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AEW DYNAMITE REPORT
MAY 14, 2025
HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILL. AT NOW ARENA
AIRED LIVE ON TBS & MAX
Commentators: Excalibur, Ian Riccaboni, Taz
Ring Announcer: Justin Roberts
Attendance: WrestleTix reported just before showtime that 4,830 tickets had been distributed; arena is set up for 4,867. The arena has a capacity of 11,218 spectators when configured for concerts.
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PWTorch editor Wade Keller and PWTorch’s Chris Lansdell to review AEW Dynamite LIVE tonight right after Dynamite. Join us and let us know your thoughts on Dynamite during the show.
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[HOUR ONE]
-The new Dynamite opening theme aired. Then they cut to the arena as pyro blasted and Excalibur introduced the show and the camera panned the audience. A fan held up a sign that read “RIP Sabu.”
(1) WILL OSPREAY & “HANGMAN” ADAM PAGE vs. KONOSUKE TAKESHITA & JOSH ALEXANDER (w/Don Callis)
Taz joked about Chicago being the home of Beach Break, noting that sometimes it’s windy at the beach and Chicago is known as the Windy City. (AEW titled an event in Minneapolis “Quake at the Lake,” even though Minnesota doesn’t get earthquakes and the arena was next to a river and miles from any lake. Where was Taz then to explain that?) Hangman autographed a t-shirt of a kid in the front row. Taz said the question is whether Ospreay and Hangman can get along. Excalibur said Takeshita & Alexander are undefeated. A graphic noted they are 3-0. Callis joined in on commentary. Ian asked Callis, “For what do we owe the pleasure tonight here, Don?” Callis said he’s not sure if he follows the product, but for the past five years he always calls his wrestlers’ matches. “So, you know, thanks for following along at home,” he said. They cut to Riccaboni who looked legitimately tense. Hangman and Ospreay debated who would start the match. They could have tossed a coin backstage or something. Hangman agreed to let Ospreay start. The bell rang 6 minutes into the hour.
Takeshita landed a leaping knee strike off the second rope as Alexander tossed Ospreay into the air. Hangman tried to get in, but the ref backed him away as Alexander stomped away at Ospreay when he was leaning over the bottom rope. Callis said his two wrestlers aren’t just a team, they’re a family. “There’s no ‘i’ in team and there’s no ‘i’ in over,” Callis said. (Huh?) Ospreay hot-tagged in Hangman at 3:30 and he rallied against Alexander and Takeshita. He leaped onto Alexander at ringside. Back in the ring, he gave a Death Valley Driver to Takeshita.
Hangman landed a pop-up powerbomb a minute later and scored a two count. Four-way action broke out. Alexander knocked Ospreay to the floor and then set up Hangman and Ospreay next to each other for a Takeshita dive over the top rope. They cut to a double-box break at 7:00. [c/db]
Back from the break, Hangman chopped away at Alexander and then tagged in Ospreay. Ospreay took Alexander and Takeshita down with a handspring kick. He landed a standing skytwister press on Alexander for a two count right afterward. Ospreay landed an enzuigiri next. When Takeshita interfered, Hangman knocked him to the floor. Ospreya and Hangman each leaped off the top turnbuckle with a backflip onto their opponents. Ospreay then scored a near fall inside the ring. Excalibur noted Ospreay patted Hangman on the head in a sign of camaraderie.
Ospreay and Alexander exchanged strikes. Callis said Ospreay should realize he would be better off injuring his partner than his opponent tonight. Alexander caught Ospreay mid-air and spun Ospreay to the mat for a near fall. Takeshita hit a series of moves on Ospreay including a brainbuster for a near fall. Hangman (sorta) broke up the cover (late) at 16:00.
Takeshita landed a Helluva kick on Ospreay in the corner. Alexander then delivered a back suplex. Alexander and Takeshita landed stereo ripcord clotheslines for a near fall. Ospreay came back with OsCutters to both opponents and scored a two count at Alexander. Ospreay signaled for a Hidden Blade, but Hangman tagged himself in from behind. Ospreay was irked. Ospreay kicked Takeshita off the ring apron. Hangman went for a Buckshot, but Alexander ducked. Hangman wound up and swung at Ospreay, but he ducked. Ospreay shoved Hangman. Alexander shoved Ospreay into Hangman. Ospreay came back with a Hidden Blade attempt, but stopped short. Hangman and Ospreay had a tense staredown.
Ospreay swung Alexander into a Hangman boot. Hangman followed up with a Buckshot as Ospreay hit a Hidden Blade and the ref counted to three. Excalibur said they had to work together to overcome the opposition.
WINNERS: Ospreay & Hangman in 19:00.
-After the match, Takeshita attacked Hangman and Ospreay from behind. Ospreay fought back and knocked Alexander and Takeshita out of the ring. He turned and hit Hangman. Taz said, “He thought it was Alexander, or did he?” Callis said Ospreay believed it was Alexander since Hangman was standing where he last saw Alexander. Ospreay left the ring, but had words for Hangman from ringside. Hangman’s music played.
(Keller’s Analysis: Good action, of course. It’s coming into focus what Alexander’s role is going to be in the Don Callis Family.
-A vignette aired on the Jon Moxley vs. Samoa Joe main event.
-Alicia Atout interviewed Top Flight backstage about their match against Hurt Syndicate. They did a lot of yelling about what MJF did to them last week. Darius said they want those titles and all it’ll take is three seconds. Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara walked in with the ROH Tag Team Title belts. Dustin said they’ll both be watching and wished them luck.
(2) RICOCHET vs. ZACK GOWEN
As Ricochet made his entrance, they cut to a clip from Collision of Ricochet attacking Gowen. Exacalibur said they’d fill poeple in on Gowen’s history during the match. Gowen made his entrance, with crutches. Ricochet was showing off his prosthetic leg. Exaclibur said Gowen battled pediatric cancer and his leg was amputated at age 8. He said he’s become an inspirational figure. He kissed his kids at ringside before entering the ring. Exaclibur said he’s become an inspirational speaker. The bell rang 32 minutes into the hour.
Gowen arm-dragged Ricochet at the start. He rolled at Ricochet from a three point stance. Ricochet was psyched out and bailed out of the ring. Gowen swing-kicked Ricochet through the ropes, then slingshot himself oto Ricochet. Ricochet shoved Gowen into the ringside barricade. [c/db]
Ricochet dominated for a few minutes. Gowen avoided a leap at him against the ropes. Ricochet crotched himself. A minute later, Ricochet gestured at Gowen’s family as he rallied. He landed a springboard dive for a two count at 5:00. He followed up with a shooting star press for a two count. Ricochet landed Vertigo for a two count next. Gowen nailed Ricochet with his stolen prosthetic leg for a two count. Gowen went for a springboard moonsault off the top rope, but Ricochet moved. Ricochet then landed his Spirit Gun for the win. Taz touted Gowen’s fighting spirit and resilience.
WINNER: Ricochet in 7:00.
-After the match, Ricochet hit Gowen with another Spirit Gun. Mark Briscoe ran out for the save.
(Keller’s Analysis: Good showing by Gowen, and Ricochet gave him just enough but not too much.)
-Renee Paquette interviewed MJF backstage. She said he has been trying to prove he wants to hurt people, so how will he feel if he gets accepted by Hurt Syndicate. MJF said she asked an incredibly good question and said it was her first. He said he was known as the greatest wrestler when he was AEW World Champion for over 400 days. He said he wants that back. He said if there’s one thing people konw about him, it’s that he doesn’t like to work hard. He said if he could be part of the four-headed dragon of Hurt Business, they’d be impossible to stop and he’d inevitably become champion again. Renee asked what Hurt Syndicate might do to him if they say no. MJF appeared to have not thought about that. MVP, Shelton Benjamin, and Bobby Lashley walked up to MJF. MVP said it’s imperative that he join them in the ring after their match later. Taz said MJF looked worried.
(3) SHELTON BENJAMIN & BOBBY LASHLEY (w/MVP) vs. TOP FLIGHT (Dante & Darius Martin)
The bell rang 46 minutes into the hour. Dante landed a top rope splash a minute in fro a near fall on Shelton. Lashley rammed Dante’s head into the ringpost at ringside as Shelton took over against Darius in the ring. Fans chanted, “We Hurt People!” Lashley speared Dante a minute later and then applied a Hurt Lock. The ref called for the bell.
WINNERS: Lashley & Benjamin at 4:00.
-Dustin and Guevara walked out. Dustin told Lashley to let him go. He told them to pick on somebody their own size. (So Sammy won’t be part of the match?) MVP told Dustin they go back a long way, and he had respect for his father. He asked what Dustin wanted. Dustin said they want the AEW Tag Team Titles. Action Andretti and Lio Rush then walked out. Rush said they see an old man and his little buddy out there trying to be heroes. Andretti called Dustin “gramps.” He also brought up Sammy’s daughter. Fans chanted, “Shut the f— up!” Lio asked, “What’s up, Chicago?” He said they also beat Top. Flight. Rush asked Lashley out of respect for their past, they get a title shot. Dustin said they’re not going to cut in line. He said they should learned respect for their elders, “you stupid son of a bitch.”
MVP said he has other business to tend to, so he told them to take their issue to Collision and fight it out, and then the winner gets “a tag team title championship opportunity” at Double or Nothing. He said they have 30 seconds before a commercial break, but stick around because MJF is about to “get what he deserves.” [c]
-MVP called MJF to the ring “to get what’s coming to him.” MJF’s entrance theme played, but he didn’t come out. MVP sent Shelton running to the back to find MJF. Tony Khan pointed behind Jerry Lynn and Sonjay Dutt on headset at the Gorilla position. MJF popped up and said he was looking all over for him. “Where have you been?” MJF asked. Shelton directed MJF to the ring by force. Lashley smiled. Taz said the worst part of this is MJF was wearing white pants.
ARTICLE CONTINUED BELOW…
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[HOUR TWO]
MJF entered the ring. MVP said this is MJF’s moment of reckoning and he said he asked for it, “so I hope you’re ready.” MVP and Shelton gave thumbs up. MJF smiled as if he was surprised. Lashley walked up to MJF and put his arm around him and wrapped his scarf around his neck a little tighter. Lashley then teased a thumbs down before teasing a thumbs up before teasing pinting down and then giving him a thumbs up. MJF was thrilled. MVP said next week would feature the official contract signing of MJF into the Hurt Syndicate. Excalibur and MVP said they didn’t expect that in the least.
(Keller’s Analysis: MVP’s tone was so foreboding and ominous, it was pretty clear it was a misdirection and MJF was going to be accepted. The catch now is what happens next week with the contract signing.)
(4) “TIMELESS” TONI STORM vs MINA SHIRAKAWA vs. UZM vs. SKY BLUE – Four-way Eliminator match
Excalibur said Storm doesn’t have to be involved in the finish that could determine who her next challenger is. (Does that matter? Isn’t it better to *not* be pinned by your next challenger?) The bell rang 13 minutes into the hour. After non-stip action, they cut to a double-box break at 4:00 after several dives at ringside including all three opponents lining up dutifully to be leaped onto by Sky. [c/db]
Storm rallied at 9:00 with some hip attacks. Chaotic action continued with rapid-fire spots. Storm broke up the cover by UZM on Blue. Storm went for a small package on Shirakawa, but Shirakawa reversed it and scored a three count. A graphic appeared on the screen revealing that the match will be at Double or Nothing.
WINNER: Shirakawa in 12:00 to earn a shot against Toni Storm.
(Keller’s Analysis: The graphics team could have prepared graphics for each possibility, but it did come across like they knew the outcome the way it played out.)
-Afterward, Mercedes Moné attacked UZM in the aisle. She yelled, “You stole my title!” Jamie Hayter then attacked Mercedes. Excalibur noted they’ll battle at Double or Nothing in the Owen Tournament final. Officials ran out to pull Hayter away from Mercedes.
-They cut to ringside with Riccaboni, Exaclibur, and Taz reacting at ringside. Then Excalibur pivoted to paying tribute to Sabu. A slideshow of vintage photos were shown including Taz with a lot of hair. Taz said he was a machine and his work ethic was off the charts. He said his presence was amazing and his energy was infectious. He said he brought the best out of him. He said Sabu was aura before aura was cool. Taz’s chin quivered and his voice cracked as he said he’d miss him. They all pointed to the sky.
(Keller’s Analysis: That was a touching tribute.) [c]
-Renee interviewed MVP and MJF backstage. She congratulated MJF. MJF said, “I hurt people!” He said he can’t believe it. He said he’ll have his attorney go over the contract. MVP wasn’t comfortable with that. Sterling walked in. MJF told him he’d see him later. MVP asked what that was about. MJF said it’s just business. They smiled and shook hands and it seemed the tension broke.
-Tony Schiavone stood mid-ring with Nigel McGuiness. Nigel apologized to Schiavone. He said he got in the ring as an announcer, and he shouldn’t have. He said he wanted to apologize to Danny Garcia too. Excalibur then commented on a clip of the angle at the end of Collision when Nigel went after FTR followed by Daniel Garcia and Daddy Magic joining him. Garcia made his entrance. Nigel told Garcia he cost him a chance to win his match and the winner’s purse and he was sorry. He said he realizes his place is at the announce desk. He said it won’t happen again.
Garcia told him he can keep his apology to himself. He said Nigel did exactly what he was supposed to do and he stood up for himself. He said FTR tried to end his career and the career of Adam Copeland and they’ll try the same to Nigel. Garcia said he’ll fight FTR regardless, with or without Nigel. He said he can go back to the commentator table, but it’d be an honor if he’d fight by his side against FTR.
Stokely Hathaway walked out and said he cannot believe what he’s seeing. He said he can’t figure out who is the bigger disappointment. He said FTR aren’t there tonight, but as their agent, they sent him to speak on their behalf. Stokely said Nigel’s apology means nothing to him. He said there will be repercussions and consequences. He said his punishment should be getting in the ring with FTR, “the greatest tag team alive today.” Garcia nodded at Nigel. Nigel said no disrespect to Garcia, but they’ve barely had a conversation. He said if they wrestled FTR, they’d kill them. Garcia said maybe, but he’s been watching him overcome the odds his entire career. He asked him to give it a try, though. He called Nigel “the Al Bundy” of AEW, trying to relive his glory days. He asked how he can beat FTR “when you barely eat hepatitis.” FTR then showed up behind Nigel and Garcia and attacked them. Excalibur said they were hiding behind the ring. Daddy Magic ran out for the save, crowbar in hand. Dax at ringside threw a chair at Magic in the ring.
-Excalibur hyped the Collision line-up including Bryan Keith & Big Bill vs. Gates of Agony in a Chicago Street Fight, A.R. Fox vs. Kyle Fletcher, Ana Jay vs. Megan Bayne, “Speedball” Mike Bailey vs. Blake Christian, and Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara vs. Lio Rush & Action Andretti. Also, a tribute to Steve “Mongo” McMichael. [c]
(5) JON MOXLEY (w/Marina Shafir) vs. SAMOA JOE – AEW World Title match in a cage
Joe made his entrance first. Then Mox with Shafir. The cage door was locked and the bell rang 51 minutes into the hour. Joe took it to Mox early. Mox went after Joe’s knee at 4:00. Joe fought out of a leglock and punched away at Mox. Mox let a charging Joe with a boot to the face. They cut to a double-box break at 5:00. [c]
[OVERRUN]
Mox was bleeding from Joe’s strikes and headbutt. Mox’s face was drenched in blood. Joe applied an STF mid-ring. Mox crawled over to the bottom rope to force a break. The crowd was upset with the forced break, chanting, “Ref, you suck!” Mox and Joe stood mid-ring and exchanged strikes. Mox took Joe down with a cutter leading to a two count. Mox then went for an cross armbreaker, but Joe resisted. Mox shifted to his Bulldog Choke at 14:00. Joe escaped and applied a Coquina Clutch. Claudio tried to climb the cage, but Willow Nightingale yanked him down. He fell onto her. Powerhouse Hobbs went after Wheeler Yuta at ringside and chokeslammed him through a table in the time keeper’s area. Ricabonni said The Death Riders had been neutralized.
A man in a black hoodie showed up at ringside and slid the briefcase through the side opening of the cage. Mox then KO’d Joe for the win.
WINNER: Moxley in 17:00 to retain the AEW World Title.
(Keller’s Analysis: So you have to break within a five count if your opponent grabs the bottom rope or get DQ’d, but you can blatantly use a briefcase to knock out your opponent in front of the ref and not get DQ’d? The match was decent.)
-“Whoever that was, he passed Moxley the briefcase,” said Excalibur. Gabe Kidd lowered his hoodie and then Excalibur said his name. Hobbs walked toward Kidd. Claudio showed up behind Hobbs with a chair. Hobbs turned around. Kidd attacked Hobbs with a low blow. Shafir threw Willow into a ringside barricade.
Nicholas & Matthew Jackson entered the ring to their theme. They offered a handshake to Mox. Kenny Omega’s music played. He ducked Claudio and kneed Yuta as he ran toward the ring. Kazuchika Okada then hit Omega behind in the abdomen area where Omega had surgery. He threw him into the ring where the Bucks and Mox stomped away at him. The Bucks used a remote to lower the cage and lock Joe inside. Speedball came out and chased Okada to the back. The heels stomped away at Joe. Swerve Strickland’s music eventually played and he came out with Prince Nana.
Strickland climbed the cage and leaped off the top rope onto a crowd of heels assembled below. Matthew Jackson frantically tried to trigger the cage to lift. The heels fled the scene as Swerve stood tall and checked on Joe. Willow and Hobbs joined them. Swerve said he is the fear, the most dangerous man in AEW. He asked his cohorts if they wanted to “cause a little bit of anarchy.” Fans cheered. He challenged them to an Anarchy in the Arena match at Double or Nothing.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
PWTorch editor Wade Keller and PWTorch’s Chris Lansdell 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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