Reviews

The John Report: AEW Dynamite 02/26/25 Review

By John Canton • Published 27th February 2025

This week’s AEW Dynamite featured Konosuke Takeshita facing Orange Cassidy, MJF playing mind games with “Hangman” Adam Page, and more.

This was AEW Dynamite episode #282 from the Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport.

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

Adam Copeland aka Cope arrived in an ambulance warning the Death Riders saying that this would be their ride.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman was shown getting his “AEW Bet On Yourself” tattoo removed earlier in the day. MJF said that he was there to get the biggest mistake of his life removed. MJF: “I’ve watched on as hypocrites have chanted Cowboy Shit for a faker and a pretender when I’m right here. Now I’m truly going to bet on myself.” MJF continued: “You people chose him? I used to believe in three letters. I used to believe in A-E-W. Now three letters matter to him, not AEW and not FAN, but M-J-F.” They showed a leg that had no tattoo on it anymore.

Analysis: It’s certainly possible that the tattoo removal was a work. It could be edited. I have no idea. Real or not, I think it’s a way to show that MJF is only loyal to himself, not the company.

“Hangman” Adam Page was shown driving a car to the building that had some horns on it.

“Hangman” Adam Page vs. Aaron Solo

Page was wrestling in his street clothes rather than his wrestling gear. Page nailed Solo with a boot to the head along with punches. Solo avoided a move and hit a corkscrew kick. Page came back with a clothesline. Page hit the Buckshot Lariat for the pinfall win in one minute.

Winner by pinfall: “Hangman” Adam Page

Analysis: *1/4 A squash match to put over Hangman. Simple enough.

“Hangman” Adam Page Calls Out MJF

Hangman did a promo complaining about MJF spitting in his face. Hangman said he’ll sit here in the ring until they bring MJF to him so that Page can give him the ass beating of a lifetime.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman emerged from the backstage area with a bloody towel. MJF was booed heavily. MJF claimed he had no chance against Hangman and said he better go home to get ready for this match. MJF told Page he was awfully worried about his friend and said you should check on him. MJF said now’s the part where we find out who is actually real. MJF went to the back.

Christopher Daniels was shown in the backstage area and Daniels was a bloody mess with blood all over his white shirt. Page went to the backstage area with a steel chair. Page was looking for MJF. Page called for help for Daniels as the medical staff checked on him. Page left to go look for MJF.

Analysis: A cheap attack by MJF on Daniels, which will piss off Page, so it adds to this already great feud. That’s my favorite rivalry in AEW.

The Don Callis Family’s Kyle Fletcher and Don Callis were sitting in a private box in the building to watch Will Ospreay’s match up next.

Chris Jericho, the ROH World Champion, was interviewed by Renee Paquette earlier in the day. Jericho claimed Renee was there to apologize for how she treated him last week. Don Callis and Mark Davis left Jericho’s locker room. Callis said that Jericho claimed that he had a solution for him. Jericho said he had a Bounty Hunter for him because he chose to help Bryan Keith, who has what it takes to be a champion and to beat Ospreay tonight. Callis was happy about that so he left with Davis while Jericho went back into his room.

Will Ospreay vs. Bryan Keith

Ospreay is against Fletcher in a Steel Cage Match at Revolution, so Ospreay was pointing at Fletcher in the skybox. I don’t know if Keith has won a singles match on Dynamite. I review this show every week and he isn’t a guy who wins matches even though he is talented.

Will nailed a running hurricanrana. They exchanged chops and Keith hit a chop to the throat. Will hit an armdrag leading to an armbar. Will hit a body slam followed by a standing Sky Twister Press for a two count. Keith left the ring, so Will did a slingshot plancha over the top onto Keith on the floor. Will went for a springboard attack, Keith avoided it and Keith sent Will out of the ring. Keith nailed a running kick to the head. They went to a picture-in-picture break.

(Commercial)

The match continued with Keith hitting a clothesline and an Exploder Suplex into the turnbuckle. Will came back with a bounce off the ropes leading to a spinning kick to the head. Will hit a running boot to the face. Will hit a springboard forearm to the face that Keith jumped into to make it look more impactful and it got a two count. Will worked over Keith with chops and a kick, but Keith came back with a clothesline. Will countered Keith with a Stundog Millionaire and Will hit a springboard Oscutter for a two count. Keith jumped into that move. Keith hit a knee smash followed by a Powerbomb for two. There was a “this is awesome” chant that was brief. Keith tried a move, Will slipped out of it and Will hit a Styles Clash. Will hit the Hidden Blade elbow to the head for the pinfall win after 11 minutes. Tony said Will is 8-0 in 2025.

Winner by pinfall: Will Ospreay

Analysis: ***1/4 A good TV match where the result was never in doubt. Will didn’t do too many of his crazy moves and bumps, which is smart by him. Keith is a good worker although I think it’s weird how he jumps into moves. I get that it looks more impressive, but it also looks silly. Anyway, the result was never in doubt here.

After the match, Will left the ring and went up the aisle where he got into a fight with Kyle Fletcher, who was watching in a skybox. The fight didn’t last long because security was there to break it up.

Analysis: That should be a great match between Ospreay and Fletcher at Revolution. I think Ospreay will win.

A video aired about Mariah May attacking Women’s World Champion Toni Storm on Collision last week. They will have another title match at Revolution.

Analysis: That is the longest feud in AEW by far and it’s been fun to watch. It’s also the best women’s feud in AEW history.

(Commercial)

There was a video telling us about how tough Momo Watanabe will be.

Mercedes Mone was backstage where she was rude to Billie Starkz, who is a regular in ROH. Mone slapped a drink out of Billie’s hand. Mone went over her many nicknames. Billie called Mone a narcissistic bitch. Billie warned Mone to watch her back. Momo Watanabe went after Mone, who avoided a baseball bat attack. Momo picked up Mone’s TBS Title and said she wanted the gold at Revolution.

Analysis: That should be another victory for Mercedes Mone. She has yet to have a meaningful feud in AEW. She has had good matches with multiple people, but I wouldn’t call any of them a great rivalry.

The Outrunners – Turbo Floyd & Truth Magnum vs. Murder Machines – Brian Cage & Lance Archer

All four guys were in the ring early on with the Outrunners each hitting dropkicks. Magnum sent both heels out of the ring. Cage and Archer pulled their opponents to the floor for double clotheslines. They went to a PIP break.

(Commercial)

Archer was in control with three straight running elbow smashes on Magnum against the turnbuckle. Cage tagged in, Magnum with a boot to the jaw and Cage hit a clothesline. Magnum hit a jawbreaker to break free and Floyd got the hat tag. Both heels were in the ring, which is illegal, but it’s AEW tag team matches where rules are optional. Floyd got a rollup on Cage for two. Archer, who was illegally in the ring, hit a boot to the face. Cage hit a Death Valley Driver on Magnum. Cage and Archer took turns doing strikes with a knee lift and a boot by Archer for two with Cage making the pin attempt. Magnum saved his partner from a move by Cage. Archer was legal for his team and hit a Chokeslam on Floyd. Archer teased the Blackout, but The Hurt Syndicate’s music played so Archer let Floyd go. Floyd did an O’Connor Roll and sat on top of Archer for the pinfall win. It went about 8 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: The Outrunners – Turbo Floyd & Truth Magnum

Analysis: **1/2 A distraction win for The Outrunners. It was one of those matches where the Murder Machines dominated most of it, yet they lost because of the distraction. The result was an upset with The Outrunners finding a way to win.

The Hurt Syndicate’s Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin, who are the AEW Tag Team Champions, were by the entrance with The Outrunners. They did a light applause for The Outrunners while the Murder Machines were angry in the ring.

Analysis: I don’t think the AEW tag team division is very strong right now. I like Lashley & Benjamin as champions, but overall it’s not that strong in terms of booking and storylines.

A video package aired about Adam Copeland telling Jon Moxley he was going to take out his “goon squad” aka the Death Riders group. They showed Adam Copeland aka Cope taking out Pac last week on Collision with the Conchairto. Jon Moxley said he appreciated Cope playing for keeps. Claudio Castagnoli said he was hunting Cope.

(Commercial)

A video aired recapping last week when Ricochet told Prince Nana he is not giving him his robe back.

Let’s Hear from Swerve Strickland

The former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland made his way to the ring for a promo with Prince Nana by his side. Swerve said that three years ago at Revolution he came to AEW and said he’d be World Champion. Swerve said it was fitting that this is Black History Month since he fulfilled history by becoming World Champion. Swerve said that he defended that championship and showcased it to the world at AEW All In. Swerve said Nana was right two weeks ago when he said that the World Title hasn’t been his focus for far too long. Swerve said he’s still the man around here. Swerve talked about how he needed gold around his waist, but he had to right some wrongs. Swerve mentioned he has to deal with Ricochet. Swerve said they are done when Swerve says they are done.

Ricochet interrupted the promo wearing Prince Nana’s Embassy robe. Ricochet told Swerve that he was done with him because Ricochet won. Ricochet said that winners don’t chase losers. Swerve trashed the San Diego Padres and the Chargers leaving San Diego. Ricochet said what he’s chasing is gold and he’s chasing a championship while showing off his Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl Champion hat. Ricochet said that the next time Swerve sees him, Ricochet will have gold around his waist.

Prince Nana said that he had an offer saying that these fans deserve a rematch. Nana said that Tony Khan said that if Ricochet faces Swerve then the winner will be the number one contender for the AEW World Title. Ricochet said all he has to do is beat Swerve one more time and he’ll punch his ticket to be the AEW World Champion. Ricochet said we won’t do it here because we’ll do it at Revolution on March 9th. Ricochet left.

Analysis: That’s a big match for Revolution that was expected. The Swerve/Ricochet rivalry is one of the best parts of AEW. It also makes sense that it’s a #1 Contenders match for the AEW World Title because they are high profile wrestlers and they deserve to be in that spot. I think Swerve will probably get the win.

Prince Nana talked to Swerve in the ring saying he was glad that Swerve was prioritizing the AEW World Championship. Nana said he wanted Swerve to go back to being the most dangerous man in AEW. Nana said he’s taken a lot of bullets for him while mentioning Hangman Page, Sting, Hurt Syndicate, Ricochet and so on. Nana said that he needed Swerve to fix Nana’s legacy and get his robe back or else Nana didn’t know if he could do this anymore. Nana left Swerve to think about it.

Analysis: I think Swerve beating Ricochet and presenting the robe to Nana will be a cool moment. There is a chance that Nana goes heel on Swerve and helps Ricochet, but I’d rather see them keep Swerve and Nana together.

“Hangman” Adam Page was interviewed by Renee Paquette backstage. Page said that MJF has left. Page said when he finds MJF, if Page doesn’t run him over, you will wish that Page did run him over.

Undisputed Kingdom – Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong vs. Daniel Garcia and FTR – Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler

Garcia is the TNT Champion who looks like he has worked on his tan a lot. They are all babyfaces.

Kyle got a kneebar on Cash, who made it to the ropes quickly. Garcia faced off with Cole with both men going for moves while doing quick counters. Dax took over against Strong and Garcia tagged in with a neckbreaker on Strong. Cole saved Strong, so Garcia argued with Cole and Kyle went into the ring to kick Garcia and knock him down. A brawl broke out involving all six guys. They did a sequence of moves on the floor where they hit running kicks, knees, a slam onto the barricade and a DDT on the floor by Cash on Strong. That was a wild sequence going into a picture-in-picture break.

(Commercial)

The match returned with Strong hitting an Angle Slam on Dax. Strong clotheslined Cash out of the ring. Kyle hit a knee strike on Cash on the floor. Cole and Kyle each made tags so it led to Strong hitting double knees, Cole with a backstabber and Kyle with a PK kick for a two count. The fans were chanting “this is awesome” as Dax fought back with a punch on Strong and Dax applied a Sharpshooter on Kyle, who got to the bottom rope to break the hold. All six guys went into the ring and there were three inside cradles at the same time. All six guys hit double clotheslines so all six guys were down. Garcia and Cole faced off leading to a slugfest. Cole kicked Garcia, but Garcia came back with a clothesline. Dax was back in with a Sharpshooter on Strong. Kyle kicked Dax and applied a Guillotine, then Cash applied an abdominal stretch on Kyle. Garcia wanted a piledriver on Cole, but Cole countered it with a jackknife pin attempt for the three count. It went about 11 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Undisputed Kingdom – Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong

Analysis: ***1/4 A pretty good tag team match that was fast-paced. There were too many choreographed spots with the triple inside cradles and triple double clotheslines. I get wanting to do cool things, but doing this stuff back to back was too much. The finish was done in a way that showed Cole was clever to counter Garcia and Cole’s win sets him up for a TNT Title match.

After the match, Garcia wanted a handshake with Cole, but Kyle pushed the hand away. FTR and Kyle/Strong argued. Cole got his guys to back away.

It was announced that on Collision this Saturday, Daniel Garcia will defend the TNT Title against Adam Cole.

Analysis: I thought that title match would be at Revolution but they are doing it on Collision instead. It could lead to a rematch at Revolution.

Claudio Castagnoli was shown walking backstage. Adam Copeland aka Cope attacked him in the backstage area. Cope and Claudio went fighting down to the ringside area where Wheeler Yuta was there to help Claudio. Claudio hit Cope with chair shots to the back. Where is FTR? They were just out there and they are Cope’s friends, but no sign of them here. Jay White’s music hit, Cope got back up and hit Claudio and Yuta with chair shots to the back. Cope hit a Spear on Claudio. Marina Shafir jumped on Cope’s back, but Cope pulled her down and Yuta hit a Busaiko Knee on Shafir by accident. White was laughing about it. White hit Bladerunner on Yuta. Cope hit Claudio in the back with two chair shots. Cope put a chair under Claudios’ head and Cope used another chair to hit the Conchairto. Jon Moxley showed up to pull Yuta out of the way.

Cope put Shafir’s head on a chair in the ring. Willow Nightingale’s music hit and she got into the ring since she had issues with Shafir. Willow grabbed a chair and did a Conchairto to Shafir. At least they shot that chair shot from the right angle. Cope’s music played to end it.

Analysis: The story is that Cope is taking out Moxley’s allies, so in this segment, he took out Claudio with the Conchairto and Willow took out Shafir. That means Cope will take out Yuta on a future show. It’s a story that makes sense since Cope wants to have an even playing field against Moxley that is 1 on 1 without Moxley’s allies and now three of the four allies have been taken out. It’s a story that works. I think Moxley will retain the AEW World Title against Cope at Revolution, but a title change is possible. I just think somebody like Kenny Omega, Will Ospreay, Darby Allin, Adam Page or Swerve Strickland makes more sense as the guy to beat Moxley.

(Commercial)

Harley Cameron vs. Deonna Purrazzo

The only match that Harley has won in AEW was over Deonna’s friend Taya Valkyrie. That story is continuing even though Taya didn’t come to ringside with Purrazzo.

Deonna stopped Harley’s attempt at a takedown. They showed Taya watching on a TV backstage. Deonna tried an armbar, but Harley broke free. Harley got a spinning headscissors and a neckbreaker for two. Harley was on the apron where she delivered a kick. Harley climbed up top, Deonna tripped her up and Deonna hit a pump kick to the head. Deonna hit a sliding dropkick to knock Harley down on the floor. They went to a PIP break.

(Commercial)

The match continued with each woman hitting clotheslines. Deonna hit a spin kick, knee strike and a Russian legsweep for two. Deonna put Harley upside down against the turnbuckle, Deonna charged and Harley came back with a kick. Harley hit an enziguri kick to the head. Harley hit a Shining Wizard knee on Deonna for a two count. Deonna countered a bulldog by hitting a boot to the head. Deonna hit a Powerbomb along with a stack pin. Deonna applied an armbar, Harley countered it into a crucifix pin. Harley grabbed the arm and hit a spinning neckbreaker to send Deonna into the mat. Harley covered for the pinfall win after 8 minutes. The fans cheered for Harley’s win.

Winner by pinfall: Harley Cameron

Analysis: **3/4 It was a solid match with Harley getting the second win of her career, which was expected. Only five minutes of it were shown full screen due to the PIP action. Deonna isn’t being pushed much even though she’s a talented wrestler. I don’t mind Harley winning because the fans are getting behind her and she’s getting better in the ring. I like Harley as an underdog kind of wrestler who keeps finding ways to win. She’s not just a pretty face. She’s working her ass off and you can tell. Good for her.

There was a video package about the Konosuke Takeshita/Orange Cassidy match in the main event.

(Commercial)

An ambulance was shown driving Claudio Castagnoli and Marina Shafir away. Adam Copeland, Jay White & Willow Nightingale were there to wave at the ambulance leaving.

Analysis: Shouldn’t Roderick Strong be mad that his wife Marina Shafir just got attacked and taken away in an ambulance? I’m sorry to use logic. That question won’t be answered.

AEW International Championship: Konosuke Takeshita (w/Don Callis & Mark Davis) vs. Orange Cassidy

The winner of this match will defend the International Title against Kenny Omega at Revolution. Don Callis joined commentary while Mark Davis was beside Don as his protector.

Takeshita took off Orange’s sunglasses, ripped them off and threw them down. Takeshita even bit off a piece of them. Orange put on other sunglasses. Takeshita knocked Orange down with a shoulder tackle. Takeshita gave the Cassidy sunglasses to Callis, so the fans booed that. Orange got an arm drag. Takeshita went for a knee, Orange avoided it, Orange went for an Orange Punch and Takeshita moved his head back to avoid it. Orange dropkicked Takeshita into the turnbuckle. Takeshita did an eye gouge while Orange was on the apron. Orange hit a shoulder tackle to the ribs and Orange jumped over the top with an incredible DDT. Takeshita was back up with a leaning elbow strike. They went to a PIP break.

(Commercial)

Orange was in control with a diving clothesline off the top rope. Takeshita came back with a clothesline along with some punches to the head. Takeshita tried a lifting move, but Orange blocked it with elbow strikes to the head. Orange tried a DDT, Takeshita countered that and another move and Takeshita hit a Blue Thunder Bomb for two as usual for that move. The fans chanted “holy shit” for those counter moves. Takeshita went for a power move, but Orange gave Takeshita a hurricanrana out of the ring. Referee Bryce Remsburg stopped Don Callis from trying to interfere. Orange cleared off the commentary table. Takeshita hit Orange with forearms to the head. Orange was on the commentary table with his hands in his pocket. Takeshita went for a piledriver, Orange avoided that and Orange hit a Beach Break slam onto the commentary table and they broke some of the table, but they mostly slipped off the table. The referee was doing a very slow count and they both got back in before the ten count. Orange hit an Orange Punch to knock Takeshita out of the ring. Orange hit a DDT on the floor. Orange got his sunglasses from Callis, Orange jumped off the top with leaping move, but Takeshita hit a forearm smash. Orange hit a Stundog Millionaire. Takeshita hit his jumping Tombstone move. Orange hit a sunset flip counter for a two count. Takeshita hit his Raging Fire spinning slam for the pinfall win after 13 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Konosuke Takeshita

Analysis: **** Awesome match. It’s nice when you get a four-star level main event. These guys are great. Takeshita is one of my favorites in AEW while I respect Orange for his ability to sell and he’s so great at doing counter moves as well. I figured Takeshita would win and I enjoyed it. I don’t mind that it’s predictable sometimes. It worked as a strong main event match. Better than last week’s Cassidy-Strong main event match.

The win by Takeshita means he’ll defend the AEW International Title against Kenny Omega at Revolution. The announcers plugged some stuff on Collision including Omega on the show. Takeshita celebrated with Callis. That was the end of the show.

===

Three Stars of the Show

Konosuke Takeshita
Orange Cassidy
“Hangman” Adam Page

===

The Scoreboard

This Week: 7.5 out of 10

Last Week: 7.5

2025 Average: 7.28

===

Final Thoughts on AEW Dynamite

It was a very good Dynamite episode this week. There was a nice balance between in-ring action, entertaining promos that advanced stories and they are continuing to build the Revolution PPV lineup. The Takeshita-Cassidy match was outstanding, which wasn’t a surprise. Other matches were solid. At least they are coming up with better finishes rather than the predictable endings all the time.

They are doing a terrific job with rivalries like MJF/Hangman and Swerve/Ricochet. Those are my favorite feuds in AEW right now. The Moxley/Cope story is solid and it makes sense with Cope trying to take out all of Moxley’s allies.

I think the Revolution PPV lineup looks amazing. Last year I thought Revolution was their best PPV and it’s a very strong card again this year.

The next AEW PPV is Revolution on March 9th in Los Angeles. Here is the lineup so far: