SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
AEW DYNAMITE REPORT
AUGUST 13, 2025
CINCINNATI, OHIO AT ANDREW J. BRADY MUSIC CENTER
AIRED LIVE ON TBS & MAX
Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Taz
Ring Announcer: Justin Roberts
Attendance: WrestleTix reported earlier today that 1,272 tickets had been distributed; arena is set up for 1,547. The arena has a capacity of 4,500 spectators when configured for concerts.
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PWTorch editor Wade Keller and PWTorch’s Chris Griffin 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.
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LIVE ON YOUTUBE RIGHT AFTER AEW DYNAMITE TONIGHT: CLICK HERE TO WATCH
[HOUR ONE]
-They opened with a scene of the crowd as Excalibur introduced the show and his cohosts. MJF then made his ring entrance. They replayed an inset box of highlights of the incident between MJF and “Hangman” Page last week. Hangman came out next. Excalibur said there would be no physical contact allowed or they’d be penalized with a six-figure fine and a suspension without pay. (Now apply that threat to pre-bell attacks by heels!) Taz said he thinks it’s smart of MJF to try to get an AEW World Title match against Hangman without using his contfact.
MJF wore his CMLL championship belt. MJF said it’s AEW’s two home-grown stars, “the main character and the main antagonist.” He added, “That’s at least what all of you dumb schmucks would call me.” He said Hangman is more vulnerable when he’s angry, and he intends to make him very angry. He said he managed to lose his AEW World Title in his first defense last time. He said he’ll break him.
Hangman burst out of the corner he was leaning in and yelled at MJF. He asked if he understands what he went through to win title. “You couldn’t break me any more than you could break out of your edgelord B-level movie insult villain routine, you shit.” Hangman pointed out that Sea Biscuit won in the end.
Hangman said he isn’t going to let MJF goad him into giving him a title match. He said he told him he’d have to earn it or else look him in the eye and tell him he is executing his Casino Gauntlet contract. Fans chanted, “He’s a pussy!” Hangman said if he’s not there to do either of those things, he can turn around and walk his ass home and accept that he doesn’t have the stomach to challenge him.
MJF told Hangman “good, bad, it’s all a matter of perspective.” He said Hangman is the problem. He said the fans treat Hangman like he’s perfect and infallible. “Well, screw all of you and screw your god,” he said. MJF said as a kid he got beat up for being different, so God can’t be all good. He said Hangman isn’t a god, he’s a weak-minded, depressed, alcoholic little boy. MJF said he’d rather be called the Devil than parade around as a false idol like him. “Unlike you, at least I am real,” he said. He said at Forbidden Door, it’s not just right for him to get back what is his, because he has a point to prove. He said he’s going to pull off the sheep’s clothing on Hangman and live on PPV he’s going to crucify him.
Hangman let out a deep breath and then said he understands the point MJF is making. “No one knows my faults more than I do,” he said. He said he won’t make excuses and run from them as MJF would. Hangman walked a circle around MJF and said MJF has a contract for a shot at his title anyplace he wants, anytime he wants. “But you won’t take your shot because you are afraid!” he said. “You want a back-up, you want an insurance policy because deep down you know that you don’t have what it takes to take this away from me.” He said if he wants respect, “then take your shot.” He said AEW is about going all in, so take his shot. Hangman poked MJF in the chest and said he has a chance to prove he’s more than an insecure, gutless coward.
MJF yelled red-faced at Hangman that he is executing his contract. “What are you doing?!” exclaimed Taz. (Unfortunately, because MJF chose to swear, they bleeped the bulk of him saying he was executing his contract, which took a bit away from its impact.) Fans chanted, “You f—ed up!” as MJF looked like he just made a mistake in a fit of emotion. Hangman said he’d see him at Forbidden Door and called him “dumb ass.” Hangman left the ring.
(Keller’s Analysis: Really good main event level segment.)
-Excalibur commented over a clip of Darby Allin last week driving away after Wheeler Yuta was shown with a sheet of paper that said “Forbidden Door.”
-Outside the venue, Jon Moxley said whatever Darby think is happening isn’t happening. Moxley, with Wheeler Yuta and Marina Shafir, made his entrance.
(1) JON MOXLEY vs. KEVIN KNIGHT
The bell rang 16 minutes into the hour. Knight charged at Moxley as the bell rang when Mox had turned his back and he kicked him. Mox took over. They brawled at ringside. Knight leaped onto the ring apron and then leaped off and nailed Mox with a dropkick. Knight leaped over the top rope and clotheslined Mox on the entrance platform. Knight then took a running leap off the stage, but Mox side-stepped him and shoved him into the barricade. They cut to a double-box break. [c/db]
Back from the break, Mox had Knight grounded in a headlock. Fans pelted Yuta with a “F— you, Yuta!” chant. They exchanged strikes mid-ring. Knight landed a dropkick. Excalibur noted some cheers for Mox, but said it’s because they’re in his hometown. Mox countered Knight’s attempt at a pendulum DDT, but Knight also countered and set up a superplex. Mox raked Knight’s back with his fingernails and then thumbed him in his eye. Knight still managed to superplex Mox, though, and scored a two count at 11:00.
Knight took a second to kick Yuta from the ring apron as Yuta distracted him. Mox blocked Knight’s dropkick, but Knight came right back with a DDT. He leaped off the top rope with a UFO splash, but Mox lifted his knees. Mox then applied a Darce Choke for the win.
WINNER: Mox in 13:00.
-After the match, when “Speedball” Mike Bailey came in to check on Knight, Yuta jumped him, elbowed him, and sent him to ringside. Shafir kicked him on the floor. Darby Allin’s music played and he walked out with a skateboard and a bodybag. Knight dropkicked Mox and went after him at ringside. Yuta charged at Darby, so Darby hit him with the skateboard. He then put Yuta in the bodybag again. Darby played to the crowd and then leaped off the top rope for a Coffin Drop on Yuta, but Claudio caught him and stomped away at him.
Yuta struggled to break out of the bodybag. Claudio unzipped it and Yuta popped out. Fans chanted, “Put him back!” Mox then salto suplexed Darby into the bodybag. Claudio then lifted Darby onto his shoulders, he kicked the skateboard out of the ring, and then he gave him an airplane spin and dropped him. Yuta and Claudio opened the bag and put Darby’s head in a chair. Will Ospreay showed up for the save. He tossed Claudio into the time keeper’s area. He then went after Yuta in the ring, ducking a chairshot and landing a flying forearm. Mox, Claudio, and Yuta then retreated.
Ospreay yelled at them. He said they tried to snap his neck, so he’s going to snap theirs. He said if they don’t want to face Darby at Forbidden Door, he’s got a better idea. He challenged him to gather his friends and he’ll gather his friends and they’ll have a “lights out steel cage match.” Excalibur said Ospreay could be playing with fire. Darby and Ospreay fist-bumped as Ospreay’s music played.
-A video package aired on the Adam Copeland-Stokely Hathaway saga.
-Mercedes Mone made her entrance, draped in title belts. [c]
(2) MERCEDES MONE & TEKLA & SKYE BLUE vs. ALEX WINDSOR & QUEEN AMIANTA & WILLOW NIGHTINGALE
Mercedes was still dancing to her theme after the break. Her music faded and then Telka, Skye Blue, and Julia Hart (“The Triangle of Madness”) made their entrance. Windsor, Aminata, and Willow made their entrances next. Toni Storm’s music played and she showed up in the bleachers. They showed Mercedes looking distressed and annoyed. Athena’s music then played and she showed up in another part of the bleachers. Taz said Storm is upset that Athena upstaged her. The bell rang 46 minutes into the hour. They cut to a double-box break at 3:00. [c/db]
At 8:00, Windsor put Mercedes in a sharpshooter mid-ring. Mercedes tagged in Skye. Willow entered and gave Mercedes a Pounce. Tekla and Aminata battled next and both went down after an Aminata headbutt. Fans chanted “AEW!” Skye kicked Windsor, but Windsor countered in a sharpshooter mid-ring for the tapout win.
WINNERS: Windsor & Willow & Aminata in 10:00.
-Athena attacked Storm on the balcony. They brawled into the concourse as the wrestlers from the match continued to brawl. Athena dragged Storm to the ramp and kicked her. Storm fought back. Window knocked Mercedes down inside the ring, knocking a belt into her head. Storm took the mic and stood with Windsor. Storm said they would face off in Scotland in a tag match. “I hope you’re wearing something under your kilt or we’re going to bareback you all over Glasgow!” said Storm. Excalibur said Tony Khan already made the match official.
-Renee Paquette interviewed Ospreay backstage. He said he met with Tony Khan and he’s thrilled with the idea of that cage match. Ospreay revealed that one of their partners will be Hiroshi Tanahashi. He said there would be two more partners. Renee asked about the herniated disks in his neck. Ospreay said, with shaky confidence, that she should tell her husband he has some questions for him next week in Glasgow.
ARTICLE CONTINUED BELOW…
Check out the latest episode of the “All Elite Conversation Club” with Joel Dehnel and Gregg Kanner, part of the PWTorch Dailycast line-up: CLICK HERE to stream (or search “pwtorch” on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any other iOS or Android app to subscribe free)
[HOUR TWO]
(3) ADAM COPELAND vs. STOKELY HATHAWAY
Copeland came out first. Fans finished singing his song lyrics after the music stopped. Stokely made his entrance next. The bell rang 4 minutes into the hour. He went for a spear, but bounced off Copeland. After fan encouragement, Stokely tried again and once again bounced off. Fans chanted, “One more time!” again. Copeland punched him. As Copeland took it to Stokely at ringside, fans chanted, “Fight forever.” Copeland asked a fan at ringside what he thinks of Stokely, and he said, “He’s short, he’s bald, and he gets no hos.” Copeland asked if there are any hos in the house. He asked a woman if Stokely has any chance with her. She asked if it was a serious question and then said no. Taz said there’s nothing wrong with being short and he takes offense. Copeland speared Stokely. FTR came out and pleaded with Copeland to stop. Copeland instead speared Stokely again.
Copeland asked FTR if they’re going to just leave him. He asked the fans if he should just pin him. Fans yelled, “No!” When Dax charged, Copeland speared him through the ropes. Cash then entered, too. Copeland knocked them both over the top rope. Excalibur said this invalidates the restraining order and now Copeland can go after them freely.
WINNER: No contest in 5:00.
-Stokely threw powder into the face of Copeland. Taz said Stokely had a gameplan “and I love it.” FTR set up a double-team move when Christian Cage’s music played. Christian cleared the ring of FTR with a spiked board. Nick Wayne ran in, but bailed out. Kip Sabian then went after Christian with a chair, but Copeland speared him. Copeland picked up the chair. Fans chanted, “Holy shit!” They backed into each other and then turned around and stared at each other. Fans chanted, “Hug it out!” They hugged. Fans cheered. Christian eyed Copeland and turned and left. Excalibur said it wasn’t a look of elation on Christian’s face. Taz said their friendship has been complicated over the years. Copeland’s music played.
(Keller’s Analysis: That played out well. I like that Christian didn’t just flip a switch and be the old Christian, and that both he and Copeland expressed a hesitation to fully relax in each other’s presence.)
-A vignette aired teasing a return of Hook with a skyline view and then an “H” appearing in a spotlight. [c]
(4) THE YOUNG BUCKS & KYLE FLETCHER & JOSH ALEXANDER vs. HOLOGRAM & TOMOHIRO ISHII & BRODY KING & HIROMU TAKAHASHI
The Bucks made their entrance to sputtering weak pyro and no music. Fans laughed. The Bucks yelled at the fans. The graphics said, “Slick Nick” and “Mr. Instant Replay.” Fans chanted, “Jobbers! Jobbers!” They wore orange vests. Excalibur asked Taz if he was okay with that. Taz said he was because they are the founding fathers. Takahashi was a surprise partner. Excalibur said he’s one of the most decorated wrestlers in Japan, a risk-taker, and a wildcard. The bell rang 21 minutes into the hour. They cut to a break at 3:00 after a flurry of offense by the babyfaces. [c/db]
Fletcher eventually gave Brody a piledriver on the ramp at ringside. They cut to another break with the heels gloating at 9:00. [c/db]
Takahashi eventually finished Alexander with a Death Valley Driver.
WINNERS: Takahashi & Ishii & Hologram & Brody in 16:00. [c]
-Renee asked about Swerve checking in with the AEW medical team earlier and if he was okay. Swerve said he won’t let anything going on stop him. He said the fans want him to become AEW Unified Champion. Kazuchika Okada then walked out with the Unified Title belt over his shoulder. They faced off on the ramp. Okada said he might as well give up. Excalibur said he’s referring to Swerve’s knee injury. Swerve asked, “Whose house?”” Fans chanted “Swerve’s house!” Okada said, “Bitch!” Swerve shoved Okada. Officials held them apart.
-Backstage, Moxley commented on the match at Forbidden Door. He asked if they really got Hiroshi Tanahashi and he seemed worried and impressed at once. He kept walking with his crew following behind. The camera followed them into a locker room which said “Extras Room.” The Bucks were among those in there. Mox closed the door on the camera to meet with them. [c]
-The announcers revealed the full teams for Forbidden Door: Mox & Claudio & Gabe Kid & The Bucks vs. Darby & Tanahashi & Ospreay & Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi in the lights out cage match. Also, Christian & Copeland vs. Kip Sabian & Nick Wayne was official.
(5) THE OPPS (Samoa Joe & Powerhouse Hobbs & Katsuyori Shibata) vs. LA FACCION INGOBERNOBLE (Rush & The Beast Mortos & Dralistico)
The bell rang 55 minutes into the hour. They cut to a break at 2:00 with Joe in control. [c/db]
[OVERRUN]
Hobbs got a hot a hot tag and rallied. Joe tagged in and went after Dralistico. Joe put him to sleep for the win.
WINNERS: The Opps in 11:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: This was an odd choice for a final match, which explains why they basically kept it secret. It’s fine and the action was solid, but it could’ve been a match on a PPV pre-show. They didn’t do anything to give it meaning or inject emotion or context.)
-When it seemed the show was over, and probably after many people turned the channel, they cut to the parking garage where Renee began to interview Hangman. MJF jumped him and said he vowed to break him and he hasn’t seen anything yet.
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 Griffin 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.
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