Jay Briscoe Is Honored, Darby Allin Defends The TNT Championship
Isabella Bartlett
The wrestling world woke up with a heavy heart on Wednesday after the sudden passing of Jay Briscoe. Many of the AEW superstars who knew him well paid loving tributes to their friend while still delivering incredible in-ring work.This week's Dynamite didn't have the impressive lineup that last week's Supercard did, but AEW delivered one hell of a show. It featured two title matches, an absolute banger, and a few intriguing angles.Here are your winners and losers for the January 18th installment of AEW Dynamite.RELATED: Looking Back At The Career Of Tag Team Wrestling & ROH Legend, Jay Briscoe
Winner: AEW Wrestlers Honor The Memory of Jay Briscoe
Before the Dynamite intro, a picture of Jay Briscoe appeared on the screen. It read, "In Memory of Jamin Pugh 'Jay Briscoe.'" Throughout the broadcast, several wrestlers wore armbands with Jay's name. A huge chunk of the AEW locker room spent time in Ring of Honor, so it's safe to say the energy was heavy.
During their tag team match, The Young Bucks paid tribute in their own way. Matt Jackson kissed his armband before he and his brother delivered the Doomsday Device, The Briscoe Brothers' finisher.
As the show concluded, Excalibur signed off by saying, "Jay Briscoe, we are thinking about you. You are in our hearts."
Losers: Orange Cassidy Vs. Jay Lethal
If Jeff Jarret, Sanjay Dutt, or Satnam Singh interfered in the All-Atlantic Title match, Sanjay Dutt would be fired. That was a nice caveat to what could have been a great match.
Unfortunately, that trio still found themselves in the front row, as did The Best Friends and Danhausen.
We saw flashes of a good match, but it was never able to get momentum, as the story outside the ring hogged a lot of the spotlight. Before you knew it, the match was over. Cassidy retained with an Orange Punch in what was more of a comedy segment than a match.
Winners: Top Flight Score A Major Upset Against The Young Bucks
After their grueling Best-Of-Seven-Series with Death Triangle, The Young Bucks would face Top Flight. The Bucks looked good early, delivering their patented tandem offense and getting an extended heat segment on Dante Martin.
When Darius got the hot tag, the energy shifted. Darius looked phenomenal, nailing the Bucks with kicks, a Spanish Fly, a topé, and a diving cross body.
The match kicked into another gear, and both teams came very close to victory. As the execution of the match got better and better, the crowd got hotter and hotter. It felt like they were about to blow the roof off of the Fresno arena when Darius ducked the BTE Trigger. He then rolled up Matt Jackson for the surprise win.
Winners: Renee Paquette & Hangman Adam Page Discussion
Renee Paquette has elevated the backstage segments since she arrived at AEW, and this was no exception. In a frank but cordial conversation with Hangman Adam Page, the Cowboy explained he felt like he got "his word" back when he defeated Jon Moxley.
When Renee asked what was next for Page, he responded, "I think it's time to mend some fences that have needed mending for a long time." Could he be eyeing a reunion with The Elite? Or could he be thinking about his next primary opponent?
Winners: Bryan Danielson & Bandido Deliver A Banger!
In what was undoubtedly the match of the night, Bryan Danielson and Bandido put on a freaking clinic. The match started with some jaw-dropping, painful-looking mat work. Each man showed incredible core strength. The first half of this match was as much a showcase for their yoga teachers as it was for the wrestlers.
After the commercial break, the match found a different identity; high-octane offense. Incredible suplexes, dives, and strikes took their toll on both wrestlers. Eventually, Danielson got the win with his Busaiko Knee.
Winners: Toni Storm & Saraya Go Heel
Before the match, Saraya chewed out Hikaru Shida for accidentally costing them the match last week. Saraya told Shida to stay in the back, but Shida didn't listen.
Toni Storm defeated Willow Nightingale when Saraya distracted Willow - allowing Storm to get an easy roll-up. But the story development came after the bell. Saraya continued the attack on Willow until Ruby Soho came to Willow's rescue.
Storm teased a feud between the transplants and AEW's home-grown talent.
Winner: Darby Allin Retains His TNT Championship
In the main event, Darby Allin went to war with Kushida. The Japanese star found an opportunity to work Darby's arm. The TNT Champion fought out of many creative armbars, including one where he was caught in midair (holy smokes!)
Despite Kushida being in control for most of the match, Darby retained the title with an impressive pinning combination. The two stars shook hands as Dynamite went off the air.
Full Match Results & Noteworthy Moments:
Orange Cassidy def. Jay Lethal via pinfall to retain the AEW All-Atlantic Championship. |
Top Flight def. The Young Bucks via pinfall in a great match. |
The Acclaimed brawled with The Gunns, but Daddy Ass Billy Gunn broke it up. He told the Gunns to start acting like champions. |
Renee Paquette interviewed Hangman Page about his win over Jon Moxley. |
Ricky Starks def. Jake Hager via pinfall. |
Bryan Danielson def. Bandido via pinfall in an excellent match. |
Brian Cage will be Danielson's next opponent. MJF offered Cage money to break Danielson's arm. |
Toni Storm def. Willow Nightingale via pinfall. |
Saraya continued to attack Willow after the match. Ruby Soho came to the rescue. |
Darby Allin def. Kushida via pinfall to retain his AEW TNT Championship. |