The John Report: AEW Dynamite 04/01/26 Review
This is AEW Dynamite, featuring Will Ospreay facing Pac and MJF in action against Speedball.
AEW continues on the road to the Dynasty PPV on April 12th with some big matches set for that show including MJF defending the AEW World Title against Kenny Omega and FTR defending the AEW Tag Team Titles against Adam Copeland and Christian Cage.
For this review, I’ll go summary style for most of the show and then play-by-play for one or two matches.
This was AEW Dynamite episode #339 from the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. 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 and Nigel McGuinness. Welcome back, Taz.
Tony Schiavone was in the ring hosting the contract signing for the MJF-Kenny Omega match, but some pyro interrupted him. It led to the “Judas” song playing and Chris Jericho made his return after a year away from AEW. Jericho is from Winnipeg, so it’s a fitting place for him to return to AEW. The fans were singing Jericho’s “Judas” song as usual. They even showed Jericho’s dad, Ted Irvine, singing at ringside.
Analysis: There was a lot of speculation about Chris Jericho’s future in the last few months, but he’s back in AEW. The last match he had in AEW was in April 2025, so it’s a full year off for him.
Welcome Back Chris Jericho To AEW
Chris Jericho walked around the ring and saluted the crowd as they sang the entire “Judas” song. Jericho looks like he is in great shape at 55 years old, and his body is obviously rested after not wrestling for the last year. The announcers didn’t speak while Jericho walked around the ring and posed for the fans. The crowd chanted, “Welcome Back” to Jericho.
Jericho: “Winnipeg….AEW…I’m home.” The fans cheered. Jericho’s song played to end it. That was it.
Analysis: A very short speech by Chris Jericho to let us know he is home in Winnipeg and in AEW. Welcome back, Chris. There were several reports earlier in the day about this. Is that a case of AEW leaking it to get word out before the show? Maybe. I don’t know how that works. It’s not my job. I’m just happy that Chris is back in pro wrestling, and I hope it’s a good run for him. There were a lot of rumors about him possibly going to WWE, and I think there was some legitimacy to that, but for whatever reason, it didn’t happen, and he’s back “home” in AEW again.
They went backstage where Will Ospreay was attacking Jon Moxley with punches. Wheeler Yuta and Marina Shafir showed up to help Moxley while security pulled Ospreay off Mox.
AEW World Title Contract Signing
The AEW World Champion Maxwell Jacob Friedman made his entrance for the contract signing. There was a table in the ring, along with chairs and a contract on the table. Kenny Omega got a big ovation in his hometown of Winnipeg. Omega was in his wrestling gear since he’s in a match on this show.
When Omega sat down, MJF signed first and Omega signed right after him. Omega told MJF to shut his mouth before he could say anything. Omega said that MJF probably rehearsed what he wanted to say while mocking MJF for having beautiful new hair plugs. Omega said it’s not going to work MJF’s way this time. Omega said that the people must be here to cheer for the champ. Omega said that he knows the fans are not here for MJF, they are here to watch the best wrestle. Omega said that what he’s interested in is the belt. Omega said when he was near death with a real world problem that plagued his life, the fans stood behind him because they wanted something better than this – referring to MJF. Omega said that if he’s the antithesis of MJF, then maybe he is the God of pro wrestling because somebody has to knock him down and make sure MJF is never close to that belt ever again, and Omega is the one who will do it.
MJF laughed at Omega being at 100% and mocked Omega for his body breaking down while mocking Canadians for drinking bags of milk. I like our bags of milk! MJF said much like your injury prone boyfriend Kota Ibushi, Omega is a brush of wind away from retirement. MJF said he wants to talk about the thing that Omega doesn’t want to talk about and what keeps Omega up at night. MJF said maybe you want to know why Omega is so desperate to be the World Champion. MJF claimed that the Triple B is the most sought after bout in pro wrestling. MJF wondered if Omega will tell them or should MJF? MJF said that Omega had a doctor visit. MJF said that a doctor took some scans of Omega’s stomach, and MJF claimed that Omega’s diverticulitis could implode at any moment. MJF claimed that Omega’s life is on a fast-winding clock. MJF said that the news gets worse. MJF said that when the Devil is through with Omega at Dynasty, the fans will be embarrassed and ashamed of Omega. MJF said that the fans will admit their God is a false idol who would be better off dead. Omega flipped the table over. MJF dared Omega to hit him, but “Speedball” Mike Bailey showed up to stop Omega.
Analysis: I liked the promos from Kenny Omega and MJF. I don’t think what MJF said about Omega’s intestines is true necessarily to the degree that MJF said, but it’s something that Omega has to deal with. For a story, it works with Omega selling the stomach during his matches.
Bailey said that you are trying to goad Omega into hitting him so you don’t have to defend the AEW World Title at Dynasty because MJF is afraid. Bailey said you should be thanking Omega because there is no AEW and without AEW, there is no MJF. Bailey said that respect is earned and Omega is a living legend. Bailey said that MJF thinks that he is on Omega’s level, but MJF is only a legend in his own mind. Bailey suggested kicking some sense into his head. Bailey wanted to do it right here and right now in the greatest country on Earth.
Analysis: I agree about the greatest country on Earth line, by the way.
Omega said that he spoke to MJF’s doctor too. Omega said his intestines aren’t what they used to be. Omega said that he’d rather be missing his intestines than missing his balls as a shot at MJF.
MJF told Speedball that he’s got his match. MJF said this country is a dump and MJF hails from the only country that matters, America. MJF said you’re wrestling an American hero.
Analysis: That’s a good match for later in the show with MJF against Bailey. You don’t see AEW always use a promo segment to open the show and set up a match for later, but I certainly don’t mind when they do that.
Ricochet made his entrance with GOA as their group known as The Demand. Brody King entered as one of Kenny Omega’s partners.
(Commercial)
Kenny Omega, Brody King & “Jungle” Jack Perry vs. The Demand – Ricochet, Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun
Perry is the AEW National Champion. Ricochet hit Omega with a knee to the back while Ricochet was on the apron and The Demand took over. Omega broke free with back body drop. King was legal for his team with a senton splash on Ricochet. The six guys brawled in the ring, then five of them went to the floor and Perry hit a moonsault onto four guys on the floor, including Omega. The six guys went into the ring at the same time so that the babyfaces could do a triple suplex spot that popped the crowd. Perry was legal for his team and Toa ran him over with a clothesline on the floor. They went on a picture-in-picture break there.
(Commercial)
The Demand trio was in control of Perry as Kaun and Toa hit a double team slam on Perry. After Perry broke free, he brought in Omega on the hot tag and the fans exploded for Omega. Omega hit a rolling senton and moonsault on Kaun. Omega hit a jumping kick and two Snapdragon Suplexes in a row. Toa was in there illegally with strikes on Omega. Omega hit a knee on Toa and King punched Toa. Omega hit a Snapdragon Suplex on Toa. There are five guys in the ring for over a minute because…AEW? King hit a cannonball and Omega covered for two. Kaun had a flurry of offense on his three opponents. Toa ran around the ring and knocked his three opponents down. Ricochet hit three suicide dives in a row. Nice of King to wait there for 10 seconds for it. Ricochet hit a top rope splash for two on Omega. Perry cleared the ring of the heels and Perry went for a somersault dive, but he was caught, so King hit a suicide dive on GOA. Ricochet hit a springboard clothesline on Omega and Ricochet hit a twisting dive on King over the top to the floor. Ricochet jumped off the top, Omega moved and Omega hit a V-Trigger knee. Ricochet came back with a Reverse Rana. Outside the ring, King tackled Toa over the barricade and through a table on the floor. That led to “Holy S**t” chants. Ricochet hit his Vertigo reverse suplex on Omega for two. Perry hit Kaun with a knee and took the National Title from Ricochet. After Ricochet got a rollup for two, Omega hit Ricochet with a knee. Omega hit a V-Trigger knee and a One Winged Angel for the pinfall win after 17 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Kenny Omega, Brody King & “Jungle” Jack Perry
Analysis: ***1/4 A long tag team match with an obvious result to give Kenny Omega a win on the road to Dynasty. This was one of those AEW tag team matches where way too many guys are in the ring at one time, and I think that hurts the match rather than helps the match. I thought that maybe it was a bit long because The Demand had no shot to win here. The action was good. I just think tag team matches can be better if you don’t have five or six guys in the ring at all times. Make the tags matter more, and it’s better storytelling.
Willow Nightingale, the TBS Champion, was backstage saying she wanted to defend her title on Collision on Thursday. Willow said she wants to wrestle the best, so let’s see who answers the challenge.
Adam Copeland and Christian Cage were walking backstage when Renee Paquette asked them what their plan was. Cope said they’ll take out anybody who gets in their way, and Cage nearly hit Renee with a chair, but Cope stopped him because Renee is not in their way. Cope and Cage left.
(Commercial)
Adam Copeland and Christian Cage were in the locker room looking for FTR. Trent Beretta and Rocky Romero were there to say FTR wasn’t there, but they are at Collision tomorrow. Cope said okay they’ll be at Collision. Cage said it looked like they are in their way, so Cope and Cage beat up Trent and Rocky with chairs.
Will Ospreay vs. Pac
Pac made his entrance first. Will was making his entrance and Pac attacked Will from behind on the stage. Pac gave Will a brainbuster on the stage. Pac said that’s game over. The medical staff checked on Will on the ramp. Will got back up and walked past the doctor to go into the ring. The bell rang. Pac nailed Will with a boot to the head and stomps to the neck. They went to a PIP break.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Pac doing a snapmare, Will landed on his feet and Will hit a springboard clothesline. Will bounced off the ropes with a spinning kick to the head to knock Pac down. Will trapped Pac against the turnbuckle, Pac kicked Will and Will came back with a brainbuster of his own. Will went up top and hit a 450 Splash for a two count. Pac went to the floor, Will wanted a move on the apron and Pac met him there, so they battled on the apron. Will went for a Powerbomb on the floor, Pac blocked it with a kick and Pac jumped onto Will with a DDT on the floor. These guys are crazy athletic because that’s not easy to do, but they did it smoothly. Back in the ring, Pac wanted the Brutalizer submission, so Will got his feet on the bottom rope to force a break. There was another PIP break.
(Commercial)
Pac and Will did the “stand and throw strikes” spot to get the “yay/boo” reactions from the crowd. Pac avoided a Will kick and Pac hit a German Suplex for two. Will caught a leaping Pac and hit a Powerbomb. Will hit a Styles Clash into a delayed pin for a two count. Will went up top, so Pac tripped him up. Pac gave a middle finger salute to some fans in the crowd. Pac went for a Reverse Rana off the top, but Will landed on his feet. Pac hit a hurricanrana into a pin for two. Pac sent Will face first into the mat and Pac hit a clothesline, so Will did a flip bump. Pac hit a Tombstone Piledriver to continue the attack on the neck. Pac put Will face first on the mat and went up top. Pac hit the Black Arrow on the back, followed by the Brutalizer submission on the upper body. Will tried to get up, but Pac held onto the hold. Pac claimed he was out, but Will was still moving. Pac pulled Will back to the center, Will’s body was positioned on top and Will hooked he leg for the pinfall win after 17 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Will Ospreay
Analysis: **** An excellent match between two of the best in AEW and two of Britain’s best. Ospreay getting the win was the right finish because he’s going to face Jon Moxley at Dynasty, and I really liked the story they told with Pac focusing on Ospreay’s neck throughout the match. That’s the right story to tell since Ospreay has the neck injury history. I also think it was a brilliant finish because it shows that Ospreay is more than a flashy, high-flying wrestler. Ospreay can also beat people with a counter move, like what he used there, to get out of the Brutalizer and beat Pac. This is good wrestling storytelling. I also feel like Ospreay didn’t do some of the crazy stuff he used to do in a match, and that’s a smart move by him for his long-term health. You don’t have to do the risky bumps in every match. Be smart. I’m glad to see Will doing that.
After the match, Pac attacked Will with punches. Will was able to fight back and hit a Hidden Blade elbow smash on Pac. The Death Riders’ Wheeler Yuta and Daniel Garcia attacked Will with punches. Claudio Castagnoli went into the ring with a steel chair and Claudio put the chair on Will’s head/neck. Jon Moxley and Marina Shafir were in the ring too.
Moxley said it’s okay. Moxley said there are six of them in there with him. Moxley said that Will put himself here. Moxley said that this could have been a bad night for Will, but Moxley is going to give him some advice. Moxley told Will to use his head, or he might lose it permanently. The fans booed. Moxley claimed it wasn’t personal and Moxley told Will not to make it personal. Moxley left with friends. Referees checked on Ospreay.
Analysis: A warning from Jon Moxley without doing much of an attack on Ospreay since Moxley’s buddies did it before Moxley got in there. Poor Will Ospreay has no friends apparently and nearly got his head stomped in while a chair was on it. I think Ospreay certainly could beat Moxley at Dynasty, but I’d be fine with Ospreay retaining.
(Commercial)
Triangle of Madness – Thekla, Skye Blue & Julia Hart vs. Mina Shirakawa and Brawling Birds – Jamie Hayter & Alex Windsor
Here is the lone women’s match on the show. Thekla is the AEW Women’s World Champion. Mina knocked down Blue with a shoulder tackle. Hayter and Alex did some quick tags, leading to some double team moves. Mina hit a spinning splash onto Blue. Thekla did a cheap shot kick on Mina and stomped on Mina’s back on the floor. The heels were in control as the show went to a PIP break.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Mina getting some offense on Thekla with a Slingblade and a knee strike. The other women went into the ring to do spots and then bump to the floor. It’s an AEW tag. Happens every time. Mina and Thekla hit an elbow strike at the same time and they sold it. Mina tagged in one of the Birds and both of them went into the ring so they could do some tag team spots. Thekla tried using brass knuckles, but the Birds stopped that. The Birds hit their double team moves with Hayter hitting a running clothesline. Hayter hit a backbreaker on Hart and Hayterade lariat on Hart for the pinfall win.
Winners by pinfall: Mina Shirakawa and Brawling Birds – Jamie Hayter & Alex Windsor
Analysis: **3/4 It was an average tag team match. The ending felt a bit flat. I don’t like the spot where a hot tag is made and two women go into the match. It’s supposed to be one woman. Why are AEW tag team matches so awkward? It’s strange. I figured Thekla wouldn’t take the fall since she’s the AEW Women’s Champion.
They showed a clip of Collision with Tommaso Ciampa targeting Juice Robinson. They will have a match on Collision on Thursday night.
Let’s Hear from Darby Allin
Darby Allin did a promo by the entrance area. Allin talked about how he was actually willing to die for the AEW World Championship. Allin mentioned the Don Callis Family, which MJF has paid off to destroy Allin in the past. Allin said that he wants Kenny Omega or anybody to beat MJF and end his “bulls**t” title run. Allin called out MJF.
Don Callis walked out with members of the Don Callis Family. Callis said if Allin can beat a member of the Don Callis Family at Dynasty, then MJF will grant Allin an AEW World Title match. Callis said it will be Andrade who faces Allin at Dynasty.
Callis sent Lance Archer after Allin, but Allin threw a skateboard at Archer. Brody King and Jack Perry attacked other members of the Don Callis Family, and they went into the ring with Allin. Kenny Omega walked out, stared at Allin, and Allin walked to the back. Omega greeted fans at ringside.
Analysis: It was a tease for a possible Omega-Allin match while showing that Allin had some allies due to how many wrestlers hate the Don Callis Family and MJF. I think an Allin-Andrade match at Dynasty will be great.
(Commercial)
It was main event time as Maxwell Jacob Friedman made his entrance as the AEW World Champion, wearing the stars & stripes of the USA to get some heat with the Canadian crowd. Those hair plugs do look nice, Max. Speedball made his entrance wearing the Canadian red and white colors.
AEW World Championship: Maxwell Jacob Friedman vs. “Speedball” Mike Bailey
This is an Eliminator Match, meaning if Bailey wins, he gets a shot at the AEW World Title. Kenny Omega was on commentary.
MJF attacked Bailey on the turnbuckle before the bell. The referee stopped that, checked on Bailey and rang the bell. MJF did an eye gouge after hiding behind a referee. MJF stomped on Bailey against the turnbuckle. They left the ring and MJF sent Bailey into the steel steps. MJF grabbed a headlock and then did a hair-pull takedown. Bailey went for a leaping move, but MJF caught him and hit a Powerbomb backbreaker onto the knee for a two count. MJF mocked Bailey, so Bailey did a sweep kick to knock MJF down. MJF hit a thumb to the eye. Bailey came back with three kicks to the chest, kicks to the body and a roundhouse kick to the head. Bailey hit a running SSP for a two count. Bailey jumped off the turnbuckle with a moonsault onto MJF on the floor. Bailey hit a springboard dropkick to knock MJF down in the ring. Bailey went up top, but MJF rolled out of the ring. MJF sent Bailey throat-first into the middle rope. Bailey got a backslide pin for two and an inside cradle for two. MJF did a sunset flip for two. MJF with a knee and forearm. MJF charged at Bailey and hit a floatover slam into a pin for two. Bailey rocked MJF with a forearm. MJF jumped off the top and MJF caught him with a Powerbomb for two. Both guys were down selling for about 30 seconds, so Excalibur plugged Collision matches that air on Thursday. MJF kicked Bailey off the apron to the floor and did a middle finger salute to Omega. MJF wanted a Heatseeker, Bailey avoided it, MJF slid to the floor, and Bailey hit a moonsault onto MJF on the floor. That was great. They went to a PIP break.
(Commercial)
The match returned with Bailey on the top rope, but MJF hit the ropes, and Bailey bumped to the apron. Bailey blocked a move by MJF on the apron and Bailey hit a backflip double knee attack. Bailey went up top, went for a flipping knee drop, but MJF avoided it, and Bailey landed on his feet. Bailey hit a Snapdragon Suplex on MJF, followed by a spin kick to the head. Bailey hit another spinning kick to the head. Bailey hit a flipping double knee drop to the back for a two count because MJF got his right foot on the bottom rope. MJF did an eye rake to avoid a move. Bailey tripped up MJF on the apron, but MJF avoided a knee splash on the apron. MJF gave Bailey a Tombstone Piledriver on the apron. MJF shouted “God Bless America” and hit the Heatseeker by the ropes and pinned Bailey to win after 16 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Maxwell Jacob Friedman
Analysis: ***3/4 A very entertaining match as you would expect from these guys. MJF isn’t going to lose a match on Dynamite when he’s defending the AEW World Title on Dynasty on April 12th, so of course, MJF got the win here. It was a relatively clean win, other than MJF eye-raking Bailey’s eyes near the finish. Bailey is easy to root for as a babyface who sells everything well and also wrestles in an exciting style.
After the match, MJF punched Bailey a few times, so Omega went into the ring to check on Bailey. MJF left with the AEW World Title. They spent about a minute with Omega and the referee helping Bailey up while Excalibur quickly shilled Collision matches airing on Thursday. Bailey raised Omega’s hand to end the show.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Will Ospreay
- MJF
- Pac, Kenny Omega
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The Scoreboard
This Week: 7.75 out of 10
Last Week: 7.5
2026 Average: 7.52
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Final Thoughts on AEW Dynamite
I enjoyed the show, with the Ospreay/Pac match being the best, and the MJF/Bailey match also was excellent. The six-man tag was okay but typical of an AEW match, lacking psychology and mainly spot-fest. The women’s tag was less interesting.
A Dynamite episode with only four matches is pretty rare for AEW. They usually have five or six matches. They had many talking segments, which is why there were fewer matches. At least three of the matches were long. All four matches were predictable, as is common on AEW TV.
The build for the Dynasty PPV has been decent, but not as strong as Revolution last month. Chris Jericho returning to AEW after a year away is obviously going to attract a lot of attention, and it should because many people thought he’d sign with WWE. I hope there’s a good story for Chris. As a Jericho fan, I just want the best for a guy I’ve been watching for over 30 years, and as long as he’s happy, I’m happy too.
The next AEW PPV is Dynasty on Sunday, April 12th in Vancouver. Here’s the lineup so far.
* AEW World Championship: Maxwell Jacob Friedman (c) vs. Kenny Omega
* AEW Continental Championship: Jon Moxley (c) vs. Will Ospreay
* AEW World Tag Team Championships: FTR – Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler (c) vs. Adam Copeland & Christian Cage
* Darby Allin vs. Andrade
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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: [email protected]
Twitter/X: @johnreport