The John Report: AEW Dynamite 07/16/25 Review
This week’s AEW Dynamite featured a six-man tag team match with new World Champion “Hangman” Adam Page and Jon Moxley on opposite sides.
It’s the follow up episode to the biggest AEW PPV of the year, All In Texas. I thought it was a great show, especially in the final two years, but it also ran long at six hours and some parts of it dragged because of that. There was a happy ending with Hangman Page winning the AEW World Title for the second time to free it from Jon Moxley’s reign of terror, so kudos to AEW for ending it the right way. For what it’s worth, I think AEW had better PPVs this year. Just saying.
For this review, I’ll go summary style for most of the show and then play-by-play for a match or two.
This was AEW Dynamite episode #302 from the Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, Illinois. 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, Tony Schiavone, and Taz.
They are in a smaller building in Chicago called the Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom with about 1,100 fans. They probably could have run a larger arena and attracted up to 5,000 fans, but they are hosting several shows in this smaller venue over the coming weeks. It looks cool with balconies in it, but it is a bit depressing to see them go from 30,000+ in a stadium to 1,100 fans on TV.
Let’s Hear from “Hangman” Adam Page
Tony Schiavone was in the ring, and he introduced the new AEW World Champion, “Hangman” Adam Page. Hangman had the AEW World Title around his waist since he wanted to proudly display it, unlike Moxley, who put the title in a briefcase. Tony shook Page’s hand and handed him the microphone. Tony left the ring. The fans chanted “you deserve it” for Page.
Hangman said that when you say that, some of you might have missed the point. Page said there’s something more that needs to be said by him to the fans. Page told the fans that “the truth is you deserve it” so the fans chanted “We Deserve It” after that. Page said that the fans are the ones who supported a grassroots do it yourself approach to pro wrestling. Page said that you started a revolution to change the world, and you are the reason for All Elite Wrestling. Page told the fans that they do all of this because of you. The fans chanted, “Thank you, Hangman.” Page said that you deserve to see this championship and to see someone hold it who has more gratitude for all of you than you can ever know.
Page said at All In, he walked into a war that has been going on for 9 months to free this championship. Page said that some people who have fought in that war have not come out the same. Page said he needs to thank them. Page thanked Orange Cassidy (out with injury), Jay White (also out with injury), Adam Copeland, The Opps – including Shibata, Powerhouse Hobbs & Samoa Joe – Bryan Danielson, and Darby Allin. Page said he needed to thank somebody who makes him excited about AEW’s future and didn’t get to walk out of All In on his own volition, that’s Will Ospreay. The fans knew what was next as they chanted “Swerve’s House” repeatedly. Page said if he’s going to be the champion and man who he says he is, then he has to say this. Page said he didn’t know if he did it for himself, for AEW or Hangman, but Page will say to Swerve Strickland…(pause)…thank you. Page said that All In weekend was full of highs and lows. Page admitted that in addition to buckets of blood, he shed tears. Page said people like Jon Moxley, who say that makes him weak or less of a man. Page said that he has a wife and two kids who love him, he has thousands and millions watching AEW who can look to him and respect him. Page said that you can look at him tonight because he’s the champion of the world. The fans cheered as the promo ended.
Analysis: Great speech. It was what it needed to be. The fans were on fire for this supporting Page and cheering the babyface wrestlers mentioned. They were smart to start the show with Page, who is beloved by the fans. Also, I would say that Tony Khan’s billionaire daddy Shahid Khan is a big reason why there’s AEW, not just because of fans. Just saying. The money helps. Anyway, I’m glad that there wasn’t an interruption and they gave him time to make a heroic babyface speech.
A video package aired showing AEW All In Texas highlights. Good stuff.
The Young Bucks were shown arriving in an Uber, so they’re not in a limo like they have been in the past. It puts over the idea that they aren’t EVP’s anymore in the storyline, so they can no longer afford the limo.
Kyle Fletcher (w/Don Callis & Lance Archer) vs. Mascara Dorada
There were two springboard backflips by Dorada before he did an arm drag. Dorada hit a springboard missile dropkick. Kyle kicked Dorada off the apron to the floor. Dorada came back with a dive over the top onto Kyle on the floor. Kyle caught Dorada and hit a spinning sidewalk slam.
(Commercial)
Kyle was in control with a body slam. Dorada countered a Powerbomb with a hurricanrana. Dorada kicked Kyle off the apron to the floor. Kyle hit an SSP off the ropes onto Kyle on the floor. Dorada hit a hurricanrana off the turnbuckle, followed by a top rope 450 Splash for two. Dorada went for a moonsault, Kyle caught him and hit a lawn dart into the turnbuckle. Kyle hit a boot to the face and a sheer drop Brainbuster for the win.
Winner by pinfall: Kyle Fletcher
Analysis: ***1/4 Kyle Fletcher lost at AEW All In Texas, so this was a win to give him a win over a guy who barely gets TV time on Dynamite, although Dorada is a talented guy. I think Dorada got more offense in the match, so he did look impressive before losing. Dorada is very talented in the air, that’s for sure. I think Kyle will take the TNT Title from Dustin Rhodes in the coming months.
The Young Bucks were shown arriving in some darkened room where Renee Paquette wanted a comment, but the Bucks didn’t want to talk. Marina Shafir didn’t want to say anything. The Bucks found a locker room that is not good. Ricochet and Gates of Agony walked by with Ricochet laughing about it. Don Callis walked in, saying that he thinks they can do business together. Matthew Jackson said they’ll never join his family, but they can work together. Don hugged both of the Bucks.
Analysis: Poor Young Bucks. I guess it’s mildly funny to see them “suffering” like this.
(Commercial)
The Hurt Syndicate was shown doing a promo after All In Texas. MVP said they were begging for one of these legendary tag teams to take the titles from The Hurt Syndicate. MVP told them to stop being scared. MJF said that he’s glad that Hangman Page won. MJF said that Hangman isn’t the best because MJF is the best in the world. MJF said he does not need the title match contract to beat Page. MJF said that for the first time in his life, Page is at peace, but MJF is the cause of his depression, and he’s coming after him. MJF said he has no problem with Hangman Page being the main character because MJF has no problem being the bad guy. MVP said they are not nice guys.
Analysis: I think MJF is the guy to beat Hangman Page for the AEW World Title, but it may be later in the year or early next year. MJF is my favorite wrestler in AEW, so I’m all for MJF being World Champion again.
The Young Bucks entrance looked different with footage of their loss at AEW All In Texas. Justin Roberts announced that they used to be EVPs, but now they are not. That was funnier than the backstage segment, at least.
The Young Bucks – Matt & Nick Jackson, Josh Alexander & Hechicero vs. Jet Speed – “Speedball” Mike Bailey & Kevin Night, Bandido & Brody King
It feels like every Dynamite has an 8-man tag team match. There should be a lot of flips in this match. Don Callis was on commentary to support the heel team.
King nailed Josh with a huge chop to start the match. Bandido hit an impressive springboard hurricanrana. The Jetspeed boys hit dives over the top onto the Bucks as the referee lost control as usual. The Bucks hit a bunch of superkicks on their opponents. I don’t know who was legal. Nick hit a double stomp on Bailey into a Powerbomb by Matt, and then Nick hit a somersault dive onto somebody on the floor. They went to a picture-in-picture break.
(Commercial)
It was Hechicero facing off against Knight when the match returned. The heels prevented a tag for the faces as if legally tagging somebody in matters in AEW. The Bucks yelled “EVP Trigger” and then realized they aren’t EVPs, so Knight hit them with a dropkick. Bailey was back in with kicks for everybody on the heel side. Bailey hit a missile dropkick on Nick. Both Bucks were in the ring while the referee was flailing his arms around like an idiot. Bailey hit a backflip splash on both Bucks. King used his power to clear house and clotheslined Josh out of the ring. King hit a cannonball on Hechicero. The heels waited on the floor for 20 seconds while King set up and did a suicide dive on them. Bandido hit a top rope moonsault onto the heels on the floor. Jetspeed each hit moves off the top. Bandido hit a top rope fallaway slam for two because the Bucks made the save. There was another sequence of “everybody go in the ring and hit moves” as the Bucks hit superkicks and Bandido hit a Cutter on Nick. The Bucks hit a TK Driver on Bandido and Hechicero lifted up Bandido for a Young Bucks pick. Hechicero applied a Sleeper and Bandido was out. It went about 14 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: The Young Bucks – Matt & Nick Jackson, Josh Alexander & Hechicero
Analysis: ***1/4 A pretty good, chaotic AEW tag team match where the referee lost total control and there were many flips in the match. I feel like more than half the match had illegal offense in it. The action is still good enough that I’m going to rate it 3.25*, but it feels like most 8-man tags that they have every week. Hechicero beating ROH Champion Bandido likely sets them up for a feud. I guess the Young Bucks needed a win after losing at All In.
(Commercial)
Let’s Hear from Adam Copeland aka Cope
Adam Copeland entered for a promo. Cope returned at All In Texas to save Christian Cage and told his best friend, “Go find yourself.” That was a throwback to when Christian told Cope, “Go f**k yourself.” The fans sang Cope’s great theme song after it stopped playing.
Cope said that the fans and those reactions are why he keeps getting up and getting in here. Cope said people are wondering if he came down to the ring to save Christian Cage. Cope said no to that because Cage is an “asshole.” Cope said Cage has made his life miserable since he came to AEW, so Cope recapped their history in AEW, which led to a lot of fighting and issues. Cope said that Cage did it out of jealousy because he didn’t want Cope to win the AEW World Title before Cage. Cope didn’t blame Nick Wayne, Mother Wayne and Kip Sabian for turning on Cage. Cope said he told Christian that it was going to happen, but his ego couldn’t see it coming. Cope said he hopes Cage is pulling his giant cranium out of his ass.
Cope claimed that he came back at All In to get his hands on FTR. Cope spoke about how five years ago, he got cleared to return to wrestling and he trained with FTR’s Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler. Cope talked about how they could win the AEW Trios Championships together, and this was when he was in a different company (that’s called WWE). Cope said that after they tagged up in AEW, FTR complained about Cope holding them back as a tag team. Cope spoke about how megalomaniacs are going to blame everybody else. Cope talked about how FTR took him out for four months, and it’s four months that he doesn’t have left after 33 years. Cope said he came back to end FTR.
Stoke walked out representing FTR and he had some short security guys (indy wrestlers) with him. Stoke said that FTR knew what Cope was going to do and the fans chanted “shut the f**k up” at Stoke. Stoke said that the spiked back called Spike is a liability. Stoke claimed that AEW received complaints about Cope. Stoke claimed that moving forward, if Cope interferes in FTR matches or attack FTR, then Cope is fired. Stoke told Cope to go home and leave FTR alone.
Cope talked about how Stoke looked like an angry Oompa Loompa. Cope said that Stoke mentioned that if he goes near FTR, then Cope will get fired, but Cope said Stoke never said anything about if he gets near Stoke. Cope beat up two security guys, and two other security guys ran away, which drew laughs. Stoke turned around, so Cope hit him with a Spear. Cope’s music played to end it.
Analysis: I look forward to the Copeland-Cage reunion at AEW All Out in Toronto in September, when I’ll likely be in attendance to see it. I saw those guys wrestling 30 years ago before they were in WWE, and it’s amazing that they are still going. If they reunite before All Out then the match with FTR can be there. I assume that’s the plan. I’m all for the long-term build for the Cope-Cage reunion. Anyway, it was nice to see Cope get some revenge by beating up Stoke easily.
Mark Briscoe did a promo in the backstage area. Mark trashes MJF for being a bitch who avoided Mark during the Casino Gauntlet Match at All In. Mark said he thought he’d be done with MJF, but it’s just getting started. Mark said he’ll make MJF pay for his sins.
Analysis: It’s a good thing that feud is continuing. I have enjoyed their promos together.
Thekla vs. Queen Aminata vs. Willow Nightingale vs. Kris Statlander
This is a $100,000 match, so the winner “wins” the fake prize. It is AEW’s way of trying to say that something is on the line in the match, even though it’s not really on the line. They probably think it’s better than just doing a random match.
Kris hit a delayed vertical suplex on Thekla early on. Queen kicked Kris, Willow hit a senton on Kris and Queen kicked Kris again. Queen hit her butt smashing move on Willow until Thekla broke it up. Willow gave Thekla a backbreaker across the shoulders. Thekla hit a cross body block off the top onto two women on the floor.
(Commercial)
Thekla got a flurry of offense going, along with a spider crawl and a Spear on Kris. Queen hit a headbutt and neckbreaker. There was a sequence of “hit a move and bump” by all four women so they could all lie down at the same time while the fans chanted “AEW” on cue. Queen hit an Air Raid Crash on Kris, Thekla kicked Queen and Willow hit a sitout Powerbomb on Thekla for two because Kris pulled the referee out. There’s no DQ in a 4-way match. Kris and Willow went fighting to the back. Queen jumped off the top with a double foot stomp off the top on Thekla for two. Skye Blue and Julia Hart went to ringside, Hart spat mist into Queen’s eyes and Thekla hit The Stomp on Queen for the pinfall win. It went about 11 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Thekla
Analysis: **1/2 They got time and worked hard, but it just didn’t get to that next level where I’d call it a good match. Just average. This was about pushing the story that Thekla is now an ally with Julia Hart and Skye Blue in a heel woman group.
Thekla celebrated with Julia Hart and Skye Blue. I guess they’re a stable now.
Analysis: I think AEW has enough women to support Women’s Tag Team Titles, but I don’t know if I trust the booker to make them interesting.
(Commercial)
Let’s Hear from Toni Storm
The AEW Women’s World Champion “Timeless” Toni Storm appeared in a balcony part of the arena. Storm referred to herself as derogatory names that people say about women, but it’s done in a babyface way, so the fans cheered as she said, “This tramp is still the champ.” There were “Toni” chants. Storm thanked Mercedes Mone for going All In with her. Toni talked about how this title is the big one.
The ROH Women’s Champion Athena was backstage with Billie Starkz. Athena warned Toni about taking her out and going after the AEW Women’s Title. Athena said nobody is left to save Toni when Athena executes this contract she has. Athena said that Toni’s demise and murder are here. Toni Storm said if you are able, then she will bend you over the able because she is Timeless.
Analysis: I would be fine with Athena as the woman to take the Women’s World Title from Toni Storm. I also think it might be Mercedes Mone.
There was a backstage promo from Kip Sabian, Nick Wayne and Mother Wayne, who stood out in this promo due to her outfit. Kip said that his purpose is to support his brother Nick Wayne and he’s here to support a Matriarch. Mother Wayne said that these are his boys. Mother said that Nick is her son and their prodigy. Nick Wayne said that Christian Cage was past his expiration date. Nick said he realized that when Christian tried to be a World Champion. Nick reminded us that he is just 20 years old, he’s the youngest crowned champion in this company, and the question is how many championships is he going to win in his career? Nick said that Christian created this monster and you have to live with him as the new face of TNT and AEW…now and forever.
Analysis: It was a solid promo. Nick Wayne is a skinny kid who thinks of himself as a “monster” because of his bright future. I think he’ll be good long term, but probably better as a babyface.
Don Callis had multiple titles with him with an introduction for the AEW Unified Champion, Kazuchika Okada. They changed Okada’s theme song, which probably led to complaints online because fans hate theme music changes. Okada is 12-0 this year.
Kazuchika Okada (w/Don Callis) vs. Rafael Quintero
Okada hit an elbow and a dropkick. Okada hit a Rainmaker lariat for the pinfall win. It was under one minute. They never said the opponent’s name. I found it on AEW’s website. I’m such a great “journalist,” my friends.
Winner by pinfall: Kazuchika Okada
Analysis: * A squash match win for Okada. AEW needs to book dominant wins like that.
Kazuchika Okada called out Swerve Strickland, saying he screwed his friends, The Young Bucks. Okada: “You bitch!”
Swerve Strickland made his entrance with Prince Nana by his side. After Swerve walked to the ring, he asked Okada what he was going to do about it…bitch? Okada left.
Analysis: That will be a great match with Okada and Swerve whenever it happens.
(Commercial)
The Death Riders made their entrance from the back part of this small arena. The babyfaces made their entrances next.
“Hangman” Adam Page, Mark Briscoe & Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Death Riders – Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta (w/Marina Shafir)
This babyface team feels so random. Hobbs attacked Claudio with punches and shoulder tackles. Hobbs and Claudio exchanged punches, followed by Hobbs hitting a big clothesline. Page tagged in and worked over Claudio with punches. Yuta tagged in, so Page beat him up and Mark tagged in with chops. Hobbs tagged in and hit a clothesline on Yuta. Moxley went in the ring illegally, Page went in illegally and Moxley bailed.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Hobbs working over Yuta and he wanted a slam, but Moxley went into the ring to attack Hobbs. After Hobbs left the ring, Claudio hit a chop block to Hobbs and Shafir kicked Hobbs. The referee saw Shafir hit Hobbs and did nothing about it…because AEW. Moxley was legal (I guess), so he sent Hobbs into the steel steps. The fans chanted, “You tapped out” at Moxley, which he did. Claudio tripped up Hobbs, leading to a Giant Swing for a few spins. Hobbs hit a powerslam and broke free. Mark was legal against Moxley with a flying forearm. Claudio was in illegally so that Mark could hit him with strikes. Mark hit an enziguri kick on Moxley. Yuta did a distraction, so Shafir eye-gouged Mark while the referee wasn’t looking. Even when the referee saw her cheat earlier, he did nothing, so why hide things from the referee. Anyway, Moxley hit a DDT on Mark on the floor.
(Commercial)
Moxley was in control of Mark with a chinlock. Moxley did a cheapshot punch on Page to knock him off the apron. Moxley hit a piledriver on Mark for two because Hobbs made the save. Claudio sent Hobbs into the steel steps. Mark bit Moxley’s head and Mark hit a missile dropkick off the top. Page got the tag with punches, kicks, a springboard clothesline on Claudio and a fallaway slam on Yuta. Page hit a Powerbomb on Yuta for two because Claudio made the save. Claudio launched Yuta off the top for a splash that got a two count. Page fought out of a double team move, he hit a rolling elbow and cleared Claudio out of the ring. Mark hit a cannonball on Claudio on the floor. Page jumped off the top on Claudio with a moonsault. Moxley went into the ring to bite Page’s head. Hobbs hit a spinebuster on Moxley. Yuta hit a running knee on Hobbs, but Mark hit a Froggy Bow on Yuta. Page went for a Buckshot Lariat, Claudio avoided it, Page did a jackknife pin on Claudio and it was enough for the three count. The match went 17 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: “Hangman” Adam Page, Mark Briscoe & Powerhouse Hobbs
Analysis: ***1/2 This was more of a traditional tag team match compared to the other tag team match they had earlier in the show. There was less illegal offense in this match, but there was still some of it. Anyway, Page continued his positive momentum with the win while Moxley was presented since Claudio took the pin. Moxley avoided Page for most of the match, which is what you’d expect from a heel like him.
After the match, Moxley and the Death Riders attacked the babyfaces. Moxley worked over Page with punches. Nobody tried to help Page in the ring, but Darby Allin was shown in in the upper deck part of the building with a spotlight on him. Moxley was looking at him. Page hit a Buckshot Lariat on Moxley, who was distracted by Allin in the building.
Hangman’s music played, and he celebrated with his teammates to end the show.
Analysis: They can probably do a Hangman/Moxley rematch at the next PPV, but maybe they’ll have Moxley feud with Allin. There are a few options for sure.
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Three Stars of the Show
- “Hangman” Adam Page
- Adam Copeland
- The Young Bucks – Matt & Nick Jackson, Josh Alexander & Hechicero
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The Scoreboard
This Week: 7 out of 10
Last Week: 7.5
2025 Average: 7.39
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Final Thoughts on AEW Dynamite
This felt like a weaker show and didn’t feel like a great follow up to All In Texas. It still had good moments and match quality was strong, which is why I went 7 out of 10, but nothing really stood out to me. The absence of some top babyfaces hurt it a bit.
I felt this show was lazily booked since they do 6-man and 8-man tag team matches nearly every week and 4-way matches too. I get that it’s a way to have more people on the show, but it feels so repetitive in AEW when you see those kinds of tags and multi-person shows nearly every week.
They featured “Hangman” Adam Page a lot with the opening promo and the main event tag team match. That’s smart to show that Hangman is the biggest star in the company right now, so I did enjoy that aspect of it.
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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