9 Ups & 1 Down From AEW Dynamite (5 Jan - Review)
Dynamite gets a new look, Saraya's mystery partner named, Ricky Starks vs. Chris Jericho, and more.
Between the highs of Wrestle Kingdom 17 and last night's AEW Dynamite, professional wrestling is off to a hot start in 2023.
AEW's position within the sport could change greatly by year's end. Upcoming television rights negotiations are rife with uncertainty, given patterns in the market and upheaval at Warner Bros. Discovery, though it's just as likely that AEW stays where it is, keeps pulling in healthy numbers, and continues to perform well. A year of stability would most certainly be welcome after the upheaval of 2022's final few months.
Tony Khan started in fine fashion last night, bringing his new-look Dynamite set to Seattle, Washington, which was on fire throughout. They were rewarded with a mighty fine card featuring Ricky Starks vs. Chris Jericho, Darby Allin vs. Samoa Joe, MJF, Jon Moxley, 'Hangman' Adam Page, and more.
Even without top stars like The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega, this was a first-class episode of Dynamite. There's nothing else in wrestling like an AEW show when the writing is sharp and all the wrestlers are firing. At least at the mainstream level, the electricity this show generates is unlike anything else - and fans will be hoping this continues throughout the Revolution build.
Let's light the fuse...