Wikipedia

Winter Is Coming (2020)

The 2020Winter Is Comingwas the inauguralWinter Is Comingprofessional wrestlingtelevision specialproduced byAll Elite Wrestling(AEW). The event took place on December 2, 2020, atDaily's PlaceinJacksonville, Florida.It was broadcast onTNTas aspecial episodeof AEW's weekly television program,Wednesday Night Dynamite.

Winter Is Coming
Promotional poster featuringJon MoxleyandKenny Omega
PromotionAll Elite Wrestling
DateDecember 2, 2020
CityJacksonville, Florida
VenueDaily's Place
Attendance1,000[1]
Tagline(s)War Is Here[2][3]
Winter Is Comingchronology
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2021
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Holiday Bash

Five matches were contested at the event. In the main event,Kenny OmegadefeatedJon Moxleyto win theAEW World Championship.In other prominent matches,Chris JerichodefeatedFrankie KazarianandAEW TNT ChampionDarby AllinandCody RhodesdefeatedTeam Taz(Ricky StarksandPowerhouse Hobbs).

The event is notable for the debut of formerWorld Championship Wrestling(WCW) legendStingin AEW, which was his first appearance on TNT in over 19 years since he defeatedRic Flairon thefinal episodeofWCW Monday Nitro.

Production

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Other on-screen personnel
Role Name
Commentators Jim Ross
Excalibur
Tony Schiavone
Don Callis(Moxley vs. Omega)
Ring announcer Justin Roberts
Referees Aubrey Edwards
Bryce Remsburg
Frank Gastineau
Mike Posey
Paul Turner
Rick Knox
Interviewer Alex Marvez

Background

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On the November 18, 2020, episode ofDynamite,All Elite Wrestling(AEW) announced that the December 2 episode would be aspecial episodetitled "Winter Is Coming". Due to the ongoingCOVID-19 pandemic,the event was held atDaily's PlaceinJacksonville, Florida.[4]The company billed the Moxley–Omega match as "the biggest match inDynamitehistory "and the event as their" biggestDynamite"to date.[5][6]

The episode's title "Winter Is Coming"was derived fromGame of Thrones,a television series fromHBO,which is part of theWarnerMediasubsidiary ofAT&T,which also includes AEW broadcast partnerTNT.The phrase was the title of the pilot episode ofGame of Thronesas well as the motto (or "Words" ) of House Stark of Winterfell. The use of the title was approved by WarnerMedia officials, as WarnerMedia has usedDynamiteto promote HBO Max and other WarnerMedia properties.[7]

Storylines

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Winter Is Coming featuredprofessional wrestling matchesthat involved different wrestlers from pre-existing scripted feuds andstorylines.Wrestlers portrayedheroes,villains,orless distinguishable charactersin scripted events that built tension and culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches.[8]Storylines were produced on AEW's weekly television program,Dynamite,the supplementary online streaming show,Dark,andThe Young Bucks'YouTubeseriesBeing The Elite.

AtFull Gear,Kenny OmegadefeatedAdam Page,his former tag team partner, in the final of an eight-man eliminator tournament to receive a futureAEW World Championshipmatch. On the November 11, 2020, episode ofDynamite,it was announced thatJon Moxleywould defend the AEW World Championship against Omega on the December 2 episode.[9]

Reception

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The event was attended by a sellout crowd of 1,000 socially distant spectators (the limit on the 5,500 seat venue caused by pandemic restrictions) and received positive reception from critics and fans, with many praising Sting's debut and the Moxley–Omega match, whichDave MeltzerofWrestling Observer Newslettergave 4.5 stars on his5 star rating system.However, there was controversy regarding the finish of the match and post-match angle with an apparentImpact Wrestlingworking relationship, which later crashed Impact's website.[10]Erik Beaston ofBleacher Reportsaid the battle royal "furthered several on-going storylines", Sting's debut "warms the soul", Moxley–Omega was "fantastic up until the overbooked finish", and the cross-promotional storytelling with Impact is a "game-changer".[11]Wade KellerofPro Wrestling Torchsaid the battle royal was "really good", Sting's debut was "well done" and a "big moment", he "would have watched another 30 minutes" of Moxley–Omega, and the Impact Wrestling relationship is "interesting".[12]

In less than 24 hours,Sting’s first AEW shirt set a newPro Wrestling Teesrecord for the most shirts sold in 24 hours.[13]Sting's appearance was the 10th most searched topic on the Internet on December 3 and the clip of his AEW debut peaked at #3 on YouTube's trending feed, along with the clip of Moxley–Omega's match peaking at #8.[14][10]

Television ratings

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Winter Is Coming averaged 913,000 viewers onTNTand drew a 0.42 rating in thekey demographic.[15][16]

Aftermath

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After his debut, it was announced thatStinghad signed a multi-year deal with AEW and he would speak on the following week'sDynamite.[17]Also announced for the nextDynamitewas an ultimatum forThe Inner Circleto decide whether to unite or break up. Several matches were announced:Lance ArcherandLucha Brothersvs.Eddie KingstonandThe Butcher and The Blade,The Young Bucksvs.The Hybrid 2,FTRvs. Varsity Blondes (Griff GarrisonandBrian Pillman Jr.),Dustin Rhodesvs.Preston Vance,andMJFvs.Orange Cassidyin theAEW Dynamite Diamond Ringfinal.[18]On December 7, it was announced thatShaquille O'Nealwould appear on the December 9 episode ofDynamiteand address AEW withTony Schiavone.[19]

Kenny OmegadefeatedJon Moxleyfor theAEW World Championship,with help from long-time friend andImpact WrestlingExecutive Vice PresidentDon Callis,who did guest commentary for the match. After the match, they immediately left the building and were about to get into a car when Callis responded to interviewerAlex Marvezby saying he and Omega would explain things next Tuesday onImpact!.[20]It was later officially confirmed by Impact Wrestling.[21]Following Winter Is Coming, Don Callis became Kenny Omega's Manager. Following their appearance on the December 7 episode ofImpact!,Omega and Callis appeared on the December 9 episode ofDynamiteto make an announcement.[22]

Asecond Winter Is Comingwas held the following year, thus establishingWinter Is Comingas an annual December television special ofDynamite.[23]The2023 eventthen expanded Winter Is Coming to a three-part special, also encompassingFriday Night RampageandSaturday Night Collision,AEW's second and third weekly television programs that premiered in August 2021 and June 2023, respectively.

Results

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No.ResultsStipulationsTimes[26]
1MJFandOrange Cassidywon by last eliminatingWardlow[Note 1]Battle royalto determine the two competitors to face off for theAEW Dynamite Diamond Ring 2020[24]12:51
2Chris Jericho(withJake HagerandOrtiz) defeatedFrankie KazarianSingles match[24]10:34
3Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D.(withRebel) defeatedLeyla HirschSingles match[24]9:19
4Darby AllinandCody Rhodes(withArn Anderson) defeatedTeam Taz(Ricky StarksandPowerhouse Hobbs) (withTaz)Tag team match[24]10:32
5Kenny OmegadefeatedJon Moxley(c)Singles matchfor theAEW World Championship[25]28:31
(c)– the champion(s) heading into the match
  1. ^Other competitors by order of elimination:Isiah Kassidy,Serpentico,Luther,Matt Sydal,Shawn Spears,Scorpio Sky,Alex Reynolds,John Silver,Adam Page,Kip Sabian,Lee Johnson,Marq Quen,Matt Hardy,Joey Janela,Miro,Sammy Guevara,andJungle Boy

See also

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References

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  1. ^Meltzer, Dave(December 1, 2020)."Tony Khan AEW media call notes: Moxley-WK15, trios titles, Miro".Figure Four Online.RetrievedDecember 2,2020.
  2. ^AEW Presents Winter is Coming...War is Here! | Tonight at 8e/7c on TNT.YouTube.All Elite Wrestling.December 2, 2020.RetrievedDecember 2,2020.
  3. ^All Elite Wrestling [@AEW](November 27, 2020)."WAR IS HERE Watch @JonMoxley defend his AEW World Championship against the number one contender @KennyOmegamanX LIVE on Wednesday, Dec 2nd. Tickets are still available at http://AEWTIX or watch on @TNTDrama at 8e/7c"(Tweet).RetrievedNovember 28,2020– viaTwitter.
  4. ^Renner, Ethan (November 18, 2020)."AEW announces 'Winter is Coming' event for December 2nd Dynamite".Figure Four Online.RetrievedNovember 19,2020.
  5. ^Johnson, Mike (November 30, 2020)."WINTER IS COMING: AEW NEWS AND NOTES".PWInsider.RetrievedDecember 2,2020.
  6. ^Tony Khan [@TonyKhan](December 1, 2020)."Ahead of Winter Is Coming, our biggest #AEWDynamite episode yet, tomorrow night on TNT featuring @JonMoxley v. @KennyOmegamanX for the #AEW World Championship, check out the Dynamite Control Center hosted by @tonyschiavone24 premiering right now pre-Dark!"(Tweet).RetrievedDecember 2,2020– viaTwitter.
  7. ^AEW Dynamite Post Show w/ Tony Schiavone | 11/18/20.YouTube.All Elite Wrestling.November 18, 2020. Event occurs at 37:17-38:00.RetrievedNovember 19,2020.
  8. ^Grabianowski, Ed (January 13, 2006)."How Pro Wrestling Works".HowStuffWorks, Inc.Discovery Communications.Archivedfrom the original on November 29, 2013.RetrievedFebruary 8,2019.
  9. ^Renner, Ethan (November 11, 2020)."Moxley-Omega World title match set for December 2nd AEW Dynamite".Figure Four Online.RetrievedNovember 19,2020.
  10. ^abObserver Staff (December 4, 2020)."December 7, 2020 Observer Newsletter: Death of Pat Patterson, AEW/Impact, more".Wrestling Observer Newsletter.RetrievedDecember 4,2020.
  11. ^Beaston, Erik (December 2, 2020)."AEW Winter Is Coming Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights".Bleacher Report.RetrievedDecember 4,2020.
  12. ^Keller, Wade(December 2, 2020)."12/2 AEW DYNAMITE TV REPORT: Keller's report on Moxley vs. Omega for the AEW Title, Cody & Darby vs. Starks & Hobbs, Kazarian vs. Jericho, Battle Royal".Pro Wrestling Torch.RetrievedDecember 4,2020.
  13. ^Middleton, Marc (December 3, 2020)."Sting's First AEW T-Shirt Sets New Pro Wrestling Tees Record".Wrestling Inc.RetrievedDecember 3,2020.
  14. ^Gunier, Robert (December 4, 2020)."Sting's AEW Debut Video Is Receiving A Lot Of Attention On YouTube".Wrestling Inc.RetrievedDecember 4,2020.
  15. ^Metcalf, Mitch (December 4, 2020)."UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.2.2020".Showbuzz Daily.Archived fromthe originalon December 4, 2020.RetrievedDecember 4,2020.
  16. ^Fontaine, Paul (December 3, 2020)."AEW Dynamite draws best demo rating of 2020 for Winter is Coming".Figure Four Online.RetrievedDecember 3,2020.
  17. ^Nason, Josh (December 2, 2020)."Sting debuts at AEW Winter is Coming, signs multi-year deal".Figure Four Online.RetrievedDecember 2,2020.
  18. ^Lambert, Jeremy (December 2, 2020)."AEW Tag Team Title Match, Sting Speaks, Inner Circle Segment Set For 12/9 AEW Dynamite".Fightful.RetrievedDecember 2,2020.
  19. ^All Elite Wrestling [@AEW](December 7, 2020)."BREAKING NEWS @Shaq addresses #AEW with @tonyschiavone24! Watch #AEWDynamite this Wednesday night on @TNTDrama 8e/7c or http://AEWPlus by @FiteTV for our International fans. #AEWonTNT"(Tweet).RetrievedDecember 7,2020– viaTwitter.
  20. ^Nason, Josh (December 2, 2020)."Kenny Omega wins AEW World Title, will appear on Impact Tuesday".Figure Four Online.RetrievedDecember 2,2020.
  21. ^Impact Wrestling [@IMPACTWRESTLING](December 4, 2020)."BREAKING: We can officially confirm that new @AEW World Champion @KennyOmegamanX will appear on IMPACT THIS TUESDAY at 8/7c on @AXSTV! #IMPACTonAXSTV"(Tweet).RetrievedDecember 4,2020– viaTwitter.
  22. ^Toro, Carlos (December 8, 2020)."Kenny Omega Appears On IMPACT Wrestling, Teases Surprise For AEW Dynamite, Going For IMPACT Title".Fightful.RetrievedDecember 8,2020.
  23. ^Guzzo, Gisberto (November 19, 2021)."AEW Announces 'Winter Is Coming' Dynamite For 12/15/21; Owen Hart Cup Information To Be Revealed".Fightful.RetrievedDecember 3,2021.
  24. ^abcdFITE TV [@FiteTV](November 25, 2020)."NEXT WEEK #WinterIsComing #AEWDynamite is available on http://AEWPLUS.COM in select Intl markets from #FITE"(Tweet).RetrievedNovember 25,2020– viaTwitter.
  25. ^All Elite Wrestling [@AEW](November 19, 2020)."WINTER IS COMING! Moxley vs. Omega for the AEW World Championship LIVE! Tickets for the Wednesday, Dec 2nd episode of #AEWDynamite go on-sale this Monday, Nov 23rd at 10am EST and start at $20. Visit http://AEWTIX for full event details & safety guidelines"(Tweet).RetrievedNovember 19,2020– viaTwitter.
  26. ^Barnett, Jake (December 2, 2020)."12/02 AEW Dynamite results: Barnett's live review of Jon Moxley vs. Kenny Omega for the AEW World Championship, Dynamite Diamond Battle Royal, Chris Jericho vs. Frankie Kazarian, Darby Allin and Cody Rhodes vs. Powerhouse Hobbs and Ricky Starks, Britt Baker vs. Leyla Hirsch".Prowrestling.net.RetrievedDecember 2,2020.
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