The John Report: AEW Dynamite 07/15/26 Review
This is AEW Dynamite, featuring Kenny Omega celebrating and a 6-woman tag team match main event.
Last week’s AEW Dynamite had a major title change with Kenny Omega defeating MJF to become the new AEW World Champion. That sets up Omega to face his buddy Will Ospreay at AEW All In London on August 30th. Before that, AEW has the first-ever Redemption PPV on July 26th. I rated last week’s show a 9 out of 10, so that tells you I think AEW is doing a great job of late.
I’ll go play-by-play for one or two matches and summary style for the others.
This was AEW Dynamite episode #354 from the MGM Music Hall in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. It was another week with a ramp connected to the ring.
There was a video package about last week’s AEW Dynamite Beach Break episode. Kenny Omega beat MJF for the AEW World Title, and Kyle Fletcher beat Konosuke Takeshita for the AEW International Title, plus some other things.
A video was shown of Will Ospreay training with the Death Riders earlier in the day. Jon Moxley told Yuta and Garcia not to let Copeland and Cage off the hook. Moxley told Ospreay that most of the hard work is done since he won the tournament and his neck is strong. Moxley said that people make simple things so complicated. Moxley told Ospreay he has earned this. Moxley said that this is not a hard decision because this is simple. Moxley told Ospreay when he gets his shot, don’t hesitate and pull the trigger, no matter who the target is. Ospreay went back to throwing strikes at some object on the mat.
Analysis: I don’t mind quick segments like that to show Will Ospreay’s mindset and the impact the Death Riders have had on him.
AEW World Tag Team Championships: Adam Copeland & Christian Cage vs. Death Riders – Daniel Garcia & Wheeler Yuta
The Tag Team Champions are against the Death Riders C team. The champs were in control early, but then the Death Riders isolated Cope by trapping him against the ring apron, which led to some strikes against him there. They went on a picture-in-picture break there.
(Commercial)
It was still the Death Riders in control of Cope, who was the face in peril. After Garcia applied a chinlock, Cope broke free with a powerslam. After Cope broke free, Cage got the hot tag against Yuta and worked him over with punches. Cage hit a reverse DDT on Yuta. Cage gave Garcia a back body drop on the floor and Cage hit a headbutt off the top onto Yuta for two. Cope clotheslined Garcia out of the ring and onto the ramp. Yuta hit a German Suplex on Cage for two. The Death Riders were both in the ring doing running clotheslines on Cage. Yuta was trying to pull the turnbuckle pad off, so Cage hit a low blow kick on Garcia. Yuta ran at Cage, who launched him into a Spear by Cope. Cage covered Garcia for the win. It went about 12 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Adam Copeland & Christian Cage
Analysis: *** A solid TV tag team match to give the champs Cope & Cage a win over a team that they were obviously going to beat. Garcia and Yuta are talented guys who are young with bright futures, but they are mostly there to lose matches. I don’t like the illegal offense spots. At least Cope & Cage do it less than most AEW teams.
The Young Bucks were shown in the crowd watching the match and applauding the champions on their win.
After the match, The Dogs duo of David Finlay and Clark Connors attacked Cope & Cage. Claudio Castagnoli of the Death Riders was in there too, so Yuta and Garcia joined in. It was a 5-on-2 attack. The Bang Bang Gang foursome of The Gunns, Juice Robinson & Ace Austin went into the ring to beat up the heels. Jay White went into the ring and stopped David Finlay from using the shillelagh, so Finlay ran away. Cage didn’t trust White, so Cope was trying to calm Cage down.
Analysis: It’s the usual chaos in AEW after a match. The story is Cope & Cage needed some help, so they finally got it, but Cage still doesn’t trust White based on their past.
This Saturday on Collision: Hikaru Shida defends the TBS Championship against Queen Aminata.
They showed highlights of Mark Davis beating Mike Bailey on Collision last week to keep the AEW National Title.
Andrade El Idolo was featured in a video talking about how he’s a future World Champion and there’s nobody who can stop him. Andrade asked, “How you know?” And he said: “Soon, you will.”
Andrade El Idolo was interviewed by Renee Paquette. Andrade said if he has to fight every member of the Don Callis Family and take every title away from the Don Callis Family then he will because it’s his destiny to become the AEW World Champion. Andrade revealed that he had the Dynamite Diamond Ring from a good friend. Renee asked if that good friend was Will Ospreay, and Andrade asked, “How do you know?” The fans popped as Andrade left.
Analysis: They did a better job of setting up the “How you know?” line this week. Good job, AEW. I criticized it last week, so I like seeing the improvement.
(Commercial)
The Conglomeration’s Orange Cassidy, Roderick Strong and Kyle O’Reilly were interviewed by Renee Paquette backstage. Ricochet and the Gates of Agony, aka The Demand, interrupted to appear like they were doing a challenge. The Lethal Twist trio of Blake Christian, Jay Lethal, and Lee Johnson beat up The Conglomeration instead. Ricochet said he claimed that they wouldn’t attack The Conglomeration, but his friends did. Ricochet claimed The Lethal Twist is not in The Demand yet. The heels left.
Andrade El Idolo vs. Jake Doyle
If Andrade wins, he gets a shot at the AEW National Title held by Mark Davis. Andrade wants the AEW World Title, but a win here gives him a shot at the 5th most important singles title in AEW.
Doyle attacked Andrade as soon as the bell rang and knocked him out of the ring to take control. Doyle splashed Andrade against the turnbuckle. Andrade got some offense with a boot and a hurricanrana. Andrade jumped off the apron with a hurricanrana on the floor. Andrade found an attractive woman in the crowd and took pictures with her. Doyle got back into it with a Chokeslam on the ring apron. That led to a PIP break.
(Commercial)
They did a spot where Doyle hit three shoulder tackles and then Andrade hit a jumping kick, so both guys decided to sell at that point. Andrade hit a running forearm and the fans popped for Andrade taking his shirt off. Doyle hit a body block to knock Andrade down. Andrade was able to come back with a moonsault onto Doyle on the floor. Doyle hit a Liger Bomb, so then Andrade came back wit the Three Amigos suplexes for two. Doyle decked Andrade with two elbows to the face. Andrade hit his spinning back elbow and his double underhook suplex called The DM for the pinfall win after 12 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Andrade El Idolo
Analysis: ***1/4 A decisive win for Andrade El Idolo. I think if you are going to put over Andrade and get a title on him soon then you should have him win more decisively over Jake Doyle, who really isn’t pushed that much. That’s an issue with AEW where they want most matches to go over 12 minutes when they don’t need to be that long in some cases. A win in 8 minutes may have been better in this case.
It was announced that Mark Davis will defend the AEW National Title at Redemption on July 26th. Davis wanted to attack post match, but Andrade scared him off with the Dynamite Diamond Ring, so there was no confrontation.
A video package aired about Kenny Omega beating MJF for the AEW World Title on Dynamite last week.
(Commercial)
Kenny Omega’s AEW World Championship Celebration
The new AEW World Champion, Kenny Omega, was introduced by Tony Schiavone. The 2-time AEW World Champion Omega was in dress clothes and wearing the AEW World Title around his waist. The fans popped big for Omega, and there was some pyro that went off for him as well. They had a red carpet in the ring for the champion, along with a giant Omega letter in the ring.
The Young Bucks duo of Matt & Nick Jackson joined Omega in the ring for this celebration. Matt claimed they have been best friends in this business for nearly 20 years. Matt said last week, they saw Omega win the big one and he did it all by himself. Matt said that Omega proved he’s the best pro wrestler on the planet. Matt said wearing that version of the AEW World Title (MJF’s version) isn’t right, so they had something for him. Nick unveiled the classic AEW World Title and they gave that to Omega.
Analysis: It’s a nice title, and the MJF version should only be for Max.
Kenny Omega said it’s unbelievable and it’s been so long since the last time he won it. Omega said he wasn’t sure he would ever hold this again. The fans chanted, “You deserve it” for him. Omega said that the difference maker wasn’t just believing in himself, but also the fans believing in him. Omega claimed this was something that wasn’t supposed to happen, and yet here we are. Omega said there are 50 days remaining until Wembley Stadium for All In London. Omega said as much as he wants to say he’s ready, he still has work to do. Omega told us that in 50 days it’ll be the best version of Omega that there’s ever been in AEW.
Will Ospreay interrupted the celebration as the challenger at All In London because Will won the Men’s Owen Hart Cup last month to earn his title shot. The fans popped for Will. Ospreay thanked Boston and asked the Bucks if he could have a one on one conversation with Omega, so The Bucks left at that point.
Ospreay said it’s really good to see Omega as the AEW World Champion again. Ospreay said he thought Omega gave up on himself at one point, but Omega proved he believed in himself. Ospreay said that Omega didn’t give up last week. Ospreay mentioned Omega getting hit by the AEW World Title, then he kicked out at one and Ospreay said that The Cleaner is back. Ospreay called Omega one of the greatest to have ever done this. Ospreay said that things are going to heat up as they get closer to Wembley. Ospreay said for 10 years, Omega has been his hero, he has Ospreay to be the best wrestler he can be and Will said when he steps into the ring, it’s a tribute to what Omega has done. Ospreay said when he thinks of AEW, he thinks of Omega. Ospreay said they are going to keep it going. Ospreay said every week they are going to prove they belong here. Ospreay said something about them being the best in the business. Ospreay said that at the AEW All In London main event, let’s show that them this is where the best wrestle. They were about to do a handshake when Kevin Knight interrupted.
Analysis: The fans absolutely love Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay. While I’m sad that MJF lost the AEW World Title, I certainly don’t mind Omega against Ospreay at All In London because it’s going to be outstanding. Omega did a great job with his promo and Ospreay did well too.
The TNT Champion, Kevin Knight, walked down to the ring and was booed by the fans. Knight told Ospreay to excuse them. Omega said that Will can stay.
Knight congratulated Omega face to face and claimed he was still owed a World Title shot. Knight said that MJF isn’t there to give him that title shot, but he said Omega has a debt to be made, so Knight wanted to collect. Knight said Omega is the Wrestling God, but what’s a God to a non-believer. Knight challenged Omega to an AEW World Title match at Redemption.
Omega said you came here to mention a promise that MJF made to him. Omega claimed we are not going to do that. Omega said that maybe he’ll give Knight a shot because he’s a nice guy. Omega told Knight he saw something special when he saw Knight, and he was somebody who had “it.” Omega said he had an undeniable factor, he could jump farther and jump higher, and he saw somebody that was hungry. Omega said that ended when Knight aligned himself with Don Callis. Omega admitted he would be a hypocrite about Callis since he was AEW World Champion for the first time because of Callis. Omega said nobody was proud of him when he was the AEW World Champion. Omega told Knight he didn’t need a guy like Don Callis. Omega said that when he believes in you, he’s saying the same words that Speedball believes and Ospreay believes. Omega said it’s the same feeling that the fans have as well. Omega said you could have done this all on your own.
Omega mentioned MJF saying one thing that he wasn’t was a fraud. Omega said that when MJF said he would do something, he would do it. Omega claimed the fraud around here is Knight. Omega said what Knight is spewing is not from the heart. Omega said that Knight is probably a good guy, and Omega knows there is goodness inside Knight’s heart. Omega said that if it’s going to be the two of them at Redemption, he wants it to be Omega against “The Jet” Knight and not Don Callis’ bitch boy. Omega said he wanted Knight to do it on his own.
Knight said he did come this far by himself, and then said there is no goodness left in his heart, only greatness. Knight cheap-shotted Omega to knock him down, then Ospreay went after him, and Knight left. Darby Allin attacked Knight in the aisle. Brian Cage saved Knight from Alli. Trent Berretta and Rocky Romero went into the ring, so Omega and Ospreay beat them up easily. Others in the Don Callis Family surrounded the ring.
Jon Moxley and the Death Riders showed up to save their buddy Will Ospreay, so the Don Callis Family retreated.
Analysis: That felt like an extremely long promo that was longer than most AEW promos. They need an AEW World Title match at Redemption, so Omega will beat Knight. There’s no chance that Knight is going to win there. They obviously have an Allin-Knight match set up for All In London too.
Jack Perry was featured backstage talking about how he signed a new contract. Perry said he’s won 4 championships in AEW so far. Perry said now he’s on chapter two of his AEW career. Perry said he wants a match on Collision against somebody who is about to break through and show what the future is all about. Luchasaurus was there helping film it, so Perry left.
Brodido – Brody King & Bandido vs. Nick Comoroto & Aaron Solo
Bandido did an impressive Gorilla Press slam onto the big man Nick. King slammed Bandido onto Nick and King hit a senton splash for two because Solo made the save. King and Bandido beat up Solo with some chops. King slammed Nick onto Solo. Bandido went up top and hit a Frog Splash on both opponents for the pinfall win after less then 3 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Brodido – Brody King & Bandido
Analysis: * A squash match to put over Brodido. Comoroto is a massive dude and has been in AEW for years, but they don’t seem interested in using him.
Kyle Fletcher, the AEW International Champion, was with Don Callis, being interviewed by Renee Paquette backstage. Bandido and Brody King were there, and they bumped into Kyle in a rude way, with Bandido giving him a “Wanted” poster of Bandido. They left. Fletcher’s match was next.
Analysis: That sets up Bandido against Fletcher. Weak storytelling, but it should lead to a great match, which is what AEW cares about.
AEW International Championship: Kyle Fletcher (w/Don Callis & Lance Archer) vs. Komander
Don Callis was on commentary. Kyle won the International Title last week. The speedy Komander countered Kyle early on and got a nearfall, so Kyle regrouped after that. Kyle got a hold of Komander on the floor, so he tossed him onto the apron and hit a boot to the face. Komander got some momentum back after an incredible rope running spot, leading to a cross body block on Kyle on the floor. That was cool. They went to a PIP break.
(Commercial)
The speedy Komander hit a springboard hurricanrana while Kyle was seated on the turnbuckle. Komander jumped off the top with a hurricanrana on the floor. When Kyle tried a charging attack, Komander superkicked him to put Kyle down. Komander did a backflip off the ropes to avoid a move and jumped off the top with a Super Destroyer that was insane, which was good enough for a two count. That drew “Holy Shit” chants. Kyle hit a Michinoku Driver. Komander tried a move out of the corner, Kyle caught him and hit a Brainbuster for the pinfall win after about 11 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Kyle Fletcher
Analysis: ***1/2 That was a very entertaining match. It was also another championship match with an obvious result. Komander got plenty of offense and wowed the crowd a few times for sure, but this was all about giving Kyle a win as the champion. I think Komander got more offense in the match, but Kyle was able to come back and hit his big moves for the win.
After the match, Kyle ripped some of Komander’s mask, so Konosuke Takeshita made the save, or at least to get revenge. Takeshita hit Kyle with an elbow to the jaw. Kazuchika Okada went into the ring and hit a Rainmaker lariat on Takeshita. The fans booed that. Okada and Kyle were both holding the International Title. Bandido joined the party with a springboard dropkick. King hit a suicide dive on Okada and Fletcher on the floor. Bandido held the International Title.
Analysis: It sets up future matches while also teasing jealousy issues between Fletcher and Okada.
Kenny Omega was interviewed by Renee Paquette backstage. Darby Allin interrupted to say he’s going to take the TNT Title from Kevin Knight next week and he’s going to humble him. Omega said he’ll leave it to Allin, who left. Jon Moxley approached Omega, saying some people are what they are and can’t pretend to be something else, even if they try. Moxley left.
(Commercial)
The Brawling Birds duo of Jamie Hayter and Alex Windsor were interviewed by Renee Paquette. They talked about drinking beers and having fights. Windsor was sad about how England let them down in the World Cup. Hayter said that these two “Brits with the tits” won’t let you down. Windsor said they will beat the bloody piss out of anyone to prove they are the best tag team in AEW. Hayter said there’s not much else to say, so let’s go get pissed. They left.
Analysis: I assume The Brawling Birds will win the AEW Women’s Tag Team Titles at All In London in their home country. It makes sense.
Chris Jericho was featured in a video wanting a rematch with Tommaso Ciampa at Redemption. Jericho told Tommaso Ciampa to bring the pain, and Jericho will bring in the Painmaker.
Tommaso Ciampa was featured in a video saying he accepted Jericho’s challenge for Redemption. Ciampa talked about being in his hometown, so he issued a challenge for Collision in the City of Champions aka the City of Ciampa.
Analysis: Ciampa beat Jericho last week and I wrote that it felt like another match was coming between them. I wonder if Jericho will win that feud like he won his feud against Ricochet. I’m really not that interested in Jericho’s “Painmaker” persona, but it’s a way to make things different for their next match.
Darby Allin vs. Brian Cage
I don’t know if there’s a story here other than Allin being really small and Cage being ridiculously muscular. Allin hit a dropkick early on and went for a suicide dive, but Cage was too powerful, so it had no effect. Cage sent Allin into the barricade at ringside. Cage suplexed Allin on the ramp. Cage suplexed Allin on the ramp while standing on the middle ropes. Cage slammed Allin down and they went on a PIP break.
(Commercial)
The match returned with the guys fighting on the floor as Allin jumped off the steel steps with a dropkick. Allin went up top and hit a Coffin Drop onto a standing Cage on the floor. They went to the turnbuckle so that Allin could hit a Code Red off the middle turnbuckle for two. Allin hit a suicide dive onto Cage on the ramp. Cage clotheslined Allin while on the ramp. Cage picked up Allin on the ramp with a Gorilla Press and launched him into the ring post so the back of Allin’s head hit the ring post. Allin tripped up Cage on the steel steps and Allin jumped off the turnbuckle with a Coffin Drop on Cage. The referee was counting Cage out of the ring even though he wasn’t counting the guys out earlier in the match. When Cage got into the ring, Allin hit two Coffin Drops in a row off the top for the pinfall win after 10 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Darby Allin
Analysis: ***1/4 It was the usual Darby Allin match where he gets beaten up for most of it and finds a way to come back for the win. I thought that spot where Cage launched Allin into the ring post, with Allin’s head hitting the ring post, was unsafe, and that’s the kind of thing they shouldn’t be doing, but Allin is a nutcase. The inconsistent refereeing also hurts the match because they were on the floor throughout the match with no referee’s count, yet for the finishing spot, suddenly there was a count. I want more consistency.
It was confirmed that Darby Allin will challenge Kevin Knight for the TNT Title on Dynamite next week.
The AEW International Champion, Kyle Fletcher, was backstage with Kazuchika Okada. Fletcher trashed Bandido and said he’s not scared of anybody. Fletcher claimed he’d be the greatest International Champion of all time. Fletcher called out Bandido for a first-time-ever match at Redemption, and it’s for the AEW International Championship. Okada didn’t say anything while standing in the background.
Analysis: Bandido got a championship match against Jon Moxley and lost. Bandido will get a championship match against Kyle Fletcher and lose, too. It’s the same thing over and over again, but it’ll be a good match because Bandido is awesome.
(Commercial)
The TNT Champion Kevin Knight was interviewed by Renee Paquette, and Knight was joined by Don Callis. Callis said Knight can handle whatever is on his plate. Callis said everything Omega has in his life that is good is because of Callis. Callis told Knight to take care of that punk Omega. Callis left. Mike Bailey told Knight that the fans love Knight enough, so that when he goes back to who he is, they’ll forgive him. Knight said that he doesn’t need their love.
Mercedes Mone and Divine Dominion – Megan Bayne & Lena Kross vs. Willow Nightingale, Maya World & Hyan
Divine Dominion are the Women’s Tag Team Champions. Mercedes Moné is the Women’s Owen Hart Cup winner, so she gets an AEW Women’s World Title match at All In London. Willow Nightingale is getting a Women’s World Title match at Redemption. I don’t think I’ve reviewed a Hyan match before.
It’s an AEW tag team match, so four wrestlers were in the ring for too long early in the match. Bayne and Kross each hit fallaway slams. Willow hit a roundhouse kick to the head and a slam into the mat. Willow, World and Hyan each splashes on Kross against the turnbuckle. Mone was in the ring illegally, so the faces tossed her out of the ring. Hyan hit a suicide dive while Willow and World hit splashes off the ring apron onto their opponents. That led to a PIP break.
(Commercial)
The match returned with Mone hitting a Lungblower-style move on World for a two count. World avoided a knee attack by Mone. World hit a suplex on Mone. World fought out of the heel corner and brought in Willow, who was on fire with strikes for Bayne. Willow hit a back splash and boot to the head. Willow hit a spinebuster on Bayne for two because Mone made the save. Hyan hit a dropkick on Mone. Kross hit a running boot on Hyan. World hit a missile dropkick on Kross. Bayne hit a leaping lariat on World. Bayne hit a boot to the face, so Willow bounced off the ropes and hit a lariat on Bayne. The six women were laying down selling. Mone and World were the legal women as they exchanged pin attempts. World hit a dropkick. Mone did her Three Amigos suplexes. Mone jumped off with a Frog Splash, but World got knees up to block. World countered a back suplex by Kross and brought in Hyan. Hyan hit a cross body block on Kross and a running knee. Kross hit two strikes on Hyan, Bayne tagged in with a kick and a German Suplex. Bayne hit a Falcon Arrow on Hyan for a two count because Willow made the save. Bayne and Kross did a combo kick/German Suplex on World. Willow tried to fight back with a clothesline on Kross. Willow bounced off the ropes and hit a Pounce on Bayne. Mone tossed Willow out of the ring. Mone and Hyan were legal, so Hyan hit a Spear for two. Hyan tried a lifting move, but it was countered. Mone picked up Hyan and hit a Moneymaker for the pinfall win after 14 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Mercedes Moné and Divine Dominion – Megan Bayne & Lena Kross
Analysis: *** A decent match that probably went too long because the crowd wasn’t that interested in it and neither was I. It wasn’t a shock to see Mone beat Hyan in this match, considering Mone is a bigger name and Hyan hasn’t been featured on television much. This was a weaker main event than what AEW usually delivers in this spot.
Mercedes Mone and Divine Dominion celebrated their victory. That was the end of the show.
Dynamite was 2:22 this week. Just make it a 2.5 hour show instead of saying it’s 2 hours.
===
Three Stars of the Show
- Kyle Fletcher and Komander
- Darby Allin
- Andrade El Idolo
===
The Scoreboard
This Week: 7.25 out of 10
Last Week: 9
2026 Average: 7.61
===
Final Thoughts on AEW Dynamite
A good show, but not great. It was clearly a step back from last week’s show, but that’s not a surprise since last week was arguably the best episode of the year. This episode was full of matches with obvious winners, and some of the matches went on too long on a show that also felt like it went on too long. It’s hard to get into some matches with obvious results.
There was that long Kenny Omega-Will Ospreay segment that also went too long. I hate to be repetitive, but that talking segment just kept on going, with Kevin Knight adding to it as well. Knight has no shot of beating Omega at Redemption, but it should be a fun match anyway.
The next AEW PPV is Redemption on Sunday, July 26th. Here’s the lineup so far.
* AEW World Championship: Kenny Omega (c) vs. Kevin Knight
* AEW Women’s World Championship: Thekla (c) vs. Willow Nightingale
* AEW International Championship: Kyle Fletcher (c) vs. Bandino
* “The Painmaker” Chris Jericho vs. Tommaso Ciampa
* AEW World Tag Team Championships: Adam Copeland & Christian Cage) (c) vs. Death Riders – Claudio Castagnoli and Pac
* AEW National Championship: Mark Davis (c) vs. Andrade El Idolo
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