Off-Air Notes from 12/20 AEW Dynamite Tapings: Fans Leave Early, Dark Matches, Tony Khan & More

Prior to the live broadcast of AEW Dynamite, several matches took place, although there was no live commentary or information regarding their potential airing:

Nyla Rose emerged victorious against Alejandra Lion in an undisclosed match.

In what appeared to be Zak Knight’s AEW debut, he defeated Peter Avalon.

After the taping of AEW Rampage, the audience was treated to some unannounced “bonus matches,” as announced by ring announcer Justin Roberts:

Hikaru Shida and Emi Sakura engaged in a back-and-forth battle, which even spilled out into the aisle and onto the stage.

The Dark Order took the opportunity to mock Oklahoma, prompting Jake Hager, Matt Menard, and Angelo Parker to challenge them to a six-man tag team match. Hager secured victory for his team by making Alex Reynolds tap out to an ankle lock.

Notable Observations:

The live crowd was highly enthusiastic, with frequent “AEW” chants.

Jim Ross received a warm welcome from the audience.

Interestingly, there was a fan holding a sign in the first row that teased a Moxley bleeding moment, but the actual event did not feature any bloodshed from Moxley.

Tony Khan made multiple appearances throughout the event to engage with the crowd and express his appreciation. He even took the time to praise and thank the ring crew during the transition from Dynamite to Rampage.

Justin Roberts played a significant role in interacting with the crowd before the show and during commercial breaks, creating a distinct atmosphere compared to WWE events.

While some members of the audience began to disperse after the taping of Rampage, the overall experience was described as a very enjoyable and fun live show.

What are your thoughts on the additional matches that took place before and after the live broadcast of AEW Dynamite, and do you think these bonus matches added to the overall experience for the live audience? Let us know in the comments.