AEW Dynamite (1/7/26) – Page and Strickland, Lights Out Tag Match

Pinch, punch the first AEW Dynamite of the new year and first month, and we’re getting not just Hangman Adam Page and Swerve Strickland teaming again. We’re getting potential unhinged violence. One of AEW’s most infamous gimmick matches returns to Wednesday night. One that were against each other, as opponents saw needles, chair shots, and fans fearing for Strickland’s career.

It’s a Lights Out tag match in Tulsa! Also confirmed is another AEW Continental Championship Eliminator. Plus, after last week’s shocking main event result, Willow Nightingale became the first two-time AEW TBS Champion. What state is Mercedes Mone going to be in?

Death Riders vs. Hurt Syndicate in Singles Action

The Jon Moxley of 2026 is a different beast from the one who started 2025. Still a champion, just with a different title and mission statement. In part because the 2025 Continental Classic and AEW itself saved Moxley. Moxley is back in weekly action. It has been glorious over the past few months. His first eliminator match against Josh Alexander saw the AEW Continental Champion elbow the headgear off the Walking Weapon’s skull.

How is Moxley going to handle a veteran competitor who, throughout his time in AEW, has dominated opponents with his size, suplexes, and ferocity? Shelton Benjamin has thrown competitors around like empty tracksuits. Moxley is hardly a cruiserweight, but against an opponent with a similar philosophy and approach to wrestling, how’s this going to go?

Is the Death Rider leader going to be tossed around like a mouse by a cat? Or is Benjamin going to find an opponent he can’t bully? Will this be like two big cats fighting? Is this a one-off, or are we leading to something bigger?

Lights Out Tag

The fiercest of rivals in wrestling sometimes lead to the most interesting of teams forming. Once the fire burns out, cold reason solidifies. Hangman Adam Page and Swerve Strickland are bonded by commonality, a blood feud, and pursuing the AEW Men’s World Championship.

Draped in chains, for weeks, they have pursued Samoa Joe and the Opps. Each wants MJF’s newly remastered Triple B. First, there are debts to be collected from Powerhouse Hobbs and HOOK. The son of Taz cost Page his world championship back at Full Gear and has been waiting for his time to maim the cold-hearted handsome devil.

It’s going to be a test for HOOK in kayfabe and as a wrestler. HOOK’s career trajectory has been flight pattern booking since 2024, when he challenged Samoa Joe for the AEW World Championship.

A heel turn hasn’t seen much of a change in his character or ringwork. Yet in a violent contest like Lights Out, it could help define his 2026. Powerhouse Hobbs has Lights Out match experience. However, that pales in comparison to the violence committed by their opponents.

For the first Dynamite of the year, how far are Strickland and Page willing to go? How far is AEW willing to push the blood and glory? How unhinged are all four men about to get? Consequently, where is this taking the former world champions and Samoa Joe?