Winter Is Coming 2022: Top 5 Moments
Dynamite: Winter Is Coming is steadily becoming AEW’s flagship Dynamite episode. Boasting moments such as Sting’s AEW debut, Kenny Omega’s first World Championship win, and Adam Page and Bryan Danielson’s hour-long marathon, the 2022 edition came prepared with its own worthy offerings. With a great balance of seismic matches and moments alike, let’s capture the best of Dynamite: Winter Is Coming 2022.
(5) Bryan Danielson confronts MJF
About a year ago this time, CM Punk went face-to-face with MJF in the ring and walked away. This time around, following MJF’s first World title defense, Bryan Danielson just sprints toward the champion. The panic in MJF’s escape through the crowd was hilarious. But seeing how this moment connects with Punk, and how they all connect to Jon Moxley, the aftermath is the real treat.
(4) Death Triangle v The Elite (Best of 7, Match #4)
Every week it amazes me how different the gameplans for each match in the series looks like. Granted Death Triangle’s gameplan came about because Nick Jackson had an ankle injury scare. But nevertheless, seeing The Elite in a more reserved match and, even weirder than that, seeing Rey Fenix win with a submission hold, are great developments to witness unfold.
The remaining match or matches in this series would later be announced as No DQ affairs. No DQ, Falls Count Anywhere, and Escalera de la Muerte, respectively. Do I anticipate us getting to Escalera de la Muerte? I can’t say for sure, but 3-1 isn’t nothing. What’s sure is things are heating up for the holidays.
(3) Chris Jericho loses to Action Andretti
So much about pro wrestling says economy of movement is key. Doing the least number of moves to ensure a win is meta. But sometimes the person who does more moves just lands more moves and wins. And sometimes that person gets a crowd on their feet screaming for 15 minutes.
Chris Jericho followed the meta, relying on his signature moves and pie-facing antics to put away the unsigned name. Action Andretti inexplicably endured and evaded everything. This man survived a Codebreaker, saved his life ducking a Judas Effect, and kept doing the one thing he knew made sense: keep doing moves.
How the hell do you explain what just happened here, or why a crowd loses their mind for the entirety of a match? Fact is this isn’t something to be explained, but experienced.
(2) Adam Page gives a medical update
Absolutely heartbreaking words from Hangman. Stories and promos like these I hate to “evaluate” or even classify as promos. But this was way too candid and brave of Hangman to be ignored. He shares his recollection of events the night he suffered a concussion at the hands of Jon Moxley. But he uses this interview time not for wrestling bravado, but as a reminder of the weight of a concussion.
(1) MJF (c) v Ricky Starks (Dynamite Diamond Ring, World Championship)
It is such a treat watching MJF wrestle, which is sad he promised we won’t be seeing it much. Seeing how his mind works when it comes to transitions, adjustments, and such contributes to a unique atmosphere in his matches. The double knockdown trap he set, for example, was innovative and his own version of a high-risk move.
Ricky Starks, on the other end, was an excellent and passionate foil to the self-important champion. Starks matched MJF on the mic and on the big-brain plays, opting to powerbomb the infamously powerbomb-allergic MJF, and getting the most precise 2.99 count I’ve ever seen.
CM Punk aside, MJF’s chemistry with Starks proved to be his best all year, giving us one of the cleanest, tightest Dynamite main events ever — regardless of how it ended.
