The John Report: AEW Dynamite 02/06/25 Review

This week’s AEW Dynamite featured Swerve Strickland taking on Ricochet in the main event.

This was AEW Dynamite episode #279 from the Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport.

For this review, I’ll do summary style for most of the show and then full play-by-play for the main event. Let’s get to it.

It’s Wednesday and you know what that means. The commentary team was Excalibur, Tony Schiavone and Taz.

Jay White was interviewed by Renee Paquette in the backstage area. White said that while dealing with the Death Riders, he has to rely on people he never used to rely on so that’s why he’s going to rely on Cope and FTR. The Death Riders walked out to confront White while Cope and FTR were behind the guys as well. The guys started brawling while Marina Shafir picked up Renee to get her out of there. The Death Riders fought with Cope and FTR in the backstage area and they made their way into the arena

Cash Wheeler aggressively threw Pac into a barricade and the entrance tunnel. The other guys made their way to ringside where they fought around the ring. Jay White sent AEW World Champion Jon Moxley into the steel steps. Wheeler Yuta went after White, so White dropped him with a Bladerunner. Pac saved Moxley, but then FTR hit a Shatter Machine on Pac. Claudio Castagnoli swung Dax Harwood into the barricade and then Claudio hit an uppercut on Cash. Moxley told White to go to hell and “stay out of my f**king business.” Claudio moved Moxley out of the way and Cope hit Claudio with a Spear.

Analysis: It was a great start to the show that was full of action. It’s better than starting with a promo or a match because the fans love that kind of brawling in an opening segment. It’s also nice to see four babyfaces working together to try to fight back against the Death Riders.

Adam Copeland aka Cope said that the fans were chanting one name to encourage “Cope” chants. Cope wanted an answer from Jon Moxley for an AEW World Title match at Revolution. Moxley said that you deserve nothing, you get nothing, so the answer is no.

Jay White spoke up to threaten Moxley as well. White suggested a Brisbane Brawl for February 15th with White teaming up with Cope against Jon Moxley and Claudio Castagnoli. Moxley did a thumbs up to accept the challenge.

Analysis: The thing about Adam Copeland wanting a title shot and Moxley saying no is that AEW’s owner/booker Tony Khan could book any match at any time, so why does Cope need Moxley to accept the challenge? That’s a problem with AEW sometimes where they have logic holes in their stories. Anyway, the Brisbane Brawl tag in Australia will be a great match.

There was a clip of Buddy Murphy talking to AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada on Collision. Okada told Buddy that he didn’t deserve a title shot. A graphic told us that the match had been made for Grand Slam Australia.

Analysis: Buddy Murphy is from Australia, so it makes sense to have him on the Grand Slam Australia show where he’s going to get cheered heavily.

After Will Ospreay made his entrance, Don Callis made his entrance to say he had an announcement to make. Callis said that the opponent for Ospreay is a man he knows very well and went up and down the roads with. Callis said it was Mark Davis, who was the former tag team partner of Kyle Fletcher and Will was in a stable with them as well.

Will Ospreay vs. Mark Davis

The match was Will against a member of the Don Callis Family, so Callis announced that Davis is now part of that group. The fans chanted “you sold out” at Davis. Callis was on commentary.

Will got some offense early, but Davis hit a back body drop. Davis hit a running forearm to the jaw. After Davis hit a senton splash, Tony said it was Mark’s first singles match in AEW. Will connected with a springboard forearm. Callis encouraged Davis while the match continued in picture-in-picture.

(Commercial)

Davis was in full control with a release Dragon Suplex and a knee smash for a two count. Will bounced off the ropes with a spinning kick to the face. Will hit an Oscutter for a two count. Davis hit a clothesline and a jumping piledriver for a two count. After Davis pulled the middle turnbuckle pad off, referee Rick Knox prevented Davis from sending Will into it and Will hit a Hidden Blade elbow smash for the pinfall win after 12 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Will Ospreay

Analysis: ***1/4 It’s the typical AEW match where the result is obvious, and it goes a long time because they like long matches. I don’t think it needed to be as long as it was. We saw the same sort of match with Will beating Brian Cage recently and they had Kenny Omega beat Cage too. It feels repetitive. I still liked the match and Ospreay is one of my favorites in AEW, but there isn’t much drama sometimes when the result is so obvious.

Will Ospreay said he had a new best friend back there who he is teaming up with in Australia at Grand Slam. Kenny Omega made his entrance, so the fans popped for that. Omega said he has no clue what Don Callis has on Mark Davis, but help is there and there are people here you can trust.

Omega said that in one week, he returns to the AEW ring in Brisbane, Australia. Kyle Fletcher and Konosuke Takeshita made their entrance while Don Callis held them back. Omega told them to prepare for Grand Slam in Australia. Omega said now that he’s back, you will feel what he is feeling because next week it’s not just a match for fun, it’s a match to prove that the future of this company is in this ring. Omega wrapped it up at that point. There was a bunch of pyro that went off by the entrance area.

Analysis: There really wasn’t much to the promo there. Omega just said that this is a match to prove that they are the future of this company. The build to the match has been fine. I just think they could have had Omega say something that was more meaningful.

A video package aired about the Swerve Strickland-Ricochet match in the Dynamite main event. Really good video.

Let’s Hear from The Hurt Syndicate

The Hurt Syndicate trio of AEW Tag Team Champions Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin along with MVP entered in dress clothes for an in-ring promo. MVP gave props to Private Party as two talented athletes with a very bright future. MVP said that they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. MVP put AEW wrestlers on notice saying that when they want to take your title then they’ll take your title. MVP also claimed they were open for business.

The Gunns duo of Austin & Colten Gunn made their return after several months away due to injuries. Austin said they don’t mean any disrespect by interrupting and Austin said that they are businessmen who want to conduct some business. MVP invited them into the ring.

Austin introduced themselves as former AEW Tag Team Champions and they have been waiting two years to get their rematch on TV. Austin made it clear that they are back. Colten said that hurting people is your job and Colten said their job is to take back the AEW Tag Team Titles. MVP said he respected the courage and they respect their father (Billy Gunn). MVP said he’s about business, so he said next week for the AEW Tag Team Titles it will be The Hurt Syndicate against a couple of Ass Boys. The champions left. Austin said “you’re god damn right we are” and ended it by saying they had two words for us…Gunns Up.

Analysis: Good luck to The Gunns against The Hurt Syndicate. There was respect shown by The Gunns, but then MVP said “Ass Boys” to show some disrespect. It’s very easy to get a title shot apparently. The AEW tag team division used to be so strong, but it’s not that strong anymore.

Harley Cameron got her first AEW win over Taya Valkyrie on Collision, which led to a big Harley celebration.

Analysis: Poor Taya. She was one of my favorite women in TNA and they do nothing with her in AEW.

Renee Paquette was backstage when Harley Cameron showed up with a Mercedes Mone puppet on her hand. After Harley mocked Mone, the real Mone showed up with her four titles including the TBS Title. Mone mocked Harley getting her first win while claiming she was the greatest TBS Champion of all time while Harley is just a loser and she doesn’t get to ride the Mone train. Mone went into her locker room and Harley gave her a middle finger gesture that Mone didn’t see.

Analysis: They are obviously building to Harley getting the match against Mone at Grand Slam Australia since Harley is Australian. I like how creative Harley is, so I don’t mind it that much. They have had no storylines for Mone for several months. Better than nothing, I guess.

(Commercial)

“Hangman” Adam Page was interviewed by Renee Paquette, who said that Page appeared to be in pursuit of Swerve Strickland and Swerve said it was a mistake that was a moment of weakness, so don’t ask about it again. Renee mentioned Christopher Daniels having to retire from wrestling for good. Page said he didn’t regret it. Page said that Daniels overstepped by having a Texas Death Match with Hangman. Page said he didn’t regret it. Max Caster was seated in a chair saying he’s been waiting for a long time. Max wondered if Page injured Anthony Bowens or Billy Gunn. Page said he’d love to put somebody in the hospital tonight and he sees Caster here, but Caster backed away. Caster left and said he was going to his car.

Analysis: I have said in the past that I think “Hangman” Adam Page is one of the best wrestlers and overall characters in AEW. I hope this is the year where he becomes AEW World Champion again. I’m all for Hangman getting a big push again.

Hounds of Hell – Brody King & Buddy Matthews vs. Konosuke Takeshita & Kyle Fletcher (w/Don Callis)

The Hounds of Hell name is new for Brody & Buddy now that Malakai Black is gone from AEW and the House of Black is no more. Tony complained about having to see Don Callis’ face twice in the first hour. Takeshita is the AEW International Champion.

Kyle and Buddy started as a battle of the Australians with some interesting exchanges while neither man got the advantage. King tagged in to chop Takeshita a few times. The four guys fought on the floor with King hitting a running cross bod block on both opponents against the barricade. They were outside the ring for about two minutes and the referee Bryce Remsburg wasn’t counting them out of the ring because it’s AEW. Anyway, King hit another cross body block on both opponents against the barricade. They went to a picture-in-picture break.

The heel side was in control until King hit Takeshita with an elbow smash. Takeshita kicked Buddy off the apron, so King nailed a clothesline on Takeshita. King and Takeshita hit a double clothesline, then they got back up and they both collapsed. The Aussie boys were back in there again as Buddy unleashed on Kyle with kicks and a knee to the face. Buddy sent Kyle out of the ring followed by Buddy hitting a somersault dive over the top onto both opponents. The fans were chanting “this is awesome” as Kyle hit a German Suplex and Buddy came back with a double knee attack. Buddy was on the top rope when Kazuchika Okada’s music hit, but Okada wasn’t there. Buddy nailed Kyle with multiple superkicks. King was back in with a cannonball/dropkick combo for two. Takeshita broke it up with a dropkick/senton combo. Great move. Takeshita hit King with a knee while Fletcher hit a draping DDT for two. Takeshita was in illegally with forearm smashes and Kyle lifted up King with an assist by Takeshita for a sheer drop brainbuster on King for the pinfall win. It went about 14 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Konosuke Takeshita & Kyle Fletcher

Analysis: ***3/4 Awesome match. I’m a fan of all four guys. They got a lot of time, there were many big moves, lots of kickouts and the crowd really got into it. What I loved about it is that it felt like a fight and they didn’t hold back. The match result made sense since Fletcher & Takeshita are against Ospreay & Omega at AEW Grand Slam, so they should get a win to give them positive momentum. I would like to see King & Buddy get a tag team push in the future. They are so good together and a lot of fun to watch.

A clip aired from Collision when Christian Cage and The Patriarchy beat up Samoa Joe & Hook.

Samoa Joe and Hook walked around backstage looking for Christian Cage and The Patriarchy. Joe asked Nick Wayne and Kip Sabian where Christian Cage was. They said Chrisitan wasn’t here, so Joe and Hook beat up Nick and Kip. We saw Christian and Mother Wayne look into the room, but they didn’t get involved in the fight. After Joe and Hook left, Christian went back into the room.

Analysis: This feud just keeps going. I guess it has new life to it with Samoa Joe back. Hook has been against those guys for a long time.

Let’s Hear from Maxwell Jacob Friedman

Maxwell Jacob Friedman made his entrance wearing dress clothes along with a scarf. MJF said that all “Geriatric” Jeff Jarrett had to do was stay out of the way of MJF and that’s why MJF taught him a lesson. MJF said that the lesson is that AEW stands for All Elite Wrestling, not All Elderly Wrestling. MJF laughed about that one. MJF said now that the carny schmuck is out of his way, MJF is one step closer to obtaining his BBB aka the AEW World Title because nobody is on the level of The Devil. Max Caster went running into the ring and MJF told Caster to get out of his ring.

“Hangman” Adam Page made his entrance since he was chasing Caster earlier. Page got into the ring, stared at MJF and Page went running after Caster into the crowd.

Analysis: I want to see that Page-MJF feud that has been teased for several weeks.

MJF complained about being interrupted by a talented, worthless hack and some fans chanted “shut the f**k up” so MJF paused.

Dustin Rhodes made his entrance with his ROH Tag Team and ROH Trios Tag Team Titles. Dustin got into the ring to tell MJF to shut his stupid trap. Dustin said that MJF badmouths everybody in the back and he talks about people who aren’t even here anymore like his friend, Owen Hart. Dustin called MJF a “son of a bitch” and told him to keep Owen’s name out of his mouth or Dustin will kick his teeth in. Dustin told MJF to stop talking about people’s wives and don’t talk about people’s past issues with drugs and alcohol. Dustin said he has been 16 years clean and sober while saying he went straight to hell, looked the Devil in his eyes and kicked his face in. Dustin told MJF isn’t the Devil. Dustin told MJF he has all this potential, but he chooses to go to these dark places. Dustin said that there’s a reason he is still here at 55 years old hanging with everybody on this roster. Dustin said that he is a survivor who is the last of his kind. Dustin said he has survived everything and he’s been through it all. Dustin said when he is gone, the mold will be gone forever. Dustin told MJF he is better than him and Max’s “punk bitch ass” friggin’ knows it.

MJF said that was incredible. MJF said that the years of being a drug addict turned Dustin’s brain into Swiss Cheese to think that he was better than MJF. MJF talked about how it took Dustin 37 long years to get out of his daddy’s shadow. MJF called him “Golide” as a reference to the Goldust days. MJF said what’s so sad about the whole thing is that after all that hard work and sacrifice, Dustin lives in the shadow of his baby brother in reference to Cody Rhodes, so Dustin punched MJF to end that. Dustin and MJF got into a fight where they exchanged punches while security and AEW officials were there to break it up. MJF teased leaving to the back, but then MJF went into the ring and kicked Dustin with a low blow kick to the groin. Dustin sold the groin shot while MJF left to the back.

Analysis: Awesome promo from Dustin Rhodes. That was a nice reminder of how great of a performer Dustin is just in case you may have forgotten. MJF fired back with some good lines of his own and then it ended in a cheap way with MJF doing the low blow kick. I thought this segment was a lot better than the previous MJF-Jeff Jarrett segments over the last month. MJF against Dustin next week should be fun. There will likely be some blood in that match too.

(Commercial)

The AEW Women’s World Champion Mariah May made her entrance for commentary. She will defend her title against Toni Storm at AEW Grand Slam Australia on February 15th.

“Timeless” Toni Storm vs. Queen Aminata

Toni was dressed like Mariah May, so she was playing the role of “The Glamour” AEW Women’s World Champion. Storm was wearing some gear that Mariah May has used. Storm had some very long hair extensions as well. May bashed Storm’s imitation since May did this many months ago. May said she was given her costume. Serena Deeb was watching on a TV backstage since she has had issues with Queen apparently. Storm hit a running hip attack to send Queen off the apron to the floor. After Queen was sent back into the ring, Queen hit a suicide dive on the floor.

(Commercial)

The match returned with May saying that Storm is misting two things while referring to her boobs since her hands were placed there as she spoke. Storm hit hurricanrana and a dropkick. Queen hit a German Suplex followed by a running boot while Storm was against the ropes. Storm hit a DDT and running knee. Storm hit a running hip attack. Storm hit May Day for the pinfall win after 9 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Toni Storm

Analysis: **1/4 Easy win for Storm dressed as May. It could have been shorter and it would have accomplished the same thing. Storm did a nice job with the May imitation.

Toni Storm was interviewed by Renee Paquette in the ring with Storm wanting to be called Mariah May, the woman from hell. May was on the apron and Storm wanted a hug. May backed away and left. Storm did some May posing in the ring to end the segment.

Analysis: I think there might be a title change there since Storm grew up in Australia and the fans would love to see a title change. I like May as the champion, but her title reign may be ending.

Dustin Rhodes was standing backstage saying for 37 years, people have been trying to put him in the ground, but he’s still here. Dustin said he is the last of his kind. Dustin said that next Tuesday night in Austin, Texas in his backyard, he’s going to beat MJF’s ass…bitch.

Analysis: That should be a good match. Dustin misspoke saying Tuesday. The Dynamite taping is on Tuesday, but it will air on Wednesday. They are doing that because the AEW crew has to fly to Australia for Grand Slam next week.

There were videos of Big Bill’s issues with Powerhouse Hobbs over the last few weeks. Bandido also got involved. I don’t watch Collision, so I appreciate the replays.

Chris Jericho’s New York Minute

Chris Jericho and The Learning Tree group was there for a New York Minute. Jericho said they were in the ALT – Appreciate Learning Tree instead of ATL for Atlanta. Jericho claimed nobody wants Bandido in AEW. Jericho said on Collision on Saturday, he claimed there would be a $200,000 reward for Bryan Keith if he takes out Bandido on Collision like Big Bill has done to Powerhouse Hobbs.

Powerhouse Hobbs confronted Big Bill and The Learning Tree trio. The Outrunners duo of Truth Magnum and Turbo Floyd joined the fight so the six guys got into a brawl. There were some security guys that tried to break it up, but they got beaten up. Bill gave a security guy a Chokeslam on the floor and Hobbs did it to another security guy on the floor across the ring. Hobbs and Bill exchanged punches in the ring and then the fight spilled out of the ring. Hobbs tackled Bill over the commentary table at ringside. A camera guy got knocked over and they went to a break.

Analysis: That “New York Minute” lasted longer than a minute, but that’s okay because it turned into a big brawl. They have done a nice job of creating a rivalry between Hobbs and Bill, so whenever they have that grudge match, the fans should be into it.

(Commercial)

There was a backstage scene with Chris Jericho, Big Bill and Bryan Keith being removed from the building.

It was main event time with Swerve Strickland up first with Prince Nana. The fans loved Swerve and Ricochet showed up with a steel chair shot to Swerve’s back. Ricochet hit Swerve with a chair to the back again. Ricochet sent Swerve into the ring and the referee Paul Turner called for the bell to start the match.

Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana) vs. Ricochet

Ricochet hit a running knee to the face. Ricochet hit his sitout Vertigo slam for a two count. Ricochet hit a pump kick to the face along with a backbreaker. Ricochet set up Swerve for the Vertigo again, but Swerve fought back with punches. Ricochet ran the ropes, Swerve went for a leapfrog and Ricochet hit a dropkick. Ricochet sent Swerve into the barricade at ringside. They were both on the barricade at ringside where they exchanged punches. Swerve caught Ricochet and Swerve gave Ricochet a Powerbomb onto the top of the barricade. Ouch. That’s a painful sounding thud. Swerve sent Ricochet into the turnbuckle as they went to a picture-in-picture break.

(Commercial)

Swerve was in control as he went for a move off the turnbuckle, but Ricochet kicked him and Ricochet hit a double knee attack for two. Ricochet hit a backbreaker variation followed by a dropkick to the back. Swerve hit a running uppercut. Ricochet hit multiple kicks to the head. Ricochet tried a lift, Swerve slipped through and Swerve looked like he was going for a Powerbomb, but then it turned into a powerslam. Swerve hit a release German Suplex, a flatliner and a House Call kick to the head. Swerve jumped off the top rope with a Swerve Stomp for a two count. Ricochet pulled back on Swerve’s neck against the top rope. Ricochet was going for a reverse hurricanrana on the apron, but he didn’t jump far enough and Ricochet hit a German Suplex on the apron. Good adjustment there. Back in the ring, Ricochet hit a springboard 450 Splash for two. Ricochet went up top and hit a Shooting Star Press to Swerve’s back for a two count. Ricochet charged, but Ricochet hit a House Call kick. Swerve went up top and jumped with a Swerve Stomp, but Ricochet had his forearms up to block so it was almost like Ricochet did a low blow. Swerve sold it like that. Ricochet hit the Spirit Gun clothesline to the back of the head for the pinfall win after 13 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Ricochet

Analysis: **** That was an excellent match with Ricochet picking up the big win. You can tell these guys had great chemistry with a lot of athleticism by both guys along with plenty of counter wrestling throughout the match. When Swerve hit all of his big moves leading to a Swerve Stomp, it looked like it might be the end of the match, but Ricochet was able to kick out and the action continued. It was a bit of a cheap finish with Ricochet doing a low blow, but it was one of those “accidental” low blows so that gives Ricochet an out by saying it was an accident while Swerve has a legit complaint that Ricochet cheated to win. I think the rivalry still has a lot left and we’ll probably see a rematch at the Revolution PPV next month as well. The rematch will probably be a gimmick match with weapons involved.

After the match, Ricochet stole the blue/gold robe that Prince Nana had with him and Ricochet wore it while Swerve was in the ring. Swerve was selling in the ring while Ricochet celebrated the win. That was the end of the show.

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Three Stars of the Show

1. Ricochet
2. Swerve Strickland
3. Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher, Brody King & Buddy Matthews.

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The Scoreboard

This Week: 7.75 out of 10

Last Week: 6.75

2025 Average: 7.17

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Final Thoughts on AEW Dynamite

It was a much better show compared to the last two weeks. Best Dynamite episode of the year. They have done a nice job of building the Grand Slam Australia show.

This show was put together well. A week ago the main event was a Mercedes Mone match with Yuka Sakazaki. The match was fine but it didn’t feel like a main event at all. This Swerve/Ricochet felt like a Dynamite main event. It was a great match with Swerve and Ricochet and I thought it was a clever finish too. That feud should continue as well.

I also liked the MJF-Dustin Rhodes promo segment. That should be a fun match for next week.

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Thanks for reading. Go Toronto Raptors and Toronto Maple Leafs. You can contact me using any of the methods below.

John Canton

Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com

Twitter/X: @johnreport