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AEW DYNAMITE REPORT
DECEMBER 3, 2025
FISHERS, IND. AT FISHERS EVENT CENTER
AIRED ON TBS & HBO MAX
REPORT BY WADE KELLER, PWTORCH EDITOR
Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Nigel McGuiness
Ring Announcer: Justin Roberts
Attendance: WrestleTix reported earlier that 3,405 tickets had been distributed; arena is set up for 3,684. The arena has a capacity of 7,500 spectators when configured for concerts. On Dec. 2, 2024 in the same venue, they drew 3,096, so this is a rare instance lately of ticket distribution being up year over year.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST
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PWTorch editor Wade Keller and PWTorch’s Brian Zilem 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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[HOUR ONE]
-They went to the arena as pyro blasted as Excalibur introduced the show. The camera panned the audience.
-Tony Schiavone stood mid-ring and said he had a volatile face-to-face during which everyone is banned from ringside. He hyped Winter is Coming next week and then introduced Samoa Joe. Excalibur said Eddie Kingston called him out six days ago.
Joe told Schiavone to leave the ring before he slaps his ugly wig off his head. Joe told Eddie he probably had a lot of questions, including why he didn’t dress up for the segment. He said he realized that’d be like dressing up to go to a petting zoo. He insulted the fans for being too stupid to recognize his greatness.
He said another question Eddie has is “why Hook?” He said Hook grew up with a champion father. He said he wanted Hook to learn what it was like living on the other side, eating with the second place people. He said Eddie was perfect person to show Hook since he has never gotten across the finish line. Fans chanted “Eddie! Eddie!” He said next week, Eddie is going to walk into the ring and fight his ass off and bring everything he has, but he won’t cross the finish line “just like every other time.” Eddie got mad and circled Joe in the ring. Joe said he’ll choke Eddie unconscious in the ring.
Eddie said Joe used to be held in such high regard. He said Joe had probably the greatest ROH Title run ever and was credited with saving the indy scene but he since “sold his sole hard.” He said Hook learned perseverance. He said he’s known for yelling and screaming, but it gets him what he wants.
He said the Joe he’s standing in front of, he doesn’t respect. The Joe he once knew showed everyone what it meant to be a true World Champion. He said now Joe is chopping people from behind and using a kid like Hook and getting all up in his head. He said he’s now one of the old guys he used to call out. He said he wants to wrap it up so he can get back to his hotel and go to bed. He told Joe that if he doesn’t bring the Samoa Joe that beat up his mentor for years, he will eat him alive on the 10th. He threw down the mic and left.
(Keller’s Analysis: Good, basic build to a match that established both personalities, some backstory, and a reason to root for the babyface.)
-Excalibur commented on the current Continental Classic standings. He then plugged Pac vs. Kazuchika Okada, Kyle Fletcher vs. Kevin Knight, and Claudio Castagnoli vs. Jon Moxley. He also plugged the Hardcore Holiday Death Match in the tag team tournament semi-finals.
-Hook, Powerhouse Hobbs, and Katsuyori Shibata stood backstage. Hook said next week, Joe will finish Kingston. Hobbs said they have business to take care of. Hobbs said they’re going to bless everyone. He said one team impressed them on ROH last night – Dark Order. He said if they can get past them, they’ll give them a title shot. Shibata uttered something. Hook said it’ll be light work for them.
(1) PAC vs. KAZUCHIKA OKADA – Continental Classic Gold League match
Schiavone said this is a must-win situation for Okada and he asked Don Callis if he agreed. Callis, who was on commentary, said he sees every match as a must-win. The bell rang 15 minutes into the hour. Excalibur noted it’s only their second singles match against each other. He also said Okada has only been pinned or submitted by two men in AEW, Kyle Fletcher and Bryan Danielson. Danielson said a draw isn’t good enough for Okada here. Callis asked Danielson if you wrestle a different style when there’s a time limit. Danielson said so far he sees Okada wrestling the same pace as usual. Callis complimented Pac and said he’s a great athlete and there’s no holes in his game.
Pac landed a dropkick off the top rope. Danielson called it “shades of Dynamite Kid.” Okada bailed out to ringside. Pac continued to control the action and they cut to a double-box break at 4:00. [c/db]
Pac remained in control during the break. He leaped off the top rope again, but Okada swatted his dropkick out of the air and then landed a dropkick of his own. Both were down and slow to get up at 9:00. Okada landed a DDT and scored a two count. Okada landed a top rope elbowdrop and then gave a middle finger gesture mid-ring. Pac shoved him back into the corner as Okada set up a Rainmaker.
Okada dropped a charging Pac with a standing dropkick. Pac countered with a roll-up for a near fall. Pac kicked Okada twice in the corner and then landed a German suplex. He scored a near fall after a German suplex into a bridge. Danielson said Pac is doing everything right in the match. Okada surprised Pac with a Tombstone piledriver. Both were down and slow to get up again. Pac caught Okada on the top rope and landed a brainbuster suplex and then a running lariat into a Brutalizer, but Okada shifted their weight and leveraged Pac’s shoulders down for a three count.
WINNER: Okada in 14:00 to earn his first 3 points in the tournament. Pac is stuck at 3 points.
(Keller’s Analysis: Good execution throughout. It felt paced a bit like they were heading toward the 20 minute mark or close to it, so the finish felt a little quick as they seemed to have a lot more they could have done outside of first and second gear.)
-Backstage, Mark Briscoe said he faced Danny Garcia twice about a year ago, once in the Continental Classic and one for the TNT Title. He said Garcia showed him when they went 1-1 that Garcia was the real deal. He said now he’s the reigning TNT Champion and his opinion of Garcia isn’t what it once was. He said he thinks Garcia is falling into a Death Rider death spiral. He asked if Garcia has been playing mind games with him. He said he doesn’t play games and he went straight to Tony Khan and asked for a TNT Title match. He said it’ll be at Winter is Coming next week in Cardiff, Wales. He said it’ll be an international ass-whooping.
-They went to the announcers at ringside. Excalibur threw to a promo with Ricochet and GOA.
-Ricochet said he’s had to keep his phone on Do Not Disturb because every promoter around the country is calling him to defend his title. He said they know Ricochet isn’t just a champion, but also a viral sensation. He said he’s known best for his charity work, and this Friday, he’ll make his ROH debut against an ex-ROH Champion, Dalton Castle. He said he’ll dispose of him and then he’ll stay around an extra day for Collision and give someone else a shot at his title. He said The Demand is more in demand than ever.
-Excalibur hyped Fletcher vs. Knight was up next. [c]
-Renee Paquette interviewed Briscoe, Orange Cassidy, Roderick Strong, Harley Cameron, and Willow Nightingale. Briscoe said The Conglomeration hasn’t started the CC with success, but this Saturday, someone has to win between Strong and Cassidy. Strong said he is not in The Conglomeration and he will beat Cassidy’s ass. Cassidy suggested no chops in their match. Strong said he’s an idiot and he’s going to break his back. Briscoe followed behind Strong to try to talk to him.
-A clip aired of Darby Allin in the hospital for observation after his match last week against Knight. Excalibur said he isn’t cleared to travel yet, but they hope for an update on Collision on Saturday.
(2) KYLE FLETCHER vs. KEVIN KNIGHT – Continental Classic Tournament Gold League match
The bell rang 41 minutes into the hour. They did some mat wrestling and both got in some early advantages. Callis said Fletcher has an extra five inches in height and 40 pounds on him and that would be the difference in the match. Danielson said he wrestled his whole career against wrestlers much larger than him and was successful. He said Knight can do the same. Knight landed a dive to ringside and followed up with a springboard clothesline to Fletcher at ringside as they cut to a double-box break. [c/db]
Back from the break, Fletcher was in control until Knight caught him with a high dropkick. Both were down and slow to get up. Fans chanted, “This is awesome!” Excalibur hyped the ROH Final Battle PPV line-up. Fletcher landed a flying top rope springboard clothesline for a near fall at 10:00. Another “This is awesome!” chant. Excalibur noted the time limit becomes a bigger factor the longer the match goes.
Knight DDT’d Fletcher on the ring apron and then rolled him into the ring. He climbed to the top rope as fans stood. Fletcher popped up and shoved him off balance. Knight avoided a superplex and then knocked Fletcher upside down in the corner. Knight then hit a Coast to Coast on Fletcher. He followed with a UFO splash, but Fletcher raised his knees and scored a two count. Fletcher landed a sitout powerbomb for a two count at 12:00.
Knight countered Fletcher into a small package for a near fall. Fletcher superkicked Knight as Knight charged at him with a shoulder tackle. Fletcher then landed a running knee in the corner and a brainbuster for a three count.
WINNER: Fletcher in 13:00 to earn 3 more points for a total of 6, with Knight stuck at 3.
-Callis entered the ring afterward and said he had something important to say about The Young Bucks. He said he’s going to first let everyone hear from Fletcher, “the greatest wrestler I’ve ever seen.” Fletcher said he’s not feeling great. Josh Alexander and Hechicero entered the ring with duffel bags. Callis said the fans are going to hear every last sentence. They cut to a break as Callis kept talking. [c]
-Back from the break, Callis said he can forgive a lot. He said they can lie to him or cheat him or kill someone and he can forgive all of that. He said the one thing that is an unforgivable sin is siding with Kenny Omega. He said he has the Young Bucks’ money. He said if they don’t like it, they should let their nuts drop and come out to the ring and take it.
[HOUR TWO]
The Bucks charged into the ring. They gave Fletcher a BTE Trigger. Then they grabbed their duffel bag of cash. Okada entered the ring and gave Matt Jackson a Rainmaker. Okada, Hechicero, and Alexander attacked Nick. Jack Perry and Luchasaurus ran out for the save as fans sang their theme song. Perry springboarded off the top rope onto Alexander and Hechicero at ringside. Okada gave Perry a middle finger gesture. Perry bit his finger. Mark Davis and El Clone ran in and attacked Perry. Callis punched away at Matt. Omega then came out for the save. Omega ducked a Rainmaker and gave Okada a Snap Dragon. Okada bailed out to ringside and retreated as the babyfaces gathered in the ring.
(Keller’s Analysis: I’m glad they acknowledged the Bucks earned their share of the prize money despite not siding with Callis afterward. The angle itself was fine. I like the expanded focus on Callis.)
-A vignette aired on Willow and Harley.
(3) TONI STORM & MINA SHIRAKAWA vs. MARINA SHAFIR & MEGAN BAYNE – Women’s Tag Team Tournament semi-finals
The bell rang 8 minutes into the hour. They fought with weapons and cut to a double-box break at 4:00. [c/db]
Shirakawa slammed Shafir onto a chair with a leap off the top rope as Storm held her. Megan interrupted the count. Bayne speared Shirakawa through a table. A man dressed as Santa came to the ring. He revealed himself to be Luther and he gave the middle finger to Shafir. Storm then hit Shafir with her shoe and scored a three count with a small package on a bunch of thumb tacks.
WINNERS: Storm & Shirakawa in 12:00.
-Excalibur plugged Babes of Wrath vs. Toni & Mina next week in the AEW Tag Team Title tournament final.
-A vignette aired that hyped Jamie Hayter & Kris Statlander vs. Julia Hart & Skye Blue with soundbites from everyone involved.
-A promo aired with Dark Order backstage. Evil Uno said they have a big opportunity tonight. “Hangman” Page walked up to them. Alex Reynolds told Hangman, “I know you’re looking for blood, but don’t ruin this for us.” Hangman agreed and said he wouldn’t, but as soon as the match was over, “they are mine.” [c]
-They went to the announcers at ringside who hyped ROH Final Battle and Collision tickets.
-Renee interviewed Mercedes Mone. She said they hadn’t seen her since Full Gear when she was unsuccessful. Mercedes stopped her and said she has 13 belts and is PWI’s no. 1 wrestler of the year. She snapped, “Does that sound unsuccessful to you?” Renee said on Friday, she defends her ROH TV Title against Red Velvet. Mercedes said Velvet likes to talk a lot of trash when she’s not around, but where is she when she is on Dynamite. She said Velvet is still crying about her taking her title. She said she’ll give her a chance to fall off the Moné Train again. “She said there’s a price to pay when you talk down on Moné.”
-Back to the announcers at ringside, Excalibur plugged the ROH PPV again and then threw to highlights of FTR and the Bang Bang Gang.
-In a backstage promo, Stokely Hathaway said it’s the greatest day of his life because FTR are the AEW World Tag Team Champions. He said as they were celebrating last Saturday on Collision, Juice Robinson and Austin Gunn interrupted them. He said they wanted to win the titles for Colten Gunn and Jay White. He scoffed at them wanting to become champions “to pop the boys on the injured list.” Cash and Dax then cut a promo on them. He said Austin has a nice cushy job because of his daddy, but he is messing with is livelihood. He dared him to put his hands on his tag title belt again.
(4) THE OPPS (Hook & Powerhouse Hobbs & Katsuyori Shibata) vs. DARK ORDER (Evil Uno & John Silver & Alex Reynolds) – AEW Trios Championship match
The Opps jumped Dark Order before the bell and beat them up at ringside. Excalibur talked about how Dark Order were rudderless after the death of their leader, Brodie Lee. The ref called for the bell when they entered the ring 34 minutes into the hour. They cut to a very early double-box break. [c/db]
Excalibur hyped the Dynamite Diamond Ring Battle Royal on the Holiday Bash in two weeks. Then the Dynamite Diamond Ring Final in three weeks on Dynamite. The winner earns a shot at the AEW World Title at Maximum Carnage on Jan. 14, 2026 in Phoenix. During the plugs, Hobbs finished Reynolds with a spinebuster.
WINNERS: The Opps in 6:00 to retain the AEW Trios Titles.
-Hangman entered the ring with a chain after the match and punched Hobbs and Shibata with the chain. Hobbs and Shibata eventually double-teamed Hangman. Hobbs inadvertently clotheslined Shibata. Hangman hit Hobbs with a beer bottle. He followed with a Buckshot Lariat attempt, but security intervened. Hangman beat up security. Excalibur said it could result in fines or suspensions. Hangman gave a Buckshot Lariat to a security guy.
(Keller’s Analysis: Babyfaces should not be attacking security like that. They’re just hourly workers just doing their jobs. It’s a bad look. Security guys are probably the most relatable people featured on pro wrestling shows when it comes to the average wrestling fan and wrestlers are always indiscriminately beating them up just for doing their jobs. It’s a lazy booking trope.)
-Renee interviewed Callis, Fletcher, and Okada backstage. Renee asked (I hope sarcastically) if it’s now safe to say the Bucks won’t be joining the Don Callis Family. Callis asked why she’s so negative. Okada said Konzuke Takeshita let them down again. Callis defended Takeshita since he was training. Takeshita then showed up and said, “I’m right here.” Callis and Fletcher pushed them apart. Renee asked why Callis isn’t having Okada put up both titles in the tournament. Callis said at All In, Okada entered as Continental Champion and beat Omega for the International Title. He said they since created a symbol, the Unified Title. Renee said that didn’t answer her question. Callis said he’s not an idiot and he doesn’t do things just to be charitable or take unnecessary gambles. He said that’s what a degenerate gambler like Nick Jackson would do. Fletcher said regardless, one of them is guaranteed to bring home the title. [c]
-A crazed-looking “Hangman” Page ranted backstage. He said for three years, he fought to get back to the World Championship. He said he gave his sweat and blood. He said he fought the best to get there, but then Hook of all people cost him. He said he will take the championship back from either Eddie or Joe. He said if Hobbs or Shibata want a fight, they’ve got one next week.
(5) JON MOXLEY vs. CLAUDIO CASTAGNOLI – Continental Classic tournament match
As Mox made his ring entrance through the crowd, Renee stood near ringside and talked about her conversation earlier with Mox who said he doesn’t give any ground and if Claudio wants the match, he has to take it. Marina Shafir accompanied Mox to ringside. Claudio then made his entrance.
The bell rang 54 minutes into the hour. The ref ordered Shafir to leave ringside. Danielson pointed out she’s not allowed out there or it could get Mox disqualified. They cut to a break at 3:00 as Mox rolled to ringside after absorbing a Claudio backbreaker. [c/db]
Back from the break, Claudio gave a bloodied Mox a giant swing and then applied a sharpshooter. Mox broke the hold.
[OVERRUN]
They fought at ringside. Claudio went for a double stomp against Mox on a chair at ringside. He then gave him an uppercut into the steps at ringside. Back in the ring, he landed a running clothesline. They announced five minutes remained. Fans chanted “Moxley! Moxley!” Both were down and slow to get up.
Claudio caught a charging Mox with an uppercut and scored a three count. “Wow!” said Schiavone. “I mean, wow!” Danielson said when he was in the Blackpool Combat Club, he could never defeat Mox which is why they looked up to him as their leader. He said this was a huge win for Claudio. Pac congratulated Claudio. Yuta and Shafir checked on Mox at ringside. Yuta then slapped hands with Claudio to congratulate him. Garcia also absorbed the situation.
WINNER: Claudio in 15:00 to earn 3 points, with Moxley stuck at 3 points.
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 Brian Zilem 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.
VIP VIDEO CALLER CODE: CLICK HERE
https://streamyard.com/c6dyte3ctx
Click that link during the post-show to enter the waiting room as “live video caller” (or just audio if you turn off your cam, which is fine). This is a private link, so don’t share. It’s just for VIP members at this time.
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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