The John Report: AEW Dynamite 07/08/26 Review (Beach Break)

This is AEW Dynamite, featuring MJF defending the World Title against Kenny Omega, Konosuke Takeshita facing Kyle Fletcher, and more.

It’s another AEW Dynamite episode with the AEW World Title on the line, with MJF facing Kenny Omega this week.

This was AEW Dynamite episode #353 from the Baycare Sound in Clearwater, Florida. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

Kenny Omega was interviewed by Renee Paquette earlier in the day, and Kenny had his friend Michael Nakazawa with him. Omega said that if he could no longer hold the AEW World Title as a singles athlete, then he’d shake MJF’s hand for a job well done. Omega talked about wrestling for over 20 years and how it’s over 100 degrees out there. Omega wondered if MJF could kill his dream. Omega said it’s not just that, but it’s headlining the largest event in AEW history at Wembley Stadium. Omega warned MJF that it won’t be like Vancouver, like last time, because Omega is ready this time. Omega said until the main event, he’ll bid us adieu, goodbye and goodnight…bang.

It’s Wednesday, and you know what that means. Excalibur was on commentary with Tony Schiavone and Taz is back.

It was a nice venue in Florida that was outside, and it had a roof covering it. There were no angled seats, so I feel bad for fans sitting far back and not seeing the ring well. They had the beach theme at the entrance, and there was a ramp connected to the ring.

Tommaso Ciampa vs. Chris Jericho

After Chris Jericho’s music hit, Ciampa tried to attack him by the entrance, but Jericho was ready for it and entered from another part of the building. Jericho fought Ciampa by the stage. Jericho suplexed Ciampa on a deck chair by the stage. The fans sang along with Jericho’s “Judas” song as he continued his entrance.

Jericho tossed Ciampa into the ring, and the match officially started. Jericho hit a knee strike to Ciampa’s back while Ciampa was up against the ropes. Ciampa left the ring and Jericho hit a double axhandle on Ciampa on the floor. Back in the ring, Ciampa hit a DDT. Tony tried to tell us that Jericho looked as good as ever at 55 years old. No Tony. I know that’s an announcer’s cliché, but that’s a ridiculous statement. Jericho looks okay for a dude that’s 55, but he’s not as good as he was in his 20s or 30s, or even early 40s. Let’s be real here. Anyway, Jericho had Ciampa on his shoulders and hit a Death Valley Driver on the apron. Jericho sent Ciampa into the steel steps. They battled by the steel steps, Ciampa sent Jericho into the ring post and Ciampa hit a double underhook slam into the top of the steel steps. It was mostly Jericho’s arms taking the bump on his arms, but the idea was that it was Jericho’s head hit the steps. Jericho did a blade job, so he was bleeding by the head. Ciampa stomped on Jericho on the floor.

(Commercial)

The match continued with Jericho making a comeback with some strikes. They went to the turnbuckle, and Ciampa hit an Air Raid Crash off the middle turnbuckle for two. Ciampa tried the Walls of Jericho, but Jericho got an inside cradle to counter for two. They went to the top turnbuckle, and Jericho hit a hurricanrana aka Frankensteiner. Jericho hit a brainbuster (more like a suplex) for a two count. Jericho and Ciampa exchanged chops. Ciampa tried using a pail of sand to attack, but Jericho was ready for it and hit a Codebreaker for two. Jericho gave Ciampa a bulldog into the sand as if sand is going to hurt you. Jericho went for a Lionsault, Ciampa moved and Ciampa hit two running knee smashes for a two count. Ciampa pulled down the knee pad and went for another knee strike, but Jericho countered it to the Walls of Jericho. Ciampa reached for the bucket/pail; the referee, Aubrey Edwards, took it away; and Ciampa threw some sand in Jericho’s face. Ciampa hit another running knee for the pinfall win after 14 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Tommaso Ciampa

Analysis: ***1/2 A very good match between two talented veterans as Tommaso Ciampa cheated with the dreaded sand to the eyes before hitting the knee for the finish. At least the younger guy got the win, but this is a 20+ year pro beating a 30+ year pro, so it’s not like Ciampa is that young. Ciampa winning might seem like it was the end of the feud, but the post match attack suggests that there’s more to come. Jericho will probably win the feud as he did against Ricochet, too, even though I’d rather see Ciampa win the feud.

After the match, Ciampa hit Jericho with a chair to the head, but Jericho got his hands up to block it. Ciampa found a bag of tools under the ring and pulled out a drill, but the indy wrestler security guys stopped Ciampa from using it.

Analysis: That might lead to another Ciampa-Jericho match, and if that happens, then I think Jericho will win.

There was a video featuring The Brawling Birds duo of Jamie Hayter and Alex Windsor beating up some dudes in a bar. I guess it worked for the APA 25 years ago.

(Commercial)

Will Ospreay was interviewed by Renee Paquette, who asked him about the MF-Kenny Omega match. Ospreay said he was rooting for Omega so that he can face Omega at All In London. MJF walked in to say Ospreay is judgmental towards him. MJF mocked Ospreay for seeking approval from Jon Moxley and having a love-hate relationship with Omega. MJF bragged about how he’s leading AEW. MJF said that Ospreay and Omega are good little wrasslers, while MJF said he checks all the boxes. MJF said that after tonight, Omega will never challenge for this AEW World Championship ever again. MJF said he’ll break Ospreay’s neck at Wembley Stadium in front of Will’s family. Ospreay trash-talked MJF, said that he’s not the best, and said there are 14-year-old Japanese girls better than him. Ospreay said that MJF just wants to be part of the conversation. Ospreay said that MJF is not part of the conversation and never will be. MJF spit on Ospreay, so Ospreay fought back with punches and kicks. Security showed up to break it up.

Analysis: That was fun, and it escalated. I think MJF is the best all-around performer in AEW, but Ospreay might be the best in-ring, so there is a difference there. With that said, MJF is very good in the ring too. It’s going to be fun to watch those two guys have more matches in the future.

AEW International Championship: Konosuke Takeshita vs. Kyle Fletcher (w/Don Callis & Lance Archer)

This feels like the match you do at the Redemption PPV, but they are putting huge matches on Dynamite. Takeshita was in the Don Callis Family, but the family turned on him, and here we are with Takeshita against his former friend Fletcher. Don Callis joined commentary.

Takeshita and Kyle did a double shoulder block. They kept going for moves and countering eachother to show that they know eachother so well. Takeshita hit a leaping clothesline. Takeshita worked over Kyle with punches. Kyle hit a shoulder tackle and a boot to the face. Kyle punted Takeshita while he was on the apron. Kyle had some water, so Takeshita hit him with a forearm. The fans chanted, “F**k Don Callis.” Takeshita tried a punch, Kyle moved and Takeshita punched the ring post. Kyle slammed Takeshita on the apron. Kyle wrenched on Takeshita’s right arm across the shoulder. Takeshita was able to come back with an Exploder Suplex across the ring. After Kyle left the ring, Takeshita hit a somersault dive over the top onto Kyle on the floor. They went to a picture-in-picture break.

(Commercial)

There was a Blue Thunder Bomb by Takeshita and both guys were down selling. They went over to the apron where suplexes were teased. Kyle hit a superkick with a loud leg slap. Takeshita countered a move and hit a slam to crunch Kyle’s neck on the apron. Takeshita hit an impressive Wheelbarrow Suplex on the apron. They both bumped to the floor and it’s AEW, so it’s not like there was any threat of a countout. Back in the ring, Takeshita hit a Reverse Rana. Takeshita charged at Kyle, who hit a Michinoku Driver for a two count. Takeshita came back with a body slam. Takeshita went up top, Kyle went after him there and Kyle hit a running kick to the head. Kyle tried a move from the top, but Takeshita grabbed the tights and hit a Powerbomb out of the corner, Callis swiped at Takeshita’s boot, so Kyle hit a boot to the face. Takeshita and Kyle were each going for moves as Takeshita hit Raging Fire for two because Kyle got his boot on the bottom rope. Takeshita charged, but Kyle was ready with a cradle for a two count. Kyle kicked the right arm and a superkick to the head. Kyle hit the Brainbuster for just a two count because Takeshita got his left shoulder up. Kyle hit a running kick to the back of the head against the turnbuckle. Kyle hit a twisting Brainbuster on the top of the turnbuckle and Kyle covered for the 1…2…3 to win the AEW International Title! It went 17 minutes.

Winner by pinfall AND NEW AEW International Champion: Kyle Fletcher

Analysis: ****1/2 It was an incredible match by two talented athletes. It was full of counter moves, nearfalls and a lot of great action throughout the match. I nearly went five stars for it, but I think it was a level below that mainly because I feel like they don’t sell enough and they often rust through things. Selling moves is better than no-selling so that you can do another move. I just feel like Takeshita and Fletcher would benefit from slowing down a bit out there. That Brainbuster on the top of the turnbuckle is a brutal-looking finisher that Fletcher uses sometimes, and that’s fine because it should be rare instead of a regular finisher. Going into this, I didn’t really expect Takeshita to lose the International Title since he won it fairly recently, but I also have a tough time recalling when people win titles in AEW since they have so many of them.

After the match, the Don Callis Family celebrated with Kyle Fletcher as the new AEW International Champion. The Conglomeration checked on Konosuke Takeshita too.

(Commercial)

Let’s Hear from Mick Foley and the Don Callis Family

The legendary Mick Foley made his entrance while the Don Callis Family was in the ring. Tony noted it was Mick’s first time on TBS since 1994. Foley said that this moment is about the new AEW International Champion Kyle Fletcher. Foley asked what it was like to beat Takeshita. Kyle said that Takeshita was never his friend. Kyle said that Takeshita was riding his coattails. Kyle said that he did what he and Okada said they would do by bringing the International Title back to the family.

Don Callis cut Mick Foley off saying this was a celebration of the Don Callis Family. Callis said it’s not about Mick stealing the spotlight. Foley said that he means it when he says that was one of the greatest matches he’s seen. Foley was wearing some custom shoes of a dog named Randal, who has passed away, and there was another dog on his shoes that is alive and well. Foley said that he’ll put those shoes with dogs on them up Callis’ ass. Callis bragged about the Don Callis Family and called out TNT Champion Kevin Knight to join them.

The TNT Champion, Kevin Knight, congratulated Kyle Fletcher on bringing some gold to the Don Callis Family. Knight said welcome to the club and it took him long enough. Knight claimed he was still owed an AEW World Title shot. Knight said whether it’s Kenny Omega or MJF, Knight is going to watch closely because Jet Two Belts is on the way.

Andrade El Idolo made his entrance as a former member of the Don Callis Family. Andrade said that Don Callis promised him the World Championship. Andrade said he promised Don that he’s going to take one belt from the Don Callis Family. Callis said if Andrade can beat Jake Doyle, then Andrade can get a shot at the AEW National Title held by Mark Davis. Andrade did his bit saying he had one question, so the fans chanted it: “How you know?” Andrade dared the Don Callis Family to come after him. The DCF went after Andrade, who went to the backstage area.

The cameras were backstage as Darby Allin appeared to attack Kevin Knight, but Allin was attacked by Jake Doyle. Brian Cage picked up Darby Allin’s skateboard, and it exploded. Andrade was holding a device. Doyle said it was Andrade, so Andrade did his line again: “How you know?” They got into a brawl again and the camera cut away to end it.

Analysis: It took a while to get through all that and it didn’t set up a match or anything like that. It was just more of the same, with people wanting title shots. It just felt like a way to have Mick Foley on the show without much of a story. Andrade’s “How You Know?” bit is working because the crowd chants it, even though it’s usually not set up in a way that makes asking the question a logical thing to say in that moment. For example, if he said something like, “Do you think you can beat me? How you know?” Then that would be a better way of using it. I’m just asking for the dialogue to be a bit better. Anyway, poor Andrade wants a shot at the AEW World Title, but instead might get a shot at the fifth most important singles title. Ouch.

Death Riders – Jon Moxley & Will Ospreay vs. The Workhorsemen – Anthony Henry & JD Drake

Moxley is the AEW Continental Champion. Henry did an arm drag and applauded for himself. Moxley fought back with a knife-edge chop. Henry kicked Moxley in the ribs. The bigger man, Drake, tagged in and hit a shoulder tackle and a senton splash. Moxley hit a dragon screw leg whip on Henry. Will tagged in with a hurricanrana to send Henry out of the ring. Will hit a slingshot cross body block over the top onto both opponents on the floor. They went to a PIP break.

(Commercial)

The match continued with Will as the face in peril and Drake hit a running kick to the head. Will made the comeback with a corkscrew kick. Moxley dropkicked Drake out of the ring and hit a suicide dive elbow. Henry went into the ring illegally, so Moxley hit him with a Cutter. Moxley left the ring and Marina Shafir slapped him in the face a few times to fire him up. Will went into the ring illegally, grabbed Drake and hit a Styles Clash while Moxley hit a piledriver on Henry. Moxley hit a Paradigm Shift on Drake and Will hit a Hidden Blade, so Moxley covered Drake for the pinfall win. Tony put over the great teamwork, while I wonder why a wrestler can illegally go into the ring and hit a move as a finisher, but it’s AEW. They don’t care about rules or logic sometimes. It went about 9 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Jon Moxley & Will Ospreay

Analysis: **3/4 An easy win for pushed wrestlers Moxley & Ospreay beating guys who are almost never on Dynamite. There’s very little drama or excitement in matches like this. A 5-minute match would have been fine, but they got nearly 10 minutes and went into the break because AEW likes to do it.

A video aired about the new TBS Champion, Hikaru Shida. Shida won the title last week on Dynamite. Shida said that she told us she was going to do it. Shida claimed that TBS stands for The Best (is) Shida. Sure.

Women’s Casino Gauntlet Match for a shot at the AEW Women’s World Title at Redemption

The AEW Women’s World Champion Thekla made her entrance. Mercedes Mone was watching from the lifeguard tower. In a Casino Gauntlet Match, it ends whenever somebody wins by pinfall or submission. No disqualifications in this match. We don’t know how many women are in the match.

It was ROH Women’s World Champion Athena up first, and Maya World was the second woman in the match. Athena hit a jumping knee for a two count. World hit a running boot to knock Athena down, a back suplex, and a moonsault press for two.

The third woman in the match was Skye Blue with a kendo stick. Blue used the kendo stick to beat up both women in the ring. Blue hit a neckbreaker for two. Athena caught a charging Blue on the floor and slammed Blue into the steel steps. There was a PIP break.

(Commercial)

It was Mina Shirakawa as the 4th woman in the match. Mina hit a running clothesline on Blue and a headscissors on Athena. World and Mina hit neckbreakers. Mina pulled on World’s neck by the top rope, and Mina hit a splash on World for two.

The 5th entrant was Rina from Stardom, and she got no reaction. The announcers mentioned she was just 19 years old, and Thekla called her a smart bitch whom she knows from Stardom. Rina knocked down Mina, and then Athena kicked Rina for a two count. Rina hit a shotgun dropkick and pulled on World’s right arm.

There is Julia Hart as the 6th entrant, and she’s part of the Triangle of Madness with Thekla and Blue. Hart used a trash can lid to hit the other women in the match, other than Blue. Hart hit Athena with a gentle chair shot to the back. Hart hit a security guy in the ribs. Blue took Justin Roberts’ chair and hit security guys with kendo sticks. The match went to another PIP break.

(Commercial)

For the second time, the show returned from a break with the next entrant as Thunder Rosa made her entrance as the 7th entrant. Rosa hit two Stunners and a neckbreaker as soon as she got in there. Rosa hit a running dropkick into a chair against Blue by the ropes. Rosa hit a Samoan Drop on Hart on a trash can lid for two because World broke up the pin. Rosa stomped on World for two because Rina broke it up. Thekla trashed the women as dumb bitches. Rosa slammed Rina off the shoulders onto the knee for a two count. Athena jumped off the top with The O-Face on Rosa for two because Mina broke up the pin. Athena jumped off the middle turnbuckle with an O-Face for Mina for two because other women broke it up.

The 8th entrant was Willow Nightingale, who is back after a few months off with an injury. Willow hit two Spinebusters. Willow hit a double clothesline. Willow hit a cannonball splash on a few women on the floor. Willow gave Athena a Powerbomb on the apron and a Death Valley Driver on the floor. World grabbed Blue and hit a Michinoku Driver on the floor. Hart tried a rollup on Willow for two. Willow hit the Babe with a Powerbomb for the pinfall win after 18 minutes.

The win means that Willow Nightingale will challenge Thekla for the AEW Women’s Title at Redemption on July 26th.

Winner by pinfall: Willow Nightingale

Analysis: *** A solid match that probably didn’t need to have 8 women in it, nor did it need to go 18 minutes, but it’s AEW. I just thought it dragged too much. Willow got in there, kicked some ass, and got the easy win while making the other women look like they don’t belong.

After the match, Thekla went into the ring and hit a Spear on Willow. Divine Dominion’s Megan Bayne and Lena Kross attacked Julia Hart and Skye Blue on the ramp. They connected with body slams. Thekla kicked Willow to knock her down. Mercedes Mone went into the ring with the Women’s Owen Hart Cup Title, and she hit Thekla and Willow with that title. The announcers wondered if Mone was working with Bayne and Kross.

Analysis: I can see Willow taking the AEW Women’s World Title and then putting her against Mone at All In London because Mone appears to be remaining in a heel role, so I get wanting to do face-heel at All In.

A video package aired about “Jungle” Jack Perry re-signing with AEW. Luchasaurus spoke about how he wants to protect him. Jack said that he wants to be AEW World Champion because this is where the best in the world belong. Jack shook hands with Tony Khan as he signed the contract.

Analysis: I don’t see the big deal with Jack Perry, but he’s better as a babyface than a heel.

“Speedball” Mike Bailey was interviewed by Renee Paquette and said he’s going to take the AEW National Title from Mark Davis on Collision.

(Commercial)

It was main event time with the challenger Kenny Omega up first. The AEW World Champion Maxwell Jacob Friedman was next. MJF had tape on his upper left leg to treat some injury. MJF made ring announcer Justin Roberts read off a sheet of paper about how MJF is not from Florida, and he kicked out of the One Winged Angel, and he’s a 3-time AEW World Champion.

AEW World Championship: Maxwell Jacob Friedman vs. Kenny Omega

If Omega loses the match, then he can no longer challenge for the AEW World Title. Omega is 0-2 against MJF.

It started out with an exchange of punches. Omega put MJF on his shoulders, and then they went spilling over the top to the floor. MJF went over the barricade, so Omega went after him into the crowd. The referee wasn’t counting them out, as Excalibur mentioned it was the referee’s discretion, since nobody wanted this to end in a countout. MJF gouged Omega’s eyes. It was hard to see what they were doing since there wasn’t much lighting in the crowd. Omega tossed MJF into a row of chairs. Omega threw MJF into some more chairs. Back in the ring, Omega went for a V-Trigger knee, so MJF hid behind the referee and then MJF knocked down Omega. MJF bit Omega’s forehead. Omega fought off a Heatseeker attempt, so Omega pulled the ropes to slingshot Omega over the top, and MJF hit a Cutter for two. Omega was on the apron by the ramp, so Omega broke free and went up the ramp. They were fighting by a lifeguard’s chair by the entrance, Omega sent MJF into the chair and then Omega hit a moonsault off a lifeguard’s chair onto MJF. As I mentioned, the referee wasn’t counting them out. They went back into the ring as Omega hit a missile dropkick that knocked MJF out of the ring. Omega hit a somersault dive over the top onto MJF on the floor. They were back in the ring as Omega jumped up and hit a bulldog, followed by a neckbreaker onto the knee. Omega charged at MJF, who hit a drop toe hold into the ropes. Omega hit a Snapdragon Suplex, MJF hit some strikes and then they ran the ropes, leading to a double clothesline collision spot to knock each man down. MJF caught a charging Omega and hit a Powerbomb onto the knee. MJF hit a Package Piledriver for a two count. MJF cleared off the commentary table and teased a move onto the desk that was never going to happen from there. Omega staggered MJF on the apron and Omega hit a running knee to cause MJF to bump from the apron through the table on the floor. They went to a picture-in-picture break there, but I’m going to stick with the action and continue reviewing it since it’s an AEW World Title match. Omega used water bottles to clear sand from his eyes. Omega poured water on MJF too. The referee, Bryce Remsburg, left the ring and wasn’t counting. Omega worked over MJF with a chop and Omega sent MJF into the apron. They barely did anything in the three minutes during the break. It was like a rest period. MJF pulled on Omega’s neck against the top rope.

They are back from the final break with both guys selling on the mat. Omega teased One Winged Angel on the apron, so MJF gouged the eyes and then Omega punched MJF to knock him down. Omega hit a rolling senton on the floor, followed by a moonsault off the barricade, but MJF got his knees up to block. MJF hit a Tombstone Piledriver on the steel chair, and MJF was selling the left knee injury. Back in the ring, MJF went for a Heatseeker by the ropes, but MJF collapsed to sell the knee injury. Omega crumbled from exhaustion. MJF tried to move, but he stumbled, and Omega hit a V-Trigger knee. Omega wanted One Winged Angel, MJF punched his way free and Omega hit a German Suplex. Omega hit a V-Trigger knee to MJF’s back against the turnbuckle. Omega teased a One Winged Angel from the turnbuckle, but MJF countered it into a Reverse Rana! That was amazing. MJF hit a Heatseeker Piledriver by the ropes for 1…2…no! Omega kicked out. The fans were chanting “Kenny” for Omega. MJF grabbed the AEW World Title and rolled into the ring with it. The referee took the title, so of course MJF got the Dynamite Diamond Ring, and here comes Will Ospreay to grab the ring from MJF’s hand to prevent MJF from using the ring as a weapon. The referee, Remsburg, was looking at Ospreay. Omega teased hitting MJF with the AEW World Title, but he didn’t do it. MJF hit a low blow uppercut and hit Omega with the AEW World Title for just a one count. The fans exploded for Omega. MJF was shocked. Omega was Hulking Up with strikes and a V-Trigger knee. Omega hit a second V-Trigger knee to the face. Omega hit a third V-Trigger knee. Omega hit the One Winged Angel for the 1…2…3. Kenny Omega is a 2-time AEW World Champion! It went 24 minutes.

Winner by pinfall AND NEW AEW World Champion: Kenny Omega

Analysis: ***** It was an outstanding match that I’m going five stars (out of five) for. You don’t see a lot of five-star matches on TV, but these guys were given the time, and it felt like a PPV main event. What I really liked about this match is that MJF sold the left knee injury very well throughout the match, while Omega did a terrific job of selling exhaustion due to the heat in Florida. It’s AEW, so of course they’re going to get plenty of time for a match like that. A few months ago, I thought that MJF-Ospreay was happening at All In, but in recent weeks, I figured it would be Omega-Ospreay, and now it’s coming at All In. I don’t know how serious MJF’s leg injury is, but I would imagine that the injury he’s dealing with needs some rest, so maybe we won’t see MJF in action for the next month or so. Then again, it makes sense to do MJF-Ospreay at Redemption since Ospreay prevented MJF from using the Dynamite Diamond Ring in this match, so MJF will likely want revenge for that. Anyway, I certainly don’t mind Kenny Omega as AEW World Champion, and I thought a title change was a possibility going into All In London.

Kenny Omega celebrated with the AEW World Championship. Taz was pissed off with Will Ospreay for taking the Dynamite Diamond Ring from MJF and said that Ospreay had nothing to do with this.

At AEW All In London on August 30th, Kenny Omega will defend the AEW World Championship against Will Ospreay. There was pyro going off by the entrance as Omega continued to celebrate. That was the end of the show.

Analysis: I’m happy for Kenny Omega, my fellow Canadian. Omega has been through a lot health-wise in the past few years, so for him to reach this point again is pretty cool.  There have been three AEW World Title changes in the last three months, which is more than usual for AEW. I think it’s a case of Tony Khan wanting to get Darby Allin that title reign that lasted for 39 days, then MJF had it for 45 days, and now Omega is the champion going into All In London on August 30 for the showdown with Will Ospreay. I think Ospreay will win that night.

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Three Stars of the Show

1. Kenny Omega

2. MJF

3. Kyle Fletcher, Konosuke Takeshita

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The Scoreboard

This Week: 9 out of 10

Last Week: No rating

2026 Average: 7.57

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Final Thoughts on AEW Dynamite

A 5* match and a 4.5* match on the same episode of AEW Dynamite is extremely rare. We are so spoiled with great matches, my friends. It may have been the best Dynamite of the year just based on the match quality. I think some of the promo segments were just average, but this was a wrestling-heavy show and the match quality carried it, so no major gripes from me.

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