‘AEW: Dynamite’ Review (Oct 1st 2025)
Welcome to this week’s review of AEW: Dynamite, which was broadcast from Hollywood, Florida, and marked the six-year anniversary of Dynamite! Let’s get straight into the review…
Match #1: Kenny Omega & Brodido (Brody King & Bandido) def. Josh Alexander & the Young Bucks (Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson)
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Alexander and Omega traded a couple back and forth shots, and that was enough for Alexander as he tagged out to Matt Jackson. Omega drove Matt to the canvas and tagged in King, who stacked up the Bucks for Bandido to tag in and hit an assisted crossbody from the top. Bandido avoided a flurry of offensive attempts from the Bucks, although they weren’t having any of his attempts to do the Macarena. The Bucks mocked Bandido with their own version of the dance, so he hit them with a double hurricanrana and did one of his own! Omega got back in and dropkicked the Bucks, so he could have his own dance with Bandido. King tagged in to double clothesline the Bucks, giving Omega and Bandido the opportunity to invite their partner to join in on the fun. He didn’t show any urgency to dance, so Alexander attacked from behind because he’s the Walking Weapon, not the Walking Waltz. Alexander was sent back out of the ring and Omega launched himself onto the Bucks and Alexander on the floor! Bandido used some assistance from King to hit a huge moonsault from the top to the outside, as the AEW World Tag Team Champions and Omega continued to pour on the offense. Alexander got back in the ring and was immediately bodyslammed by King. Matt Jackson followed right behind him and was promptly bodyslammed onto Alexander. Nick Jackson learned nothing and walked into a bodyslam from King onto Alexander. Omega volunteered himself to be bodyslammed onto Alexander. Bandido appeared to be next but slipped behind King on the initial attempt just so he could bodyslam King onto Alexander in an amazing feat of strength as the crowd went wild and Don Callis complained on commentary. The match shifted when Matt and Nick started to get rolling. They disposed of King before turning their attention to Bandido. He went for a springboard, but the Bucks met him with superkicks. They followed with a tandem wheelbarrow stunner to take him out of the mix. Omega took out both Bucks by reversing their double team and was starting to feel it. As Omega fed off the energy, he charged up for a dive but was cut off by Alexander. Omega fought him off to send him back outside, and as he went for a second attempt, the Bucks were waiting with superkicks to both sides of his head! Alexander saw an opportunity and hit Omega with a diving bodyblock to his back, making a sickening connection. Brodido tried to get to Alexander but were taken out by the Bucks. Omega fell victim to a triple team back in the ring and Nick walked up the ropes to flip himself onto Brodido on the floor. With Omega clearly favoring his midsection thanks to the targeted attack by Alexander, he struggled to get to his corner. The Bucks and Alexander continued to pick apart Omega, and he tried to withstand all the punishment he suffered. Omega was able to turn the Bucks’ double team into an overhead throw and King made the tag. King planted Alexander with a sidewalk slam and nearly got the pinfall only for the Bucks to break it up. Bandido made a blind tag, and the champions went to work separating Matt and Nick. When Bandido turned his attention to Alexander, he was snatched and dropped with a bone-crunching back first slam on the apron. King took out Alexander with a cannonball but immediately ate a pair of kicks from the Bucks. Omega stopped them from doing any more damage when he flapjacked Nick onto Matt, who felt the brunt of it on his lower region. Omega hit a picturesque dive to the outside and chased Callis away from the commentary desk. Back in the ring, Bandido couldn’t hit a 21 Plex on Nick, as he instead launched Bandido into the waiting arms of Alexander. When Matt tried to launch Nick up for the spike tombstone piledriver, King was instead waiting to catch him as Omega scooped up Matt. Bandido reversed Alexander, and all three hit piledrivers on the Bucks and Alexander. It was only enough for a two count. We got back to Omega and Alexander, although this time it was Alexander controlling the action with a release German suplex. He hit another one on Bandido and got an assist from the Bucks with a pair of superkicks to hit a third on King. Omega was now left all alone with all three of his opponents, as he was ping-ponged around by kicks and strikes. It looked like Omega was done following a superkick into a double neutralizer, but he was able to kick out. However, Alexander was ready by picking the ankle for a submission. Brodido broke it up with a kick, but the Bucks got him out of the way and hit double superkicks on King. The Bucks turned their attention back to Omega, but it was King who cut off a leaping Matt with a huge forearm. Omega hit a pair of snap dragons on the Bucks and went for another on Alexander, who was initially able to slip free only for Omega to drill hit with a leaping knee to the back. He followed with a kneel down powerbomb and a V-Trigger right on Alexander’s chin! Omega hit another V-Trigger while Alexander was lifeless on the ropes as King dove onto the Bucks on the outside and Bandido completed a 21 Plex on Alexander. With Alexander singled out in the ring, Omega dropped him with a One-Winged Angel for the pinfall and successful return!
My Score: 4 out of 5
Match #2: Kyle Fletcher def. Orange Cassidy
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Fletcher seemed very prepared for Cassidy’s unorthodox offense and pace, using his power to his advantage to keep OC’s hands from anchoring in his pockets. Cassidy went to the outside, but Fletcher followed right after, so Cassidy went back in the ring only to be met with a forearm that was heard throughout the arena. Cassidy lured Fletcher to the outside and when he followed, OC quickly got back in the ring and hit a dive to the outside. Cassidy scaled the ropes, yet Fletcher was ready again, as he connected with a running kick to knock Cassidy all the way to the floor. The TNT Champion tried to control the pace and wear down Cassidy, although it was hard to do too much with Cassidy rolling to the outside on multiple occasions. Fletcher tried to do his version of OC’s kicks, although it just seemed to fire Cassidy up. Fletcher finally had enough and just leveled Cassidy before mocking him by putting his hands in his pockets, so he could stomp away repeatedly. Cassidy reversed a lawn dart attempt and sprung back up to his feet. He unloaded with a barrage of kicks and spiked Fletcher with a DDT. Fletcher battled right back by catching OC off the top and dropping him with a Michinoku Driver, but it only got him a two count. Fletcher tried to finish Cassidy off with his brainbuster, but it was reversed into a Stundog Millionaire. The two traded thrust kicks until Cassidy spiked Fletcher with consecutive DDTs. Fletcher avoided the Orange Punch and went for a powerbomb, but Cassidy reversed that into a pinning predicament with Fletcher getting out of it at two to muscle Cassidy into a spinning tombstone. Cassidy somehow kicked out, and Fletcher was beside himself. A running boot right to Cassidy’s jaw was on target, leaving him open to Fletcher’s brainbuster, but a quick-thinking Cassidy turned that into a small package with Fletcher making a narrow escape. He caught OC with a thrust kick, but OC came back with one of his own. Cassidy thought he had some separation sitting on the top turnbuckle, but once again Fletcher was there to meet him with his rope-assisted kick to the head. As the two jockeyed for position on the ropes, Cassidy knocked Fletcher to the mat with a headbutt. Sensing trouble, Don Callis jumped up on the apron with his shoe while Fletcher distracted referee Paul Turner. At the same time, Hologram, who was supposed to be out injured, made his way around the ring to stop Callis, only to turn around and trip Cassidy off the top rope! Why would he betray his Conglomeration teammate?! That gave Fletcher the opening he needed to hit his brainbuster on the turnbuckle to put Cassidy down for the three count and his fourth successful defense of the TNT Championship!
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #3: “Hangman” Adam Page, Samoa Joe & Powerhouse Hobbs def. Death Riders (Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli and Daniel Garcia)
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
An angry and aggressive Samoa Joe started things for his team showing no mercy on Claudio Castagnoli in the early going, although he quickly found himself in the wrong corner. Castagnoli, Jon Moxley and Daniel Garcia made quick tags to keep the pressure on Joe. He eventually got free and made the tag to the AEW World Champion, “Hangman” Adam Page. Page was able to control Garcia, although Garcia certainly got his shots in on the champion. Hobbs came in next and went right to work on all the Death Riders, brutalizing Castagnoli and Moxley in the corner. Garcia only annoyed Hobbs with a shot to his back and a few forearms before Hobbs dropped him. Moxley knocked Hobbs to the outside and tried to take him out with a dive, but Hobbs caught it and pushed Moxley into the apron before dropping him across the hardest part of the ring three times. Hobbs tried to slam Moxley from the top, but a well timed distraction by Garcia allowed Castagnoli to sneak in and powerbomb Hobbs from the corner. Now, it was Hobbs stuck in the Death Riders’ corner, as he desperately tried to fight out and make a much-needed tag. Hobbs tried to strike his way through Castagnoli, but Castagnoli cut him off with a gutwrench suplex with the pin attempt broken up by Joe. Hobbs pushed his way close enough to make Castagnoli break away to cheap-shot Hangman off the apron. He turned right into a Hobbs’ powerslam, as an angry Hangman jumped back on the apron to make the tag to Hobbs, although it certainly looked like Joe was trying to enter the match. Hangman unloaded on Garcia, even stopping to springboard clothesline Castagnoli to the floor. Page turned his attention back to Garcia until Moxley tagged in and a rivalry was renewed! As flashes of the All In main event came flooding back, Hangman and Moxley started trading shots in the middle of the ring until Page grabbed Moxley for a Deadeye, but Castagnoli was able to tag back in for the save, pushing Page down so Moxley could hit a piledriver. Castagnoli immediately followed with a diving uppercut, but Page kicked out at two. Hobbs came in with a spinebuster for Castagnoli and had Garcia in trouble once again, but the two went spilling over the top rope. In the ring, Mox hit Joe with a Paradigm Shift only to be flattened by a Buckshot Lariat from Page, who turned right into a pop-up uppercut from Castagnoli, but Page kicked out. Hangman got out of the Neutralizer to hit a Deadeye, softening Castagnoli up enough for the Buckshot Lariat to get the win.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #4: “Timeless” Toni Storm def. Tay Melo
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
The former AEW Women’s World Champion made her way to the ring in a white hat and trench coat, looking a bit out of sorts without her title. Storm was not in her typical gear, going for more of a suit and vest look, although that didn’t take away from her aggression. Melo caught Storm in a submission over the ropes, but Storm escaped and took Melo out on the apron. When it appeared Storm had control, Melo reversed her into the guardrail, and the two returned to the ring. Melo did whatever she could to grind Storm down with strikes to the head and a slowed pace. Storm ate a pair of boots in the corner, but a third attempt by Melo was thwarted by Storm. The two traded strikes in the middle and Storm took Melo down with a DDT. She missed a running hip attack in the corner, but Melo couldn’t stop it a second time. With Melo dazed, Storm finished her off with a Storm Zero to get the win!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #5: GOA (Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona) def. The Swirl (Blake Christian & Lee Johnson)
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
GOA decimated Christian for several minutes until he finally found enough space to make a tag to the fresh Johnson. He was able to fight both Liona and Kaun by sticking and moving, including a huge dive to the outside. Unfortunately, that flurry didn’t do enough to weaken GOA, as they double teamed Johnson back in the ring before finishing him with a double chokeslam for a win.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #6: Kris Statlander & Darby Allin def.Death Riders (Marina Shafir & Wheeler Yuta)
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Statlander and Allin did not wait to get things started, as they went right after Shafir and Yuta in the crowd during their entrance. Despite never teaming before, Statlander and Allin found quick chemistry with Allin holding their opponents for a big dive from the crowd from the champion. The Death Riders weren’t down for long, as they fought their way back to the ringside area and took control. As Shafir punished Statlander on the floor, Yuta worked on Allin on the inside. As more and more chairs came into the ring, Yuta and Shafir toyed with their opponents. Statlander fought back alone with Allin down, but Shafir took her out with a spike on the apron. Shafir followed her out and while the two battled on the barricade, Statlander hit a suplex through the timekeeper’s table. Back in the ring, Allin hit Yuta with a superplex into a pile of chairs, but it was only good for a two count. Yuta turned things around with a draping neckbreaker on the apron to Allin before bring a bag of tacks in the ring! Statlander returned with some shots on Yuta, although he dropped her soon after. She turned the tables with a suplex to Yuta on the chairs. Then, she put Shafir bare feet first on the tacks. Yuta tried to throw powder at Allin, but missed and hit Shafir in the eyes. While blinded, she grabbed Yuta in a choke! Statlander took advantage with a 450 onto both from the top and Allin finished them off with a Coffin Drop for the win!
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
News of the Night:
- CLON made his AEW debut, disguis9ing himself as Hologram and attacking Orange Cassidy
- “Hangman” Adam Page challenged Samoa Joe for WrestleDream after the pair argued post-match
- Kris Statlander accepted Toni Storm’s challenge for a title match at WrestleDream
Final Verdict: 4/5
AEW celebrated six years of Dynamite with a packed show full of surprises, storytelling turns, and build-up toward WrestleDream. The opener saw Kenny Omega team with Brodido against Josh Alexander and the Young Bucks, only for Andrade El Ídolo to shockingly return afterward and align with Don Callis. The Callis Family gained even more strength later in the night when El Clon debuted, costing Orange Cassidy his TNT Title match against Kyle Fletcher. Cassidy’s comeback was cut off by interference, but it set up the stable as Dynamite’s biggest threat. Elsewhere, Hangman Page teamed with Samoa Joe and Powerhouse Hobbs against Moxley’s Death Riders, but tensions after the match set up Page vs. Joe for the AEW World Title at WrestleDream. The women’s division moved forward with Toni Storm defeating Tay Melo and challenging Kris Statlander for the World Title. In the main event, Statlander and Darby Allin beat Marina Shafir and Wheeler Yuta, only for Darby to be brutally attacked by Moxley and PAC, laying the groundwork for a violent “I Quit” match. Overall, the anniversary show balanced nostalgia with bold new directions. Andrade’s return and the Callis Family expansion were standout moments, and the build toward WrestleDream gained real steam. Not everything clicked – Joe’s heel turn felt sudden, and interference-heavy finishes risk overshadowing clean competition – but the night left plenty to talk about. A strong, ambitious Dynamite. Loved it.
