The John Report: AEW Dynamite 04/15/26 Review (Spring BreakThru)
This is AEW Dynamite, featuring MJF defending the AEW World Title against Darby Allin.
The AEW Dynasty PPV was last Sunday night in Vancouver and I thought it was a great show. I rated it a bit below Revolution from last month, but Dynasty was still a lot of fun to watch. Up next is Double or Nothing on Sunday, May 24th.
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 #341 from the Angels of the Wind Arena in Everett, Washington. 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 Bryan Danielson.
Maxwell Jacob Friedman was shown arriving in a truck as Renee Paquette tried to tell MJF that he had an AEW World Title match tonight. MJF didn’t know it yet. MJF bragged about beating Hangman Page and Kenny Omega. Renee tried to tell MJF about Darby Allin, but Don Callis walked up to him, and MJF shook hands with him. Callis said sorry about Andrade, but it’s all going to be good. MJF thought Andrade beat Allin, so Callis filled in MJF that Allin won. MJF said that Andrade will not be championship material since he can’t get the job done. Callis left, so Renee shouted at Max that Allin wants to challenge Allin for the AEW World Title. MJF swore and ran off.
Analysis: The story was that MJF turned off social media and apparently had no contact with anybody who could tell him that Allin was going to challenge MJF for the AEW World Title on this show. Is it realistic to think that MJF really had no idea about this? His own wife, Alicia Atout, also works for AEW, and we’re supposed to think MJF had no idea, even though AEW promoted it for the last four days.
Let’s Hear from Darby Allin And MJF
Darby Allin made his entrance for the AEW World Title match, and he got a big pop in his home state.
Maxwell Jacob Friedman walked out with the AEW World Championship while Excalibur said that MJF said he was going to go radio silent after his win at Dynasty. MJF was in a suit and his scarf. MJF said if he doesn’t want something to happen, then it’s not going to happen. MJF said he’ll get his lawyer on the case, he’ll sue the skank Aubrey, sue Allin, sue that pervert Justin Roberts, sue Tony Khan, sue WBD, and sue the fans for deciding to live in a dumpster fire like Washington. Fans chanted, “Ring the bell.” Max responded by saying, “Too bad.” MJF said that his back hurts from wrestling close to an hour against Kenny Omega three days ago. MJF wondered how the company would look if he wrestled with an injury. MJF said he was doing Allin a favor by not wrestling. MJF’s microphone wasn’t working, so he got a new one.
MJF told Allin he’s very talented and he’s a great underdog. MJF said that the fans love Allin because he’s like them since he’s good, but not great. MJF said that, like the fans, Allin is not championship material. MJF told Allin he’s not ready to be World…and Allin took the microphone. There were “Darby” chants.
Darby Allin said all it takes is one night to drop the wrestling world on its head. Allin said if he’s not ready now, then he’ll never be ready. Allin said he killed himself for this company. Allin said he taped posters around the city for tonight’s show. Allin said he climbed Mount Everest and hung that flag on the top of the mountain. Allin said he’s ready, and he’s been ready. Allin said that his career started 10 miles down the road at the Buddy Wayne Academy. Allin took a deep breath at wrestling school, saying he’s either going to make it or fail, but he won’t change a single thing. Allin said he made it here without changing a thing and said to ring the bell.
Bryan Danielson spoke from the commentary position, saying he got a message from AEW Owner Tony Khan. Danielson said Tony agrees with MJF that it is unfair for MJF to wrestle when he is unprepared. Bryan said that Tony will give Max plenty of time to prepare because this match will happen in tonight’s main event. The fans cheered while MJF complained about it. The fans chanted, “YES” for that. Bryan said if Max refuses, then he’ll be stripped of the AEW World Title.
Allin told MJF that tonight in the main event, he’s beating MJF’s ass with a headlock takeover. Allin left to cheers while MJF was stunned.
Analysis: A big opening segment to set up the main event that was already announced, but apparently, MJF had no idea about. Max was his usual awesome self as the heel World Champion while Allin came off as extremely likable while also getting emotional talking about what this means to him.
They showed Tony Schiavone talking to Kenny Omega after AEW Dynasty. Omega didn’t know what to say and said sorry. Will Ospreay was in the trainer’s room, so Omega and Ospreay talked. Will and Kenny both said they weren’t feeling okay. Kenny said it’s not how he pictured it, not for either of them. Kenny said he felt like he let everybody down. Will said that Kenny bounced back against Okada in the past, and Kenny said it was 10 years ago. Kenny said he doesn’t have a lot of time left. Kenny said Will has the heart of a wrestler. Kenny said it’s all Will from here on in. Kenny told Will he’s still got this. Will said he thinks “we” have still got this. Will said he’s been sad and crying for the last 40 minutes, but his dream and ambition is to be the AEW World Champion. Will said he hopes Kenny hasn’t given up on that dream and said he can do it. Omega said he’s always got his back. Will shook hands with Omega and left, saying Omega was his hero. Omega: “I’m your hero huh? Maybe I can’t give up.” Omega said maybe there’s still a chance.
Analysis: I’m not sure if Kenny Omega will be AEW World Champion again, but I think Ospreay will be AEW World Champion at AEW All Out in London in August. Anyway, it was a short segment to show how big names like them react to tough losses.
Tommaso Ciampa vs. Dezmond Xavier
Ciampa was aggressive early on with stomps that sent Xavier out of the ring. Ciampa hit a running knee to knock Xavier down. Xavier got some offense going with a dropkick that sent Ciampa out of the ring. Ciampa moved to avoid a diving attempt. They went on a picture-in-picture break.
(Commercial)
Xavier hit a few strikes, followed by a Cutter. Xavier jumped off the turnbuckle with a Tornado DDT. Xavier jumped off with a 450 Splash, Ciampa avoided it and it an elbow smash. Xavier countered Ciampa into a hurricanrana pin for two. Xavier went up top and hit a Frog Splash on Ciampa for two. When Xavier tried a move off the turnbuckle, Ciampa hit a rising knee to the jaw. Ciampa hit a Powerbomb onto the knees with no pin attempt. Ciampa exposed the right knee and hit a running knee smash for the pinfall win after 9 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Tommaso Ciampa
Analysis: *** A solid TV match between two talented veterans. Xavier is a guy who could do well if he got pushed like he was when he was Wes Lee in NXT. I’m all for Ciampa being featured more as well, so having Ciampa win decisively was the right move here.
Ciampa did a promo saying this was the example because he’s sick of waiting. Ciampa said he wants it all. Ciampa said he came to AEW because this is where the best wrestle and he wants all the gold. Ciampa said if he’s not making himself clear, Darby Allin and MJF – whoever wins, the Psycho Killer is coming for the AEW World Title. Ciampa kicked Xavier and left.
A video aired about Darby Allin talking about climbing Mount Everest and showing some of his crazy moves in matches. They showed their past when MJF beat Allin with a side headlock takeover after using a Dynamite Diamond Ring. The video showed the part where MJF said he was going dark on social media and his phone because nobody is on the level of The Devil, so MJF had no idea about the match until tonight.
Let’s Hear from FTR with Stokely
The AEW World Tag Team Champions FTR – Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler – made their entrance with Stokely. Dax said he has read and heard the chatter and the complaints. Dax said that FTR winning again has made all of you angry. Dax claimed the fans were angry because they feel like they can relate to an underdog. Dax called the fans losers. Dax said that they gave Adam Copeland & Christian Cage a brush with relevancy and they couldn’t get the job done. FTR said that Cope & Cage will never get a shot at these titles again as long as FTR are the champions.
Stokely spoke, so the fans chanted “No Hoes” and Stoke said he didn’t need hoes because he has the Tag Team Champions. Stoke claimed that the fans think they know everything, so clearly they know the story of David vs. Goliath. Stoke said that FTR are Goliath. Stoke said other tag teams in AEW are Davids, and every time they step up to Goliath, they get bitched out. Stoke claimed they have no competition in AEW. Stoke said that Tony will reach out to CMLL and NJPW, and they will all fall to the giants that are FTR.
Cash wanted the fans to do a favor by giving a moment of silence to Cope & Cage. The fans booed. Cash did a 10-second pose as the champions so the fans could take a photo. Cash did a middle finger salute to the fans. Cash told Seattle to have a great night.
Analysis: A fine heel promo from the great AEW Tag Team Champions. I was thinking some team would interrupt them, but there was nobody. I like FTR a lot, and they are good at getting heat because they know how to be the heel Tag Team Champions.
(Commercial)
TNT Championship: Kevin Knight vs. Claudio Castagnoli
The exciting Knight won the TNT Title in the Casino Gauntlet Match at Dynasty, so this is his first title defense. It is Knight’s first singles title in AEW and I really like Knight. Claudio is an awesome veteran, as we know.
Knight used his speed to hit a dropkick and a clothesline out of the ring. Claudio was back in with a clothesline, so Knight sold it great with a flipping bump. Claudio hit a body slam. Knight hit a hiptoss out of the ring. Knight jumped off the apron with a clothesline on Claudio on the floor. The show went on a PIP break there.
(Commercial)
The match continued with both guys on the ground selling. Knight picked up Claudio and hit a body slam. Knight hit a running splash for two. After Knight sent Claudio out of the ring, Knight hit a somersault dive over the top onto Claudio on the floor. They battled by the turnbuckle where Claudio countered Knight. When Knight jumped off the turnbuckle, Claudio jumped off with an uppercut for a two count. Knight went for a springboard move, but Claudio caught him and hit a backbreaker for two. Claudio did the Giant Swing, followed by a catapult into the turnbuckle. Knight jumped off with a lariat out of the corner. Knight went up top and hit a UFO Splash for the pinfall win after 11 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Kevin Knight
Analysis: ***1/2 A very good match to give Kevin Knight a quality win in his first TNT Title defense. Claudio Castagnoli is a veteran with credibility, so Knight beating him certainly makes Knight look like a credible champion. What I like about Knight is that while he’s got all the high-flying moves, he’s also smart enough to know that it’s important to slow things down sometimes. Knight sells moves well, and I like watching him a lot.
Kevin Knight did a promo saying that Claudio was one of the strongest dudes he’s ever been in the ring with. Knight said he’s looking good and feeling even better as the new TNT Champion. Knight said that before he won this, they lost the AEW Trios Titles the night before. Knight said he knows Speedball was upset about it. Knight spoke about how tonight we have MJF/Darby Allin for the AEW World Title. Knight said that he’ll keep a close eye on that one because Jet Two Belts sounds too fly.
Analysis: That’s the second winner of a match to say they are going to have a close eye on the AEW World Title match later in show. It could be a tease of something coming later in the show. I hope Knight has a meaningful reign as TNT Champion and hopefully with a memorable feud as well.
(Commercial)
Chris Jericho Interview
The first-ever AEW World Champion, Chris Jericho, made his entrance for an in-ring interview with Renee Paquette. Jericho lost to Ricochet at AEW Dynasty in Jericho’s first match in a year. The fans sang “Judas” during Jericho’s entrance.
Jericho was asked how it felt in his first match back. Jericho said he felt so happy to be back in AEW and back in the ring at Dynasty. Jericho claimed it was one of his favorite matches in a long time. Jericho doesn’t think he lost because he was rusty and said it was because he was outnumbered 3 to 1. Jericho congratulated Ricochet, which led to Ricochet’s entrance.
The Demand trio of Ricochet, Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun arrived in their robes for a promo on the ramp. Ricochet said he respected Jericho. Ricochet said that Jericho signed his contract and got himself hurt (well, he lost at least). Ricochet said he took out Jericho with the Lionsault, which he has renamed the Ricosault. Ricochet said Jericho didn’t completely embarrass himself. The fans chanted, “Shut the f**k up” at Ricochet. Ricochet told Jericho to quit while he’s ahead. Ricochet talked about how Jericho has reinvented himself, so how about Jericho stays around and gets his ass beat by The Demand every week. Ricochet said that this could be the best run of his entire career.
Jericho said that the Ricosault is brutal. Jericho mentioned Ricochet is bald, so that led to a “BALD” chant. Jericho kept saying bald while claiming he knows what Ricochet is doing out there. Jericho wanted “Bald” Ricochet to leave the two goons on the stage, and Jericho wants Ricochet to face him right now. Jericho thinks Ricochet is too scared and too bald to handle this one on one. Ricochet told his buddies to let him handle this one-on-one.
Ricochet went into the ring, so Jericho hit him with a hiptoss and a clothesline. Liona and Kaun went into the ring to help Ricochet. Liona powered Jericho into the turnbuckle. The Demand stomped on Jericho against the turnbuckle. Kaun and Liona lifted up Jericho, leading to a double team Spinebuster into the mat. The Demand celebrated. Ricochet hit the Lionsault aka the Ricocsault on Jericho. The Demand posed over Jericho.
Analysis: It is a continuation of the Jericho/Ricochet feud that will lead to Jericho getting some allies to fight The Demand. Perhaps it is a team from Jericho’s past, or a new team that Jericho can associate with. It should also lead to another Jericho/Ricochet match and I would expect Jericho to win that one. The promos by both guys were fine with Jericho inserting some comedy while making fun of Ricochet’s bald head.
They showed some post-Dynasty interaction with Konosuke Takeshita telling Don Callis that not helping Kazuchika Okada was an accident. Takeshita sarcastically said he’s so sorry. Okada yelled in Japanese. Callis told Okada it’s okay because it’s his problem.
Analysis: It’s time for Takeshita to break free from the Don Callis Family and become a babyface. Takeshita will do well in that role.
The great Will Ospreay made his entrance for a match. Will had kinesio tape on his left arm/shoulder. Don Callis did a Spanish introduction for Hechicero.
Will Ospreay vs. Hechicero (w/Don Callis & Lance Archer)
Hechicero is the CMLL World Heavyweight Champion. That title isn’t on the line here. Danielson put over Hechicero’s incredible technical wrestling skills. Hechicero worked on Will’s neck and Will was selling the injury, so Hechicero kicked Will. A charging Will gave Hechicero a hurricanrana out of the ring. Will hit a slingshot dive over the top onto Hechicero on the floor and Will landed on his feet. They went on a PIP break.
(Commercial)
It was Hechicero in control with a hammerlock into a backbreaker. Marina Shafir was watching from ringside. Hechicero did a surfboard submission on Will as the submission skills of Hechicero were on display. Will bounced off the ropes with a corkscrew kick to the head. Will hit a twisting splash for a two count. Hechicero pulled the straps down, did nothing after it and Will hit a jumping kick. Hechicero used his legs for a Guillotine slam into the mat for two because Will got his foot on the bottom rope. The referee called for Dr. Sampson to check on Will, who was selling the left arm injury. They went on another PIP break.
(Commercial)
Hechicero remained aggressive as he attacked Will’s neck by pulling it against the ropes. After Hechicero sent Will out of the ring, Hechicero dove over the top and dived onto Will. Back in the ring, Hechicero hit a shoulder to the left arm to knock Will down. Will was able to counter a move. Will sent Hechicero against the turnbuckle and hit a superkick. Will hit a superkick. Will went for something else, but Hechicero caught him and went for an armbar. Will hit a Styles Clash to get out of that. Will got back up and hit a Hidden Blade running elbow for the pinfall win after 17 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Will Ospreay
Analysis: ***1/2 It was a great match with Will selling the left arm/shoulder injury very well throughout the match, which also meant Hechicero was on offense a lot. Will making the comeback to win was the right result here because it gives Will a win after he lost at Dynasty. I thought this would be a shorter match and a more decisive win by Ospreay, but it ended up turning into more of a fight with Hechicero getting a lot of offense. This was a great example of how Ospreay is a complete wrestler who can do more than just fly. Will knows how to tell a story and sell t make his opponent look great.
After the match, Will Ospreay celebrated the win. Mark Davis of the Don Callis Family went into the ring and clotheslined Will. Davis hit a piledriver on Will as well.
Analysis: That should set up Will Ospreay in a match against his former ally Mark Davis, and Will should win that.
The Willow Nightingale-Kamille match was next, so they replayed Willow’s promo from Dynasty when she said she’d see Kamille at Spring Break-Thru.
Let’s Hear from Thekla
Thekla, the AEW Women’s World Champion, was in the crowd wearing her title, and she interrupted Renee Paquette talking by the entrance. Thekla bragged about how she beat the great Jamie Hayter at Dynasty. Thekla said you better get used to her as the AEW Women’s World Champion. Thekla claimed that this industry is filled with dumb bitches. Alex Windsor walked out to the ring saying she should beat up Thekla right now. Thekla trashed Windsor for being a dumb bitch. Windsor said she’s an NJPW Strong Women’s Champion. Alex said that Thekla was stupid enough to get herself fired from Japan and called her a “silly tit.” Thekla said she got fired from Japan because they couldn’t handle Thekla. Windsor challenged Thekla to a fight right now. Thekla said no. Windsor suggested that Thekla put that title on the line on Collision and Thekla was okay with that. Thekla’s buddies Skye Blue and Julia Hart tried to attack Windsor, but Windsor was ready and cleared them from the ring. Thekla left.
Analysis: I wouldn’t call it the greatest promo exchange or anything like that, but I think Thekla is very entertaining on the microphone. Thekla has a personality, that’s for sure. Anyway, it should be a win for Thekla over Hayter when they have that match.
(Commercial)
Jon Moxley, the AEW Continental Champion, was backstage somewhere with the Death Riders. Moxley talked about Will Ospreay saying he’s studied him. Marina Shafir walked in saying Will looked rough. Moxley said he doesn’t take pleasure in the suffering of others, but he thinks there can be beauty in it. Moxley prefers light over darkness. Moxley spoke about facing Nick Wayne on Collision and said he didn’t know much about Nick, so he told Nick to surprise him. Moxley told Nick to leave his mom in the back since it is Continental Rules. Moxley laughed about it.
TBS Championship: Willow Nightingale vs. Kamille
The graphic said Kamille has 6 wins in 7 matches. They also paid her to stay at home since October 2024 other than her win on the Dynasty pre-show. Kamille is a part of the new American Gladiators, which was mentioned.
Willow was aggressive by ramming Kamille’s head into the turnbuckle a few times. Kamille kicked Willow and wrenched o the left arm/shoulder that Willow was selling. Kamille pulled on Willow’s arm against the top rope. Kamille kept on working on Willow’s arm as they went to a PIP break.
(Commercial)
The champion Willow hit a Pounce to knock Kamille down. Willow hit a cannonball against the turnbuckle for two. Willow was too hurt to try a lift, so Kamille hit a facebuster into the mat. Kamille hit a leaping leg lariat for two. Kamille hit a leg drop on Willow’s left arm. Kamille went for an armbar, Tony said that had to be it, and Willow got out of it easily to prove Tony’s commentary is still terrible. Anyway, Willow got a backslide pin, Kamille tried to kick out and wasn’t able to, so Willow got the win. It went about 10 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Willow Nightingale
Analysis: **1/4 The match was okay with a flat finish since you don’t see people winning with a backslide that often. Kamille was on offense for about 80% of the match. The finish protected Kamille since she didn’t lose to Willow’s finisher. Kamille looks impressive for sure, but I think personality-wise, they need to develop her more as a character.
Hiraku Shida and Kris Statlander were backstage. Shida congratulated Willow on her win. Shida said that she makes a great team with Kris, so they’ll team up again on Collision. Shida left and Kris said nothing.
The AEW World Champion MJF was shown walking backstage. Excalibur said that this was the final commercial, and the main event will be commercial-free.
Darby Allin was shown walking backstage with Renee Paquette, who wanted some pre-match thoughts. Sting showed up in his mask and white hair. Allin asked if Sting had anything for him. Sting said that Allin knows what to do out there. Allin said it’s Showtime like Sting used to say and Sting told Allin, “It’s Your Time!” The fans were fired up. Allin left for his match.
Analysis: That’s cool to have a cameo from Sting for Allin’s big night.
(Commercial)
Darby Allin made his entrance for the main event and he greeted some family and friends at ringside since he’s from Washington. Maxwell Jacob Friedman was up next as the hated AEW World Champion. The match was starting after 10 p.m. ET so it’s a long overrun as usual for AEW Dynamite these days.
AEW World Championship: Maxwell Jacob Friedman vs. Darby Allin
The crowd was firmly behind Allin with “F**k him up, Darby” chants. MJF gave referee Aubrey Edwards his Dynamite Diamond Ring, so she turned her back and MJF kicked Allin in the groin with a low blow. Allin sent MJF into the ropes near the referee and hit an uppercut low blow. Allin hit a Scorpion Death Drop like Sting. Allin went up top and hit a Coffin Drop. Allin hit a second Coffin Drop off the top. Allin went up top again and hit a third Coffin Drop. Allin jumped off the top with a fourth Coffin Drop on MJF! Allin did a side headlock takeover and hooked the legs for the pinfall win! Darby Allin is the new AEW World Champion! The match went 2 minutes.
Winner by pinfall AND NEW AEW World Champion: Darby Allin
Analysis: * Wow. I’m happy for Darby Allin that he finally became AEW World Champion after 7 years and I’m also shocked that it actually happened. The way it was booked was clever with MJF getting the low blow, but Allin was ready and hit his own low blow. That was followed by Allin hitting a barrage of Coffin Drops to get the win. I’m a huge fan of MJF and I love him as the AEW World Champion, but I certainly don’t have a problem with the title change because of how popular Allin is.
Darby Allin celebrated with the AEW World Title while a graphic was shown on the screen. The babyface wrestlers in AEW went into the ring and celebrated with Allin.
Sting made his way out to the ring and the fans were going wild for the Stinger. When Sting got into the ring, he gave Allin a huge hug. Allin continued to celebrate as the new AEW World Champion. That was the end of the show.
Analysis: As I said, I’m a huge fan of Darby Allin after watching this guy put his body on the line for the past 7 years in AEW, and he’s somebody who earned the respect of the fans. Allin isn’t a big guy, but he’s the definition of a babyface with a big heart, and that makes him very likable as a wrestler. I’m happy for him. I’m not sure Allin needs a long title reign, and I can see MJF getting the title back in a month or two, but I certainly have no problem with Allin winning the gold here. Good call by AEW.
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Three Stars of the Show
1. Darby Allin
2. Will Ospreay
3. MJF – I know the main event was a short match, but he was great in the opening segment and put over Allin huge.
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The Scoreboard
This Week: 7.75 out of 10
Last Week: 7.5
2026 Average: 7.55
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Final Thoughts on AEW Dynamite
It was certainly a newsworthy show, with the AEW World Title change as Darby Allin quickly beat MJF to become the AEW World Champion. You don’t see many AEW World Title changes on Dynamite, so it was a nice treat, and it was the right place to do it in Allin’s hometown. I thought it was a possibility, but I certainly didn’t expect it, so kudos to AEW for surprising me and I’m sure many viewers as well.
The match quality during the show was pretty good. There were predictable results to those matches because obviously Ciampa, Ospreay, Nightingale, and Knight were all going to win those matches, but they were still entertaining matches most of the way.
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Thanks for reading. Go Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto Raptors. You can contact me using any of the methods below.
John Canton
Email: [email protected]
Twitter/X: @johnreport