Welcome to the 5 Biggest AEW Stories of the Week for 01/22/23, where we break down the biggest All Elite Wrestling stories both in the ring and beyond.
This week the wrestling world mourns the passing of ROH Tag Team Champion Jay Briscoe. We bring you the five biggest AEW stories of the week for 01/22/23.
5 Biggest AEW Stories of the Week for 01/22/23
- Remembering Jay Briscoe
Tuesday night, Jay Briscoe (Jamin Pugh), one half of legendary Ring of Honor tag team The Briscoes, passed away at the age of 38. AEW and Ring of Honor owner Tony Khan announced the tragic news on Twitter.
Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer, reported that Briscoe passed away in a car accident in Laurel, Delaware. Delaware police have confirmed that two people died in a fatal car collision on Tuesday evening.
Jay, alongside his brother Mark, had numerous classic matches with teams such as The Young Bucks, The Hardy Boyz, and most recently, FTR. However, they never worked in AEW. Wednesday’s Dynamite featured a graphic at the start of the show, while many wrestlers wore black armbands during their matches.
AEW wasn’t allowed by Warner Bros. Discovery to do a tribute show to Jay because of his past homophobic tweets a decade ago. A tribute show was taped by ROH and will be available for free on Honor Club.
Our deepest condolences go out to the family, friends and colleagues of Jamin Pugh.
5 Biggest AEW Stories of the Week for 01/22/23
- Orange Cassidy Sets Record
Wednesday’s edition of AEW Dynamite opened with All-Atlantic Champion Orange Cassidy putting his title on the line against rival Jay Lethal. Cassidy emerged victorious, ensuring his title reign continues, while setting an impressive AEW record.
Despite beating PAC for the All-Atlantic Championship just three short months ago, Cassidy has already successfully defended the championship more than anyone has defended a men’s singles title in one reign in all of AEW’s history. Two defences also came in three-way matches, making the stat even more impressive.
The list of challengers who Cassidy has turned away includes Rush, Preston Vance, Luchasaurus, Rey Fenix, Katsuyori Shibata, Lee Johnson, Jake Hager, QT Marshall, Trent Seven, Trent Barreta, Kip Sabian and now Jay Lethal.
5 Biggest AEW Stories of the Week for 01/22/23
- A Major Upset
Just one week after becoming the Best Of 7 Series against Death Triangle and becoming the new AEW Trios Champions alongside Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks wrestled their first two-on-two tag team match since Fyter Fest. Across the ring from Matt and Nick Jackson was Dante and Darius Martin of Top Flight.
Just over two years ago, the Martin brothers made their Dynamite debut against The Young Bucks in a losing effort. This week, things went differently, with Top Flight pulling off a major upset to start their 2023. The win came via a roll-up, as Darius dodged a BTE-Trigger and covered Matt. Could Top Flight be gunning for AEW Tag Team Gold in 2023?
5 Biggest AEW Stories of the Week for 01/22/23
- Danielson vs. Bandido
This week’s Dynamite saw Bryan Danielson continue his quest towards an opportunity at MJF’s AEW World Championship at Revolution. After defeating Konosuke Takeshita last week, Danielson went to war with former ROH World Champion, Bandido.
After Danielson defeated Bandido via the Busaiko Knee, his opponent next week was revealed to be ROH Six-Man Tag Team Champion Brian Cage. MJF also placed a bounty on his potential next challenger, handing Cage an envelope containing an undisclosed amount of money, requesting he break Danielson’s arm.
5 Biggest AEW Stories of the Week for 01/22/23
- Two Heel Turns?
This week brought us two potential heel turns, with one occurring on Dynamite and the other on Friday’s Rampage.
Wednesday’s Dynamite saw Toni Storm defeat Willow Nighingale after a distraction from Saraya. The two then proceeded to beat down Nighingale, before Ruby Soho chased them off. Storm and Saraya seem to be blaming Hikaru Shida for their recent loss to Jamie Hayter and Britt Baker, claiming AEW homegrown talent haven’t done what they have.
On Rampage, Eddie Kingston seemed to have turned on Ortiz. In recent weeks, the pair have been feuding with The House of Black. Ortiz called Kingston out, stating that Kingston crossed a line when he nearly struck Julia Hart with a chair. Ortiz then brought up Kingston’s trainer Homicide, before Kingston responded by striking him with a chair.
Please share with us what you thought of the 5 Biggest AEW Stories of the Week for 01/22/23 in the comment section below.
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