AEW Dynamite airs live tonight with the fallout from Sunday’s Revolution pay-per-view, and a new tournament beginning.
The AEW International title eliminator tournament kicks off tonight with two first round matches.
Orange Cassidy will face CMLL’s Hechicero in one title eliminator bout, with a mystery wildcard opponent facing The Beast Mortos in tonight’s other tournament matchup. Rampant internet speculation suggests that “Speedball” Mike Bailey could be the wildcard.
The winners of tonight’s tournament matches and the winners of Saturday’s tournament bouts on Collision will compete in a four-way on next week’s Dynamite to earn a shot at Kenny Omega and the International title at the Dynasty pay-per-view set for April 6.
New AEW International Champion Kenny Omega will speak on tonight’s show after dethroning Konosuke Takeshita at Revolution in an instant classic on Sunday.
An MJF promo is also scheduled for tonight’s episode. MJF lost to Hangman Adam Page in the opening contest of Sunday’s Revolution pay-per-view.
AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Taz before immediately throwing it to the introduction of the new AEW International Champion, Kenny Omega who makes his entrance to his Battle Cry theme, lots of pyro and a huge ovation.
Omega said this is all still so wild to him, as before 2025, he was more than happy just to stand in the ring to say he was cleared to try and do this again. What makes it feel like a dream is that we’re barely into the year, but thanks to the fans, doctors, someone he never thought he’d call a friend, Will Ospreay, not only is he back, but he’s back with a singles title. One final person he needs to thank, controversial as it may be, Konosuke Takeshita, who pushed him harder than he ever imagined. If it wasn’t for Takeshita dragging him to the place he needed to be, he wouldn’t be here in front of these people, so he thanks Takeshita for making this a true International Title.
Omega brought up Tony Khan coming up with the International Title Eliminator Tournament and thinks it’s a great idea, as it will determine who is the best on the planet and Omega will be watching, as he wants to see who will look to being the best. Omega hits the Goodbye & Goodnight line as he signs some autographs and high fives fans before The Opps make their entrance and have a little face-off with Omega before heading to the ring.
The Opps (Samoa Joe, HOOK & Katsuyori Shibata) defeated Eli Theseus, Vinny Pacifico & Gabriel Aeros
Joe gets a huge chant as he lit up Theseus up with corner strikes to kick things off. HOOK tags in and he launches Aeros around with a series of throws before Pacifico tried a running start, but HOOK tripped him, allowing Shibata to tag in and hit his signature corner stalling dropkick. Rear Naked Choke led to a PK and Shibata got the easy win. Quick warmup for Shibata ahead of his match with Ricochet on Collision in the International Title Eliminator Tournament.
Ricochet is backstage and said despite being screwed at Revolution doesn’t mean his quest for gold is over. He didn’t want the ugly ass Embassy robe anyways, but the gold Kenny Omega is holding looks much better. Ricochet knows what Shibata is capable of, so he’s giving him an option to quit before their match, if not, he won’t be responsible for what happens to him on Saturday.
Highlight package of Revolution was shown showcasing the entire card
We’re told Jon Moxley vs. Cope next week in a Street Fight for the AEW World Title, with the winner facing Swerve Strickland at Dynasty. Cameras caught up to Strickland last Sunday, as he was asked by the cameraman when he wants to challenge for the AEW Title? Last year at Dynasty, Strickland became the first black AEW World Champion and this year, he looks to do it, twice.
Cope walks in and said he didn’t lose tonight; there’s still a chance he could be AEW World Champion before Dynasty gets here and there’s a chance Strickland will be looking across the ring at him at the PPV. Strickland said that’s exactly what he’d do, too and they bumped fist before Cope walked away and Strickland gave a little nod of respect.
Jon Moxley is backstage and said The Rated R Superstar thinks he’s lucky to have walked away from Revolution with the AEW World Title. Moxley said he should’ve never been in that position, he should’ve put Cope out of his misery before Christian Cage got into the match. Moxley hurt Cope, who was sucking wind, couldn’t turn his neck, but he still came forward again and again. Whatever Cope is made of is rare and he can admire that, but you can take the rules, count outs, disqualifications, whatever you want, Cope can take the rules, Moxley will take his excuses. Moxley underestimated Cope’s grit no matter what avalanches befall him, but there’s a reason why Moxley is the World Champion. There’s a difference between amateurs and professionals, the difference is Moxley never makes the same mistake twice. Just the appearance of Moxley on the big screen got massive boos from the crowd.
Powerhouse Hobbs & Hologram (w/Harleygram) defeated Brian Cage & Dralistico (w/The Beast Mortos)
(This was a fun clash of styles tag match, with a highlight being how Mortos was seemingly distracted by Harleygram, which could be a hilarious story if they go that route. The end felt a little off with Hobbs & Dralistico, but they managed to get it on track enough for the finish. Hobbs will continue to feud with the Don Callis Family, while Hologram battles LIJ I’m sure going forward.)
This match came about earlier today with Hobbs issuing a challenge to one member of the Don Callis Family & LIJ, as Harleygram came in and accepted the match on Hologram’s behalf before shutting down. Hobbs wasted no time going after Cage outside, as Hologram & Dralisitco pick things up where they left off last week on Collision. Taz talks about the history of Hobbs & Cage in Team Taz, but those days are gone. Hard chops fired off by Dralistico, as Hologram picks up the pace, trading arm drags and leg sweeps. Dralistico again went to rip off the mask similar to last Saturday before tagging in Cage. Hologram sent Dralistico packing, but was picked up for a gorilla press by Cage, only for Hologram to counter into a hurricanrana. Hologram wanted a tope dive, but ran right into a vertical suplex from Cage in mid-air. Bicep curls into a fall away slam onto the apron as things went to commercial.
Back from break, Mortos is putting the boots outside to Hologram before Harleygram tries to make the save before swiveling her hips to run distraction. This worked, as Dralistico had to pull his LIJ faction mate away. Back in the ring, Hologram fired off a thrust kick, Dralistico responded with a Crucifix Bomb, only for Hologram to answer with a moonsault fall away slam. Tag to Hobbs, who rag dolled Dralistico before Meat chants lead to a Hobbs & Cage clash. Hobbs ducked a lariat, it a standing splash and snap powerslam for a near fall. Hobbs no sold some Dralistico strikes, allowing Cage to hit a German suplex/thrust kick combo. Hologram flew in with a pop-up dropkick on Cage, snap rana on Dralistico, tried it on Cage, only to get powerbombed into Hobbs in the corner. Cage incredibly hit the suplex from the apron back inside, as Dralistico flew in with a dropkick, but barely clipped Hobbs.
A pissed off Hobbs gets up and just slams Dralistico down with a powerslam before Cage makes the save, they go to the apron where Hobbs hit a spinebuster on the edge of the ring. Hologram walked the ropes, launched himself off Hobbs’ chest and hit a dive on Cage. Back inside, Dralistico & Hobbs have a somewhat awkward exchange before Dralistico tried a springboard, but Hobbs countered into a spinebuster in mid-air for the win.
Post-match, Lance Archer & Mark Davis came out to help Cage as they all had a stare down with Hobbs, who stood his ground.
Last Sunday, Alicia Atout interviewed The Hurt Syndicate, who asks whose asses they need to beat next? MVP said that’s what he loves about Shelton Benjamin & Bobby Lashley, no one works harder than The Hurt Syndicate, which means no one should play harder than they do. Lashley wants to go to the gym, but MVP wants them to take a week off, don’t need to come to TV, enjoy their break. MVP said they want to fight more and do what they do better than anyone else, they want to hurt people.
A video package on the epic Hollywood Ending is shown, as the entire history of Timeless Toni Storm vs. Mariah May was showcased. Ben Mankiewicz again made a brief cameo highlighting the story as well. This absolutely should’ve main evented Revolution, this was the best women’s feud in AEW and arguably women’s wrestling history. Nigel McGuinness saying this was a cinematic masterpiece was a great and accurate line.
Timeless Toni Storm Addresses the AEW Women’s Roster
With stitches in her lip, staples in her head and glass in her ass, Storm stands before you to say this tramp is still the champ. Revolution was her Hollywood Ending, as a chunk of heart is gone forever, but looking at the AEW Women’s Title, it was well worth it. It’s time for a new beginning; it’s her honor to be the Women’s World champion because this is the most talented locker room in all of professional wrestling. There are so many champions, one is in a bloody briefcase. Other champions are belt collectors, but when you fight with Storm, it’s like visiting the zoo. She bleeds like a pig, licks like a giraffe and she will eat you like a lion. Storm promises you’ll never hear her meow, as she promises she’s no pussy, nobody swings like Toni Storm, so ladies, put your keys in the bowl and let’s get this orgy started. It will be messy, sweaty and it will always be Timeless.
As Storm posed, she was decked from behind by Megan Bayne, who posed over the fallen Women’s World champion.
“Speedball” Mike Bailey defeated The Beast Mortos in an International Title Eliminator Tournament First Round
(Great showcase of a debut for Bailey, who didn’t show everything he’s capable of, but enough to wow the crowd. Mortos was a perfect first opponent, as he’s able to make everyone he’s in there with look like a million bucks and this was no different.)
Crazy fast series of counters to start before Bailey fired off a stiff kick to drop Mortos. Rapid fire kicks sent Mortos to the outside, but Bailey missed a moonsault off the apron, landed on his feet, as Mortos mowed him down. Bailey was able to battle back with more kicks before heading back inside, rolled through a top rope attack, low bridged Mortos back to the outside, where he hit a somersault dive to take things to break.
During break, Mortos gained control with his twisting Tornillo, but back from commercial, Bailey was back in the driver’s seat with a running Shooting Star for two. Mortos seemingly dodged a high kick, taking a powder, but ate a pump kick on the apron, leading to a springboard moonsault to the floor by Bailey. Back inside, Bailey hit a Liger Bomb for a near fall, as he went up top, missed a Shooting Star, rolled through, but into a pop-up Samoan Drop by Mortos for two. Mortos up top now, but took too long, as Bailey swept out the legs. Both battled until Mortos hit a massive avalanche press slam for a wild near fall.
Bailey avoided a discus strike, traded slaps until Mortos with a Torture Rack backbreaker and discus lariat that turned Bailey inside out. Mortos went for a home run powerbomb, but Bailey rolled through into a hurricanrana and PK. Moonsault knee drop from Bailey, who loaded up for a high-speed roundhouse kick to win it.
Renee Paquette is backstage with The Patriarchy and asks about Christian Cage’s failed cash-in at Revolution. Cage refuses to speak to anyone related to Jon Moxley, so this will be the most boring interview in history and says Paquette should take a hint, as she’s blonde and not smart, to get out of his sight. Paquette leaves as Cage said he’s still the next undisputed AEW World Champion and demands his contract be returned to him. Cage said he signed for a singles World Title match with Cope, not a 3 way (I’m sorry, what?). Cage said he didn’t tap out; he was relegating his breathing.
Nick Wayne cut him off and said Cage is lying to everyone and if he stuck to the plan, maybe Cage would be World Champion and they all deserve an apology. Cage said he’s sorry it’s come to this and pushes Nick as Mother Wayne intervenes, but Cage said if she does something, she’ll be back to working the midnight shift at Waffle House. Cage asks who Nick is to question his tactics, how many World titles has he ever won? How many World titles did his biological father win? Nick should be thanking Cage that he found him and didn’t end up a coward like his father, who died in front of his mother’s face. Cage said he’ll be AEW World Champion if it’s the last thing he ever does and says for Nick to keep his mouth shut and ride his coattails or it’ll be the last thing he ever does. Cage walks off, as Kip Sabian was left conflicted, but walked off with Cage as Mother Wayne stayed with her son.
Lexy Nair was outside of MJF’s locker room following his loss to Hangman Adam Page at Revolution, as he was telling himself in the mirror that he’s a fraud before smashing the mirror and screaming for Nair to get out.
MJF Gets an Interesting Offer
MJF said he has a splitting headache, his hand and body hurts, but what hurts the most is he, along with all the schmucks at home and in the arena knows, he had the match won on Sunday. The cowardly Cowboy decided for a cheap shot like he did in 2019. The fans can chant Page’s name all they want, but he’s not upset anymore, as he’s thought long and hard about it, he’s 10 times smarter than Page and his fans ever will be. MJF thinks 10 steps ahead and he will get his, so this thing between he & Page isn’t over, not by a long shot.
MVP’s music hits and he walks out alone, having given Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin the week off. After a brief face-off, they gave each other a hug and acted like old buddies. MVP wanted to tell us about his history with MJF, as an 18-year-old MJF volunteered to drive him to a documentary film for the low price of hearing about the pro wrestling business. The questions MJF asked was what impressed MVP the most. Cut to an indy company in Florida, they met again, as MVP mentioned the drive MJF had, something you could not teach. MJF did everything he said he was going to do back then and that’s what makes MVP proud of him. MVP said what makes him not proud is how MJF has handled the loss on Sunday, out here whining to the people. MVP questions why MJF isn’t smashing things and hurting people? MVP knows the answer to the question, MJF has lost his edge, as the boys in the back don’t respect or fear him anymore. The boys do fear The Hurt Syndicate, which is what MJF is missing.
MVP was able to help MJF a long time ago, but maybe he can help him again. When he passed out his business card when he debuted, it was a way to introduce himself, but now, it’s a way to change your career, to make you a champion. Maybe it’s time for them to talk some business. MVP went to hand out his card, but MJF refused. MJF said he’s not the same kid he was all those years ago, with all do respect, he doesn’t need MVP’s help or advice. He’s MJF and if the moron fans want to hear it or not, he was the longest reigning AEW World Champion. MVP said to focus on the word “was” before handing MJF his business card, leaving and MJF put the card in his jacket.
Max Caster is in the ring to do his Best Wrestler Alive schtick and thanked the Maximaniacs for making his shirt the most popular shirt on ShopAEW. Caster said he was the most popular member of The Acclaimed before trying to get his “Let’s Go Max, You’re the Best Wrestler Alive” chant going to crickets. Caster calls the fans stupid, which got the reaction, as he said whoever answers his open challenge is stupid as well.
Konosuke Takeshita defeated Max Caster
“You F’d Up” chants from the fans to Caster, who still had the mic and said he’s going to friggin kill Takeshita, what are they doing? Takeshita must be here to ask him to join the Don Callis Family. Caster can Main Event the Tokyo Dome, get a recording contract and do something Takeshita wasn’t able to do, beat Kenny Omega. Takeshita waffled Caster with a forearm, but pulled him up at two, just so he could his Raging Fire to win it and march to the back.
Footage of Chris Jericho & The Learning Tree attacking Gravity & Bandido with a baseball bat before his ROH Title match could take place. Jericho unmasked Gravity, leaving the family of Gravity & Bandido to tend to them.
Jericho is backstage holding Gravity’s mask and said gravity is the perfect word to introduce he & Bandido to their situation. Jericho embarrassed Bandido in front of his family, scaring his sister and making his mother cry. Jericho asks how one could come back from that, realizing the disappointing his mother has in him. Maybe Bandido brought it on himself or maybe he’s an unlucky son of a bitch that Jericho made a point out of not to be comfortable around Chris Jericho. He crumbled up the mask and threw it aside.
Willow Nightingale defeated Penelope Ford
(This picked up in the second half before Nightingale got her first singles win over Ford in AEW. The post-match continued to make Bayne look like a strong contender, especially after her earlier attack on Toni Storm.)
Early shoulder tackle by Nightingale, who blocked a cazadora into a bodyslam and low cross body for two. Nightingale missed with a lariat, but managed a snap suplex. Ford tried her Matrix bridge, sent Nightingale into the corner with a dropkick to the spine and step-up double knee drop to the midsection as things went to break.
It was all Ford during break, but Nightingale fired back with a series of lariats. High boot led to a big spinebuster for a near fall. Ford slid out of a Doctor Bomb, tried a backslide, but Nightingale powered into a Gory Special. Ford escaped by biting the forehead before locking in a triangle in the ropes. Ford hit a top rope cross body for two before licking Nightingale, which Taz called pretty whacky. Nightingale responded with a running powerslam, but Ford got a flash cradle for two. Both trade kicks, as Ford successfully hit her Matrix Stunner, tried again, only to be Pounced clear across the ring for the win.
Post-match, Ford cracked Nightingale in the ribs and back with a chair and kept the attack going until Kris Statlander ran down. Ford tried a chair shot, but Statlander ducked and hit a dropkick sending the chair into Ford’s face. Statlander helped Nightingale up, who didn’t realize who it was, initially shoving Statlander away. The two ladies stared at each other until Megan Bayne hit the ring, hit a double clothesline on both before laying out Statlander with a F5 to stand tall for the second time tonight.
Renee Paquette is backstage with Mercedes Mone, who is selling her bruised throat, so she can’t do her signature line, so Paquette did it. Paquette said Mone requested Billie Starkz to join them, as she walks in and said her notes she was taking at Revolution was not to get kicked in the throat. Starkz said she’s accomplished a lot here too, she was the first inaugural ROH TV Champion at 19. They aren’t that different, as wrestling is their lives. Starkz said Mone says money changes everything and next week, she’s looking to become a champion. Mone coughed and said Starkz is way out of her league. She shoved Starkz in the face and said next week there’s a price to pay when you mess with Mercedes Mone.
Will Ospreay Calls His Shot for The AEW World Title
Tony Schiavone welcomes Ospreay to the ring, as he’s moving really gingerly and talked about the stitches in his head, might have gotten stabbed in the ribs, but he’s still standing. Ospreay said he was scared for his life at Revolution, but thanks everyone for their support, it carried him through. One day, Kyle Fletcher will be World Champion and if they stand in the ring again, he’ll be the better man once more. Ospreay said he’s in trouble with his wife, he had to lie, as a day before the cage match, she told him she was nervous and said not to do anything stupid off the cage. Ospreay said he’s in his 30s, he’s not doing anything stupid off the cage, but saw fans holding their phones up while he was up at the top of the cage and someone saying please don’t die. He went to the back and saw 15 missed messages from his wife, who couldn’t believe he jumped off the flippin cage. Ospreay promised to cook her dinner and a damn good seeing to.
Schiavone said he understands all of that, but asks what is next for Ospreay? In order to be the guy in AEW, there should be something around his waist, but there’s an issue, Cope has a title match next week, Strickland has a title shot at Dynasty, so when should he call his shot? When it matters the most, as he looked up at the All In Texas sign and said he’s on a mission, to be in the main event for the AEW World Title at All In and how he can do it, is by entering the Owen Hart Tournament. If it’s against Cope, it’ll be a pleasure for a first-time meeting, if it’s Strickland, he can’t wait for the rematch, if it’s Moxley, the king, a word in advance, an Assassin is coming from the throne. Ospreay wants to be the guy because he knows he can do it; he wants to be World Champion because his name is Will Ospreay and he’s On Another Level.
Renee Paquette is backstage with Switchblade Jay White, who mocks the Ospreay chant saying Willy really is on another level and sometime soon, they’ll see each other in the ring again. White congratulates Ospreay on his win at Revolution, but if he wants a World Title match at All In, they’re going to have to keep protecting him from White. Paquette asks what happened at Revolution and White said everyone wants to know if he hit Cope with the briefcase on purpose and asks Paquette what she thinks and then the crowd. White said he did not hit Cope on purpose, as he’s done everything to win the World Title from Jon Moxley, but the rat (Wheeler Yuta) saved his king. He’ll be dammed if he’ll let anyone stop him from fulfilling his destiny becoming AEW World Champion.
Renee Paquette approached Hangman Adam Page and was attempting to ask him about Revolution when they walk past MJF and Page asks if he wants to finish breaking his neck? Page said last week, MJF tried to set him on fire, but when he does something like that, he really has to mean it. However, Sunday, MJF let the mask slip, Page realizes MJF cares what the fans think of him. MJF said he’s glad Page thinks he wasn’t going to set him on fire, so he’ll call Page’s bluff, as Page doesn’t realize what is next. Page had a fluke victory, but MJF goes on to become a multiple time World Champion, first ballot Hall of Famer and greatest of all time, while Page fails to reach the pinnacle, only to tumble all the way down, wallowing in his own self-pity. When Page’s mask slips, Page doesn’t think he deserves the fans love and he’s right, as sooner of later, the fans will grow tired of thinking Page will win the big one, when he never will. MJF will win it over and over again, laughing at Page up that mountain. Page said they’ll see, won’t they? MJF walks away and Excalibur said these two will be intertwined for years to come. This was an excellent backstage promo.
Orange Cassidy defeated Hechicero in an International Title Eliminator Tournament First Round
(This was on ok main event, as the clash of styles, flash finish and maybe time crunch prevented this from kicking into another gear. While Hechicero has been on AEW programming in the past, it felt like the fans weren’t used to him at all, so their reaction to his offense wasn’t quite there. Cassidy still managed to get them during the match and I look forward to seeing who joins he & Bailey next week in the 4-way.)
Jim Ross joins commentary and puts over Mike Bailey in his match earlier in the evening. Hechicero blocked Cassidy from going to the pockets in the early going, as Cassidy walked the top rope, put one hand in his pocket before Hechicero stepped away. Cassidy put on the brakes and put both hands in the pockets before hitting a snap dropkick and kip up. Hechicero tried a handspring, but landed right on his head, allowing a Cassidy roll-up with no hands before faking a dive and kip up as Hechicero took a powder into commercial.
During commercial, Hechicero targeted the arm and when things returned from break, Hechicero hung up Cassidy over the top rope before a dragon screw between the ropes. Cassidy managed a cross body off the top, but couldn’t follow with his spinning DDT, allowing a swinging hammerlock backbreaker by Hechicero for two. Cassidy answered with a Stundog Millionaire and spinning DDT, but tried to kip up and his leg gave out. Cassidy signaled for Orange Punch, but his arm was injured, so he went up top slowly, but dove right into an arm bar, eventually getting the rope break. Cassidy tried another Stundog, but was blocked, as was an Orange Punch, as Hechicero tried a swinging Torture Rack, only for Cassidy to get a Mouse Trap for the flash pin.
Post-match, Mike Bailey walked out to the staged and bowed to Cassidy, as they both advance to next weeks 4-way Eliminator to see who faces Kenny Omega for the International Title at Dynasty.
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