The John Report: AEW Dynamite 09/03/25 Review
This week’s AEW Dynamite featured a huge 8-man tag team match, plus Mercedes Mone facing Blair Windsor, and more.
AEW announced earlier in the day that the All Out PPV will start at 3 p.m. ET from Toronto instead of 7 p.m. ET. The reason for the change is because WWE is running Wrestlepalooza that night, so AEW has done the smart thing by moving to earlier in the day. That’s a lot of wrestling and I hope wrestling fans realize how spoiled we are in this era to see so many great shows. People can argue about this stuff and I get it, but I’m happy for the wrestlers getting good money to entertain us. That’s what I like.
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 #309 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, Tony Schiavone, and Taz.
Gabe Kidd was in the ring calling out Darby Allin, so then Allin showed up in the ring and he jumped on Kidd’s back. Kidd sent Allin into the turnbuckle. Kidd tried a move by the steel turnbuckle, but Allin sent Kidd into the steel. Allin trapped Kidd’s arm against the ring post. Kidd came back by sending Allin into the barricade. Kidd hit a lefty lariat on Allin. Kidd was trash-talking the fans, so Allin hit a Coffin Drop on the floor. Kidd caught a charging Allin against the turnbuckle. Wheeler Yuta tried to help Kidd, but Allin knocked him down easily. Allin got his skateboard and it had spikes on the bottom. Allin stomped on the skateboard on Yuta’s back, so Yuta was screaming in pain. While Allin was in the ring, the other members of the Death Riders surrounding the ring.
The lights went out and Hook slowly made his entrance wearing a tank top and he walked down to the ring. Samoa Joe and The Opps went into the ring as well. The babyfaces fought the heels. Willow Nightingale showed up to fight Marina Shafir as well.
Allin and Kidd were fighting in the parking lot area. Allin threw some powder into Kidd’s eyes. Allin had some rag that we assume had some chemical substance on it. Allin put Kidd in a body bag (nobody tried to stop this) and the body bag was chained to the back of a truck. Allin drove away while Kidd was dragged in the body bag.
Analysis: That was a chaotic start to Dynamite in the first eight minutes. It should set up Allin for a match with Kidd at some point, while the others could be in a tag team match at some point soon. I’m not sure how you can logically allow guys to fight around the ring for over five minutes without any security attempting to help, but it’s AEW. They don’t explain things. There are other fights that get broken up right away, yet nobody attempted to stop this.
The announcers were on camera shilling what was coming up this week.
A video aired about Mercedes Mone defending the TBS Champion against Alex Windsor. Mone made references about Alex’s husband, Will Ospreay, in the hospital, and Mone claimed she would put Alex there too.
TBS Championship: Mercedes Mone vs. Alex Windsor
Mone went for a hurricanrana, but Alex caught her and went for a Sharpshooter, so Mone grabbed the ropes. Alex hit a back body drop along with a hard chop to the chest. Alex hit an armdrag followed by a dropkick. Mone went for a Crossfae, but Alex got to the ropes to break the hold. There wasn’t much room on the floor since the building is so small, but Alex managed to hit a cannonball on Mone off the apron to the floor. Alex jumped off the middle rope with a clothesline for two. Money got a hold of Alex and tossed her out of the ring to the floor. Alex got a hold of a sliding Mone and rammed her knee into the apron. Alex applied a Sharpshooter-style submission by the ropes. After Alex let go, Mone hit an up-kick, and Mone gave Alex a Powerbomb on the apron. They went to a picture-in-picture break.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Alex hitting a running shoulder tackle. Alex hit a legsweep, followed by a clothesline for two. Alex hit a Blue Thunder Bomb for a two count. Alex applied the Sharpshooter, but the angle was bad and Mone grabbed Alex’s hair. Mone applied the Statement Maker submission. Alex tried to counter, and Mone hit a Crucifix Bomb for two. Mone hit two knees to the back. Alex caught a charging Mone and hit a sitout Powerbomb. It was announced that 10 minutes of the allotted 20 minutes have elapsed. Alex got back into it with a Sharpshooter again, but Mone picked the ankle to get out of that. Alex pulled on the legs of Mone on the floor. Back in the ring, Alex went for an attack off the ropes, but Mone caught her with a Statement Maker. Mone hit a Backstabber, and Alex got back up with a lariat, so both women were down. They got back up, leading to an exchange of strikes. Alex hit a knee and a sitout slam for a two count. The fans chanted, “This is awesome” for the ladies. They went to the turnbuckle where Alex hit a headbutt, but Mone flipped Alex down and Mone applied the Statement Maker submission again. Mone kicked off the ropes to apply the hold in the middle of the ring and then Alex tried to turn it into a pin for two. Mone hit an up-kick and Mone held onto the legs for a tight pin for the pinfall win after 15 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Mercedes Mone
Analysis: ***3/4 The championship reign of Mercedes Mone continues as she found a way to win without hitting her finisher move. Mone did an excellent job of countering the whole way and she was able to roll up Alex and hook onto the legs for the win. When they mentioned the 20-minute time limit, I thought it might be a draw finish, but I’m glad it was more of a decisive ending.
After the match, Mone refused a handshake and instead gave Alex a middle finger. Mone hit Alex with the TBS Championship. Mone applied the Statement Maker. Riho made her entrance and hit a double foot stomp on Mone. Riho dropkicked Mone out of the ring. Riho held the TBS Title in her hands.
Analysis: Riho is back after a long time away. She looked so young six years ago when she was the AEW Women’s Champion. They’ll obviously have the Mone-Riho TBS Title match soon.
The Opps were interviewed by Renee Paquette. Hook walked in, saying he didn’t need Samoa Joe or Powerhouse Hobbs to fight for him because he can fight his own battles. Hook didn’t like that Joe replaced him before his body was cold. Hobbs said he’s always had Hook’s back. Samoa Joe said that they took an opportunity, so Hobbs stepped up because Hook wasn’t ready. Joe told Hook that he has every right to be upset. Joe told Hook that at some point, Hook will need their help and whether Hook wants it or not, Joe said they will have Hook’s back. Hook left.
Analysis: I think Hook is better off as a loner character, but I think it’s fine for him to be an ally of Darby Allin.
(Commercial)
Ricochet and the Gates of Agony were backstage. Ricochet said that his problems with The Hurt Syndicate started several years ago. Ricochet said for them it’s business, but for his group it’s personal. Ricochet said that they have been relying on their past legacies. Toa Liona said that they are the ones who ended The Hurt Syndicate’s title reign and their legacy next. Bishop Kaun said that Ricochet by himself is better than them collectively. Ricochet said that their best years are ahead of them. Ricochet suggested they settle this in Toronto at All Out. Ricochet said that the whole world will know they stand above them. Ricochet said it’s not a challenge, it’s a demand.
Analysis: Simple enough with Ricochet and the Gates of Agony issuing a challenge to The Hurt Syndicate for AEW All Out. It makes sense for that to be a PPV match.
Talky Talk With Mark Briscoe
Mark Briscoe did a promo saying that this is a sacred place and the place where he and his brother fell in love with pro wrestling. There were “Jay” chants for the late, great Jay Briscoe. Mark said it’s been guns blazing ever since. Mark said that his focus is on the TNT Champion, Kyle Fletcher. Mark said that unfortunately means he has to have a conversation with a man named Don Callis, so that led to “F**k Don Callis.” Mark said that Don has told him to beat one of his Henchmen to earn a shot at the TNT Title.
Don Callis made his entrance and told Mark that he has to beat Konosuke Takeshita on Collision this Saturday. Callis told Mark to save it until Saturday. Takeshita left.
Mark told “Mr. Tak-e-shita” that he’ll be whipping his ass. Mark said he wants to face one of Mark’s guys right now. Rocky Romero teased having the match, but the big man, Lance Archer, walked into the ring instead. A referee went into the ring to start the match.
Analysis: I don’t watch Collision, but I assume Briscoe will beat Takeshita there.
Mark Briscoe vs. Lance Archer
Mark sent Briscoe out of the ring and kicked him on the floor. Mark tried a suicide dive, but Archer caught him and hit a Chokeslam on the apron. They went to a break with Archer in control.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Mark managing to send Archer out of the ring and Mark hit a suicide dive onto Archer on the floor. Archer recovered in the ring and hit a Powerbomb, followed by a Chokeslam for two. Mark came back with a dropkick. They went to the turnbuckle where Mark bit Archer in the head and Mark hit a sloppy sunset flip Powerbomb for two. That didn’t look comfortable. Mark went up top and hit a Froggy Bow for the pinfall win.
Winner by pinfall: Mark Briscoe
Analysis: **3/4 An easy win for Briscoe as you would expect. Archer is one of those heels who is considered a tough guy to beat, even though he rarely beats any top midcard wrestlers.
A taped message aired from AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm talking about illegal activities taking place in the building. She just talked about wanting contenders to step up and face her in the future.
(Commercial)
The team of Harley Cameron and Kris Statlander were interviewed by Renee Paquette. Harley said her mask only destroys and Kris said that the mask is within her. Wheeler Yuta and Marina Shafir walked up to see Kris, who said that she got their message.
AEW Tag Team Championships: Brodido – Brody King & Bandido vs. Death Riders – Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta (w/Marina Shafir)
The exciting Bandido hit an impressive hurricanrana and dropkick early on. When King and Claudio tagged in, they exchanged chops and King managed to knock Claudio down. Bandido and Claudio had an exchange of a suplex spot that saw Bandido complete the suplex. Claudio hit a backbreaker on Bandido and tossed him out of the ring. They went to a picture-in-picture break.
(Commercial)
As the match continued, the heels were in control of Bandido, until he countered Claudio and hit a sunset flip Powerbomb on Claudio. King got the hot tag and splashed both challengers. King hit a running cannonball on both opponents. Bandido gave King a headscissors onto Claudio for a two count. Bandido went up top and went for a Frog Splash, but Claudio moved. Yuta was booed heavily and the fans had unsavory chants for the poor guy. After King hit a superplex, Bandido tried a move, but Shafir grabbed his boot to stop that. Yuta hit a missile dropkick on King. Jon Moxley showed up to send King into the ring post. Claudio launched Yuta off the top onto Bandido for a two count. Darby Allin showed up at ringside and put a sleeper on Moxley on the floor. King decked Claudio with a forearm on the floor. King hit Yuta with a forearm, so Bandido hit the 21 Plex on Yuta for the pinfall win after about 11 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Brodido – Brody King & Bandido
Analysis: ***1/4 A pretty good match to put over the champions in their first title defense. They were obviously going to retain, and it was no surprise that Yuta took the pin in the match. It was nice to see Allin show up to minimize Moxley’s interference.
The AEW Unified Champion, Kazuchika Okada, was interviewed by Renee Paquette in the parking lot. Renee mentioned Okada had tension with Konosuke Takeshita. Okada said that he is the top dog in the Don Callis Family…bitch.
Analysis: Thanks, Okada.
(Commercial)
The Hurt Syndicate’s MVP, Bobby Lashley, and Shelton Benjamin were interviewed by Renee Paquette. MVP said that Ricochet is a whining hater who is setting a terrible example for the Gates of Agony. MVP said he saw Ricochet on Collision, saying that they would learn to respect him. MVP said that they don’t ask for respect, they command respect. MVP said he accepted the challenge for the Trios Match at AEW All Out. MVP said he looks forward to joining his brothers in combat. MVP said that they hurt people and in Toronto, they’ll hurt Ricochet. Lashley left with MVP while Shelton said it’s always a pleasure.
Analysis: It should be a solid tag team match. I think Ricochet’s group should win since they are new and need some big wins, but it could be a Hurt Syndicate win too.
Let’s Hear from Adam Copeland & Christian Cage
Adam Copeland made his entrance for a promo, but FTR showed up to attack Cope before he could start his promo. Christian Cage went into the ring and fought with the FTR boys. Cope and Cage were in control as security showed up to break this up. Cage punched some security guys. Cash Wheeler went into the ring with Cope, and Dax Harwood joined them. Christian pulled Cash out of the ring. The locker room emptied with wrestlers going out to the ring to try to break up the fight. Dax was bleeding from the head. Cope and Cage were taken to the back.
Dax kicked some wrestler and FTR hit a spike piledriver on a young guy. Dax shoved Adam Priest, who fought back with punches. The security guys tried to break up the fight again.
Analysis: That’s what I meant earlier about AEW being inconsistent with the security team breaking up fights sometimes and at other times, they do nothing. I was hoping to hear a promo from Cope & Cage, but there were no words because of the cheap attack. I think the Cope & Cage match against FTR will be outstanding and the fans will be on fire for Cope & Cage in their hometown. I’m picking Cope & Cage to win that.
This Saturday on Collision: John Moxley vs. Daniel Garcia. A video aired to set that up.
The 8-man tag team main event was next.
(Commercial)
FTR was backstage with Stokely, who trash-talked Cope and Cage. Adam Priest walked in, so Cash told him to get a partner and they’ll face them on Saturday on Collision.
They did the entrances for the main event with The Young Bucks up first. They showed The Young Bucks having a sad meet ‘n greet to continue their sad downfall after losing EVP titles in storyline. The Don Callis Family’s TNT Champion, Kyle Fletcher, and Josh Alexander were next.
The babyfaces were next with Jetspeed up first, followed by Kenny Omega and the AEW World Champion “Hangman” Adam Page.
The Young Bucks – Matt & Nick Jackson, Josh Alexander & Kyle Fletcher vs. Kenny Omega, “Hangman” Adam Page and Jetspeed – Mike Bailey & Kevin Knight
Page started with Josh and Page hit him with a boot to the face. The four faces sent the heels out of the ring, and the four faces all hit dives out of the ring onto the heels on the floor. Page and Omega each chopped Josh at the same time.
(Commercial)
Bailey was in control with a running SSP on Josh, but Josh came back with an elbow and German Suplex. Nick was back in with a running bulldog on Bailey, who came back with a missile dropkick. Knight tagged in with a leaping clothesline. Matt and Page were legal as the Bucks hit a double team kick. Kyle tagged in, which led to Page and Omega hitting double team moves including a popup German Suplex. Kyle managed to break free and hit a suicide dive on Page. Back in the ring, Page hit a Popup Powerbomb on Kyle. Bailey faced off against Josh with rapid fire kicks, along with a backflip knee drop. Josh caught Bailey and hit multiple German Suplexes. Josh hit a cross body block on Bailey while on the apron. Knight jumped off the top with a clothesline on Josh on the floor. It was chaos on the floor as Nick hit a spike piledriver in the ring with Kyle and on the floor with his brother.
(Commercial)
They had taken their last commercial break as the Bucks hit some double team moves on Bailey leading to a sitout Powerbomb for two. The heels continued to isolate Bailey, who wanted to tag out, but Josh stopped that. Bailey hit an amazing Reverse Rana on Josh. Omega got the hot tag and exchanged strikes with Kyle, who hit a boot to the face. Omega came back with a knee strike. Omega unloaded with Snapdragon Suplexes on Kyle and Josh. The Bucks made tags, then Page tagged in, so Omega & Page faced off against the Bucks and the fans were chanting “Holy shit” for it. There were strikes, Page hit a lariat on Nick and Nick accidentally clotheslined Matt. Page hit a Buckshot Lariat on Nick. Omega hit a V-Trigger knee on Matt. Page and Omega nearly hit eachother because of the Bucks avoiding it and they did a spot where all four guys hit moves to knock eachother down. Kyle battled Page with a Dragon Suplex. Page jumped onto Kyle, and they fought over a move, leading to Fletcher hitting a leaping Tombstone for two. Knight was back in for his team as he nearly pinned Kyle and also hit a dropkick. Bailey jumped off the middle turnbuckle with a moonsault onto the floor. Kyle superkicked Bailey, and Knight hit a DDT on Fletcher. Knight went for a UFO Splash, but Kyle got the knees up. Jetspeed were both on the turnbuckle and Bailey hit a Reverse Rana. Both Bucks were in the ring illegally with superkicks and Josh hit a forearm to the face. Nick hit an incredible dive over the top onto the floor. The Bucks and Josh hit an assisted spike Tombstone piledriver on Knight. Kyle hit a Brainbuster on Knight for the pinfall win after 22 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: The Young Bucks – Matt & Nick Jackson, Josh Alexander & Kyle Fletcher
Analysis: **** Great match with a decisive ending to put over the heels strongly. I’ll call it four stars out of five, which is very good for a TV main event, but I’m sure some wrestling observers would rate it higher. As usual in an AEW tag team match, they ignored the tag team rules a lot so that they could do their crazy spots and double-team moves. The last few minutes were chaotic, but a lot of the match did follow tag team rules decently at least. I thought the babyfaces might win, but instead it was Kyle Fletcher who was put over strong, and he was put over in a big way after the match as well. They protected Page and Omega by not having them take the pin while poor Knight took it.
They showed Don Callis clapping at ringside, and a fan in the front row was doing a middle finger salute to him. That was funny.
Post match, The Don Callis Family emptied out and attacked the babyfaces in the ring. The Young Bucks went fighting to the back with the Jetspeed guys. Kyle Fletcher gave the AEW World Champion Hangman Page a Brainbuster onto a chair that was open in the ring.
There was a table set up on the floor. Omega tried to fight the heels, but Kyle hit Omega in the ribs with a chair. Kyle was on the apron, and he suplexed Omega through a table on the floor. The announcers called for medical attention. Kyle’s upper left back was bleeding from going through the table. The medical staff checked on Omega at ringside. The Don Callis Family walked away while Omega was checked on while he was on the floor.
Analysis: It is yet another injury angle for Kenny Omega, so maybe he’ll be taking time off again. Fletcher beating Page and putting him through the chair makes it seem like they may have the AEW World Champion Hangman Page against TNT Champion Kyle Fletcher at AEW All Out. I’m not sure who else would face Page at that show, so that’s probably why they did this post match angle after Fletcher got the big win in the tag team match.
That was the end of Dynamite at 2 hours, 6 minutes this week.
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Three Stars of the Show
- The Young Bucks – Matt & Nick Jackson, Josh Alexander & Kyle Fletcher
- Mercedes Mone
- Brodido – Brody King & Bandido
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The Scoreboard
This Week: 8 out of 10
Last Week: 7.75
2025 Average: 7.38
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Final Thoughts on AEW Dynamite
This was a strong episode from start to finish. They advanced plenty of stories and the match quality was very good. The Philly crowd is one of the best in pro wrestling, so that always helps too.
The end of the show ended with yet another babyface getting attacked by heels and stretchered out. This time it was Kenny Omega. The babyfaces of AEW are getting their asses kicked lately, that’s for sure. Anyway, I enjoyed this episode quite a bit.
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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