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AEW DYNAMITE REPORT
APRIL 30, 2025
NORFOLK, VA. AT CHARTWAY ARENA
AIRED LIVE ON TBS & MAX
Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Taz
Ring Announcer: Justin Roberts
Attendance: WrestleTix reported this week that 3,794 tickets had been distributed; arena is set up for 4,055. The arena has a capacity of 9,520 spectators when configured for concerts.
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
PWTorch editor Wade Keller and PWTorch’s Dan Kuester to review AEW Dynamite LIVE tonight right after Dynamite. Join us and let us know your thoughts on Dynamite during the show.
Email our post-show at wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Dynamite. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller” and “pwtorch” in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.
LIVE ON YOUTUBE RIGHT AFTER AEW DYNAMITE TONIGHT: CLICK HERE TO WATCH
[HOUR ONE]
-The announcers introduced the show as pyro blasted.
(1) KENNY OMEGA & “SPEEDBALL” MIKE BAILEY & KEVIN KNIGHT & MARK BRISCOE vs. THE YOUNG BUCKS & KAZUCHIKA OKADA & RICOCHET
Omega came out fourth for his team and received a “Kenny! Kenny!” chant. Okada came out last for his team. Omega and Okada went chest-to-chest and exchanged intense words before the bell, which rang 8 minutes into the show. They started against each other as fans chanted “Kenny!” again. Of course, Okada tagged out even before hooking up. Omega turned his back to also tag out and he was swarmed by all four heels. Omega tagged out to Speedball at 3:00. The faces attacked Ricochet. Briscoe and Speedball landed crane kicks on the Bucks as they cut to a double-box break at 6:00. [c/db]
After landing Northern Lights Suplexes on Speedball and Knight, Matt had his back to Ricochet and his hair covered Ricochet’s bald head. Ricochet played with it and positioned it like a wig and the announcers commented on who he looked like with long hair. Omega tagged in at 13:00. Okada and Matt held Omega’s boot as Nick superkicked him. They cut to a partial double-box break at 15:00 with the heels in control. [c/pdb]
As Matt took it to Omega, he yelled, “Damn, I’m good!” Speedball rallied with kicks at 21:00. Okada took over and eyed Omega. Omega tagged in. They stared at each other as a “Kenny!” chant rang out. They swung away at each other. Excalibur talked about their history and said they picked up where they left off at Osaka 2018. Omega set up a One-Winged Angel, but shifted into a Snap Dragon. Omega played to the crowd and then went for a V-Trigger but Okada dropkicked him. The Bucks landed stereo superkicks to Omega. All eight entered the ring. Nick and Ricochet leaped off the top rope and dropkicked the backs of Briscoe and Omega as Okada and Matt delivered tombstones, and then they senton splashed onto Speedball and Knight.
Ricochet came back with a running flip dive to ringside. Briscoe gave a Jay Driller to Okada. Ricochet broke up the cover at 24:00. Knight dropkicked Ricochet off of Speedball’s shoulders and then Ricochet landed onto the Bucks at ringside. Omega then landed a running flip dive onto the crowd at ringside. He played to the cheering fans.
In the ring, Briscoe gave Okada a Death Valley Driver. He set up a top rope move, but Ricochet shoved him off the top rope. Okada then caught Briscoe with a Rainmaker for the win.
WINNERS: Ricochet & The Young Bucks & Okada in 26:00.
-They cut backstage to The Hurt Syndicate. They were greeted by five people singing, “We hurt people!” MVP said that’s fun to say, but even better to do to people. They attacked the five guys. Shelton Benjamin told Bobby Lashley that he was skeptical of MJF, but he trusts MVP. He said MJF is funny “and I know you like that car.” Lashley said he can buy that car himself. MVP said he’s owned two cars like that before. MVP said MJF can be beneficial to them. “Have I ever steered you wrong before?” he said. He told them if MJF screws them over, they can hurt him like he’s never been hurt before.
(Keller’s Analysis: The selling for the attack was cartoonish and over-the-top. You’re not meant to actually take the attack seriously, but Hurt Syndicate should be a serious act. Anyway, I do like what came next as viewers are shown the continued evolution of Shelton and Bobby warming up to MJF being in the group, with MVP assuring them there will be consequences if MJF betrays them.) [c]
(2) SAMOA JOE & KATSUYORI SHIBATA & POWERHOUSE HOBBS vs. NICK COMOROTO & RHETT TITUS & MYLES HAWKINS
Joe took it to Titus with a barrage of rapid-fire jabs. Taz said Hook continued to recover from the attack by the Death Riders and he’ll take care of business when the time is right. Hobbs finished off Hawkins with a spinebuster.
WINNERS: Joe & Hobbs & Shibata in 3:00.
-After the match, Jon Moxley, Wheer Yuta, and Claudio Castagnoli attacked The Opps as they were celebrating their win. Joe and Mox fought up the ramp. Joe put Mox in a sleeper, but Joe let go to run to the ring to try to save Shibata from a slam onto a chair in the ring. He was too late and the heels fled. Joe called for a mic to be handed to him. He said Mox likes to act like a boss, but he more often looks like a little bitch. (Reset the Bitch-o-Meter.) He suggested their title match take place inside a cage. Fans cheered.
-Renee Paquette conducted a sitdown interview with Mercedes Moné. Renee asked about her “global mission.” Mercedes showed off her various titles belts. She said the Hart family is special to her, but the Owen Tournament is about her, not them. She touted being undefeated. Renee said she’s 25-0 in singles matches. Mercedes took a dig at Jamie Hayter for having “a Scooby Doo style.” She said a champion cannot wrestle like a cartoon. [c]
-Renee interviewed Christian Cage, Nick Wayne, Mother Wayne, and Kip Sabian backstage. Renee asked Nick what it means to represent AEW in New Japan. Christian said he’d appreciate all questions directed at him. Jay Lethal walked in and told Nick he is young and has a lot to learn and a lot to prove. He challenged him to a match. Nick said he’s not warmed up and really focused on Best of the Super Juniors. Christian accepted on his behalf. Nick looked perturbed. Christian told him to get his head in the game.
-As Toni Storm made her entrance, they threw to a video package previewing the match and including clips of Storm at the TCM Film Festival and clips of her opponent.
(3) MIYU YAMASHITA vs. TONI STORM
Excalibur said Storm seemed to be on edge. The bell rang 59 minutes into the hour.
[HOUR TWO]
Storm went for a hip attack on the ring apron, but Yamashita moved. Yamashita then kicked Storm in the rear several times. Luther intervened, so Yamashita kicked him and then delivered a hard roundkick to Storm. They cut to a double-box break at 3:00. [c/db]
Storm made a comeback at 7:00. Yamashita avoided a hip attack and landed a spinning hook kick. Storm ducked a back elbow and landed a sitout powerbomb for a two count. They battled back and forth. Storm landed a hip attack in the corner and a piledriver for a three count.
WINNER: Storm in 10:00.
-Mercedes walked out afterward with a mic in hand. She told everyone to shut up and say hello to her their CEO. She said after she beats Hayter at Double or Nothing, she’s coming for her AEW Women’s Championship. Hayter marched out to her music and went after Mercedes. Mercedes ducked and fled to the back in her high heels. Hayter then nodded at Storm.
-Backstage, Don Callis said he likes making history. He pointed at Konosuke Takeshita and Josh Alexander and said they made history when they had one of the greatest tag team matches he’s ever seen in defeating Will Ospreay & Brody King last week. He said they’ll make history again this week because Kyle Fletcher will dismantle Hangman. Fletcher smiled as he wrapped his wrist. Fletcher said he will beat Hangman tonight and then Ospreay at Double or Nothing, he will go on to be World Champion. Callis cackled like an evil villain as he patted Fletcher.
-The Hurt Syndicate made their way to the ring. MVP announced from the ring that he had an announcement. He said according to their corporate bylaws, any prospect to join them must get a unanimous thumbs up. He said they’re going to vote one more time. MJF came out. A fan held up a sign that said, “I’m only 9 but even I know MJF sucks.”
MJF said nice things about Shelton and MJF, then turned to Lashley. Things got tense, so MVP said they should just get to the vote. MVP gave a thumbs up. Shelton gave a thumbs up. Lashley held his thumb sideways, teased tilting it down and then tilted it down after milking the moment. MJF closed his eyes in dismay. MJF said, “You know what Bob, I’m about sick of your shit. What is it exactly that you want?” He said he’s given him women, money, and cars and helped him win a match. He offered him Rogaine. Lashley shoved MJF into the corner and said if he wants to impress him, he should hurt someone. MJF cried out that he made his point. Lashley let go and backed away. MVP tried to calm him. Shelton and Bobby left the ring. MVP looked apologetically over at MJF before leaving the ring and following behind Shelton and Bobby.
-They cut to the announcers at ringside. Taz said Lashley lost his cool. He said he feels MJF is a different type of destructive force and he can go in the ring.
-A video package aired on FTR joining up with Stokely Hathaway.
(4) NICK WAYNE (w/Christian Cage, Kip Sabian, Mother Wayne) vs. JAY LETHAL – ROH TV Title match
As Nick came out to his music, Christian’s music took over and he escorted Nick down the aisle. The bell rang 25 minutes into the hour. Nick dropped to ringside at the start. Lethal took over in the ring. Nick threw Lethal into the ringside steps at 3:00 and then played to the crowd. They cut to a break. [c]
Nick eventually landed a fisherman’s buster for a clean win sorta out of nowhere. Excalibur called it an impressive performance from Wayne. Christian then insisted on putting the belt around Nick’s waist.
WINNER: Nick Wayne in 9:00.
-Excalibur said they have breaking news about Beach Break in two weeks that Mox vs. Joe will indeed be in a cage. Then they showed the brackets of the Owen Tournament before hyping the main event.
(5) KYLE FLETCHER (w/Don Callis, Lance Archer) vs. “HANGMAN” ADAM PAGE – Owen Hart Tournament Semi-Final
Fletcher came out first. When Hangman entered the ring, they had a forehead-to-forehead intense staredown. The bell rang 40 minutes into the hour. Schiavone said Fletcher was playing chess when he stalled at ringside at 2:00. When Callis said Hangman can’t even spell “chess,” Taz said he must have better material than that after all his years in the business. Fletcher rode Hangman like a cowboy in a mocking fashion. Hangman dropped him to the mat and then spanked him. Fletcher ate a boot to the face, but rolled out of the ring to avoid a Buckshot. Hangman clotheslined him into the time keeper’s area. They cut to a double-box break. [c/db]
Hangman got in sustained offense. Fletcher bleeding from his lower back. Hangman kipped up and landed a leaping lariat, knocking Fletcher off the ring apron. Fletcher came back with a brainbuster suplex of Hangman onto the ring apron. Both crashed to the floor and were slow to get up.
They battled onto the ledge of the ringside barricade. Hangman kicked Fletcher to ringside and then landed a leaping moonsault followed by a tombstone at ringside. They cut to another double-box break. [c/db]
Both were down and slow to get up during the break. Hangman took control in the ring and landed a superplex as they returned from the break to full screen. Fletcher landed a surprise half-and-half, but Hangman fired back with a leaping sitout powerbomb for a two count. “Back and forth it goes,” said Schiavone. Hangman landed a Dead Eye for a two count at 19:00. Hangman climbed to the top rope, but Fletcher lifted his knees as Hangman went for a moonsault. Fletcher then delivered a sitout powerbomb for a two count.
[OVERRUN]
Fletcher went for a suplex on the ring apron, but Hangman countered into a Dead Eye. He then landed a leaping moonsault onto him at ringside before throwing him back into the ring. He went for a Buckshot, but Fletcher shoved the ref, delivered a low kick, and then a brainbuster suplex for a dramatic near fall. Fletcher went bug-eyed.
Hangman landed a Buckshot out of the corner off the second rope and a second traditional Buckshot for the win.
WINNER: Hangman in 24:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Very good match.)
FINAL THOUGHTS: A pretty basic show structurally and in execution, but it forwarded some storylines and established the Owen Finals and hyped upcoming big matches at future shows. Solid start to finish.
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
PWTorch editor Wade Keller and PWTorch’s Dan Kuester to review AEW Dynamite LIVE tonight right after Dynamite. Join us and let us know your thoughts on Dynamite during the show.
Email our post-show at wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Dynamite. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller” and “pwtorch” in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.
LIVE ON YOUTUBE RIGHT AFTER AEW DYNAMITE TONIGHT: CLICK HERE TO WATCH
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