December 15th, 2021 is a Wednesday, and you know what that means (RIP Brodie)..... That's right, it's time for the second annual Winter is Coming episode of AEW Dynamite!
Only four matches have been announced for the show so far, which likely means the main event is gonna be a long one. But before we talk about what is sure to be a major Match of the Year candidate for the richest prize in AEW (if not wrestling as a whole right now), let's look at the undercard. Goddamn, this should be a helluva show.
Dynamite Diamond Ring: MJF vs. Dante Martin
Two-time ring-holder MJF is defending said trinket against the other finalist from last week's battle royal, the up-and-coming Dante Martin. Dante, like Jungle Boy a year or so ago, is one of those young stars who's clearly destined for great things but thus far hasn't racked up many big wins. And I'm not sure he'll do so here, given that MJF is being primed as a tip-top guy and is in the midst of a white-hot major feud. However, either CM Punk or Wardlow could be a factor in this match, somehow costing MJF the ring or coming close to doing so (on purpose in Punk's case or accidentally in Wardlow's). MJF-Wardlow has been on the horizon for a long time and we got another tease of it last week when MJF eliminated Wardlow from the battle royal ("accidentally"). So while MJF has to be the favorite I could see Wardlow returning the favor by cockblocking MJF here. A win over MJF would certainly be a big boost for Dante. But on balance you have to pick MJF to three-peat. This match should be fantastic.
Pick: MJF keeps the ring
Wardlow vs. Matt Sydal
Speaking of Wardlow, he's got a match with Matt Sydal, which will likely be a squash involving many powerbombs. Hey, why did Wardlow stop using the F10 finish? I liked that move a lot. Regardless it's nice to see ol' Wardog finally being set up to eventually be a breakout star. This guy's got it.
Pick: Wardlow
Hikaru Shida vs. Serena Deeb
These two have had a pair of excellent bouts so far and here's the rubber match. Shida eliminated Deeb from the TBS Title tournament but Deeb got some payback by attacking Shida in her match with Nyla Rose, softening up Shida's injured knee outside the ring for Rose's stretch muffler. What started as a professional rivalry has become a personal one, and this match should be pretty great. I have to think Shida goes over to blow off the feud and get herself back in the title hunt.
Pick: Hikaru Shida
AEW World Championship: Hangman Adam Page vs. Bryan Danielson
Holy jeez this is gonna be something. Page's first title defense is against maybe the best wrestler in the world right now, a man who's seemingly holding his own personal G1 Climax tournament against a variety of opponents. Danielson is absolutely crushing his AEW run thus far and I expect this to rival his amazing match with Kenny Omega (and Kenny's superb match with Page for that matter). A win over Danielson will of course cement Page as the new face of the company and start his title run off right. Strap in and enjoy the ride.
Pick: Page retains
Following the format of the awesome Grand Slam episode back in September, Winter is Coming should be another Clash of the Champions-esque, classic night of free wrestling, featuring a stellar top-billed match. Not much else to say about this except, I can't wait.
No comments:
Post a Comment