7 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite: Holiday Bash (21 Dec - Review)

5. Jon Moxley vs. Darius Martin

Jon moxley darius martin
AEW

Jon Moxley vs. Darius Martin was effective, but closer to the middling television bouts Mox spent much of his fall working rather than recent firecrackers opposite Konosuke Takeshita and Sammy Guevara.

This nine-minuter was built around contrasting character and stylistic dynamics. Where Darius is a high-flyer, Mox is a dirty brawler. Where Darius wanted to start the bout with polite charges and position jostles, Mox wanted to slap him across the face. Being caught with an early dropkick momentarily threw Moxley off his game, while being launched, brutally, into the barricade put Martin all the way off his.

Similar themes played out throughout, with Darius' offense coming through superior athleticism and agility, while Mox attempted to clip the Top Flight man's wings and make it a fight. This proved a successful strategy when Darius was pinned with Bulldog Choke.

Preceding this was a gloriously cold-blooded promo from Moxley, whose recent work has foreshadowed a heel turn. Uncaring of 'Hangman' Adam Page and his sombre tones as well as Darius' car wreck and blown-out knee, Moxley was excellent in his short backstage bit, forecasting the great heel run to come.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.