The John Report: AEW Dynamite 08/13/25 Review
This week’s AEW Dynamite featured Adam Page going face-to-face with MJF, plus several big tag team matches throughout the show.
AEW is on the road to AEW-NJPW Forbidden Door on August 24th in London, England, so this is the second last Dynamite before that show.
I’ll go summary style for most of the matches and then play-by-play for one or two matches.
This was AEW Dynamite episode #306 from the Andrew J Brady Music Center in Cincinnati, 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.
Face To Face: “Hangman” Adam Page and Maxwell Jacob Friedman
The CMLL World Champion Maxwell Jacob Friedman made his entrance first for a promo showdown with Hangman. MJF beat Mark Briscoe last week, even though Mark’s foot was on the bottom rope during the pin. MJF also punched Mark with the Dynamite Diamond Ring to bloody him. Hangman made the save, and MJF ran away.
The AEW World Champion “Hangman” Adam Page joined MJF in the ring. Excalibur mentioned there was no physicality allowed for this segment, or they would be fined.
MJF said they were the day one stars, the main character, Page, and the main antagonist, MJF. MJF called Page “Seabiscuit” as usual while saying that Page is at his most vulnerable when he’s angry, so MJF said he’ll make Page so angry that he loses his championship in his first PPV title defense. MJF said he didn’t feel like breaking him right now.
Page yelled at MJF about how MJF can’t break him. Page reminded MJF also that in Seabiscuit’s story, he wins. Page said that MJF isn’t going to goad Page into giving MJF a World Title match. Page told MJF that you will have to earn it, which MJF has not done, or MJF will have to tell Page man-to-man that MJF is executing the Casino Gauntlet contract. The fans chanted “he’s a pu**y” at MJF, who didn’t like that. Page said if you are not here to do either of those things, then MJF can leave and know he doesn’t have the stomach to challenge the World Champion.
MJF told the fans to shut up when he’s talking. MJF said if you ask him, good and bad is a matter of perspective. MJF said that Page was the problem. MJF said that Page did nothing wrong while claiming that the fans treat Page like he’s perfect, so MJF said screw the fans and screw Page. MJF said if God is all-knowing and all-powerful, then clearly he can’t be all good. MJF said he’ll show the world that Page is nothing more than a fraud. MJF said that Page is not a God. MJF said that Page is a weak-minded, depressed, alcoholic little boy. MJF said he doesn’t have a problem being called a Devil because it’s better than being a false idol like Page. MJF said that, unlike Page, at least MJF is real.
MJF said that at Forbidden Door, it’s not enough for him to get back his AEW World Championship. MJF said that he’s going to uncast this spell and live on pay-per-view, he’s going to take their God, their cowboy, and he’s going to crucify him.
Page told MJF that nobody knows his faults as much as Page does. Page said he’ll own up to his faults and not make excuses like MJF would. Page told MJF he doesn’t have a match at Forbidden Door. Page said that what MJF has is a shot at the AEW World Title any time that Max wants. Page told Max he won’t take his shot because he is afraid. Page said MJF wants a backup and insurance policy because he knows he doesn’t have what it takes to take this away from him. Page told MJF to take his shot. Page said that MJF prides himself on being an AEW guy, so Page wanted MJF to prove that he is more than an insecure, gutless coward. Page told MJF to take his shot.
MJF: “Listen to me, you son of a bitch. Forbidden Door, I execute that contract.” Taz criticized MJF for giving up his guaranteed title shot by setting up the match at Forbidden Door. Taz said that MJF got “out-duped” by the champion:
Hangman: “I will see you at Forbidden Door, dumbass.” Page left while MJF was kicking the ropes because he was mad at himself.
Analysis: That means that Hangman outsmarted MJF because Max ended up telling Page when he’ll challenge him instead of doing the surprise challenge. It makes MJF look dumb, but it also shows that Page knows how to push MJF’s buttons because MJF gave up his guaranteed title shot because Page knew what to say and how to say it. Good segment overall that sets up the top face in AEW against one of the top heels at Forbidden Door. I doubt Page loses the AEW World Title so soon in his title reign, but I certainly wouldn’t mind MJF as champion again.
Jon Moxley was outside the building in his hometown with his Death Riders allies Wheeler Yuta and Marina Shafir. Moxley said that whatever Allin thinks is happening at Forbidden Door is not happening. Moxley made his entrance from the back part of the building.
Jon Moxley (w/Marina Shafir & Wheeler Yuta) vs. Kevin Knight (w/“Speedball” Mike Bailey)
There’s a ramp connecting the entrance to the ring, so there may be some ramp bumps in the show this week. They did the “stand and throw strikes” spot that Moxley does in every match. Moxley beat up Knight on the floor with punches and sent Knight into the commentary table. Knight hit an impressive dropkick from the apron to Moxley on the floor. They used the ramp as Knight jumped over the top and clotheslined Moxley on the ramp. Moxley avoided a Knight leap off the ramp, and Moxley sent Knight into the barricade. They went to a picture-in-picture break.
(Commercial)
Moxley was in control with a crossface, along with some kicks to the head. The fans hated Yuta, so there were “F**k you Yuta” chants. Knight got a comeback going with a body slam and a twisting splash for two. They did a spot by the turnbuckle where Knight hit a superplex. It’s not like Moxley was going to hit a move off the top. Moxley went into no sell mode and hit a Cutter. Knight hit a sitout spinebuster for two. They did a spot where Knight kicked Yuta on the floor, but Knight was able to DDT Moxley after that. Knight went for a UFO Splash, but Moxley got the knees up to block. Moxley applied an inverted triangle choke on the mat and Knight tapped out to give Mox the win after 14 minutes.
Winner by submission: Jon Moxley
Analysis: ***1/4 It was a solid match with the obvious result of Moxley getting the win. I don’t think this match needed to be more than 10 minutes, but it’s AEW and they like going longer with their matches. Knight has a very bright future and he’s easy to like as a babyface.
After the match, Moxley was holding onto Knight for extra long, so Bailey went into the ring to stop Moxley. Yuta went into the ring and elbowed Bailey, before tossing Bailey out of the ring.
Darby Allin made his entrance with a body bag and a skateboard. Knight dropkicked Moxley out of the ring and Allin hit Yuta with the skateboard to the face. Allin hit a double foot stomp on Yuta. Allin put Yuta in a body bag. Allin went up top and wanted a Coffin Drop, but Claudio Castagnoli showed up to stop that. Claudio beat up Allin with punches and kicks. Claudio opened the bag to free Yuta. Claudio gave Allin a gutwrench suplex and put Allin in the body bag. Claudio picked up Allin in a bag, gave him a spin on the shoulders and slammed Allin into the mat. Will Ospreay showed up as the Death Riders teased using a chair on Allin. Ospreay ran the ropes and hit a Hidden Blade on Yuta.
Analysis: There was about five minutes of post-match action and there was nobody in AEW trying to help a man in a body bag, but at least Ospreay showed up for the save.
Will Ospreay said that Jon Moxley and his boys tried to snap Will’s neck, so he is going to snap Moxley’s neck. Will said he had a better idea than Moxley against Allin. Will said Moxley should get his friends and Ospreay will get his friends for a Lights Out Steel Cage Match at Forbidden Door. Allin touched fists with Ospreay to show that Allin is with him.
Analysis: That’s a crazy match for Forbidden Door. They will probably do Allin-Moxley at All Out in September, so the tag team match is a good idea for Forbidden Door with a crazy stipulation since it’s a Lights Out Steel Cage Match.
A video package aired to set up the Adam Copeland match against Stoke. It showed Cope’s history with FTR turning on him, so that set up this match.
Mercedes Mone made her entrance with her eight championships.
(Commercial)
Mercedes Mone, Thekla & Sky Blue (w/Julia Hart) vs. Willow Nightingale, Queen Aminata & Alex Windsor
The AEW Women’s World Champion “Timeless” Toni Storm was watching from the upper deck. Toni’s Forbidden Door opponent, the ROH Women’s Champion Athena, watched from the upper deck as well.
Willow was in control early on with a clothesline on Blue. Mone tripped up Queen and rammed her head into the mat repeatedly. Queen did her Chocolate Kisses spot, ramming Mone’s face into her butt repeatedly. Mone took control against Alex with a double knee attack.
(Commercial)
The match returned with Willow getting the hot tag and unloading on Thekla with a powerful dropkick. They did a sequence where the women all went into the ring and hit a move, leading to a bump out of the ring. The three faces all hit lariats/splashes on the heels. Willow did a cannonball, and it looked like she barely touched her opponents. Hart went on the apron, so Queen headbutted her down, which allowed Thekla to hit a running boot on Queen. Alex got a lariat on Mone for a two count. Mone saved Blue by hitting a Backstabber on Alex. The illegal women went into the ring and hit spots to clear the ring. Alex was legal against Blue, who hit a superkick. Alex hit a spinebuster, leading to a Sharpshooter, and Blue tapped out. It went about 10 minutes.
Winners by submission: Willow Nightingale, Queen Aminata & Alex Windsor
Analysis: ***1/4 It was a good tag team match with the babyfaces working well together and picking up the win. There were some good sequences with multiple women getting involved, but the finish was a bit flat. A rare loss for Mone, but of course, she wasn’t involved in the decision since Blue is the one who lost for her team.
Toni Storm and Athena got into a fight in the upper deck part of the building.
Mercedes Mone and Alex Windsor were alone in the ring while the other women went fighting to the back. Mone sent Alex into the turnbuckle. Athena and Storm were on the ramp. Athena superkicked Storm on the ramp. Storm hit a forearm on Mone and Alex hit a lariat on Mone.
Storm and Windsor said they’ll take the low road, and they’ll do this in Scotland. Storm said she hopes they are wearing something under their kilts or they’ll bareback them all over Glasgow. Storm told them to “tape up your tits and let’s tango.” The match was made official for next week on Dynamite.
Analysis: It was another brawl after a match where nobody tried to break it up because it’s AEW. Anyway, it set up a tag team match next week, which makes sense.
Will Ospreay was interviewed by Renee Paquette just after his fiancée, Alex Windsor, was in a match. Will said that Tony Khan didn’t know that Will would make the challenge. Will said his team will consist of himself, Darby Allin, a couple of more people to be announced, and Hiroshi Tanahashi. Renee asked Will how he was doing since he had herniated disks. Will said he’s fine and told Renee he wants to talk to her husband next week in Glasgow. That means Jon Moxley, who is Renee’s husband.
The legendary “Rated R Superstar” Adam Copeland made his entrance for singles action. He was introduced as Cope. The fans sang Cope’s song after it stopped playing. AEW security carried Stokely out to ringside and put him in the ring.
Adam Copeland aka Cope vs. Stokely
Stoke went for a Spear, but Cope no sold that. When Stoke failed another Spear attempt, the fans chanted “Holy S**t” for that. Stoke wanted a fist bump, so Cope punched him. Cope asked a fan what he thinks about Stoke, so the fans said that Stoke is bald, short, and gets no ho’s. Cope asked a woman in the crowd if Stoke had a chance with her and the woman said no. They went back into the ring and Cope hit a Spear. FTR’s Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler showed up, so Cope invited them into the ring. Cope hit another Spear. Dax went to ringside, so Cope hit him with a Spear and Cope brought Cash into the ring. Cope clotheslined both FTR guys out of the ring. Stoke threw some white powder in Cope’s eyes, so there’s a DQ finish. It went about 5 minutes.
Winner by disqualification: Adam Copeland aka Cope
Analysis: I don’t know how to rate it. That was a comedy match. I did find it entertaining, especially those comments from the fans. That was funny. I just don’t think I can rate it compared to a regular match because it was more about advancing a story.
After the match, FTR attacked Cope with punches. Cash hit Cope with a microphone shot to the head. The fans chanted, “We Want Christian.” It wasn’t a loud chant. FTR teased a double team piledriver on Cope, but here comes Christian Cage to save his best friend. Cage had Spike the bat with nails in it. FTR ran away. Nick Wayne went into the ring with a chair, but Christian hit the chair with Spike. Kip Sabian was in the ring, so Cope was back up and Cope hit a Spear on Kip. The fans chanted “Holy S**t” for the best friends Cope and Christian standing tall in the ring while their rivals backed away.
Christian was about to leave, but Cope turned his best friend around and Cope hugged Christian. The fans chanted “AEW” for them. Christian didn’t have a big smile on his face, but Christian looked like he was happy about it. Cope’s music played as Christian left.
Analysis: There’s the official reunion of Cope and Christian. It was well done. I saw those guys wrestling about 30 years ago, before they were in WWE, and they are local guys from southern Ontario like me, so it’s great to see. If I go to All Out in Toronto (about 2 hours from home for me), one of the main reasons I’ll go is that Christian and Cope are together again.
A video was shown of a skyline, and the “H” symbol appeared. It’s for the return of Hook.
(Commercial)
The Young Bucks made their entrance. The pyro messed up for them. They also had an audio message saying that their music didn’t play. The graphics said “Mr. Instant Replay” and “Slick Nick” with Excalibur saying those were their names early in their careers.
Kyle Fletcher, Josh Alexander and The Young Bucks – Matt & Nick Jackson vs. Brody King, Tomohiro Ishii, Hologram & Hiromu Takahashi
Hiromu is from NJPW, and he’s very good. Hiromu hit a dropkick on Kyle. The Buck went into the ring illegally about 10 seconds into the match. The others went into the ring illegally. The Bucks superkicked King on the floor. The Bucks superkicked ring announcer Justin Roberts because they are jerks. Hologram hit a dive onto a bunch of guys on the floor. They went to a PIP break.
(Commercial)
The four heels were all in the ring as King clotheslined all four of them down. Schiavone said that The Young Bucks were fined $10,000 each by Tony Khan for superkicking Justin Roberts. King hit cannonballs on his opponents as well. The Bucks were back up to superkick King and Josh hit a cross body block on King on the apron. King fought back with a forearm on Kyle to break free. Ishii tagged in and had to fight off the four heels because it’s a Bucks match and Ishii hit a German Suplex on Kyle. Hiromu dropkicked Kyle on the apron and Ishii clotheslined Kyle to the floor. Hiromu hit a cross body block on Kyle on the floor. Ishii hit a clothesline on Kyle for two. Hologram tagged in, went for a 450 Splash off the top and Kyle blocked. Both Bucks were in the ring with a dropkick and superkick. Josh slammed Hiromu on the apron. Nick and Matt hit a double foot stomp into a Powerbomb. Josh clotheslined King into Kyle, so then Kyle hit an assisted Tombstone on King on the ramp.
(Commercial)
Hologram fought back against both Young Bucks and hit a Reverse Rana on Nick. Kyle tagged in and Hologram hit a flipping splash to counter him. There were more “everybody goes into the ring to do spots” sequences. Hiromu dropkicked Josh into Kyle and Hiromu hit a dropkick on Kyle for two. Kyle hit a jumping kick on Hiromu while he was on the top rope. The Bucks hit some double team moves, including a knee. Josh with a German Suplex, Kyle made a tag and hit a leaping Tombstone for just a two count. Hiromu hit a running elbow on Kyle and Hiromu hit a running lariat on Kyle to knock him down. Josh went in illegally with a chop block and the Bucks were in the ring illegally again. Josh hit Hiromu with a forearm smash. Hiromu countered Josh with a flatliner for two. Kyle superkicked Ishii and King was back in with a lariat. King hit a suicide dive on Kyle. Matt kicked King and Nick hit a dive over the top on King. Hologram walked the ropes and hit a somersault dive onto the Bucks, who stood on the floor waiting for it for about 10 seconds. Hiromu hit the Time Bomb slam off the shoulders and pinned Josh for the win.
Winners by pinfall: Brody King, Tomohiro Ishii, Hologram & Hiromu Takahashi
Analysis: ***3/4 I thought it was an excellent tag team match. Since the Young Bucks were involved, that meant there was a lot of illegal offense throughout the match, although it wasn’t as bad as most Young Bucks matches. They put Hiromu over since he’s going to get the TNT Title match against Kyle Fletcher at Forbidden Door. Kyle has no chance of losing that match.
Tony Schiavone had to do the ring announcement work since Justin Roberts wasn’t there. Let’s just say Justin does it a lot better.
(Commercial)
Let’s Hear from Swerve Strickland
Swerve Strickland and Prince Nana appeared on the ramp for an interview with Renee Paquette. Swerve is challenging Kazuchika Okada for the AEW Unified Championship at Forbidden Door. Renee asked if Swerve was medically cleared to compete. Swerve said they are tough people and they push through, so he’s not going to let it stop him from going for the Unified Championship in London. Swerve said that’s all he is focused on. There were lots of “Whose House? Swerve’s House” chants from the crowd.
The AEW Unified Champion, Kazuchika Okada, entered with his title. Okada told Swerve, with that knee injury, you’ve got no chance. Okada told Swerve to give up now. Swerve asked whose house, so the fans chanted “Swerve’s House” repeatedly. Okada: “Bitch!” Swerve shoved Okada down, and security showed up to break them up.
Analysis: There wasn’t much to that. Swerve is dealing with some injury, he doesn’t think it’s a big deal and Okada made it clear that he’ll be targeting that knee injury.
Jon Moxley and The Death Riders were shown backstage as Alicia Atout wondered if Moxley had chosen his teammates yet. Moxley was surprised that his opponents got Hiroshi Tanahashi. Moxley went into the Extras Room and saw The Young Bucks, so Moxley closed the door. The fans laughed at the Bucks being in the room.
(Commercial)
Added to AEW-NJPW Forbidden Door: Adam Copeland & Christian Cage vs. Nick Wayne & Kip Sabian.
Also added to Lights Out Steel Cage Match: Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Young Bucks & Gabe Kidd vs. Will Ospreay, Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Darby Allin.
Analysis: Those are some big matches. Sabian in a PPV match is rare because he is barely featured in matches. The Lights Out Steel Cage Match should be insane.
The Opps – Samoa Joe, Powerhouse Hobbs & Katsuyori Shibata vs. La Faccion Ingobernale – Rush, The Beast Mortos & Dralistico
The Opps are AEW Trios Tag Team Champions and this is a non-title match. Hobbs hit a powerslam on Dralistico early on. Joe worked over Dralistico with his usual offence including a corner splash and a jumping kick. Shibata tagged in and then all three heels went into the ring, leading to a triple dropkick.
(Commercial)
LFI were in control as they isolated Shibata. Rush did his spot where he charges and hits a boot to the face. Shibata was able to fight back and tripped up Rush for a move that was like an STO. Hobbs got the hot tag and hit clotheslines, as the fans chanted “Meat” for him. Hobbs hit a running splash on two guys against the turnbuckle. Hobbs hit a spinebuster on Mortos for two because Rush and Dralistico made the save. Joe tagged in against Dralistico, who hit a boot to the face. Dralistico jumped off the top, Joe caught him in the Coquina Clutch and Hobbs/Shibata held down the other guys, so Dralistico passed out to give Joe the win.
Winners by submission: The Opps – Samoa Joe, Powerhouse Hobbs & Katsuyori Shibata
Analysis: **3/4 It was okay, but also a weak main event. I don’t remember LFI being in a match on Dynamite and putting them in a main event feels like a reach. If you watched the whole show and this was the main event then you might have turned it off because it didn’t feel like a big match at all. No surprise that Joe got the win for his team while Dralistico took the L because his teammates are bigger stars.
In the final minute of AEW Dynamite, “Hangman” Adam Page was about to be interviewed by Renee Paquette in the parking lot, but MJF attacked Page from behind. MJF threw Page into a car and punched Page repeatedly. MJF bounced Page’s head off another car hood a few times. MJF told Hangman: “Remember when I said I was going to break you? You ain’t seen nothing yet.” MJF left the World Champion lying to end the show.
Analysis: Cheap heat for MJF. Fitting for him as a heel. I’ll take Page to win at Forbidden Door.
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Three Stars of the Show
- “Hangman” Adam Page and MJF
- Brody King, Tomohiro Ishii, Hologram & Hiromu Takahashi
- Jon Moxley
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The Scoreboard
This Week: 7.5 out of 10
Last Week: 7.5
2025 Average: 7.38
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Final Thoughts on AEW Dynamite
It was a pretty good Dynamite episode that featured some solid matches and advanced a lot of stories. Going into the show, they really hadn’t announced much for Forbidden Door, but now there are a lot of things announced for the show. I like the lineup a lot.
I thought the Hangman/MJF segment was the best part of the show. The 8-man tag team match was the best match.
AEW-NJPW Forbidden Door takes place on Sunday, August 24th, in London, England, with this lineup so far:
* AEW World Championship: “Hangman” Adam Page vs. Maxwell Jacob Friedman
* Lights Out Steel Cage Match: Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi, Darby Allin, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Will Ospreay vs. Claudio Castagnoli, Jon Moxley, The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) & Gabe Kidd
* AEW Unified Championship: Kazuchika Okada vs. Swerve Strickland
* AEW Women’s World Championship: Toni Storm vs. Athena
* AEW Tag Team Championship Match: The Hurt Syndicate – Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin vs. Brodido or FTR
* IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. vs. TBA
* AEW TBS Championship Match: Mercedes Mone vs. Alex Windsor vs. Persephone vs. STARDOM
* AEW TNT Championship Match: Kyle Fletcher vs. Hiromu Takahashi
* Adam Copeland & Christian Cage vs. Kip Sabian & Nick Wayne
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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