick connected, as Strickland went up top and hit the Swerve Stomp for the victory.
We’re told that if Jon Moxley wins or goes to a draw with Switchblade Jay White tonight, then it will be Moxley vs. Strickland next week in the Gold League Semis. However, if White wins, it will be a three way tie between Moxley, Strickland & White and presumably we’ll get a three way match.
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-We come back to Chris Jericho backstage, who brought up what happened to Kenny Omega last week with the news of his diverticulitis diagnosis. Jericho said Omega will be out of AEW indefinitely and their title match against Ricky Starks & Big Bill at World’s End can’t happen, but Omega’s health is more important. Jericho said The Golden Jets can pick up when he returns and gives Omega’s Goodbye & Goodnight line.
Mark Briscoe [3] defeated Jay Lethal [0] in the Continental Classic Gold League
(These two have such fantastic chemistry together and they really brought it tonight, even though both have been eliminated for a bit in this Gold League. The crowd didn’t care though, they were into this match from the start and these two certainly didn’t disappoint.)
Prior to the bout, we saw footage from January this year of the incredible Jay Briscoe tribute match between these two. Lethal tried working the arm early, but Briscoe recovered and both traded shoulder blocks with neither budging. Both went to every corner of the ring, trading loud chops until Lethal had to shake out his hand from hitting Briscoe so hard. A hip toss, cartwheel dropkick combo connected, as Briscoe fought back with Redneck Kung-Fu until a shotgun dropkick off the second got a two count. After trading suplex attempts, Lethal finally connected and hit a dive outside, allowing him to do a Fargo Strut on the apron. That delay gave Briscoe enough time to recover and he caught a diving Lethal with a suplex on the floor followed by a diving elbow off the apron that took us to picture in picture.
Back from break, Briscoe cut off Lethal in the corner with some more Redneck Kung-Fu and dropkicked Lethal through the ropes before setting a chair up in the ropes. Ref Paul Turner allowed it, as Briscoe used it as a launch pad to his a somersault dive onto Lethal, putting a fans hat on during his celebration. Back inside, Lethal fought back with an enzugiri and rolling Torture Rack that led to a top rope elbow for two. Briscoe’s turn to respond, as a fisherman’s buster got him two of his own before a rolling Death Valley Driver led to a Froggy Bow attempt, but Lethal got the knees up. Briscoe avoided Lethal Injection, but Lethal connected on the Jay Driller for a super close two. Lethal wanted Lethal Injection, but Briscoe countered into a Burning Hammer followed by a Jay Driller of his own for the win. Both men shook hands post match, as Briscoe thanked the crowd.
-We see footage of MJF being inducted into the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame earlier this week.
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-Another video package of Wardlow is shown saying MJF’s clock is ticking. They are getting closer to MJF’s world ending. We’ve seen MJF run, cry, weak and soon, the world will see him broken. The payment for his sins can’t be delayed any longer and Wardlow will be the one to bring the Devil to his knees.
Samoa Joe & MJF Address The Devil
Samoa Joe comes to the ring to loud chants from the crowd, as he has come seeking answers tonight. Joe said Roderick Strong brings up a good point that everyone is a victim of The Devil, except for MJF, who we never saw officially attacked, as there wasn’t actual footage. Joe said maybe he’s not asking questions to the right people, so he called out MJF.
MJF made his way to the ring and wants to clarify that Joey Samoey is accusing him of being The Devil. MJF said No Show Joe made it clear that MJF was his property, but he cares about his property like he does his diet. MJF said the Devil’s Goons didn’t lay a finger on Joe the week MJF got jumped backstage and wonders why they are waiting until World’s End, as he doesn’t like Joe and wants to fight right now. Joe just smirks, as MJF shoves him until a ton of masked men hit the ring with Joe & MJF laying them all out. Even more leap over the barricade and surround the ring with Joe & MJF back to back, ready to fight until the lights went out. The Devil appeared on the big screen and “Where Can You Go? Who Can You Trust? Next Week, Will You Accept A Challenge…For Your ROH Tag Team Championship? Are You A Hero Max?” MJF said he made a promise to Adam Cole to defend the ROH Tag Team Titles, as Joe ripped the microphone away and said they accept. We need to get a Devil reveal soon and it needs to be a good one, the amount of henchmen we saw tonight was overkill in my book. This has been going on for so long that the pay off really needs to be worth the build. I hope it delivers.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Orange Cassidy, Trent Beretta, Rocky Romero & Kris Statlander, recapping the recent success for Cassidy & Statlander, lets it be known that Chuck Taylor is out with injury and asks Beretta & Romero what their plans are? Romero said that he recently just lost his gold in CMLL, but wants more International opportunites. Cassidy interrupted and said fine, he’ll see Romero this Friday. Cassidy walked off, as Statlander & Beretta congratulated Romero, who was caught off guard that was all it took to get a title match.
-Timeless Toni Storm joins commentary with Luther by her side ahead of the next match and calls Taz her favorite landlord, as he’s the Human Duplex Machine. Storm said Riho is missing her pipe she usually has, as she questioned if she’s here to wrestle or to unclog a sink, something that could be handy for the Human Duplex Machine. Taz said the guy next to him plugs everything, which popped Excalibur. This type of banter makes me miss AEW Dark.
Riho defeated Saraya to earn an AEW Women’s Title shot at World’s End
(The match itself was good, but the commentary is what you need to seek out in this one, as the banter between Schiavone, Storm, Excalibur & Taz was hysterical.)
Ruby Soho is shown watching backstage, as Riho got the early takedown into the ropes and wanted the Tiger Feint Kick, but Saraya took a powder. Riho met her with multiple tilt a whirl head scissors all around ringside until Saraya hid behind security. That was enough to get a cheap shot, as Saraya swung Riho repeatedly into the barricade.
It was all Saraya during break before Riho hit a fourth head scissors, this time following up with the Tiger Feint Kick and top rope cross body, which she slipped off of, but got enough for two. Storm referred to Riho as rambunctious, while Schiavone said he prefers Storm being in color instead of black and white. Taz said Schiavone’s life is in black and white, which Schiavone agreed with completely. Riho went up top, but Saraya met her with a superkick in mid air. Saraya missed a wild shot and Riho answered with a Northern Lights suplex for two. A top rope double stomp connected by Riho, followed by a charging double knee for the clean win. Soho was seen smiling a bit backstage with the result of this one.
Luther carried Storm to the ring post match, as Storm used opera glasses to see Riho, who blasted her with forearms and a Tiger Feint Kick. As Storm begged off, Mariah May appeared from behind and clocked Riho with the Women’s Title as Luther carried Storm away, with Storm being unaware of who May was, despite being with her for the last month.
-Tony Schiavone is on stage and said a prepared statement from Christian Cage. It read if Schiavone phones it in, he’ll slap the yellow off his teeth the next time he sees him. After Cage’s career defining victory against Adam Copeland, he took his prodigy Nick Wayne on a well deserved vacation. Cage said he will make his highly anticipated return on Collision and address Adam Copeland’s challenge to a Street Fight at World’s End for the TNT Title. At the end of the letter, they actually played Cage’s music, despite not being there.
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-MJF & Samoa Joe are continuing to argue backstage when MJF walks off and finds one of the hoods of the Devil’s goons sitting in front of the door of the Mogul Embassy locker room. MJF slammed Prince Nana against the wall, demanding he explain this when Swerve Strickland walked in and Nana bailed. Strickland said it’s nice to finally see MJF eye to eye, as MJF mocked Strickland’s entrance and said they have a long history together, long car rides together and now he’s proud of what he’s doing in AEW. MJF said he’s not ducking Strickland, as there’s levels to this sh*t, something Strickland’s not on Max’s level. Strickland said the car rides were magical because MJF was a great chauffeur, but brings up MJF’s history with William Regal and turning into the whiney little bitch we see today. MJF does tryouts while Swerve signs contracts. The last person to cross Strickland was hung by his neck with a chain.
MJF said he’s proud of Strickland for getting better at talking, but the talking about Hangman Page is almost excessive and tells Strickland to watch his mouth when he’s using his Flavor Flav hand me down grills when talking about MJF. It’s interesting that Strickland constantly talks about Hangman Page and wanting an AEW Title shot, so when Page gets taken out, Strickland has the most to gain. MJF questions if Strickland is the Devil and said he’s the big bad wolf and he’ll blow down Swerve’s House. If MJF feels like it, he’ll break both Strickland’s arms, so he can always swerve while he drives. Strickland said he’s not The Devil he’s looking for, but if he keeps waving the AEW Title in his face, he’ll bring Max hell.
The Mogul Embassy open the door and stare down MJF, while Samoa Joe walks in and said he hates to interrupt, but he and his associate have business to take care of and walk off. Prince Nana told Strickland he forgot to tell him something about Collision last week. This whole segment was excellent and I can’t wait for Strickland vs. MJF whenever it happens.
Roderick Strong (w/Mike Bennett & Matt Taven) defeated Komander (w/Alex Abrahantes)
(This was a fun bounce back match for Strong to get in the win column following his loss to Hangman Page last week. Strong has been such an underrated player in this Devil storyline that it’s nice to see the fans getting into his character. I’m curious to see how he & The Kingdom will be involved when the reveal happens.)
Komander tried to use his speed early on, but Strong was there to meet him with a charging boot and corner chops. Komander battled back with a series of takedowns that sent Strong stumbling into the corner to recover, but he suckered Komander in with a stiff boot to the midsection. Strong dished out some signature backbreakers as Taz put over Strong’s mustache game, which Schiavone agrees with. Komander was able to send Strong tumbling outside during picture and picture, but Strong quickly regained control.
Komander battled back, countering a backbreaker into a head scissors and wheel kick to follow. Komander ducked multiple shots and delivered Superman forearms until a springboard cross body got two. While in the ropes, Komander swept out Strong’s legs, went up top and connected on a Phoenix Splash for two. Komander wanted the rope walk Shooting Star, but Taven & Bennett pulled their buddy to the floor. Komander didn’t care, as he delivered a massive moonsault onto The Kingdom & Strong before going back inside, where Strong hit a pump knee on a flyingKomander in mid air. This led to the End of Heartache to give Strong the win.
Post match, Bennett & Taven place the neck brace back on Strong before posting MJF Is the Devil signs around ringside. Renee Paquette joined Strong in the ring asking what is going on and what are they trying to prove? Strong yells for Samoa Joe to listen to him, as it’s obvious that MJF is the Devil. It’s time for Joe to wake up; as Paquette said wouldn’t Joe have listened to Strong if he believed him? Strong yelled at Renee that Joe is his best friend…by proxy.
-We see footage from last week on Collision of Skye Blue turning on Abadon and joining Julia Hart before Thunder Rosa made her return and saved Abadon.
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-Jim Ross makes his return to the commentary table for the final match in Gold League to a big ovation from the crowd.
Switchblade Jay White [12] defeated Jon Moxley [12] in the Continental Classic Gold League
(I thought this was a fantastic end to the Gold League first round, as it was a finish I wasn’t expecting, especially with how White had been winning his matches. This was a back and forth battle, with White doing a little bit of his signature antics, but Moxley would continue to fight back. I’m looking forward to seeing who takes the Semi-Finals next week.)
JR compares Moxley to Travis Kelce, as he just keeps making plays. Excalibur asked if this made Renee Paquette…cutting himself off before comparing her to Taylor Swift. White wanted to trash talk, but Moxley just slapped on a quick rear naked choke into anvil elbows. White avoided Paradigm Shift, but couldn’t dodge a piledriver, which got Moxley two. Both went to the floor, where Moxley unleashed strikes, but White went after the knee, taking control back inside. A forearm exchange ensued, as White crashed outside, where again, Moxley went out after and up the ramp. White wanted a piledriver, but Moxley hit a backdrop and Excalibur informs us that White would be eliminated with a countout. Back inside, Moxley bit and punched at the head, but missed a charging boot, got hung up and White chop blocked the leg and sent Moxley into the barricade to head to commercial.
White had a Muta Lock applied when things returned, as the submission was released and White kept Moxley grounded with chops to the back of the neck, just pissing Moxley off. Moxley popped right to his feet and flattened White with a shot before stomping down in the corner. To the corner they got, as Moxley raked the back and once more bit at the face before a suplex hit. A clothesline over the top sent White to the floor, as Moxley connected on a dive, but clutched the bad knee as a result. This allowed White to recover first and drop Moxley knee first onto the steps. White scattered frantically for a steel chair and was going to use it when referee Bryce put a stop to it, throwing it in the ring to make Bryce go fetch. It was a ruse, as White used another chair to take out Moxley’s leg. White wanted the countout, but Moxley barely broke the count.
Moxley slid right into a Blade Runner attempt, but Moxley spun out into a Paradigm Shift for a near fall. Both men rose to their feet at the same time, as White blocked a big boot with a knee breaker into a Dragon Screw. Moxley answered with a roll up into a Regal knee strike, but White kicked out. Both duked it out with forearms until Moxley fired off a Cutter, but White answered with a Sleeper Suplex and Uranage for two. Another Sleeper Suplex connected, but Moxley exploded up and fired back with a lariat. Moxley spun out of a Blade Runner into almost a Rainmaker lariat and hit the Curb Stomp to follow. White spun out of Death Rider and hit a Blade Runner out of nowhere right at the 15 minute call to get the pin, clean. With three men at 12 Points and no clear cut winner between Moxley, White & Strickland, next week’s Gold League Semi Finals will be a Triple Threat match.
Swerve Strickland’s music hit and he walked to the stage to stare down his opponents for next week, as White mocked the Swerve dance before chop blocking Moxley for good measure to end the show.
Continental Classic Gold League Standings
12 Points: Jon Moxley, Swerve Strickland, Switchblade Jay White
6 Points: Rush
3 Points: Mark Briscoe
0 Points: Jay Lethal
Continental Classic Blue League Standings
9 Points: Andrade El Idolo, Bryan Danielson
6 Points: Brody King, Eddie Kingston, Claudio Castagnoli
0 Points: Daniel Garcia
AEW Rampage 12/22/23
· Orange Cassidy defends the AEW International Title against Rocky Romero
AEW Collision 12/23/23
· Bryan Danielson vs. Claudio Castagnoli in the Continental Classic Blue League
· Brody King vs. Daniel Garcia in the Continental Classic Blue League
· Andrade El Idolo vs. Eddie Kingston in the Continental Classic Blue League
· The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass defend the AEW Trios Titles against Top Flight & Action Andretti
· Julia Hart & Skye Blue vs. Thunder Rosa & Abadon
· Keith Lee takes on Brian Cage
AEW Dynamite 12/27/23
· Jon Moxley vs. Swerve Strickland vs. Switchblade Jay White in the Continental Classic Gold League Semi-Finals
· MJF & Samoa Joe defend the ROH Tag Team Titles against The Devil’s Henchmen