The first Dynamite episode of 2023 will feature a stacked lineup.
The first-ever match between Ricky Starks and Chris Jericho will take place at Dynamite, and now another first-ever match between Bryan Danielson and Tony Nese has been announced.
Danielson is from nearby Everett, Washington, and will undoubtedly receive a large home state cheer. He hasn’t competed in Seattle since March 2015, and he hasn’t worked a match in Washington State since June 2019.
AEW World Champion MJF will also be on Wednesday’s Dynamite, building up to their expected match. It was announced that MJF is “contractually obligated” to appear at the Seattle Dynamite, but no word on whether he will wrestle.
It was previously announced that Washington State native Darby Allin will be in action as he challenges ROH World Television Champion Samoa Joe for his AEW TNT Title, and now AEW has announced that Swerve Strickland will face AR Fox.
This will be Strickland and Fox’s eighth singles match since November 2012. They’ve competed in a variety of promotions, including Lucha Underground, EVOLVE, and CZW. Strickland won their most recent match on February 16, 2019 at EVOLVE 122.
AEW TBS Champion Jade Cargill will also compete in the first Dynamite of 2023, teaming up with Red Velvet to face Skye Blue and Kiera Hogan.
Cargill retained her title over Hogan on Friday’s New Year’s Smash edition of AEW Rampage. Velvet walked out on Cargill and Leila Grey after she held Cargill’s arm to prevent her from hitting Hogan.
Next Wednesday, The Acclaimed will defend their AEW World Tag Team Titles against Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal. For several weeks, the two teams have been at odds.
AEW has been relatively quiet on Saraya’s mystery partner for the January 11 Dynamite in Los Angeles tag team match, which will pit them against Britt Baker and AEW Women’s World Champion Jamie Hayter. During Friday night’s Rampage, Hayter gave a brief promo in which she stated that she doesn’t care who Saraya chooses as her partner. Later in the episode, it was revealed on commentary that AEW will be looking into Saraya’s possible partner on Wednesday’s Dynamite.
Finally, during Dynamite, AEW will provide an update on “Hangman” Adam Page, including whether he will be medically cleared in time to face Jon Moxley at the January 11 Dynamite from Los Angeles.
Tony Schiavone interviewed Moxley in the ring during Friday’s Rampage. Moxley discussed how he and Page fought everyone in AEW except each other for three years, but when they finally met, Page spent the night in a hospital while Moxley slept like a baby. Moxley slammed Page for not being cleared, claiming that he has been hurt for more than a decade and has continued to fight. Moxley challenged Page to a match on the January 11 Dynamite in Los Angeles, if he can get cleared.
As PWMania.com previously reported, the January 4 Dynamite will usher in a new look for AEW’s flagship show. You can get a sneak peek at the changes by clicking here.
The updated lineup for next week’s Dynamite from the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, WA is as follows:
* AEW investigates possible partners for Saraya against Britt Baker and AEW Women’s World Champion Jamie Hayter on the January 11 Dynamite
* An update on Adam Page will be provided as he looks to get cleared for a January 11 Dynamite match against Jon Moxley
* Swerve Strickland vs. AR Fox
* Bryan Danielson vs. Tony Nese
* AEW World Champion MJF is “contractually obligated” to make an appearance
* AEW TBS Champion Jade Cargill and Red Velvet vs. Skye Blue and Kiera Hogan
* AEW World Tag Team Champions The Acclaimed defend against Jay Lethal and Jeff Jarrett
* Ricky Starks vs. Chris Jericho
* ROH World Television Champion Samoa Joe defends the AEW TNT Title against Darby Allin
