AEW Dynamite Results and Review (12/7/22): Ricky Starks Is Absolute
AEW Dynamite was a very interesting show, one of the better Dynamites in recent memory. It featured the biggest stars in AEW along with just some really good matches.
It was interesting to see how AEW was going to handle AEW Dynamite with ROH Final Battle just days away. Part of the problem when owning two professional wrestling companies is that you need to promote both. But I think AEW did a good job at helping build the storylines for Winter is Coming next week, while also adding some intrigue to ROH Final Battle.
Let’s take a look at what happened on AEW Dynamite.
Results
Ricky Starks won the Dynamite Diamond Battle Royale
Samoa Joe def. Darby Allin
Wheeler Yuta & Claudio Castagnoli def. Jake Hager & Daniel Garcia
Jade Cargill & The Baddies def. Madison Rayne, Skye Blue, & Kiera Hogan
The Acclaimed def. FTR
Review
Dynamite Diamond Battle Royale
This was the fourth year that AEW did the Dynamite Diamond Battle Royale. The winner of the battle royale would go on to face the winner of last year’s battle royale, MJF.
The Dynamite Diamond Ring is worth $150,000 and can help you more than you think. MJF has used the ring to his advantage on many occasions.
The match itself had some pretty spots. Kip Sabian bit the All-Atlantic Champion, Orange Cassidy. This led to a challenge later in the night where Cassidy would defend his All-Atlantic Championship against anyone of Sabian’s choosing.
There was also a pretty unreal choke slam on the side of the ring apron. W. Morrissey delivered the breathtaking choke slam to Jungle Boy on the outside, but it was Ricky Starks who emerged victorious and will earn a shot at the Dynamite Diamond Ring.
We Hear From MJF
Following Starks’ win in the battle royale, MJF came out to the ring. MJF claimed that Bryan Danielson was too scared of him and that’s why he wasn’t on AEW Dynamite this week. Then, MJF addressed Starks.
MJF had some harsh words for Starks calling him a “dollar store Dwayne” in reference to WWE legend Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. The AEW World Champion gave his usual brutal and unmatch promo, but this time he found his match. After MJF went off on Starks, it was Starks’ turn to address MJF.
Starks went absolutely nuclear on MJF in a way that no one has before. He went on an incredible rant saying MJF “smells like paint thinner and a**.” Starks said he was going to “smack the mole off MJF’s neck” and become the new AEW World Champion.
This entire segment was pure gold and really helped build the storyline for Winter is Coming. I said before that a promo between Starks and MJF would be amazing and amazing it was.
TNT Championship Match
Darby Allin vs. Samoa Joe (c)
This match was extremely brutal and aggressive. Samoa Joe has become extremely ruthless since becoming the TNT Champion. His latest victim, Darby Allin paid the price.
Allin is not afraid to throw his body around and use it as a weapon, but sometimes it gets used against him and that was the case in this match. Samoa Joe was extremely dominant in this match and was always in control. The TNT Champion never slowed down and proved to be one step ahead of Allin throughout the match.
Allin went for his finishing move, the coffin drop, but Joe reversed it into a rear naked choke and retained his title. Joe wasn’t done there and wanted to make a statement, though.
After the match, Allin rose to his feet and got in the face of Joe, so Joe attacked Allin and hit a muscle buster onto Allin’s skateboard. He then put Allin into another rear naked choke until Wardlow came out to the rescue. After seeing Wardlow, Joe released his hold and retreated.
Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta vs. Daniel Garcia and Jake Hager
Claudio Castagnoli and Wheler Yuta have title matches at ROH Final Battle. But before that, they must team up to take down Jake Hager and Daniel Garcia.
This match was crucial for the momentum of these competitors heading into Final Battle. The match was fast-paced and a lot of fun. The crow was really into it which always makes the match more fun. But it was Castagnoli and Yuta who got the victory on AEW Dynamite and the momentum heading into Final Battle.
Castagnoli is taking on ROH World Champion, Chris Jericho, for the title and Wheeler Yuta is taking on a long-time rival, Daniel Garcia, for the ROH Pure Championship at Final Battle. Ultimately, this tag team match was crucial for all of the men involved.
Tony Schiavone Interviews Jamie Hayter
The AEW Women’s World Champion, Jamie Hayter, had a sit-down interview with Tony Schiavone. Schiavone asked Hayter about what she thought of the AEW women’s division. Hayter praised the women’s division and said whoever wins the match between Hikaru Shida and The Bunny will get an opportunity for the AEW Women’s World Championship.
Jade Cargill and The Baddies vs. Madison Rayne, Skye Blue and Kiera Hogan
Kiera Hogan had an opportunity at revenge after Jade Cargill kicked her out of The Baddies when Red Velvet returned.
The match was decent, but it was nice to see The Baddies finally wrestle together. The Baddies got the much-need win, which kept Cargill undefeated. Cargill didn’t get tagged in until late into the match and she cleaned house and got the win for her team. Once again, Cargill looked dominant and unstoppable on AEW Dynamite.
Tony Schiavone Backstage with Saraya
Schiavone was backstage with Saraya, but the segment quickly got interrupted by Britt Baker. Baker challenged Saraya to a tag team match against her and Jamie Hayter. Saraya accepted, but now is searching for a partner.
AEW Tag Team Championship Match
FTR vs. The Acclaimed (c)
FTR currently hold the ROH, IWGP, and AAA Tag Team Championships, but they want a fourth. In order to get their fourth, they had to take down the AEW Tag Team Champions, The Acclaimed. The Acclaimed has been at the top of the tag team division since winning the titles and is clearly a crowd favorite.
The match itself was really good. FTR is thought of as the best tag team in the world, but the Acclaimed held their own against them. They proved they can compete with the best tag teams on the planet. This was a lot of fun as well, but it was The Acclaimed who came out on top after Max Caster rolled up Cash Wheeler.
Following the match, Billy and Colton Gunn had a message for FTR. They had a note from The Briscoes, FTR’s rivals, and said that The Briscoes challenged FTR to a double dog collar match for the ROH Tag Team Championships. FTR was stunned, but the match was added to the ROH Final Battle card.
