SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
AEW DYNAMITE REPORT
MARCH 25, 2026
ST. PAUL, MINN. AT ROY WILKINS AUDITORIUM
AIRED LIVE ON TNT & HBO MAX
REPORT BY JOSHUA WHITE, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Commentators: Excalibur & Tony Schiavone & Taz
Ring Announcer: Justin Roberts
Attendance: WrestleTix reported that 3,512 tickets had been distributed; arena is set up for 3,873. The arena has a capacity of 5,000 spectators when configured for concerts.
[HOUR ONE]
-They opened on a packed arena as Excalibur welcomed everyone to the show, and said they would be starting with one of the most anticipated matches of the year.
(1) KENNY OMEGA vs. SWERVE STRICKLAND – #1 Contender and EVP match
Kenny Omega’s music played and he stepped through shooting flames out onto the stage. Kenny slapped hands on his way to the ring as the announcers noted the stakes of the match, his EVP status and number one contendership. Renne, in sideline reporter mode, said that Kenny claimed to only use his EVP powers to help AEW and the fans. Swerve’s music played and Nana wandered out on stage, no coffee or dancing. Swerve made his way to the ring, and the bell rang to start the match 3 minutes into the show.
The crowd chanted “Kenny” as the two competitors circled each other. Swerve forced Kenny into the ropes and broke clean, but Nana grabbed Kenny’s foot, allowing Swerve to pounce from behind. Swerve lifted Kenny into a fireman’s carry, dropped him across the top rope, and followed up with a running boot.
Nana oddly started a “whose house” chant and the crowd went along until Kenny caught Swerve with a quick hurricanrana. Swerve rolled to the outside, but Kenny leapt over the top rope and connected with the plancha. Kenny rammed Swerve face-first into the announce table a couple of times and then into the stairs. Kenny delivered a chop, forced Swerve against the barricade and hit a second chop.
Kenny got a running start, charged across the ringside area and drilled Swerve with a. running knee against the barricade. The crowd chanted for Kenny as he broke the count and then set up for a suplex on the floor. Swerve blocked the suplex and shoved Kenny into the barricade. Swerve rolled Kenny back into the ring and followed in.
Swerve caught Kenny from behind with a chop block to the back. Swerve locked in a standing side headlock, but Kenny escaped and they traded chops. Kenny got his feet up in the corner and then took Swerve down with a running face palm dunk. Kenny followed up with Kotaro Krusher. Kenny made the cover, but Swerve kicked out at two.
Kenny brought Swerve up with by the arm and chopped him back down as a dueling chant rang out. Kenny landed to the rolling fireman’s carry and Swerve could not escape as Kenny followed up with the moonsault from the second rope. Kenny hooked the leg but only got a two count. Kenny went for a V Trigger, but Swerve sidestepped and went for a German suplex. Kenny countered it into a German of his own, but Swerve flipped over onto his feet.
Kenny countered a suplex and hit a stiff knee and a spinning heel kick to the back. As Swerve collapsed into the corner, Kenny hit a running knee to the back. Kenny lifted Swerve up onto the top turnbuckle and climbed up with Swerve on his shoulders. Swerve slipped off behind Kenny and climbed up with him Swerve brought Kenny down with a big back superplex as they went to commercial. [c]
Back from break, both men were down in the center of the ring courtesy of a double boot they showed a replay of. They exchanged forearms in the center of the ring until Kenny ducked one and landed a snap dragon suplex. Kenny hit a second snap dragon and Swerve rolled to the apron. Kenny set up for a third one on the apron, Swerve grabbed the ref by the shirt and then hit Kenny with a mule kick that landed low.
Kenny collapsed to the floor and Swerve hit a kick from the apron to Kenny’s head. Swerve climbed onto the barricade and pulled Kenny up onto the barricade with him. Swerve tried to set up for a piledriver or something, but both men fell off into the crowd. Swerve climbed back onto the barricade, dragging Kenny with him. Swerve went for it again, this time he planted Kenny on top of the barricade with a piledriver.
The crowd chanted “holy shit” and Swerve rolled Kenny back into the ring. Swerve rolled into the ring straight into a suplex that he converted to a sitout powerbomb in midair. Swerve held on for the pin, but Kenny kicked out at two. Swerve set up for Big Pressure, but Kenny countered it into a rollup for a two count.
Kenny charged Swerve, but Swerve caught him with a standing House Call kick. Kenny collapsed into the middle rope. Swerve climbed to the top rope and hit Kenny with a double stomp in the ropes. Swerve returned to the top rope as Kenny sat up. Swerve connected with the Swerve Stomp and went for the pin, but Kenny kicked out at two.
Swerve went for Big Pressure again, but Kenny pushed him back into the corner and hit a flurry of back elbows. Kenny went for a powerbomb, but Swerve flipped through, landed on his feet, and hit Kenny with a powerbomb into a powerslam. Swerve made the cover, but Kenny kicked out at two. Swerve pulled down his knee pad and set up for a V Trigger. Kenny rose to his feet, face-to-face with Swerve. Swerve delivered an open-handed chop and Kenny came right back with a knee strike. Kenny landed a second knee strike and Swerve fell into the ropes. Kenny got a running start and connected with the V Trigger.
Kenny pulled Swerve up and onto his shoulders, looking for the One Winged Angel. Swerve fought Kenny’s hands, not allowing him to complete the maneuver. Swerve slipped off, took Kenny by the arms and set up for the vertebreaker. Kenny rolled out, landed on his feet, and hit Swerve in the back with a knee. Kenny set Swerve up for the One Winged Angel again, but Swerve raked at Kenny’s eyes to escape. Swerve capitalized by nailing Kenny with the vertebreaker. Swerve, battered at this point, was slow to make the cover, and Kenny shot his arm up at the last second.
Swerve set up for another Swerve stomp, but Kenny slid out of the way. Swerve turned around and Kenny caught him with a knee strike. Swerve collapsed against the ropes and Kenny drilled him with the V Trigger again. Kenny followed up with the One Winged Angel and held on for the pin, securing the victory.
WINNER: Kenny Omega in 21:00
(White’s Take: If it were 2013, you could put this match on a Miley Cyrus album, because it was a banger. The only downside was the crowd being split at parts because Swerve is just so cool, even though Kenny ended up winning the crowd and the match. I’d consider this even stronger than their previous encounter, primarily we had a straight up match with a solid clean finish. As much as I don’t like seeing Swerve lose, Kenny will make a great challenger to MJF at Dynasty in Canada.)
-The cut to a video highlighting the death-defying acts of Darby Allin. It could be a long video. They intercut some of the more hardcore moments of Darby’s time in AEW with his voiceover and some announcer calls reacting to the insanity. [c]
-Will Ospreay was backstage said he has an issue with Pac, and anyone that surrounds themselves with Moxley. He told Pac to meet him in Winnipeg and they’ll fix it. Ospreay took exception to Moxley saying he put him on a time out. Ospreay said he appreciate the time off to spend with his son. He said that while Moxley has his reasons for snapping his neck, he will alter Moxley’s life. He signed off telling Moxley he wants him at Dynasty, signing off by calling Moxley an MF’er.
(White’s Take: This was on the higher end of Ospreay promos, being completely serious and setting the tone for his upcoming matches with Pac and Mox. The expletive on the end was unnecessary, but still underlined the intensity.)
(2) THE DEATH RIDERS (Marina Shafir & Jon Moxley & Daniel Garcia Wheeler Yuta) vs. TOP FLIGHT (Darius Martin & Dante Martin) & ZAYDA STEEL (w/Christopher Daniels)
The Death Riders’ music played and Moxley made his way from backstage, through the crowd and to the ring. Marina, Garcia, and Yuta came through he crowd also, but seemingly separate. Top Flight’s music played to bring out the hometown boys. The got in the ring, but before they could do any posing, the Death Riders attacked from behind and the bell rang 35 minutes into the hour.
Moxley and Garcia paired off with Dante and Darius, brawling at ringside while Marina hit a chop followed by a roundhouse in the ring. Zayda came back with a boot and took Marina down with a running headscissor. Zayda went for a running knee in the corner, but Marina blocked it and set Zayda up on the turnbuckle. Zayda kicked at Marina and then hit her with a flying hurricanrana from the middle rope.
Marina came back with a roundhouse and Zayda tumbled into her corner tot ag in Darius. Garcia entered and Darius took him to the mat. Garcia hit a double chop to Darius’ throat, but Darius dodged him in the corner, rammed his face into the turnbuckle and landed a jumping clothesline. Darius made the cover, but Garcia kicked out at one.
Moxley tagged in, forced Darius into the corner and stomped him down. Darius came abck with a dropkick and made the tag to Dante. Dante delivered a bulldog ramming Moxley’s face into Darius’ knee. Dante clotheslined Moxley over the top rope to the floor and then took Garcia off the apron with a dropkick. Marina went to check on them, and, predictably, Zayda, Dante and Darius hit a triple suicide dive onto the Death Riders as they, predictably, went to a commercial. [c]
They returned from commercial as Garcia stomped on Dante. Dante fought back with punches to the gut, but then charged into a back elbow from Garcia. Garcia made the cover, but Dante kicked out at two. Moxley tagged in and hit a few chops before setting up for a back suplex, but Dante flipped out and landed on his feet. Dante landed a dropkick and crawled for the tag, Garcia rushed in and knocked Darius off of the apron. Garcia threatened Zayda as well before turning around into a jumping knee from Dante.
Marina ran in and grabbed Dante by the hair. Dante, without knowing who it was, nailed her with a spinning enziguri. Dante tagged in Zayda who mounted and pummeled Marina. Zayda hit a Tornado DDT, kicking Garcia off the apron on her way around. Zayda hooked the leg but Marina kicked out at two. Zayda whipped Marina into the corner and connected with a running knee.
Zayda climbed to the middle rope and went for a crossbody onto Marina. Marina rolled through and went for a fallaway slam, but Zayda flipped out and caught Marina with a rolling elbow. Zayda hit the ropes, but Yuta picked her ankle, allowing Marina to hit a running knee. Marina lifted Zayda onto her shoulders and tagged Moxley. Marina and Moxley had Zayda in position for a doomsday device, but Zayda fought out and shoved Marina into the post, sending Moxley crashing down.
Garcia tagged in and grabbed a waistlock on Zayda, but she turned and slapped him. Zayda tagged in Dante who tagged in Darius and they hit running strikes on Garcia followed by a double team gourdbuster. Darius made the cover, but Yuta had the referee distracted. Christopher Daniels pulled Yuta off the apron and Yuta blasted him with the Busaiko knee. Zayda nailed Yuta with a suicide dive to the outside.
Darius rolled Garcia up for a two count and then hit Moxley with a spinning forearm. Garcia picked Darius’ leg and rolled through into the Dragon Tamer submission. Moxley knocked Dante off the apron and then planted Darius with the running stomp while he was still stuck in the Dragon Tamer. Garcia hooked the leg and got the win.
WINNERS: The Death Riders in 11:00
-After the match, Moxley grabbed a microphone to address Ospreay. Moxley told him that it’s not nice to say mean things about people on TV. The crowd chanted for Ospreay as Moxley said he knows Ospreay is very upset. Moxley said it’s not personal, and he’s happy to have the match at Dynasty, but not to let Ospreay’s mouth get him in trouble in the meantime.
(White’s Take: Despite AEW’s penchant for putting the hometown team over, The Death Riders were still the obvious pick to win. Probably went a little longer than necessary but was perfectly fine. There were a number of spots to highlight Zayda Steel, which might show they see something in her going forward.)
-They cut to a video of the Young Bucks selling their big loss at Revolution, but noted that their goal remains to regain the tag titles. Matt said 2026 is the year the Bucks are back and it doesn’t matter who stands in their way.
(3) “SPEEDBALL” MIKE BAILEY vs. ROCKY ROMERO
“Speedball” Mike Bailey made his entrance, coming down to the ring with his trios title in hand. Rocky was already waiting in the ring. The bell rang to start the match 50 minutes into the first hour.
The crowd chanted for Bailey as Excalibur informed us that Josh Alexander was hurt during their trios match. Bailey took control with a wristlock, but Rocky turned it around and hit a pair of knees to the midsection. Bailey dropped Rocky with a roundhouse to the chest as the crowd chanted “F Don Callis, F Ice too.” Bailey landed with hit machine gun low kicks capped off with an enziguri. Rocky rolled to the outside, but Bailey executed a triangle moonsault from the inside of the ring and nailed Rocky on the outside.
Back in the ring, Rocky ducked a kicked from Bailey in the corner and then went right after his eyes. Rocky tossed Bailey over the top rope, but didn’t notice that Bailey hung on. Rocky posed in the ring and then turned around into a big kick. Bailey hit another spinning kick that dropped Rocky. Bailey climbed to the middle rope and went for the Ultimate Weapon. He just barely clipped Rocky, but he still made the cover for the in.
WINNER: “Speedball” Mike Bailey in 4:00
(White’s Take: This is one of the matches that you think should under five minutes but will probably be a back-and-forth-ten-minute-plus affair. The near-squash match was pleasantly surprising and gave Bailey a chance to pick up a win on TV while putting over his offense and finisher. Somewhat ironically, he basically missed that finisher, but it still got the win.)
-They threw to a video highlighting The Texas Death Match between MJF and Adam Page at Revolution before highlighting that MJF would be returning Dynamite up next. [c]
[HOUR TWO]
-MJF’s music played and he stepped out to the stage and posed in front of a shower of sparks. He continued to the ring in a blue suit, scarf, sunglasses, and the AEW World Championship. MJF said “ladies and gentlemen,” noting he uses the word loosely since they’re in Minnesota (which he pronounced with an exaggerated Midwest accent). He said not only is he world champion, but he’s the man who hanged the Hangman. He said that Page could never, ever (“ever” was at least 20 times) challenge for the title again. MJF said it was the easiest match of his entire career. MJF said he’s still world champion and no one deserves it more than him, because his name is Maxwell Jacob Friedman, and he’s better than you, and you know it. He said he’s double-dipping catchphrases and added “ain’t nobody on the level of the devil.”
Keny Omega’s music played and he stepped out on the stage. Kenny walked to the ring and stepped through the ropes. The crowd chanted for Kenny as he stared down MJF. MJF asked if he could help him and Kenny retrieved a microphone. Kenny said you’d have to excuse the way he’s dressed and smells because he just had a match and added that it “begs the question” (does it?) what MJF’s excuse is. Kenny said he’s tired of listening to MJF, or “the devil.” Kenny listed his own nicknames, saying he never put himself above others. Kenny said that for evil, there’s always a strong good force, and said “the god of professional wrestling” may be the right person to take the title from MJF.
The crowd chanted for Kenny as he told MJF that, during their first match, he was better than a 60-80 percent of Kenny. But he said he’s back now. Kenny said his first loss to Swerve taught him not to fall for any further hijinks. Kenny said he’s near 100%, and probably better than MJF, and it’s okay if the fans know it; but the most important part, is that MJF knows it. Kenny said they’ll see who the better man is at Dynasty, and offered a handshake. MJF said, at Dynasty, it’s “the god” versus “the devil.” He spurned the handshake and left the ring. Kenny asked where MJF’s manners were, but they didn’t need to hear anymore of his catchphrases. Kenny signed off with his catchphrase instead.
(White’s Take: MJF delivered a typically good promo. Kenny’s promo was very good by his standards, but still came off a bit awkward compared to the confidence and competence of MJF’s delivery.)
-Adam Copeland and Christian Cage were with Renee backstage. Christian said that life is about making choices, and FTR chose to turn their back on Copeland and chose to jump them at All Out, and chose to spike piledriver Beth. Christian said, that even worse than that, they chose to piledrive him. Christian walked off, Copeland seemed miffed, calling Christian and “asshole.” Copeland said he knows two bigger assholes, and they threw away their friendship. He said he’ll hurt them by taking the tag titles, but also said he’s going to end their careers.
-FTR’s music played and they walked out with Stokely, not in a wheelchair. Stokely said no one should care about with Christian and Copeland have to say, but they should care about what FTR have to say. Cash said if they want to talk about choices, they made the choice to dump their dead weight. He said they won’t live in his shadow, because they’re the best tag team of their generation and take a backseat to no one. Cash admitted that Adam helped him out, but he doesn’t need him anymore, because he has a new family. Dax said the tough guy act doesn’t scare him, because neither Christian nor Copeland are the men they used to be. Dax said if he’ll drop Copeland’s wife on her head, just imagine what he’ll do to him.
(White’s Take: Christian stole the promo battle by being hilarious, yet completely serious and in character. Adam Copeland delivered one of his better promos of his AEW career also, even as he resorted the tired “end your career” line. FTR’s response was good as well, but they didn’t address Stokely being out of his wheelchair and walking around, which was disappointing.)
(4) THE CONGLOMERATION (Roderick Strong & Orange Cassidy) vs. THE DOGS (Clark Connors & David Finlay)
Orange Cassidy’s music played before FTR even got up the ramp. Cassidy got into a shoving match with FTR before Strong broke things up and got his team to the ring. The cut backstage to David Finaly and Clark Connors. Finaly shoved same random guy on their way out and then the team made their way to the ring. The bell rang to start the match 18 minutes into the second hour.
Finaly hit a chop and Cassidy tagged out immediately. Strong entered and thy traded forearms until Finaly wrestled Strong into the corner to tag in Connors. Strong his a chop on Connors and forced him into the corner where Cassidy added lethargic chops to go with it. Strong set Connors across his knee in backbreaker, and Cassidy delivered a weak elbow drop.
Connors reversed a whip and sent Cassidy into the corner. Finlay tagged in, but Cassidy hit Connors from the apron and rammed Finlay’s face into the turnbuckle. Cassidy went for a crossbody, from the top rope, but Connors and Finlay caught him in the air. Cassidy flipped out and took both men down with a double hurricanrana.
They rolled out of the ring and Cassidy went for a suicide dive, but Finlay caught him in the air. Connors knocked Cassidy to the floor with a running shoulder and then they slammed Strong on the outside as well as they went to commercial. [c]
Back from break, Strong dodged a high-low double team and delivered a series of punches. Strong tagged in Cassidy, lifted him up and threw him into Finlay in one corner and then tossed Cassidy into a flying DDT on Connors. Cassidy covered Connors, but only got two. Strong lifted Finlay onto his shoulders as Cassidy climbed the ropes, but Finlay slipped off and shoved Strong into the turnbuckle. Finlay dropped Strong with a clothesline but Cassidy came off the top rope and plan ted him with a flying DDT.
Finlay dragged Cassidy under the rope to the outside as Strong lifted Connors onto his shoulders. Finlay slid in and saved his partner. Strong got to his feet and The Dogs nailed him with a combination spear and chop block. Cassidy entered the ring with his hands in his pockets and took down Finlay and Connors with a double dropkick.
Cassidy took Finlay down with a swinging DDT. Connors blocked a Beach Break attempt, but Cassidy caught him with a running penalty kick. Cassidy called for the Orange Punch, but Connors ducked it and Finlay caught him from behind with a chop blow. Finlay lifted Cassidy up into a suplex as Connors came off the top rope and hit a flying spear as Finlay completed the suplex in a tag team move they call The Full Clip. Connors made the cover and got the win.
WINNERS: The Dogs in 11:00
(White’s Take: The Conglomeration could’ve won this, seeing as they had a spat with the tag champs right before the match. However, I was glad to see the laziest-named faction in wrestling getting the win over the worst-named faction in wrestling. The Dogs could use a win after coming up short at Revolution. A fine match with classic OC silliness and skill mixed with Strong’s crisp performance and sense of urgency while The Dogs continue to establish themselves as a dangerous group.)
-Divine Dominion were backstage, saying there’s not much to say that can’t be seen. Kross said Willow bit off more than she can chew and now she’s going to choke. Bayne said Harley’s optimism won’t save her and she should go play with puppets. [c]
-Kyle Fletcher was backstage and told St. Paul to say his full name. Fletcher said that beating his mentor puts everything into perspective and he’s on track to become the greatest TNT Champion of all time. Fletcher added that he’s undefeated in 2026, unlike Kenny and MJF. Fletcher said they shouldn’t be aligned with MJF, they should be fighting him. He said he is the man to do so. Takeshita stepped in and Fletcher told him he doesn’t want anything to come between them. Takeshita said nothing will come between them, especially Okada, and that Protoshita came first.
(5) THEKLA vs. MINA SHIRAKAWA – AEW Women’s World Championship match
Mian Shirakawa danced her way to the ring holding a bouquet of flowers while the announcers highlighted the mystery of who took out Toni Storm. Thekla made her aggressive entrance complete with towers of fire. The bell rang to start the match 38 minutes into the second hour as Schiavone said this match could be a main event, but Andrade and Darby would tear the ring down (even though Andrade isn’t wrestling).
The crowd chanted for a more-serious-than-normal Mina. Mina tossed Thekla into the corner and tossed her across the ring a few times. Mina lifted Thekla’s feet onto the top rope and planted her with a hanging DDT. Thekla rolled to the floor, and Mina followed.
Mina delivered a snap suplex on the floor. Mina rolled Thekla into the ring and then landed a tornillo over the top rope. Mina hooked the leg but only got two. Mina continued with a combination of strikes before whipping Thekla into the ropes. Thekla caught herself and then executed a drop toe hold that sent Mina onto the ropes. Thekla hit a running boot that knocked Mina to the apron.
Thekla stepped out with her and went for a German suplex, but Mina slipped off to the floor and swept out Thekla’s feet, sending her face first into the apron. Mina grabbed Thekla by the head and dragged her off the apron and DDT’d her onto the floor as they went to commercial. [c]
Back from break, Thekla had Mina down in an armlock in the center of the ring. They showed a replay from commercial with Thekla hitting a stomp across Mina’s back on the floor. Thekla rolled around in the ring, mocking Toni Storm. Thekla rocked Mina with a forearm, mocked Toni Storm’s pose again before going into her spider walk.
Thekla charged Mina, but Mina hit her with a running knee. Mina straddled Thekla and punched away. Mina took Thekla back down with a slingblade and slapped Thekla across the face. Mina hit a running back elbow in the corner and climbed to the top rope. Mina connected with a shotgun dropkick from the top rope. Mina went for the pin, but Thekla kicked out at two.
Mina put Thekla into a single leg crab and reached back to pull her hair. Thekla still managed to crawl to the ropes to break the hold. Mina dragged Thekla to the center of the ring and went for the figure four, but Thekla booted her way out of it. Thekla ducked a spinning backfist and landed a hard right hand. Mina came back with a spinning forearm and Thekla bounced right back with a sudden spear, but she couldn’t make the pin and both women were left down in the center of the ring.
Thekla got to her feet and took off her belt, but the ref took it from her. As the ref was getting rid of the belt, Thekla pulled brass knuckles out of the top. Thekla swung with the knuckles, but Mina ducked it and landed a spinning backfist. Mina set Thekla up for a back suplex, but Thekla spun int eh air and clocked Mina with the brass knuckles. The ref didn’t see it and Thekla landed in pinning position for the win.
WINNER: Thekla in 11:00 to retain the Women’s Word Championship
(White’s Take: Thekla performed well as usual, but Mina kind of stole the show with her new serious and aggressive performance. The cheap finish isn’t too disappointing, as a heel cheating to win is supposed to garner heat. I’d guess Mina gets a longer, more prominent rematch at Dynasty and, based on this match, it could be quite good.)
-Renee was backstage with Kenny Omega and she congratulated him on his night. Renee informed Kenny that the contract signing for his match at Revolution, but with a no contact clause. Kenny wasn’t surprised by MJF’s chicanery, skullduggery, or tomfoolery. Kenny said it’s been a while since he’s been in this position, but he said he’s the man to take the title. “Speedball” stepped in to tell Kenny that he’s earned the title of “the god of pro wrestling.” Bailey told Kenny that when he wins, he’ll be first to challenge for the world title, but right now, all he wants is a handshake. “Speedball” shook Kenny’s hand awkwardly for too long, with Kenny having to tell him to let go. [c]
-The Demand were backstage where Ricochet said he wanted to apologize to everybody for losing his cool. He said he was unjustifiably screwed for losing his title in a 21-man battle royale. Ricochet said he defended that title in singles matches but doesn’t understand why Kenny is getting a shot at the world title. Ricochet reminded Kenny that the one time they met, he won the match. Ricochet said that when you’re in demand, you make demands, Kaun and Liona added that if you don’t follow demands, you get put down.
(6) RUSH vs. DARBY ALLIN – No Countouts match
Rush made his entrance and he got the fire flames as well. They showed an inset video of Rush getting the win for his team on Collision. Darby made his entrance to a ring bathed in black light. Darby hopped into the ring and was immediately ejected by Rush as the bell rang to start the match 58 minutes into the second hour.
Rush repeatedly rammed Darby into the barricade. Rush looked for something under the ring but gave up and hit Darby with a running kick. Rush whipped Darby back into the barricade and rammed his face into a chair sitting ringside. Rush whipped Darby across the floor into the steel stairs.
[HOUR THREE]
Rush pulled the stairs away from the ringpost, allowing Darby time to come back with a few right hand shots. Darby attempted to whip Rush, but Rush blocked it, landed a puncha dn tossed Darby into the barricade yet again. Rush whipped Darby into the stairs, which he flipped over before crashing into the barricade on the other side.
Darby swept Rush’s feet out from under him, getting him stuck in the ring skirt. Darby slammed Rush’s face into the apron and slid into the ring. Darby got a running start and went for a suicide dive, but Rush sidestepped him and Darby crashed into the floor and barricade.
Rush set Darby up on the apron as a loud “F Ice” chant rang out through the arena. Darby caught Rush with a right hand on the apron, but Rush came back with a big overhead belly-to-belly throw that sent Darby bouncing off of the apron and crashing to the floor as they went to commercial. [c]
They returned from commercial as Rush stomped on a bloodied Darby in the corner. Rush set up for the Bull’s Horns, but pulled up short and just kicked Darby in the race. Rush rolled back and posed in the center of the ring, but Darby suddenly came to life and pummeled Rush. Darby charged Rush int eh corner, but Rush caught him with a headbutt.
Rush lifted Darby up for a suplex from the apron, but Darby blocked it and raked Rush’s back. Darby climbed to the top rope as Rush remained on the apron against the rope. Darby hit Rush with a coffin drop that knocked him off the apron and to the floor. Darby slid into the ring, hit the ropes, and drilled Rush with a suicide dive to the outside.
Darby set Rush up in a chair and delivered an overhand chop before biting at Rush’s forehead. With Rush still in the chair on the outside, Darby climbed to the top rope in the ring. Darby jumped from the top rope and delivered a dropkick to Rush on the outside. The chair and Rush both crumbled to the floor.
Darby rolled Rush into the ring and went for the pin, but Rush immediately kicked out. Darby and Rush traded shots in the center of the ring. Darby hit an overhand chop and Rush fired back with a. series of chops. Darby hit a combination of strikes into a code red. Darby held on for the pin, but Rush kicked out at two.
Darby charged Rush in the corner, but Rush caught him with an overhead belly-to-belly that shot Darby into the corner. Rush stomped away at Darby in the corner until the ref pulled him off. Darby stood up and asked for more. Rush happily obliged with a running elbow in the corner. Rush set up for the Bull’s Horn, but Darby rolled out of the way. As Rush recovered, Darby caught him with a jackknife pin and got the victory.
WINNER: Darby Allin in 12:00
-Darby quickly ran up the ramp as the announcers noted that Darby has won seven matches in a row. The Callis Family appeared from behind and Mark Davis quickly lifted Darby up and planted him with a sudden piledriver. The announcers reminded everyone that MJF had paid them off to beat Darby down. Lance Archer, Rocky Romero, and Trent rolled Darby into the ring and stomped away at him as Andrade, visibly frustrated, talked to Don on the ramp. Archer hit Darby with a chokeslam. The Callis Family stood over a fallen Darby as they signed off.
FINAL THOUGHTS: A lot of really good stuff on this episode of Dynamite, and therefore a very good show overall. The great opening match is the kind performance AEW likes to hang its hat on, and this was a fantastic showing in that regard. On the other end of the card, you had Darby in a main event less violent than how he’s recently been featured, although Rush seems to forget that wrestling is a work, so it was still a violent contest. A decent women’s world title match with an ending made to build to a future match. Furthermore, everyone was on their promo game tonight. Ospreay, MJF, Christian & Copeland, FTR, The Demand, and even Kenny in his own, still-awkward way, all used words efficiently to forward their storylines. While there are some nits to pick, the only majorly questionable decision was leaving Brody King off the card in Minnesota. If they were looking to avoid the “F ice” chants, that’s weak and also didn’t work. Meanwhile, they avoided putting one of their rising stars on a show where he would’ve garnered a massive, positive crowd reaction that would’ve certainly lit up social media and likely broke into mainstream media. I hope that it was a dumb oversight, but am concerned it was a decision made out of fear, or worse, a decision that came down from the top.
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