AEW Dynamite continues to be a significant player in the professional wrestling landscape. This article delves into a recent episode, analyzing match quality, key segments, and drawing insights from TV ratings and viewership data.
Match Highlights and Analysis
Continental Classic Blue League: Orange Cassidy vs. Konosuke Takeshita
The match began with Cassidy attempting a quick roll-up, followed by an escape from a Blue Thunder Bomb. Takeshita gained momentum, sending Cassidy into the barricade. Cassidy retaliated with a slingshot DDT into a tornado DDT for a near fall. The match featured Cassidy's signature lazy kicks and a middle rope hurricanrana. Ultimately, Takeshita emerged victorious, showcasing his ability to overcome a resilient opponent.Rating: B.
Continental Classic Blue League: Roderick Strong vs. Mascara Dorada
The match started with a technical exchange. Strong bailed to the ropes to avoid a cross armbreaker, then was pulled into a surfboard. They went outside, where Strong dropped Dorada onto the apron. Dorada executed an armdrag on the floor, followed by a Swanton for a near fall. Strong's Sick Kick earned him a two-count, but Dorada ultimately secured the win, keeping his tournament hopes alive.Rating: B-.
Maxwell Jacob Friedman vs. Opponent
Following the match, MJF was interrupted by Hangman Page and Swerve Strickland. Samoa Joe appeared on screen, vowing to retain his title at Worlds End. Page and Swerve attacked MJF, choking him with a chain, with Swerve criticizing MJF's use of others for personal gain.
Dynamite Diamond: Bandido vs. Ricochet
The match began with a feeling-out process. Ricochet tried the Macarena, but Bandido responded with a slap. Bandido threw Ricochet outside, and the action continued after a break. Ricochet executed a series of suplexes, including one on the apron. Bandido countered with a suplex of his own on the floor. Kaun interfered, helping Bandido secure the win.Rating: B.
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Marina Shafir vs. Mina Shirakawa
Shirakawa started strong with kicks in the corner and a missile dropkick for a near fall. Shafir countered a kick with a powerbomb. After a commercial break, Shirakawa hit a top rope clothesline for another near fall, but Shafir ultimately won with a choke.Rating: C+.
Continental Classic Gold League: Pac vs. Jack Perry
Pac focused on Perry's arm early on. Perry hit a running hurricanrana and a top rope standing elbow. Pac hit a missile dropkick for two. Perry hit a belly to back suplex, but favored his leg. Pac hit a belly to belly superplex for two. Perry hit a poisonrana and a rebound lariat. Pac locked in the Brutalizer, but Perry managed to win.Rating: B.
After the match Luchasaurus offered Perry milk and cookies.
WILDEST Moments from AEW Blood & Guts! | AEW Top 10
TV Ratings and Viewership Analysis
The December 17 episode of AEW Dynamite drew 511,000 viewers with a 0.08 rating in the 18-49 demographic. This represents a slight decrease in total viewership and a more significant dip in the key demographic compared to the previous week.
Here's a look at AEW Dynamite and Collision viewership and ratings trends:
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AEW Dynamite Viewership & Ratings (2024-2025)
| Date | Viewership | Rating (18-49 Demo) |
|---|---|---|
| Dec. 11, 2024 | 594,000 | 0.17 |
| Dec. 18, 2024 | 625,000 | 0.19 |
| Dec. 25, 2024 | 574,000 | 0.18 |
| Jan. 1, 2025 | 588,000 | 0.16 |
| ... | ... | ... |
| Dec. 3, 2025 | 496,000 | ??? |
| Dec. 10, 2025 | 516,000 | 0.09 |
| Dec. 17, 2025 | 511,000 | 0.08 |
AEW Collision Viewership & Ratings (2024-2025)
| Date | Viewership | Rating (18-49 Demo) |
|---|---|---|
| Dec. 14, 2024 | 246,000 | 0.09 |
| Dec. 21, 2024 | 635,000 | 0.20 |
| Jan. 4, 2025 | 345,000 | 0.09 |
| ... | ... | ... |
| Nov. 15, 2025 | 219,000 | 0.03 |
| Nov. 19, 2025 | 322,000 | 0.07 |
| Nov. 27, 2025 | 285,000 | 0.06 |
| Dec. 6, 2025 | 267,000 | 0.03 |
| Dec. 13, 2025 | ??? | ??? |
These numbers reflect the challenges AEW faces in maintaining consistent viewership amidst competition from other sports and entertainment programming.
Notably, AEW shifted half of their Saturday show to Wednesday afternoon and made it a Holiday Bash due to College Football Playoff taking priority for Turner Sports last week.
It's up from the last Wednesday edition - Nov. 19’s Blood & Guts - by a little more than 3% in overall viewership.
Fan Reviews and General Sentiment
Many viewers praise AEW for its exciting matches, engaging storylines, and the fresh feel it brings to the wrestling world. Fans appreciate the focus on wrestling and the promotion's efforts to address issues and cater to audience preferences.
Some fans express that each match is like watching a pay per view match, and yes one or two matches might not be okay matches but that's what to expect from wrestling.
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One fan stated that the rise of AEW is like the rise of a Phoenix a wrestling program we need right now and if you love wrestling then you'll have to watch AEW Dynamite because you never know what will happen next as AEW is All Elite.
Another fan said that this 2 hours of wrestling to me goes by so quick it's the easiest and best wrestling content I've watched since I was a kid.