The John Report: AEW Dynamite 07/02/25 Review

This week’s AEW Dynamite featured Kazuchika Okada facing Kota Ibushi in the main event, while Hangman Page called out Jon Moxley.

I am writing this five days after the show aired because I was on vacation for the last week. I am looking forward to AEW All In Texas on Saturday. I’ll have predictions up by Friday morning and review the show live on Saturday afternoon.

It’s Dynamite 300. I think I’ve reviewed about 295 episodes. I’d guess I missed about five over the six years. Not too bad. For this review, I will provide a summary style for most of the show and a play-by-play for one or two matches.

This was AEW Dynamite episode #300 from the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California. 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, Ian Riccaboni, and Taz. They taped Collision right after it, and that airs on Thursday.

Let’s Hear from “Hangman” Adam Page

“Hangman” Adam Page walked out for the show opening promo with the fans cheering for him. Page will challenge Jon Moxley for the AEW World Title at All In Texas on July 12th. Page said he’s said plenty about how much this match, this company, and this championship mean to him. Page said he made a promise that at All In, he’d win the AEW World Championship. Page said he would free it from the briefcase and hold it over his head for the world to see. Page said it was a vow he would keep with his life. Page said that you can hang him with a chain, but you will have to kill him to let him let this chance pass him by. Page said if you think the involvement of The Elite or Death Riders will cost him, then you are a dumbass. Page said he would welcome them all. Page told Jon Moxley to give him everything or give him death. Page said he wanted this to be a Texas Death Match.

The AEW World Champion Jon Moxley walked out to the ring with Marina Shafir. They walked in from the back part of the arena. Moxley got in the ring, saying that Page wanted to put everything on the line in a Texas Death Match. Moxley said no. Moxley told Page that he is going to lose. Moxley said that Page doesn’t want to win because he’s happy where he is. Moxley said that Page doesn’t want to wake up with the AEW World Championship and everything that comes with it. Moxley said that the top of the mountain is too much pressure for Page. Moxley said he lives under pressure. Moxley said that “best wrestler in the world” is basic bitch shit because he is much more than that. Moxley said he’ll show the entire world at All In exactly who he is. Moxley said he’ll show them what a World Champion looks like. Moxley said that Page doesn’t have inside of him what it takes for a Texas Death Match with Moxley. Moxley said that Texas Death is not something Page would walk away from.

Page slapped Moxley, so Moxley tackled Page and they exchanged punches. Page reached into his jacket and tried to stab Moxley with a fork, but Wheeler Yuta went into the ring and Page punched Yuta to knock him down. Shafir slapped Page in the face three times, and then a few more times after that. Claudio Castagnoli went into the ring to tackle Page and Claudio punched Page a few times. Moxley left with Shafir while Claudio and Yuta attacked Page. There was nobody trying to help Page for over a minute. Claudio gave Page a Neutralizer slam in the middle of the ring. Claudio and Yuta left.

Page did a promo, wondering if that was the best you got by standing your neutered bitch Claudio after him? Page said he’s still standing. Claudio walked back toward ringside with Yuta, but Samoa Joe and The Opps were there, so Claudio and Yuta backed away.

Marina Shafir was in the ring, and she tried to hit Page in the back with the AEW World Title. Page was ready for it and he took the briefcase. Page told Moxley to give him Texas Death. Moxley took off his shirt and went back to ringside while Shafir was in the ring with him. Moxley: “You want it, you got it. All In…Texas Death!” The fans cheered. The fans chanted “Cowboy Shit” for Page. Page said that Mox said Page didn’t have what it took for Texas Death, but in case you need a reminder that he’d do anything that it takes…so Page hit a Buckshot Lariat on Shafir. There was nobody checking on Shafir immediatel,y even though she was just clotheslined by a man. Should Roderick Strong be mad at Page for clotheslining his wife, Shafir? I know. Asking logical questions is wrong when it comes to pro wrestling. Just saying.

Analysis: I liked Page’s promo a lot and Moxley did a nice job of trying to get in Moxley’s head by saying he can’t handle being that AEW World Champion. The Texas Death Match rules means they can have run-ins for the Page-Moxley match, which is certainly not surprising. It’s similar to what WWE did with Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns in a Bloodline Rules Match at WrestleMania 40 (which I was at), and I certainly didn’t mind it. They will have other babyfaces have Page’s back, like The Opps. They can bring back Sting, Darby Allin, and Bryan Danielson, among others. Page beating Moxley for the AEW World Title seems very likely to me.

There was a video of AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm with Rachel Brosnahan plugging the Superman movie.

TBS Championship: Mercedes Mone vs. Mina Shirakawa

Toni Storm was watching from ringside, looking concerned. There was food in front of her as well as a 1000-match cake for Mone. Mina tripped up a leaping Mone and mocked the dance moves of Mone. Mina hit a Thesz Press, followed by punches. Mone used her feet to send Mina into the turnbuckle. Mone hit a double knee Meteora attack that she loves to do several times per match. They went to a picture-in-picture break.

(Commercial)

Mina was in control after putting on ringpost Figure Four Leg lock and hitting a splash on Mone in the ring. Mone applied the Statement Maker and then Mina applied a Figure Four Leglock, which led to the two women rolling out to the ring. Mina gave Mone a DDT on the floor. Mone hit a Meteora off the apron onto Mina on the floor and Mone sold the knee again. They exchanged strikes in the ring and Money hit a Meteora again, followed by a Sunset Bomb into the turnbuckle. Money hit another Meteora against the turnbuckle for a two count. Mina countered another Meteora attempt and wrenched on the right leg of Mone again. Mina applied a Figure Four Leglock again, but Mone got her hand on the bottom rope to force a break. Mina jumped off the top with a Slingblade for a two count. Mina hit Mone with a forearm to the back and a roundhouse kick to the head. Mina hit a spinning back fist and a Glamorous Driver for two. Mone hit a Lung Blower, Mina no sold that and hit a running knee for one because Mone kicked out again. Mone hit another Lung Blower with the double knees. Mina went for a submission on the legs, but Mone countered with an inside cradle for the pinfall win after 14 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Mercedes Mone

Analysis: ***1/2 A very good match, as you would expect from two talented women. Mone loves the double knee attacks. It’s tough to get into it that much when you know Mina has no shot to win, but she is a talented wrestler. There was a good flurry of offense from Mina near the end of the match. Mone wins every match she has, so of course, she was going to win this close to All In. I know some fans online whine about Mone winning all the time. However, it’s the right move to have her look strong going into the biggest women’s match of the year at All In.

After the match, Mone hit Mina in the head to knock her down. Storm checked on Mina, so Mone hit Storm with a belt shot to the head. Mone licked some of the cake and threw some champagne on Luther at ringside.

Analysis: I think I’m picking Mercedes Mone in the match against Toni Storm at AEW All In Texas, but I could change my mind on that.

The Young Bucks were shown earlier in the day since they were near their hometown. Matthew Jackson said he went shopping on the company card. Nick got them a limo that had logos on them and a lot of shoes. They showed the Bucks at their old elementary school.

(Commercial)

There was more of The Young Bucks visiting their childhood home. They only went there briefly and then left in their limo.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman (w/Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin & MVP) vs. Anthony Bowens vs. AR Fox vs. Brody King

The winner is the #2 entrant in the Men’s Casino Gauntlet Match at All In Texas. Mark Briscoe is in the #1 spot, so whoever wins this starts the match with Briscoe. No countouts and no disqualifications in a four-way match.

MJF was wrestling in a body suit style outfit like what MJF wears. MJF handed King some cash to take a dive in this match, but King slammed the money down. King knocked down Fox and Bowens with a double clothesline on the floor. King hit cross body blocks on Fox and Bowens against the barricade while MJF was on commentary. Fox got some offense going, including a senton off the top onto King on the floor. Bowens hit Fox with a DDT on the apron. King hit a suicide dive on Fox and Bowens. MJF hit King in the back with a chair.

(Commercial)

Bowens and Fox worked together to kick the big man, but King came back with a double lariat. Bowens took out on three guys with consecutive moves, including a DDT off the turnbuckle on Fox for a two count. MJF did some comedy in the match by yelling while taking moves and Fox hit a corkscrew brainbuster on MJF. King hit an impressive sidewalk slam on Bowens. King hit cannonball splashes while all three opponents were seated against different turnbuckles, but then MJF moved to avoid a splash. MJF gave Fox a judo throw into Bowens against the turnbuckle. King punched a chair into MJF’s face, which led to King hitting a cannonball splash against all three opponents for a two count on MJF. There was a Cutter fest with King getting a two count on Fox. Fox hit a 450 Splash on King for two. Bowens hit Fox with an elbow to the head and MJF hit a hammerlock DDT on Bowens. King choked MJF on the apron, which led to Bowens and King hitting moves on King. Bowens hit The Arrival on Fox. King hit a Gonzo Bomb on Bowens for a two count because Fox broke it up. MJF applied the Salt of the Earth armbar on Fox, who tapped out quickly. MJF got the win after 13 minutes.

Winner by submission: MJF

Analysis: ***3/4 Excellent match. These matches are always exciting to watch, and I liked this one too. It was an obvious win for MJF and obvious for Fox to take the pin in the match. I like King a lot. It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s in the Casino Gauntlet Match, but I doubt he wins it. It would be nice to see Bowens pick up some quality wins and get some momentum, but I didn’t expect him to win here. Fox also hit a lot of cool moves in the match. The finish was booked well, with MJF going after Fox at the perfect time to finish him off.

After the match, Mark Briscoe arrived for a promo while wearing a “MJF Has A Tiny Pickle” shirt. Mark said that MJF has assured himself of an ass whooping at All In Texas in Dallas. The fans chanted “Tiny Pickle” at MJF. Mark said he was only talking to MJF, who called him a Blue Collar Bitch last week. Mark said that next week on Dynamite he wants to have a “Talky Talk” with MJF without MJF’s friends. Mark said he’ll see him next week.

Analysis: Mark Briscoe is very easy to like and he showed it in that promo. The “Talky Talk” is another way of saying it’s a “face-to-face” segment.

The Jetspeed duo of Mike Bailey and Kevin Knight fought with Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin at ringside. Lashley and Benjmain recovered quickly, which led to Lashley sending Bailey into the ring post while Benjmain threw Knight into the turnbuckle. Lashley hit a flatliner on Knight. Benjamin did a hard body slam on Bailey. After Lashley and Benjamin left the ring, Knight and Bailey got back up, so MVP told the champions to go back in. Benjamin gave Knight a stiff Powerbomb while Lashley gave Bailey a Dominator slam. The champions left. Nobody tried to help Jetspeed in the ring. Knight and Bayley were back up, so the champions went back in the ring. Benjamin hit a running knee to Knight’s face. Lashley gave Bailey a stiff Dominator slam. After about a minute, Knight said they are still alive. Knight said that The Hurt Syndicate can hurt people, but you have to learn how to kill us. Knight said that Shelton’s momma must have taught him how to fight because he hits like a bitch. Knight challenged Benjamin to a match on Collision, so Benjamin liked that.

Analysis: It was another fight in the ring after a match where nobody tried to stop it. I guess it’s a common theme in AEW. It added some heat to the story involving the AEW Tag Team Titles, showing that The Hurt Syndicate is dominant while Jetspeed are resilient babyfaces that won’t quit. That makes them easy to like. I know The Patriarchy has been added to the match as well, so it’s a triple threat match, which makes me think The Hurt Syndicate will lose without being pinned. To what team? I haven’t decided yet. I think Jetspeed winning the titles works and Christian/Nick fall apart after the loss.

(Commercial)

The Young Bucks were shown arriving in their limousine, wearing their wrestling gear. Their match was next.

Heroes vs. Villains: Bandido, Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly vs. Konosuke Takeshita and The Young Bucks – Matthew & Nicholas Jackson

The heels were in control early on, with Takeshita getting control against Bandido. The Bucks hit double team moves on all three of their opponents. The action spilled to the floor, where everybody hit a move so that Bandido could hit a twisting splash over the top onto the Bucks. Takeshita hit a somersault dive over the top onto Bandido.

(Commercial)

Nick was in control of Bandido, until Bandido broke free and hit a Cutter. It was a Young Bucks match, so there were a lot of random people in the ring illegally doing moves because it’s all about the spots. Matt hit multiple Northern Lights Suplexes on Kyle and Strong as well. I had no idea who was in control, and I doubt the referee knew either. Takeshita hit a Blue Thunder Bomb on Bandido. Takeshita and Bandido got tags, leading to Takeshita hitting a Ligerbomb for two. The three faces all hit moves off the top, including Bandido’s fallaway slam off the top on Takeshita. The heels countered a Bandido 21 Plex, and the Bucks hit an assisted double superplex into Takeshita, hitting a German Suplex for two because Strong and O’Reilly tackled the Bucks to break up the pin. All three heels were in the ring, so two of them were in there illegally as they hit strikes on Kyle. The Bucks and Takeshita hit a triple EVP Trigger, and Takeshita hit Raging Fire on Kyle to win. It went 12 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Konosuke Takeshita and The Young Bucks – Matthew & Nicholas Jackson

Analysis: ***1/2 It was an exciting, fast-paced tag team match, as you would expect. The babyface team weren’t total losers since Bandido has the ROH World Title, but it was another match where the result was obvious. It was full of illegal offense because it was a Young Bucks match, and they are all the same in that way, where guys want to do spots without telling a story. Takeshita got the win since he’s against Bandido at ROH Supercard of Honor on Friday, so they want to give him some momentum, which makes sense.

After the match, Swerve Strickland and Will Ospreay attacked the Young Bucks in the back. The Bucks bailed to the floor.

Swerve Strickland said that he and Ospreay challenged the Bucks to a match at All In Texas. Swerve said they want the Bucks to put the EVP titles on the line. Swerve said that they don’t want to become EVPs, and he said Tony Khan runs this company. Will wondered if they were Young Bucks or Young Cucks.

Matthew Jackson said that they aren’t the boss because the Bucks are EVPs. Matt said hell no. Matt wondered what they would gain from this. Matt said thanks but no thanks. Will said he had something they might be interested in. Will said something to Swerve. Will said that if The Young Bucks win, then that means Will and Swerve can’t challenge for the AEW World Title for one year. Swerve didn’t seem happy about that. Matt said that you have a deal, but you gotta get Swerve on the same page because he can tell Swerve is a bit confused about this. Swerve said you’ve got a deal. Matt: “See you at All In, pricks.” Will and Swerve talked about it.

Analysis: It will be a great match at All In Texas. I think the stipulation works because it puts over the idea that Swerve and Will have a lot to lose if they fail to win. The Young Bucks EVP titles being on the line is in character only and it will take away their powers to make matches or do things to piss off the fans. I think Swerve and Will will win at All In. However, if they were to lose, then they could do the title chase story with Will winning the World Title at All In next summer in England after he wins the Owen Hart Cup. Just an option, anyway.

(Commercial)

A video aired featuring Kenny Omega and MJF hanging out with guys from the Superman movie. Kenny and MJF are short compared to them.

Swerve Strickland & Will Ospreay (w/Prince Nana) v. The Beast Mortos & Dralistico

The Mortos and Dralistico team attacked as soon as they got into the ring. Will and Swerve managed to get some offense going after Swerve got the tag, leading to a flatliner. Will and Swerve were sent out of the ring, so Mortos hit a twisting suicide dive to knock Will and Swerve down on the floor.

(Commercial)

Swerve broke free from the heels by hitting a kick. Will tagged in, leading to a backflip kick. Both opponents were nice enough to leave the ring, so Will hit a Sasuke Special dive over the top onto both opponents. Will hit a springboard forearm that some may say is phenomenal for a two count. Mortos held Will onto his knees and Dralistico hit a stomp for two because Swerve made the save. Dralisition hit a DDT on Swerve and a Canadian Destroyer on Will. Morton his a Spear on Will and it got a two count for Dralistico. Will countered Mortos with a Crucifix Bomb and Will/Swerve hit a Stormbreaker-Swerve Stomp combo. Will hit a Styles Clash on Dralistico and Swerve hit a House Call kick on Dralistico, leading to Will pinning Dralistico. It went about 9 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Swerve Strickland & Will Ospreay

Analysis: ***1/4 A decisive win for Swerve and Will as expected to build them up for the match with The Young Bucks. The match was about showing that Swerve and Will were on the same page. It didn’t need to be 15 minutes. It was more of a decisive win. I feel like The Beast Mortos has lost every match I’ve ever seen him have on Dynamite. Maybe he wins on Collision, but I don’t watch that show. At least Mortos is dating Mercedes Mone and she wins a lot. Will and Swerve are a fun duo to watch.

(Commercial)

It was main event time as Kota Ibushi made his entrance. Kota was back in action a week earlier. Kazuchika Okada was up next as the AEW Continental Champion in this non-title match.

Kazuchika Okada (w/Don Callis & Lance Archer) vs. Kota Ibushi

Don Callis joined commentary. They have wrestled many times in their careers in NJPW, so the fans were excited to see it in AEW with “holy shit” chants.

Okada shoved Kota in the face and left the ring. They locked up in the ring, Okada got in a few shots and bailed again. Okada went back in the ring to knock down Ibushi with a forearm to the back. Ibushi knocked Okada out of the ring and hit a dive over the top onto Okada on the floor. Ibushi tackled Okada into the ring apron. Kota charged Okada, who sent Kota into the steel steps. They went to a PIP break.

(Commercial)

Okada was in control with a boot to the face, but Kota came back with a dropkick. Kota knocked down Okada with three kicks to the chest and a kick to the head. Kota hit a standing moonsault for two. Kota hit a running knee for a two count. Kota charged right into Okada, hitting a flapjack to slam Kota into the mat. Okada caught Kota on his back and hit a backbreaker. Okada hit a body slam. Okada went up top and hit an elbow drop. Okada hit a running dropkick to send Kota crashing into the turnbuckle. Okada hit Kota with forearms to the face, but Kota was no selling them and powering back up. Kota punched Okada repeatedly while Okada was covering up his head. Okada tried a strike, but Kota nailed him with a lariat. Kota went up top, Okada was back up and Okada hit a German Suplex from a high angle. Kota ducked a lariat and Kota hit a roundhouse kick to the head. Kota had a hold of Okada off the top and hit an Avalanche Tiger Driver off the top for a two count. That was an incredible move. They exchanged pin attempts. Okada held onto the top rope, then Kota looked at the referee, and Okada hit a lariat. Okada hit an amazing dropkick, followed by the Rainmaker lariat for the pinfall win after 15 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Kazuchika Okada

Analysis: **** A great main event. The pacing was slow early on, but then they busted out the big moves as the match went on, and the fans were hot for all of it. That Avalanche Tiger Driver by Kota was incredible, and it popped the crowd big time. Okada getting the win makes sense since he’s in the big match against Kenny Omega at All In, while Kota isn’t in a match on that show yet, so of course, Okada was going to win here. A 4-star main event level match is never a bad thing.

Post match, Kazuchika Okada and the Don Callis Family’s Lance Archer and Rocky Romero beat up Kota. Kenny Omega made the save with a steel chair, so the heels left. Omega punched Archer off the apron. Trent Beretta was in the ring, Kota took the baton from him, so Omega and Kota hit a Powerbomb/German Suplex combo. Omega hugged Kota, leading to cheers from the fans. Omega had a staredown with Okada. That was the end of the show.

Analysis: Good ending to build the Omega/Okada match some more since it’s one of the biggest matches at All In Texas.

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Three Stars of the Show

1. Kazuchika Okada
2. MJF
3. Mercedes Mone

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The Scoreboard

This Week: 8 out of 10

Last Week: 7.25

2025 Average: 7.39

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Final Thoughts on AEW Dynamite

Excellent show. The match quality was strong all night, and they promoted the big matches at All In very well. The one negative point I must mention is that the matches are always very predictable, which takes away some of the drama, in my opinion. I know the hardcore AEW fans don’t care about that since it’s all about the matches, but I think there’s less drama when it’s so predictable.

I think AEW is on a roll right now. The All In Texas show this Saturday may be their best PPV ever. It certainly has that potential.

The next AEW PPV is All In Texas on July 12th, with this lineup so far:

* Texas Death Match for the AEW World Championship: Jon Moxley (c) vs. “Hangman” Adam Page

* AEW Women’s World Championship: “Timeless” Toni Storm (c) vs. Mercedes Mone

* Winner Takes All Unification Match for the Inaugural AEW Unified Championship – Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada vs. International Champion Kenny Omega

* The Young Bucks – Matthew & Nicholas Jackson vs. Swerve Strickland & Will Ospreay

* TNT Championship: Adam Cole (c) vs. Kyle Fletcher

* Men’s Casino Gauntlet match for a future AEW World Championship match

* Women’s Casino Gauntlet match for a future AEW Women’s World Championship match

* AEW Tag Team Championships: The Hurt Syndicate – Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin (c) vs. Jetspeed – Kevin Knight & “Speedball” Mike Bailey vs. The Patriarchy – Christian Cage & Nick Wayne

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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