Adam Copeland returns to the ring for the first time in more than six months on tonight’s AEW Dynamite Fight for the Fallen.
Copeland teams with FTR’s Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler to form Rated FTR tonight as the trio faces AEW Champion Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, and Wheeler Yuta in six-man tag team action. Copeland suffered a broken leg during a barbed wire steel cage match at Double or Nothing last May, then made his return to AEW in the aftermath of the main event of last weekend’s Worlds End pay-per-view, confronting and spearing Moxley.
Tonight’s show also kicks off a new streaming era for AEW, as the flagship Dynamite program makes its streaming debut with a simulcast on Max.
Orange Cassidy vs. Hangman Page is also on tap for tonight’s episode. Both were part of the four-way main event World title match at Worlds End won by Moxley.
Julia Hart also makes her in-ring return on tonight’s show after missing more than eight months of ring time due to injury. Hart faces Jamie Hayter on the program.
Jeff Jarrett will make an announcement regarding his wrestling future on the show.
The Hurt Syndicate’s Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin vs. The Acclaimed’s Max Caster and Anthony Bowens is also set for the show.
AEW Fight for the Fallen comes on the air with a new intro and music, I’m So Excited by The Pointer Sisters, as Excalibur welcomes us along with Tony Schiavone. The greatest tournament wrestler, Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada, is shown walking backstage before Excalibur runs down tonight’s card.
Comments from Jon Moxley backstage after World’s End is shown. When bullets start flying and things get real, it’s very different to how they normally act. Moxley said Marina Shafir took a bullet and he expects nothing less from a solider by his side. He grabbed the entire AEW organization by the strap and have guided it through a pandemic, taking bullet after bullet. He will destroy AEW World Title before he lets anyone else get their greedy, soulless, criminal fingers on it ever again. Moxley knows what Adam Copeland is all about. Death Riders aren’t rebels, no one has authority over them, as Moxley is the King. At World’s End, Copeland was just the loudest guy in the room.
Backstage at Dynamite, Rated FTR talk about tonight’s main event and Copeland said if Death Riders want to take out his friends, then it’s time to fight back. Copeland knows he’s sicker than Moxley, this should be fun.
Hangman Adam Page defeated Orange Cassidy
(Hard to believe that this was the first singles encounter between these two. This was a solid opener and a good way to get two home grown AEW talent in front of new eyes in the MAX era. The post-match, I’m not sure where this Page & Daniels stuff is headed, but I assume it’ll have something to do with The Elite, at least I think it would. Not sure people are clamoring for a Daniels vs. Page one-on-one program.)
Both trade finisher attempts at the bell, but are countered repeatedly into a stalemate. Page no sold forearms and chopped Cassidy into the corner, as Excalibur plugged how all Dynamite episode and special events from 2019 are now available on MAX. Page planted Cassidy to the floor with a springboard lariat before sending him crashing into the barricade. Despite early chants for him, Page flipped the crowd off, but was distracted too long, as Cassidy backdropped out of a powerbomb attempt and delivered 10 punches on the barricade. Back inside, Page caught a cross body and delivered a fall away slam into the corner for two. Cassidy got a near fall, PK and Stundog Millionaire that sent Page outside, where he wanted a dive, but Page caught him. Cassidy avoided an apron powerbomb, but not a fall away slam up the ramp, putting Page in control during break.
Page wanted a Buckshot, but Cassidy rolled to the floor, forcing Page to give chase. They repeated the spot, thus angering Page even more, as Cassidy put his hands in his pockets, hit the dropkick, kip-up, float over in the corner and slammed Page repeatedly into the buckle. Cassidy wanted a top rope DDT, was caught, Page wanted a lawn dart, but Cassidy countered into multiple DDTs. Cassidy fired up the little kicks, hit a thrust kick, but Page no sold into a lariat. Page wanted the Buckshot, but Cassidy countered into Beach Break for two in a solid sequence. Cassidy connected on multiple Orange Punches, but Page rolled to the apron, only to eat another. Cassidy stumbled around to go for the home run shot, but Page flipped over into the Buckshot and got the victory in a really fun opener.
Post-match, Page attacked once more, connecting on multiple Dead Eyes until referees and Christopher Daniels ran out. Daniels got into Page’s face and ate a right hand for his troubles. Daniels pleaded that he was Page’s friend, but was booted in the face, as Page went to the back, yelling at Daniels to stay out of his business.
Switchblade Jay White is backstage saying they aren’t starting 2025 out the way he wanted, as he is not the AEW World Champion. White would’ve been champion, but Wheeler Yuta cost him his moment. White promises he’ll show Yuta how he feels, as words won’t do it justice. Tonight, he’ll win the top spot in next weeks Casino Gauntlet and make his way to Moxley and the World Title. It’s nothing personal to Roderick Strong & Swerve Strickland, but they will breathe with the Switchblade.
The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin w/MVP) defeated The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens & Max Caster)
(It’s wild how cooled off The Acclaimed have been since a year ago, but it’s more than time for them to break up and go singles. Interesting to note that MVP said the business card he gave to Caster expired, so perhaps there isn’t a future for Caster in the Hurt Syndicate? Caster is fine, but I’d love a nice Bowens singles run at some point in 2025.)
Caster held up a fans sign that said “Bowens Will Be Fine” before we get pre-recorded comments from them. Bowens asked Caster if he hit him with the ROH Title on purpose a few weeks ago and Caster said no, he didn’t. Caster said for Bowens to get focused, as tonight is The Hurt Syndicate, there’s no scissoring or rapping, it’s Bowens and the Best Wrestler Alive.
The Acclaimed immediately argue about who should start, resulting in Lashley running over both of them, launching Caster with an overhead belly to belly. Excalibur brought up MVP giving Caster a business card and MVP said he took too long to answer, while Lashley & Benjamin both said they didn’t want him. Caster got off one back elbow before being clotheslined outside where Benjamin chucked him repeatedly into the barricade, as Bowens just watched. Back inside, Caster floated over a suplex and dove for the Bowens hot tag. Bowens was in for about 30 seconds until Caster blind tagged in. They keep arguing, which led to Suplex City from Benjamin on Caster, each one getting louder pops from the crowd. Bowens dropped off the apron and just watched Caster get his ass kicked, as Lashley made the tag, hit a Spear, spinebuster and Hurt Lock for the submission. Bowens said Caster isn’t the best wrestler alive, he’s a selfish asshole and walked to the back.
Swerve Strickland is backstage with Prince Nana interviewed by Alex Marvez and talked about tonight’s three way. Strickland apologizes for the fans who continue to chant his name, as he’s been distracted recently, but that changes tonight. He’ll remind everyone why, just like 2024, that 2025 will be Swerve’s House. Strickland said he’s never been in a Casino Gauntlet before and asks Marvez if he knows why? It’s because he was always World Champion when they happened. Nana wished everyone a Happy New Year before dancing off.
Julia Hart defeated Jamie Hayter
(This turned into a good match, as it’s important to point out the ring rust for Hart, having been off for such a long time. The finish is interesting, as when Hart would mist people in the past, they’d eventually turn to the dark side, so perhaps a heel Hayter is in the cards in the future?)
Hart’s first match back since her shoulder injury last April, as she slammed Hayter down repeatedly by her hair, but Hayter kept kipping up, returning the favor. Hayter hit an awkward hip toss into a neckbreaker, crunched Hart in the corner with multiple splashes until Hart fought out with a clothesline to the back to the outside. Hart wanted a cross body off the apron, but was caught, Hayter wanted a suplex on the steps, but Hart floated over and slammed Hayter back first on the steps.
Hayter mounted her comeback, as she went the lariat, missed, but Hayt-Breaker connected for two. Taking way too much time to follow-up, Hayter ran into a corner boot, as Hart wanted a moonsault, rolled through, but hit a back heel trip for two. Hartless was applied, but Hayter powered her way to her feet. Hart tried a crucifix counter, only for Hayter to hit a DVD on the knee and sliding lariat for two. Hayter wanted a superplex, but Hart swept out the leg and Hayter was clutching her left ribcage. Hart pulled out an arrow, as it was a distraction for the ref, who got it away, allowing Hart to mist Hayter and get the pin. Doctors checked on Hayter in the post-match, as she was writhing in pain.
A video package on the latest chapter of the Will Ospreay & Kyle Fletcher rivalry is shown, with Ospreay getting his win back at Worlds End after losing to Fletcher at Full Gear.
Highlights of the incredible finish of the Continental Classic is shown in the finals between Kazuchika Okada & Will Ospreay. We then see the return of Kenny Omega, as he presented Okada with the Continental Title. It turns into an Omega highlight package and we’re told Omega is coming next week.
We then see a video package for Okada, who said he proved he’s the best tournament wrestler alive. Okada told his little brother, Will Ospreay, nice try, before telling Omega to stay out of his business, as how many times does he have to beat him?
Mercedes Mone’s New Year Celebration
Mercedes Mone comes to the ring, as commentary plugs Wrestle Dynasty this weekend and her NJPW Strong Women’s Title match against Mina Shirakawa. Mone does her signature line before throwing it to a highlight video package all about herself. All of her Sports Illustrated ranked Top matches is shown, including her #1 spot against Hazuki in New Japan. Mone said you haven’t seen anything yet for what’s in store in 2025. Mone said Mina Shirakawa has something she wants, more gold, the RevPro Championship and said Mone Changes Everything. Excalibur said it’s Title vs. Title at Wrestle Dynasty, but the graphic only said the NJPW Strong Women’s Title. This was a pretty nothing segment, other than a way to get Mone on TV, but I’m glad they showcased her run over the past few months, as no one has been able to hold a candle to her.
Video package talking about Fight For The Fallen’s partnering with the American Red Cross and multiple charities in hope to help with Hurricane Helene relief in rebuilding for those effected. Dax Harwood was shown presenting a check to the World Central Kitchen and Asheville Dream Center.
Alex Marvez is backstage with Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong, as Cole said finally the Undisputed Kingdom is complete. O’Reilly said they have it all covered, Trios, Tag Team, Singles and Triple Threats. Strong said he couldn’t have said it any better, as tonight, he’ll win the match and reminds them next week, it’s every man for himself.
Switchblade Jay White defeated Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana) & Roderick Strong to earn the 1st spot in next week’s Casino Gauntlet
(I thought this was a pretty darn good three-way, with everyone getting their chance to shine and never ever really feeling like the standard carousel of singles matches. They really drove home how White was so close to winning the AEW Title at World’s End, so he has to be a favorite to win the Gauntlet next week. The post-match was a big story, as Ricochet finally looked like a threat and a strong heel after multiple weeks of looking the contrary. He’s losing his mind and it appears to be the best thing for him, as this feud with Strickland should only help him, I’m looking forward to it kicking into gear.)
White hilariously did the Swerve dance using a finger gun during Strickland’s entrance, as it was fast action right at the bell. White was sent outside, as a flashy suplex sent Strong outside, allowing Strickland to hit a backflip over onto White to a huge ovation. Back inside, a signature flying uppercut on White, but Strong broke the count. Double DDT from White, who fired off a series of chops before dumping both Strong & Strickland out. Front face suplex on the apron delivered to both, but as everyone was back in the ring, Strong was the one who sent Strickland & White crashing down onto one another, putting him in control during break.
They return to all three fighting up in the corner, where everyone crashes down with Strickland to his feet first. No pun intended, but Strickland was a house of fire, powerbombing Strong into White in the corner before delivering a powerbomb into powerslam on White. As he went for a rolling Flatliner, Strong countered into a Code Breaker on Strickland an Angle Slam and Tiger Driver on White for two. Strickland returned and hit a standing Swerve Stomp on Strong, but missed House Call. White wanted Blade Runner, missed, as Strickland hit the rolling Flatliner. Strickland wanted a Swerve Stomp, but Strong cut him off, White rolled to the floor and Strickland was left to decide who to go after and settled on Strong. Pump kick to Strong on the apron, as Strickland walked the barricade and hit another to White until Ricochet appeared and popped Strickland in the head with a golden pair of scissors, just staring him down. It turned into a singles match, as Strong & White rolled into the ring, where almost instantly, White hit a Blade Runner for the win.
Post-match, Strickland is bleeding, as Ricochet slowly steps over the barricade and holds the scissors up to Nana, keeping him away. Ricochet drove the scissors into the head of Strickland, as his own shirt is covered in Strickland’s blood, as he was laughing manically. Nana tried wrestling a chair away from Ricochet, but was shoved aside and Ricochet hit a chair shot to the back. In the ring, Ricochet placed Strickland on the chair and hit the Spirit Gun. Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly & Strong got in the ring and made the save, as Ricochet bailed, continuing to laugh his ass off before leaving. Strickland was checked on by the Undisputed Kingdom and doctors as the faded to break.
Back from break, Alex Marvez is backstage with Jay Lethal, Sonjay Dutt & Satnam Singh who said they hadn’t heard from Jeff Jarrett all day. Jarrett walked up and they said whatever he’s planning, they support him 100%, they just want him to make sure this is what he wants to do. Karen Jarrett walks in and said this business is what brought them together, but knows this is what has broken him at times. What Jeff wants, she wants, they’re unbreakable, as she hands him his wrestling boots and Jeff walks off.
Mariah May is backstage and said was asking to stop saying bad things about the women’s division and mockingly did so before saying she has had more matches than any other woman. They were busy faking injuries, failing auditions, not remembering who they were, while May left a trail of broken hearts, bodies and minds while everyone didn’t realize how good she was. May is The Epic, so it’s time for others to prove themselves to her. She is the woman from hell, you can’t touch her, she’d love to see you try.
Jeff Jarrett Announcement
With a guitar set-up in the ring, Jarrett came to the ring and said there’s so many things he has to be thankful for in his career and wishes everyone a Slappy New Year. It’s sad to start thinking about things coming to an end, but made him think of how things began. Jarrett talked about his grandmother starting to sell wrestling tickets and thus changing his families lives forever. High risk, high reward decisions helped her get in the business, his father becoming a wrestler and buying the promotion in Tennessee. In 1986, when Jeff got in the industry it ultimately led to starting his own promotion in 2002, a place that has developed some of the greatest wrestlers of all time. Jeff grabs his boots and asks if The Last Outlaw should ride off into the sunset? The answer is, hell no, when you take the biggest risk, you get the biggest reward, so he signed his very last wrestling contract, with AEW. The Last Outlaw wants one ride and wants AEW gold. He’s talking about the biggest risk of his career, he’s entering the Gauntlet next week, as his New Years Resolution is he wants to become AEW World Champion.
Powerhouse Hobbs defeated Jon Cruz & Rob Killjoy
Hobbs immediately mowed through poor Cruz before turning Killjoy inside out with a lariat. Big splashes in the corner until a snap powerslam flattened Cruz. Massive spinebuster on Killjoy as the straps lowered and Cruz was spinebustered onto his partner for the easy Hobbs win. Commentary put over how if Hobbs is in the Gauntlet next week and his number is called, he has to be a favorite.
Alex Marvez is backstage asking Big Bill & Bryan Keith where Chris Jericho is? They said North Carolina is just ok, but Jericho isn’t coming here before calling out the hometown heroes, Rated FTR, who were getting ready for the main event. Bill said home is where you find themselves and The Learning Tree find themselves in a position to knock the hometown heroes down a branch or two. Keith calls them a Rated Dumbass until Copeland mocks them, says Bill’s face stupid and challenges them to a Trios match this Saturday on Collision. Rated FTR vs. The Learning Tree.
A memorial graphic for Sweet Daddy Siki is shown
MJF post-match at World’s End is backstage congratulating Adam Cole on his win, but corrects himself and says that’s right, Cole lost. It took an army to beat him up after the match and says thankfully, mercifully, the chapter of Better Than You Bay-Bay comes to a close, but now it’s time for retribution. It’s time to take back the Triple B, something taken from him without him actually losing. It’s being paraded around in a briefcase and questions Jon Moxley what’s a King to a God? No one is on the level of The Devil, something Moxley should know very well. MJF doesn’t care if Moxley burns AEW to the ground, because in 2025, The Devil gets his due, Part 2. I’m looking forward to MJF putting the Cole feud behind him and getting back into the main event picture and becoming a key player again in the new year.
Rated FTR (Cope, Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) defeated AEW World Champion Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta (w/Marina Shafir)
(I have no idea why the name change, but it’s going to really take me a while to get used to calling him Cope. It took me just about a year to get used to Adam Copeland. The match itself really picked up towards the end and got maybe a little too jam packed, as commentary almost entirely missed the White appearance and attack on Yuta. The crowd went wild for the finish though, as you needed Cope & FTR to stand tall, especially on this show.)
Justin Roberts announces Adam Copeland as “The Rated R Superstar Cope” so I guess Cope is what he’s going by now? They need to update the video boards and entrance videos going forward then. Commentary plugged Castagnoli being sent as a mercenary by Moxley to hurt his former protégé, Shooter Umino, at Wrestle Dynasty this weekend. They also talked about Sweet Daddy Siki training Cope to become a wrestler and gave a nice tribute.
Yuta & Harwood start things off, with Yuta taking brutal chops repeatedly until Cope tagged and Yuta bailed. Castagnoli tagged and a first-time face-off between the two, as they trade shoulder blocks, with neither budging. They trade hip tosses, as Castagnoli is sent over the top, where Cope follows with a baseball slide. Castagnoli was sent into the apron, but as the ref was distracted, Shafir posted Cope hard as things went to break with Moxley standing innocently over a fallen Cope.
It was all Death Riders during break, isolating Cope, who finally got a back drop on Yuta to make the hot tag to Wheeler, who ran wild to a huge pop. Nice fast sequence with Yuta & Wheeler, who countered a leap frog into a snap powerslam for two. Harwood back in, but Castagnoli cut off a spike piledriver attempt. Harwood countered a pop-up uppercut into a suplex, as Yuta nearly stole the pin for two. Harwood flew out of the corner with a cross-body for two, but Yuta responded with an Angle Slam for the double down. Yuta went up top, but was cut off with a massive Avalanche Back Suplex for two. Wheeler gets dumped by Castagnoli, who followed by hitting Cope with a big boot. Jackhammer from Castagnoli and big splash from Yuta got a near fall, as they went to another commercial almost at the top of the hour.
Cope & Moxley both tagged in and slugged it out, as everyone in the crowd are on their feet. Cope spun out of Death Rider and hit the Impaler DDT, but Moxley bailed before the Spear could hit. Cope was out after him and they brawled into the crowd, but ultimately made their way back to the ring, where Moxley blind tagged Yuta. Cope was planted with a DDT, as Yuta signaled for the Spear, but ran into a pop-up Liger Bomb for two. Cope wanted a Spear, but had his legs pulled out by Moxley & Castagnoli, crotching him on the post. Wheeler made the save, wanted a dive, but Castagnoli hit a gnarly charging uppercut to put a stop to it. Castagnoli & Moxley clear off the commentary table, as Moxley kissed Tony Schiavone on the cheek before teasing a piledriver, but Cope backdropped him. All this distraction, allowed Switchblade Jay White to appear and lay out Yuta with a Blade Runner. Cope tackled Moxley through the barricade, as back inside, Yuta ate a Shatter Machine and Spear to give Cope the pin. Rated FTR celebrated as the show went off the air.
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