Samoa Joe retains on AEW Dynamite: New Year’s Smash.
In the main event of the December 28 episode of Dynamite, Samoa Joe defeated Wardlow to retain his TNT Championship. Early on in the night, Joe attacked Wardlow backstage by using a steel pipe to injure his knee. This put Wardlow in a vulnerable position the rest of the night as there were doubts the former champion would make it to the ring for his rematch.
Wardlow ultimately made his way to the ring despite security trying to intervene. He put up a lengthy fight, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Joe from tapping him out to retain. After the bell, Joe retrieved a pair of scissors from a toolbox under the ring and cut off Wardlow’s ponytail. It wasn’t long before Darby Allin made the save and struck Joe in the back with his skateboard. Allin held up the TNT Championship as the show went off the air.
The disrespect by TNT Champion @SamoaJoe is met by a surprise attack by former TNT Champion @DarbyAllin!
What an incredible night of action it has been at the #AEWDynamite: #NewYearsSmash on TBS! pic.twitter.com/yVPgRAGfpi— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) December 29, 2022
Joe’s reign continues into the new year after he won the title at Full Gear in November in a three-way also involving Powerhouse Hobbs. New Year’s Smash marked his third TNT title defense as he has been dubbed “The King of TV” while also reigning as the ROH World Television Champion.
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