AEW Dynamite live results: Jon Moxley vs. Jay Lethal Continental Classic match

The Continental Classic continues on tonight’s AEW Dynamite with three Gold League matches. 

Jon Moxley will face Jay Lethal in one of the tournament bouts. Moxley is 1-0 with three points thus far, while Lethal is 0-1. 

Jay White will take on Swerve Strickland in another Gold League contest. White is 1-0 with three points, as is Strickland. 

Mark Briscoe and Rush will square off in the third Continental Classic bout, as both are looking for their first points of the tournament after losses last week. 

Continental Classic Blue League competitor Bryan Danielson will serve as a special guest commentator on tonight’s show. Danielson will have his first tournament bout on this Saturday’s Collision show against Eddie Kingston.

Christian Cage will also respond to Adam Copeland on tonight’s episode. Copeland issued a challenge to Cage for a TNT Championship match for next week’s Dynamite in Montreal, Quebec, Canada at the Bell Centre.

AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Taz as the music for Bryan Danielson hits and he joins commentary, still wearing an eye patch. Excalibur runs down the rules and standings for the Continental Classic before going to our opening contest.

Jon Moxley [6] defeated Jay Lethal [0] in the Continental Classic Gold League

(This was an enjoyable back and forth opener, with the damage to Moxley’s leg being brought up as potential targets for the remaining opponents in the Gold League. Lethal had a body part to attack early on and Moxley did a good job selling throughout the match. Danielson on commentary only benefits the Gold League matches.)

Lethal slapped on an early Figure Four, but Moxley rolled outside still in the hold and both men crashed to the floor. Lethal remained in control, however, as he connected on one dive, but opted for a Fargo Strut, which allowed Moxley to hit a dive of his own. Moxley landed awkwardly on the leg, something that Danielson pointed out, as that’s exactly what Lethal zoned in on back inside with a knee breaker and dragon screw. A strike exchange between the two, as both men scouted a King Kong Lariat and Lethal Injection respectively until Lethal hit another knee breaker followed by a top rope elbow for two. Moxley rolled to the apron, as Lethal launched him into the front row heading into commercial break.

Moxley connected on a desperation Cutter, as Lethal backed him into the corner with a dragon screw off the second rope. Moxley side stepped a low dropkick, as a forearm exchange led to a King Kong Lariat. Lethal countered Death Rider into Lethal Combination, wanting a Figure Four, but Moxley countered into multiple roll ups. Both men traded counters until Lethal got his Figure Four applied, but Moxley got the ropes. After punting out Moxley’s leg, Lethal wanted Lethal Injection, but Moxley collapsed, except he was playing chicken, hitting another lariat and pulling piledriver, sinking in a Rear Naked Choke to get the submission.

-Post match comments after Collision this past week from Eddie Kingston following his loss to Brody King. Kingston said maybe he got a little cocky heading into this tournament, but humble in victory and humble in defeat. He has Danielson next, so it’s time to get heeled up, he’ll be ready. Danielson on commentary said if one loss for Kingston puts him behind the eight ball, when he broke his orbital bone, he’s not coming in humble, he’s coming in to win this tournament.

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-Tony Schiavone informs us AEW Revolution will take place on March 3 at the Greensboro Coliseum, a place where Sting had many memorable matches, mentioning Sting & Flair 35 years ago. Schiavone brings in both men and mentions Sting’s 24-0 record in AEW. Sting said he would’ve never guessed all these years later after his first World Title match; he’d be standing here with both Flair & Schiavone. It was a make or break night for Sting, as Flair put him on the map and he thanks both men. Flair said Sting made himself, not Flair, who said he’s lucky to be standing here at 74 years old and Sting’s last match will be one of the greatest moments of his life.

Rush [3] vs. Mark Briscoe [0] in the Continental Classic Gold League

(This was such a back and forth battle, as the crowd supported Briscoe much more than Rush, who is usually cheered in his own right. These two really beat the hell out of each other, as Rush, despite the bad knee, managed to pull out the win here.)

Both men slugged it out right at the bell, trading massive chops, as Danielson pointed out the determination of both men coming off losses last week. Rush hit a snap mare and punt to the back, as the fans are behind Briscoe, who clotheslined Rush to the floor mid pose. Briscoe flew through the ropes with a dropkick and lit up Rush with chops before Rush turned the tables and sent Briscoe crashing into the barricade. Briscoe responded with a back suplex onto the edge of the barricade before delivering a diving elbow off the apron. Briscoe opted to have Rush recover and have another strike exchange, which Rush won with a snap German. Both traded thrust kicks and a lariat into the double down heading to picture in picture. Briscoe’s gum fell to the mat and he just picked it up with his mouth, popping Taz & Excalibur.

The doctor checked on Rush’s leg during the break, as it seemed to flare up after suffering the wild lariat from Briscoe. Neither man could keep control, as Briscoe connected with an Exploder, while Rush hit a backdrop driver, looked for Bulls Horns, only for Briscoe to explode out the corner with a Spear. Rush escaped Jay Driller, so Briscoe opted for an enzugiri, sending Rush to the apron where more chops ensued. Briscoe charged and Rush hit an overhead throw to the floor. Both fought in the corner, where Rush was knocked off and Briscoe hit the Froggy Bow for two. Rush again avoided the Jay Driller, hit an overhead throw into the ropes and followed with the Bulls Horns for the victory.

-RJ City is backstage and approaches Timeless Toni Storm, Luther & Mariah May. Storm was insulted about her acceptance speech being interrupted last week, but still went out and partied at the compound with JFK or one of the Kennedy’s, but she’s exhausted and has a touch of the gout. RJ asks if she’s worried that she has to defend her Women’s Title next week? Storm name dropped a bunch of old Hollywood stars and said if they weren’t worried, neither was she. Storm asked if RJ would take her shoes off for her to end the segment. Taz said the gout is no joke, which popped Excalibur & Tony Schiavone.

MJF addresses his World’s End opponent Samoa Joe

MJF made his way to the ring with a cane, as Excalibur brings up the partially torn labrum. MJF brings up the AEW World Title match against Samoa Joe at World’s End on December 30 and as a person, he doesn’t like him, but as a pro wrestler, he respects him for believing in AEW not just wanting to line his pockets. MJF brought up getting a poster in the mail growing up from TNA and one person stood out from that company, the Samoan Submission Machine. MJF mentions Joe not being awarded the opportunity to become WWE World Champion, but proved you don’t have to be a bodybuilder to be a champion. Joe helped pave the way for guys like MJF and without guys like Joe, there might not be an AEW and MJF thanks Joe, even though that hurts him to do so.

MJF starts putting himself over for starting a new alternative, helping to build AEW brick by brick since day one. MJF ran down his list of victories, but the one he was lucky to survive was against Joe. December 30 isn’t about Joe’s legacy, it’s about his own. Can Max Friedman survive the final boss one final time? MJF promises everyone he doesn’t care what happens to his body, he will show the world it’s not about the size of the dog in the fight, it’s about the size of the fight in the dog. If Joe wants to take what’s MJF’s he’s going to have to put him down. MJF broke his cane before the lights went out and started flickering. Four masked men appeared, one holding a bat before Joe appeared and made the save.

The screen went black for a pretty long time before the words “In the shadows, our game begins. Next week MJF & Samoa Joe…will you face the unknown in a tag match? Are you a hero, Max?” Joe wanted MJF not to accept the match because he wants MJF healthy for World’s End, but MJF said he’s sick of the Scooby Doo bullshit and he’ll take out every single one of them. MJF accepts the match, which pissed Joe off.

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Wardlow defeated AR Fox

Fox clocked Wardlow on the apron with a big boot and cleared the top with a dive, followed by a somersault plancha. Fox tried his step up moonsault from the apron, but Wardlow caught him in mid air and slammed Fox on the apron. The match officially began, as Wardlow launched Fox with a beal before Wardlow stalked Fox on the floor, tossing Fox back in the ring onto his head. Fox escaped a gorilla press, took out the legs and hit a 450 Splash for a one count. Fox acted shocked, as Wardlow started no selling strikes until a spinebuster and wind up lariat connected. Two powerbombs connected before Wardlow hit a huge Senton. One final Last Ride powerbomb forced the ref to stop the match. This was the most offense anyone has gotten on Wardlow in months.

-Excalibur talks about Dante Martin returning to action after suffering a horrific ankle injury at the end of March in ROH in a ladder match and actually showed the spot. For those who might have missed it, this was one of the most disgusting injuries I’ve seen. Dante returns next in his hometown.

Action Andretti & Top Flight (Dante & Darius Martin) defeated The Hardys (Matt & Jeff) & Brother Zay

(A strong showing for the returning Dante Martin & crew, as this turned into a fun little sprint the second half of this match. Dante showed off some of his signature high flying, but not as much as we’d seen in the past, which is probably a good thing for his health.)

A massive reaction for Dante, but it was Andretti who started things off with Matt and a quick sunset flip got two. Matt responded with a hip toss and tagged Jeff, as the Hardys unleashed some signature double team offense for two. Andretti & Jeff had a stalemate before Darius & Zay tagged in with a quick exchange until a dropkick connected flush by Darius. Tag made to Dante to a loud pop, as Top Flight hit rapid fire double team quick before Andretti tagged back in for picture in picture, where the Hardys & Zay took control.

Matt planted Andretti with a Side Effect, but the Twist of Fate was countered into an enzugiri for the double down. Andretti made the hot tag to Dante, who backflipped out of the ropes to light up Zay with strikes. Jeff dove for Dante on the apron, but a springboard cross body on Zay just in time avoided Jeff’s clutches. Zay sent both Martin brothers colliding into each other and nearly got a roll up for two. Zay launched off Jeff’s back and hit a dropkick that sent Darius to the floor, as The Hardys set up Dante in a Doomsday position, where Zay hit a springboard dropkick for two. Darius & Andretti fought back agains the Hardys on the floor, as back inside, Zay was hit with a shotgun dropkick, snap German and spinning side slam to allow Dante to get the pin.

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-Renee Paquette is backstage with Top Flight & Action Andretti, congratulates them on their victory and asks Dante how the leg was feeling. Before he could answer, Penta el Zero Miedo, the one Dante hurt his ankle against, walks in and fist bumps Dante with Komander & Vikingo soon to follow and it looks like a Trios match is on tap.

Julia Hart defeated Emi Sakura to retain the TBS Title

This is under House Rules (which the House of Black used during their Trios Title run), meaning there are 20 counts, no rope breaks, disqualifications will be enforced and the challenger can choose the fourth stip, so Sakura chose no submissions. This is in Hart’s hometown, so there were loud chants for the champion before the start. Hart connected on an early handspring clothesline in the corner and posed, as Sakura was unimpressed, firing off strong chops. Hart blocked a chop and slammed Sakura to the outside. Sakura reversed a whip, sending Hart crashing into the steps and a charging low cross body followed into commercial.

Sakura connected on a stalling double underhook back breaker and wanted it again, but Hart flipped out into a sleeper, transitioning into a head scissors. Sakura escaped and locked on a Romero Special before slamming Hart down. Sakura missed a top rope moonsault, as Hart applied Hartless and Sakura tapped, but due to House Rules, submissions didn’t apply. Hart connected with a lariat to the back, followed by a top rope moonsault, which she barely hit, as Sakura almost rolled into better position at the last second. Regardless, Hart got the victory and Sakura looked to kick out at three and a half.

-RJ City is backstage with Mariah May, who said she’s hungry for more after coming off such a run in Stardom. She thanks RJ for connecting her with Toni Storm and RJ said they used to play squash together. May said that RJ is quite the curator of people, hitting on RJ, who told May to go get’em as May knocked and went into Tony Khan’s office. Tony Schiavone wonders if she’s interrupting a meeting and that line nearly floored Taz & Excalibur.

Christian Cage Answers Adam Copeland’s Challenge

Cage came to the ring with security guards (one of which looks an awful lot like Man Scout Jake Manning) and asks Adam Copeland to come to the ring. Copeland took a long time to come out, as Cage hid behind security, saying management wanted him to have security out there. Cage said they weren’t necessary, excuses them all and said in regards to Copeland’s challenge on December 6 in Montreal, they won’t make it. Cage said he’s sorry, but the reason wasn’t because Copeland took out Nick Wayne & Luchasaurus, Cage corrected himself to saying Killswitch, which got You F’d Up chants from the crowd. On the road alone, Cage had a lot of soul searching and reflection, wondering how he got the way that he was. Cage brought up traveling the roads with Copeland in Toby the Taurus and how they dreamed about making it big and becoming the greatest tag team in history, which they did.

Cage said it runs deeper than that and Copeland grew up with a single mother and didn’t have a father figure. Despite being the patriarch of AEW, he’s not Copeland’s father, he’s his brother. Cage’s father was there for Copeland growing up and is still his biggest fan. Cage said he loves Copeland and before Copeland’s mother passed away she said she wanted them to team together one more time. Cage wants to have one final run for Judy, as Copeland ponders what he just heard before Cage charged with the TNT Title only for Copeland to punt him low. Cage slid down the body of Copeland, who picked the mic and said nice try, dumbass. Copeland told Cage to shine up the TNT Title real nice because next week, she’s coming home with him. Copeland said one final thing, Go F*ck Yourself, which did not get censored at all, as Copeland left and Excalibur said the match is official for next week. Another phenomenal chapter in this feud, I can’t wait for next week in Montreal.

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Swerve Strickland [6] defeated Switchblade Jay White [3] in the Continental Classic Gold League

(A great fake out by commentary over the course of the match, really talking about the 20 minute time limit possibly being a factory, also Justin Roberts made the 15 minute call towards the end, making the finish come out of nowhere. I hope this isn’t the last time these two face off, as the crowd was into it from the jump and were loudly behind Strickland.)

Prince Nana returned to dance on stage with a crutch before Strickland walked to the ring alone. White decided to take the fight outside early, but it proved to be the bad call, as Strickland launched him into the barricade. White returned the favor before going back to the ring and after the taped up shoulder of Strickland. Danielson said he’s impressed with how explosive White is, while saying Strickland’s win at Full Gear was one of the most brutal matches he’d ever seen. White tried a baseball slide, but Strickland caught him coming in and sent into the front row, where a fan tried holding White back and reprimanded as a result. A running double stomp to the back off the apron led to Strickland taking too long to follow up and White hit a DDT through the ropes heading to picture in picture.

White kept Strickland grounded most of the break and hit a snap German and underhook suplex into the corner. Strickland battled back, changing levels, hit a head scissors and rolling Flatliner into a spinning suplex for two. Both men slowly got to their feet and White hit a Flatliner of his own, dropping Strickland right on his head. White connected on a snap German, but took too long to follow, allowing Strickland to throw a wild lariat into the double down. A forearm exchange led to White crumbling, but it was all a ploy, as he chop blocked out Strickland’s leg and hit a Uranage for two. Strickland fought off a Sleeper Suplex, so White slapped on an armbar submission. Strickland rolled through, trapped the arm and stomped down onto the arm for the kill shot. White was almost sent into referee Bryce like last week, as he tried another low blow, but this time Strickland had it scouted and hit a slam. The House Call kick connected before following up with a Swerve Stomp, only for White to kick out.

White bit at the hand of Strickland and hit a desperation Blade Runner, but Strickland rolled to the floor. White brought him back inside and traded near falls before both missed finisher attempts at the 15 minute call. White hit a Sleeper Suplex, but Strickland countered Blade Runner into a roll up for the flash pin.

Continental Classic Gold League Standings

· 6 Points: Jon Moxley, Swerve Strickland

· 3 Points: Rush, Switchblade Jay White

· 0 Points: Jay Lethal, Mark Briscoe

Continental Classic Blue League Standings

· 3 Points: Claudio Castagnoli, Brody King

· 0 Points: Daniel Garcia, Eddie Kingston, Bryan Danielson, Andrade El Idolo

AEW Collision 12/2/23

· Bryan Danielson vs. Eddie Kingston in the Continental Classic Blue League

· Daniel Garcia vs. Andrade El Idolo in the Continental Classic Blue League

· Claudio Castagnoli vs. Brody King in the Continental Classic Blue League

AEW Dynamite 12/6/23

· Christian Cage defends the TNT Title against Adam Copeland