Ups & Downs: AEW X NJPW Wrestle Dynasty 2025 Review

[@RedShogun13]

It speaks to how great Kenny Omega is that he’s been out with divirticulitis, lost part of his colon, nearly died and came back looking in great shape and put on a classic just as we’re used to him doing.

[@Former_Employee]

Triple H. John Cena. Roman Reigns. They all did it too 💪 don't hate or cyber bully me.

[@RedShogun13]

@ I didn’t ask who else came back from serious health issues. Just pointing out how hard it is for someone to come back looking as good as Kenny did. To your point add Brock Lesnar in that then and acknowledge that Kenny is in that group.

[@Former_Employee]

@@RedShogun13 I'm not a Kenny Omega fan.

[@evanhorowitz9436]

@@Former_Employeethen why comment

[@backwoodbilly5975]

​@@Former_Employee I'm not an Omega fan either, like at all. But neither he or Brock should've been able to come back, it's close to impossible. The fact Omega even did return and hadn't lost a step speaks volumes. You got to be determined to come back from diverticulitis if you even can ya know? Even if I don't like his work, the determination alone is commendable.

[@caseym9656]

8 stars in the Tokyo Dome! Kenny and Gabe killed it. I cried like a child. It was incredible. Kenny’s tum tum now has the same aura of fear as Danielson’s neck.

[@stephenmorton6764]

Simon give yourself a Golden Up and keep smashing it Champ 💪

[@billcowan5539]

I am so Happy that Kenny is back!

[@grant1739]

Yep the 🌈🏳️‍🌈 community loves him he's also a member!

[@lordhorg999]

​@@grant1739that good for him but peoples personal lives are theres to keep private no one cares kid now if you are taking a dig get help kid gay people are people like us good or bad they are part of our lives let it go.

[@spiax]

​@grant1739 so is your Dad 👨

[@david-p8e6o]

@@spiax don't be a bully

[@david-p8e6o]

@@grant1739 what you mean

[@trza49er]

Dude never skipped a beat. Holy shit, what a wrestler.

[@Citanoo]

Kidd vs Omega already top 60 ranked matches of all time on cagematch. Kidd's best ranked match by far and Omega just being Omega. 13 months away fighting for his life and returns in this way is insane. Saw photo of legendary game composer Nobuo Uematsu in the crowd taking photos of Omega (since he helped creating Omega's new entrance theme). GOAT looking after a GOAT.

[@Citanoo]

As of this writing, it has bumped up to 10th place with 9.71 rating. Only Omega vs Ospreay from WK17 in 2023 higher ranked of any wrestling match of the 2020s and 0.01 rating above Danielson vs Ospreay from AEW Dynasty 2024. Crazy!

[@jeromepaoli2262]

​@@Citanoo it's just glazing at this point. I can name at least 15 matches that are better just in 90s AJPW or 00s american indies

[@shaungray9944]

​@@jeromepaoli2262 that's great, no one asked though

[@tommills9575]

Omega vs Kidd was a classic

[@sincerelyxdivine]

definitely deserve a UP for this cuz aint no highlight videos for NJPW on KZbin ever appreciate u Simon

[@mikes6457]

This was my first ever live viewing of a njpw event and Simon was right. Everything just hit really flippin hard.

[@johnriley7312]

The IWC can say what they want about Ricochet and Mercedes. But they are proving that there's more to wrestling than WWE. Also, were's the coverage of the International Women's Cup?

[@auglicious]

That was a great match!

[@rob9241]

Maybe you need to actually hear what critics are actually saying because they are suggesting ways to improve Ricochet, Mone and AEW. Before you suggest AEW is not in trouble, look at the ratings, fine put them on MAX, look at the audience. There has always been more to wrestling than WWE however WWE has been going global and acknowledging wrestlers outside the make believe bubble because guess what. If you look at WWE's history they have worked with indies, other companies to include those in Japan and Mexico making the Forbidden door as real as Tony Khan's promises not to do as the WWE did then do so by holding back talent from leaving when they want and not working with other promotions in a way to elevate both promotions. As well as have so many titles I would not be shocked if there is a bathroom user title.

[@empower5228]

Bloody great show!! Everyone did amazing!! Welcome back to pro wrestling, Kenny Omega!! 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏

[@KennyOspreay]

The strict copyright stuff New Japan has baffles me, surely you’d want big channels reviewing and promoting your shows

[@Antlion161]

its keeping them away from reaching a wider audience imo. but it does give it some appeal too, kinda like you have to search for it more and its kept in higher regard so idk

[@lamore5054]

Definitely limits their reach.

[@Former_Employee]

Americans believe they are entitled to everything and anything. It's what Christianity is all about. Y'all what everything for free. Btw I am Japanese and they show njpw stuff here all the time. I am kinda of sick of it tbh 😂 i guess I'm lucky. Oh well, u know what they say, Hoy choy pok chow !

[@TREYKAGE]

@@Former_Employeeum ok?

[@Former_Employee]

@@TREYKAGE what okay ?

[@tankdiggs8974]

I want a Simon and Claudio Tag team now. When Cladio pic was in the corner. And Simon to the left. My first thoughtvis they would look really cool together.

[@lordhorg999]

Its sad the hate the young bucks get i think they are really good funny and love the bussines. they and the rest of the elite or old school bullet club got me back into wreslting after pg wwe pushed me away.

[@deconinckdaniel5057]

They are hated because they never signed with wwe 🙄 you know how those "fans" are .

[@THENAMEISQUICKMAN]

The Japanese crowd loved them as well which kinda shut up the "they're not over" dorks lol

[@ScarredCore1]

@@deconinckdaniel5057 "oh it must be the wwe guys weeeeeeee" Generation Me is not liked because they are self centered diva brats who are not talented and just get boosted by their EVP friends and their uncle dave. Sufficient?

[@ScarredCore1]

@@THENAMEISQUICKMAN lmao

[@Sellinsoap]

@@ScarredCore1mentioning “uncle dave” as part of your reasoning is enough to know your opinion has no merit

[@syafiqhasny4675]

Omega vs Kidd 🔥🔥🔥

[@VisuallyImpairedGamer1987]

I was able to watch both WK19 and Wrestle Dynasty, and I must say that it was some solid 10 hours of wrestling! I will say that Wrestle Dynasty was the more superior show IMO. Young Bucks calling their spots killed me. What can I say about Kidd VS Omega? Match was truly incredible!

[@auglicious]

Simon explained it well, but I wish NJPW would relax things a bit so we could see more ups & downs for NJPW shows.

[@nsofwamumbi2899]

The Kenny match snippet was intense

[@selectivevisions]

shibata has to be one of the youngest looking 45s in pro wrestling

[@nevinsean1462]

I was there, in person and the event was beyond incredible. Especially Omega Vs Kidd!🔥

[@CarltonMatrocks-d9j]

The set up of the Tokyo Dome has its own aura, the entrances are just at another level, wrestle kingdom is big❤

[@tommills9575]

Funny how ppl come on here talk trash about njpw and aew and statdom and cmll and only watch WWE

[@joshwilliams549]

I mean, you must be new to the Internet, dude. They are all tv shows and have fan bases, so why is this funny?. Is it funny when aew fans do this about wwe? It isn't that deep. It's mainly a portion of wwe fans that had to put up for decades of bullying from fans that didn't like wwe, so they are just doing it back.

[@tonycampbell4982]

That NJPW was so good long but good to watch that women's matches wow. Makes wwf look silly with the crap they do on Mondays and fridays😂🎉

[@juliooquendo220]

Kenny Omega still got it. Overall a great card on January 4th and 5th.

[@LewisYates]

Hechiero vs ZSJ might be one of the best grappling matches of all time when it happens

[@six6thdisciple]

IT ALREADY HAPPENED “3 TIMES” 😂😂😂

[@LewisYates]

@ oh didn’t know

[@fallonanddavidbrown6397]

They were good matches tho

[@michaelappel103]

Its also happening again at Battle in the Valley next weekend!

[@John_TheDrummer]

Ishii vs Takeshita is already a MOTY contender and we aren't even a full week into the year yet 🤣 That match was everything I wanted Takeshita vs Shingo to be.

[@ScarredCore1]

Are you a newbie or something? The match was good but nowhere near MOTY material

[@John_TheDrummer]

@@ScarredCore1 That's cool, everyone has their own taste and that match was everything I love about wrestling.

[@jonpoon3896]

I wanna see David Finlay vs Adam Copeland

[@GuruPrasad-bv7of]

More than anyone AEW would be happy with omega's return and in this way, he is getting back to his greatness... Pls don't ruin it AEW...

[@bahamianlibertarian4755]

Excellent review as always, but do have to give you the tinniest of downs, and I am being a little "Simon the Stickler" here, but where's your championship strap? Unless you're having it polished, that belt should be on your shoulder or around your waist.

[@shinzinh0]

The card was fantastic. Of course KOmega brought his A game. Superb.

[@expectafight]

Thumbs up for the baby throw. (2025 is going to be a great year)

[@soullessmin]

Shame the preshow wasnt included, the womens 4 way was banging!

[@ronald-xs7sp]

Good morning, Simon!

[@AldousTyler]

Thank you for doing this despite NJPW making it notable more difficult than other reviews you do.

[@nathantroxel]

Kenny is back.and a berry baracade are back

[@justinnewstead8172]

Simon never fails to make me laugh, I don't care if I watched the show, I always anticipate these videos afterwards

[@kenkei.mwaniki]

8:58 I did not see that child throw coming 😂

[@littlekinginc124]

Neither did the kid

[@erod52]

Shout out to all the companies involved. AEW absolutely killed it Mercedes, Bucks, Omega, Brody, Ricochet & Takeshita were great. That Omega match was a classic. NJPW has a great core Kidd, Shota, Ysuji, Finlay & ZSJ.

[@yan_dj]

You used the AEW Dynasty logo in the thumbnail 😂 (The PPV where Ospreay wrestled Danielson, NOT this NJPW PPV)

[@joshuameredith4281]

Simon's new heel move -- the Finger Poke of Doom. Could be homage to Nash / Hogan and treated like Santino's Cobra Strike. Because EVERYONE knows the power of Simon's finger.

[@MrEmpireBuilder0000]

Dude! I'm glad you covered this!!! You get an UP from me. :)

[@boyankovachev7982]

SImon having a belt in the same promotion as Mercedes Mone is as wild, as it is deserved for him, cuz he is an amazing wrestler, and even better person. ❤‍🔥 One love ❤❤❤ P.S Hopefully he hasn't lost it without telling us, cuz I believe I've been keeping up with his career.

[@fallonanddavidbrown6397]

Simon should be in ROH imo. I think he would do great an get over like Joe hendry. His mic skills an promos are decent an getting better and better as is his in ring work. Simon deserves a shot I think

[@ryanstrongbad]

Simon is the PROGRESS Proteus champ. Mercedes is the RevPro British Women's Champ. There is more than one wrestling promotion in the UK.

[@aliadair1787]

Was there in person - much better than WK. WK was underwhelming - WD was amazing. Excited for NYD tomorrow and think they’ve set up a few new stars too.

[@Helzakath]

That Matanza-looking guy should have been a main-event star years ago.

[@jaytaylor944]

Matanza was Jeff Cobb

[@Helzakath]

@@jaytaylor944 I know lol.

[@johnny333X2]

Main Event Rico...atta boy Suave

[@rileyanthony]

Its annoying that newjapan is very copyright heavy unfortunately

[@sepiarain]

There's lots of incredible details in the Omega vs Kidd match, and I recognise you can't mention everything, BUT you glossed over an insane detail - that being when Gabe slipped out of the OWA, he immediately locked on the 'Cobra Twist' version of the abdominal stretch, i.e. Antonio Inoki's finisher... that was always going to be special, but to have reversed the OWA into this, the visual of Gabe biting back tears as he twists the elbow in, Omega's insides rupturing, Tanahashi losing his absolute mind on commentary - Inoki being the godfather of strong style and the founder of NJPW...

[@tomseville2345]

Is Shota the first main-event babyface in Japan to get the Westernised Cena/Roman 2005-2020 "top babyface" response from fans? He got hell against Zack on Saturday, AND against Claudio here...

[@Y2Jonline]

Happened to Naito first

[@BobFos-kc3ee]

Okada briefly but yea pretty much.

[@agentbeard8806]

Fantastic and humorous as ever, Simon! Though what will it take to add NXT and TNA to the Ups and Downs rotation?

[@Antlion161]

that kenny gabe match is already moty. it was seriously that good

[@grant1739]

Haha mark ☝️

[@Antlion161]

@@grant1739 for good wrestling? sure

[@ahmadceasar5484]

No just no

[@Antlion161]

@@ahmadceasar5484 did you watch it?

[@brianflo6988]

@@grant1739dude you must be a wwe fan, ur hating on all comments 😂😂 did u even watch the ppv yesterday? go watch ur soap operas cinema

[@Noisy_Army_YT]

The ricochet stuff reminds me of when the new day first appeared and they got booed but eventually people liked it and look at them now

[@snippi1785]

Is there gonna be a review of Wrestle Kingdom 19???

[@jbennett8660]

Kenny is my personal GOAT. Also Jordan>LeBron.

[@robertmcdiarmid5668]

2:16 “not only did he win, he got the victory.” Simon Miller 2025

[@NimaFrost]

As much as i loved Kenny's match, Takeshita and Ishii's match was better imo.

[@nielsen295]

All hail the ruiner, lol. I think your reviews are great

[@fallonanddavidbrown6397]

Simon's heel gimmick 😂😂

[@MaverickCricket2024]

Simon's invisible hand was so funny 😂. Golden up just for that

[@SterlingFartcher]

Love ya Simon Miller. I am a fan big time. Love everything you do.

[@TehBuggy]

I enjoyed the show, but I definitely wasn’t as invested with most of the matches because I’m not as familiar with NJPW. Still had fun though!

[@funtimeswithtom4108]

Wasn't there supposed to be a 4 way women's match for any title winner wants to challenge for or was it on a pre-show?

[@aliasocfan3199]

Pre show 😔

[@Former_Employee]

​@@aliasocfan3199where it belongs

[@SirLootts]

Pre show won by mono by using her bat to hit Athena

[@erod52]

Young Bucks are tag team champs again! One of the greatest tag teams of all time. Won championships all over the world in every promotion rejected WWE and started their own company quit hating it’s a bad habit 😂

[@rob9241]

Simon put more talks about New Japan wrestling go against the norm.

[@crazytemba6972]

Kenny vs Gabe Kid wow. Gabe should’ve won tho fr he BATTLED like crazy

[@lshawn7925]

“Simon Miller: The Ruiner of Wrestling” 👆🏻 (That finger has more power than anyone thought! 😳)

[@nsmith5636]

Is it really up to them?

[@maitreyisriram6471]

FIVE MINUTES for Tanahashi and Shibata!!! FIVE MINUTES?????

[@MrTeamGuy]

Make sense, Tanahashi is on his retirement tour and he just had an official match last night at Wrestle Kingdom 19. Shibata asking for 5 minute exhibition was more of a Shibata/Tanahashi rebuilding the bridge than a match. We got to see them lock horns and slap the shit out of each other. Just a good feeling moment for NJPW/Shibata not so clean road.

[@THENAMEISQUICKMAN]

Five minutes, Jeremy? That's insane.

[@matteoatigui2411]

Mina should've won that match...

[@tankdiggs8974]

I belive AEW took the Gauntlet idea from CMLL, but i might be wrong.on that i didnt look it up.

[@darkwolf17916]

8:53 Yep I'm a heel because i laughed when he threw the child

[@JavierRivera-fp6cb]

Missed the 4 way?

[@williamcrowe2576]

I think we'd already established that Japan hates fair use.

[@Gabe.baddeley.]

Again with the mispelled shirt??

[@jaytaylor944]

Is Simon still Champion?

[@corycru8442]

New Japan is funny for that You think they could use the promo especially in other countries because they're not as hot as they were a couple years ago

[@dankbuds4203]

Too bad omega wasting his time over in tk joke of a wrestling company

[@thribs]

AEW sure love their stealth PPV’s

[@BobFos-kc3ee]

Really needed aew which is not good but always great events.

[@wallyfitz3180]

Brodie deserves better

[@tonycalledwinstonwolf]

Chris Charlton may be looking for a new job 😂

[@barge489]

Was kinda interested in hearing Simon's take on Charlton's commentary on the night. It was fairly controversial in the online places I was in.

[@LewisYates]

Kingdom was amazing, dynasty was alright

[@syre.505]

0:46 🙂‍↔️😳

[@TheRavishingOne]

0:40 what 😭😭😭

[@DavidYesUCan]

I want a heal Simon video who is gives more downs 😂

[@joseconcepcion6949]

Aew tk you need to do a ppv in Japan 🇯🇵 it would sell out book it tk

[@Bill-lg1xy]

Another match where Mercedes is getting beaten up why, because her opponent isn't talented enough to help do her moves so, ill just sit here and take a beating is boring for me as a fan of Mercedes. I prefer to watch give and take in her matches but, its the same story everytime she wrestles Japanese they get to beat her up for a while and its too one sided and no fun to sit and watch her take a beating and then do her money maker and win.

[@danielclark1304]

Epic ppv

[@bobbywhite8525]

Tekesta, Okada, Nakamura, most Japanese headliners in American promotions are heels! why?

[@esch4920]

So are all the dutch wrestlers...what is your point?

[@ogreman2229]

Generally because they aren’t fluent enough in English to get a babyface promo across. It’s much easier to book heels non verbally

[@markshaffer6447]

I think it’s time to bring back Collision Ups & Downs

[@MrTeamGuy]

Only thing I would give a Down, is Chris Charlton being bias on commentary to the point of trying to bury AEW. Him talking shit about Continental Classic, Kenny Omega, saying Ricochet is basically nobody, Tony Khan is Money Mark etc. Dude looked like he was working a Heel Gimmick, basically going into business for himself. Not a fan when commentator tries to hog the moment for himself. Chris Charlton gets a brown down.

[@THENAMEISQUICKMAN]

Nah, I liked it, it was bringing some of that more intense spirit I like to see out of interpromotional shows. It also helped that wrestlers like Gabe Kidd and Yota Tsuji have been shitting on AEW too and MJF also shat on NJPW. We need more rivalries and hatred instead of "well we've got an interpromotional show now... let's have matches, I guess?"

[@SiddharthChakravarthyS]

The world of wrestling has come together except WWE, this tells a lot about WWE's ignorance

[@MarkKnightSHG]

they've had working relationships with TNA recently, and they've worked with NJPW and AAA in the past, so... (don't get me wrong, i'm the last person that's gonna rush to WWE's defence, but still...)

[@SiddharthChakravarthyS]

@MarkKnightSHG well I've never seen a cross promotion in wwe

[@grant1739]

WWE doesn't need to work with inferior promotions, ask people who don't watch wrestling if they've heard of the WWE then ask if they know wtf aew or njpw is 😄

[@MarkKnightSHG]

@@SiddharthChakravarthyS are we forgetting both MICKIE JAMES and JORDYNNE GRACE showing up in the Royal Rumble as Impact Knockouts Champion?!?!? Also, the recent stuff with JOE HENDRY?!?

[@MarkKnightSHG]

@@grant1739 that just shows they have a better PR department, not necessarily a better product

[@jeffreypridemore100]

Damn, Simon. How dare you ruin wrestling

[@MarkKnightSHG]

Roo'ner Simon! *clap clap clapclapclap*

[@bradwilt3224]

Honest though, I watch Simon first to see if I want to watch the show he’s reviewing 🤣

[@drakependragon8439]

Them having Kenny lose his return match would have been good, it would have a story of him having to get back into ring shape and fight past injuries before he is back at the level of getting the AEW Championship, also it would put over some other wrestler without taking away from Kenny.

[@TheNeonParadox]

Whoever did the thumbnail gets the brown down. I assure you, the St Louis arch is nowhere near the Tokyo Dome.

[@ChiefStrong-blood]

Bull shit. Kenny is one of the best wrestler what! 😂 Ha ha ha!

[@davidjonmoxleyskipp230]

Magaaaaaa

[@stefanweigl6438]

Buuuu...buuu....and not burns....for new japan....

[@eastsidenell]

New Japan just giving their titles away at this point. When was the last time a AEW belt was on the waist of someone employed with NJ?

[@MarkKnightSHG]

tbh, Mina should have won the NJPW belt from Mercedes imho...

[@david-p8e6o]

@@MarkKnightSHG No sorry Mercedes is the best glad she won

[@eastsidenell]

@@david-p8e6o she hasn’t even done anything for AEW and getting more belts for another company.

[@david-p8e6o]

@@eastsidenell wrong she done plenty if you actually watched

[@matteoatigui2411]

​@@david-p8e6o 😂😂😂😂😂