The John Report: AEW Dynamite 04/16/25 Review (Spring BreakThru)
This week’s AEW Dynamite featured Will Ospreay facing Konosuke Takeshita, Mercedes Mone against Athena, a Trios Tag Team Title match, and more.
It’s the 289th episode of AEW Dynamite, which means they have passed WCW Monday Nitro in total episodes because Nitro had 288 episodes before WWE bought them in March 2001. The 289 number is being celebrated to say that AEW is the longest-running primetime wrestling show in Turner Network (TNT/TBS) history. The WCW Saturday Night show was on for many more years, but that doesn’t count as a weekday primetime show.
This was AEW Dynamite episode #289 from the MGM Music Hall at Fenway in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 and Tony Schiavone.
The announcers claimed that Hook was attacked by The Death Riders, so he’s out of the match with The Opps this week. They went over the lineup for this week’s show. Excalibur claimed that Taz was at the hospital with his son Hook, so it was just Excalibur and Taz on commentary.
Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Semifinals: Mercedes Mone vs. Athena
There was a ramp connected to the ring, so no dives on that side of the ring. Mercedes Mone was cheered more than normal because they were in her hometown. Athena has been ROH Women’s Champion for 858 days. Mone is 19-0 as TBS Champion.
Mone and Athena exchanged moves leading to pin attempts for about a minute. They even did a cradle that led to some rolling around the ring. Mone caught Athena’s kick and delivered a kick of her own. Mone hit a sunset flip into the turnbuckle followed by double knees for just a one count, which surprised Mone. Athena kicked Mone into the turnbuckle. Athena did a cartwheel leading to an elbow strike for two. Mone countered an Athena move attempt and Mone applied a Crossface. Some fans were chanting “Let’s Go Celtics” since it was in Boston. Mone had Athena in the Crossface on the floor. Athena didn’t sell it much because she sent Mone back into the ring. Mone hit double knees to trap Athena against the bottom rope. Mone went for a stomp on the floor, but Athena countered with a Stunner on the floor. They went to a picture-in-picture break.
(Commercial)
It was time for the “stand and throw strikes” part of the match with Mone knocking down Athena down with a punch. Athena set up for a Tombstone, Mone countered it and Mone hit a Lung Blower double knees to the chest for a two count after a delayed pin attempt. Mone hit a swinging DDT off the ropes, but it didn’t look great, so they did it again and Mone hit Athena with another swinging DDT. I think Athena told her to do it again, so they did it again and Athena did a handstand bump. The fans were chanting “this is awesome” for them. Mone hit the Three Amigos suplexes, Athena broke free and Athena hit three Powerbombs in a row. Athena tried for a move, but Mone slipped behind Athena leading to a neckbreaker. Mone worked over Athena with punches to the back, but Athena came back with a Death Valley Driver for two. Mone hit a running double knee attack on Athena against the turnbuckle. Mone teased a German Suplex off the apron that was never going to happen because Athena held onto the ropes. Athena broke Mone’s grip leading to Athena stomping on Mone repeatedly. Athena kicked Mone while they were on the apron and Mone gave Mone a powerslam for two. That was a long time on the apron for a powerslam. Athena applied the Crossface submission, Mone rolled through and applied her own move that looked more like a headlock. They got back to their feet, leading to Athena hitting a chop. Athena spun Mone around and Athena hit double knees to knock Mone out of the ring. Athena charged while on the floor, so Mone sent Athena into the barricade. The referee wasn’t counting them out while on the floor, so the two women stood on the barricade, Mone avoided a move and Mone hit a shotgun dropkick to send Mone into the LED barricade. Athena went for her top rope move, but Mone slipped out of it, Mone did a jackknife pin, and she sat on top of Athena for the pinfall win. It went 21 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Mercedes Mone
Analysis: **** I thought it was an awesome match that was competitive the whole way. Mone winning with a counter move into a pin attempt shows how close it was rather than winning with a finishing move. Athena has been booked very strongly in ROH with a long title reign, so it’s not like she loses a lot. Mone is the bigger star and I expected her to win this match. I think they could have sold moves a bit more because they rushed through a lot. When you do submissions, it’s important to sell moves after that and sometimes after those submissions, they didn’t sell long enough. It’s a match that I enjoyed a lot, and I’d love to see it again.
The win means that Mercedes Mone goes on to the Finals of the Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament. She’ll face the Kris Statlander-Jamie Hayter winner.
After the match, the AEW Women’s World Champion “Timeless” Toni Storm appeared in the upper deck with Luther by her side. The fans cheered as they played Storm’s song. Mone waved back at Storm.
Analysis: I think Mone against Storm will be the match at All In Texas, so it was a tease about a future showdown between them.
Adam Page was interviewed by Renee Paquette backstage about his match against the Wildcard. Page couldn’t speak because The Young Bucks and Kazuchika Okada of The Elite interrupted. Nick said that they cost Swerve the AEW World Title for Page. Matt said he’d help him deal with the Death Riders. Okada asked Hangman why he’s always angry and told him to smile more, so Okada showed him how to smile. After Hangman left, Okada said “bitch” and Page got in his face. Okada told Hangman to smile and Hangman left.
They showed former Boston Bruins goalie Tukka Rask standing beside the Stanley Cup trophy since they won the 2011 Stanley Cup. It was a way to plug the NHL Playoffs on TNT.
(Commercial)
It was “Hangman” Adam Page up first, followed by the Wildcard opponent. That Wildcard opponent was Josh Alexander, which was expected since it was well known that he had signed with AEW. Good response for my fellow Canadian Josh, who is an awesome wrestler, and I’m happy for him being in AEW.
Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quarterfinals: “Hangman” Adam Page vs. Josh Alexander
There were some strikes exchanged early on and Josh hit a running kick. Page got a hold of Josh, leading to a fallaway slam. They did a spot on the apron where Page hit a springboard clothesline. Page tried an attack on the floor, so Josh sent him into the apron. Josh went for a running attack, Page avoided it and Josh was trapped on the barricade for way too long as Page jumped off the apron with a clothesline. The fans chanted “holy shit” after that spot. That led to a PIP break.
(Commercial)
Josh hit a German Suplex followed by a clothesline, but Page no sold that. Page and Josh exchanged clothesline attempts that had no effect, Josh tried a German Suplex, Page landed on his feet and Page hit a running discus lariat. Both guys were down selling. They went to the apron where Page gave Josh a back body drop on the apron. Page went up top and hit a perfect moonsault onto Josh’s chest on the floor. Back in the ring, Page hit a Ligerbomb for two. Josh countered a Page move, leading to a pin attempt. Josh hit a forearm to the back of the neck followed by a spinning slam into a Powerbomb for two. Josh went for the Ankle Lock, Page got out of it and hit an enziguri kick. Page hit a Tombstone piledriver for a two count. Josh punched Page while on the apron and Josh slammed Page on the apron. Page was seated on the apron, so Josh hit a cross body block to the back to knock Page off the apron to the floor. Josh went for the Ankle Lock, Page kicked Josh into the ropes and Page got an inside cradle for the pinfall win after 14 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: “Hangman” Adam Page
Analysis: ***1/2 It was a competitive match, just like the first match in the Owen Cup on this show. Josh fared very well in his first AEW match with a lot of big moves. Page and Josh have a similar style in the ring, so I’m not surprised that they could put on a good match together. Just like the Mone-Athena match, there was a counter pin move that led to the win rather than a finishing move, so counter move finishes are a popular way to end matches this week. I expected Page to win here.
The win means that Hangman will face Kyle Fletcher in the Owen Hart Cup Semifinals.
Kyle Fletcher and Don Callis showed up, so Kyle went down to the ring. Page tried a move, Fletcher got out of it, and Page nailed Fletcher with a clothesline. Callis was talking to Alexander at ringside. Fletcher left the ring to avoid a Buckshot Lariat. Alexander nailed Page with a forearm from behind. Alexander hit a Powerbomb on Page. The fans were chanting “F**k Don Callis” as Alexander left the ring. Fletcher gave Page a brainbuster. The fans booed that.
Analysis: It gets heat on Fletcher for the cheap attack on Hangman. I don’t know if Alexander’s attack means he’ll join the Don Callis Family, but it’s possible. Alexander also left on his own, so maybe Callis will try to recruit him for the group. I think Page will beat Fletcher in their match.
(Commercial)
Nick Wayne was backstage with Kip Sabian and Mother Wayne. Nick spoke about who has been in charge of The Patriarchy as if Christian Cage wasn’t there, but Christian Cage showed up to reveal that he was there. Cage wondered what Nick meant in the past when he said he knew why Cage cashed in his title shot when he did. Nick said that Cage didn’t stick with the plan because he couldn’t live with Cope being a World Champion before Cage. Cage said that he wanted Nick to show more confidence and he was impressed by Nick while he was away. Christian mentioned that he got Nick a spot in the NJPW Best of the Super Juniors tournament. Cage said he’ll keep Nick busy before he goes to Japan. Cage said he got Nick a match against Komander for the ROH TV Championship on Collision. Cage said he’ll bring the title back to The Patriarchy because he knows his boy won’t let his father down. Christian slapped Nick in the face and left.
A video package aired showing highlights FTR’s heelish actions on Collision. They threatened to beat up Tony Schiavone and beat up some other people, like Daniel Garcia. Schiavone said that FTR has been suspended for a week and fined one week’s pay.
They showed Kristaps Porzingis of the NBA’s Boston Celtics at ringside. They are the reigning NBA Champions looking to defend their titles this year.
AEW Tag Team Championships: The Hurt Syndicate – Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin (w/MVP) vs. Gates of Agony – Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona
MVP joined commentary. Shelton hit a DDT on Liona, but it had no effect due to Liona being Samoan. Liona and Kaun hit charging attacks on Shelton against the turnbuckle. Kaun tagged in so he put his foot against Shelton’s throat against the turnbuckle. Shelton hit a spinning heel kick on Kaun. Lashley tagged in with repeated shoulder tackles and a flatliner. Lashley suplexed Kaun across the ring. Lashley clotheslined Kaun out of the ring. Lashley sent Kaun into the barricade as the show went to a PIP break.
(Commercial)
Shelton and Kaun did a double clothesline spot to knock eachother down. Liona tagged in and hit a Samoan Drop. Lion hit a senton splash for two because Lashley broke up the pin. Lashley sent Liona’s head into the turnbuckle three times, but it had no effect due to the Samoan head rule. Liona clotheslined Lashley ten times against the turnbuckle. Lashley was still illegally in the ring with a Hurt Lock, but Kaun kicked Lashley. Liona clotheslined Lashley out of the ring. Kaun tagged back in as Liona sent Lashley into the barricade. Kaun hit a dropkick on Shelton. Kaun ran the ropes, but Shelton stopped that with a superkick. Shelton hit two release German Suplexes. Shelton sent Liona out of the ring, so Lashley hit Liona with a Spear on the floor. The fans chanted “We Hurt People” for THS. Shelton hit a running knee on Kaun. Lashley tagged in and hit a Spear on Kaun for the pinfall win after about eight minutes.
Winners by pinfall: The Hurt Syndicate – Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin
Analysis: **3/4 It was another dominant win for The Hurt Syndicate to keep the Tag Team Titles. Lashley and Shelton are fun to watch as a team. They only showed about five minutes on the full screen and the challengers had no shot here.
MJF Talks To The Hurt Syndicate
After the match, Maxwell Jacob Friedman walked out in dress clothes including a scarf. The fans chanted “MJF” for him. MJF went into the ring to congratulate The Hurt Syndicate on their win. MJF said he brings a lot to the table while adding that MVP knows this and some of us are slow learners. Lashley was mad about that. MVP calmed Lashley down. MVP claimed that he had talent in the back, so that led to seven beauties dressed in black that walked down to the ring as The Hurt Syndicate’s music played. The ladies went into the ring to flirt with the wrestlers. MJF said that they can have a night out with these lovely ladies, and all he requests is three thumbs up.
MVP asked Shelton and Bobby to try this one more time. MVP did a thumbs up. Shelton was checking out some of the girls. Shelton said this is all nice, but he thinks he needs a little more time. MJF wondered what he meant. Shelton said he needed more time while pointing at his wrist. MJF asked if he wanted the watch off MJF’s wrist. MJF said he’ll give Shelton this watch if Shelton gives him a thumbs up right here. Shelton was about to give a thumbs up, but Lashley stared at him and Shelton did his thumbs down.
MJF said he respects the power of voting and even the power of the people. MJF said that he thinks he is growing on Shelton and as a token of his appreciation for Shelton, MJF will give Shelton the watch. MJF gave Shelton the expensive watch. MJF told Shelton he can have these ladies tonight and when MJF joins The Hurt Syndicate, there will be plenty more watches and women where that came from. MJF told “Bob” that Lashley is known as the All Mighty, but MJF is known for getting what he wants. MJF said it’s because his name is Maxwell Jacob Friedman and he’s better than you and you know it. Shelton and Lashley held the ropes open for the ladies.
Analysis: The story goes on and on. It was more of the same. At least they changed it up by bringing out some beautiful women and MJF gifted Shelton a watch as a bribe. I don’t know exactly where it’s headed, but I assume it’s going to keep going. It’s one of those things where you need to see how it plays out before judging it fairly.
The Will Ospreay-Konosuke Takeshita match was next.
(Commercial)
The Hurt Syndicate was about to be interviewed backstage, but MVP stopped it. MVP said that they can use MJF to get what they want from a business perspective. Lashley seemed open to it. The trio of MVP, Benjamin and Lashley left with the ladies.
Analysis: There’s some progress in the story with Lashley possibly accepting MJF in the group.
Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Semifinals: Will Ospreay vs. Konosuke Takeshita (w/Don Callis)
The fans chanted “Holy Shit” before they touched because the fans know that this will be amazing. Callis joined commentary.
The wrestlers were taking their time locking up in the feeling out process. There were “F**k Don Callis” chants. Takeshita applied a headlock to Will and Takeshita did a hair pull takedown. Will hit got an armdrag takedown. Takeshita sent Will up into the air, leading to Will hitting a hurricanrana. Will hit a senton splash. Will bounced off the ropes, he jumped over Takeshita and Takeshita hit a leaping lariat. Takeshita hit a spinning slam off the shoulders followed by a dropkick that sent Will out of the ring. Takeshita hit a somersault over the top onto Will on the floor. They went to a PIP break.
(Commercial)
Takeshita was in control with a forearm to the back. Will did an incredible handstand off the ropes, which led to a flipping kick to the head. Will hit a springboard forearm for a two that some might say it was phenomenal, but not phenomenal enough to win. Takeshita hit a boot to the face followed by a running lariat. Will hit an enziguri kick, Takeshita caught him with an overhead suplex and Takeshita hit another overhead suplex. Will went up top with Takeshita, who tripped up Will on the top rope and Will countered Takeshita with a Stundog Millionaire that sent Takeshita onto the stage. Will hit a springboard Oscutter on Takeshita on the ramp. Takeshita got back in the ring before the ten count and Will hit a missile dropkick to the head. Will hit an amazing Sky Twister Press off the top for two. Will hit a headscissors and another springboard Oscutter for two. The fans chanted “Fight Forever” for them. Will went for a double underhook suplex, Takeshita reversed it and they exchanged pin attempts. Takeshita hit a high angle German Suplex followed by a bridging pin for two. That was close! It was the “stand and throw strikes” part of the match that AEW wrestlers love. Takeshita’s forearm knocked Will into the turnbuckle, so Takeshita hit more forearms. Will was back up with two boots to the jaw. Takeshita blocked a kick and Takeshita hit an elbow to the face. Ouch. Will countered a move, so Will hit two kicks to the head and a hook kick to the back of the head. Will charged, but Takeshita collapsed to the mat. Takeshita got back up, leading to an elbow smash followed by a Blue Thunder Bomb for two. Will went for a springboard move, Takeshita hit an uppercut, Will kicked out at one and Will hit Hidden Blade for just one. The fans were going nuts. Will charged, Takeshita hit a forearm smash. Will hit a jumping Piledriver and a wheelbarrow suplex across the ring. Takeshita hit a running elbow smash like a Hidden Blade of his own. They were both down selling for a nine count and they got back up, which led to Takeshita hitting a running boot to the head that Excalibur called the Hell Of A Kick, which is fine since he named the Helluva Kick that Sami Zayn uses. Will slipped climbing to the top rope while Takeshita was on the top rope. Will hit a headbutt to stop Takeshita from doing a move. Will set up Takeshita up top, Takeshita hit a clothesline and Will did a backflip onto his feet. Will hit a Hidden Blade elbow for two. Will charged, Takeshita got up with a knee strike and Will countered with a hurricanrana. Will hit a Styles Clash for two. Takeshita got a backslide pin for two and a knee to the face. Will got hold of Takeshita and hit a Stormbreaker for the pinfall win after about 21 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Will Ospreay
Analysis: ***** Outstanding match. It is rare for me to give five stars for a TV match, but this felt like a PPV match and it could be the best match in Dynamite history. I absolutely loved it. Ospreay and Takeshita are two of my favorite in-ring performers in AEW and they crushed it in this match. When Takeshita kicked out of the Hidden Blade the first time, I wasn’t that surprised, but I was surprised the second time. I don’t necessarily love the one count kickouts, but it’s a way to fire up and pop the crowd while showing that the wrestler has a lot left. There are so many moves that Ospreay can use to win matches, so hitting a Stormbreaker for the win was the right move as something that was believable in terms of putting Takeshita down. I expected Will to win. Amazing match. Go out and watch it if you missed it.
The win by Will Ospreay means he is in the Men’s Owen Hart Cup Finals at Double or Nothing. He will face Adam Page or Kyle Fletcher in the finals.
Analysis: Will is my pick to win the Owen Hart Cup and I think he’ll win the AEW World Title at All In Texas too.
(Commercial)
The Death Riders made their entrance from the back part of the building. Jon Moxley is filling in for an injured Pac as one of the Trios Tag Team Champions, even though Pac was a champion. Pac hurt his foot last week, so he’s out of action.
The Opps were next as the challengers. It was Samoa Joe and Katsuyori Shibata. They were joined by Powerhouse Hobbs, who has nothing else going on, so he gets to fill in for Hook.
AEW Trios Tag Team Championships: Death Riders – Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta (w/Marina Shafir) vs. The Opps – Samoa Joe & Katsuyori Shibata and Powerhouse Hobbs
Hobbs worked over Yuta with repeated clotheslines. Hobbs nailed Yuta with a running powerslam. Joe tagged in to work over Yuta with strikes, along with a jumping kick to the head. Shibata worked over Yuta with uppercuts and Shibata kicked Moxley off the apron to the floor. After Shibata was sent out of the ring, Claudio sent him into the barricade. Moxley tagged in, kicked Shibata and Claudio was back in with a stomp. Shibata hit some strikes, but Claudio clotheslined him. They were past the 10 p.m. ET hour and went for a final PIP break.
(Commercial)
The action continued with the Death Riders working over Shibata as the face in peril while Shafir did a cheap shot to Hobbs’ left knee, so he was down on the floor. Shibata tried a sleeper, Claudio hit a jawbreaker and Shibata kicked Claudio down. Claudio and Shibata exchanged strikes. Claudio hit a boot to the head. Shibata did a back heel trip to take Claudio down. Joe got the tag down with an atomic drop, kick and a senton splash. Joe hit a powerslam for two because Moxley broke up the pin. Moxley tagged in and grabbed a steel chair. Willow Nightingale went down to the ring, she took the chair from Moxley and gave Moxley a middle finger. The six guys in the match all hit big moves, leading to bumps to the floor. Moxley kicked Joe in the face, but Joe came back with a lariat. Moxley and Joe were down in the ring. The Young Bucks walked down the ramp to make their way down to ringside. Swerve Strickland was there and he hit both Bucks. Swerve jumped off the barricade with a Swerve Stomp on both Bucks. Joe hit an STO on Moxley, Claudio hit Joe with a boot to the ring and Shibata went after Claudio. Shibata gave Claudio a sleeper on the ramp and hit a PK running kick. Shibata choked out Claudio with a sleeper on the ramp again. Yuta tried a dive onto Hobbs, but Hobbs caught him and Hobbs slammed Yuta on the commentary table, which didn’t break. Shafir hit Hobbs with a chair and Willow ran around the ring to hit Shafir with a Spear on the floor. Joe applied the Coquina Clutch to Moxley, the referee checked on Moxley, he was out and that was it. The match went about 14 minutes.
Winners by pinfall AND NEW AEW Trios Tag Team Champions: The Opps – Samoa Joe & Katsuyori Shibata and Powerhouse Hobbs
Analysis: ***1/4 It was a good tag team match. It’s tough to follow one of the best matches of the year, but they did a fine job. I liked the spot with Swerve stopping The Young Bucks from interfering and that was a big reason why The Opps won. Shibata took out Claudio, Hobbs took out Yuta and Joe took out Moxley to win. I’m actually surprised that Moxley was the one who lost for his team because usually it’s Yuta in that spot. Moxley rarely loses, so Joe choking him out to win should be treated like a big deal, although Joe is not wrestling in singles much these days.
After the match, Samoa Joe & Katsuyori Shibata were presented with the AEW Trios Tag Team Titles. Joe put one of the titles on Hobbs’ shoulder. The new champions celebrated.
Will Ospreay and other babyface members of the AEW locker room went down to the ring to celebrate with The Opps on the win. The wrestlers continued to celebrate while the announcers plugged a special Thursday episode of Collision. The celebration concluded to end the show.
Analysis: I like how the title change was treated like a big deal because of how hated the Death Riders are hated as a heel group. The babyfaces should celebrate the Death Riders losing.
This week’s Dynamite ended at 10:14 p.m. ET. Long show.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Will Ospreay
- Konosuke Takeshita
- Mercedes Mone & Athena, plus Samoa Joe, Katsuyori Shibata & Powerhouse Hobbs
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The Scoreboard
This Week: 9 out of 10
Last Week: 6.75
2025 Average: 7.33
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Final Thoughts on AEW Dynamite
That was the best Dynamite episode of the year and probably one of the best Dynamite episodes ever. It felt like PPV in a lot of ways, especially with the Will Ospreay-Konosuke Takeshita match being so special. Getting a five-star match on Dynamite is a nice treat. Those guys have incredible chemistry together, there were so many amazing nearfalls and the fans were so into it. Ospreay and Takeshita make everything look easy. I highly recommend the match if you didn’t see it. Even the AEW haters should like it.
The Mercedes Mone-Athena match was also outstanding. It’s so rare for an AEW women’s match to get 20 minutes on TV, but they deserved it and they crushed it. Also, welcome Josh Alexander to AEW. Even though he lost to Hangman, I thought Josh had a good performance.
It was a fun babyface moment to end the show with The Opps trio of Samoa Joe, Katsuyori Shibata & Powerhouse Hobbs (replacing Hook) beating the Death Riders in the main event. The Opps wore them out. I don’t care that much about the AEW Trios Tag Team Titles, but the story was built up well and it was the right time for a title change. A happy ending to this show where AEW was celebrating Dynamite for having more episodes than WCW Monday Nitro. I enjoyed this show a lot.
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Thanks for reading. Go Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto Maple Leafs. You can contact me using any of the methods below.
John Canton
Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com
Twitter/X: @johnreport