AEW Dynamite Notes: Ian Riccaboni Fills in for Schiavone, Powerhouse Hobbs Wins Casino Gauntlet, Jeff Jarret’s Final Deal Length Revealed, Kris Statlander Earns #1 Spot in Women’s Casino Gauntlet, Kenny Omega Returns, 1/15 Maximum Carnage Card

AEW
Jan 8, 2025

Ian Riccaboni Fills in for Tony Schiavone on Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite Show

Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite show at the F&M Bank Arena in Clarksville, Tennessee featured ROH commentator Ian Ricccaboni filling in for Tony Schiavone.

At the start of the show, Excalibur announced on commentary that Schiavone was not here tonight due to him being “away on assignment” and introduced Riccaboni replacing Schiavone for the show.

It is currently not known if Schiavone’s absence is related to a recently deleted tweet bashing NJPW Chris Charlton over Charlton being involved in a controversial incident at this past Sunday’s Wrestle Dynasty event over controversial anti-AEW comments he made during the Kenny Omega vs. Gabe Kidd match.

Wins Casino Gauntlet Match & Gets AEW World Title Shot at AEW Dynamite Maximum Carnage

Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite show also featured Powerhouse Hobbs winning the Casino Gauntlet match to become the new number one contender for the AEW World Championship.

This match featured in order Jay White, Hangman Adam Page, Wheeler Yuta, Ricochet, Adam Cole, Daniel Garcia, Hobbs, Roderick Strong, Lance Archer, Kyle O’Reilly, and Jeff Jarrett as the official competitors.

Following the match, Hobbs was interviewed in the ring by Renee Paquette about his victory and upcoming AEW World title match and gave some words of warning to Jon Moxley.

As a result of his victory, Hobbs will be facing off against Jon Moxley for the AEW World title at next week’s AEW Dynamite Maximum Carnage show in Cincinnati, Ohio.

MJF Reveals Jeff Jarrett’s Final Contract is for Only 1 Year

Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite show also featured MJF revealing that Jeff Jarrett’s final contract with AEW and his wrestling career is for only one year in length.

During the show, Jarrett failed to win the Casino Gauntlet match that would have granted him a shot at the AEW World Championship. Afterwards, MJF came out to the ring to interrupt Jarrett’s post-match interview with Ian Riccaboni and after some insults, MJF stated that Jarrett had been hiding a big secret from everyone. MJF revealed that this big secret was Jarrett’s new contract with AEW and final deal in his wrestling career was only for one year in length.

After some insults about Jarrett’s in-ring career ending soon, MJF offered a deal to Jarrett stating that he will help Jarrett on his quest for the title and when Jarrett wins the title, then he wants the first shot at it. MJF then extended his hand for a shake only for Jarrett to respond with his own insults calling MJF a “one-hit wonder.” After some more words, Jarrett mocked MJF for not entering the Casino Gauntlet and rejected the offer calling MJF an “entitled prick.” Jarrett then left the ring as MJF looked on staring him down.

Kris Statlander Earns #1 Spot in Women’s Casino Gauntlet Match for AEW Women’s World Title Shot

Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite show also featured Kris Statlander defeating Toni Storm and Willow Nightingale in a Three-way match to earn the #1 spot in the Women’s Casino Gauntlet match at next week’s Dynamite Maximum Carnage show on January 15th in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The winner of the upcoming Women’s Casino Gauntlet will receive a shot at the AEW Women’s World Championship at AEW Grand Slam: Australia, which takes place on February 15th at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Brisbane, Australia.

Kenny Omega Makes AEW TV Return on Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite Show

Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite show also featured Kenny Omega making his official return to AEW television.

During the show, Omega came out to the ring and grabbed a microphone. Omega talked about his bout with diverticulitis and his doctor telling him that he’d be lucky to get back to a normal way of life, let along getting back into the ring. Omega stated that he had to ask himself if it was worth all the trouble and had thought about giving up since it was the safest option but at that moment, he felt there was no purpose without wrestling and without these fans. Omega then talked about how a few days ago he put himself to test and finding his purpose again by wrestling in Japan. Omega then stated that even if he cannot do all the things he used to, this version of Kenny Omega does not care about money or power.

Before Omega could continue, Don Callis’ music played interrupting him and came out to the stage. Before Callis was able to speak much, Omega left the ring and ran down to attack Callis leading to the Don Callis Family coming out attacking Omega in return and tossing him back into the ring. This led to Will Ospreay running out with a chair and cleared out the Callis Family from the ring and ringside. Ospreay then dropped the chair when Omega turned around to meet him and the two engaged in a staredown as Omega’s new theme music played. Ospreay then proceeded to leave the ring and the crowd cheered on Omega as the show went to a close.

Current Card for Next Week’s Dynamite Maximum Carnage Show

Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite show also featured one new match and one updated match for the card of next week’s Dynamite Maximum Carnage show on January 15th at The Andrew J. Brady Music Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.

In regards to the new match, this was announced to be a singles match of Kenny Omega vs. Brian Cage.

This match was setup following Omega making his official AEW TV return and getting involved in a brawl with the Don Callis Family.

In regards to the new updated match, this was announced to be an AEW World Championship – Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Jon Moxley (c).

This match was setup following Hobbs winning the Casino Gauntlet match to become the new #1 Contender for the AEW World title.

Current card for January 15th AEW Dynamite Maximum Carnage show:

  • AEW World Championship – Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Jon Moxley (c)
  • AEW Women’s World Championship #1 Contender Women’s Casino Gauntlet match – Kris Statlander (#1) vs. TBA(s)
  • Christian Cage vs. HOOK
  • Kenny Omega vs. Brian Cage
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