The John Report: AEW Dynamite 08/06/25 Review

This week’s AEW Dynamite featured MJF facing Mark Briscoe in the main event.

AEW is on the road to the Forbidden Door PPV on August 24, featuring stars from AEW, NJPW, and other promotions. It should be a great crowd in London, England, too.

This was AEW Dynamite episode #305 from the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio. 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.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman did a promo backstage about his issues with “Hangman” Adam Page and Mark Briscoe, who he’s facing in the main event. MJF called Mark a blue collar bitch. MJF said that Mark is white trash who got lucky, and MJF claimed that the fans feel bad for him. MJF said he thinks Mark’s luck is going to run out.

Jon Moxley (w/Wheeler Yuta & Marina Shafir) vs. “Speedball” Mike Bailey

I guess Jon Moxley needs a win after losing twice to “Hangman” Adam Page. Bailey attacked with kicks and punches. Moxley nailed Bailey with a forearm and stepped on his face. Moxley grounded Bailey with a chinlock, along with a knee to the body. Bailey dropkicked Moxley out of the ring and kicked Moxley while he was on the floor. Mox came back with a dreaded eye poke. Shafir did a sweep kick to trip up Bailey at ringside. Kevin Knight went to ringside to support his pal Bailey. Moxley got in Knight’s face, so Bailey hit a springboard moonsault over the top onto Mox on the floor. Bailey hit a flipping double knee drop to Moxley’s back while Moxley waited on the barricade for about five seconds for Bailey to do the move.

(Commercial)

Bailey hit a standing SSP for a two count. Bailey wrenched on the left arm to take Moxley down. Bailey went up top and hit a Shooting Star Press for two. Bailey went for an armbar, Moxley rolled out of it. They each got pin attempts for two counts. Bailey did a backflip leading to double knees on Moxley. The referee was looking at Shafir arguing with Knight, so Yuta grabbed Bailey’s leg. Moxley kicked Bailey and hit a suplex into a slam for two. Darby Allin showed up in the crowd and pulled Yuta away from ringside and to the back. Bailey got a rollup for two. Bailey hit a spin kick for two. Moxley did a Bulldog Choke, then he let go and hit a Death Rider slam for the pinfall win after 14 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Jon Moxley

Analysis: ***1/4 A solid TV match to give Moxley a win. Bailey works hard, bumps well, and has cool moves, so he’s a fun guy to watch. It’s hard to get into it because Bailey had no shot here. Moxley is good in his heel role. I would have had Moxley win more decisively in about 8 minutes instead of giving this 14 minutes.

Alex Windsor was with “Timeless” Toni Storm for an interview with Renee Paquette. Alex talked about winning her match coming up. Storm said you can beat us down, but you can’t beat us off. Toni made her sexual innuendo remarks as usual.

Jon Moxley and Marina Shafir were shown in the parking lot, and they saw Wheeler Yuta in a body bag. Allin drove away. They opened the bag, and it said “Forbidden Door” on Yuta’s head.

Analysis: Easy way to set up Moxley against Allin at Forbidden Door.

(Commercial)

Mercedes Mone was shown arriving in a limo earlier in the day. Mone had eight belts and Renee Paquette tried to interview her by talking about the great Mone match against Toni Storm at All In Texas that Storm won. Mone rudely shut that down while telling Renee, “Don’t be such a mark.” Poor Renee.

Alex Windsor (w/Toni Storm) vs. Skye Blue vs. Queen Aminata vs. Billie Starkz (w/Athena)

The winner moves on to a 4-way match for the TBS Championship at Forbidden Door. It feels like there’s a 4-way match every week on this show. The AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm was at ringside.

They did a spot early on when Alex and Queen chopped Blue at the same time. Queen kicked Alex and did her Chocolate Kisses move where she sent Alex’s face into her butt repeatedly. Blue kicked Alex while Alex hit a DDT on Starkz. They did a sequence of four moves from the apron to the floor, ending with Starks hitting a somersault dive onto the group. They went to a PIP break.

(Commercial)

Starkz was in control of Alex with a back heel kick, but Alex countered with a sitout Powerbomb. Alex and Queen did headbutts on the other two women, followed by Alex and Queen hitting headbutts on eachother. All four women were down on the mat so that the fans could cheer. Blue hit a Sunset Flip Powerbomb off the top on Windsor for two because Queen intervened. Queen hit a sitout slam on Blue. Starkz jumped off the top with a senton bomb on Blue. Queen hit a twisting neckbreaker for two. Blue set up a chair on the floor and bumped into a chair. Queen slammed Blue onto the chair. Starkz hit a running boot on Alex, who came back with a lariat. Alex hit a discus clothesline. Athena went into the ring, but Storm pulled her out and hit a clothesline. Alex countered a suplex with an inside cradle for the pinfall win after 12 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Alex Windsor

Analysis:*** A solid match where all four women worked hard. They hit some big spots throughout the match and had a lot of nearfalls. It just feels like there’s a 4-way match nearly every week and it feels repetitive sometimes. I’m not surprised by Alex getting the win since I can’t remember reviewing a match won by Queen, Blue, or Starkz. Alex isn’t a new wrestler because she’s a veteran, but she is new in AEW, so she’s getting a mild push for now.

Mercedes Mone walked out to the ring with her eight belts. Mone got in Alex’s face and held up the TBS Title to taunt her. Toni Storm went into the ring, and Athena jumped off the top with an O-Face on Storm. Mone hit a Backstabber on Alex. Mone and Athena had a staredown in the ring.

Analysis: Cheap attacks by the heels Athena and Mone to get some heat on them going into their matches at Forbidden Door.

(Commercial)

The Young Bucks were interviewed by Renee Paquette earlier in the day. Nick Jackson felt disrespected by Renee talking about their opponents. Matt Jackson yelled at he production guy, saying they want the LED and the full pyro. Nick gave the production guy a card and said to give it to Justin Roberts for their introduction.

Kyle Fletcher TNT Championship Celebration

Kyle Fletcher made his entrance as the TNT Champion joined by Don Callis and Don Callis Family members Josh Alexander, Hechicero and Lance Archer. Renee Paquette was in the ring for this. Fletcher beat Dustin Rhodes on Collision for the title. Dustin will have double knee replacement surgery, so that’s going to be a long time out of the ring.

Callis interrupted Renee before she could say much and the fans booed. Callis talked about how when you’ve got gold, you control destiny. Callis pointed at three belts at ringside that belong to Kazuchika Okada. Callis said he thinks Kyle may have retired Dustin Rhodes. The fans chanted “F**k Don Callis.”

Kyle Fletcher said that Dustin Rhodes got what he deserved for stealing Kyle’s moment at All In. Kyle said that a 60-year-old man doesn’t deserve to be in the ring with him. Kyle said who knows if we’ll see Adam Cole again and that’s all thanks to him. Kyle said this is only the beginning of his legacy. Kyle claimed that he’ll be the greatest TNT Champion of all time on his way to becoming the greatest of all time.

Callis said he knows Kyle will be the greatest TNT Champion of all time. Callis said that when you’re great, your story is told with an oil painting. Callis unveiled an oil painting of Kyle and Don with the TNT Title, where Kyle is muscular in it, but Don looks way more muscular than he actually is. The fans booed heavily while Kyle hugged Don and said it’s beautiful.

Kyle said he knows all of this success to Don and he wants to be the greatest champion he can be. Kyle said that his first defense for this championship will be this Saturday on Collision and he’ll be the greatest champion. Kyle said he’ll have his hand raised. Kyle said you should get used to this image because he’ll be TNT Champion for a very, very, very long time.

Analysis: A good heel promo from Kyle Fletcher, who is a talented guy in his late 20s and is going to keep getting better. It’s smart to put the TNT Title on Fletcher, who was likely supposed to win it at All In Texas, but they delayed it by a few weeks. The oil painting was ridiculous, yet also fitting for Callis.

A clip aired from three weeks ago when Adam Copeland hit Stoke with a Spear.

Adam Copeland was interviewed by Alicia Atout backstage, who asked about Christian Cage getting taken out by a Conchairto last week. Cope said that Christian has learned nothing and he’s still an asshole. Cope mentioned he had his hands full with FTR and Stoke. Cope said next week, for the first time ever, it’s Cope against Stoke. Cope said if FTR interferes, then their restraining order is null and void. Cope said that means FTR can interfere and open up the door to Cope kicking their asses, or stand there and throw Stoke to the wolf. Cope said he will tear Stoke apart, piece by piece. Cope said that the choice is theirs.

Analysis: Poor Stoke.

The Young Bucks had another comedic entrance because their music played, but they had to crawl underneath their names. Ring announcer Justin Roberts read a note that the Bucks note that was comedic. There was small pyro for them. The graphic said “Max & Jeremy” as a TNA reference for them. Their video package showed highlights of their losses.

Analysis: I like the comedic aspects of The Young Bucks eating crow, so to speak, since they aren’t EVPs anymore in the storyline. I’m amused by it.

AEW World Tag Team Championship Elimination Tournament Semifinals: Brodido – Brody King & Bandido vs. The Young Bucks – Matthew & Nicholas Jackson

The winners will face FTR in the finals of the tournament to get a Tag Team Title match against The Hurt Syndicate at Forbidden Door.

Bandido started with Nick, they avoided eachother, and Matt hit a double axhandle to knock Bandido down. Bandido came back with a twisting cross body block, along with a splash on Nick. King tagged in and ran over both Bucks with clotheslines. Bandido was steadied by King on the top rope and Bandido hit a moonsault off the top onto both Bucks on the floor. King hit a running cross body block on both Bucks against the barricade. King had a “Young Bucks Are Jobbers” sign. They went to a picture-in-picture break.

(Commercial)

The Bucks were doing double team moves on King, including Nick hitting a top rope hurricanrana. The Bucks hit their top rope splash/moonsault combo for two. The Bucks did more double-team moves, including an assisted neckbreaker and a superkick. Matt tried a senton on King, but King collapsed on his back and King punched a leaping Nick to stop that attack. Bandido tagged in, both Bucks were in the ring again (constantly), and Nick jumped over the top onto Bandido with a facebuster. Nick hit a moonsault onto King on the floor. Nick went up top and hit a senton bomb on Bandido for two. The Bucks did a low bridge to send King out of the ring. Matt hit a stunner on King on the floor. Nick jumped off the top and hit a twisting splash onto Bandido on the floor. The fans chanted “This is awesome” for them.

(Commercial)

King got some momentum going with a running cannonball splash on Matt. King hit a cannonball off the apron onto both Bucks on the floor. Bandido launched off the middle ropes and went over the top onto both Bucks. That was a terrific move. Back in the ring, Bandido jumped off the top with a Frog Splash. Nick blocked Bandido, splashing him, and King clotheslined Nick. Matt superkicked King and Matt slammed Bandido down face first. Matt went up top and King followed him, leading to a superplex. Bandido went for a catapult monkey flip, but Matt moved and Nick hit a Canadian Destroyer on Bandido. Both Bucks were in the ring with superkicks and they superkicked King again. The Bucks hit a double foot stomp on Bandido onto King. The Bucks hit their double team TK Driver on Bandido for two because King broke up the pin. There was a “This is awesome” chant again. Matt jumped to the apron and hit a DDT on Bandido on the apron. King hit a Death Valley Driver on Matt on the apron. Nick kicked King and Nick hit a DDT on King on the floor. Nick and Bandido stood on the barricade in the ring and the referee wasn’t counting anybody out because…it’s AEW. Bandido slammed Nick onto Matt on the apron. Bandido hit a GTS-like knee to Matt’s face. Bandido hit a 21 Plex, but Nick made the save. King hit a suicide dive onto Nick on the floor. Bandido went up top and hit a fallaway slam on Matt from the top for two. King gave Bandido a monkey flip somersault onto Matt for the pinfall win because Nick was too late to make the save. It went 21 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Brodido – Brody King & Bandido

The Brodido team of King and Bandido are in the finals against FTR.

Analysis: ***1/2 A very good match that was given a lot of time. I’m a bit surprised by King and Bandido winning clean, but I certainly don’t mind it because they are impressive. It’s nice to see somewhat of a surprising result since most AEW matches are very predictable. The moves by The Young Bucks are impressive, of course, but why do they insist on having two guys on their team in the ring for 70% of the match? It’s annoying. It’s even worse because the announcers never mention how wrong it is. I just don’t think it’s good storytelling, and you need to tell stories in a match. I’m sure that certain wrestling observers will rate it higher due to bias and ignoring the flaws. I’d rather see tags where the story involves the importance of making a tag and people selling moves rather than guys going into the ring illegally and doing spots.

A video package aired about the MJF-Mark Briscoe rivalry to set up their main event match.

The Hurt Syndicate’s MVP and AEW Tag Team Champions Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin were interviewed by Renee Paquette. MVP said that Brodido are fantastic. MVP said they will be happy to hurt whoever they face at Forbidden Door. MJF walked in, so Lashley and Benjamin left. MJF said they don’t need Bob or Shelton because together, they can win the AEW World Title. MVP said if Max joined The Hurt Syndicate, “We” hurt people. MVP said all MJF talks about is himself and MJF’s ego is more than anybody can stand. MVP did a thumbs down signal to MJF and told MJF they’ll leave him healthy so he can pursue his big, beautiful belt. MJF said it’s not personal, it’s business. MVP said if you do succeed as the AEW World Champion then Bobby Lashley is coming for you and it will be personal.

Analysis: That’s all for MJF in The Hurt Syndicate. That didn’t last very long. At least there wasn’t a turn out of it.

(Commercial)

FTR and Stoke were interviewed by Alicia Atout, who asked about Stoke facing Stoke next year. Dax Harwood said don’t make them do this to Adam. Cash Wheeler said that Stoke is a brave man who insists on being in Cincinnati next week. Stoke said he wasn’t a wrestler while calling Adam a bully. Stoke said he’s short, he’s bald and he can’t get any hoes, so he’s been fighting his entire line. Stoke said he’ll do it because his boss asked me to do it and he’ll do it with a smile on his face. Stoke said that Cope will have to go home and tell his wife and kids that Stoke pinned him…just like that. Good luck.

Analysis: Good line by Stoke about being short, bald, and can’t get any ho’s. I can’t relate to the part about being short and bald. Sorry.

A video package aired about the AEW Unified Champion Kazuchika Okada rivalry with Swerve Strickland.

Let’s Hear from Swerve Strickland

Swerve Strickland and Prince Nana was interviewed by Renee Paquette in the aisle by the entrance. Renee mentioned that at Forbidden Door it will be Swerve against Okada for the AEW Unified Championship. Swerve said he’s not concerned about Okada’s friends in the match because of the rules. Swerve said that last year at Forbidden Door, he had to put down his good friend Will Ospreay, so what do you think he’ll do to Okada? Swerve talked about Okada’s credentials while saying there’s never been a Swerve Strickland and when he’s done, there will not be anybody like him. Swerve said that on three different occasions, they’ve gone face to face, and Swerve claimed that Okada saw death. Swerve said it’s a big match for Okada because he’s against the most dangerous man in AEW, and that is Swerve. Swerve said that this is about his redemption. Swerve said that he’s going to have his arm raised as the AEW Unified Champion and everybody in London will chant, “Swerve’s House.” That was it.

Analysis: A confident promo from Swerve. That Swerve/Okada match will be outstanding.

Mark Briscoe was interviewed by Alicia Atout, who spoke about how big of a match it is for Mark. Alicia mentioned Mark has had some big wins lately and maybe if he wins again he could be in line for an AEW World Title match. “Hangman” Adam Page walked in, saying he admired the Briscoes, and he admires Mark even more after the last few years. Page said that he hopes Mark is his next challenger. Page shook hands with Mark to end it.

(Commercial)

Queen Aminata was interviewed by Renee Paquette. Willow Nightingale walked in saying they’ll take care of Skye, Julia, and Thekla. Kris Statlander joined the promo, saying it was women supporting women, and that’s amazing. Kris said she was showing up to support them. Willow said she’s there to smile, win matches and straighten out anybody who gets in her way. Willow said when you are ready to do that then you can talk to her. Kris threw some Styrofoam at her and left. The story is that Willow still doesn’t fully trust Kris. Riveting television. Now, that’s sarcasm.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman vs. Mark Briscoe

A rare TV match for MJF, which is good because he’s one of my favorite wrestlers in AEW. I think he might be my favorite.

MJF countered Mark early with some head biting. Mark punched MJF. Mark went up top, but MJF rolled out of the ring to avoid. MJF left over the barricade, so Mark went after him. They went fighting up the stairs, and the referee, Bryce Remsburg, went with them. The fight was mostly Mark punching MJF a bunch of times, then they went down to the ringside and Mark hit a neckbreaker. They were back in the ring where MJF hid behind the referee and raked the eyes. MJF did an arm drag into the turnbuckle. MJF flipped over Knight and hit a Stunner-like move. MJF hit a slingshot suplex to remain in control. They went to a PIP break.

(Commercial)

The match continued as MJF did the abdominal stretch rope grab, so the referee kicked his arm to stop that. Mark unloaded on MJF with chops and a knee to the ribs. Mark fought back with punches and a running forearm. Mark hit a running clothesline against the turnbuckle, along with a boot to the head. Mark hit the Cactus elbow off the apron onto MJF on the floor. Mark went up top, but MJF rolled out of the ring. Mark hit a somersault suicide dive onto MJF on the floor. Mark chopped and punched MJF on the floor so that MJF was lying across a table on the floor. Mark took a long time to climb to the top rope, so MJF rolled off the table and into the ring. MJF sent Mark upside down and hit a superkick. MJF hit an Alabama Slam, which he turned into a Boston Crab. Mark got out of it after about a minute and Mark got an inside cradle for two. Mark blocked a Heatseeker, went up top again, but MJF hit the ropes to knock him down. Mark was bleeding from the mouth. MJF teased a piledriver off the turnbuckle, but Mark got out of it and bit MJF’s head. Mark punched MJF, and Mark finally jumped off the top with a Froggy Bow elbow drop. Mark set up MJF on the table on the floor. Mark jumped off with a Froggy Bow attempt, but MJF moved, and Mark went crashing through the table. Ouch.

MJF rolled the referee back in and told the referee to count Mark out. It’s AEW, the land of selective countout attempts. Mark went back in the ring at the count of nine. MJF hit a Heatseeker DDT for one…two…and Mark’s foot was on the bottom rope, but the referee didn’t see it, so MJF got the three count. It went 18 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: MJF

Analysis: ***3/4 A great main event match between one of the best heels in MJF and a likable face like Mark Briscoe. I won’t go crazy about how they were out of the ring for several minutes and it could have been a countout because it was a Grudge Match, so I’m fine with the “referee showing leniency” excuse. The finish was controversial because it’s a way to set up another match between them, and I can see it being a stipulation match.

After the match, MJF punched Mark a few times. MJF put the Dynamite Diamond Ring on his pinky and MJF punched Mark with it.

The AEW World Champion “Hangman” Adam Page showed up at ringside and fought with MJF. They exchanged punches. Mark was shown in the ring with his head busted open to sell the dreaded ring punch. MJF left through the crowd while Page checked on Mark. MJF was standing behind the barricade, so Page went after him and MJF tried to fight back. Page and MJF fought into the crowd while officials and security guys tried to break it up. Page tackled MJF into the ring apron. Page wanted a Buckshot Lariat, but MJF bailed to the floor. That was the end of the show.

Analysis: It furthers the story of MJF getting that main event heel push. The story has been that MJF wants Page to give him a shot at the AEW World Title instead of MJF using his contract for it.

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Three Stars of the Show

1. MJF
2. Brody King & Bandido
3. Mark Briscoe and The Young Bucks

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The Scoreboard

This Week: 7.5 out of 10

Last Week: 7.25

2025 Average: 7.37

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Final Thoughts on AEW Dynamite

The match quality was better this week, so it was better than the last few episodes. Featuring MJF more is a wise move because he’s such an interesting character and the best performer in AEW, in my opinion. Mark Briscoe is easy to like, too. The controversial “referee didn’t see the foot on the rope” ending sets up another MJF-Mark match.

For the fans who love The Young Bucks and AEW style of tag team matches, they will get mad at me for complaining about the lack of story in that match. I still liked the match a lot and Brody King/Bandido are an awesome team to watch. I just think tag team wrestling could be better if both Bucks aren’t in the ring for 70% of the match. I also get that certain people won’t ever criticize AEW for it.

The card for Forbidden Door is coming together. I don’t know if I’d call it great yet, but they are on their way.

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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