The John Report: AEW Dynamite 07/30/25 Review
This week’s AEW Dynamite featured “Hangman” Adam Page defending the AEW World Title against Jon Moxley.
I was a bit delayed by this review because sometimes a man needs a day off and didn’t feel up to it on Thursday. By the time I finish this review on Friday morning, the “avoid SummerSlam on Saturday edition” of Collision already aired. I don’t review that show, but that show led to some matches becoming official for the Forbidden Door PPV on August 24. I’m going to do this review summary style most of the way and then play-by-play for one or two matches.
This was AEW Dynamite episode #304 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 the same building as the last two weeks with about 1,200 fans in attendance. It’s a smaller place, but the crowd is loud in Chicago, and it looks good on TV.
AEW Tag Team Tournament Eliminator Quarterfinals: The Outrunners – Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd vs. The Young Bucks – Matt & Nick Jackson
The Young Bucks graphic on screen said “Talent Name” and “Social Media” underneath, so that was mildly funny.
The Outrunners were in control with the dreaded ten-punch combo and double atomic drop. The Bucks managed to send their opponents into the apron and the Bucks hit suicide dives onto their opponents. Nick caught Truth and hit a neckbreaker while Matt hit a senton splash. Matt hit a superkick on Turbo on the floor and the Bucks hit a cannonball/enziguri combo at the same time. Nick hit a twisting cross body block off the top.
(Commercial)
The Bucks remained in control with a double team splash combo. Truth broke free to bring Turbo in and the fans popped big for his basic offense including punches and body slams. All four guys were in the ring for a couple of minutes because…it’s AEW. The Outrunners hit their double team elbow for two. More illegal double team offense by the Bucks got two. Nick accidentally superkicked when an Outrunner moved. The Outrunners hit their double team powerslam for two because Nick made the save. Matt got a rollup while grabbing the tights and got a two count. Nick was illegally getting involved with a kick and a spike piledriver called the TK Driver for the win. It went 14 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: The Young Bucks
Analysis: ***1/2 It was a good tag team match full of action. As usual in a Young Bucks match, there was a lot of illegal action, and I think that hurts the match, but I know some people like it and find it exciting. A win by The Outrunners would have been cool because it would be treated like an upset and continue the story of The Young Bucks having a run of bad luck. I guess The Young Bucks won because they want to set them up against FTR in the finals of the tournament, even though they are heel teams.
After the match, Kazuchika Okada joined The Young Bucks for an attack on The Outrunners. Swerve Strickland made the save. Swerve did a double foot stomp off the top onto the heels on the floor. It will lead to Swerve against Okada at Forbidden Door, which should be great.
Mark Briscoe was interviewed by Renee Paquette, who asked him about MJF. Ricochet and friends interrupted. Ricochet laughed about how he’s going to beat Mar. Mark said he’s going to whoop Ricochet’s ass and told MJF that he crossed a line. Ricochet said he’ll see Mark later and called him a loser.
(Commercial)
Maxwell Jacob Friedman was backstage with his contract in hand bragging about being in Happy Gilmore 2, which is the biggest movie around. MJF talked to Shelton Benjamin backstage saying he was so sorry for Bob’s actions. Shelton said that MVP isn’t here because he’s disgusted with Max. Shelton had the watch in his pocket that MJF gave him and Shelton said he can tell it’s a knock off watch, not a Rolex. Shelton said that the only reason they didn’t lay out MJF sooner is because MVP stuck his neck out for Max. Shelton threw the watch back at MJF. Shelton said that MJF should get out of there before he gets up in a pool of his own piss. Shelton also told as far as The Hurt Syndicate, MJF is out (with a thumbs down). Shelton closed the door and MJF shoved a camera away.
Analysis: Poor Max. MJF in The Hurt Syndicate didn’t last long, but perhaps there will be some actions that lead to MJF redeeming himself.
Let’s Hear from Christian Cage
Christian Cage made his entrance for an in-ring interview with Tony Schiavone. Cage is without The Patriarchy because Nick Wayne, Kip Sabian and Mother Wayne turned on Cage. Adam Copeland helped Cage at All In Texas and told him to go find himself.
Christian started by saying his name and saying, “I’m an a**hole.” Cage said he’s numb to the world and everything in it. Cage said he was obsessed with becoming AEW World Champion. At Revolution, he walked in ready to fulfill his destiny, he hit a picture-perfect Spear and he caught a glimpse of his past. Cage said that for a split second, he became an a**hole with feelings, and it cost him everything. Cage said his own family was against him. Cage said he had a problem with Nick and Kip questioning him. Cage said when it comes to this business, he’s spent more money on rental cars than either of them made in their entire career. Cage said he didn’t think the three of them would be competent enough to pull it off. Cage spoke about how there is probably a lineup of people outside ready to maim him for what he’s done.
Cage said he heard what Adam Copeland said a few weeks ago. Cage mentioned things he wanted to do to Adam, like cripple him in front of his wife and kids. Cage wondered if it was really that bad. Cage said that Adam was an opportunist and he did those same things to become a star in this business. Cage said maybe he has found himself, but maybe he didn’t. Cage said that they are so different, but somehow they are the same.
Cage spoke about The Patriarchy, which embarrassed him at All In. Cage made a sex joke about his time with Shayna. Cage said that the things he did with them are a product of the scars of his past. Cage said that Nick thinks he has things all figured out, but how’s it going to go when he has to answer the things he’s done. Cage said he answers the bell for the things he has said. Cage said that Nick has more talent than him and he is a prodigy. Cage said that he protected Nick from everything. Cage said that Nick has every tool to be the future of AEW, but he has to go through Cage to get there. Cage said that in Nick’s life, he already has a dead father, and now he has another father who is dead to you. Cage said he disowns Nick and Kip.
Analysis: The interview by Cage was good as usual. The crowd was hard on him and booed throughout most of the promo. It’s not like Cage is a babyface just because he was attacked. Cage has to change his ways before that happens.
Christian Cage went up the ramp, Shayna confronted him, Kip tried a cheap attack and Nick hit Cage with the ROH TV Title in the head. Nick told Cage that he disowns Cage. Nick and Kip stood beside Cage and the camera showed the side angle that showed the two chairs hitting. Why did you film it from that angle? The worst angle possible. Nick told Cage that he turned his back on him.
NICK WAYNE AND KIP SABIAN HIT CHRISTIAN CAGE WITH A CONCHAIRTO!#AEWDynamite
pic.twitter.com/5p8it6krfK— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) July 31, 2025
Analysis: The attack by Nick and Sabian was okay, but they shot the Conchairto from the worst angle possible. I’m not sure what the director was thinking when they switched to that angle. Just shoot it from the long way and it’s fine. Instead, we literally saw the two chairs smack eachother, which is the way to do it to protect the guy in Cage’s spot. Anyway, this will lead to Cage eventually reuniting with Copeland. Since All Out is in Toronto in September, which is where Cope and Cage are from, it makes sense for them to be a team by then.
(Commercial)
FTR was backstage with Stoke, who talked about how FTR were one step closer to the AEW Tag Team Championships. Stoke said that Adam Copeland was banned. Stoke said that what The Hurt Syndicate did last week was an act of cowardice. Stoke told the Bang Bang Gang that they are good, but they are not FTR. The Young Bucks walked in the locker room to talk to FTR. Cash Wheeler said he was happy to see the Bucks get their groove back and Dax Harwood said he looks forward to seeing them in the finals.
Analysis: FTR did get the win on Collision and they are in the finals of the Tag Team Title contenders tournament.
They were doing the AEW World Title match early in the show. Jon Moxley was up first as the challenger and the champion “Hangman” Adam Page was next. Justin Roberts did the championship introductions.
AEW World Championship: “Hangman” Adam Page vs. Jon Moxley
The stipulation is that “Everybody is banned from ringside.” There are security guys at ringside to tell the audience that they will prevent others from showing up at ringside.
Moxley hit Page with a forearm against the turnbuckle, but then Page fired back with multiple forearms to the jaw. They did the “stand and throw chops” exchange, until Moxley had enough of it and bit Page’s forehead. Page tried a sleeper by the turnbuckle, but Moxley got out of it. Page clotheslined Moxley over the top rope to the floor. Page hit a running lariat for a two count. Moxley did a hair pull takedown, followed by a German Suplex and the fans booed. Moxley worked over Page with punches. The fans chanted “You Tapped Out” at Moxley because that’s what he did at All In Texas. Moxley remained in control with another German Suplex across the ring. Moxley hit a German Suplex again. Moxley went for another German Suplex, but Page flipped over and landed on his feet, which led to Page hitting a discus forearm. Page hit a fallaway slam. Moxley was on the apron, so Page hit a lefty clothesline. Page did a slingshot over the top to take out Moxley on the floor. Back in the ring, Page hit a Death Valley Driver for a two count. Moxley tried a double wrist lock, but Page got to the ropes. Page came back with a Powerbomb for two. Moxley left the ring, Page followed, Moxley gouged the eyes, and sent Page into the steel steps. Moxley gave Page a piledriver on the top of the steel steps. That was executed about as safely as you can do it, but it still looks deadly. They went to a picture-in-picture break.
(Commercial)
Moxley was in control with kicks to the chest and punches to the head, but Page was no selling it to make a comeback. Page and Moxley exchanged forearms again until Moxley bit Page’s head. Page hit a boot to the head and a backdrop suplex, followed by Page hitting a clothesline. Moxley dropkicked Page off the apron to the floor. Moxley cleared off the commentary table and both wrestlers were on the table. Page gave Moxley the Deadeye slam onto the table, which is a move that always makes me feel bad for Page’s knees. They didn’t sell much because they were back in the ring where Page hit a clothesline. Page flipped over Moxley and hit a Tombstone piledriver for two. Moxley grabbed Page by the leg and applied a Bulldog Choke submission. Page managed to get back to his feet, which led to Page hooking the arm and applying a Crossface submission until Moxley got his boot on the bottom rope to break the hold. They went to the apron where Moxley did a back rake to block a move and Moxley gave Page a Piledriver on the apron. Ouch. Back in the ring, Moxley hit a Gotch-style Piledriver for two. They did the “stand and throw forearms” exchange again, but then Page hit several strikes to the jaw. Page kicked Moxley off the apron to the floor. Page went up top and hit a moonsault onto a standing Moxley on the floor. Moxley avoided a Buckshot Lariat, Page lifted up Moxley on his back, Moxley’s feet hit referee Paul Turner and Page hit Deadeye. The Death Riders duo of Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta showed up, security looked at them, so Marina Shafir handed Moxley the AEW World Title. Moxley hit Page with the World Title and the referee woke up for a two count. Turner kicked Shafir out from ringside. Darby Allin was shown in the balcony and he jumped onto the Death Riders group as they were leaving the building. That was crazy.
Page hit Moxley with a boot and a Buckshot Lariat. No cover. Page went for Deadeye, Moxley slipped out of it and Page managed to hit Deadeye again. Page went to the apron and hit the Buckshot Lariat for the one…two…and three. It went 26 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: “Hangman” Adam Page
Analysis: ****1/4 I didn’t expect a title change, but I did expect an outstanding match, and that’s what this was. Moxley is known for his brawling matches, yet he’s more than capable in a regular match as well. Page is excellent in any kind of match and had another great one here. I loved the nearfall after the belt shot to the head. It would be nice if they eliminated the “stand there and throw strikes” spots because they do it so many times during matches. Moxley likes doing piledrivers as he showed during this match. There were many nearfalls throughout the match and I don’t mind that they went over 20 minutes because that’s what you should do in a World Title match. This felt like the end of this rivalry, at least for now. The spot with Darby Allin getting involved also sets up Moxley for a feud without the title involved.
A video aired about Dustin Rhodes defending the TNT Title against Kyle Fletcher on Collision.
Analysis: Kyle Fletcher won the match on Collision to become the TNT Champion. I figured that Fletcher was going to beat Adam Cole at All In Texas, but with Cole injured, AEW put the title on Dustin Rhodes and then wanted Kyle to beat a babyface champion to win it. Dustin got his moment as the champion, but it was a brief title reign.
(Commercial)
Athena & Billie Starkz vs. “Timeless” Toni Storm vs. Alex Windsor
Alex Windsor is new in AEW and is engaged to Will Ospreay. Storm wanted to fight Athena, so the heel Athena tagged out. Storm and Alex did some double team comedy kicks and a clothesline. Alex took control with a DDT on Starkz. Athena went into the ring illegally and hit a spinebuster on Alex.
(Commercial)
The heel side was still in control of Alex as the face in peril, as Starkz hit a double foot stomp to the ribs. Alex hit some clotheslines on Athena, but Starkz had pulled Storm off the apron, so there was no tag. Alex hit a discus lariat for two because Starkz hit a Senton Bomb off the top. Storm got the hot tag, hit two dropkicks, a hip attack, the dreaded Mongolian chops and a Thesz Press. Storm hit a German Suplex as fans chanted “Toni” for the champion. Athena was legal after a blind tag and she hit the O-Face (Stunner after jumping off the top rope) on Storm for the pinfall win after 11 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Athena & Billie Starkz
Analysis: **3/4 The match was okay, but it never got that interesting. The story is that the ROH Women’s Champion Athena pinned the AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm and that’s going to be a match at Forbidden Door. The fans didn’t seem to care that much about this match, other than when Storm was in the ring. In fairness to the ladies, it was tough to follow a long World Title match too.
After the match, Starkz threw Windsor into the barricade. Athena had the AEW World Title match contract and told Storm it was only a matter of time.
Analysis: The Storm-Athena match for the AEW World Title will be at Forbidden Door on August 24th.
“Hangman” Adam Page was interviewed by Renee Paquette, but MJF interrupted before Page could say much. MJF trashed Page for calling him a coward and MJF said that Page is the coward. Page said that MJF has to earn it or execute that contract. Page told MJF he has to fight Mark Briscoe to try to earn it. Page said he didn’t see The Hurt Syndicate, so he’s not sure what is stopping him from beating his ass right now. MJF left.
Analysis: The Page-MJF feud will lead to an AEW World Title match at some point down the road, but I don’t know when.
(Commercial)
Willow Nightingale was interviewed by Alicia Atout. Willow wanted a match with Thekla on Collision, so Willow asked for it, and it’s official.
Ricochet vs. Mark Briscoe
I’ll go play-by-play for this main event. Mark was aggressive early on with strikes to take control. Ricochet came back with an elbow smash to knock Mark down. Mark chopped Ricochet a few times and hit a suplex. Mark sent Ricochet into the turnbuckle, which led to Ricochet taking a sternum-first bump. The announcers were putting over the story that Mark is more serious now because MJF angered him by using his late brother Jay’s name to insult Mark. Ricochet hit a back elbow to stop a charging Mark, but Mark punched Ricochet out of the ring. The Gates of Agony duo of Bishop Kahn and Toa Liona walked out to ringside to support Ricochet. Ricochet used that to knock Mark out of the ring and Ricochet hit a suicide dive on Mark on the floor.
(Commercial)
Ricochet wanted to use a chair, the referee took it from him and Mark got a rollup for two. Mark caught a kick from Ricochet and flipped him over. Mark slapped Ricochet on his bald head. Ricochet distracted the referee, so Toa grabbed the ropes and Mark went flying out of the ring when he was running the ropes. Ricochet hit a twisting dive over the top onto Mark on the floor. Ricochet hit a springboard clothesline on Mark, followed by a Shooting Star Press for two. Mark was back up to clothesline Ricochet out of the ring. Mark hit a running dropkick on Bishop on the floor since he went in front of Ricochet. Mark punched Ricochet off the apron to the floor. Mark jumped off a chair and went over the top onto Ricochet and Bishop on the floor. Mark ran the ropes and hit a lariat on Ricochet for two. Mark hit another clothesline. Kaun distracted the referee while Toa tossed Mark off the top rope. Ricochet hit his sitout Vertigo slam for two. Brody King and Bandido showed up at the ringside to fight with the Gates of Agony guys at the ringside. Back in the ring, Mark got an inside cradle for two. Ricochet was back up with a jumping knee and a spin kick to the head. Mark tried a move, but Ricochet hit a jumping kick. Mark hit a lariat that Ricochet sold with a flip bump. Mark hit the Jay Driller for the pinfall win after 13 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Mark Briscoe
Analysis: ***1/4 A pretty good match that was fine for a TV main event, but I wouldn’t call it a great match. I think they are doing a nice job of putting over the idea that Mark is more serious now and trying to give him wins over a solid heel like Ricochet will help Mark as a singles babyface. Ricochet had help from his two allies throughout the match, yet he wasn’t able to win. The announcers tried to sell this as a classic match. It wasn’t that, but it was fine for a TV main event.
Mark Briscoe Calls Out MJF
Mark Briscoe did a post match promo saying that MJF brought up the name of Mark’s dead brother twice, so shame on Mark if he doesn’t obliterate MJF’s ass. Mark said he’s never felt like this before. Mark said that for the first time, he may never see his brother again. Mark said that he knows his brother is in heaven chilling in that mansion, but if Mark kills MJF’s ass in cold blood, he doesn’t feel any remorse if he did that. Mark called out MJF so they could do this right here and right now.
Maxwell Jacob Friedman, aka MJF, walked out, and he was booed heavily as usual. MJF did a taped promo backstage saying he’s not an idiot, so he’s not going to come out there. MJF said that Mark sounds serious, but it doesn’t mean MJF has to take him seriously. MJF said that “Seabiscuit” (Page) thinks MJF is a coward. MJF said he talked to Tony Khan and he learned that next week on Dynamite, MJF will face the toothless wonder Mark Briscoe…if Mark makes it.
The video ended and MJF was in the ring where he kicked Mark in the balls with a low blow. MJF punched Mark a few times. MJF shouted on the microphone, wondering who the coward is now? MJF punched Mark with the microphone. MJF choked Mark. MJF put the Dynamite Diamond Ring on his pinky and teased a punch, but “Hangman” Adam Page walked out to the ring with the AEW World Title. Page kicked MJF and wanted a Buckshot Lariat, but MJF avoided it, Mark wanted a Jay Driller, and MJF avoided it. MJF ran up the ramp while Page and Briscoe stood tall in the ring. The show ended with Page and Mark in the ring.
Analysis: There’s a big match for next week. It made me understand why they put the Page-Moxley match earlier in the show, because they wanted to end this show by setting up the MJF/Mark match for next week. However, I think the Page-Moxley still could have been the main event, and it would have worked better. Anyway, it’ll be nice to see MJF in a match on Dynamite next week since he doesn’t get to wrestle on TV that often.
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Three Stars of the Show
- “Hangman” Adam Page
- Jon Moxley
- The Young Bucks
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The Scoreboard
This Week: 7.25 out of 10
Last Week: 7.25
2025 Average: 7.37
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Final Thoughts on AEW Dynamite
I liked most of the show, and it was carried by the AEW World Title match between Hangman Page and Jon Moxley. We knew there wouldn’t be a title change, but I still enjoyed the match, and the fans were into it.
The rest of the show was solid, although I wouldn’t say there are many compelling stories right now. Things were better going into All In, obviously, and I hope that some stories pick up going into Forbidden Door as August progresses.
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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