AEW Dynamite Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction, Highlights from January 8

The January 8 edition of Dynamite promised big matches and unforgettable moments at the F&M Bank Arena in Clarksville, Tennessee, building toward Maximum Carnage next week as well as Grand Slam: Australia.

The top stars in All Elite Wrestling went to war for a shot at Jon Moxley and the AEW World Championship by competing in a Casino Gauntlet. Jay White earned the first spot in the match, but who else would compete?

Kenny Omega made his return to Dynamite for the first time since May 2024, just days removed from an incredible match with Gabe Kidd at Wrestle Dynasty.

In one week, the women of AEW would fight in a Casino Gauntlet to crown the No. 1 contender to the Women's World Championship at Grand Slam. Kris Statlander, Toni Storm and Willow Nightingale competed in a Triple Threat for the No. 1 spot in that contest.

Mark Briscoe competed one-on-one with Bobby Lashley, while Buddy Matthews looked for revenge on behalf of Brody King against Will Ospreay.

MJF and Jeff Jarrett both promised to appear live, regardless of whether they would compete in the Casino Gauntlet.

In just the second week of AEW on Max, this was a show that could blow away a potential new audience as well as impressing longtime fans.

Buddy Matthews brought the fight to Will Ospreay, nearly picking up a huge win off a Curb Stomp.

However, a Styles Clash and Hidden Blade were enough to seal it for the Englishman.

Afterward, The Aerial Assassin made clear that he respected Matthews and Brody King, hoping to see them step out of the shadow of their leader, Malakai Black.

This was a fantastic opener from two great athletes. Their styles meshed extremely well as expected. It was easily one of the best matches Matthews has had in AEW.

Especially as AEW prepares for Grand Slam: Australia, the Melbourne-born star should be a priority performer. He will be closer to home for a match than any other time in AEW.

The only small downgrade was the promo that followed. Ospreay was too tired to make it work in that moment, stumbling over his words and struggling to convey his emotion.

The status of Black in AEW remains in question, so this could have been the first indication that Matthews and King will be moving on without him.

However, if Black is going to be around in 2025, this could set up an exciting matchup between Ospreay and the leader of the House of Black.

Result

Ospreay def. Matthews by pinfall.

Grade

A-

Notable Moments

• Tony Schiavone was "on assignment" for the night, so Ian Riccaboni joined Excalibur and "Daddy Magic" Matt Menard on commentary.
• Ospreay and Matthews got dueling chants from the fans despite the House of Black member not appearing since his win at Full Gear in November.
• Matthews blasted Ospreay with a backbreaker followed by a somersault plancha outside and diving meteora back in the ring for a near-fall.
• The Aerial Assassin caught Matthews with an Oscutter outside followed by a second in the ring for his own near-fall.

• Ospreay accidentally called his opponent Buddy Murphy after the match.
  

The Hurt Business crashed Private Party's championship celebration to warn them that they wanted the AEW World Tag Team Championship.

Mark Briscoe brought the fight to Lashley in the ring, but he was shocked by the power and resilience of The All Mighty, who finished him off with a Spear and Hurt Lock.

If beating Swerve Strickland was not an emphatic enough statement, Lashley dominating Briscoe after a strong month of great performances said a lot about his future.

This was an extended squash but a good one, helped by MVP's excellent commentary work.

Lashley and Shelton Benjamin are likely dethroning Private Party because it's hard to imagine anyone slowing down The Hurt Syndicate right now.

It is odd that the group is focused on tag team gold, but all of the singles champions are well entrenched right now and cannot afford to lose to Lashley.

Marq Quen and Isiah Kassidy deserve more time with the gold, but at least they will have a much bigger spotlight fighting The Hurt Syndicate.

Result

Lashley def. Briscoe by pinfall.

Grade

B

Notable Moments

• Lashley's delivery of the promise to take the World Tag Team Championships was not as confident as usual.
• MVP joined commentary and put over Briscoe while reveling in the violence of The All Mighty.
  
• Chicken caught Lashley with a steel chair under the ring, and an incensed MVP called for a disqualification.
  
• Briscoe hit a confident Froggy Bow, but The All Mighty kicked out at one.
• Private Party came out with chairs after the match to stop a beatdown on Briscoe.
  

The entry order for this match was:

1. Jay White
2. "Hangman" Adam Page
3. Wheeler Yuta
4. Ricochet
5. Adam Cole
6. Daniel Garcia
7. Powerhouse Hobbs
8. Roderick Strong
9. Lance Archer
10. Kyle O'Reilly
11. Jeff Jarrett
    

Despite the best efforts of every man in the contest, it was Hobbs who would not be denied. He planted O'Reilly with a spinebuster for the victory.

Unsurprisingly, the Casino Gauntlet was wild, good fun as it has been in the past. The order of participants kept the action fresh, relying on White and Hangman throughout.

Wheeler and Ricochet were the essential heels who got in the way of big wins for fan favorites.

It was hard to predict who would win this match going in, but Hobbs' victory was especially shocking. It was a great move.

He and Moxley have enough history to sell a world title bout over the next week while saving the big Mox matches like White and Hangman for later in the year.

Result

Hobbs won the Men's Casino Gauntlet to earn a World Championship opportunity at Maximum Carnage next week.

Grade

A+

Notable Moments

• White was angered when Hangman was the second man in the Casino Gauntlet.
• Ricochet came out first to Swerve Strickland's theme, which did not sit well with The Cowboy, who was seeing ghosts.
• Garcia and Wheeler exchanged vicious strikes, recalling their history. Ricochet helped Yuta clear the ring for a "you both suck" chant.
• Hobbs and Archer had a "meat match" throwing around Ricochet and then exchanged blows back and forth.
• Strong and O'Reilly showed their tag team synergy by wiping out Archer and Hangman. Cole joined in to take on Hobbs.
• Wheeler brawled with Jarrett from his entrance, heading to the back together.
• Renee Paquette interviewed Hobbs, who said Moxley was the reason he was in AEW but promised to put him down next week.
  

Jeff Jarrett wanted to discuss his future with Ian Riccaboni, but MJF interrupted.

The Salt of the Earth offered to help Jarrett win the AEW World Championship if he gave MJF the first shot.

Jarrett called out MJF as entitled and refused his offer, slamming the microphone into his chest.

Two strong promo men delivered a strong promo. It's an easy formula, but it's hard to get excited about The Salt of the Earth turning his focus to The Last Outlaw on a stacked roster.

After a disappointing end to his feud with Adam Cole, MJF could have used a rebound feud guaranteed to pop the crowd. He will have to work a lot more to sell a match with Jarrett.

That isn't to say the story cannot work, but the odds are lower than many alternatives with talent who could have used the MJF spotlight.

Grade

C+

Notable Moments

• Jarrett shook hands with Powerhouse Hobbs on his way out while showing his frustration at missing out on the Casino Gauntlet action.
• MJF said he did not enter the Casino Gauntlet because it was "too much work."
• The Salt of the Earth called out that Jarrett's final contract with AEW was only one year long.
  
• The Last Outlaw called MJF a "one hit wonder," which started a crowd chant.

• AEW aired Wrestle Dynasty highlights with interviews from Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks, Mercedes Moné, Brody King and Don Callis.
• AEW showed a vignette for the rivalry of Christian Cage and Hook.

Cope warned The Death Riders that they could not do anything to him that he could not come back from.

Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Pac, Wheeler Yuta and Marina Shafir arrived to prove him wrong. They fought off FTR and threatened to choke him out until Powerhouse Hobbs arrived to make the save.

AEW set up an awkward dynamic over these past few segments, showcasing multiple men who want a world title shot but chose not to participate in the Casino Gauntlet.

Luckily, at least this ended with an emphatic showcase that Moxley respects and maybe even fears Hobbs, establishing the dynamic for next week's title match.

Cope had a strong first week, so The Death Riders needed to get some revenge on him. He does need to take the next step, though, and sell that he can compete in solo action again.

Grade

C

Notable Moments

• Yuta showed the damage from the Casino Gauntlet as he walked out with The Death Riders.
• Commentary reminded fans of The Death Riders' brutal attack on Darby Allin at New Year's Smash.
  

Toni Storm and Willow Nightingale fought hard throughout this match, but Kris Statlander hit hardest, connecting with Big Bang Theory for the win.

Three of the best women's wrestlers in the world went out to show out, and it was non-stop exciting action.

Because the three are all babyfaces, there was no heater for the contest, but they still had the crowd rolling for all the big spots.

As a preview for the Casino Gauntlet, this was a strong promise. Statlander picked up an important win that sets her up nicely to potentially face Mariah May at Grand Slam.

While Storm has the most history with May, Statlander is the freshest name to challenge the world champion and could well dethrone her if she wins next week.

Result

Statlander def. Storm and Willow by pinfall to earn the No. 1 spot in the Women's Casino Gauntlet.

Grade

B+

Notable Moments

• Storm continued to introduce herself to the top women in AEW, shaking both women's hands after the bell.
• Statlander got too focused showing her strength and missed Willow catapulting Storm between her legs to send the match to commercial.
• Willow suplexed both women at the same time but spent too much time taunting and was almost rolled up by Storm.
  
• In a pre-taped promo, Harley Cameron interrupted May's warning to the participants in the Women's Casino Gauntlet next week and set up a non-title match for Collision.
• Backstage, Storm said she's not ready to reach the top yet, seemingly indicating she may not compete in the Casino Gauntlet.

To a raucous ovation, Kenny Omega promised that he is not ready to step away from professional wrestling, even if doctors have advised him of all the risks.

Don Callis interrupted. When The Cleaner tried to get his hands on Callis, Brian Cage, Lance Archer and Kyle Fletcher struck.

Will Ospreay arrived to make the save with a steel chair, leading to an awkward faceoff between former rivals to end the show.

It was great to hear The Cleaner speak with confidence in an AEW ring again. This was not his best promo, but it was still a welcome introduction for the new Omega.

It did not take long to establish his first story back in AEW. He is going to fight The Don Callis Family, and he only has an uncertain ally in Ospreay by his side.

Over the past year, Ospreay has arguably taken Omega's spot as the top in-ring performer in AEW, and his primary feud in recent months has been with Callis and Co.

It is a strong sign of Omega's health that he is already in the heart of this story and also wrestling next week.

The end of the night was all about teasing the future, promising big things to come for Omega. A teased Kazuchika Okada clash will come, likely at All In, but before that, he will need to go through four great heels in The Don Callis Family.

Grade

B

Notable Moments

• Omega came out to his new theme, first unveiled at Wrestle Dynasty.
• The Cleaner made clear he is only living when he is wrestling at his best, even though his recovery sent him to hospital multiple times.
• Ospreay briefly teased hitting Omega with the chair.
• The final match announcement of the night was Omega returning to the ring next week for a singles match with Brian Cage.
  

This was an incredible show for in-ring action. AEW kept it tight and focused on only the most important contests it could deliver.

Four matches over two hours is low for AEW, but the Casino Gauntlet was long enough for three, allowing many different stars to shine.

It could have been an even stronger episode with more action and shorter in-ring promos. The promo segments nearly matches the number of contests, which is not typical of AEW.

AEW is best when it focuses on the in-ring action and the best athletes. Let Will Ospreay, Kris Statlander, Bobby Lashley, Toni Storm, "Hangman" Adam Page and more shine.

Giving back-to-back time to Jeff Jarrett, MJF and Cope to ramble about stories that do not have the fan investment yet was the slow-down moment on an otherwise loaded night.

The balance should be better for Maximum Carnage featuring Jon Moxley vs. Powerhouse Hobbs, Kenny Omega vs. Brian Cage and the Women's Casino Gauntlet.

All around, this was still a strong follow-up to the new year that set plenty of great stories in motion.

Overall Grade: B+