AEW Dynamite live results: Homecoming

AEW Dynamite returns to Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Florida for tonight’s special Homecoming episode. 

Hangman Page will return to the ring for the first time since Winter is Coming on tonight’s show as he takes on Claudio Castagnoli. 

A pair of eight-person tag team matches designed to honor the late Brodie Lee are also set for the show tonight. In one, Lance Archer, Brian Cage, and The Gates of Agony will face Orange Cassidy, Dustin Rhodes, Adam Copeland, and Preston Vance. In the other, Kris Statlander, Thunder Rosa, Willow Nightingale, and Anna Jay take on Julia Hart, Skye Blue, Saraya, and Ruby Soho.

Tag Team Champion Ricky Starks will take on Sammy Guevara on the show. Guevara and Chris Jericho face Starks and Big Bill in a Tag Team title match at Saturday’s Battle of the Belts. 

Sting and Darby Allin will take on Konosuke Takeshita and Powerhouse Hobbs of The Don Callis Family in a tornado tag team match. 

AEW World Champion Samoa Joe is also scheduled to make an appearance on tonight’s episode.

AEW Dynamite Homecoming comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone and Taz as Daily’s Place is ready for the opening contest of the evening.

Hangman Adam Page defeated Claudio Castagnoli

(An outstanding back and forth opener, as this was a big win for Hangman Page in what would assume to be his quest back to the World Title. I say that because Swerve Strickland wants the AEW Title as well, so those two seem to be attached at the hip to at least start 2024.)

Page attacked right at the bell and went to the floor, as both men sent the other into the barricade before heading in the ring. Castagnoli went to the eyes to gain control and a double stomp followed for two. Uppercuts flattened Page, as Castagnoli stood on his chest and posed before Page started no selling headbutts and started a forearm battle. Castagnoli pulled Page down by the hair and did the Giant Swing into the Sharpshooter. Page nearly got the ropes, but Castagnoli transitioned into a crossface. Page escaped and connected with a desperation Death Valley Driver for the reset before another forearm exchange. Page hit his Fall Away Slam and springboard clothesline before quickly flying to the floor with a plancha. Page took a sip of a fans beer, but the delay allowed Castagnoli to catch a charging Page with a gorilla press out of the ring onto the stage, taking us to commercial.

After a charging double stomp on the stage, Castagnoli kept Page grounded in the ring until Page wanted a Buckshot, but ate a big boot back to the stage. Both men slugged it out at the entrance before Page hit a running clothesline sending Castagnoli into the ring. Another attempt at the Buckshot was countered into a nice pop up uppercut for a Castagnoli near fall. Castagnoli toyed with Page, only pissing him off in the process, as both men tumbled to the floor. Page wanted a moonsault off the apron, but Castagnoli caught him with a running powerslam into the stage wall, but when trying it again, Page countered into a DDT and hit a moonsault off the stage.

Back inside, Castagnoli caught another dive, but Page wiggled free and hit a Tombstone for two. Page wanted Dead Eye, but Castagnoli countered and dropped Page face first onto the top buckle. Castagnoli relentlessly fired off uppercuts before a short arm lariat got a close two. Anvil elbow drove down, as Castagnoli wanted the Neutralizer, but Page countered into Dead Eye for two of his own. Page wanted another springboard clothesline, but Castagnoli hit an uppercut in mid air. Both men went to the ropes, as Castagnoli wanted an Avalanche Ricola Bomb, but Page turned it into a mid air hurricanrana. Page followed up with two Buckshot Lariats and got the win.

-We see some highlights of the late Brodie Lee during the Daily’s Place run for AEW. Tonight will feature multiple 8 person tag matches that will include Lee’s proteges Preston Vance & Anna Jay. Despite both being heels, they’ll be teaming with fan favorites this evening. It’s really hard to believe Brodie’s whole AEW run was during the pandemic. He is truly missed.

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AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy, Adam Copeland, Dustin Rhodes & Preston Vance (w/Jose The Assistant) defeated Lance Archer (w/Jake Roberts), Brian Cage, Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun (w/Prince Nana)

(Your standard party match where the babyface in Cassidy was isolated during break, but when things returned, everything broke down and we got a series of high impact moves. I wouldn’t be surprised if we got a ROH Six Man Title match with Archer & The Righteous vs. Mogul Embassy after what happened in the finish here. I’m not sure if this makes Vance a permanent face again or this is just a one off, but everyone seems to have forgot Vance turned heel by making Brodie Lee Jr. cry and attacking Dark Order. None of that was mentioned tonight, though.)

Rhodes caught Liona with a snap powerslam early, but Liona quickly turned the tide and we had fast tags by Team Cassidy, who tried a chokeslam on Cage, but he didn’t budge. Cassidy manage a Stundog Millionaire, but Archer & Liona argued who would make the tag for their team. Cassidy tried to show off his speed on Kaun, but was pounced in mid air by Liona, leaving Cassidy isolated during break. Everyone took turns picking Cassidy apart, including a one armed suplex by Cage.

Back from break, Archer launched Cassidy clear across the ring, following up with a step up knee in the corner. Archer wanted locomotion splashes, but Jose The Assistant tripped him up on the third go around, causing Jake Roberts to lay out Jose for his troubles. Cassidy managed a round the world DDT to create distance from Archer and made the hot tag to Vance, who ran wild on everyone. Kaun ducked a Brodie Lee-esque discus lariat, but Vance answered with a ripcord cutter. The match broke down, leaving Cage to drop Rhodes with a F5, tried one on Copeland, who countered into an Impaler. Kaun dropped Copeland with a gutbuster, Cassidy was there with an Orange Punch, Archer hit the Boss Man Slam and finally friendly fire collided Archer & Liona. This led to Cage taking out his own partner with a clothesline to the floor, but turned into a Copeland Spear followed by a discus lariat from Vance, who got the pin on Kaun to win it.

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-Renee Paquette is backstage with Bullet Club Gold as Switchblade Jay White said anything the Undisputed Kingdom can do, the Bang Bang Gang can do better, including going after gold. The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass walk in and Bowens said if they’re a united force, they could all hold gold at the same time, just not the Trios Titles. They suggest forming a super group, the Bang Bang Scissor Gang, as White & Colten Gunn said they’ll think about it, as Austin was left trying to put the words together.

Samoa Joe Addresses Daily’s Place

Joe came to the ring with a new AEW Title belt, in a suit and said he stands before us, the AEW World Champion. This got Thank You Joe chants and Joe said no thanks are needed, as he was destined for this. Joe said there are changes in championship protocol. No longer will you have to come out and whine on the mic about poor misfortunes or go on social media to make ho-ass comments. If you bring your record and reputation to the championship committee and if deemed worthy, you get an express pass for Joe to stomp your ass out in front of everyone who’s ever cheered for you. For all who want a piece, the champ will be waiting.

Swerve Strickland’s music hit as the entire Mogul Embassy came out to the stage. Strickland said a few months ago, he told Hangman Page that he was after his spot and he took it. Strickland is going to tell Joe the same thing, as this isn’t personal; he just wants the AEW Title. Right as Joe & Strickland went face to face; Hangman Adam Page came to the ring, never taking his eyes off Strickland. Page said 2023 held a lot for him, beating Jon Moxley in Texas Death, reuniting with The Elite and he found Swerve Strickland. The one thing Page lost sight of was the AEW Title and in 2024, he’s going to make it his again. Prince Nana had to pull Strickland away, as Mogul Embassy retreated before Page got in Joe’s face and said he’s going to take the title from Joe before heading to the back.

Joe was left in the ring, holding the AEW Title high before HOOK’s music hit and out walked the FTW Champion. No fear from HOOK, who got right in Joe’s face and pointed at the AEW Title and said one week before walking off. This whole segment felt quick, but it certainly brought forth three challengers for Samoa Joe’s Title.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Toni Storm, Luther & Mariah May, asking for her thoughts on what happened last week? May asked if Storm saw her debut, which Storm said she was given a screener and didn’t watch, but asked if May performed an arm drag? Paquette said she was talking about AEW’s newest signing, which Storm thought was Wendi Richter. Paquette mentioned it was Deonna Purrazzo, who May said kicked her in the face. Storm gave May a chocolate and said she feels like the prettiest girl at the dance. Storm said Chin Up, Tits Out and…line? May said watch for the shoe and Storm scolded her that it was her line and walked off. This whole thing popped Taz on commentary.

Sammy Guevara defeated Ricky Starks

(This could’ve been so much more, but this felt like they were saving it for Battle of the Belts this Saturday. This gives the challengers another win and the post match built up the Street Fight stip that goes along with the Tag Title match.)

Starks hit a quick shoulder block, his signature pose and mocked Guevara, who answered with his leapfrog back flip dropkick combo. Guevara tripped up Starks to the floor and followed with a moonsault off the top that really landed hard on Starks’ shoulder. Guevara tried a suplex from the ring to the floor, but both men ended up on the apron, where Starks hit a wild Angels Wings on the edge of the ring, taking us to picture in picture.

It was all Starks during break, who did his rope walk strut cutting off a Guevara comeback. Starks tried a TKO, but Guevara spun out into a superkick. Guevara went up top, but Starks grabbed the foot and clobbered Guevara with straight punches to the side of the head. Guevara fought free, tried a moonsault, but Starks hit a double boot and sitout powerbomb for two. Starks sprinted, but slid face first into the corner, as Guevara leapfrogged, tried GTH, but Starks countered into a jackknife pin attempt for two. Starks wanted a Spear, but Guevara dodged, hit another thrust kick and rolled up Starks for the win.

Post match, Guevara & Starks shook hands, but it was a ploy, as Big Bill appeared and laid out Guevara. Chris Jericho’s music hit and he ran out with Floyd the baseball bat and dropped Bill with a Code Breaker and springboard dropkick. Starks & Guevara continued brawling, as Jericho & Bill brawled into the crowd as Judas played throughout.

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Thunder Rosa, Kris Statlander, Willow Nightingale & Anna Jay vs. TBS Champion Julia Hart, Skye Blue, Saraya & Ruby Soho (w/Harley Cameron)

(A very similarly put together party match like the men’s earlier tonight, as this made it 2-0 for Brodie Lee protégés coming out on top for their team. I wouldn’t be surprised if Anna Jay gets a TBS Title match as a result of this.)

Stokely Hathaway was ringside holding a sign that said Let Stoke Manage You Stat. Soho tried early trash talk on Jay, who popped Soho with a forearm and spinning corner kick. Fast tags from the babyface team, as Soho took a series of quick offense with Rosa being the one who stood tall. Soho floated over Rosa and fell into her corner, as Hart made the tag and attacked Rosa from behind. The heels returned the favor, as they all took turns stomping Rosa in the before she fought back, tagging Nightingale, who connected on a corner splash. Ref Aubrey was distracted, allowing Cameron to trip up Nightingale in the ropes and stay isolated during break.

Nightingale finally dropped Hart & Blue with a double clothesline, as Statlander made the hot tag and cleaned house, laying out Saraya with a spinning fisherman’s driver for two. The match broke down and the babyfaces connected with a quadruple suplex. Each lady took turns hitting a high impact move, ending with Statlander hitting Saraya with a rolling German, leaving Jay & Hart the legal women, staring each other down. A slugfest ensued before Jay applied a Queen Slayer, but didn’t see Blue make the blind tag. All this did was allow Jay to sink in the Queen Slayer on her and get the tap out for her team.

-A video is shown of Wheeler Yuta calling out Eddie Kingston for calling him a young boy bitch a few weeks ago. Yuta challenged Kingston to a Continental Title match on Rampage this Friday Night.

Roderick Strong (w/The Undisputed Kingdom) defeated Bryan Keith

(A quick victory for Strong, who has announced he’s setting his sights on the International Title, so this was a way to just get victories stacked up before the Cassidy showdown presumably happens in the near future.)

Keith caught a charging Strong with a boot and fired off chops, sending Strong to the floor with another big boot. Both men fought to the apron, as Strong hit a violent backbreaker on the edge of the apron. Back inside, Strong stomped Keith in the corner, but Keith fought off a half and half, starting a strike battle. Strong hit an Angle Slam, wanted a superplex, but Keith fought off with a nice Diamond Dust. Keith wanted a Tiger Driver, nearly settled for a sunset flip, but Strong popped up with a jumping knee, followed by End of Heartache for the victory.

Post match, Adam Cole sat in the middle of the ring and said when he said things would change, he meant that. They aren’t worried about the fans at all because they deserve everything. Strong is a 20 year veteran and Cole said the International Title has his name all over it. Cole put over Taven & Bennett for being the greatest ROH Tag Team Champions of all time, never getting the respect they deserve. Cole finally brought up the monster, dominator, Wardlow, who is finally surrounded with people who respect him. When the time is right “we” are going to win the AEW World Championship. Cole told the fans to say hello to their new Kingdom, get comfortable, as they will be there for a very long time.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Deonna Purrazzo, who said she’s still on cloud 9 after her debut last week. If Toni Storm wants to act like she doesn’t know who she is, she’ll have her people send her a screener of her AEW debut on Collision. Red Velvet walked in and said she’s making her Collision debut as well, so she’ll se her this Saturday.

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-Before the main event, Jim Ross joined commentary and Justin Roberts introduced Ric Flair to the ring.

Sting & Darby Allin (w/Ric Flair) defeated Powerhouse Hobbs & Konosuke Takeshita (w/Don Callis) in a Tornado Tag

(This was a pretty standard brawl of a main event, with Allin taking his signature crazy amount of punishment, including being launched by Hobbs & Takeshita in a spot that needs to be seen. The end of this made me concerned about Sting’s health, as he landed really hard off the stage with Hobbs. It appears we have the match set for Sting’s final match and I’m sure it will leave fans conflicted. I’m looking forward to seeing how it’s built over the next few months.)

All four men brawled into the crowd with Sting & Hobbs and Allin & Takeshita paired up. Sting placed Hobbs on a road case and rammed him into trash cans, while Takeshita laid out Allin with chops, taunting Flair in the process. Allin dropkicked Takeshita off the apron, tried a Coffin Drop, but Takeshita caught him and hit a rolling German on the floor taking us to picture in picture.

During break, Hobbs & Takeshtia set up a table ringside that I believe had Sting’s eyes painted on it. Allin tried a comeback, but Takeshita & Hobbs hit a double team flipping powerslam before launching Allin clear across the ring in an insane visual. Sting was left along to fight back for his team with Stinger Splashes, only to be cut off with a Takeshita jumping knee. Ric Flair got in the ring and tried chopping Hobbs, who no sold, so Flair opted for eye pokes. Sting sent Takeshita packing, with Allin there to hit a dive to the floor. Sting dropped Hobbs with a spinebuster as all four men fought to the stage, where Hobbs sent Sting into the metal entrance structure. Allin dodged a Takeshita charging knee and Takeshita smacked the guard rail. Allin climbed up high on the stage and leapt off with a Coffin Drop. Hobbs hoisted Sting up and walked him over to the edge of the stage where the table was placed, but Sting countered and hit a Scorpion Death Drop off the stage through the table. Sting draped an arm across Hobbs and got the victory. The referee, doctors & Flair checked on Sting, who struggled getting back in the ring and to his feet, but he managed to do it. Sting told Allin something and I really hope Sting isn’t legitimately hurt after that finish.

Tony Schiavone came to the ring and joined Sting, Allin & Flair to talk about his final match at Revolution. Schiavone asked who will his final opponent be, but the music for The Young Bucks interrupted the answer and Matt & Nick Jackson walked out in black and white jackets and sporting new mustaches. No words were spoken by The Bucks, who just stared down Sting & Allin and Excalibur said they’re basically calling them out for Sting’s retirement match at Revolution.

AEW Rampage 1/12/24

· Eddie Kingston defends the AEW Continental Title against ROH Pure Champion Wheeler Yuta

AEW Collision 1/13/24

· Adam Copeland Open Challenge

· Deonna Purrazzo vs. Red Velvet

· Hangman Page Returns to Norfolk

· Brian Cage & The Gates of Agony defend the ROH Tag Team Titles against Lance Archer & The Righteous

AEW Battle of the Belts 1/13/24

· Ricky Starks & Big Bill defend the AEW Tag Team Titles against Chris Jericho & Sammy Guevara in a Street Fight

· Julia Hart defends the TBS Title against Anna Jay

AEW Dynamite 1/17/24

· Samoa Joe defends the AEW World Title against FTW Champion HOOK