Reviews

The John Report: AEW Dynamite 03/04/26 Review

By John Canton • Published Mar 04, 2026 22:55 EST
AEW Dynamite March 4 (Image via AEW on X)
AEW Dynamite March 4 (Image via AEW on X)

This is AEW Dynamite, featuring MJF in action against Kevin Knight, Thekla facing Thunder Rosa and more.

AEW is on the road to the Revolution PPV on Sunday, March 15th, which is their first PPV of the year. It’s a strong lineup.

I’m doing a live review this week because I’m home for it. Most Wednesdays, I’m out doing game night/sports night stuff with friends, but I’m home this week, so I’m doing the review. For this show, I’m going to do a summary style for most of the show and then play-by-play for the two major singles title matches.

This was AEW Dynamite episode #335 from the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas. 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 Tony Schiavone. I like it when there’s a third announcer because Excalibur and Tony are so repetitive as the robotic “everything on this show is the greatest thing I’ve ever seen” cheerleader announcer. You need some variety on commentary.

I missed the first five minutes. When I started the show, the AEW World Title introductions were taking place.

AEW World Championship: Maxwell Jacob Friedman vs. Kevin Knight

MJF performed an armdrag and boasted about it, so Knight responded with an arm drag of his own. Knight started the match with some shoulder tackles, followed by an armbar on his left arm. He then worked over MJF with repeated stomps against the turnbuckle. Knight went for his UFO Splash from the top, but MJF avoided it, causing Knight to hit the mat. MJF delivered a knee to the ribs and a hip thrust/crotch attack to the face. Knight attempted two rollup pins, but MJF countered by slamming him into the mat. MJF then forced Knight hard into the turnbuckle, causing a sternum bump. After some stalling, Knight sent MJF into the turnbuckle and jumped off the middle turnbuckle with a clothesline. Knight executed a body slam and a running, twisting splash for a two-count. He was selling a rib injury from earlier. Knight climbed to the top, but MJF left the ring. Knight then hit a somersault dive over the top onto MJF outside. Back inside the ring, MJF rolled out again. When Knight ran the ropes, MJF did the same and hit a knee to the ribs. Knight avoided a move and hit a jumping DDT for another two count. MJF kicked Knight and hit a spinebuster. He then executed an F5-like spinning slam off the shoulders for a two count. MJF attempted a suplex, but Knight countered into a cradle for two. He then got a backslide pin for two. Both exchanged pin attempts, each getting two. Knight superkicked MJF out of the ring, then leapt over the top rope to clothesline MJF on the floor. They briefly went to a break with picture-in-picture action.

(Commercial)

After Knight managed to take MJF down, he climbed to the top rope until MJF stopped him and crotched Knight on the top. Knight was able to trap MJF upside down against the turnbuckle, so he climbed up top and delivered a Coast to Coast dropkick to knock MJF off. They should have filmed it from a wider angle, but they didn’t. Still, a cool move. MJF went for a UFO Splash off the top, but he kicked referee Bryce Remsburg into the ropes, causing Bryce to sell a throat injury. Knight covered, but Bryce took way too long to count, and MJF kicked out at two. Knight went up top for another UFO Splash, but MJF got his knees up to block. MJF then hit the Heatseeker piledriver off the ropes for the pinfall win after 17 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Maxwell Jacob Friedman

Analysis: **** It was an excellent 4-star (out of 5) level match for the AEW World Title. MJF is incredibly skilled, while Knight is a talented young wrestler who delivered plenty of offense and almost secured the victory. I loved the spot where MJF kicked the referee into the ropes, as it shows how desperate MJF was to cheat and win, making Knight appear as a tough opponent. In the end, it only took MJF raising his knees and a Heatseeker to seal the win for the decisive victory. Logically speaking, MJF kicking the referee into the ropes should be a DQ, but these referees are booked like the dumbasses in the history of pro wrestling, so of course it wasn’t a DQ.

After the match, MJF held his Dynamite Diamond Ring and tossed referee Bryce out of the ring. “Hangman” Adam Page appeared at the entrance, and MJF stared at him. When MJF turned around, Mike Bailey superkicked him out of the ring. MJF was on the floor as Page went to the back. Bailey and Knight celebrated in the ring.

Analysis: Poor MJF. It makes it look like MJF has no allies, and it may be tough for him to beat Hangman at Revolution.

(Commercial)

Orange Cassidy & Darby Allin vs. The Dogs – Gabe Kidd & Clark Connors

The babyface team of Orange and Allin attacked Kidd and Clark before the match, so they fought on the floor before the bell rang. Allin dropkicked Clark into the barricade, and Clark shoved Allin into the barricade. Clark jumped off the steel steps and delivered a Spear through a ringside table to Orange. When Allin and Kidd entered the ring, the bell rang to start the match.

Kidd hit a lariat and Fisherman’s Buster on Allin to start the match. They went to a PIP break as Orange was being checked on by a doctor at ringside.

(Commercial)

Kidd shoved Allin over the top to the floor, and Allin took a brutal bump to the ground. Allin used his belt to trip up Clark and broke free, allowing Orange to get the tag. Orange worked over Clark with a running kick and a Beach Break for two, as Kidd made the save. Orange hit a Stundog Millionaire, and Allin delivered a Code Red on Kidd. Allin then hit a Stunner on Clark, and Orange followed up with a DDT on Clark as well. Allin caught Clark with an Orange Punch off the top onto Clark and Kidd on the floor. Orange then hit an Orange Punch on Clark for the pinfall victory. The match lasted about 7 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Orange Cassidy & Darby Allin

Analysis: *** It was good considering the limited time, and we only saw less than five minutes of full-screen action. The last minute of offense from Orange and Allin was exciting and explosive. I like Kidd and Clark, but this was mainly about showcasing the babyfaces who are AEW originals.

After the match, David Finlay entered the ring and attacked Orange and Allin with a shillelagh as a tribute to his father. Finlay previously worked in New Japan with Clark and Kidd, so it seems he’s now with AEW. Finlay struck Allin with the wooden stick known as a shillelagh. He celebrated with Clark and Kidd afterward. Nobody came to help Allin and Orange, and the trio of Finlay, Clark, and Kidd left.

Analysis: Welcome, David Finlay, to AEW. That was rumored for a while, so it’s cool to see him there. Obviously, Finlay has his dad, Fit Finlay, and brother Urijah Connors working for WWE, but he chose AEW instead. Maybe the offer was better.

Bandido and Andrade El Idolo were interviewed by Renee Paquette backstage. They have a match at Revolution. Bandido talked about being a fan of Andrade. Andrade wondered if he wanted to fight or take a selfie. Andrade had a call and left.

The Iinspiration – Jessie McKay & Cassie Lee vs. The Brawling Birds – Alex Windsor & Jamie Hayter

McKay and Lee are former WWE & TNA Tag Team Champions. They were known as The Iiconics in WWE, and I have always enjoyed them as a team. They also have good personalities. It’s the Australian Inspiration versus the UK’s Brawling Birds. The team of McKay and Lee wanted to dance to their music, but Windsor and Hayter wanted to fight, so they attacked and dominated with chops, backbreakers and clotheslines. The Birds hit a double suplex. Double clothesline by the Birds. While Windsor was holding McKay, Hayter hit a running clothesline on McKay, who was on top of Lee. Windsor pinned Lee and McKay at the same time and Hayter is even making the cover. Why is the inept referee Aubrey Edwards allowing this? I don’t know. The match only lasted under two minutes.

Winners by pinfall: The Brawling Birds – Alex Windsor & Jamie Hayter

Analysis: * That was a surprising Dynamite debut for The Iinspiration since they lost in just a few minutes and didn’t get any offense in the match. I should point out they went about 90 seconds here without a single tag. It’s not a Tornado Tag, but it is AEW with shitty refereeing and match structure.I guess the story is that The Iinspiration didn’t take their debut too seriously and were overwhelmed by the tough Brawling Birds team. I definitely hope Jessie and Cassie bounce back after that.

(Commercial)

“Hangman” Adam Page vs. Marty Snow

Page hit a boot to the face and Buckshot Lariat for the pinfall win after about 10 seconds.

Winner by pinfall: “Hangman” Adam Page

Analysis: Riveting action. Squash.

Let’s Hear from “Hangman” Adam Page

Page did a promo saying he’s putting his entire future at stake to do what MJF’s parents should have done 30 years ago – and that’s teach MJF a lesson. Page said in a Texas Death Match he has no conscience. Page said he will rip Max, tear him, and only let him like when Page is finished with him. Page wanted MJF to put his Dynamite Diamond Ring on and try to punch Page with it.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman appeared with the AEW World Title around his waist. MJF said he whipped Kevin Knight’s ass. MJF said that next week, he has to hear Page at a press conference, so don’t make him come down to the ring to whip his ass now, too. That’s when Kazuchika Okada, Kyle Fletcher, and Mark Davis attacked Page in the ring. They are in the Don Callis Family. Davis hit a running clothesline on Page. Mike Bailey and Kevin Knight made the save, so the heel ran away like cowards.

Don Callis walked out with Lance Archer to join his Don Callis Family wrestlers in the aisle. The fans chanted, “F**k Don Callis” right on cue. The Trios Champions trio of Page, Bailey and Knight (aka Jet Set Rodeo) were together in the ring. Callis trashed the millennial punks in the ring. Callis said they are all greedy since they have Trios Titles and they all want singles titles. Callis said he wanted to let us know what he wants. Callis said he heard the AEW Trios Champions said they would defend their titles any place and any time. Callis claimed he talked to Tony Khan and the trio of Page, Knight and Bailey will defend the titles against the Don Callis Family’s Fletcher, Okada and Davis. Callis claimed that tonight, the Trios Titles will belong to him.

Analysis: It was obvious it was going to lead to an AEW Trios Title match, but I thought it would be on Collision instead of Dynamite. Most weeks on Dynamite, they don’t add matches to a live show, so it’s rare to see something like this where a promo leads to a main event match.

The Young Bucks and FTR Discussion

There was an earlier today meeting between FTR (with Stokely) and The Young Bucks, moderated by Renee Paquette. They agreed on a no-contact clause. FTR members Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler claimed they are the best team. Dax said they are the best teams of this era, including The Briscoes, and since FTR were The Briscoes’ greatest rivals, that makes FTR the best. Nick Jackson said this is different because FTR pushed their parents and hit a piledriver on The Bucks’ brother. Matt spoke about how their family was at Collision when FTR did what they did, including their kids. Matt Jackson wanted to beat the hell out of FTR. He said their family will be at Revolution, and they’ll beat them up and leave them in a pool of blood. FTR trash-talked them some more before getting up and leaving. Dax said it was a shame they had a no-contact rule, but it doesn’t apply to him—Dax punched Brandon Cutler, who had a camera filming the Bucks. Nice cheap shot to end it.

Analysis: It was a way to get these two great teams on the show for a few minutes without doing lengthy promos. It’s simple and I don’t mind something like that. The Bucks are right to say it’s different now since FTR attacked the Bucks family, and it adds more to the group.

Jon Moxley vs. Hechicero

This is an AEW Continental Championship Eliminator Match for Moxley’s title. Hechicero is part of the Don Callis Family and usually loses when I see him on Dynamite. They did some mat wrestling early on with some basic holds on the mat. Hechicero got some offense going with some punches against the turnbuckle. Moxley stopped that with some hand biting and punches of his own. Hechicero hit an elbow smash off the top rope onto a standing Moxley. They went to a PIP break.

(Commercial)

Hechicero was in control as he wrenched on Moxley’s knee against the ropes. Moxley countered a move off the ropes and hit a Cutter. Hechicero wrenched on Moxley’s right knee against the ropes. They were at the 10-minute mark. Hechicero went up top for nothing, so Moxley hit a superplex. Moxley went for multiple submission including a cross armbreaker on the left arm. Hechicero twisted on Moxley’s two legs until Moxley got to the rope to force a break. Moxley and Hechicero exchanged strikes, which happens in every Moxley match. Hechicero hit a knee and a kick, but Moxley came back with a clothesline. The fans chanted, “This is awesome” for them. Hechicero with a flapjack and then he spun Moxley around the ring into a pin attempt for two. Moxley avoided a move by Hechicero and hit The Stomp. Hechicero did a middle finger salute and Moxley hit a knee smash. Moxley hit the Death Rider lifting DDT for the pinfall win after 15 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Jon Moxley

Analysis: ***1/2 This has been the usual Moxley match during this run of his career, where he goes around 15 minutes with a guy that he should beat much easier, but to Moxley’s credit, he spends most of the match selling for the guy. I don’t think Hechicero usually looks that good in his matches, so again, it’s a testament to Moxley being a guy who knows how to make his opponent look great.

After Moxley left the ring, Konosuke Takeshita checked on Hechicero and had some long-distance trash talk with Moxley. They have a match at Revolution. That should be outstanding.

The Thekla-Thunder Rosa match was next.

(Commercial)

Let’s Hear from Brody King

Brody King went into the ring and called out Swerve Strickland while claiming that he (King) is the most dangerous man in AEW. King wanted to fight him. Prince Nana appeared by the entrance area, did some stalling and called for Swerve to make his entrance.

As Swerve’s music was playing, Swerve hit King in the back of the head with a steel chain in his hands. Swerve hit a running House Call kick on King. Swerve put the chain around King’s throat and tied some of the chain together. Swerve pulled on the chain to try to choke King out. King sold it like he passed out. Nobody was trying to help King. Swerve said that this is how you chain a dog up. Swerve said he had to send a message to Kenny Omega and now a message for King. Swerve said he’s about that action. Swerve said he would see King at Revolution in Los Angeles, so that match is on. Bandido made the save and Swerve left.

Analysis: These AEW segments constantly have people getting attacked or outnumbered without anybody trying to save a human being from being choked by a chain for several minutes. It’s just too silly sometimes. Anyway, Swerve got the advantage here, and I think he’ll win at Revolution.

The Death Riders spoke from outside the arena somewhere. It was Danial Garcia with a warning, and Wheeler Yuta showed off his shaved head and seemed happy with it. Marina Shafir trashed Toni Storm. Moxley addressed his AEW Continental Title match against Konosuke Takeshita and Moxley said he’ll see this through all the way to the end.

AEW Women’s World Championship: Thekla vs. Thunder Rosa

Rosa was in control early on for a few minutes. They left the ring, and Rosa threw Thekla into the ring apron. Rosa jumped off the barricade with a cross body block on Thekla on the floor. Rosa splashed Thekla against the ropes, but Thekla came back with a boot to the face. Thekla jumped off the apron with a double foot stomp on Rosa’s back on the floor. They went to a PIP break.

(Commercial)

Thekla was in control with punches, so Rosa struck her in the gut and then delivered a Stunner. Rosa executed a double knee attack on Thekla against the turnbuckle. Rosa also hit a dropkick against the ropes and a Northern Lights Suplex for a two count. Thekla superplexed Rosa off the middle turnbuckle. She hit a Spear for a two count after pulling Rosa up at two. Rosa avoided Thekla’s Stomp attempt and responded with a Cutter. Rosa then delivered a Fire Thunder Driver for another two count. She charged with a clothesline, but Thekla ducked and hit a Spear. Thekla also hit a Stomp to the head. She added another Stomp and pinned Rosa after 13 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Thekla

Analysis: ***1/4 A good match to give Thekla a win over a former champion like Rosa. I like Rosa as a fighting babyface veteran who is easy to like, but she had no shot here. Thekla got the decisive win with her Shield tribute moves. It’s early in Thekla’s title reign, so I don’t expect her to lose soon.

After the match, the Sisters of Sin Julia Hart and Skye Blue went to ringside, so Kris Statlander went out there. Security guys went to ringside and Thekla hit a Stomp on Rosa again. Thekla beat up security and checked on Rosa.

Analysis: The security guys are there to prevent a fight, but don’t care when somebody is being strangled by a chain over the ropes. Okay. Sure.

A video package aired about the Mile High Madness match on Dynamite. Jack Perry talked about how he pinned Ricochet for the AEW National Title. Ricochet responded to Perry saying you’ve got a war.

Tommaso Ciampa Interview

Tommaso Ciampa was interviewed by Renee Paquette at ringside. Ciampa was in his wrestling gear even though he wasn’t in a match. He complained about how TNT Kyle Fletcher is hiding from him. Ciampa claimed he’s going to be TNT Champion again if he gets to face Fletcher. He said he didn’t just come here for instant classics; he came to be a top guy. FTR interrupted Ciampa as Excalibur mentioned their history, but not that their history is on WWE’s NXT brand. Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler hugged Ciampa. Dax welcomed an old friend to AEW and said they are top guys. Dax wanted Ciampa to join them and take over this company, old friend. Ciampa said he hated their guys 10 years ago and still hates their guts. He insulted Stokely. Dax said it didn’t matter how good friends they were or weren’t. Ciampa said they didn’t sign a no-contact clause and then punched Dax. Cash stopped Dax from doing more. Dax said he’s not mad and he’ll see him Saturday at Collision.

Analysis: It’s a way to further establish Ciampa as a babyface who wants to be on his own, rather than in a group.

(Commercial)

Toni Storm was backstage talking to Orange Cassidy, who was icing his ribs. Orange talked about how he and Darby Allin will fight The Dogs at Revolution and probably before that too. Storm ranted about her issues with Marina Shafir as well, and the camera left.

AEW World Trios Championship: Jet Set Rodeo – “Hangman” Adam Page, “Speedball” Mike Bailey & Kevin Knight vs. Don Callis Family – Kyle Fletcher, Kazuchika Okada & Mark Davis (w/Don Callis)

The match started after the 2-hour mark in the show. Dynamite is over two hours every week and lately it’s nearly 2.5 hours every week with the long overrun. Don Callis was on commentary.

It started with six guys fighting on the floor while the announcers did their usual bit about how they are going to stick with this match for however long it takes. Bailey hit a hurricanrana on Kyle, then Davis kicked Bailey to stop his momentum. The Callis Family worked over Bailey in their corner for a few minutes. Bailey broke free and brought in Page, who hit a fallaway slam on Kyle. Page hit a dive onto Davis and a clothesline on Okada. Page clotheslined Kyle and hit a suicide dive on Okada and Davis on the floor. Page hit Kyle with a boot to the head. The champs took turns hitting moves on Kyle, then did a triple dropkick. Page and Bailey hit dives on opponents, but Kyle stopped Knight from his attempt. Kyle tossed Knight into the barricade, and Knight’s injured ribs hit the barricade. Another break ten minutes into the overrun of the show? Sure.

(Commercial)

The match continued with the Callis Family isolating Knight from his team. Davis hit an elbow, and Okada delivered a dropkick. Knight managed to break free and tag in Bailey. There was an incredible springboard moonsault onto Ciampa on the floor. Bailey hit a missile dropkick to knock Davis out of the ring. Bailey also hit a standing SSP for a two-count. He then kicked Kyle in the chest and hit a cannonball for another two. After Okada made a save, Bailey kicked Okada out of the ring. Page tagged in against Davis. Davis responded with a jumping kick to the head. Page countered with a Deadeye for a two, but Kyle broke it up. Bailey reversed a Fletcher move into a reverse hurricanrana—that was amazing. Page battled Davis in the ring with two lariats, then pulled himself back up and hit another lariat on Davis. Page tagged in Knight. Okada was calling the referee over, which led to MJF punching Page at ringside with the Dynamite Diamond Ring in his hand. The terrible referee never saw it. Okada then hit Knight with a Rainmaker lariat, and Davis gave Knight a piledriver for the pinfall victory after 14 minutes.

Winners by pinfall AND NEW AEW World Trios Champions: Don Callis Family – Kyle Fletcher, Kazuchika Okada & Mark Davis

Analysis: ***1/4 It was fine for an AEW tag team match. Do people care about the AEW Trios Titles and who holds them? I don’t think I even saw Hangman team with Bailey and Knight to win the titles since I don’t watch Collision, so I find myself not caring much about a title change. Yes, the Trios Titles exist, but I certainly don’t think much of them. The title change didn’t feel like a big deal to me, and now it gives the Callis Family even more gold.

After the match, MJF celebrated the title change with The Don Callis Family trio celebrated with their titles. That was the end of the show.

This episode of Dynamite ran 2 hours and 18 minutes.

===

Three Stars of the Show

  1. MJF
  2. Kevin Knight
  3. Jon Moxley

===

The Scoreboard

This Week: 7.5 out of 10

Last Week: 7.75

2026 Average: 7.56

===

Final Thoughts on AEW Dynamite

I enjoyed this episode of AEW Dynamite, just like I do most weeks. It felt like there was plenty of action and little talk, which is a strength of AEW shows. I think the opening match, with MJF defeating Kevin Knight, was definitely the best match, and Knight wrestled again in the main event in another losing effort. I don’t really care about the AEW Trios Titles, but at least the title change was used to advance the MJF-Hangman story since MJF played a major role in why Jet Set Rodeo lost to the Don Callis Family. The refereeing in some of the matches continues to be terrible, but that’s an AEW problem from day one.

The rest of the matches were solid, with Thekla earning a decisive win, Jon Moxley’s weekly victory over a midcarder lasting longer than most would expect, and Orange Cassidy teaming up with Darby Allin as the babyface AEW OGs. That led directly into David Finlay’s AEW debut to join Gabe Kidd & Clark Connors—because AEW needs more stables… which is sarcasm. But I do like that trio together.

Anyway, the Revolution card looks great with Swerve Strickland and Brody King added. It’s a strong card.

The next AEW PPV is AEW Revolution on March 15th in Los Angeles. Here’s the lineup so far.

* AEW World Championship Texas Death Match: Maxwell Jacob Friedman vs. “Hangman” Adam Page – If Page loses, he cannot wrestle for the World Title again.

* AEW World Tag Team Championships: FTR vs. The Young Bucks

* AEW Continental Championship No Time Limit Match: Jon Moxley vs. Konosuke Takeshita

* AEW Trios Championships: Kazuchika Okada, Kyle Fletcher, and Mark Davis vs. Kevin Knight, Mike Bailey, and Mistico

* AEW Women’s World Championship 2 Out Of 3 Falls Match: Thekla vs. Kris Statlander

* Andrade El Idolo vs. Bandido

* Swerve Strickland vs. Brody King

===

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