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AEW DYNAMITE REPORT
APRIL 1, 2026
WINNEPEG, MANITOBA AT CANADA LIFE CENTRE
AIRED ON TBS & HBO MAX
REPORT BY WADE KELLER, PWTORCH EDITOR
Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Bryan Danielson
Attendance: WrestleTix reported that 4,667 tickets had been distributed as of showtime; arena is set up for 4,856. On the prior visit on May 1, 2024 nearly two years ago, they drew 5,377. The arena has a capacity of 16,345 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 Dennis Kline 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]
-Tony Schiavone stood mid-ring and was about to introduce the contract signing for MJF vs. Kenny Omega, but a pryo blast interrupted him. Schiavone did a good job seeming irked and surprised. He continued, but then more pyro blasted. It was a bit disconcerting, actually. But then Chris Jericho’s “Judas” played and he came out in front of his hometown crowd to a good ovation. Fans chanted “Holy shit!” and “Welcome back!” and “Welcome home!” Then he looked around as scattered fans cheered but it got quiet. He said, “Winnpeg, AEW, I’m home.”
(Keller’s Analysis: Interesting surprise. I’d say he got a nice ovation for sure, but he milked the moment too long and stood there in virtual silence right before speaking after having to wave his arms to get cheers or chants going in the preceding minute, I think he was hoping for a big third wave or something and it didn’t come. Maybe fans just wanted to be silent so they could hear him speak. When he said, “I’m home,” he got a medium pop and then his music played again and he tried to get the crowd going. Honestly, it felt like he would walk away from that thinking he has some work to do. I have no idea how many fans in Canada know how steadfastly pro-MAGA he has been, but with Canada’s deserved disgust with American politics, that could be working against him with some fans. Having Jericho not say anything else feels a little bit like a letdown, especially in his hometown, but I also understand advertising him to speak for the first time. He did escape without a loud “F— ICE!” chant. No guarantees going forward he won’t face those.)
-They went to Excalibur, Schiavone, and Nigel McGuinness at ringside. Excalibur said it was a bombshell return after nearly a year away. Schiavone said it brought water to his eyes.
-They cut backstage where Will Ospreay attacked Jon Moxley. Security intervened.
-Excalibur apologized for the “coarse language.” He seemed to express concern that Ospreay might have put at risk his ability to wrestle later although Ospreay seemed fine as he was dragged away by security.
-MJF then made his ring entrance. Omega made his entrance next. They sat at the desk. Omega signed the contract right away. As MJF started to talk, Omega cut him off and told him to shut his mouth. He said he knows what he has in mind and what kind of man he is. He said he rehearsed his speech in front of a bathroom mirror and thought, “Oooh, I’m hot stuff.” He took a dig at his “beautiful hair plugs.” Omega said MJF has people believing the fans are there for him. He said even their boss thinks that. Omega said the fans are actually there “to see the best wrestle.” Omega said if he’s the antithesis of what MJF is, maybe he can indeed be the God of Wrestling. He said somebody needs to knock him down a peg and strike him down and make sure he is never close to that belt ever again, “and I am the one that is going to do it.”
MJF took off his sunglasses as Omega stared him down. Fans chanted, “Kenny! Kenny!” MJF stood and patronizingly applauded. He asked Omega, “So this is you are 100 percent?” He laughed and then apologized and said he was being rude. He said his neck, shoulders, and knees are aging as fast “as the bags of milk you stupid Canadians drink out of.” Fans chanted, “Shut the f— up!” MJF said he wants to talk about what keeps him up at night. He asked fans if they were wondering why Omega was suddenly so desperate to be World Champion. MJF leaned in and asked Omega, “Are you going to tell them or will I?” He said a doctor scanned Omega’s stomach and it turned out that his diverticulitis is so severe that his intestines can explode anytime, anywhere. “Scare stuff,” he said. “Your stomach over there is a ticking time bomb. Your career, hell, your life is on a fast winding clock. You are on a race against time to cement your legacy.” He said the news for him gets worse. He said his disciples will have no choice but to be embarrassed and ashamed of him because they’ll have to admit their god is nothing but a false idol “who would be better off dead.”
Omega leaped to his feet and knocked over the table. MJF offered his chin to Omega. “Speedball” Mike Bailey ran into the ring and stood between them. MJF told Speedball to get his “wax on, wax off out of my (bleep).” Speedball yanked the mic from MJF. Speedball said MJF was trying to goad Omega into hitting him so he didn’t have to defend his title against him at Dynasty because he’s afraid of him. He said without Omega, there is no AEW, and without AEW, there is no MJF. He said he walks around like he’s owed respect, but respect is earned. He said he needs to respect that Omega is a living legend. Speedball offered to kick some sense into his head. “Let’s do it right here, right now, in the greatest country on Earth!” he said.
Omega asked MJF if he should tell everyone the bad news. He said he spoke to his doctor, too. “So much for HIPPA laws, hugh?” he said. He admitted his intestines are in rough shape and he’s missing 24 inches of them. “But I’d rather be missing my intestines than missing my balls,” he said. (Wait, MJF had his testicles removed? That’s breaking news, if true.)
MJF told them the Canadian Comrades are cute. He accepted Speedball’s challenge for a main event match tonight. He said he would make an example out of him. He said Canada is a dump and he hails from the only country that matters, the United States of America. He said tonight Speedball is wrestling an American hero.
(Keller’s Analysis: Good segment, although with Omega last week saying he wrestled against doctor’s advice to please the fans and now he’s wrestling with an exploding time bomb in his intestines, it makes it difficult to cheer on Omega continuing to pursue great matches.)
-The Demand made their ring entrance. Omega and Speedball were still in the ring. Brody King made his entrance. They cut to a 90 second break. [c]
(Keller’s Analysis: Did they cut to a commercial after Brody came out, right before his partners came out, to be away at a break during potential “F— ICE!” chants? It’s something to keep an eye on, if it seems Tony Khan is trying to avoid controversy given the new pending owners of the networks he’s on in the U.S. being so MAGA-alligned.)
(1) THE DEMAND (Ricochet & GOA) vs. BRODY KING & “JUNGLE” JACK PERRY & KENNY OMEGA
The announcers discussed MJF’s access to private medical info on Omega. Schiavone said Omega has been through a lot and isn’t what he once was, but then said he is 100 percent. The bell rang 26 minutes into the hour. They cut to a double-box break at 5:00 with the heels in control. [c/db]
Perry clotheslined Ricochet after the break and then leaped and tagged in Omega. Nigel expressed skepticism that MJF’s medical report on Omega was accurate, which was weird since Omega was right there when MJF said it and didn’t dispute it. He even said MJF must’ve had access to his doctor, since he then said he had access to MJF’s doctor “too.” Brody landed a cannonball in the corner on all three opponents and then scored a two count against Bishop Kaun. Excalibur noted Collision airs on Thursday night tomorrow night. (It’ll be interesting how that affects TNA Impact ratings on AMC.) The line-up includes Moxley vs. Anthony Bowens in a Continental Title eliminator match.
The heels took over again. Ricochet landed a 450 splash. Schiavone acknowledged it landed on his abdomen and intestines. Perry yanked on Ricochet’s boot as he was about to launch himself toward Omega. Perry then flip dove at GOA, but they caught him. Brody then leaped through the ropes and tackled GOA. Ricochet rallied and went for a top rope 450, but Omega avoided him and then landed a leaping knee. Ricochet countered Omega into a reverse huracanrana. They battled back and forth with a nice sequence leading to a near fall for Ricochet.
Ricochet expressed frustration. Perry landed a leaping knee at Kaun at ringside. Perry yanked the National Title belt out of Ricochet’s hands. Ricochet shoved Omega into Perry who had the belt in his hands on the ring apron. He scored a near fall. Omega came back with a running V-Trigger and a One-Winged Angel for the win.
WINNERS: Omega & Perry & Brody in 18:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Nice action. It’s good to see Brody getting TV time consistently now.)
-Willow Nightingale sang “Winnipeg!” She said she is the face of TBS and maybe tomorrow night they’ll call her the face of TNT. She said she wants to wrestle the very best.
(Keller’s Analysis: She clicked her tongue at the end of her promo as if she was very pleased with her delivery. Does she watch her promos back and really think that her “Aren’t-I-Just-Precious-and-Adorable” tone is a good thing and to stick with it? I’d love to see her have the confidence to just talk like a regular ambitious athlete instead of whatever she is going for.)
-Renee Paquette said Adam Copeland and Christian Cage were in their way into the arena. She asked them what their plan is. Copeland said they’re there to take out FTR. Christian wielded a chair and Copeland said Renee is not their enemy. Christian walked away. Copeland told him, “Renee, really? Renee?” [c]
-Backstage, Copeland & Christian barged into the locker room with Trent Beretta and Rocky Romero. They said it was rude of them to barge in and said FTR aren’t there, but they are on Collision tomorrow night. Copeland and Christian said they are in their way and then attacked them.
-As Pac made his entrance, Renee did her ringside report. She said Pac told her he couldn’t care less about Ospreay’s “fairy tale return.” Ospreay them made his way out. Pac found his way from ringside to the back area again so he could jump Ospreay from behind. He delivered a brainbuster on the ramp. The medical staff came out to check on him. Schiavone said he’s not sure if Ospreay could continue. Excalibur said if Ospreay is ruled out tonight, he might be ruled out for his match against Moxley at Dynasty. Pac called for Ospreay to get to the ring. The medic told Ospreay his neck is a concern and he needs more time. Ospreay ignored him and entered the ring.
(Keller’s Analysis: I think AEW overestimates fans’ desire to see wrestlers put their long-term well-being on the line to wrestle, going back to Bryan Danielson’s penchant for acting like he suffered legit serious head and neck injuries. Earlier they built that into the Omega story, perhaps setting up a reason for his loss to MJF. And now Ospreay wrestling despite the medic at ringside telling him his neck is injured and he just needs more time.)
(2) PAC vs. WILL OSPREAY
The bell rang 55 minutes into the hour. Pac attacked Ospreay as soon as he entered the ring. They cut to an early double-box break. [c/db]
[HOUR TWO]
Ospreay made a comeback and landed a flying forearm. Schiavone said Ospreay’s neck isn’t in great shape, but his legs seemed fine. Ospreay blocked a DDT attempt by Pac and turned it into a brainbuster and then landed a 450 splash for a near fall at 6:00.
Pac caught Ospreay at ringside and turned it into a DDT. Both were down and slow to get up as the ref counted. They cut to another double-box break at 9:00. [c/db]
Ospreay landed a Styles Clash for a near fall. Ospreay countered a top rope Pac huracanrana and landed on his feet. Pac came back with a huracanrana into a leverage two count. Pac caught Ospreay with a clothesline as Ospreay charged off the ropes. Ospreay bumped onto his head and neck, which Excalibur noted. Pac then gave Ospreay a tombstone piledriver. He dragged Ospreay face-down in position for a Black Arrow. He then applied a Brutalizer. Ospreay stood while in the hold. Ospreay almost got his boot on the bottom rope to force a break, but Pac pulled him away. Ospreay used that momentum to leverage Pac’s shoulders down for a three count.
WINNER: Ospreay in 17:00.
-Pac attacked Ospreay afterward. The ref scolded Pac. Ospreay lunged with a Hidden Blade. Wheeler Yuta and Daniel Garcia stomped away on Ospreay. Claudio Castagnoli brought a chair into the ring and put Ospreay’s head through it. Schiavone said this stomp would end Ospreay’s career. Claudio was about to stomp him, but Mox stopped him. Mox then took a mic and leaned down and told Ospreay he’ll be okay. He patted him on the head. “Did I put you here or did you put you here?” he asked. He said it could have been a real, real bad night for him. He told him next time to “use your head or you might lose it permanently.” He told Ospreay it wasn’t personal, but added, “Don’t make it personal.” The Death Riders left as Moxley’s music played.
(3) THE BRAWLING BIRDS (Jamie Hayter & Alex Windsor) & MINA SHIRAKAWA vs. TRIANGLE OF MADDNESS (Thekla & Skye Blue & Julia Hart)
The bell rang 22 minutes into the hour. They cut to a double-box break at 2:00. [c/db]
Shirakawa hot-tagged in against Thekla. Excalibur said the list of suspects of “who killed Toni Storm” is long. Nigel said she’s not dead, but it could be a very long time before they see her again. Thekla and Shirakawa were both down and slow to get up. The Brawling Birds went after Julia Hart next. Jamie Hayter blocked a Thekla brass knuckles shotShe then hit a HayterAid for the three count.
WINNERS: Hayter & Windsor & Shirakawa in 9:00.
-A clip aired of recent Tommaso Ciampa highlights of his battles against Ace Austin and Juice Robinson. Excalibur said Ciampa faces Juice tomorrow on Collision.
-Darby Allin made his entrance. He stepped out and said they should stop his music. He said he hasn’t seen god yet, so he wanted to see The Devil again. He said MJF is working Don Callis because he’s scared of him. He said he hopes Omega or anyone beats him to end “this bullshit run you’re on.” He entered the ring and called for him to come out.
Don Callis walked out Andrade, Lance Archer, Hechicero, and El Clon. He MJF wanted him to deliver a message. He said he wants him to know that if he can beat a hand-picked member of The Don Callis Family at Dynasty, he’ll grant him a title match. He revealed Andrade is chosen opponents. Andrade reacted with surprise. Callis said MJF paid him to send the others to the ring to go after him. Darby hit Archer with his skateboard. Brody King and Perry made the save, then entered the ring and approached Darby. There was tension between them. Omega then made his entrance.
Darby stepped up to Omega and then walked past him to the back. Omega slapped hands at ringside. [c]
(4) MJF vs. “SPEEDBALL” MIKE BAILEY
A huge United States flag dropped from the ceiling and MJF’s face was in place of stars. Omega joined the announcers on commentary. MJF attacked Speedball before the bell. The ref gave him time to recover. The bell rang 43 minutes into the hour. MJF gouged Speedball’s eyes to stop his comeback. Omega said that’s the type of thing he’ll have to look out for in their match at Dynasty.
MJF set up Heat Seeker at 9:00, but Speedball blocked and then dove onto MJF at ringside. They cut to a double-box break. [c/db]
Speedball rallied and scored a near fall at 14:00. Nigel asked Omega about what he said to Darby as they crossed paths. He said they’re on the same team now, but hoped to face down the line. MJF landed a tombstone on the ring apron. He followed with a Heat Seeker for a three count.
WINNER: MJF in 16:00.
-MJF attacked Speedball after the match. Omega made the save. A medic checked on Speedball. Omega raised his arm as Speedball eventually stood.
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
PWTorch editor Wade Keller and PWTorch’s Dennis Kline 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/4ayruppx78
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.
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