The John Report: AEW Dynamite 03/26/25 Review
This week’s AEW Dynamite featured Kenny Omega in action along with MJF answering MVP, Toni Storm & Thunder Rosa facing Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford, and more.
The lineup for Dynamite this week looks weaker compared to last week. They are on the road to AEW Dynasty on April 6th in Philadelphia.
This was AEW Dynamite episode #286 from the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul, Minnesota. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.
It’s Wednesday night, and you know what that means. The commentary team was Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, and Taz. Excalibur claimed they were loaded with this week’s lineup. I don’t agree.
They were plugging the Minecraft movie a lot this week with the logo on the video screen, graphics throughout the arena and it was part of the show open.
Kenny Omega vs. Blake Christian (w/Lee Johnson)
Omega is the AEW International Champion. Blake is a talented guy who is thriving on the ROH brand that few people watch.
There was a side headlock takeover by Omega to take control. Omega knocked Blake down with a shoulder tackle, so Blake kipped up and gave Omega a middle finger salute. Omega chopped Blake and gave him a belly-to-back suplex. Blake hit an impressive dropkick. Blake did an eye gouge on the apron and Blake hit a Spear while on the apron. Blake hit a twisting suicide dive onto Omega on the floor. Blake went for a springboard attack, but Omega hit him with a knee to the back. Omega punched Johnson off the apron. Omega hit a Snapdragon Suplex two times in a row. Omega picked up Blake into a suplex onto the knee, so it was like a backbreaker. Omega hit a V-Trigger knee and One Winged Angel for the pinfall win after about five minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Kenny Omega
Analysis: **3/4 Easy win for Omega. Every match doesn’t have to go 15-20 minutes and be competitive. Sometimes, a champion who is one of the biggest names in the company needs to get decisive wins like that. I’d like to see Blake on Dynamite more because he’s a talented guy.
Kenny Omega did a post-match promo while holding the International Title. Omega said that he made this quick, but it will be a different story at Dynasty. Omega said he had to face Ricochet (the fans booed) and somebody new to you but not new to him, “Speedball” Mike Bailey. The fans cheered.
“Speedball” Mike Bailey joined his fellow Canadian Omega in the ring. Bailey told Omega he was an inspiration to Speedball and he respects Omega. Bailey said he admired Omega as a wrestler, as a person, and as a champion. Bailey said even though he respects Omega, he won’t anything back, he won’t pull any punches and he won’t hesitate to kick his head clean off to take the International Title.
Ricochet appeared in a video saying that today was his wedding. Ricochet said he was dressed for the best day of his life until April 6, when he beats Omega and Bailey to become the new International Champion. Ricochet said it sounds so good that he can see it now. Ricochet said he’s going to leave Dynasty with both the girl and the gold.
Omega said congratulations to Ricochet on his wedding. Omega said, just like Ricochet said, it’s not about making friends because Omega has a cat and he doesn’t need any more. Omega said that Bailey isn’t his comrade because when it comes to wrestling, it’s about his titles and his legacy. Omega told Bailey he’s just a stepping stone in Omega’s legacy in AEW. Omega ended the promo with his “goodnight bang” line.
Analysis: That will be an outstanding triple threat match at AEW Dynasty. Good stuff by Bailey praising Omega and Omega said he wasn’t there to be friends because he was there to add to his legacy. Congratulations to Ricochet on the wedding to former WWE ring announcer Samantha Irvin. Good people. I think Omega will retain at Dynasty.
Chris Jericho, the ROH World Champion, talked to Big Bill and Bryan Keith telling them to go prove themselves to him that they belong with The Learning Tree. Bill and Keith left. Jericho said that Bandido got Gravity’s mask back. Jericho said he wanted Bandido’s mask. Jericho told Bandido to put up his mask against Jericho’s ROH World Title at the Dynasty PPV. Jericho asked if it’s worth it and said he thinks it is. Jericho said he’ll see him at Dynasty.
Analysis: The Jericho-Bandido feud has been built well. I think Bandido beating Jericho to win the ROH World Title is a possibility.
Let’s Hear from MJF and MVP
Maxwell Jacob Friedman went into the ring for a promo wearing dress clothes, including a scarf. MJF trashed Prince saying that Michael Jackson was better. MJF mocked the Minnesota accent by telling the people to shut up. MJF said he’s been looking at MVP’s card for the last two weeks, so he’d like to talk to MVP and give him an answer.
MVP of The Hurt Syndicate group made his way down to the ring wearing a suit and he had the dreaded cane with him. The fans like singing “We Hurt People” for THS’s song.
MJF said that after what happened with Adam Cole, he claimed he was never going to have friends again. MJF said that he knows that with MVP, he doesn’t do friends either because he does business. MJF said that he has decided he would like to be in the business of hurting people. MJF wanted a handshake, but MVP hesitated.
The AEW Tag Team Champions Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin walked out in suits along with their titles, and they joined their buddy MVP in the ring. Lashley confronted MJF in the ring and told MJF to give him the card. Lashley glanced over to Benjamin, who shook his head no. Lashley ripped up the card in front of MJF. Lashley and Shelton surrounded MJF, so MVP calmed them down saying MJF was cool. MJF backed out of the ring and left.
Analysis: It was a misunderstanding with MVP and his boys disagreeing about MJF. While MVP seems to want MJF in the group, Lashley and Benjamin don’t see it the same way. I’m not really sure where this story is going, but maybe they are going to use MJF to make THS look more like faces since we know MJF is a classic heel.
Bryan Keith and Big Bill showed up to talk to The Hurt Syndicate. Keith said they weren’t there to join their group therapy session. Bill said he sees them with those Tag Team Titles, but he doesn’t see a challenger. MVP said me neither. Bill said he can’t tell if he’s American Psycho or Iceberg Slim. MVP said he’ll make them both their bitches. Bill said that MVP was their bitch and MVP claimed they were the bitches. Bill said he was never pinned or submitted for those titles because his partner lost to Sting. Bill said he’s going to take his rematch and they are going to take those titles. MVP told them to win a match and they will get a title opportunity. That was it.
Analysis: The AEW tag team division used to be such a strength in this company and now it’s just random teams showing up asking for a title shot. I like The Hurt Syndicate a lot.
The Kyle Fletcher-Brody King match was next. They went to their first commercial 28 minutes into the show.
(Commercial)
The team of Toni Storm & Thunder Rosa were interviewed by Renee Paquette. Storm talked about how they would beat Bayne & Ford later in the show. Rosa mentioned the team name and Storm said it’s Thundertits. Rosa said no, it’s Thunderstorm. Storm said not anymore. That drew laughs from the crowd. I think there were “Thudertits” chants from the crowd.
Analysis: An entertaining Toni Storm promo as usual.
Brody King vs. Kyle Fletcher (w/Don Callis)
Don Callis did not join commentary for this match. Kyle attacked King with a running kick. King came back with chops to the chest. King worked over Kyle with punches and a boot to the throat to knock Kyle out of the ring. King hit a running senton to the body. After King ran the ropes, Kyle ran at him with a running kick. Kyle clotheslined Kyle over the top to the floor. They went to a picture-in-picture break.
(Commercial)
The match continued with King hitting a dive onto Kyle on the floor. I missed about a minute before that. It’s impressive to see a big guy like King do that. King set up Kyle against the barricade, but Kyle broke free and sent King into the ring post. Kyle hit a suicide dive to send King into the LED board at ringside. Back in the ring, Kyle hit a top rope elbow drop for two. King came back with an Exploder suplex into the turnbuckle. Kyle hit King with two superkicks on the apron. King hit a Death Valley Driver on the apron. They went to a second PIP break in the first 11 minutes of this match.
(Commercial)
Kyle hit a stalling Tombstone piledriver. King came back with a splash against the turnbuckle. King went for a running cannonball, but Callis distracted the referee, so Mark Davis showed up to move Kyle out of the way and King hit the turnbuckle. King got a hold of Kyle by the turnbuckle, but Kyle did an eye gouge while the referee was looking at Davis. Kyle was on the middle turnbuckle and hit a Brainbuster on the turnbuckle for the pinfall win after 18 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Kyle Fletcher
Analysis: ***1/2 That was a great match that was very physical the whole way. Kyle benefited from the assist by Davis and Callis at ringside. That Brainbuster on the turnbuckle looks scary, but Kyle does it as safely as you can do a move like that. I’m not surprised by the result with Kyle getting the win to give him some momentum after losing to Will Ospreay at Revolution earlier this month.
After the match, Kyle and Davis beat up King. Powerhouse Hobbs made the save since he was against Davis on this week’s show. Hobbs entered from the back part of the arena. Hobbs went into the ring to beat up Davis with punches. King clotheslined Fletcher out of the ring. The Hobbs-Davis match was next.
Analysis: It was a way to set up the Hobbs-Davis match that was already advertised.
(Commercial)
There were security guys in the ring, so Hobbs and Davis beat them up to clear the ring and start the match. One of the security guys was Von Wagner, who was released from WWE NXT, so I’m not sure if he’s in AEW or if he’s just working the show as security.
Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Mark Davis
Don Callis was on commentary to support Davis. It was Davis in control early on with a forearm smash to the face. Hobbs countered Davis with a back body drop. Hobbs caught Davis leading to a powerslam. Hobbs worked over Davis with clotheslines. They messed up some power spot and collapsed to the mat. Davis hit an enziguri kick and Hobbs connected with the spinebuster for the pinfall. I think that’s what they were going for on the spot they messed up. It went about three minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Powerhouse Hobbs
Analysis: *1/2 A squash match win for Powerhouse Hobbs. It would be nice for Hobbs to get a meaningful feud instead of being put in random matches, but for now, this is all he seems to get.
The Patriarchy’s Nick Wayne, Kip Sabian and Mother Wayne were interviewed by Lexy Nair backstage. No Christian Cage with them. Nick said he’s starting to understand why Christian Cage did what he did at Revolution and Nick said that he’ll share his thoughts when they are face to face. Nick said that what happened last week (when he cost Cope the AEW World Title) is what happens when you properly execute a plan. Nick left.
Analysis: I think that is Nick Wayne’s way of saying his plan to cost Cope worked while Christian Cage’s plan at Revolution to become AEW World Champion failed.
(Commercial)
There was going to be an interview with “Hangman” Adam Page talking to Renee Paquette, but Swerve Strickland approached Page instead. Swerve said he’s going to end him. Prince Nana got Swerve out of there. No interview.
Interview with Rated FTR’s Cope, Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler
An earlier today interview was shown with Cope, Dax and Cash. Tony Schiavone claimed they were practically next door neighbors. Dax said that last week, he let his emotions get the best of him. Dax said he felt that FTR lost focus trying to win the Tag Team Titles back, and they tried to help Cope, but Cope didn’t win the gold. Cope said that he came back to help them with Moxley and the Death Riders. Dax said that’s why he’s apologizing. Cash doesn’t want them to fight about this. Cash said that without either of them, he would have nothing. Cash said that when he had nowhere to live, Adam helped him and gave him opportunities. Cash wants his two best friends and himself to be on the same page again. Dax said that he thinks it’s time for them to go after The Hurt Syndicate. Cash thinks that Rated FTR has a lot left, so he wants to see if they can go after the Trios Tag Team Titles. Cope said he liked that, so he challenged the Trios Tag Team Champions, the Death Riders, for Dynasty. Dax said he liked that. Dax said, “Top guys out,” and Cope said, “Rated FTR out.”
Analysis: It appears they are on the same page again after last week’s issues, but how long will it last? I think FTR turning on Cope seems very likely, and it will probably happen after they lose at Dynasty.
Let’s Hear from Swerve Strickland and Jon Moxley
Swerve Strickland entered with Prince Nana for an in-ring promo. Swerve said he was there to call out the AEW World Champion Jon Moxley since they have a title match at Dynasty. Swerve said he wanted Moxley to come out there if he had the balls to do so. Jon Moxley made his entrance from the back part of the arena, and he was all alone.
Moxley got in Swerve’s face. Swerve said that people have been asking him since October why he hasn’t been going after his AEW World Title. Swerved asked Mox what happened to him. Moxley said that Moxley hides behind Claudio, Yuta, Pac and Marina Shafir. Swerve told Mox he’s not even worthy enough to be a champion. Swerve said that Moxley hides the title because he can’t even look at it anymore. Swerve said that every time he has a championship defense, he shows the world…and by the way, how’s your back doing? Swerve said that everything that Moxley used to be about is now the man he’s looking at right now.
Moxley looked like he was going to speak while Claudio Castagnoli appeared on the floor, standing behind Nana. Moxley said that it all sounded great if you believe it. Moxley asked who Swerve is and what is he. Moxley said he knows who Swerve is, and he knows what he can be. Moxley told Swerve he’ll give him a chance to be everything he can be and he has to ask himself how far he is willing to go. Moxley said not just on April 6th, but every day. Moxley wondered if Swerve will endure and keep going. Moxley said that Swerve isn’t what he thinks he is because he hasn’t suffered enough yet. Moxley said he’ll suffer on April 6th. Moxley complained about how people have taken over the business while guys like Swerve are why Moxley has put his mind, body and soul through everything. Moxley said he didn’t give handouts, so how far is Swerve willing to go because Moxley is willing to go the whole way right now? Moxley said that Swerve is the most dangerous man in AEW, right? Marina Shafir walked out to the ring with a crowbar, but Willow Nightingale showed up with a lead pipe, so there was no attack.
Swerve said that Mox is finally facing off with somebody smarter than him. Swerve said he is violence, he bleeds buckets, he’s won Texas Death Matches and he’s the most dangerous man in AEW. Swerve said he’ll continue to lead the Dynasty era, he’ll become AEW World Champion and Jon can continue to play Jon Moxley on TV. Moxley got out of there with Claudio and Shafir. Claudio had the briefcase with him. Shafir tripped up Willow on the apron and hit her with knee strikes. Willow turned things around and hit some strikes. Claudio grabbed Shafir and put her over the barricade. Claudio kept Willow away. The Death Riders left.
Analysis: It was a solid promo exchange to show that Swerve isn’t going back to Moxley’s mind games and his cheap attacks. I was a bit surprised that there was no physicality between Moxley and Swerve, but that will come in the future. I like how Swerve was booked like a confident challenger in this segment.
The Opps group was shown walking backstage so Samoa Joe was talking to Hook (Katsuyori Shibata was the camera guy), who said that last week was fun and it was enjoyable to choke out somebody. Max Caster was holding his “Greatest Wrestler Alive” certificate while he was talking to Top Flight and AR Fox backstage. Joe applied a sleeper choke on Caster to put him out.
Analysis: Poor Caster.
A commercial aired for AEW Dynasty on April 6th.
(Commercial)
Jay White was interviewed by Renee Paquette. Jay said that he is going to be in the Owen Hart Memorial Cup tournament. Jay issued a warning to Hangman Page and Will Ospreay. Jay said he’ll be on Collision this Saturday, and if anybody thinks they deserve a spot in that tournament, then you should step up against the Switchblade.
Top Flight – Darius & Dante Martin (w/AR Fox) vs. Alex Findley & Devo Knight
Darius & Dante are from Minnesota, so they got a big pop. Darius worked over Findley with a suplex and Dante hit a slam. Darius got the tag with a forearm, an atomic drop and more. Dante hit an impressive kick and a springboard cross body block. Big Bill and Bryan Keith were shown watching the match. Dante hit a dropkick into a suplex by Darius. Darius hit a muscle buster type slam and Dante jumped off the top with a Crossover splash for the pinfall win after three minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Top Flight – Darius & Dante Martin
Analysis: *1/2 An easy win to put over Top Flight in their home state. Dante is an incredible athlete while Darius is technically sound. I think Top Flight should be pushed in the future, but they never really get meaningful wins.
After the match, Top Flight argued with Lio Rush & Action Andretti at ringside. A graphic was shown during the match that Top Flight will face Big Bill & Bryan Keith on Collision.
There was a brief video package about Will Ospreay. Will is back next week.
Konosuke Takeshita (w/Don Callis) vs. Mark Briscoe
It’s the third match for somebody from the Don Callis Family, so Callis was on commentary again. They were battling by the turnbuckle early on and Takeshita hit a superplex off the middle turnbuckle. Takeshita hit a running forearm on Mark, but Mark came back with a forearm of his own. Mark hit a clothesline to knock Takeshita out of the ring. Takeshita was back in with a boot to the face. Takeshita gave Mark a DDT on the apron.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Mark hitting a missile dropkick off the top. Mark hit a running elbow strike. Mark hit Takeshita with strikes to the throat along with a running kick. Mark hit a somersault attack off the apron onto Takeshita on the floor. Mark hit a somersault suicide dive onto Takeshita at ringside. Mark hit a running elbow drop off the barricade onto Takeshita on the floor. Mark jumped off the top with a Froggy Bow, Takeshita avoided it, Takeshita hit a release German Suplex, Mark no sold that and hit a lariat for two. Takeshita and Mark did the “stand and throw strikes” spot that AEW wrestlers love. Mark hit an Exploder Suplex, but Takeshita came back with his own Exploder Suplex. Mark and Takeshita each hit another Exploder Suplex. Takeshita hit a running knee to the jaw for two. Takeshita went for a strike, Mark avoided it and Mark hit the Jay Driller for a two count because Takeshita got his foot on the bottom rope. Takeshita avoided a move, he hit a forearm, an elbow smash and the Raging Fire slam for the pinfall win after 11 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Konosuke Takeshita
Analysis: ***1/2 It turned into a great match as they each hit big moves and kept on coming back for more. It would be nice if there was a story or anything like that, but instead it was just move after move leading to Takeshita getting the win. Mark is fun to watch every time he’s out there. It felt like a random match to give Takeshita a win since he lost the International Title to Omega recently.
The AEW Trios Tag Team Champions Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta & Pac were backstage for a promo. Wheeler Yuta said that his family is much tougher than their family. Claudio Castagnoli said Rated FTR likes throwing hissy fits. Pac said that Rated FTR can’t challenge them because Pac said at AEW Dynasty, they are challenging Rated FTR to try to survive the Death Riders.
Analysis: It sounds like that Trios Tag Team title match is on for Dynasty. Fine with me.
(Commercial)
The Hurt Syndicate were about to be interviewed by Alicia Atout, but they told her not now. Bobby Lashley didn’t seem happy about MVP wanting MJF in the group. MVP said they talked about adding a fourth member, and he likes MJF. Lashley said he didn’t like MJF. MVP said that MJF has some reprehensible qualities and that’s what he likes because he could be good for their business. MVP said that if you don’t want him in, then they can revisit this situation. MVP mentioned the Big Bill situation, and they touched fists to show they are on the same page.
Analysis: The line that MVP said about how the group has talked about adding a fourth member is interesting. I wonder if that fourth person will be Cedric Alexander, who was released by WWE and was part of the group when it was known as The Hurt Business.
It was main event time with Penelope Ford up first with Megan Bayne. It is rare for AEW to put a women’s match in the main event and now they are doing it for the second week in a row. Last week was Bayne beat Kris Statlander and now Bayne is in the main event again. Bayne will challenge Toni Storm for the AEW Women’s Title at Dynasty.
Thunder Rosa got a good ovation for her entrance. The AEW Women’s World Champion “Timeless” Toni Storm got a big pop and she was with Luther. They are known as Thunder Storm or Thudertits as Storm called them.
Toni Storm (w/Luther) & Thunder Rosa vs. Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford
During the main event, there was a graphic showing that Jon Moxley & Marina Shafir will face Swerve Strickland & Willow Nightingale in a mixed tag team match next week.
Rosa sent a charging Bayne into the turnbuckle. Rosa connected with some punches, but Bayne came back with a body slam. Ford tagged in against Storm, so Bayne tagged out instead of facing Storm. Ford hit an arm drag. Ford tried a knee, Storm avoided it and Storm hit a German Suplex. Rosa tagged in for a double team leg drop/backbreaker combo. Storm splashed Ford and Rosa hit a running dropkick for two. Rosa hit a back elbow on Ford. They went to a PIP break right around the two hour mark.
(Commercial)
The heel team of Bayne & Ford were in control of Rosa as the face-in-peril. Rosa and Ford exchanged forearms followed by a running double clothesline. Storm tagged in against Bayne with a jawbreaker, headbutt and a clothesline that sent Bayne out of the ring. Storm avoided a charging Bayne and sent Bayne into the steel steps. Storm hit a Tornado DDT on the floor. Ford hit Storm with a Cutter. Rosa hit Ford with a Death Valley Driver. Bayne hit Fate’s Descent on Rosa. Bayne hit Storm with a back elbow. Storm tripped Bayne into the turnbuckle followed by a running hip attack. Bayne no sold that so Storm was shocked by it. Bayne did a pump kick that knocked Ford down because Storm avoided it. Storm got a rollup on Bayne for two. Bayne hit Fate’s Descent on Storm and Bayne covered for the pinfall win after 9 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford
Analysis: **3/4 It felt like an average match. It’s the classic tag team match booking where the champion gets pinned by their challenger, so it makes the audience think that could happen when the title is on the line. To AEW’s credit, Bayne has been booked very well over the last two months and is a viable threat to Storm’s title reign.
Megan Bayne celebrated the win with Penelope Ford while Toni Storm was shocked about the loss. That was the end of the show.
The show ended at 10:07 p.m. ET this week.
===
Three Stars of the Show
- Konosuke Takeshita
- Kyle Fletcher
- Swerve Strickland
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The Scoreboard
This Week: 7.25 out of 10
Last Week: 7.5
2025 Average: 7.23
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Final Thoughts on AEW Dynamite
It was a solid show overall. A lot of talking throughout the show. I wouldn’t say any of the promo segments were great, but they furthered some of the bigger storylines.
The matches were pretty good. The two best matches were done to give wins to Fletcher and Takeshita since they lost at Revolution, but those matches had no story and were just there to put over the heels. The other matches were kept short or just average.
That women’s tag main event was average so that Bayne could pin Storm to tease the possibility of a new champion when they have their match. Nothing wrong with the show. I just don’t think there was anything that exciting about it either.
The next AEW PPV is Dynasty on April 6th in Philadelphia. Here’s the lineup so far:
* AEW World Championship: Jon Moxley (c) vs. Swerve Strickland
* AEW International Championship: Kenny Omega (c) vs. Ricochet vs. “Speedball” Mike Bailey
* AEW Women’s World Championship: “Timeless” Toni Storm (c) vs. Megan Bayne
* ROH World Championship – Title vs. Mask: Chris Jericho (c)vs. Bandido
* AEW Trios Tag Team Championships: Death Riders – Claudio Castagnoli, Pac & Wheeler Yuta (c) vs. Rated FTR – Cope, Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler
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Thanks for reading. Go Toronto Blue Jays, 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