The John Report: AEW Dynamite 04/29/26 Review
This is AEW Dynamite, featuring Darby Allin defending the AEW World Title against Brody King, Kevin Knight defending the TNT Title versus MJF, and more.
AEW is on the road to Double or Nothing as Darby Allin continues to be a fighting AEW World Champion since he defended the gold last week, and he’s doing it again this week.
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 #343 from the Eaglebank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia. 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 Taz.
There were four title matches announced for this week’s show, and they are starting off with the TNT Title match.
TNT Championship: Kevin Knight vs. Maxwell Jacob Friedman
MJF has “EZ DUB” on his left elbow pad. MJF sent Knight out of the ring quickly. MJF tossed Knight into the steel steps two times in a row. MJF gave Knight a Powerbomb on the railing and MJF took a camera to say Knight is a nobody. Back in the ring, MJF hit a back elbow. MJF tossed Knight into the air and hit a neckbreaker. Knight got some offense after avoiding an MJF move and Knight hit a DDT. Knight attacked MJF with punches and kicks. Knight did a leapfrog, followed by a dropkick. Knight hit a twisting splash for two. Knight went up top, so MJF rolled out of the ring. Knight hit a slingshot dive over the top onto MJF on the floor. Knight hit a suicide dive. MJF went in the ring and to the floor again, so Knight hit a somersault dive over the top onto MJF on the floor. Knight put MJF back in the ring, so MJF rolled out the other side again. Knight jumped off the top with a springboard clothesline. That means Knight has jumped onto MJF on the floor three different times. MJF finally stayed in the ring as Knight got a pin attempt for two, and they each got a pin attempt. MJF hit a move that was like a popup Cutter for a two count. MJF went to the turnbuckle and Knight hit a hurricanrana to counter. Knight was selling a left knee injury. Knight went for the UFO Splash off the top, but MJF moved and Knight was grabbing the left knee. MJF hit a superkick. MJF hit a Panama Sunrise like his former buddy/rival Adam Cole for a two count. That led to a 90-second picture-in-picture break.
(Commercial)
MJF was in control with the single-leg crab on the injured left knee. Knight got out of it and hit a superkick to counter an MJF move. Knight crawled to the turnbuckle, Knight went up top and hit a UFO Splash, but was too tired to cover right away. Knight did a cover with one arm across the chest for a two count because MJF got his left shoulder up. MJF wrenched on Knight’s left knee against the ropes. MJF continued twisting the left knee. MJF hit an Alabama Slam for two. MJF had the TNT Title, referee Bryce Remsburg took it from him, MJF had the Dynamite Diamond Ring and Knight hit a low blow uppercut (the referee never saw it), and Knight got an inside cradle for the one…two…and three! It went about 15 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Kevin Knight
Analysis: **** A terrific match like most of MJF’s matches and Knight is certainly talented as well. I’m just saying because MJF has a lot of four-plus star matches in his incredible AEW career. I didn’t think a title change would happen because it’s early in Knight’s reigns and MJF doesn’t really need the TNT Title. Knight got a lot of offense early, then MJF slowed it down by working on the left knee and Knight won with the low blow to counter MJF’s cheating attempt and a sweet cradle for the win. It protects MJF since he didn’t lose to a finisher.
After the match, MJF hit Knight with a chop block to the left knee. Darby Allin descended from the ceiling as if he were 1997 Sting, and Allin hit a Scorpion Death Drop on MJF. That led to MJF leaving the ring.
Let’s Hear from MJF and Darby Allin
MJF did a promo telling the fans that they suck. MJF said they are two lowlife cheaters. MJF said he didn’t give a damn about Kevin Knight, and he was barely trying. MJF said he only cares about his AEW World Championship. MJF told Allin to give him a rematch.
Darby Allin said no. Allin said he’s not getting a rematch until MJF puts something on the line. Allin said if he survives tonight, then he knows who deserves a shot next week – Kevin Knight.
Brody King walked out to say that Allin isn’t going to survive tonight. King told Knight next week he won’t face Darby Allin because he’ll face the new AEW World Champion…Brody King. Allin and Knight shook hands.
Analysis: That means that Kevin Knight will get a shot at the AEW World Title next week, whether it’s Darby Allin or Kevin Knight as the champion.
A video aired about the history between Brody King and Darby Allin, who are friends and also rivals.
(Commercial)
Adam Copeland and Christian Cage were interviewed by Renee Paquette. She asked Cage how his fractured arm was doing, and he said it was fine. Cage said they accept FTR’s terms for an I Quit Match at Double or Nothing. Copeland said that Cage said it in the past, but he won’t say it again.
The Brawling Birds – Jamie Hayter & Alex Windsor vs. Emily Jaye & Jordan Blade
Hayter hit a couple of forms and a boot to the face. Windsor and Hayter took turns chopping Blade. Jaye went into the ring and took a double elbow. Hayter hit a suplex on Blade. Windsor hit a move on the floor that the director missed. The Birds hit a double clothesline on opposite sides and Hayter hit a Hart Attack clothesline to win. It went just over one minute.
Winners by pinfall: The Brawling Birds – Jamie Hayter & Alex Windsor
Analysis: 1/2* A squash match to give The Brawling Birds a win to build them up for a future AEW World Tag Team Title match.
The Triangle of Madness’ AEW Women’s Champion, Thekla, and Skye Blue, talked about their rivals. Thekla keeps talking about dumb bitches because AEW has so many dumb bitches. Alrighty then. Thekla said one-on-one, she is everything, while the Brawling Birds are nothing.
AEW International Championship: Kazuchika Okada vs. Ace Austin
Don Callis joined commentary to support Okada. Austin used his speed early to get a nearfall, doing a trip and a dropkick. Austin hit a Death Valley Driver to slam Okada into the mat. Okada avoided a dive by Austin on the floor, and Okada hit a DDT on the floor.
(Commercial)
Okada was in full control with a top rope elbow. Okada did a middle finger salute. Callis: “That’s for you, Schiavone.” Nice. Austin sent Okada to the apron and hit a knee smash to the face. Austin ran the ropes and did a backflip over the top on Okada. Austin hit a legsweep, along with a leg drop. Ace jumped off the top with a leg drop to the back of the head. Austin got a sunset flip for a two count. The announcers must have spoken about Austin’s strong legs about 10 times during this match. Austin tried a move off the ropes, so Okada stopped that with a perfect dropkick. Austin got a backslide pin for two and that was very close. Okada hit a second dropkick. Okada hit a Tombstone Piledriver and a Rainmaker lariat for the win. It went about 11 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Kazuchika Okada
Analysis: ***1/2 A fun match to give Okada a win in a title defense over a guy who really had no shot to win. Austin winning wasn’t going to happen, but he’s obviously a talented guy in the ring. Austin got plenty of offense in the match before Okada found a way to put him away.
Post-match, Don Callis cheap-shotted Austin, so Juice Robinson showed up to check on Austin.
Konosuke Takeshita had a staredown with Kazuchika Okada while making the belt motion with his hands.
Analysis: That Okada-Takeshita match at Double or Nothing will be amazing. I think Takeshita should win.
A video was shown from somewhere in the “Wild West” like they’ve shown for Bandido in the past. A bunch of dudes were beaten up, and one guy ran away from somebody. It was Swerve Strickland, who found a sign about Bandido. Prince Nana handed Swerve something and Swerve lit the paper on fire.
Analysis: That likely means Swerve Strickland is coming for Bandido, who is the ROH World Champion.
(Commercial)
The Death Riders were featured in a video package showing how they train. Will Ospreay showed up to train with them because Jon Moxley invited Will to train with them. Moxley told Will to drop everything that clouds his vision, that makes him see things that aren’t there. Moxley told Will to drop his feelings about Moxley. Moxley said that when he makes a commitment, he sees it through to the end and asks for the same in return. Will said okay. Will asked where the ring is, and Moxley said that there’s no ring because they start from the ground up. Moxley kicked the camera out.
Analysis: The Death Riders are trying to toughen up Will Ospreay. I didn’t expect to see that kind of alliance, but I am intrigued by it to see where it goes.
The AEW Tag Team Champions, FTR joined by Stokely, went to ringside to watch the next match. FTR gave the middle finger to Tony Schiavone, which made me laugh.
Adam Copeland & Christian Cage vs. RPG Vice – Trent Berretta & Rocky Romero
A graphic said that Adam Copeland is a 12-time World Tag Team Champion. Yes, he is, in another company. This is Cope & Cage’s first tag team match on Dynamite since their other matches were on PPV. Romero did his dumbass dropkick and celebrate in the camera spot, so Cage hit a reverse DDT. When Trent got in there, he hit a double knee attack to knock Cope down. Cope hit a boot to the face to knock Trent down. Cage took over by sending Trent into the barricade. Cage was distracted by Cash, so Trent slammed Cage’s injured left wrist into the ring post. The Conglomeration trio were in the crowd by Stoke, who tried a punch, so Orange Cassidy hit Stoke with popcorn. FTR got into a fight with Cassidy, Roderick Strong and Kyle O’Reilly. They left to the back. Romero hit a knee smash on Cage’s left arm to take control, going into a PIP break.
(Commercial)
The RPG boys were in control as they isolated Cage and attacked his left arm. Cage did an eye gouge on Romero, followed by a DDT out of the corner. Cope got the hot tag with flapjacks. Trent hit a back elbow and Cope hit an Impaler DDT. Cage stopped RPG Vice from doing a double team move and Cope hit a Code Red for two. Cage punched Romero out of the ring. Cope charged, Trent avoided it and got a rollup with feet on the ropes, but the referee caught Trent attempting to cheat. Trent hit a boot to Cope, then Trent charged and Cope launched Trent into the air so that Cage hit a Spear. Cope covered Trent to get the win.
Winners by pinfall: Adam Copeland & Christian Cage
Analysis: ***1/4 This went longer than I would have expected for a match with an obvious result. I know Trent and Romero are an experienced team, but they aren’t really pushed in AEW much. Nice finish to the match with Cope launching Trent into the air, leading to Cage hitting the Spear to win decisively.
Christian Cage grabbed a steel chair after the match. Cage gave Cope a steel bar from the chair, so Cope put the steel bar into Trent’s mouth in a crossface. Cope took the steel bar out, so Cage told Trent to say it, and Trent said, “I Quit.” Cage said he knew Trent would quit, and called him a little bitch.
Analysis: The FTR match with Cope & Cage is an I Quit match, so Cage previewed that by making Trent say that he quits. If Cope & Cage lose, then they can never team together in AEW again. I think Cope & Cage are winning at Double or Nothing.
(Commercial)
Chris Jericho was interviewed by Renee Paquette “earlier tonight.” Jericho said Ricochet has followed Jericho’s career very closely. That led to Ricochet and The Demand beating up Jericho. Ricochet said he told Jericho to leave or he would get hurt. Jericho replied: “Eat s**t. Bald.” Jericho was tossed into a wooden object backstage. Ricochet did a backflip over Jericho and said he’s not even worth it.
Analysis: The feud continues and I expect Jericho to beat Ricochet when they have a match again. That’s usually how these things go.
AEW Women’s Tag Team Championships: Divine Dominion – Megan Bayne & Lena Kross vs. Kris Statlander & Hikaru Shida
Kris and Shida are former Women’s Champions in AEW, so now they are trying to become Tag Team Champions. Kross used her power advantage to knock Shida down with a shoulder tackle. Bayne tried a lifting move and then fell over, so that wasn’t a smooth interaction there. Shida went for a knee, Bayne caught her and slammed Shida down. Bayne was trapped against the turnbuckle, so Shida suplexed Kris into Bayne. Bayne barely sold it and the champs tossed Kris down to counter a move. Bayne kicked Kris by the ropes and Kross sent Bayne into the top rope.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Kris hitting a spinning lariat on Bayne and Shida got the tag. Shida hit a dropkick off the middle turnbuckle. Shida hit a jumping knee on Bayne and Shida hit a running knee strike on both opponents. Kross hit Kris with an elbow strike. Bayne was back in with a running boot, along with a German Suplex across the ring. All four women hit strikes. Kris got the two champions stacked in the ring, so Kris went up top and hit a 450 Splash on both opponents for a two count on Kross. Shida tagged herself in and hit a double knee attack off the top. Shida hit a Falcon Arrow on Kross for two. Bayne went in illegally with a belly-to-belly suplex on Shida. Bayne hit a running kick into a German Suplex by Kross. Divine Dominion hit a double spinebuster on Shida and Kross covered for the win after 13 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Divine Dominion – Megan Bayne & Lena Kross
Analysis: *** A solid tag team match to give the champions a win over a credible team. I don’t know if Kris and Hikaru will become the champions because it feels like they will have issues since Shida is looking heelish at times. I like Bayne and Kross as champions. I think AEW has done a nice job with the women’s tag team division as they continue to build up other teams.
Andrade El Idolo and Don Callis were about to be interviewed by Renee Paquette. MJF walked in to complain about Andrade being the reason that Darby Allin is AEW World Champion. Andrade kept asking, “How do you know?” Callis said they are all better off when MJF is on top and Callis wanted them to focus on business.
Rush vs. Steven Fuerte
Rush hit Fuerte with a forearm, and they left the ring, so Rush tossed Fuerte into the barricade. Rush knocked down Fuerte with forearms against the turnbuckle. Rush hit his running dropkick against the turnbuckle, and that’s enough for the win. It was under 2 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Rush
Analysis: 1/2* A squash match to give Rush a win. I guess he needed a victory since he’s not on Dynamite that often.
After the match, Rush said when you mess with the bull, you get the horns.
Analysis: I like Rush and they should feature him more, but they just don’t do it.
The Opps stable of Samoa Joe, Hook, newcomer Anthony Bowens and Katsuyori Shibata were interviewed by Renee Paquette. Joe talked about the credibility of The Opps while saying that Bowens was undervalued and underappreciated, so you’ll see the best of him in The Opps. Joe said that they had Will Ospreay’s back in the past. Joe said Will has to ask himself if he wants a relationship of confidence or convenience, and the choice belongs to Will.
Analysis: I like that Anthony Bowens is in The Opps now. That’s a guy who deserves more TV time.
(Commercial)
The AEW World Tag Team Champions FTR and Stokely were backstage for a promo. Stokely talked about coming for The Conglomeration with Orange Cassidy facing Dax Harwood next week on Dynamite. If Orange wins, then they get a shot at the AEW Tag Team titles, but if Dax wins, then FTR and a partner get a shot at the AEW Trios Titles. Tommaso Ciampa walked in, saying he’s going to team up with FTR to take the AEW Trios Titles.
It was main event time with the challenger Brody King up first. A graphic said that King was 6-2 against Allin all time. The AEW World Champion was up next, and the fans loved both guys in this match.
AEW World Championship: Darby Allin vs. Brody King
Allin and King shook hands to start the match. Allin hit a running dropkick. King hit a chop to Allin’s back when Allin tried a splash. King hit a German Suplex across the ring. King hit a cannonball against the turnbuckle. Allin went up top, King went after him, and Allin hit a Code Red flipping slam for a two count. Allin tried a suicide dive, but King was ready for it and Allin bounced off of King to the floor. King charged at Allin on the floor, but Allin hit a chop block and King went crashing into a chair. Allin put King on a chair on the floor. Allin went up top and jumped off with a dropkick while King was on the chair. They went on a PIP break.
(Commercial)
King set up Allin on the top rope and King chopped Allin to knock him down to the floor. King slammed Allin hard onto the ring apron. King cleared off the commentary table. Allin jumped on King’s back and King slammed Allin through the thin board of wood that covers the commentary table. Kevin Knight and MJF were both shown watching the match. King and Allin exchanged strikes on the commentary table. King put his arms around the throat for some choking, Allin got out of that and Allin hit a Code Red on the commentary table. It didn’t break the table. Allin went into the ring and hit a suicide dive on King on the floor. Allin went crashing into the table as well. The referee was out on the floor with them. Back in the ring, Allin went up top, King hit him there and Allin was upside down. King hit a cannonball on Allin against the turnbuckle. King hit a lariat for a two count. King hit a running lariat that led to a backflip by Allin and it got King a two count. Allin tried to fight back with strikes, so King tossed Allin over the top onto a camera guy on the floor. King pulled Allin, who held onto the ringside padding to expose the floor. King knocked Allin down on the floor as they fought by the exposed concrete. King went for a cannonball, Allin moved and King went crashing through the cannonball. They moved everybody out of the way to avoid getting hit. King was on the apron, so Allin slid under him and Allin gave King a Powerbomb on the concrete. Allin went to the middle turnbuckle and Allin hit a Coffin Drop onto King on the floor. The referee administered a ten count to King even though there was no counting throughout the match for the past 15 minutes. Anyway, King went back in, and Allin jumped off the top with a Coffin Drop on King. Allin hit another Coffin Drop off the top on King for the pinfall win after 17 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Darby Allin
Analysis: ****1/4 That was an excellent title match by two guys who know eachother very well and have worked together a lot over the years. This isn’t a major complaint, but I always find it weird how in AEW matches, they ignore the countouts for most of the match, and then they build up a countout spot later in the match. It’s very inconsistent. Anyway, Allin is so likable as the AEW World Champion who puts his body on the line every time he’s out there, while King was a credible opponent. They work very well together as we have seen many times in the past.
After the match, Darby Allin and Brody King shook hands as a sign of respect.
Next week on AEW Dynamite: Darby Allin will defend the TNT Title against Kevin Knight. Knight will also defend the TNT Title against Hook on Collision. I don’t expect a title change there.
The show ended with Allin selling the pain from the match while Excalibur shilled Collision matches and Dynamite next week. End show.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Darby Allin
- Kevin Knight
- MJF, Brody King
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The Scoreboard
This Week: 8 out of 10
Last Week: 7.75
2026 Average: 7.56
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Final Thoughts on AEW Dynamite
A great show this week. There were four title matches and no title changes, which is what I expected, but I think what AEW is showing the audience is that they are willing to put title matches on TV all the time. The opening and closing title matches were outstanding, so any time you can have two 4-star level matches on the same show, then that’s a great thing overall.
I wouldn’t say there was a lot of great storyline advancement, and it felt like a lot of key people were missing because the matches went so long. I still enjoyed the show.
The next AEW PPV is Double or Nothing on May 24th in Queens, New York. Here’s the lineup so far:
* AEW International Championship Match: Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Konosuke Takeshita
* AEW World Tag Team Championship I Quit Match: FTR – Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler vs. Adam Copeland & Christian Cage (If Cope and Cage lose, they must retire as a tag team)
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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