The John Report: AEW Dynamite 05/27/26 Review
This is AEW Dynamite, featuring an MJF celebration, Chris Jericho battling Ricochet, and more.
AEW Double or Nothing took place last Sunday night in Queens, and it was a great show. Some people are calling it one of the best AEW PPVs ever. I rated it highly, but I’m not sure about it being an all-time great show. The big news is MJF regained the AEW World Title from Darby Allin, whose exhilarating title reign is over. It’s a 3-hour episode of AEW programming with 2 hours of Dynamite followed by 1 hour of Collision. I don’t review Collision, so I’m just doing Dynamite.
I’ll do summary-style reviews for most of the show and play-by-play for one or two matches.
This was AEW Dynamite episode #347 from The Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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.
Will Ospreay was interviewed by Renee Paquette after his AEW Double or Nothing win over Samoa Joe. Will said he was feeling good. They showed Will go into the medical room talking to Kenny Omega. Will said he was buzzing. Omega said he’s no stranger to the Death Riders, and his worry is that you can’t trust those guys. Omega said that they broke Will’s neck. Omega wondered why Will didn’t get his help. Will said Omega isn’t here every week. Omega said it’s not just a physical thing, it’s a mental thing and emotional thing. Omega said they can do crazy things if they stick together. Omega said be careful about the Death Riders. Jon Moxley walked into the room saying good advice. Moxley said they all had their skeletons and told Will the truck is outside. Omega said he’ll leave Will to do his neck bridges or whatever the Death Riders do. Will told Omega not to give up on that World Title and Omega said you too.
Analysis: That was an interesting conversation. I liked that a lot because we should see wrestlers interacting in different places sometimes that are not the ring or during a backstage area. Omega warning Ospreay is a logical thing based on Omega’s long history with Moxley and the Death Riders.
Let’s Hear from Kevin Knight
The TNT Champion, Kevin Knight, made his entrance to boos since he attacked Darby Allin at the end of Double or Nothing. I didn’t expect that Knight heel turn when he hit a UFO Splash on Allin on a stretcher, but it got Knight a lot of heat. The fans chanted, “F**k you, Kevin” at Knight.
Kevin Knight said he didn’t expect anything less from the sicko fans. Knight was greeted with, “Shut the f**k up” chants. Knight said people have asked him why he did what he did on Sunday. Knight said he told Darby Allin not to let The Jet and the fans down. Knight said Allin blew it. The fans chanted, “Asshole” at Knight. That led to Knight making a 76ers remark, saying they blew it against the Knicks. Knight said he decided he wasn’t going to trust the process, and instead, he did what he had to do. Knight said that he was the last person to humble MJF. Knight claimed t should have been him in the main event this past Sunday, but instead he was watching from the sidelines. Knight asked if he looked like a bench player and the fans chanted, “Yes” at him. Knight claimed he was a highlight every time he stepped into the ring. Knight said he’s here to take over this whole damn company. Knight said he trusted Darby Allin because Allin told him don’t waste any time in this business. Knight explained that when Allin couldn’t get the job done, Knight left him in a pool of blood with The Jet standing over top of him.
It was interruption time from “Speedball” Mike Bailey, who was Knight’s tag team partner in Jetspeed. Bailey said he knows how ambitious Knight is. Bailey said they both want to be the best, but Knight is impatient and makes mistakes. Bailey claimed that what Knight did to Allin at Double or Nothing was a mistake. Bailey wanted Knight to own up to what he did and make things right.
Knight didn’t want to shake hands, and instead, he hit Bailey with a microphone shot to the head. Bailey was down selling while Knight acted like he felt bad about it. Knight hit a uranage to put Bailey down again. Knight left.
Analysis: I thought Kevin Knight did a solid job with that promo. Knight isn’t a guy who has had long promos a lot, but I think he’s more than capable when given the chance.
Ricochet and The Demand were interviewed by Renee Paqutte, who mentioned Jericho pinned Bishop Kaun with the Lionsault at Double or Nothing. Ricochet complained about how everybody was banned from ringside. Ricochet said that Jericho had six other guys to save him at Double or Nothing. Ricochet bragged about beating Jericho twice. Ricochet said he’s out of this world to end it.
Chris Jericho vs. Ricochet
Everybody is banned from ringside in this match. They officially announced Chris Jericho as just Jericho, but I have been writing about this man for over 20 years at this point, so I’ll put Chris Jericho for him.
Ricochet knocked Jericho out of the ring quickly and rammed him back-first into the barricade. Back in the ring, Ricochet hit a springboard clothesline and a running Shooting Star Press. Ricochet attacked Jericho’s left knee with kicks. Jericho countered a Ricochet move with a punch that sent Ricochet out of the ring. Jericho jumped off the top with a cross body block on Ricochet on the floor. Ricochet suplexed Jericho knee-first onto the top of the announce desk. Jericho countered Ricochet on the table and applied the Walls of Jericho on the table. The referee wasn’t counting them out, but then she started counting them out after about 20 seconds. AEW refereeing is so inconsistent and has been since day one. They battled on the apron with Ricochet sweeping Jericho’s leg to knock him down. Ricochet sent Jericho knee first into the steel steps. That led to a picture-in-picture break.
Jericho gave Ricochet a Death Valley Driver on the apron. They got back into the ring and exchanged strikes. Jericho hit two shoulder tackles. Ricochet sent Jericho to the apron and Jericho hit a double sledge to knock Ricochet down. Jericho hit a bulldog. Jericho jumped off the ropes with a back elbow, and a brainbuster followed for two. Ricochet bailed to the apron and pulled Jericho over the top to the floor. Ricochet hit a springboard dropkick to knock Jericho out of the ring. Ricochet hit a suicide dive on Jericho on the floor. The referee, Aubrey Edwards, counted Jericho out right away this time, but at other times, they don’t count right away, which again is a frustrating thing about AEW. Ricochet hit a twisting moonsault onto Jericho on the floor. Ricochet hit a brainbuster on the floor. Jericho crawled into the ring and Ricochet hit a springboard Phoenix Splash for two. Jericho dodged a clothesline attempt. Jericho had the Walls of Jericho locked in and Ricochet was able to get out of it by striking Jericho’s legs. Jericho hit a clothesline that looked like it was a mistimed spot. Ricochet got a rollup for two. Ricochet avoided a move by hiding behind the referee and Ricochet hit a low blow uppercut that the referee never saw. Ricochet hit the Ricosault for just two. Good nearfall. Ricochet went up top, took way too long and missed a 630 Splash when Jericho moved. Jericho hit a Codebreaker for a two count. That used to be his finisher. Jericho hit a Judas Effect back elbow to the head. Jericho hit a Lionsault for the pinfall win. After the match, Jericho tapped Ricochet on the stomach as if to say good job. It went about 14 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Chris Jericho
Analysis: ***1/2 That felt like the feud ender with Chris Jericho getting revenge on Ricochet by getting the big win. Jericho did a nice job of selling the legs throughout the match, and ended up winning clean. The Ricochet nearfall after the low blow was a good spot. I don’t know about putting over the guy in his mid-50s in a feud like this, but I guess they felt like Jericho needed to win his first feud since coming back. Ricochet feels like he’s stuck in the midcard area and not really moving up or down from there.
After the match, Tommaso Ciampa attacked Jericho with a forearm from behind. Ciampa choked Jericho with his shirt. Ciampa hit a running knee smash. Nobody tried to help Jericho.
Analysis: A cheap attack by Ciampa on Jericho to set up a new rivalry. I think it’s silly how nobody tries to stop these attacks in AEW.
Andrade El Idolo said now that Stadium Stampede is over, he can focus on winning the AEW World Title. Andrade wondered if MJF thought he was better than him. Andrade looked at the camera to end it: “How you know?”
(Commercial)
Superstation Showcase: Orange Cassidy vs. Lio Rush vs. Brian Cage vs. Rush
I think Superstation Showcase is a short way of saying “Random 4-Way Match Featuring Midcard Talent.” If they had more guys named Rush it could have been a Rush Invitational. Lio Rush has transformed into a strange character who makes creepy faces and moves around in a weird way.
Rush and Cage hit some big moves on eachother in the ring while the other two guys waited on the floor. Orange did some comedy spots with Lio, leading to an Orange dropkick. Cage and Rush were just sitting on the floor doing nothing. Lio used his legs to knock Cage down from the apron to the floor. Orange hit a suicide dive onto Cage and Lio on the floor. They went to a PIP break.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Cage hitting a powerslam on Rush. Orange hit Stundog Millionaire and a DDT on Cage for two. Orange really likes DDTs, so he hit another DDT on Cage on the floor. Lance Archer and Rocky Romero showed up to attack Orange and Jake Doyle showed up to punch Orange. Archer carried Orange to the back, while The Conglomeration was there too. Brian Cage went fighting to the back too. Lio hit a Spear on his fellow Rush for a two count. Rush sent Lio out of the ring and choked him with a cable. Rush hit his running corner dropkick, aka The Horns, for the pinfall. Tony tried to tell us Rush got a big payday for winning this. Sure, pal. It went 12 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Rush
Analysis: **3/4 This was an average match. Sometimes 4-way matches don’t work well. The announcers tried so hard to put over Cage’s power and Lio’s uniqueness, but I didn’t think the match that was that interesting. I didn’t like how it was booked with two guys getting taken out of the match so that it could turn into a battle of the Rush boys. Rush winning is fine because he’s pushed to a certain level, but they really don’t give him significant wins.
The new AEW World Champion, MJF, was backstage with his Triple B version of the title. Renee Paquette was there to interview MJF. Kevin Knight went up to MJF, who claimed that Knight was there to show respect to MJF. Knight said he did what he did because Darby took that opportunity that belonged to him and he claimed he’d take the World Title from MJF. Max said it’s nice to have goals and left.
Kyle Fletcher approached Kevin Knight, looking at the TNT Title that used to belong to Kyle. Don Callis put them over as two incredible young talents and suggested Knight come talk to him.
A video package aired about Mark Briscoe talking about how he’s been a wrestler since he was 15 years. Mark prides himself on being an ironman and not taking days off.
(Commercial)
The Brawling Birds duo of Jamie Hayter and Alex Windsor were interviewed by Renee Paquette. Windsor said she’s been preparing for the Women’s Owen Hart Foundation tournament and she faces a Wild Card next week. Windsor said she’s going to prove she’s one of the best in the world. Windsor said it’s a path that ends at home and her Billy (Will Ospreay) is chasing his Wembley Deam and so is she. Hayter said one way or another, The Birds will come out on top.
MJF’s AEW World Championship Celebration
The brand new 3-time AEW World Champion Maxwell Jacob Friedman made his entrance for a promo. Max was in a gold suit wearing the AEW World Titel and he was carried out on a throne down to the ring. There were balloons around the ring. MJF tossed Darby’s version of the AE World Title on the ground, and then carried it to the ring.
MJF said that finally “Big Hebrew” has got his Triple B back. MJF said that Darby Allin is currently hanging his head in shame because for the third time, he beat Allin with a move as simple and basic as a headlock takeover. MJF said that pro wrestling has been around since the 1800s, only 8 men have ever been a 3-time World Champion by 30 years of age. MJF claimed they will be writing him in the history books. MJF wants the fans to know how fortunate they are and how lucky they are to get to witness the greatness that is MJF in real time. MJF said we’re living in the greatest era imaginable and it’s the greatest era because it’s all about him. MJF said he’s a 3-time Champion of the World, the best wrestler in the world, the most complete pro wrestler in the world, number one, ain’t nobody close – a generational talent.
MJF said he wants every person watching at home and everybody in this arena to get down on their hands and knees and bow before the greatest of all time. A big scarf appeared behind him saying “3-time World Champion.”
Mark Briscoe interrupted the promo. Somebody had to do it. Mark ripped down the giant scarf. MJF wondered who Mark thinks he is.
Mark said that MJF standing here in this city is a stranger in a strange place because he doesn’t fit in here. Mark said that it’s like if a penguin was wandering through the desert. Mark reminded Max that they are in Philly. Mark said that the people are hard-nosed and some of the toughest human beings on the planet. Mark said that Max is not tough. Mark claims that MJF believed he’s better than all of them and we know it, but MJF believes it with all his heart. Mark said it was not too very long ago that he pinned MJF’s sorry ass right in the middle of this ring. Mark said that he wants a title shot.
Mark wondered if MJF would continue to be a soft little bitch, or would he man up? MJF: “No.”
MJF said he’s not saying no because Mark pulled the flag (I called it a rug) down. MJF said AEW is a business. MJF said it’s already bad enough that Darby Allin sniffed the AEW World Title and you think it’s a good idea for Mark Briscoe to go after the title? MJF said it’s not a good idea. MJF claimed it would put the company out of this business. MJF said there are levels to this s**t, and Mark is nowhere near on the level of the devil. MJF left the ring.
Rush made his entrance and got in MJF’s face while MJF was in the aisle. Rush said that Mark is a chicken farmer, but MJF is a chicken shit, so the fans chanted “chicken shit.” Rush said he almost beat MJF before. Rush wanted a shot at the AEW World Title because when you mess with the bull, you get the horns.
MJF responded to Rush, saying he thinks he’s cool because he can make jokes and speak two languages. MJF said he agrees with Rush, claiming that he earned a title shot. MJF said that the dumb schmuck fans seem to like his catchphrase, and he is more marketable than Briscoe. MJF rejected a match against Rush tonight. MJF said next week he’ll face Rush for the AEW World Title and said that the bull will lock horns with The Devil.
Analysis: I liked MJF’s promo as usual. Mark Briscoe won his feud with MJF in the past, so he has a legit claim about beating MJF in the past. Rush won an average match earlier in the show and now is getting an AEW World Title match that he has no shot of winning. Anyway, I don’t see MJF losing the AEW World Title before All In London on August 30th.
Jack Perry was shown on his bus saying this might be the beginning of Jack Perry’s World Championship tour. Luchasaurus drove the bus around Philly while Jack trained like Rocky in the streets of Philly.
Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quarterfinal Match: Claudio Castagnoli vs. Brody King
It was a matchup of two powerful dudes as they exchanged chops and uppercuts. King hit an elbow strike and Claudio followed up with a clothesline. King came back with a clothesline that sent Claudio out of the ring. They went to a PIP break.
(Commercial)
There were a lot of strikes between both guys. Claudio hit a flurry of uppercuts. King got a boot up and hit Claudio with more strikes. King unloaded with forearm strikes followed by a cannonball against the turnbuckle. Taz said it was the first move of the match other than strikes. Claudio hit an uppercut to stop a King dive attempt. Claudio hit more uppercuts. King hit an elbow strike to stop a Claudio leaping attack. Claudio hit a popup uppercut, but King hit a running lariat for the pinfall win. It went about 12 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Brody King
Analysis: ***1/2 It was an entertaining fight where they didn’t do a lot of wrestling holds because they threw so many strikes throughout the match. King was exhausted even after winning the match, which puts over just how physical it was. It could have gone either way, and I would have had no problem with a Claudio win.
Brody King will face Swerve Strickland in the Owen Cup semifinals. The other semifinal is Will Ospreay facing the Mark Davis/Jack Perry winner.
Analysis: That should set up the Ospreay/Swerve final, and I think Ospreay will win to set up Ospreay-MJF at All In London for the AEW World Title. Ospreay will win his first AEW World Title in his home country of England.
(Commercial)
Adam Copeland & Christian Cage’s AEW World Tag Team Championship Celebration
The AEW World Tag Team Champions, Adam Copeland & Christian Cage, made their entrance to celebrate their big title win at Double or Nothing. Cope was up first with the fans singing along with his legendary theme song. Cage was up next. The fans chanted, “You deserve it” for them. Yes, they deserve to be scripted to win a pro wrestling match.
Cage started off telling them to sit down and shut up, but Cope wondered what he was doing. Cage said it’s not like he banged any of their mothers, but maybe he did. Cope remarked that the 90s were pretty crazy. Cage said he knows FTR are wondering what Cage will say. Cage said FTR are the toughest and best tag team that they’ve ever shared the ring with, while adding that they brought the best out of C&C. Cage said that FTR are Top Guys, but they aren’t the Tippy Top.
Cope said that FTR agreed to an I Quit Match with two men who were told they would never wrestle again. Cope said they had been retired for 16 years combined. Cope said they refused to quit and got their careers back. Cope said FTR is in the rearview, so it’s time to live in the now. Cope said it’s time to do something they haven’t done in 25 years. Cope set up the 5-second pose and Cage said he’s not doing that. Taz: “Good for you, Christian Cage.” Adam asked Philly if they wanted to see a 5-second pose and wanted them to convince him. Cage said they don’t even make flash photography anymore. Cope said you’re wrong and brought out some disposable cameras. Cope handed out cameras to fans at ringside.
Analysis: That was pretty funny to see Cope bust out the disposable cameras like that.
When Cope got into the ring, The Dogs duo of David Finlay and Clark Connors attacked C&C from behind. Finlay had a shillelagh with him. Connors sent Cage into the steel ring post and slammed Cage’s injured left wrist/hand. Finlay hit Cage with the shillelagh to the wrist two times. Connors stomped on the steel steps that were on top of Cage’s left arm. Nobody tried to help Cage while Cope was out after getting hit with the shillelagh to the head. Finlay hit Cage on the head with the shillelagh. Connors hit Cope with a Spear. Connors and Finlay posed over C&C, with Connors saying they are the next AEW Tag Team Champions.
Analysis: There’s the first feud for C&C as the AEW Tag Team Champions. Finlay and Connors are a good team that should get more opportunities like this, so I don’t mind it at all. They ruined the 5-second pose moment to get some heat.
Swerve Strickland was backstage with Prince Nana, talking about Swerve beating Bandido at Double or Nothing. Swerve congratulated Brody King on the big win. Swerve said he helped King early in his career. Swerve said conflict creates cash, and war makes money. Swerve said he plans to make a lot of money with Brody and he’ll see him soon.
Anna Jay & Tay Melo vs. Ava Everett & Allie Katch
Jay hit a running forearm. Tay tagged in with a forearm smash. Melo tagged in with a pump kick. Jay hit a neckbreaker and Melo hit a knee strike. Jay spun her opponent around and Tay hit a knee smash. Jay covered for the win. It went about 70 seconds.
Winners by pinfall: Anna Jay & Tay Melo
Analysis: * A squash match to put over Anna & Tay as a tag team. They’ve been teaming up for years, but haven’t been featured much of late. This likely means they’ll be used more soon.
Mike Bailey was featured in a backstage promo where he challenged Kevin Knight to a match. Bailey didn’t specify when he wanted the match.
(Commercial)
Jack Perry arrived in the bus that Luchasaurus drives. Mark Davis was wearing an eye patch on his left eye after an injury during Stadium Stampede at Double or Nothing.
Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quarterfinals: Mark Davis vs. Jack Perry
This is not for Mark Davis’ AEW National Title, which he won from Perry. Don Callis joined commentary, so the fans chanted “F**k Don Callis” at him.
Davis attacked Perry with a body slam. Perry took the eye patch off and even wore it for a bit. Perry hit a dropkick that sent Davis out of the ring. Perry hit two suicide dives and a twisting dive over the top onto Davis on the floor. They went to a PIP break.
(Commercial)
The big man Davis was in control with chops. Davis worked over Perry with short clotheslines a lefty lariat. Davis hit a running shoulder tackle that knocked Perry off the apron to the floor. Davis went for a senton attack by the apron, but Perry moved. Perry jumped off the turnbuckle with a hurricanrana that sent Davis to the floor. Perry jumped off the top with a moonsault on Davis on the floor. Perry hit a moonsault off the top onto Davis in the ring for a two count. Davis recovered with a body slam. Perry jumped off Davis’ back with a senton splash for two. Davis hit a back body drop. Davis hit a bulldog counter to send them crashing to the floor. Davis clotheslined Perry and Davis hit a suplex onto the ring apron. Ouch.
(Commercial)
Davis remained in control with a running forearm to the face. Perry was wrestling without his shoes on because they got knocked off during the break. Perry hit an elevated DDT off the turnbuckle. Perry hit a Sliced Bread neckbreaker off the ropes for a two count. Davis came back with a jumping enziguri kick. Perry hit a hurricanrana and they exchanged pin attempts. Perry hit a superkick. Perry connected with a piledriver for a two count. Perry went for the Snare Trap submission, but Davis was able to crawl to the bottom rope to break the hold. Davis launched Perry in the air and hit him in the chest. Davis bounced off the ropes with a lariat leading to a flip bump by Perry and it only got a two count. Perry worked over Davis with palm strikes to the head. Davis sat on the turnbuckle and Perry hit a dropkick. Davis got a hold of Perry on the turnbuckle and Davis hit a piledriver off the middle turnbuckle for the pinfall win after 18 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Mark Davis
Analysis: ***3/4 That turned into a great match that exceeded my expectations going in. I didn’t think they’d go nearly 20 minutes, but it ended being a very entertaining match. Perry has improved a lot over the years and is a natural babyface who wasted years as a heel. The guy should always be a face. Davis has been impressive in some recent matches. That jumping piledriver off the turnbuckle is not an easy move to do, but Davis did it well.
Mark Davis moves on to the Owen Hart Foundation Semifinals where he will face his former friend, Will Ospreay.
Analysis: I’ll take Ospreay to win that. I’m sure Davis will put up a fight, but it should be an Ospreay victory.
That was the end of AEW Dynamite. There was one hour of Collision after Dynamite. I don’t review Collision, but here are the match results:
* Will Ospreay, Jon Moxley & PAC defeated The Rascalz by submission.
* Andrade El Idolo defeated Ace Austin by pinfall.
* Lights Out Philly Street Fight: Kris Statlander defeated Hikaru Shida by pinfall.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Mark Davis and Jack Perry – I know Davis won, but Perry was the star of the match, so they both deserve it.
- Chris Jericho and Ricochet
- Brody King and Claudio Castagnoli
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The Scoreboard
This Week: 7.5 out of 10
Last Week: 8
2026 Average: 7.60
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Final Thoughts on AEW Dynamite
A good show, carried by the entertaining matches, but the match quality was a bit below AEW’s usual standards. I also think a Mark Davis-Jack Perry main event is weaker than usual for AEW, but to their credit, the match was the best of the night.
They created some new feuds coming out of Double or Nothing since Tommaso Ciampa attacked Chris Jericho, The Dogs attacked Cope & Cage, and MJF has his hands full first with Rush, and then with Mark Briscoe, most likely.
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Thanks for reading. Go Toronto Blue Jays. You can contact me using any of the methods below.
John Canton
Email: [email protected]
Twitter/X: @johnreport