AEW Dynamite results (1/22): Barnett’s live review of Private Party vs. Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin for the AEW Tag Titles, Will Ospreay and Kenny Omega, Julia Hart vs. Jamie Hayter, Cope vs. Pac

By Jake Barnett, ProWrestling.net Co-Senior Staffer (@jakebarnett)

AEW Dynamite (Episode 277)
January 22, 2025 in Knoxville, Tennessee at Knoxville Coliseum
Simulcast live on TBS and Max

Excalibur and Taz started the show from the commentary desk. Tony Schiavone was then shown in the ring, and he immediately brought out Will Ospreay for an interview. Once Ospreay got to the ring, Schiavone introduced Kenny Omega.

Ospreay explained to Omega that a lot has changed in his absence, and he has nothing to do with the Don Callis family anymore. He said that Omega came back at a bad time because Moxley is holding the title hostage, but he keeps running into the Callis family and he can’t do it on his own anymore. Omega grabbed the microphone from him and recalled their match at Forbidden door where he dropped him on his neck and stabbed him with the same screwdriver Don Callis stabbed him with months earlier.

Omega said he did it because he wanted to prove he was the best, and it took diverticulitis killing him for anyone to recognize that Ospreay even existed. He then said he hoped that he enjoyed being number two, because number one is back and he’d never be able to trust someone like him again. Ospreay called him a prick, but they were interrupted by the Callis family. Omega ran after them and was ambushed by Takeshita and Fletcher. Ospreay eventually intervened and evened the odds, but damage was done.

Fletcher dove on Ospreay over the ringside barricade and the brawl continued into the stands. Lance Archer got involved and the numbers game stacked up against Omega and Ospreay. Archer sent Ospreay down a flight of stairs as Takeshita and Brian Cage brawled with Omega. After a brawling sequence, Omega and Ospreay put Archer through a merch table with a double suplex. The advantage didn’t last, as Cage, Takeshita and Fletcher continued the assault. Omega and Takeshita brawled back into the arena from the concourse, and the rest soon followed.

Security finally intervened, but Takeshita assaulted them. Ospreay vaulted into the second deck of fans, and Omega scaled a lighting truss. Both Men dove on the Callis family. They then scaled the truss together, and Omega suddenly offered an apology to Ospreay and said he should have trusted him from the beginning. He laid out a challenge to Fletcher and Takeshita for a tag match in Australia. Callis looked terrified as Omega did his good night shtick at the beginning of the show for some reason. A Pac video package aired ahead of his match with Cope later on.

A Moxley promo then aired. He said Adam Copeland went to sleep in 2011 and woke up in 2025 when the beasts are bigger and he doesn’t belong. Mox recalled Cope’s neck hanging on by a thread just like Danielson, and maybe it was about time to send him back to the Doctor to get a worst case diagnosis. He called him a relic from the past he doesn’t have time for, because he was building a future.

The Hurt Syndicate made their entrance in the arena for a tag match. Private Party then followed.

My Take: I feel like the Omega and Ospreay story is on fast forward. I guess all it takes is a single brawl for Kenny Omega to go from never trusting Ospreay again to admitting maybe he owed him an apology? Moxley keeps promising that he’s building a future, but he never explains what his vision of the future actually is.

Justin Roberts made ring introductions for the Tag Team Title Match. 

1. The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin vs. Private Party (Zay and Quen) for the AEW Tag Team Championships: Lashley started the match and slowed the match pace down immediately. Benjamin tagged in less than a minute into things, and Private Party managed to gain a double team advantage. They sent Benjamin and Lashley to the floor and tried to dive on them, but both men got caught and slammed to the ground. Lashley then slammed Zay through the announce table…[c]

Zay recovered at ringside while Shelton Benjamin smashed Quen repeatedly into the ringside barricade. Back in the ring, Benjamin tossed Quen with a back body drop and made a cover. Zay charged back into the ring to break up the cover. Lashley tagged in and choked Quen in the corner with his boot before he tagged Benjamin back in. Quen fired back with an enziguri and crawled to the corner to tag in Zay. 

Zay landed a second rope flatliner and Quen followed up with a 450. Zay covered Benjamin, but Lashley ran in to break up the fall. Zay and Quen managed to land some rapid fire strikes on Lashley, but it didn’t last as Lashley cut Zay in half with a spear. Benjamin and Lashley tossed around Quen with suplexes and then Lashley hit another spear on Zay to get the win. 

The Hurt Syndicate defeated Private Party and captured the AEW Tag Team Championships at 9:14

The new Champions celebrated after the match and Mark Briscoe walked down to check on Private Party. A video package then aired that focused on Mariah May and her title reign as AEW Women’s Champion. She mocked Toni Storm for being deranged, and said she would go to Australia to put her down for a second time. May said AEW doesn’t deserve her, and told Toni Storm that she couldn’t wait to meet her. Backstage, Toni Storm was interviewed by Renee Paquette. Harley Cameron walked up to interrupt and they bonded over being Australian and drinking a shoey together when they went home. 

My Take: A predictable title win for The Hurt Syndicate. Hopefully they aim for genuine heat against their next opponents, because this feud did absolutely nothing for Private Party.

Backstage, Karen Jarrett told Jeff that she didn’t like him getting down in the mud with MJF last week, and said that’s now who he was anymore. He said he understood and he would take care of it. He then headed towards the ring. Jarrett said it was great to be back in the Volunteer State. Jarrett said he was reminded of Jerry Lawler as he was driving to the arena. He recalled a story about Lawler confronting him after a match and telling him not to get down into the gutter with his opponents.

Jarrett said he would settle it with MJF the southern way at some point, and take him out to the woodshed and beat his ass. He thanked the crowd for inspiring him and giving him the juice to enter the Owen Hart Cup Tournament. Jarrett then called out Jon Moxley to come out into the arena and talk. The Death Riders music hit, but instead of Moxley, he was assaulted from behind by Claudio Castagnoli. He then grabbed a microphone and told Jarrett that no one gets to Moxley unless they go through him first, and that he should stay out of their business.

Claudio started to leave through the crowd, but Jarrett told him he’d have to kill him to stop him. He challenged Claudio to a match next week, and when he beats his ass he will get his World Title Shot. Claudio said he would beat him lifeless next week…[c]

My Take: Jarrett is certainly making the most of his camera time, even if I’m not much of a fan so much creative effort in AEW going to people on the tail end of their careers. Though, talking about Jerry Lawler as some kind of inspirational paragon is utterly bizarre given his on screen and off screen antics over the years. MJF will certainly put his plan into motion with or without Jarrett’s permission.

Swerve Strickland made his entrance in the arena as video was shown of his interruption of Ricochet’s promo last week. AR Fox then made his entrance for the next match.

2. Swerve Strickland vs. AR Fox: The action spilled to the floor early with Swerve in control. Ricochet was shown backstage with a pair of scissors in his pocket. Fox got his knees up as Swerve dove at him from the second rope. He didn’t have control for long, though, as Swerve quickly came back with a vertical suplex…[c]

Swerve delivered a backbreaker as Nana fired up the crowd. Fox fired back with a kick and a creative moonsault press from the apron. Swerve fired back with kicks of his own, followed by a second rope diving back elbow. He set up for a House Call Kick, but Ricochet jumped on the apron with a pair of scissors. Nana grabbed a length of pipe from somewhere and chased off Ricochet. Fox took advantage with a pump kick, but couldn’t land the subsequent 450. Swerve fired back with a House Call Kick and a Swerve Stomp for the win.

Swerve Strickland defeated AR Fox by pinfall at 9:20

After the match, Swerve offered a handshake to AR Fox. Ricochet then appeared on screen and held scissors to the neck of Prince Nana. He said Swerve would learn the consequences of embarrassing people, and told Nana that it might be Swerve’s house but there was a new landlord in town and they would hear from him next week.

Excalibur introduced some highlights from Jon Moxley vs. Powerhouse Hobbs last week. We then got another New York Minute from The Learning Tree. Jericho was upset about their loss on Collision, and Big Bill promised to find Powerhouse Hobbs on Collision this week. Back in the arena, MJF made his entrance with a microphone and kicked a local talent from the ring who had been standing there for a match.

MJF said every wrestling fan deserved an apology from Jeff Jarrett for his actions last week, but he deserves an apology more than anyone. He admitted he never believed in Jarrett, but thought he’d be an easy mark to manipulate and beat for the title. MJF questioned whether Jarrett was serious about being World Champion in 2025, and if he was, he wouldn’t be after Claudio beats his brains in next week. He then said that wrestling doesn’t love him anymore, and neither do any wrestling fans. MJF said he would soon find out that he was better off making a deal with the devil instead of defying him.

Hangman Page made his entrance, and it was his match that MJF interrupted. Page got in MJF’s face and told him to get the hell of out of his ring. The bell rang.

3. Hangman Page vs. Local Talent: Page quickly jumped the guy and beat him in 20 seconds with a lariat.

Hangman Page won by pinfall at 0:20

After the match, Hangman delivered Angels Wings. Christopher Daniels then walked out wearing a neck brace. Daniels told Page that he never wanted to fight him, all he ever wanted to do was be a friend to him, and he regretted putting gas on that fire every week. He said that after all the damage to his neck, he’s been advised to never wrestle again, and that he was out there to tell Page that he won and this was goodbye. Page looked upset with himself and shoved the camera out of his face…[c]

My Take: Swerve vs. AR Fox was fun. This was a strange way to format this segment, even if the content was entertaining. Why was Hangman Page scheduled to face an enhancement talent less than a week after a Texas Death Match? Couldn’t the Page and Daniels thing happen backstage, and just give MJF a scheduled interview? I don’t think they needed a convoluted reason to gave a conversation between Daniels and Page.

Mercedes Mone was interviewed backstage by Renee Paquette and wondered who her next challenger would be. Harley Cameron showed up with a guitar and serenaded her for a title shot, but was soundly rejected because she hadn’t won a match on AEW TV yet. Renee told her it was a good song anyways. 

In the arena, Jamie Hayter made her ring entrance for the next match. She was followed by Julia Hart. 

4. Julia Hart vs. Jamie Hayter: The match began with Hayter in control. Hart gained control with a leg sweep out of the corner and then slammed the back of Hayter’s head into the mat…[c]

My Take: This may be a pretty hot take but Harley Cameron has been more memorable on AEW TV over the last few months than Mercedes Mone despite not winning a single match.

Both women were down after Hayter landed a backdrop out of the corner. Hayter followed up with some punches and a trio of German suplexes. She then delivered a big spinebuster for a close near fall. Hayter applied a single leg crab, but Hart was able to reach for a rope break. Hart replied a moment later with a flying octopus hold, but Hayter quickly freed her arm and delivered a backbreaker.

Hart delivered a crucifix bomb for a close near fall. She followed up with a back elbow drop. She set up for Hartless, but Hayter reversed into a Haytebreaker and then delivered a ripcord lariat for the win.

Jamie Hayter defeated Julia Hart via pinfall at 10:00

After the match, Hayter grabbed a microphone and offered respect to Hart for moving to the beat of her own drum. She called her a “tough bitch”, and said they were both one win a piece and when she wanted the third one she could have it. Backstage, Powerhouse Hobbs told Big Bill he would be waiting for him in the parking lot on Collision. Pac vs. Cope is up next…[c]

My Take: A solid match from Hayter and Hart. The post match promo felt very reminiscent of the one Ospreay delivered after facing Buddy Murphy a few weeks ago. I guess leaving the House of Black involves losing matches and then get encouraged to carve your own path.

Swerve Strickland screamed backstage but much of it was unintelligible because the audio backstage was terrible. Once he spoke softer he said he would get his hands on Ricochet in Atlanta in two weeks, but maybe he would get his hands on him sooner. A House of Black promo aired without Malakai Black. Brody King said they used to be guided by a deafening voice, but now that voice is silent. He continued and said it was time to honor themselves and live by a new code of violence. No Gods, no masters.

In the arena, Cope made his ring entrance for the main event. He was followed by Pac, who entered through the crowd without other members of the Death Riders.

5. Cope vs. Pac: Cope got an advantage early on and kept Pac grounded. Cope sent Pac to the floor by sending him through the middle rope with a head scissors. He then planted him into the steps with a wheelbarrow slam. The action continued on the floor and Cope sent Pac into the barricade, and then slammed him into the announce table. They got back in the ring briefly, but it didn’t last. Pac sent Cope into the ring, and then delivered a hard blow to the side of the head caused Cope to sell his injured neck…[c]

Cope landed a bit shotgun dropkick and both men were down. They both slowly reached their feet and Cope delivered a flapjack to a running Pac. He then followed up a moment later with a sit out powerbomb for a close near fall. They went back and forth for a moment until Cope landed an impaler and set up for a spear. Pac leapt over the spear but got caught in a Fireman’s Carry. Pac was able to transition into a Brutalizer, and Cope had to fall into the ropes to break the hold.

Pac delivered a German Suplex and the referee had to check on Cope and his neck. Pac then slid in to apply the Brutalizer. Cope battled his way to his feet and drove Pac down with a sidewalk slam of sorts. Cope delivered a spear to the back of Pac, followed by a second one, but couldn’t immediately make a cover. Cope then delivered a TKO and covered for the win.

Cope defeated Pac at by pinfall at 18:14

Video appeared after the show of Mox and the Death Riders with FTR tied up backstage. They had the Rock and Roll Express on the ground, and Claudio delivered a Conchairto to Ricky Morton. Mox told Cope to stay right there, and they walked out to surround the ring. They all jumped Cope in the ring and delivered a five on one beating. Jay White’s music hit and he headed to the ring to fight off the Death Riders. He just about did it, but got a low blow from Yuta before he could deliver a Blade Runner to Moxley.

After some additional stomps, Moxley applied a bulldog choke to Cope while the rest of the crew held down Jay White. Both men were left lying to close the show.

My Take: That match was ok but in no way did it need to be 18 minutes to accomplish what it set out to do. The post match stuff exposed the weakness of the Death Riders story, because they damn near killed Ricky Morton and beat down two major babyfaces and the heat for it wasn’t nearly as big as I imagine they were aiming for. I never would have thought this a few months ago but they might need to move away from Moxley as Champion and the Death Riders as a program. This has been a failure to launch and it doesn’t seem like the fan investment is there. It’s time to pull the ejector seat lever because we’re staring down Cope and Jarrett and Moxley’s next two opponents, and that’s a pretty dire place for the AEW title to be without the Death Riders angle being white hot.