The John Report: AEW Dynamite 02/11/26 Review
This week’s AEW Dynamite features a Kris Statlander-Thekla Strap Match, Tommaso Ciampa facing Kyle Fletcher, and more.
There’s a big AEW Grand Slam Australia event taking place this Saturday in the Collision timeslot, although it will be taped earlier that day since it’s in Australia. I’m likely going to review it even though I don’t normally review Collision. The Grand Slam Australia card is particularly strong, so I look forward to it.
This was AEW Dynamite episode #332 from the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.
It’s Wednesday, and you know what that means. Excalibur was on commentary with Bryan Danielson and Tony Schiavone.
Kenny Omega & Swerve Strickland Interview
There was an in-ring interview to open the show, with Tony Schiavone introducing Kenny Omega first. Omega got a big ovation from the fans as usual. They showed highlights of Omega and Swerve Strickland having issues last week. Swerve Strickland was next with Prince Nana, and Swerve was cheered as well.
Swerve was asked what’s going on, and Swerve said he had some stuff to get off his chest. Swerve spoke about how 5 years ago, Omega was on top of this game and it was the last time he was AEW World Champion. Swerve said that everybody outside of AEW was scratching and clawing to get here. Swerve said he came here, then he became AEW World Champion and where was Omega? Swerve said Omega was nowhere to be found while Swerve was on top. Swerve said he’d see Omega, saw him in the Tokyo Dome and teamed with him at Anarchy in the Arena. Swerve said Omega is either in a hospital bed or suspended, so he seems like a false prophet. Swerve said that the congregation looks for a no prophet and the “church” sings “Swerve’s House.” Swerve said now Omega wants to be in title contention with them. Swerve said it feels like Omega is using his EVP power. Swerve said he had to fight with EVPs for the past two years who like to stroke their ego, abuse their power and he ended that last month. Swerve said if Omega uses his power to step in front of him, then Swerve will put him down.
Omega said he never called himself the God of Professional Wrestling, but that is a name that the people gave him. Omega said that the fans gave him their adulation. Omega said that they respect this place, and they know that if they see an Omega match, they’ll get the absolute best. Omega said that he takes their beliefs as a great responsibility. Omega said for fans to believe in him as the AEW World Champion and do it the right way. Swerve may ask whose house, but maybe nobody is home in the house since he questioned Omega. Omega said if you need somebody to burn down the house, he has a friend who has experience with it. Omega said that he is feeling championship material and he didn’t need EVP influence. Omega said if it wasn’t for Swerve, he’d have that chance in Australia and at the pay-per-view. Omega said he sees how Swerve looks at him with disrespect. Omega said if you want the match, then you’ve got it. Omega said if this is about wins and losses, then that’s what they are going to do. Omega told Swerve to accept or yield.
Swerve said that Omega is nervous because their generation is already ahead of him and lapping him. Swerve reminded Omega he’s the most dangerous man on the planet. Omega said Swerve isn’t the most dangerous man and said Brody King is the most dangerous man in AEW right now. Swerve said he’ll put Omega back in the hospital, and this time, he’s not getting back up. Omega said that’s a heck of an idea and he slapped Swerve in the face. Swerve took his leather jacket off. Swerve said that you’ve made your choice, so whatever happens next is on you.
The fight was on as Swerve tackled Omeg, and they exchanged punches. They left the ring and Swerve sent Omega into the barricade. Swerve sent Omega into the steel steps. Omega tossed Swerve over the barricade. Omega hit Swerve with a safe chair shot to the back. Omega and Swerve fought into the crowd some more as they used trash cans to hit eachother. Swerve was in control as they fought by the entrance era. Omega sent Swerve into the LED boards and Omega hit a V-Trigger knee on Swerve against the screens. Swerve had an object in his hands to stop Omega from hitting a move off the stage. Swerve tackled Omega off the stage and they went crashing through a table that was about five feet below. The AEW security guys and officials finally showed up to check on both guys.
Analysis: This rivalry between former AEW World Champions Omega and Swerve was brewing for weeks, so it’s nice to see them finally get into a brawl. I liked the promos of both guys talking about their issues with eachother. Swerve against Omega will be an outstanding match whenever it happens. AEW has done an excellent job of building title contenders in the last few months, and having a fresh rivalry like Swerve/Omega also shows how deep the AEW roster is right now.
Kyle Fletcher and Don Callis were interviewed by Renee Paquette. Kyle said tonight, he gets his TNT Championship back and then he gets to go back to his home country of Australia as the champion. Kyle wanted Don to let him do it alone and Don was fine with that while saying he’d watch on commentary. Don called Kyle the son he never had.
Death Riders – Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Pac (w/Marina Shafir) vs. Don Callis Family – Konosuke Takeshtia, Josh Alexander & Mark Davis
There was a chop fest between Moxley and Davis, who knocked Moxley down. Claudio rocked Davis with an uppercut, Davis hit three chops and then Davis ran over Claudio with a shoulder tackle. Claudio hit a delayed vertical suplex on Davis to show off his power. Takeshita tagged in and kicked Moxley off the apron. Takeshita sent Moxley into the barricade. The six guys got into a brawl outside the ring. Takeshita tackled Claudio into the barricade. Back in the ring, Claudio caught Takeshita and hit a backbreaker. Pac hit a standing moonsault for two. Josh tagged in, sent Pac to the apron and Takeshita pulled Pac out of the ring. Josh hit a running cross body block to knock Pac down to the floor. They went on a picture-in-picture break there.
(Commercial)
They built up a hot tag spot with Pac breaking free of Josh with a suplex. Claudio got the tag against Davis and Josh never left the ring. Claudio hit several running uppercuts in a row and Giant Swing to Josh until Davis stopped that. Claudio hit a powerslam on Davis for two. Davis hit two clotheslines to knock Claudio down even though Claudio wanted to hit an uppercut. Takeshita faced off with Moxley, who hit a lariat and Takeshita did a great bump to sell that. All six guys went into the ring to hit a move and then bump out of the ring. Takeshita hit an Exploder Suplex on Moxley for two. The Death Riders took turns splashing Takeshita against the turnbuckle and Moxley hit a Cutter for two because Davis made the save. The fans were chanting “AEW” for them. Davis was back in so the Don Callis Family took turns German Suplexing Moxley, they hit a double team elbow on Moxley and Davis ran the ropes and hit a lariat for two because Pac broke up the pin. Claudio knocked Takeshita out of the ring and Pac dove onto Davis. Moxley applied a Sleeper to weaken Josh and Moxley hit the Death Rider on Josh for the pinfall win after 15 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Death Riders – Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Pac
Analysis: ***1/2 It was a very good tag team match to build up the Moxley-Takeshita match at Grand Slam Australia. It’s weird seeing the Death Riders in the babyface spot in a tag team match building up to a hot tag for them, but I guess they are faces now, at least against the Don Callis Family. The final five minutes were really exciting with some believable nearfalls for both sides and I liked the finish too. Takeshita was protected because he wasn’t involved in the fall, which is not a surprise.
After the match, Moxley and Takeshita had a staredown to build to their Continental Title match at Grand Slam Australia on Saturday.
(Commercial)
TNT Championship: Tommaso Ciampa vs. Kyle Fletcher (w/Lance Archer & Don Callis)
Tommaso Ciampa won the TNT Championship 11 days earlier from Mark Briscoe on Collision. Kyle Fletcher is a former TNT Champion. Don Callis was on commentary for the match, claiming Archer was there to protect him from the fans.
The bigger man, Kyle, knocked Ciampa down with a shoulder tackle, but Ciampa was back up with a kick to the face. Ciampa hit another kick to the face, and Kyle was back up with a boot to the face of his own. Ciampa hit a DDT. They left the ring where Kyle hit a superkick and a slam onto the apron. Back in the ring, Kyle hit two backbreakers and a sitout suplex for a two count. Ciampa hit a running clothesline, along with a boot to the face. Ciampa sent Kyle over the top to the floor. Ciampa hit a running knee to send Kyle out of the ring. Ciampa sent Kyle into the barricade and Ciampa hit a running knee. Ciampa tossed Kyle into the barricade again. Ciampa broke the referee’s count, but he needs to remember this is AE,W where they rarely count. Kyle got a hold of Ciampa on the ring and hit a suplex on the floor. They went to a PIP break.
(Commercial)
Kyle went for a running kick, Ciampa moved and Kyle missed, so he went flying over the top to the floor. Ciampa went for a running knee, Kyle moved and Ciampa hit the steel steps. Kyle went for a move on the steel steps, but Ciampa countered with his version of an Air Raid Crash called the Psycho Driller as Excalibur called it. Back in the ring, Ciampa hit a running knee to the face for two. Ciampa hit a reverse DDT for a two count. They battled by the turnbuckle where Kyle hit a jumping kick to the head. Kyle hit a backdrop suplex off the ropes for two and a Liger Bomb for two. Kyle hit a running kick, but Ciampa came back by sending Kyle out of the ring. Kyle gave Ciampa a Powerbomb on the ring apron. Kyle hit another running kick to the jaw. After Kyle hit another kick to the head, Kyle hit a brainbuster for a two count. Kyle went for a move off the turnbuckle, but Ciampa did an incredible reversal into a German Suplex. Ciampa hit another running knee for two. Kyle hit a superkick, but Ciampa came back with another knee smash for a two count. They decided to sell for about 30 seconds at that point. They were at the 15-minute mark at this point and it was a 20-minute time limit match. Kyle sent Ciampa face first into the turnbuckle, along with a running kick. Ciampa hit a running knee and Kyle did a flip bump. Ciampa did his own version of a Brainbuster. Kyle was back up with a Michinoku Driver and a lariat. Kyle hit another Brainbuster for the pinfall win after 17 minutes.
Winner by pinfall AND NEW TNT Champion: Kyle Fletcher
Analysis: ****1/4 That was an incredible match that is one of the best TV matches of the year so far. I was very impressed by the moves they did and the counters throughout the match. The 20-minute time limit was mentioned, so I thought maybe it would be a draw, but Fletcher was able to win with about 3 minutes before the time limit. The title change surprises me because it was only Ciampa’s third match in AEW, and it was 11 days after he won the title, but I understand wanting to put the title on Fletcher before the Australia show on Saturday since he’s an Aussie. There were times later in the match where I wish they sold moves a bit longer, but I understand wanting to do follow up moves to continue the action. An example of what I mean is Ciampa hit a knee and a Brainbuster for a two count, but then Kyle was back up within seconds. I’d rather see somebody sell the two count a bit more. Anyway, it’s a small complaint. This was a four-star plus TV match that I enjoyed.
Kyle Fletcher celebrated as the 2-time TNT Champion with Don Callis and Lance Archer joining him in the ring. Renee Paquette interviewed Kyle in the ring and Kyle said he made it clear he was coming home to Australia with the TNT Championship. Kyle said, despite being banged up, he’s showing up to Sydney, Australia, as champion, and he will receive the hero’s welcome he deserved last year. Kyle said he’s going to defend the title against anybody from anywhere, he doesn’t care and he claimed he’s the greatest TNT Champion to ever live.
Mark Briscoe interrupted, saying that Kyle Fletcher has come a long way as a 2-time TNT Champion who deserves it. Kyle: “I know!” Mark said they have some history because they’ve done battle six times and each guy has three wins. Mark said he’ll give Kyle home court advantage for Game 7 if he ain’t scared. Kyle said that he’s tired of Mark’s face. Kyle said he did say he will fight anybody from anywhere, so he accepts. Kyle said that #7 deserves to be bigger and better than the rest, so he wants this to be the final chapter in their story. Kyle said whoever wins in Sydney will be the very best. Kyle said Mark loves to reach for the sky, then he can reach for this TNT Championship because Game 7 in Sydney will be a Ladder Match. Mark liked that.
Analysis: There’s a long history between Fletcher and Briscoe, who took the TNT Title from Fletcher. It makes sense to have a stipulation match for their last match together and doing a Ladder Match feels like a big deal for sure. Fletcher should win to end the rivalry since he’s the younger guy who just won the TNT Title back.
(Commercial)
AEW All In London takes place on August 30, 2026. Tickets are on sale March 16 with the pre-sale and for everybody else on March 20.
A video aired about Babes of Wrath (Willow Nightingale & Harley Cameron) defending the AEW Women’s World Tag Team Titles against Megabad (Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford) at Grand Slam Australia.
Daniel Garcia & Clark Connors vs. Orange Cassidy & Roderick Strong
Jon Moxley joined commentary to support Garcia. Strong wasn’t getting along with Orange to start the match. Strong hit a dropkick on Clark. After a distraction from Garcia, Clark knocked down Strong with some strikes. Strong hit a backbreaker on Garcia and Orange tagged himself in with a punch. Garcia hit a belly-to-back suplex on Orange.
(Commercial)
The match returned with Orange creating space and trying to tag out, but Strong walked out on Orange and left up the ramp. Moxley was laughing about it while the fans booed. Clark ran over Orange with a shoulder tackle. Orange kicked Clark, but then Garcia held onto Orange and Clark hit a Spear on Orange on the apron. Orange jumped over a charging Clark, who bumped into the barricade. Darby Allin pulled Clark over the barricade and fought him into the crowd. The referee apparently didn’t see it. Orange hit a suicide dive on Strong. Orange went for an Orange Punch, Garcia avoided it and Orange got an inside cradle for the pinfall win after 9 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Orange Cassidy & Roderick Strong
Analysis: **3/4 This felt like an average tag team match that was about furthering the Strong angle and Allin’s spot to get revenge on Clark. It feels like Garcia loses every match he has with the Death Riders. I don’t know if that’s true, but it feels like it. I think Roderick Strong would fit in well with the Death Riders since his wife Marina Shafir is there, and he’s also a veteran wrestler who is known for being a serious guy, which fits with the Death Riders.
Toni Storm appeared in the upper deck luxury box with Luther. Storm said she made peace with her life choices. Storm said if Shafir knocks Storm out cold in front of her family, friends, and former lovers, then you deserve to shave her head. Storm said she would evolve into the most beautiful bald bastard this world has ever seen. Storm said if she’s able to defeat her, she will shave her head so close to her skull, they will put a price tag on you and sell you at Spirit Halloween. Storm called Wheeler Yuta the most annoying little shit.
Wheeler Yuta showed up by the entrance area, so the fans did their usual, “F**k you, Yuta” chant. Marina Shafir was holding Mina Shirakawa in the Mother’s Milk submission hold. Wheeler cut Mina’s ponytail while Storm looked on in horror, and Garcia had Orange grounded in the ring.
Analysis: It furthered that story, leading to the head-shaving match at the Grand Slam in Australia. I think Yuta is probably going to be the one to lose and have his head shaved, but it might be Shafir.
There was a video showing Andrade El Idolo talking to Don Callis after beating Kenny Omega on AEW Dynamite last week. Callis said they are a team, and Callis knew that Andrade was the right guy to beat Omega. Andrade thanked Callis for believing in him. Andrade said Hangman was in his way.
A video was shown of “Hangman” Adam Page from last week after Dynamite. Page said that he wanted to face Kenny Omega, but instead, he’s getting Andrade, who is one of the best wrestlers in the world. Page said he’ll see him Down Under.
(Commercial)
There was a promo from Kevin Knight and “Speedball” Mike Bailey, who are AEW Trios Champions with “Hangman” Adam Page. They said they are coming for all the gold.
Welcome back Private Party as the “Wildcard Team” after being benched by AEW for the past year. Their last match was in January 2025. I think there were rumors of them leaving, and that’s why they got benched, but for whatever reason, they are back on AEW TV.
Analysis: The way AEW “benches” people is very strange. Tony Khan’s willingness to pay people to sit at home to do nothing for long periods of time is a strange way to run a business. Britt Baker and Danhausen are two examples of it, while Private Party was benched for over a year, and Chris Jericho has been home since April with people expecting a move, but it hasn’t happened yet.
The Young Bucks – Matt & Nick Jackson vs. The Rascalz – Dezmond Xavier & Myron Reed vs. Private Party – Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen
The winners get a shot at the AEW World Tag Team Titles. The Bucks are at “home” in Southern California. Within two minutes of the match, four guys were in the ring doing spots instead of following team rules. The Bucks did a sunset flip Powerbomb combo move. The Bucks hit a double team facebuster on Kassidy. Xavier and Reed were both in the ring attacking the Bucks. Reed hit a dive over the top onto one of the Bucks. Quen hit a dropkick on Xavier. Kassidy jumped off Quen’s back and landed on two guys on the floor. Xavier dropkicked Matt out of the ring. Xavier went up top with a Shooting Star Press onto a bunch of dudes on the floor. Matt didn’t get touched, but still sold it anyway.
(Commercial)
Nick hit a hurricanrana on two guys and Matt tagged in. Matt hit the rolling Northern Lights Suplex spot that he loves to do. Matt hit a Sliced Bread neckbreaker on Kassidy. Matt hit a Cutter on Xavier on the floor. Nick went into the ring with kicks and a clothesline. Matt hit an elbow drop off the top for a two count. I don’t know why four guys were in the ring for several minutes at a time. Kassidy hit two Cutters back to back on the Bucks for a two count, but Xavier made the save. Kassidy hit a DDT on Xavier. Reed slammed Kassidy face first into the mat. The six guys were in the ring doing superkicks, and then they decided to sell briefly, leading to six kip-ups, two clotheslines, and a Canadian Destroyer by Nick. Kassidy stopped the Bucks double team move and Xavier hit a Reverse Rana on Matt. Reed hit an impressive leap to the floor and a Cutter. Xavier hit a twisting splash, and Reed hit a 450 Splash off the top for two because Nick saved Matt there. The Bucks hit a double superkick on Xavier, trying a backflip kick. The Bucks hit a double superkick on Quen and a BTE Trigger knee. The Bucks hit a TK Driver on Reed and Matt covered Reed to win. It went about 14 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: The Young Bucks – Matt & Nick Jackson
Analysis: ***1/4 This was a chaotic tag team match where it was hard to tell who was legal in the match at various times, but that’s typical of an AEW tag team match featuring the Young Bucks. I honestly think they spent more than a minute following tag team rules. It was just chaos. Just call it a Tornado Tag Team Match and don’t do any tags at all if you’re going to wrestle this way. Yes, the action is good, and I like the moves, but this style of match lacks logic. Try to tell a story instead. I would have rated it higher, but it became silly by the end of it. Anyway, The Young Bucks win to face FTR yet again.
The AEW World Tag Team Champions FTR – Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler – walked with Stokely, who was in a wheelchair. Dax and Cash joined the Bucks in the ring as the fans booed. Dax said they are the two greatest tag teams of a generation, saying they have 18 Tag Team Championships between them. Dax said that there was a time when he was jealous of them. Dax asked Matt how it felt to be in second place. Dax said that every company they have worked for, they have been successful. Dax said that the Bucks had to create their own company to be successful. Matt was annoyed so her superkicked Dax and Nick superkicked Cash. The Bucks grabbed the AEW Tag Team Titles and went after Stokely on the floor. The Bucks teased a superkick on Stokely and then put the titles on him instead.
Analysis: There is a long history between The Young Bucks and FTR, so it’s yet another championship match between them. I like FTR more, but I think there will probably be a title change to give the Bucks a title reign as a babyface team since they’ve had a lot of heel title reigns in AEW. Perhaps the return of Adam Copeland and Christian Cage will lead to FTR losing too, which would set up Cope and Cage against FTR again.
A video package aired about Will Ospreay talking about his return to the ring, and said he’ll answer every question when he returns.
Analysis: I think if Will Ospreay is cleared to return in the coming months, then he should win the Owen Hart Cup to earn an AEW World Title match at All In London and win his first World Title in his home country of England. I just hope he learns to wrestle a smarter style after having major neck surgery and missing six months of action.
(Commercial)
There was a video package about MJF defending the AEW World Title against Brody King at Grand Slam Australia because King beat MJF in a non-title match last week on Dynamite.
It was main event time with the challenger, Thekla, making her entrance first. Kris Statlander was up next as the popular AEW Women’s World Champion and she brought the strap with her for the strap match.
AEW Women’s World Championship Strap Match: Kris Statlander vs. Thekla
The two women had a leather strap tied to their left wrists. First pinfall or submission wins the match.
Thekla tried to run away on the floor, but Kris pulled her back into the ring and hit a clothesline. Kris showed off her power by pulling Thekla across the ring for some dreaded mat burn. Thekla whipped Kris in the upper body around her shoulders and back. Excalibur tried to say it was to the face, which is a stretch. Kris hit a pump kick to knock Thekla down on the floor. Kris sent Thekla into the barricade. Kris hit a backbreaker on the floor. Thekla pulled Kris into the barricade. Thekla did a middle finger salute after that. Kris was bleeding from the forehead since Kris bumped with her head into the steps, but obviously it was a blade job by Kris to sell the idea that it was a physical match.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Kris tackling Thekla into the turnbuckle. Thekla came back with a tarantula-style submission by the ropes. Kris recovered quickly to choke Thekla with the strap around the throat. Thekla pulled the strap to send Kris into the ropes. Thekla set up Kris against the ropes, and Thekla kicked Kris in the head to knock her down. Thekla jumped off the top with a cross body block for two. Kris sent Thekla into the turnbuckle and hit a powerslam for two. Kris went to the turnbuckle, so Thekla smashed her with the strap. Thekla sat on the top turnbuckle with Kris and Thekla hit a Spider Suplex off the top. Kris was back up quickly (people need to sell more in AEW) and Kris hit Thekla with the strap in the back a few times. Kris hit a discus lariat for a two count. Kris was bleeding a lot at this point as Thekla spit in her face. Kris came back with a clothesline and she hit Thekla with the strap a few times. Kris hit a Blue Thunder Bomb for a two count. Thekla punched Kris to break free and Thekla hit Kris with the strap to the back. Kris hit a running Thekla with the strap. Kris hit a Tombstone Piledriver, and that was the cue for Skye Blue and Julia Hart to go down to the ring to help Thekla. Excalibur said Kris had no help since Harley and Willow had already gone to Australia. Kris hit Hart with the strap, and she hit Blue off the apron with the strap. Thekla capitalized with a Spear. Thekla used the strap to tie up Kris’ hands and Thekla hit The Stomp for the pinfall win after 14 minutes.
Winner by pinfall AND NEW AEW Women’s World Champion: Thekla
Analysis: ***1/2 A physical match with a stipulation that isn’t easy to do, but they pulled it off and had an entertaining match. There aren’t a lot of matches where women bleed from the forehead as Kris did. I don’t really mind it, although I’m sure some fans have an issue with women bleeding like that. It’s about telling the story and I think it was fitting for a match like that. As for the title change, I am good with it because it gives some credibility to Thekla as a heel while Kris had a long title reign, so losing the title in a match like this isn’t going to hurt Kris too much. Plus, Kris lost because Thekla’s friends provided a distraction, and Kris didn’t have her allies there to help her.
After the match, Thekla celebrated with the AEW Women’s World Title while Julia Hart and Skye Blue stomped on Kris. The team of Alex Windsor and Jamie Hayter went to the ring with a hammer and a pipe, so Thekla, Blue, and Hart left the ring. Thekla continued to celebrate with her title.
===
Three Stars of the Show
- Kyle Fletcher
- Thekla
- Tommaso Ciampa and Kris Statlander
===
The Scoreboard
This Week: 8.25 out of 10
Last Week: 8
2026 Average: 7.46
===
Final Thoughts on AEW Dynamite
I thought it was an excellent edition of AEW Dynamite. The opening segment between Kenny Omega and Swerve Strickland set the tone to build an exciting show. They are two top babyfaces who want to be the best. It’s not a crazy story or anything like that, but it’s relatable to the fans, and they love both guys, so it worked when they got into a huge brawl. That Omega-Swerve match next week will be great.
It’s rare to see two title changes on the same episode of Dynamite, but AEW also has a lot of titles, so it’s going to happen sometimes. Both of those matches were great with Fletcher/Ciampa having an outstanding match and the Thekla/Statlander match was very entertaining too. The Fletcher/Ciampa match is one of my favorite matches so far this year in any company.
Everything else was pretty good for the most part. I have frustrations with some AEW tag team matches, but that’s been a constant thing for over six years at this point. I think they did a nice job of building the matches for the Grand Slam Australia show on Saturday too.
I expect to review Grand Slam Australia, which airs on Saturday, but I might not get the review up until Sunday.
===
Thanks for reading. Go Toronto Raptors, and Toronto Maple Leafs. You can contact me using any of the methods below.
John Canton
Email: [email protected]
Twitter/X: @johnreport