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AEW DYNAMITE REPORT
APRIL 1, 2026
WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA AT CANADA LIFE CENTRE
AIRED ON TBS & HBO MAX
REPORT BY CHRISTOPHER ADAMS, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Excalibur, Tony Schiavone
Ring Announcer: Justin Roberts
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[HOUR ONE]
-Tony Schiavone stood in the ring, introducing the show. As he spoke, fireworks interrupted him. Then, Chris Jericho’s music hit and he made his way to the ring as the crowd sang along loudly. Once his music died, the crowd chanted “holy shit,” “welcome home,” and “welcome back.”
He took the mic, shouted “Winnipeg! AEW! I’m home.” He smiled at the camera as his music hit and he left the ring.
Excalibur spoke about Jericho’s return and his absence. The camera quickly cut backstage as Will Ospreay attacked Jon Moxley. Yuta attempted to assist, but Ospreay threw him into barrels. Security intervened, along with Marina Shafir, and then the camera cut back into the arena.
MJF’s music then hit as he walked to the ring for the contract signing.
Kenny Omega’s music hit, and as he walked to the ring, the camera cut to a bored-looking MJF, still wearing his sunglasses, sitting at the desk. Commentary highlighted that this contract signing includes a no-physicality clause.
Both men signed the contract and grabbed microphones. MJF spoke first, but Kenny cut him off. He told him to shut his mouth. After saying MJF had ‘nice, new hairplugs,’ he said that it wasn’t going to go the way MJF planned. Kenny said everybody was there to watch the best wrestle, not to see MJF. Kenny said he wasn’t interested in a war of words. He only wanted the championship.
“Maybe I can be the god of professional wrestling, because Max, somebody needs to know you down a peg, somebody needs to strike you down, and somebody needs to make sure you’re never close to that belt again, and I’m the one to do it.”
MJF handed his sunglasses to the cameraman, then spoke. He insulted Kenny’s body, comparing it to the “bags of milk” Canadians drank. The crowd shouted, “Shut the fuck up.” MJF said, “No!” MJF said he wants to talk about the thing Kenny doesn’t want anybody to know. MJF said Kenny wants the title more than anyone in professional wrestling, and asked the crowd if they knew why. “Before Kenny Omega returned to AEW, he had a doctor’s visit. He took some scans on your stomach. Turns out, your diverticulitis is at the point where your intestines could explode at any moment, anywhere. Your stomach over there is a ticking time bomb. Your life is on a fast winding clock.”
At Dynasty, MJF said the fans will have to admit that their god is a false idol better off dead! Kenny flipped the table, and MJF taunted Kenny to hit him. But “Speedball” Mike Bailey intervened, stepping between Kenny and MJF.
Speedball said MJF walks around like he is owed respect. He said MJF should respect Kenny as a living legend. “Max, the only place you’re a living legend is inside your mind.” He threatened to kick sense into MJF’s head in the greatest country on earth tonight.
Kenny said that he’d rather be missing some of his stomach than missing his balls. MJF agreed to fight Speedball in the main event, saying he will make an example of Speedball. MJF called Canada a dump and left the ring.
(Adams’ Analysis: I am in love with this feud, especially the “god vs. devil” of it all. It adds a mythological element to this feud. It’s more than generational. It’s cosmic in its weight. Kenny Omega vs MJF to determine who the greatest professional wrestler alive is. It’s stunning in it’s magnitude. Are they really hairplugs?)
Ricochet’s music hit, and the Demand came out.
(1) KENNY OMEGA & BRODY KING & “JUNGLE” JACK PERRY vs. THE DEMAND (Ricochet & Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona)
Ricochet and the Demand came out first. Brody King’s music hit and he slid into the ring, joining Kenny Omega. They cut to a commercial. [c]
Returning from commercial, Jungle Jack Perry’s music hit and he came out smiling and high-fiving fans. Excalibur said Ricochet wants to make an example of Brody and Kenny and get his title back from Perry. The bell rang at 25:00. Bishop Kaun and Kenny locked up in the center of the ring, reversing headlocks. Interference allowed the Demand to take control and tag Ricochet into the match. Kenny was able to tag out after reversing attacks by Ricochet.
After smashing Ricochet down, Brody King attempted a pin for a two count. The action went ringside, with Perry moonsaulting onto everybody. Brody and Ricochet returned to the ring, then so did everybody else. Kenny, Perry, and King performed simultaneous suplexes onto the demand. Perry remained in the ring along with Ricochet. The action went ringside with Toa Liona beating down Jungle Jack Perry, then they cut to commercial [c]
The Demand was in control of Jack Perry, triple-teaming him before Toa Liona went for a pin, only securing a two-count. Jack landed a lariat on Ricochet, shifting the momentum and allowing for a hot tag. Kenny tagged in, and so did Bishop Kaun. They fought in the center of the ring, with Kenny landing his senton and moonsault, attempting a pin for a two count. Rapid-fire offense on Ricochet and Toa Liona was slowed down by Toa Liona. Kenny and Brody King tamed up on Toa, with Kenny landing a snapdragon suplex.
The action went ringside, with multiple dives by Ricochet to the outside. Back inside the ring, Ricochet landed a 450 splash on Kenny, pinning him for 2. Ringside, Brody King performed a Suicide Dive onto the Demand as they attempted to slam Perry.
Ricochet landed a Fosbury Flop onto Brody King, landing on his feet. Back in the ring, Kenny landed a massive knee but missed a V-Trigger. Ricochet set up for a suplex, but Kenny landed a poisonrana.
Brody King and Toa Leona smashed through the timekeeper’s table as Ricochet and Kenny fought in the ring. Ricochet landed a driver, followed by a pin attempt for 2. After back-and-forth action, Kenny landed a V-Trigger and a One-Winged Angel on Ricochet to secure the victory with a three-count pin.
WINNER: Kenny Omega in 12:00.
(Adams’ Analysis: A wildly entertaining match with very good spots and intensity. Bishop Kahn delivered a pump kick that was felt through the screen.)
-They cut backstage to Willow, who said she wants to defend her TBS championship. She said she wants to wrestle the very best. “Let’s tune in tomorrow and see who steps up to the challenge.”
-They cut backstage to Renee Paquette. Cope and Cage came to the interview holding chairs. Cope said they were there to take out FTR. Cage almost hit Renee with a chair, but Cope stopped him. They cut to a commercial. [c]
-Cope and Cage kicked in the door of FTR’s locker room. Two members of the Don Callis Family were in the locker room, so Cope and Cage beat them up because ‘they were in their way.’
(2) PAC vs. WILL OSPREAY
Pac’s music hit, and we saw him seated in the concourse. As he walked to the ring, Renee spoke ringside, highlighting the history between Ospreay and the Death Riders.
Ospreay’s music hit, and as he was on the ramp, Pac attacked him from behind. He then performed a brainbuster on Ospreay. Medical staff checked on Ospreay; Pac stood in the ring, acting innocent.
Ospreay stood up and made his way toward the ring. The crowd chanted ‘Ospreay.’ Ospreay entered the ring, and they rang the bell at 54:11. Ospreay landed a boot on Ospreay and continued to dominate with violent offense before they cut to commercial. [c]
Back from commercial, Pac controlled Ospreay with a headlock. A snapmare attempt was reversed by Ospreay, who struggled to get to his feet after a flying forearm.
[HOUR TWO]
A flurry of offense resulted in Ospreay pinning Pac for 2. Ospreay caught Pac’s moonsault attempt and converted it into a brainbuster. He then landed a 450 splash, pinning PAC for 2. Excalibur called this show “ten pounds of action in a five-pound bag.” On the apron, Pac and Ospreay traded strikes over the turnbuckle. Ospreay attempted a German suplex from the apron to the floor, but Pac resisted. Pac landed his moonsault/DDT combo to take control of Ospreay. Both men were on their backs, with Pac entering at 7 but Ospreay at 9. Pac immediately placed Ospreay in the Brutalizer, but Ospreay forced a ropebreak. They cut to commercial. [c]
In the center of the ring, Pac attempted to stomp Ospreay’s head in the ring. Ospreay stood, and both men traded blows in the center of the ring. Pac landed a German suplex, bridging it into a pin for a two count. Ospreay landed a Styles Clash and pinned Pac, but Pac kicked at two.
Pac landed several significant attacks on Ospreay, culminating in the Black Arrow and the Brutalizer. Commentary noted that Pac landed it on the legs, which made it more difficult for Ospreay to crawl towards the ropes. Ospreay attempted to stand, but collapsed under the weight. Ospreay reversed another attempt at the Brutalizer and pinned Pac for 3.
WINNER: Ospreay in 17:00
-The action continued, and Ospreay landed a Hidden Blade as Pac tried to attack him. The Death Riders entered the ring, with Claudio holding a hair. They put Ospreay’s head in the chair, and Mox stood above him to speak. “Did I put you here, or did you put you here? This could have been a really bad night for you, but I’m going to give you some advice. Use your head or you might lose it permanently.” The Death Riders’ music hit, and they left the ring.
(Adams’ Analysis: This feud has become white hot. I must admit that watching Ospreay land on his fused neck seemed wildly irresponsible. Fused bones take years to fully heal, so he’s asking for trouble. The chemistry was astounding, and these men should meet again. A bit more care for the neck next time, Will?)
-Commentary highlighted the action of the special Thursday edition of AEW Collision, as well as the rest of Dynamite. They cut to a commercial. [c]
(3) THE BRAWLING BIRDS (Jamie Hayter & Alex Windsor) & MINA SHIRAKAWA vs. TRIANGLE OF MADDNESS (Thekla & Skye Blue & Julia Hart)
The Triangle of Madness came out first, then Mina’s music hit, and she came out dancing. The Brawling Birds came out next, and all three wrestlers walked down together.
The bell rang at 1:21, with Thekla and Mina beginning the match. Skye Blue tagged in, though Mina’s offense prevented her from securing momentum before Mina tagged in Jamie Hayter. Action went back and forth, with the Triangle of Madness using distractions to gain the upper hand. They cut to a commercial. [c]
All six wrestlers were in the ring, with a triple suplex attempt taking down all wrestlers. Alex Windsor and Thekla fought in the center of the ring. Mina tagged in and, after a Sling Blade, attempted a pin on Thekla, but only for 2.
After landing the Hayterade on Julia Hart, Jamie Hayter pinned Hart for 3.
WINNERS: The Brawling Birds in 9:00
(Adams’ Analysis: While the match was somewhat hard for me to get into, there were more moments of greatness than not. The physicality of the Birds is different than the power of Divine Dominion, but they nevertheless come across as physical beasts difficult to overcome.)
-A video of Ciampa and Juice Robinson’s rivalry was aired.
-Darby Allin’s music hit, and he immediately told them to cut the music. Darby said he hasn’t seen god yet, so perhaps he should see the devil tonight. He called MJF’s title reign “bullshit.” He told MJF to come out, but Don Callis and the DCF came out instead. “MJF has paid my family a lot of money,” said Don Callis. Callis said that MJF agrees to give Darby a title shot if Darby could beat MJF’s handpicked opponent at Dynasty. “The winner is…Andrade,” said Callis. Andrade looked surprised, but Lance Archer and El Clon went to the ring. Brody and Jack Perry came to his rescue, followed shortly by Kenny Omega. Darby and Kenny shared unheard words on the ramp before they cut to a commercial. [c]
(4) MJF vs. “SPEEDBALL” MIKE BAILEY
MJF’s music played, but his tron was red, white, and blue. He saluted the camera and walked to the ring. As he fell to his knees, a giant flag was unfurled. It was a US flag with MJF’s face having replaced the stars.
Speedball’s music hit, and he came adorned in the colors of Canada, accompanied by Kevin Knight. As Speedball stood at the top of the turnbuckle, MJF attacked him from behind. The bell rang at 1:42. Speedball landed several punches on MJF and set himself up for the Question Mark kick. MJF pulled the referee in between himself and Speedball. This allowed MJF to seize the momentum.
As MJF mocked Speedball, Speedball swept his legs from under him, sending him to the mat. They traded blows, resulting in MJF rolling ringside. Speedball kicked MJF as he tried to climb into the ring. Back in the ring, as Speedball set himself up for the Ultimo Weapon, MJF rolled to the apron. Speedball landed a moonsault off the top rope to MJF ringside, then they cut to commercial. [c]
MJF knocked Speedball from the top rope. Speedball landed the Ultimo Weapon on the apron, then attempted it in the ring. MJF dogged it. Speedball landed a Snapdragon suplex, then a series of kicks allowed him to land the Ultimo Weapon. MJF got his foot onto the rope which broke a pinning attempt.
On the apron, MJF dodged a knee drop from Speedball, allowing him to land a Tombstone piledriver. He shouted ‘God bless America’ before landing a heat seaker. He pinned Speedball for three.
WINNER: MJF in 16:00.
(Adams’ Analysis: A very rough main event. Rough, in the sense that both men took great physical damage. Watching Speedball land knees-first on the apron made me hurt. Both men had the opportunity to shine, and it showcased Speedball as a true main eventer.)
-Kenny Omega said MJF looked ready for this weekend.
-MJF landed several cheap shots on Speedball before being chased from the ring by Kenny Omega. The show ended with Kenny and Speedball standing tall together in the ring.
FINAL THOUGHTS: much better episode than last week. The segments felt tight, and correctly paced. The action flowed, crackling with life. Jericho’s return seemed mildly welcomed, and it remains to be seen if he can recapture any fan base. AEW has moved more openly progressive, and Jericho’s politics are otherwise. This could be difficult for him. All in all, a fabulous show.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST
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