The John Report: AEW Dynamite 08/27/25 Review
This week’s AEW Dynamite featured Darby Allin facing Claudio Castagnoli in a Falls Count Anywhere main event.
It’s the follow-up to the AEW-NJPW Forbidden Door PPV from England on Sunday night. I thought it was a very good show, but they have had better PPVs this year, too. The next AEW PPV is All Out on September 20 in Toronto. I doubt I’m going, although I will be at the Dynamite before it.
Two big names are out with injury since Swerve Strickland had surgery to repair the torn meniscus in his knee, so he’ll be out for a few months at least. Will Ospreay has suffered a serious neck injury, which could result in a lengthy absence. That’s two of AEW’s biggest babyfaces, so others are going to have to step up.
My review will include some experimentation, where I won’t go full play-by-play for all the matches. I’ll do a full play-by-play for a few of them, but not all. I want to try out different styles, and I’m sure most of you don’t read the full play-by-play anyway. The analysis is what really matters.
This was AEW Dynamite episode #308 from The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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, Ian Riccaboni, and Taz.
They are at the world-famous 2300 Arena, also known as the ECW Arena, which is significantly smaller than The O2 Arena, where Forbidden Door took place. This makes AEW look minor league, even though I know it’s a historic venue.
A video aired about Jon Moxley and friends destroying Will Ospreay at Forbidden Door. Will will be out for a long time due to a neck injury.
Let’s Hear from FTR
The trio of Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler, along with Stokely, entered for a promo. The fans booed a lot as Dax tried to talk. Dax complained about how there was an injustice at Forbidden Door and there were “shut the f**k up” chants. It’s Philly, after all. Dax claimed that the illegal man on Brodido pinned him at Forbidden Door. Paul said he’s been official for 27 years, while Dax said Paul’s wife is there and he has a kid, too. Dax wanted Paul to reverse the decision to name FTR the new AEW Tag Team Champions. Paul said his decision was final. Stoke trashed Paul by calling him a moron, an imbecile, and a nincompoop. Stoke said that Paul wants to appease the fans online and the fans here. The fans chanted “No hoes” at Stoke, who wanted Paul to hop off their dicks and reverse this decision. Stoke pushed Paul, so Dax & Cash got in front of Stoke to stop that.
Adam Copeland’s music hi,t and he made his entrance while Christian Cage was already in the ring for a sneak attack. Cage dropped Stoke with a Killswitch. Cope and Cage fought with FTR as they exchanged punches in the ring. Referees and security went out there to break it up. There was some separation, but then they exchanged punches again.
Christian Cage said they took care of his problem, so now it’s time to take care of Adam’s problem. Cage mentioned Cash’s dead father as an insult. Cope said at All Out in their hometown of Toronto, it’s C&C against FTR, and it’s time for Cope to take his pound of flesh. Cope told FTR they are dead men.
Analysis: It makes sense to have C&C against FTR at All Out in Toronto, which is C&C’s hometown. It will be a raucous crowd. I was going to go to it, but with WWE Wrestlepalooza on the same night, I think I’ll be staying at home to write that night. Anyway, it should be an awesome match between those teams. I would have liked to see it as a title match, but maybe C&C are going over and they didn’t want to have FTR lose the titles so soon after winning them.
Darby Allin was featured in a video package showing his bloody right ear. Allin spoke about seeing dead bodies on Mount Everest and it made you realize how fragile life is. Allin said he’ll never stop coming after Jon Moxley. Allin told Moxley not to step into the ring for him unless he’s willing to die for this. Allin set a wall on fire and said that at All Out, he’ll take everything from Moxley.
Analysis: That Allin-Moxley feud has been a long time coming, and they are both crazy, so it should be a wild match when it’s confirmed.
Jon Moxley (w/Marina Shafir & Wheeler Yuta) vs. Daniel Garcia
The fans were chanting “F**k you, Yuta” because that’s what Philly does. Garcia was able to get control early on by wrenching Moxley’s left leg against the ropes. Garcia hit two running dropkicks on the floor. The 27-year experienced referee Paul Turner wasn’t counting them when they were out of the ring because…AEW. Matt Menard showed up at ringside to watch Garcia’s back against Moxley’s allies, so there was a “Daddy Magic” chant for Matt. Garcia applied an Ankle Lock, so Moxley got to the ropes and bailed to the floor to sell the leg injury. They went to a picture-in-picture break.
(Commercial)
They were on the top rope where Garcia hit a superplex, but was too hurt to make a cover. Moxley waited a few seconds for Garcia to bounce off the ropes with a lariat for two. Moxley hit a Cutter, but Garcia was firing back, and Garcia applied a Single Leg Crab submission. After Moxley got out of that, Moxley hit a DDT on the steel steps. The referee counted Garcia out just so Garcia could beat the count before 10 to get a pop. But why was there no count earlier? Because AEW. Garcia was back in control with a Dragontamer submission, Moxley got out of it and Garcia hit a piledriver for two. Moxley countered a submission attempt with an inside cradle for the pinfall win. It went 14 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Jon Moxley
Analysis: ***1/4 It was a good match where the match was never in doubt, but I did enjoy the story they told since they sell better than some wrestlers. Garcia has lost the momentum that he used to have and led him to the TNT Title, but now he’s just another guy on the roster. The small package win by Moxley shows that he can beat a guy in a few different ways. Moxley is coming off multiple losses to Hangman and a loss at Forbidden Door, so it gives him that momentum again, going into his feud with Darby Allin.
Wheeler Yuta was given instructions from Jon Moxley, who left with Shafir. Yuta said that Darby Allin isn’t going to waste his breath answering his challenge because the answer is no. Moxley was talking to Garcia on the floor after the match.
(Commercial)
Let’s Hear From Wheeler Yuta…and See Hook
Wheeler Yuta said he lives in this city and used to work on the ring crew in this building as a teenager. Yuta mentioned the disrespectful chants from the fans. Yuta said he’s a Death Rider and your cheers don’t mean jack shit. Yuta bragged about how they took out Will Ospreay, Chuck Taylor and the “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson. Yuta claimed he slayed the dragon and replaced him.
Hook made his return after about four months away and he has a new theme song. Hook casually walked down to the ring, went into the ring, and put Yuta in the Redrum submission. Hook hit a Superman Punch on Yuta as well. The fans loved it and Hook left. Excalibur spoke while Taz didn’t say a word.
Analysis: Welcome back to Hook, who is one of the better younger talents in AEW. It would be nice if he had an interesting storyline for a change because most of his AEW run hasn’t had that.
Maxwell Jacob Friedman was shown after losing at Forbidden Door. MJF said that he was bleeding buckets and the fans were chanting “you deserve it” at him. MJF complained about Mark Briscoe and getting smashed by the metal clipboard, while claiming that he is the best in the company. MJF said he can no longer execute his contract whenever he wants because he has to give at least 7 days advance. MJF said he’s going to be the man to take the AEW World Championship from Hangman, but he said he is going to take care of Mark Briscoe first.
Analysis: Great promo from MJF. I think he’s the best in AEW as well.
Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford vs. Kris Statlander & Harley Cameron
The Kris and Harley team was in control of Ford early on, so the powerhouse Bayne tagged in. Bayne took control against Harley, who was the face in peril for a few minutes as Ford hit a dropkick for a two count. They went to a PIP break.
(Commercial)
They timed the hot tag perfectly after the break, as Kris unloaded with offense on both opponents. Bayne got back in and hit a German Suplex, followed by a lariat for two because Harley made the save. Ford and Bayne each missed moonsaults off the top, so Kris and Harley hit kicks at the same time. Harley and Kris hit a double team slam on Bayne for two. That led to all four women doing spots, including Bayne executing a Claymore Kick-style kick, and Kris hitting a discus clothesline, which resulted in all four women lying down to sell the moves. Ford made a blind tag and hit a necksnap on Kris, while Harley hit a DDT on Bayne. Kris applied a submission pulling back on the arms/head and Ford tapped out. It went 10 minutes.
Winners by submission: Kris Statlander & Harley Cameron
Analysis: *** A solid TV match. The Kris/Harley team was very entertaining, and if AEW ever has Women’s Tag Team Titles, then they should be either the champions or be in the title scene. No surprise that Ford took the L for her team since they always keep Bayne strong.
After the match, Bayne attacked Kris, but Kris fought back with a superkick. Willow Nightingale went into the ring, so Bayne left with Ford. Harley played peacemaker with Kris/Willow, and they all raised their hands.
(Commercial)
Mercedes Mone Interview
The AEW TBS Mercedes Mone made her entrance, and Renee Paquette introduced her as “Nine Belts Mone” since Mone currently holds nine belts. Mone bragged about being the greatest of all time. Mone said that Ultimo Dragon had 10 titles, and she’s going to smash that record. Mone said if you have a title, she is coming for you, and you’ll love a taste of Mone. Renee brought up Alex Windsor, while Mone said that she didn’t nearly tap out. Mone mentioned that when Alex’s man, Will Ospreay, was doing the CEO dance with her. Mone said that Alex will be in a hospital bed right next to her husband. Mone celebrated and did some lame dancing.
Analysis: This was boring and not much to it other than Mone saying she was the best as usual.
Mark Briscoe said he had a good reason why he couldn’t make it. Mark introduced his infant baby, Mack Briscoe. Mark passed the baby off and trashed MJF, saying he’ll light MJF up the next time he sees Max. Mark mentioned Kyle Fletcher and their rivalry, saying they each have two wins. Mark said that he’s challenging Fletcher for the TNT Title.
Analysis: Congrats, Mark and his wife, on another addition to the family. Mark and his wife have nine kids. That’s a lot.
Don Callis made his entrance, joined by the newest member of the Don Callis Family, Wardlow. Don introduced Hechicero, Josh Alexander, Konosuke Takeshita, and the legendary AEW Unified Champion, Kazuchika Okada. The babyfaces were next.
Don Callis Family – Kazuchika Okada, Konosuke Takeshita, Josh Alexander & Hechicero vs. Brody King, Bandido, “Speedball” Mike Bailey & Kevin Knight
This was called an “All-Star” tag team match. The heels were in control early on. There were issues between Okada and Takeshita tagging in at the same time, so then the babyfaces got some momentum after King hit a double clothesline. The trio of Bandido, Bailey, and King all hit impressive dives on the floor at the same time. There was a PIP break.
(Commercial)
King had a flurry of offense that was a lot of fun. Bailey battled Takeshita, and Bailey hit a backflip double knee drop on Takeshita. The heels all took turns hitting strikes on Bailey, and Takeshita denied Okada from doing an attack. Okada and Takeshita had a staredown. Okada shoved Takeshita and King pulled Takeshita out of the ring. When Takeshita got back in there, he hit a dive over the top to take out a few guys. Bailey hit a hurricanrana off the top on Josh. Bailey went for a Shooting Star knee drop, but Josh avoided it and cradled Bailey for the win. It went about 11 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Don Callis Family – Kazuchika Okada, Konosuke Takeshita, Josh Alexander & Hechicero
Analysis: ***1/2 It was a match full of crazy moves and big spots, yet it was a missed top rope move leading to an inside cradle that got the win. Clever veteran move by Alexander to end it. These kinds of matches don’t matter much in terms of who gets the win, but I did enjoy most of it, and the crowd was into it. The interactions between Okada and Takeshita were very interesting since they seemed not to be on the same page. I think either guy could turn face and be loved by the fans, but we don’t know who that will be.
(Commercial)
Let’s Hear from “Hangman” Adam Page
The AEW World Champion “Hangman” Adam Page made his entrance and he was cheered heavily by the crowd as usual. The fans chanted “Cowboy Shit” for him. Page said to Will Ospreay, thank you for everything you’ve done for me and everything you’ve done for AEW. That led to some “Ospreay” singing for Will. Page said he feels sorry for what happened to Will, but while Will is gone, they will all miss him. Page told Will to get better and he hopes that when Will comes back, Page wants Will to challenge Page for the AEW World Title.
Page said that Sunday at Forbidden Door, MJF had a shot at this title, and he failed. Page said that MJF threw every trick that he could think of, and he still failed. Page said that MJF now has to give a seven-day notice to challenge for the championship. Page said if MJF ever finds it within himself to sign the contract, then Page will beat his ass before the ink is dry.
Don Callis made his entrance and the fans booed him as usual. Callis claimed that Page won his first AEW World Title from Callis because he had a weakling, referring to Kenny Omega. Callis said that he wants that title in the Don Callis Family while making a joke that he’s got half of the locker room under contract. The Don Callis Family members walked out to circle the ring.
Page said that he can see how this is going to go, so Page attacked Josh Alexander, but then he was attacked by Lance Archer, Hechicero, and Rocky Romero. The four Callis Family guys attacked Page again, but then Mike Bailey and Kevin Knight joined to help Page. Romero used a baton from Callis to hit Bailey in the ribs.
Kenny Omega made his entrance shirtless and wearing jeans. Omega hit a V-Trigger knee on Hechicero. Omega went into the ring and hit two Snapdragon Suplexes. Omega used the baton to hit Archer’s hand. Page kicked Archer, Omega kicked Archer and Bailey/Knight each hit dives on the floor. Page hit a Buckshot Lariat while Omega hit a V-Trigger on Archer at the same time. Page and Omega hugged. The fans hugged.
Analysis: That was a happy reunion with Hangman and Omega reuniting in the ring. They are former AEW Tag Team Champions together and also had a memorable feud, so now they are on the same page as babyfaces.
Toni Storm, the AEW Women’s World Champion, did a promo with Mina Shirakawa. Storm mentioned Mina is going to take the ROH Women’s World Title against Athena at ROH Death Before Dishonor. Athena said she’ll throw Mina off the arena. Mina and Storm did some silly posing to end it.
Analysis: There’s an ROH PPV on Friday? This company barely promotes it. Do better if you want people to watch ROH.
AEW Trios Tag Team Championships: The Opps – Samoa Joe, Katsuyori Shibata & Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Ricochet, Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona
The babyfaces were in control early on as Shibata hit a running dropkick on Kaun against the turnbuckle. Ricochet did a cheap shot to Shibata while he was running the ropes, so the heels took over. They went to a PIP break.
(Commercial)
The heels remained in control as Liona hit a lariat on Shibata. There were some quick tags for the heels, but Shibata was able to trip up Kaun with an STO. Hobbs faced off with Liona so the fans could chant “Meat” at the powerhouses, which led to each guy hitting corner clotheslines on the other. Hobbs hit a running lariat to knock Tiona down. Joe tagged in, hit a snap powerslam on Ricochet and a senton splash for two. All six guys went into the ring to do spots and take bumps. This happens in nearly every tag team match. It was back to the legal guys with Ricochet hitting a missile dropkick on Joe and a running SSP for two because Shibata made the save. Shibata choked out Liona on the apron. The referee was looking at them even though they were illegal, so MVP hit Ricochet with a cane. Hobbs hit a spinebuster on Ricochet, Shibata hit a PK kick and Joe applied the Coquina Clutch on Ricochet for the submission win.
Winners by submission: The Opps – Samoa Joe, Katsuyori Shibata & Powerhouse Hobbs
Analysis: ***1/4 It felt like a random title match without much of a story, but MVP getting involved did follow the story at Forbidden Door. I think the Trios Titles are unnecessary and they are rarely involved in a key storyline. Shibata was the face in peril, he made the hot tag and the champs found a way as expected. MVP got involved as payback for Ricochet’s group costing The Hurt Syndicate at Forbidden Door.
The Hurt Syndicate’s Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin showed up at ringside to fight with the GOA guys. They had a very generic brawl and went fighting to the back.
Analysis: I’m not sure if Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin really care about not being Tag Team Champions, but that’s the idea behind this.
(Commercial)
Falls Count Anywhere Match: Darby Allin vs. Claudio Castagnoli
Claudio was walking in the backstage area, so Allin jumped off a storage unit backstage. Claudio caught him and threw him into some other storage unit. Claudio put Allin in a shopping cart and sent him crashing into some chairs. Claudio gave Allin a body slam onto a pile of chairs. They entered the arena, where Claudio gave Allin a Giant Swing into the barricade. Allin went into the ring, Claudio was looking at fans on the floor and Allin hit a suicide dive. Allin dropkicked Claudio into the barricade. Allin climbed one of the pillars about ten feet high and did a Coffin Drop onto a standing Claudio for a two count on the floor. That was crazy, and he made it look easy, as Taz said. Back in the ring, Claudio launched Allin in the air and hit an uppercut. Claudio told the announcers to move. Claudio picked up Allin over his head in a press slam and launched Allin onto the commentary table! That was brutal. The table didn’t break while Allin was down on the floor. They replayed it a few times.
(Commercial)
There was already a table set up against the turnbuckle, and then Claudio set up another table against another turnbuckle. Claudio hit Allin with a chair to the back. Allin grabbed a Guillotine front facelock, Claudio sold it a bit and then Claudio wanted a suplex to the table, but Allin fought out of it. Claudio got Allin off his back, then he charged. Allin moved, and Claudio went crashing through the table. Allin hit Claudio with a few chair shots to the back. Allin went up top, so Claudio nailed him with an uppercut to stop that. Claudio went up top and hit a belly to belly suplex off the top onto a pile of chairs. Claudio launched Allin onto a table and it didn’t break the table, so Claudio gave Allin a Powerbomb through the table for a two count. Allin countered a Claudio move into the turnbuckle, which led to Allin hitting a double foot stomp to the ribs. Allin was on the shoulders and got a victory roll for two. Allin did a drop toe hold into the turnbuckle. Allin hit Code Red for two. Allin went up top, hit Coffin Drop and Allin hit a second Coffin Drop for the pinfall win after 14 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Darby Allin
Analysis: ***1/2 Great match. They wanted to put Allin over to build him up for the Jon Moxley match, so that result made sense. I thought Claudio looked impressive throughout the match. There were a lot of creative spots. Allin took some big bumps as usual, and it ended emphatically with Allin hitting the Coffin Drop twice to win, which shows how tough Claudio is to beat.
After the match, Gabe Kidd went into the ring and nailed Allin with a German Suplex. Jon Moxley showed up with Marina Shafir as well. Allin shoved Moxley into Kidd, and Allin ran away. Allin left the building while Kidd ran after him. Moxley and crew were angry in the ring. That was the end of the show.
Analysis: The story remains that Jon Moxley doesn’t want to face Darby Allin in a singles match, but we know it’s going to happen at some point, which will mostly be All Out on September 20th. It’s just a matter of setting it up.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Darby Allin
- Don Callis Family – Kazuchika Okada, Konosuke Takeshita Josh Alexander & Hechicero
- Jon Moxley
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The Scoreboard
This Week: 7.75 out of 10
Last Week: 7.5
2025 Average: 7.38
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Final Thoughts on AEW Dynamite
I enjoyed this show. Good matches all night long, and they advanced many stories. Easy to get through.
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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