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AEW DYNAMITE REPORT
APRIL 22, 2026
PORTLAND, ORE. AT VETERANS MEMORIAL COLISEUM
AIRED ON TBS & HBO MAX
REPORT BY WADE KELLER, PWTORCH EDITOR
Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Nigel McGuinness
Ring Announcer: Justin Roberts
Attendance: WrestleTix reports that 3,017 tickets had been distributed as of showtime; arena is set up for 3,338. The arena has a capacity of 10,000 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 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 opened by panning the cheering audience as Excalibur introduced the show. He said the landscape changed last week when Darby Allin won the AEW World Title.
-A roughly one minute video package aired on Darby’s win over MJF last week on Dynamite.
-MJF’s music played and he speed-walked his way to the ring. MJF was fuming. Schiavone sarcastically said, “Aww, he’s angry, he’s mad, he’s ticked off.” He was huffing and puffing. He said he’s not like the paper champion Darby. He demanded fans show him the respect he has earned. He said last week will be forever known as “The Seattle Screwjob.” He said three days prior to that match, he defended his title in an “all out war” against Kenny Omega and won.
He said he came out banged up, bruised, and battered. He said he was informed three days later when he showed up for work that he had to defend it that night. He said he was hit in the buts, the “skank” Abrey Edwards did a fast count, and both of his shoulders were up. He said Darby is not their champion. He said he is “a dirty little cheat.” He asked the “moron” fans if they believe Darby could beat him if he was at 100 percent or prepared.
He said he is “the most complete pro wrestler in the history of this sport.” He said he has defeated every top name pro wrestling has to offer. He said he made sure “Hangman” Adam Page could never be World Champion again. He said he kicked out of the One-Winged Angel like it was nothing. He yelled that he is the best pro wrestler in the world. He said he doesn’t care about his scheduled match against Tommaso Ciampa later. He demanded that he come out and hand him back his AEW World Title belt.
Instead, out came Kevin Knight to his music wearing his TNT Title belt. Nigel said he better be careful since MJF is peeved off. He said MJF could ground the Jet very soon. Knight said, “Different city, same old Max coming out here and whining like a little bitch.” (Reset the Bitch-o-Meter.) Fans chanted, “Little Bitch!” He said he knows Portland is tired of hearing MJF talk. He said the plane just landed and it’s about to get real. He said, “The Jet is here and The Jet is too fly.” He said before MJF gets to “hating,” he asked if he doesn’t look fly with the new title around his waist. He said a fighting champion is willing to put his title on the line at any time. He told MJF that he had him pinned in the middle of the ring a few weeks ago, so if anybody should be talking about being cheated, it’s him. He said he should be Jet Two Belts right now.
MJF said, “Okay, first of all, what a elegant speaker you are. You’re almost Aristotle level with how deep you are.” He then mocked him referring to himself as The Jet who is Too Fly and TNT Champion and The Jets thinks it’s socially acceptable to be friends with “Speedball” Mike Bailey and The Jet thinks he should be AEW Champion. He said his memory tells him that he beat him with a Heat Seaker “for an easy W.” He said he shouldn’t be World Champion. He said if anyone should be, it’s him and him alone. He patronizingly said he’d give him credit and told fans to “give it up” for the TNT Champion. He said, “What a cute little title that TNT Championship is.” He said it fits him like a glove. He said he’s a TNT Champion type of guy, “A workhorse, a good hand, an average Joe, someone with a ceiling.” He said he is someone who should know better than to step into his ring and breath his air. He said his name shouldn’t come out of his “average little mouth.”
Knight said if he keeps running his mouth, he’d have to “slap that big-ass nose off your face and send your ass packing.” He said he has been fibbing. He said anyone can look at him and see he’s an absolute gold mine. He said some of the best wrestlers in the world have held the title. He said MJF has never held the belt before, though. He said MJF has had everything handed to him. He said they should keep that train going “and The Jet hands you an ass whoopin’.”
MJF told fans to shut up. He asked him if he wanted to wrestle him. He asked what he’d get out of it since he already proved he’s better than him. He said he made him kind of want that belt after all. He said he’d love nothing more than turn his pride in being TNT Champ into “straight up depression.” He said he can wrestle him if he is willing to put that title on the line. Knight said, “Hell yeah, because The Jet is always ready.” He said since they’re in Rip City, he’d rip him a new one. MJF called for the ref.
Excalibur got excited in a way that hinted it might not actually happen. A ref came out and held up the TNT Title. Before the bell rang, MJF rolled out of the ring and said he could “dance with the Devil next week.”
(Keller’s Analysis: That’s the promo you’d expect MJF to give after last week, which is a good thing. Knight is still iffy on the mic. The third-person Jet stuff and the “big nose” reference are all a little eh. Smart to build the match up but not deliver until they have a week to advertise it.)
-Excalibur plugged Darby vs. Tommaso Ciampa.
-Renee Paquette interviewed Ricochet and GOA backstage. She said Jericho was with her, also. (She didn’t say “Chris” and the on-screen graphic left it off.) She said there was going to be a six-man tag match on Collision. She asked if he knew who his partners would be. Ricochet said no one would want to team with him, especially since his new gimmick is he is The Guy Who Gets His Ass Beat By The Demand Every Week He Shows Up. Jericho said he can’t say that. “Cease and desist,” he said. He got his new moniker trademarks. He did subliminal messages such as “way too long” and “bald.” He showed off his new t-shirt that had that along moniker on it under the word “Jericho.” Ricochet said they are going to steal his dignity on Collision because nobody in that locker room wants to team with him. He said he will pin him via Ricosault. Jericho said he doesn’t have to find someone who likes him, just someone who doesn’t like him. He subliminally said under his breath “ball brick.”
(Keller’s Analysis: I’m enjoying Jericho’s subliminal message schtick.)
-Excalibur said Tony Khan made it official – The Jet vs. MJF next week for the TNT Title.
-Lio Rush made his ring entrance.
(1) BRODY KING vs. LIO RUSH
The bell rang 19 minutes into the hour. Excalibur called him perplexing and enigmatic. He said he took a hiatus and came back a completely different and broken individual. He talked to himself the whole way to the ring in a spooky tone. The ref had to get his attention as he crouched in the corner. Brody dragged him to mid-ring. He stood and circled Brody oddly. Brody grabbed his hand when Lio offered it. He squeezed hard, so Lio bit his hand. Nigel said Lio is now far sneakier. Brody bodyslammed him and then splashed him in the corner. Lio dropped to ringside. Brody pursued him and chopped his chest. He picked up a chair and put Lio in it. He barked and charged at him. Lio moved and then crouched on the announce desk. He leaped at Brody, but Brody caught him. Lio slipped free and shoved Brody into the ringpost and then the barricade. They cut to a double-box break at 3:00. [c/db]
Back from the break, Brody blocked a renound stunner and drove Lio to the mat and then clotheslined him. Brody favored his left shoulder afterward. The ref checked on him. Lio yanked his arm over the top rope and then snapped his chest over the middle rope. Lio tried to lift Brody onto his shoulders, but Brody blocked it. Lio cartwheel kicked Brody off the ring apron to ringside. He then dove through the ropes and tackled Brody. Lio then leaped off the top rope onto Brody at ringside. Lio top rope splashed Brody across his back and made a cover. Brody kicked out at one.
Brody landed a side slam seconds later and then played to the crowd. He landed a cannonball and a Gonzo Bomb for the win. Schiavone said it was seven straight wins for Brody.
WINNER: Brody in 19:00.
-Brody said he’d be keeping a close eye on the main event AEW World Title match. He said if Ciampa wins, congratulations. He said he is so proud of Darby, “but not proud enough to not bring the violence.”
(Keller’s Analysis: Brody vs. Darby is an attractive novel match given their close friendship. I like Brody not removing himself from the title picture just because a friend holds the belt.)
-Renee interviewed Ciampa backstage about receiving his first shot at the AEW World Title later. He said he’s been told his entire career he wasn’t big enough and “doesn’t pass the airport test” and “isn’t charismatic enough” and “not main event material.” He said he is a a husband, a father, a son, a brother. He said he has the same worth ethic. He said tonight isn’t about brothers and heroes, but passion. He said glass ceilings are imaginary. He said it’s for the grandest prize in this sport and so if you’re asking him if he’s ready, “you have never seen a man more prepared for his moment than I am tonight.” He said to ask Darby if he wants it more “than I need it.”
(Keller’s Analysis: I don’t get in a sports environment where ostensibly winning matches is what earns you title matches and titles why someone telling him he doesn’t pass some airport test would matter. Keep that meta-stuff off of TV shows. Talk about it like it’s an actual fight and ideally save the other stuff for the therapist your autobiography.) [c]
-Adam Copeland spoke from a backstage area where folding chairs are stored. He said he thinks and he and Christian Cage deserve another title match. He said he had an idea that he didn’t think even he could refuse. He said FTR say they are the greatest tag team ever He said that is debatable. He said they’re one of the best ever, and that’s not debatable. He said at Double or Nothing, he and Christian want to face them in a New York Street Fight. He said if they want to prove they’re the best ever, if they beat them at Double or Nothing, they retire as a team. He said if they are the best tag team of all time, he knows what their answer should be, but if they have any doubts, there’s only one way to prove it. He said he knows what he’d do, but he’s a man. “The balls in your court, guys,” he said.
(Keller’s Analysis: It is really refreshing to hear a promo with talking and not needless yelling. He was matter of fact and laid out a challenge with a logical temptation. This worked and stood out in a good way.)
(2) HIKARU SHIDA (w/Kris Statlander) vs. MINA SHIRAKAWA
As Hikaru Shida made her entrance with Kris Statlander, a soundbite aired with Shida and Statlander from earlier. Excalibur said he has about 1,200 days on his language app and he thinks she said something about her cat. The bell rang 38 minutes into the hour. They cut to a double-box break at 3:00 with Shida in control. [cdb]
Shida scored a two count after a knee strike at 10:00. Mina took over and applied a figure-four leglock. Shida rolled and grabbed the bottom rope. Mina had to release and then she yelled at the ref. When Shida reached for her kendo stick, Mina took it from her. When she wound up, Statlander took it from her. Shida then hit a distracted Mina with a high knee and a Falcon Arrow for the win. Statlander greeted Shida aftewrard, but seemed sorta confused or apprehensive about something.
WINNER: Shida in 13:00.
-Excalibur hyped Kazuchika Okada vs. Konosuke Takeshita for the AEW International Title at Double or Nothing. A video hyped the match. [c]
-A clip aired of Clark Conors and David Finlay attacking The Young Bucks on Dynamite last week.
(3) WILL OSPREAY vs. MARK DAVIS
The bell rang 58 minutes into the hour. When Ospreay went for a Hidden Blade at the bell, Davis just blocked him out of mid-air and then knocked Ospreay to ringside. Don Callis joined in on commentary. Davis checked Ospreay hard into the ringside barricade. Davis bodyslammed Ospreay back in the ring. Ospreay knocked Davis to ringside, then played to the crowd for ten seconds. When he moved toward Davis at ringside, Davis yanked him out of the ring. Ospreay outmaneuvered him at ringside and threw him into the ringside steps and then took him down with a flying head scissors. Callis oddly suggested Ospreay should have cut his own head off in the midst of all his injuries. Schiavone plugged that Samoa Joe would be out later.
[HOUR TWO]
Davis clotheslined Ospreay to ringside, then beat him up in the stage and ramp area. Ospreay fought back and landed a flip dive at Davis off the ramp. They cut to a double-box break. [c/db]
Davis gave Ospreay a neckbreaker off the top rope after the break. He followed with a running sliding elbow strike. Ospreay came back and landed a flying elbow strike to the back of Davis’s neck. Ospreay set up a Hidden Blade. Ospreay landed a Spanish Fly a minute later for a near fall. ospreay landed a spin hook kick to Davis’s chin, but when he went for an OsCutter, Davis caught him and delivered a backdrop driver. Davis landed two more backdrop drivers for a two count at 12:00. Ospreay caught Davis with a Hidden Blade out of nowhere for a dramatic near fall. Nigel noted he couldn’t get chest to chest or hook a leg due to his left arm injury. Callis said it seems he can’t feel his left hand. Davis then cut off another Hidden Blade attempt with a hard clothesline. Ospreay took a bump onto the back of his neck. Davis let out a roar and gave Ospreay a leaping piledriver for a near fall. Ospreay draped his boot over the bottom rope.
Davis then delivered a leaping piledriver on Ospreay on the ring apron. Fans chanted, “Holy shit!” Callis stood and seemed concerned. The ringside doctor checked on Ospreay as the ref told Davis to return to the ring. Ospreay pleaded with the doc that he could continue. Callis said, “I heard a crack. That’s all I’m going to say.” He said the doctor should lose his license if he let Ospreay continue. The ref then called for the bell and said Ospreay couldn’t continue.
WINNER: Davis via ref stoppage in 16:00.
-Davis attacked Ospeay afterward. Schiavone said he was trying to end Ospreay’s career. Marina Shafir showed up on the ring apron and eyed the situation. Jon Moxley entered and eyed Davis. Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, and Danny Garcia also jumped onto the ring apron, indicating to Davis he had done enough. Davis set Ospreay down and left. Fans chanted, “You f—ed up.” Excalibur said Davis faced overwhelming odds and opted to leave. Yuta and Garcia carried. Ospreay out of the ringside area. Claudio put Ospreay on his shoulders and carried him to the back.
(Keller’s Analysis: It’s not fun watching someone wrestle where the gimmick is they shouldn’t be wrestling and could end up paralyzed or face lifelong neck issues.) [c]
-Renee interviewed Alex Windsor about her loss to Thekla last week, but said she assumes she’s not done with her. Windsor said they’re tried to stomp her out, but now they’re going to rip off her legs and reduce her to a pile of piss. Persephone walked up and said she wanted to kick the asses of The Triangle of Madness. Windsor said they’d see two members of The Triangle on Collision.
(4) SAMOA JOE vs. CODY CHHUN
Excalibur said he injured his shoulder training in January. Nigel said he is revered by his generation and everyone in the locker room respects him. The bell rang 22 minutes into the hour. The announcers discussed Joe’s history with Hook. Joe won with a Muscle Buster after dominating Chhun physically.
Hook greeted Joe on the stage after the match and they left together.
WINNER: Joe in 3:00.
-A video aired on Darby Allin to the song, “I’ve Gotta Be Me.” It featured memorable moments from his career including some of his bigger stunts in and out of the ring. [c]
Renee asked Jericho if he found partners. He said he did. Shelton Benjamin, Bobby Lashley, and MVP walked out of the locker room. MVP said it was just business.
-Schiavone stood mid-ring and introduced Darby. Darby brought the AEW World Title belt to the ring with him and placed it on the canvas and bowed down in front of it. He hugged Schiavone. Fans chanted, “You deserve it!” He said he wrestled his first match in Portland. He said this could end after his match with Ciampa and it might be a 15 minute ride. He said this is for his parents he helped retire, his fiance he met on the school bus, the people who helped him on Mt. Everest, and for all the fans. He said when this ride is over, he is going to look in the mirror and he wants to know who he is looking at. MJF interrupted from the stage. He yelled “No!” over and over
MJF said the people want to chant “You deserve it?” He said, “You don’t deserve shit!” He told Darby to give him his belt back “right now.” Darby simply said, “No.” MJF said, “Then give me a rematch right now.” Darby said no. He said he’s not giving him a rematch until he puts something on the line. He said everyone in the back deserves a shot at it. He said he’d defend it every week until his body gives out. He told MJF, “Get your ass out of my ring.” Ciampa’s entarnce then began. He walked up to MJF and kissed him on the cheek before heading to the ring.
(5) DARBY ALLIN vs. TOMMASO CIAMPA – AEW World Title match
The bell rang 38 minutes into the hour. They cut to a break at 2:00. [c]
Darby took it to Ciampa at ringside and bloodied him. Ciampa knocked Darby off balance on the top rope. He went on sustained offense. Ciampa was bleeding heavily at this point. They cut to another double-box break at 10:00. [c/db]
Darby leveraged Ciampa’a shoulders down. Ciampa came right back and knocked the back of Darby’s head into the exposed turnbuckle. Ciampa then landed a running kneestrike for a near fall at 16:00. He landed Project Ciampa twice and scored a near fall. Fans chanted, “Fight Forever!”
Darby applied a sharpshooter a minute later mid-ring. Ciampa crawled toward the bottom rope. Darby pulled Ciampa back mid-ring and then shifted his leverage. Ciampa tapped.
A disappointed Ciampa put the belt over Darby’s shoulder and left.
WINNER: Darby in 19:00 to retain the AEW World Title.
-Brody entered the ring and told Darby he was serious about challenging him. He said Tony Khan just booked them against each other next week for the title. Darby looked exhausted, but shook his hand. Brody raised his arm as Darby’s music played as the show ended and Excalibur plugged next week’s Dynamite.
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/bw2b9p3iba
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.
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