AEW Dynamite – May 20, 2026: To Each Their Own

Dynamite
Date: May 20, 2026
Location: Cross Insurance Arena, Portland, Maine
Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Taz

We’re getting another three hour block this week as Collision is taking place tonight in a one hour version due to this weekend’s Double Or Nothing event. As has been the case with recent shows, Darby Allin is defending the World Title again, this time against Mike Bailey. That could be quite the showdown so let’s get to it.

Here is Collision if you need a recap.

Earlier today, Chris Jericho and the Young Bucks were outside near a lighthouse to talk about tonight’s six man tag match and the biggest Stadium Stampede of all time this weekend. They imply having a special team name too. It’s going to be Bucks Of Jericho isn’t it?

Chris Jericho/Young Bucks vs. Don Callis Family/Ricochet

Yeah it’s Bucks Of Jericho. On the other side you have Andrade El Idolo/Mark Davis for the Family. Ricochet tags out immediately (that has been done WAY too often lately and it could use a long break) so it’s Andrade vs. Jericho to start things off. Naturally Andrade bails out to the floor for a photo with some women, earning chops from Jericho. Back in and Andrade gets taken into the corner, setting up a Risky Business/fish drop combination.

Matt gets driven into the corner as well but fights out rather quickly, allowing Nick to come in and clean house. The Bucks hit stereo dives and Jericho hits a top rope version of his own and we take a break. We come back with Nick fighting out of trouble and bringing in Jericho, meaning Ricochet bails again. Everything breaks down and Jericho and the Bucks hit a bunch of right hands on top, setting up three straight super hurricanranas.

Ricochet runs in to make a save so the Bucks start firing off the superkicks. Andrade is back up but gets low blowed into a step up Canadian Destroyer. Jericho knocks Ricochet to the floor for a baseball slide and they crash through some tables. Back in and More Bang From Your Buck is broken up by Davis. The Bucks take out Andrade but here are the Dogs to take Nick out. A foreign object shot knocks Matt cold for the pin at 13:58.

Rating: B-. This was the usual “here’s everything going nuts and people doing all kinds of stuff”, meaning it was entertaining but little more than a preview for Stadium Stampede. That makes sense and thankfully they didn’t go too long or have too many people involved. I’m not wild on Stadium Stampede, but the preview version went well enough.

Post match the beatdown is on but Jack Perry makes the save with…a bag of onions. Yeah of course. Anyway the Hurt Syndicate comes in to help clear the bad guys out with some of the brawls going into the crowd. Jericho and company stand tall.

Video on Konosuke Takeshita vs. Kazuchika Okada.

Darby Allin says he keeps taking these title matches because he feels it. He basically says he can’t wait to get to Double Or Nothing, more or less treating Mike Bailey as the nothing challenger that he really is.

Video on MJF vs. Darby Allin.

Tommaso Ciampa vs. Mark Briscoe

Anything goes. Briscoe throws in a trashcan full of weapons to start but Ciampa gets in a shot to the back to put him down. Ciampa goes under the ring to find his own trashcan full of weapons…including a mousetrap, which catches his own hand. A chair is sat up at ringside, with Ciampa being sat down for a Blockbuster. The Froggy Bow through the table is broken up and Ciampa sends him through the table instead. The cheese grater slices open Briscoe’s head (ignore that his head seemed to be bleeding first) and we take a break

We come back with Ciampa covering a stuffed chicken but Briscoe pulls the referee out. Briscoe whips out a fire extinguisher to spray Ciampa (and the air around him) and then staples barbed wire to a table. Believe it or not, that takes WAY too long and Ciampa is back up to staple a piece of paper to Briscoe’s head. Loading up a kneepad covered in thumbtacks takes way too long as well as Briscoe sends him into the ladder in the corner.

Briscoe uses a screwdriver for some stabbing but Ciampa suplexes him through the ladder for two. Back up and they slug it out, with the rather bloody Ciampa getting the better of things again. The super Air Raid Crash through some open chairs is broken up so Briscoe puts them back to back for an Iconoclasm onto their edges. A Jay Driller through the barbed wire table and the Froggy Bow finish Ciampa at 14:16.

Rating: C+. Yeah ok. This was just carnage for the sake of carnage and they lost me a few minutes into it. Much like what I’m expecting from Stadium Stampede, you could pretty much picture the two of them mapping out the stunts. It was violent and intense, but it didn’t feel like they were really fighting, which isn’t a good sign.

Tony Schiavone is in the ring to talk about the Owen Hart Tournament but Prince Nana interrupts and says he has this. He brings out Swerve Strickland but here is Bandido to jump Strickland. Bandido goes after Nana though and Strickland gets in a shot to the knee. The Vertebreaker on the chair is broken up and Bandido gorilla presses him instead. Strickland bails from the threat of said chair.

Willow Nightingale talks about some of her great moments, including a recent title defense against Red Velvet. Unfortunately she injured her shoulder and is out of the Owen Hart Cup and has to vacate the TBS Title. GAH that’s a bad one as she was having the run of her career. She doesn’t know when she’ll be back but she’ll be back on top.

Jon Moxley vs. Kyle O’Reilly

Non-title eliminator match. O’Reilly goes after the arm to start and gets reversed into a headlock takeover. This lets Taz talk about leverage and control, which is what he does best. They get up and grapple again, with Moxley getting him into the corner to take him down. Moxley starts stomping on the fingers but wins another strike off. O’Reilly kicks away in the corner, followed by a snap suplex.

They strike it out again with Moxley getting in a body shot to put O’Reilly down. Moxley puts him against the ropes and hammers away but gets backdropped out to the floor instead. O’Reilly’s ribs/body won’t let him dive though and Moxley knocks him down again as we take a break. We come back with Moxley holding a bodyscissors until O’Reilly goes for the eyes to break it up. O’Reilly kicks the leg out and they trade some running shots against the ropes.

Some knees to the face let O’Reilly flip him over and a running boot puts Moxley on the floor. They go outside and trade a bunch of kicks to the chest until O’Reilly goes up top. Moxley bites the head and rakes the back, setting up a superplex to leave them both down again. O’Reilly escapes a choke and grabs the ankle lock, which is reversed into the bulldog choke. The rope is reached for the break and O’Reilly gets to the apron to twist the arm down.

A running dropkick has Moxley in more trouble but Moxley is back with a cutter gets two. O’Reilly grabs a choke of his own, setting up a t-bone suplex. One heck of a PK drops Moxley again but he pops up and, say it with me, they trade forearms. We have less than a minute to go as Moxley misses a Stomp and gets ankle locked again. The grapevine goes on but Moxley manages to make it through the time for the draw at 20:00.

Rating: B. That’s our Moxley. He’s tapped to O’Reilly before but he won’t do it again because he’s this awesome tough guy who doesn’t tap anymore because now he’s just too tough. This is a rather basic way to set up a rematch at the pay per view and while I’m not sure why I’d want to see them do it again so soon after a twenty minute draw, it does make sense and I’ll take that. Just imagine how many times they can trade forearms in a rematch!

Hold on though as O’Reilly says Moxley survived him so he wants a no time limit title match.

Kris Statlander is upset over Willow Nightingale but Hikaru Shida interrupts, saying they’re here to watch and want the women to fight hard in their upcoming match.

Rush wants Darby Allin next week if he survives his next title defenses.

Athena/Triangle Of Madness vs. Thunder Rosa/Mina Shirakawa/Brawling Birds

Athena wins a wrestle off with Rosa to start and shakes a bit before handing it off to Blue. Windsor comes in and gets caught in a headlock but Hayter tags herself in and, after accidentally kicking Windsor, boots Blue down for one instead. Shirakawa comes in to take over on Thekla and hits a slingshot spinning splash.

We take a break and come back with Blue pulling Shirakawa down by the hair and a Tarantula in the corner. Hayter tries to make a save and gets caught in an Upside Down, leaving Shirakawa to get beaten up even more. Shirakawa fights out of the corner and brings in Rosa to clean house, including a running shot to Blue in the corner. Everything breaks down and Athena gets to clean house until she is the only one left standing. Shirakawa tornado DDTs Athena on the floor and Blue kicks Rosa down inside. Thekla’s belt shot is cut off but Hart mists Rosa, allowing Thekla to roll her up for the pin at 9:43.

Rating: B-. There was a lot going on here and there is only so much you can do with that many people and a somewhat limited amount of time. Athena got to showcase herself while she could but as usual, she feels like someone who AEW tolerates rather than wants to push. Hopefully she gets to do something in the tournament, but I wouldn’t bet on it. The match was pretty good as a preview for Sunday and the tournament, so at least it accomplished its goals.

Kevin Knight gives Mike Bailey a pep talk and wants a shot at the World Title. Works for Bailey.

The Death Riders do group pushups and he’s ready for Kyle O’Reilly in their no time limit match at Double Or Nothing. Moxley thanks O’Reilly for giving him a chance to practice what he preached. O’Reilly survived tonight and on Sunday he gets to try his odds and see if he can go double or nothing (thankfully Moxley does acknowledge that it’s kind of a lame line).

AEW World Title: Mike Bailey vs. Darby Allin

Allin is defending and before the bell, here is MJF to join commentary. Bailey hits…I think a kick but the camera was on MJF as we start. The Tornado Kick connects less than fifteen seconds in and Allin has to go to the apron to avoid the Ultimate Weapon. The triangle moonsault hits Allin on the floor and Bailey slams him outside as well. That means a double knee drop off the steps but Allin crotches him on the barricade. The Scorpion Death Drop plants Bailey onto the barricade and we take a break.

We come back with the two of them still on the floor and Allin using the steps to crush Bailey’s foot. They get back inside with Bailey knocking him down again but missing the Ultimate Weapon. The Coffin Drop connects but MJF puts the foot on the rope. Cue Kevin Knight to yell at MJF, who backs off and sits back down. Bailey kicks Allin the head a few times for two before the moonsault knees connect as well. The Flamenco Driver is countered into a Scorpion Death Drop but the Scorpion Deathlock sends Bailey to the rope. A Coffin Drop sets up another Deathlock to retain the title at 11:00.

Rating: B. The best thing here is they didn’t go as insane with Allin surviving stuff. That has been an issue with some of his title defenses and thankfully it wasn’t quite so badly. Bailey never felt like he was a real threat to win the title and they didn’t spend nearly as much time on a match that didn’t need it. Allin got beaten up, made a comeback and retained. Simple, yet effective here.

MJF storms off to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This was a good example of a show where my bigger issues were more around the style being presented. The main portion of this show felt like it was all about the insanity or violence and more the people just getting to do what they liked. That being said, the last two matches were better and Moxley vs. O’Reilly had some moments. I can accept that some of the things they did accomplished what they were trying but I’m just not a fan, as that’s not the same thing as being bad. I didn’t have a great time for a lot of this, but it did get better by the end.

Results
Don Callis Family/Ricochet b. Young Bucks/Chris Jericho – Foreign object shot to Matt
Mark Briscoe b. Tommaso Ciampa – Froggy Bow
Jon Moxley vs. Kyle O’Reilly went to a time limit draw
Athena/Triangle Of Madness b. Brawling Birds/Thunder Rosa/Mina Shirakawa – Mist to Rosa
Darby Allin b. Mike Bailey – Scorpion Deathlock

 

 

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AEW Collision – May 16, 2026: It’s Still Going

Collision
Date: May 16, 2026
Location: Wicomico Civic Center, Salisbury, Maryland
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Nigel McGuinness

We’re back to the usual time and schedule for the show as we have the World Title on the line again. This time Darby Allin is defending against Sammy Guevara, who issued the challenge at last night’s Ring Of Honor Supercard Of Honor. That’s in addition to a few other matches set up at last night’s show. Let’s get to it.

Here is Dynamite if you need a recap.

We run down the card.

After Dynamite, Jon Moxley, with the Death Riders, complained about not being able to beat Kyle O’Reilly. In theory, that means O’Reilly will be the next Continental Champion but Moxley is going to find a way. Claudio Castagnoli is ready to face Brody King in the Owen Hart Tournament. The rest of the team is ready to face the world. If it’s Wheeler Yuta against the world, the world doesn’t have much to worry about.

Conglomeration vs. Shane Taylor Promotions

Non-title Eliminator Match. Bravo and Briscoe trade headlocks to start with Briscoe knocking him into the corner. That means it’s off to O’Reilly vs. Moriarty, with O’Reilly taking him down to taking him down into a rollup for two. The cross armbreaker is blocked but everything breaks down, with O’Reilly being left alone to hammer Moriarty in the corner. Cassidy comes in for one right hand and Moriarty falls down.

Dean comes in and gets armdragged by Cassidy, who is sent to the apron and beats up the Infantry anyway. A slingshot spear finally takes Cassidy down and Taylor (not in the match) drops a leg on the apron as we take a break. We come back with Cassidy getting in his spinning DDT but Moriarty grabs an abdominal stretch.

The other members of the team all pull until they get caught, meaning Cassidy can bring O’Reilly back in. The Infantry’s belly to back neckbreaker puts O’Reilly down for two and everything breaks down. Taylor cuts off Briscoe’s step up chair dive so O’Reilly takes Taylor down. That leaves Briscoe to Froggy Bow and Jay Driller Dean for the pin at 13:33.

Rating: B. This was the usual good match that turned into a fairly wild brawl by the end. That worked out well, with the Conglomeration always working, even in the altered lineup. Both teams were mixing it up a bit here and that’s fine enough, as it’s not like the titles were on the line in the first place.

Will Ospreay is ready for the Owen Hart Tournament. He respects Samoa Joe, but no one is stopping him from winning the whole thing.

The Conglomeration is happy with their win (it wasn’t a title defense, despite what the interviewer says). O’Reilly is ready for Moxley and Briscoe is ready for Tommaso Ciampa. Willow Nightingale wants all the gold, including the Women’s Title.

TBS Title: Willow Nightingale vs. Red Velvet

Nightingale is defending (Velvet’s ROH Women’s TV Title isn’t on the line) and say it with me: it’s an open challenge. Nightingale backs her into the corner and smiles to start so Velvet kicks the leg out. Velvet’s arm cranking doesn’t work so Nightingale gets up and offers a (left) hand(ed) shake.

Velvet tries and fails to crank on the arm and Nightingale sends her into the corner for the rapid fire clotheslines. A sitdown splash misses for Nightingale and Velvet rolls her up for two. They head outside, with Velvet striking away, only to get caught with a suplex. We take a break and come back with Nightingale missing her flip dive off the apron for a nasty crash. A bulldog gives Velvet two but she charges into a spinebuster for the same.

Nightingale drops her with a powerslam but the Babe With The Powerbomb is countered into a hurricanrana. Velvet hits some running knees, only to flip into a full nelson slam for two more. Back up and Nightingale wins a strike off but gets flipped off the top. The Final Slice gives Velvet two, only for Nightingale to Pounce her out of her skin. The Babe With The Powerbomb retains the title at 13:03.

Rating: B-. Velvet has been on a roll since she came back from her injury and it’s nice to see her getting to showcase that on the bigger stage. At the same time, it feels like all Nightingale does anymore is defend the title in open challenges. It really shouldn’t be hard to find her a regular challenger and hopefully that is coming up sooner than later.

We look at the Women’s Owen Hart Cup brackets.

Video on Sammy Guevara, who is ready to challenge Darby Allin for the World Title.

Guevara knows he can beat Allin, as he’s done it four times before. Then he’ll beat MJF and shave him bald, but he’ll leave a fade.

Darby Allin isn’t surprised MJF isn’t here. He’s here to defend the title though because he loves this. If Mike Bailey wants a title shot, bring it on Dynamite.

Tommaso Ciampa is attacking Mark Briscoe in the back and they brawl into the arena, where Briscoe whips him into the barricade. Briscoe throws in some chairs, along with Ciampa, but the Jay Driller is broken up with a low blow. Ciampa chairs him down and takes Briscoe up top but the Conglomeration runs in for the save. Briscoe wants their match on Dynamite No DQ.

We look at the Men’s Owen Hart Cup brackets.

Opps vs. Lethal Twist

Lethal wants to start with Joe and gets his wish, with a chop just annoying Joe a bit more. It’s off to Bowens and Johnson, with Bowens sending him hard into the corner and stomping away. Bowens drives Lethal back first into the apron a few times as he’s being rather aggressive here. Back in and a Russian legsweep sets up Joe’s backsplash for two but a Blake Christian distraction lets Lethal hit a missile dropkick.

We take a break and come back with Johnson hammering on Joe. The beating doesn’t last long as Joe is up for the tag off to Bowens, who cleans house. A spinning torture rack faceplant gets two on Johnson, who Death Valley Drivers him into Hail To The King from Lethal. The Figure Four is blocked and Bowens clotheslines his way out of trouble. Joe comes in and yells at Lethal for clotheslining him, meaning it’s the Koquina Clutch to Lethal and a twisting armbar to Johnson for the double tap at 11:48.

Rating: B-. I can go for Bowens getting to do something of note after so many months of just floating around. The more aggressive style worked well for him here and the armbar is a fine way to go. This has me intrigued to see more and that’s not something I’ve gotten to say about a Bowens match for a long time. Nice fit here, which I didn’t see coming.

Post match Bowens talks about how confused he was for a long time, but then he found the Opps and it’s a perfect fit. He is the pride of professional wrestling and your hero, crediting Joe with his change of attitude. Joe tells Will Ospreay that decisions have consequences and while Ospreay sees it as a dream match, it’s going to be a nightmare.

We look at Swerve Strickland attacking Bandido last night at Supercard Of Honor.

Brody King threatens Strickland with violence but Bandido says he has to do this one himself.

Megan Bayne/Lena Kross vs. Allie Katch/Kaia McKenna

Non-title Eliminator match with a five minute time limit. Bayne knocks Katch into the corner to start and it’s off to Kross for the rapid fire elbows to the face. Everything breaks down and the non-champions get slammed into each other. The Divine Intervention finishes Katch at 1:50.

Video on the Double Or Nothing Women’s Title match.

Athena and Mina Shirakawa bicker before their Owen Hart Cup match.

We look at Nigel McGuinness beating Josh Woods at Supercard Of Honor.

We look at Lio Rush’s “star making performance” from last night. Not exactly no.

Rush, being rather normal, says “these things happen”, when asked about Action Andretti costing him the match. He insists it’s fine, but when interviewer Nigel McGuinness leaves, he takes off his sunglasses to reveal red eyes as black goo drips out of his mouth. Anything in wrestling involving “black goo” is not a good idea. Free lesson of the day.

The Dogs/Mark Davis vs. The Rascalz

Clark Connors beats up a production worker for dropping something. The Rascalz triple team Davis to start and manage to knock him down in the corner. Everything breaks down and the Rascalz get to strike Davis down inside. The Dogs make a save and Wentz gets triple teamed down as we take a break.

We come back with Connors running over to break up a tag attempt as Wentz is still in trouble. Wentz fights up a few seconds later and gets the tag off to Reed to clean house. The Dogs cut that off and it’s back to Davis, who takes too long setting up a double Doomsday Device. That’s broken up with a double superplex and the Rascalz hit a triple dive. Reed cutters both Dogs but gets piledriven by Davis, setting up the Last Clip to give Finlay the pin at 11:33.

Rating: B-. The match was entertaining, but I could really go for more tag matches with, you know, tags throughout. I get that things are going to break down eventually as almost all tag matches do, but it shouldn’t be this much of the match. Davis and the Dogs worked well enough here and the Dogs certainly need the wins.

Anna Jay has a lot left to do and Tay Melo is here with her. Their team seems to be back.

AEW World Title: Darby Allin vs. Sammy Guevara

Allin is defending and it’s No Countout again. Allin looks down at the title…and Guevara stomps him onto it for a smart move. The bell rings and Guevara goes outside to set up the table (because No Countout means No DQ) and a ladder (because of course). Guevara’s Swanton off the ladder sends Allin through the table and we’re less than two minutes into the match.

Back in and the GTH is countered into the Scorpion Deathlock but Allin collapses with the hold on. For some reason that’s not a stoppage and Guevara drops a springboard splash for two. Allin knocks him off the top but the Coffin Drop is broken up and Guevara sends Allin crashing out to the floor. Back in and Three Amigos give Guevara two and we hit the chinlock.

We take a break and come back with Guevara diving into a choke but making the rope. Guevara is back up with a shot to the face but Allin kicks him in the face and hits a springboard shoulder. A pair of GTH’s and a frog splash give Guevara two so he puts Allin on a table at ringside. The 630 misses for Guevara and a Coffin Drop retains the title at 17:06.

Rating: C+. I get what they’re going for with Allin but I’m at the point where I really could go for a break from him. Seeing the same person headline show after show in a 15-20 minute match is losing its charm. The match was far from bad, but I’m looking forward to Allin losing the title just so he’s away for a little while. Throw in him reaching Super Cena levels of surviving stuff and it’s even worse.

Overall Rating: B-. I liked the show for the most part, as it felt more like a show that was focusing on setting things up while also doing some stuff here. That’s not usually the case with Collision but they have been doing a bit better in recent weeks. If that’s becoming the new norm, Collision will get a lot more useful in a hurry. For now, good stuff, even if I’m rather over the Allin stuff.

Results
Conglomeration b. Shane Taylor Promotions – Jay Driller to Dean
Willow Nightingale b. Red Velvet – Babe With The Powerbomb
Opps b. Lethal Twist – Double submission
Megan Bayne/Lena Kross b. Allie Katch/Kaia McKenna – Divine Intervention to Katch
The Dogs/Mark Davis b. The Rascalz – Last Clip to Reed
Darby Allin b. Sammy Guevara – Coffin Drop

 

 

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AEW Collision – May 6, 2026: Line Them Up

Collision
Date: May 6, 2026
Location: North Charleston Coliseum, North Charleston, South Carolina
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Taz, Excalibur

This is one of those split shows as we’re getting the first half on Wednesday right after Dynamite and the second half on Saturday (with a golf theme, hopefully featuring Barry Darsow and Kerw….never mind). The main event is a ten man tag and yes it does indeed feature the Young Bucks. Let’s get to it.

Here is Dynamite if you need a recap.

We open with Sting helping Darby Allin up after Allin retained the World Title in the Dynamite main event. Sting gives Kevin Knight a nod of respect before leaving…and here is MJF to interrupt. Everyone is sick of seeing Allin with the title. It’s been cute and all but give him the rematch already. Allin wants something on the line, so MJF offers his scarf and the Dynamite Diamond Ring but that’s not enough.

MJF throws in a million bucks but Allin doesn’t care about money. Allin wants MJF’s hair on the line, even revealing that MJF flew to Turkey for a hair transplant. MJF has until next week to sign the contract or he never gets a rematch. MJF can’t bring himself to say anything and leaves, so here is Kazuchika Okada to interrupt. Okada requests and received a title shot next week. Oh sweet. I was hoping we’d only have one champion get beaten on Dynamite this month.

Will Ospreay is told his neck is improving and if his MRI this week looks good, he’ll be medically cleared. Ospreay won’t really say what he’s doing with the Death Riders but it seems to be a means to an end.

Mike Bailey vs. AR Fox

They go to the mat a few times to start for a standoff so Bailey gives him the bouncing kicks to the floor. Bailey avoids a charge to send Fox outside, setting up a springboard corkscrew moonsault. Back in and a missile dropkick connects for Bailey and we take a break. We come back with a battle over a suplex until Fox DDTs him out of the corner.

A spinning suplex gives Fox two and he hits a big dive out to the floor. Back in and a Swanton gives Fox two but he has to avoid a Tornado Kick in the corner. Bailey misses the Ultimate Weapon as well and blocks Lo Mein Pain, meaning the Ultimate Weapon can connect for the pin at 7:33.

Rating: B-. As usual, Fox was entertaining in the ring and can do some very impressive stuff. Unfortunately at the same time, we are long past the point of believing that he has a real chance to win anything important. There are far worse choices to make others look good though and they had a nice, fast paced match.

Willow Nightingale issues another open challenge. How original.

Pac wants a shot at Darby Allin as he’s beaten him before. If Allin is so good, prove Pac wrong and yes, you can consider that an invitation.

Jamie Hayter vs. Skye Blue

Hayter elbows her in the face to start and boots her out to the floor. Back in and Blue gets in a snapmare, followed by a basement superkick for an early two. That’s shrugged off and a fall away slam sends Blue flying and Hayter hits a basement lariat for two of her own. Blue is back up with a Downward Spiral onto the apron and then sends her into the barricade.

We take a break and come back with Hayter suplexing her into the corner and then suplexing her right back out. They trade kicks to the head but Code Blue is blocked, meaning they get to trade headbutts for a double down. Hayter’s choke in the corner is cut off and they both go up for an exchange of slaps. With that not working, a super Hayterade knocks Blue silly for the pin at 9:21.

Rating: C+. It’s good to see Hayter getting a win, though I’m not sure what the endgame is supposed to be. She’s already lost the big title shot against Thekla and yet the feud seems to be continuing. Maybe they’ll run it back or do a triple threat or something, but for now it’s a weird way to go.

The rest of the Triangle Of Madness is in the crowd so Hayter beats Blue up some more.

Don Callis brags about his Family and all the gold they’re going to win. Konosuke Takeshita isn’t happy about Kazuchika Okada wanting the World Title and ignoring their upcoming match. On top of that, Andrade El Idolo wants the World Title as well and leaves. Calls seems to get annoyed but insists the team is going to win everything. Of note: Andrade has a new title on his shoulder which is never identified or even mentioned (yes I know what it is). While the last thing this company needs is more titles floating around, maybe tell us what we’re looking at?

Rush vs. Manny Lo

Bull’s Horns in 43 seconds. Rush’s post match catchphrase almost takes up a third of the match time.

Jack Perry is in his bus but gets out to climb a mountain. The hills are alive with the sounds of Baltimora.

The Dogs/Death Riders vs. Young Bucks/Bang Bang Gang

The brawl starts in the aisle and they get inside for an eight man suplex. The bad guys are almost whipped into each other but walk into a quadruple atomic drop. The Bucks clear the ring and Nick hits a big running dive. Austin’s dive is cut off though and Connors gives him a spear through the ropes.

The Riders stomp away on the floor and we take a break. We come back with Austin suplexing his way out of a chinlock but getting sent into the corner for a string of running clotheslines. Everything breaks down (I can’t believe it took that long) and Austin knocks Castagnoli away, allowing the tag back to Colten. House is cleaned but Colten gets caught in the Dragon Tamer/Stomp combination for two.

Matt comes back in to hit the rolling northern lights suplexes, even hitting two at once and getting a rollup for a near fall at the same time. The Bucks bulldog the Bucks down and it’s time to fire off the superkicks. The BTE Trigger hits Finlay for two and Castagnoli is back in with a double clothesline to the Bucks. A bunch of clotheslines leave everyone down until it’s Austin slugging it out with Yuta. Austin and the Bucks hit a triple superkick on Yuta and the Bucks nail stereo dives. The Fold gives Austin the pin on Yuta at 14:21.

Rating: B. This is pretty much all you would have expected and it felt very similar to all of the other versions of this kind of match AEW has done. It’s entertaining and had the dives and flips, but that’s kind of been done to death, especially with the Bucks. That’s a good enough main event for Collision though, especially one going on this late. I will however take Austin getting a win, as he’s starting to rack up some success around here. That’s rather promising.

The winners (and Juice Robinson) celebrate to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. Yeah that’s Collision for you: basically a house show with people you do recognize showing up and having matches without much impact on anything. You had the MJF/Allin challenge (fair enough as that was important) Rush’s latest push continues, some matches were set up for Dynamite and…yeah that’s about it. The show was perfectly watchable as usual, but it’s very little that you really need to see.

Results
Mike Bailey b. AR Fox – Ultimate Weapon
Jamie Hayter b. Skye Blue – Super Hayterade
Rush b. Manny Lo – Bull’s Horns
Young Bucks/Bang Bang Gang b. The Dogs/Death Riders – Fold to Yuta

 

 

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AEW Collision – May 2, 2026: Yeah That Was Great

Collision
Date: May 2, 2026
Location: Peoria Civic Center, Peoria, Illinois
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Nigel McGuinness

We’re firmly into the Darby Allin title reign now and that very well could have something tied into this week as well. Other than that, we’re on the way to Double Or Nothing in a few weeks and that means the card needs to be put together. Some of the matches are either set or practically made so maybe we get some movement in that direction this week. Let’s get to it.

Here is Dynamite if you need a recap.

Death Riders/The Dogs vs. Top Flight/Rascalz

The Rascalz and Top Flight jump the villains to start and the brawl is on the floor before the bell. The bell does indeed ring and Reed is right there with a big dive onto a pile at ringside. Back in and Connors misses a charge into the corner, allowing Wentz to strike away in the corner. Finlay comes in to stomp Wentz in the corner but it’s quickly off to Darius to strike away at Pac.

That doesn’t last long either as Moxley comes in to rain down right hands in the corner but Darius fires off some forearms. Darius gives him a suplex into Dante’s slingshot hilo, allowing Reed to hit a springboard spinning dropkick. Castagnoli drops Reed on the floor though and we get a stream of knockdowns outside. Back in and Reed dives into Castagnoli’s uppercut as we take a break.

We come back with Reed fighting out of trouble but getting taken right back down. Reed gets close to the tag but the other villains run in to knock his partners off the apron. The diving tag brings Xavier in a few seconds later and everything breaks down. Connors gets double stomped for two but the push moonsault is broken up. A spear gets two on Wentz but he knocks Connors down, allowing the tag back to Darius.

Everything breaks down and Pac gets taken down with a springboard Downward Spiral for two more. Finlay gets caught in the wrong corner and pummeled with a string of strikes but he shoves Reed into Wentz. A high/low hits Xavier but the Rascalz are back in with stereo springboard Codebreakers. Moxley gets tornado DDTed for two, only for Pac’s big lariat to drop Darius. The Brutalizer makes Darius tap at 16:23.

Rating: B. I mean, yeah it’s a lot of fun and you could tell the people involved had a great time. The thing is, I feel like I’ve seen a version of this match or something really close to it dozens of times in AEW. That doesn’t make it bad in any way, but if you want to get the “I can’t believe I just saw a match like that” feeling, maybe don’t have multiple versions of it every week.

Jack Perry, and his bus, are on the way.

National Title: Jack Perry vs. Mascara Dorada

Perry is defending and, after a handshake, goes for the wristlock. A headlock takeover works a bit better for Perry and he follows it up with a monkey flip. Back up and quite the headscissors drops Perry for a change and they trade very springboardy wristdrags. Dorada sends him crashing out to the floor and then into the crowd, where Perry comes up swinging. They slug it out on the barricade until Dorada hits a Canadian Destroyer.

We take a break and come back with the two of them trading flips until Perry superkicks him into a poisonrana. Dorada’s Code Red drops Perry and they both need a breather. A Blue Thunder Bomb gives Perry two more and he sends Dorada outside for a moonsault. Back in and Dorada kicks his leg out and loads up an electric chair, which is flipped into a neckbreaker for a rather near fall.

The 450 gets two more and Dorada knees him out of the air. A Razor’s Edge Dominator plants Perry for another near fall but the shooting star press hits raised knees. Dorada goes up top again but gets pulled down with a super hurricanrana for the pin to retain the title at 14:20.

Rating: A-. This got rather outstanding by the end and that’s no surprise given Dorada was in there. He shows up every so often and has become a remarkable treat around here. That fast paced style works so well for him and that was certain the case with this one. Perry is a lot better when he’s firmly in the midcard where he belongs because he can do stuff like this. Very good stuff here as they kept pulling me in further, which doesn’t happen often.

On Dynamite, Kris Statlander snapped on Hikaru Shida for costing them the Women’s Tag Team Titles. Shida promised to make it up to her.

Conglomeration vs. MxM TV

Non-title. O’Reilly and Mansoor start things off with some kicks sending Mansoor over for the tag to TV. That’s fine with O’Reilly, who hammers away in the corner to put TV in trouble. Cassidy takes too long to hit a single punch though and TV kicks him down, followed by a big dive to the floor. MxM poses inside and it’s a side kick/German suplex combination to Cassidy.

Starship Pain gets two as everything breaks down. What looks like a double Doomsday Device is broken up and Mansoor gets crotched on top. Madden gets Angle Slammed and low bridged to the floor, with Cassidy sitting on O’Reilly’s shoulders. Cassidy chokeshoves Mansoor onto Madden and Cassidy’s falling top rope elbow finishes TV at 4:29.

Rating: C+. Yeah this was fine, with the champs getting to show off a bit against an established team. It was nice to see the Conglomeration win a shorter match for a change and look dominant enough. After a pair of long, wild matches, this was a nice change of pace and it went well.

Post match Tommaso Ciampa comes out for the staredown.

We get a rather somber moment with commentary wishing Rebel the best in her health situation. That’s a nice thing to see, but dang the whole situation is a punch to the gut.

We recap Will Ospreay seemingly joining the Death Riders.

TBS Title: Willow Nightingale vs. Anna Jay

Nightingale is defending in an Open Challenge and this is Jay’s first match since November. Jay’s early rollup attempt is blocked so she sits Jay on top instead. Nightingale wants Jay to show her fire, which apparently means a sunset flip for two. Some clotheslines in the corner have Jay in trouble but she avoids a backsplash. The running flipping neckbreaker gets two and Jay fires off the kicks in the corner. Nightingale sends her outside though and hits a flip dive off the apron.

We take a break and come back with Jay fighting back but getting sent into the corner again. A superplex drops Jay and a Death Valley Driver gets two. Jay kicks her in the face and grabs an X Factor for two, followed by the Queenslayer. Nightingale breaks that up though and grabs the Babe With The Powerbomb to retain at 9:45.

Rating: C+. It’s good to have Jay back, as she is one of the long lasting members of the division. At the same time, it seems like nothing has changed for her as she continues to lose big matches. The good thing is Nightingale gets another win, though she’s going to need a big challenger sooner rather than later.

Hikaru Shida’s make up gift to Kris Statlander is…a match against Harley Cameron and Mina Shirakawa. Shouting ensues.

Death Riders vs. Bang Bang Gang

Yuta and Robinson start things off with the former quickly being taken into the wrong corner. That’s broken up and a rolling tag brings Austin in to fight back. A basement dropkick hits Yuta and Austin hits a kick from the apron. That means the handstand can ensue, only for Austin to get dropkicked to the floor. Back in and Garcia hammers away in the corner as we take a break.

We come back with Austin still in trouble, with the Riders hitting a string of running shots in the corner. Austin fights out of Garcia’s front facelock and grabs a Death Valley Driver, allowing Robinson to come back in. House is quickly cleaned but Marina Shafir’s distraction lets Garcia get in a cheap shot. That’s shrugged off and Robinson hammers away on the now bleeding Yuta.

A lariat gives Robinson two as everything stays broken down. Austin is flipped over the top to the floor, meaning it’s a Fastball Special for two on Robinson. Back in and Austin hits his springboard spinning kick to the head but walks into an Angle Slam. Robinson is back up with his forward DDT and actually pins Garcia at 12:07.

Rating: B-. Well dang man. I wasn’t expecting that so well done on having a surprise result for a change. It helps when the Gang never wins anything of note so having them beat an established team is a good thing. The group still needs reinforcements, but a win is better than nothing.

Post match Jon Moxley freaks out and Robinson motions that he wants the Continental Title. That brings the Riders in for the beatdown but the Gunns are back to make the save. Yuta is laid out with the 3:10 To Yuma.

Megan Bayne and Lena Kross brag about their success.

Skye Blue vs. Nixi XS

Blue kicks her in the face at the bell and another boot sends Nixi out to the floor. A hanging swinging neckbreaker drops Nixi again and it’s a Cheeky Nandos Kick back inside. The running knee connects but Blue pulls her up at two. The Descent Into Madness finishes for Blue at 2:15. Complete squash.

Here’s what’s coming on various shows.

TNT Title: Hook vs. Kevin Knight

Hook, with Katsuyori Shibata, is challenging and takes Knight down by the leg to start. Back up and Knight gets in a shot to the arm before they fight over a lockup on the ropes. Hook flips out of a hiptoss attempt before avoiding a dropkick, leaving Knight frustrated. With nothing working, Knight slugs away in the corner and dropkicks him to the floor. The slingshot dive misses though and Hook suplexes him over the barricade.

We take a break and come back with Hook’s northern lights suplex getting two. Knight makes the clothesline comeback and hits the spinning splash for two of his own. A super hurricanrana sends Hook flying and a running dropkick hits him in the corner. The referee gets distracted though and Shibata crotches Knight on top. A belly to belly superplex and a high angle suplex give Hook two but Redrum is countered. Knight takes Shibata out and hits a running DDT into the UFO Splash to retain at 12:06.

Rating: C+. The match was fine for an extended Knight workout, but that’s about all it was. There was zero reason to believe that Hook was going to win the title, especially from someone who has been on a roll like Knight. As a result, the Opps, or at least half of them, were little more than some pests that had to be dealt with here. In other words, it’s exactly what you would expect from the Opps if Joe isn’t involved.

Overall Rating: B+. Any show with those first two matches is going to be a hit, even if the rest of the show was somewhat mediocre. This show felt like the usual Collision, but dang that Perry vs. Dorada match was awesome. The in-ring side of things have been on a roll lately in AEW and if they can get their stories close to that level, the place will be hard to stop. Check out the first two matches here, as they’re rather great.

Results
Death Riders/The Dogs b. Top Flight/Rascalz – Brutalizer to Darius
Jack Perry b. Mascara Dorada – Super hurricanrana
Conglomeration b. MxM TV – Top rope elbow to TV
Willow Nightingale b. Anna Jay – Babe With The Powerbomb
Bang Bang Gang b. Death Riders – Forward DDT to Garcia
Skye Blue b. Nixi XS – Descent Into Madness
Kevin Knight b. Hook – UFO Splash

 

 

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AEW Collision – April 25, 2026: They’re It

Collision
Date: April 25, 2026
Location: Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Portland, Oregon
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Tony Schiavone, Excalibur

We’re back on Saturday nights and hopefully that doesn’t mean we’re back to the usual less than important shows. There are two title matches tonight and naturally the Don Callis Family is challenging in both of them. Other than that, we get to hear from FTR so let’s get to it.

Here is Dynamite if you need a recap.

The Conglomeration is ready to go but FTR and Stokely interrupt because they have something to say to Adam Copeland and Christian Cage.

Here are FTR and Stokely to do just that. They get right to the point by accepting Copeland and Cage’s challenge for Double Or Nothing but they want this to be definitive. It can be a street fight, but they want it to be an I Quit match (Harwood: “Five letters, two words.”) so the nostalgia run can end for good. Ball’s in your court.

Trios Titles: Conglomeration vs. Don Callis Family

Lance Archer/Hechicero/Andrade El Idolo are challenging for the Family. The Conglomeration run into FTR on their way to the ring and shove FTR down. That’s rather unpleasant. Hechicero and O’Reilly go technical to start with Hechicero going after the leg. Strong comes in and backbreakers Hechicero so Cassidy can…eventually…drop an elbow.

Archer comes in and Cassidy changes his mind by bringing Strong back in. That doesn’t last long either so it’s off to Andrade vs. Cassidy. The lazy kicks don’t do much to Andrade so Cassidy steals his belt and rips the pants down, leaving Andrade staggering. Strong comes back in to hammer away in the corner but Andrade clotheslines Cassidy and steals his shirt as we take a break.

We come back with Cassidy fighting out of the corner, including a double hurricanrana to Andrade and Hechicero. O’Reilly gets the big tag and everything breaks down, with Strong tossing Cassidy into various Family members. Andrade fights back and hits Two Amigos on O’Reilly, who breaks up the third. Archer is back in to clean house, with a spinning Boss Man Slam getting two on Cassidy. The chokeslam is countered with an Orange Punch and a high/low gives Cassidy the pin at 13:25.

Rating: B-. This was a good opener with the Family being fine as the designated losers to make the new champs look strong in their first defense. It helps that the titles have changed hands on this show before so the result wasn’t entirely a formality. At the same time, Archer taking the fall doesn’t seem to be a great idea, as that isn’t how a monster tends to be treated.

After Dynamite, the Death Riders sat down with Will Ospreay, with Marina Shafir apparently wrenching his neck to fix it. Jon Moxley asks what Ospreay is trying to do. They met seven years ago and at some point, Ospreay needs to realize that his body will break down. There is a door he can walk through and they can settle up, with Moxley sliding him a chair. Moxley says Ospreay can be anything he wants to be, or be like everyone else. With that, Moxley lays face down on the floor and Ospreay picks up the chair…and shoves the camera away.

Death Riders/The Dogs vs. Young Bucks/Rascalz

Moxley, apparently not dead, is on commentary. Xavier and Yuta start things off and everything breaks down, with Yuta getting caught in the wrong corner. Matt gets crushed in another corner but the Rascalz fight back to knock Castagnoli down. That doesn’t last long as Garcia and Castagnoli grab Sharpshooters, only for the Bucks to sunset flip in for Sharpshooters on the Dogs (rather than, you know, saving their partners).

Xavier DDTs Yuta in the middle and small packages him for two, which breaks the four holds. Yuta suplexes Xavier out of the corner and the bad guys are in control as we take a break. We come back with Reed cleaning house, including a rather bouncy cutter to Yuta. Moxley: “This is what we live for!” There is something to be said for seeing Yuta get beaten up. Matt comes back in to roll the northern lights suplexes and Connors is knocked down.

The good guys hit a string of dives and shots from the top, only for Castagnoli to cut off Xavier’s. The Swing sends Xavier into Yuta’s dropkick but the Bucks are back in for the save. Reed does his big running cutter to drop Castagnoli onto the pile at ringside, leaving Wentz to hit a top rope cutter on Finlay. A suplex is loaded up but reversed, with Wentz being lifted up so Connors’ top rope spear can finish him at 14:09.

Rating: B. The match was the usual insane collection of spots and dives…and my goodness I cannot bring myself to care. I feel like I’ve seen this match about 100 times this year alone and this one just happened to be a ten man version. It’s certainly not bad and the athleticism is great, but it came and went and I’m sure we’ll see something that is basically the same at least twice in the next week.

Mina Shirakawa and Harley Cameron want Hikaru Shida to apologize, but she stands by what she said: Cameron will never be on their level. Arguing ensues.

Kris Statlander vs. B3cca

B3cca jumps her to start and gets sent into the corner to start. Statlander actually gets tied up in the ropes for some stomps and a top rope dropkick. Back in and Staturday Night Fever is broken up, with B3cca grabbing Carmella’s Code Of Silence. That’s easily reversed into Staturday Night Fever to give Statlander the pin at 1:48. B3cca got in a lot here.

Post match Statlander walks past Hikaru Shida.

Megan Bayne and Lena Kross are ready for Statlander and Shida.

Rush vs. Adam Priest

Priest takes him down by the arm to start and mocks the horns pose, meaning it’s time to chop it out. Rush isn’t having that and knocks him into the corner to stomp away. The running slap in the corner connects for Rush and we take a break. We come back with Priest hitting an Alabama Jam for two but Rush sends him outside. Stomping against the barricade has Priest in more trouble and the Bull’s Horns finish for Rush at 8:12.

Rating: C. The match was just a step above a squash, with Rush running through Priest and shrugging off his offense, as he should have. On one hand that’s how this should have gone, but it would be nice to see Rush actually do something that matters. I haven’t seen it happen in a long time and it doesn’t feel like it’s changing anytime soon.

Konosuke Takeshita is ready to face Kazuchika Okada.

Kazuchika Okada is ready to face Konosuke Takeshita.

Skye Blue/Thekla vs. Persephone/Alex Windsor

Thekla quickly hands it off to Blue, who pulls Windsor down by the hair to start. They slug it out until Windsor hits a clothesline as everything breaks down. We settle down to Persephone taking over on Blue but Thekla trips Windsor from the floor. Thekla’s double stomp off the apron connects and we take a break.

We come back with Windsor still in trouble but managing a running clothesline. Persephone comes in to send Thekla flying off a fall away slam. Everything breaks down and Persephone hits a double high crossbody. Code Blue is broken up but Persephone misses a charge in the corner. Windsor and Thekla brawl out to the floor and Persephone loads up a Razor’s Edge. Cue Julia Hart to spit mist in Persephone’s eyes though, meaning Code Blue can finish for Blue at 10:29.

Rating: C+. This was another fine match, with Hart’s run in being timed well enough. The odds can even up when Jamie Hayter comes back from injury so there is at least a logical final step with the six woman tag. I’m a bit surprised that Persephone took the fall, but it’s better than Windsor getting pinned again.

We look at MJF and Kevin Knight on Dynamite.

National Title: Jack Perry vs. El Clon

Perry, who has shaved, is defending. They run the ropes to start and sends Clon to the floor, allowing Perry to untie his hair. A dive is cut off by a raised knee and Clon sends him into the steps. That earns Clon a posting into a 619 around the post, followed by a sitout powerbomb for two. Clon gets in a quick clothesline to take over again and we take a break.

We come back with Perry getting up to trade chops, followed by Sliced Bread for two. A spinning Canadian Destroyer gives Perry two more but Clon knees him in the face for the same. Clon’s step up Lionsault is blocked though and Perry’s running knee finishes at 9:51.

Rating: B-. It’s another “here’s a title match even though you probably don’t buy that the title is in jeopardy”. That’s a good way to use the rather large roster and something that has been done with the TV Title equivalent for the better part of ever in wrestling. This worked out well enough, with Perry getting a win while we wait for him to get a better challenger.

Willow Nightingale wants new competition.

Anthony Bowens asks the Opps if he’s on the team or not. Sure. Then the Opps leave him there.

Chris Jericho/Hurt Syndicate vs. The Demand

MVP is here with Jericho and the Syndicate and sits in on commentary. Jericho and Ricochet start things off with Ricochet tagging out before doing anything. Eh it was better when Thekla did it. Everything breaks down and the six way brawl is on. Ricochet is backdropped out to the floor and Kaun is sent outside as well, leaving Jericho to look at a fan’s shirt. Jericho’s big dive to the floor connects and we take a break.

We come back with Ricochet holding Jericho in a seated abdominal stretch. Jericho gives him a backdrop but Kaun is right there to cut off the tag, which is given up a few seconds later. Lashley comes in to clean house and it’s off to Benjamin to fire off the suplexes. It’s back to Jericho to hammer Ricochet on top, setting up the super hurricanrana.

Kaun drops Jericho with a right hand though and everything breaks down again. A Codebreaker gets two on Ricochet and it’s a spear to Kaun. Jericho gets the Walls on Ricochet, with Liona pulling them over to the rope. Ricochet gets in a low blow and the Ricosault finishes Jericho at 11:28.

Rating: B-. That’s a surprising result, as I would have expected Jericho to get his revenge here to set up a bigger match with Ricochet down the line. We will still likely get that, but there is a good chance that it happens at Double Or Nothing with Jericho putting something up. Like his AEW career. Or maybe something of value.

Overall Rating: B-. There were a lot of tag matches on this show and they started to get repetitive after a bit. The main event and a few other things felt like they advanced some stories, but this show combined to feel like quite a bit of filler. It’s not a bad show by any means and if you watch it, you’ll have a good enough time. It’s just not a show you really need to prioritize in the slightest. In other words, it’s what you get out of Collision a lot of the time.

Results
Conglomeration b. Don Callis Family – High/low to Archer
Death Riders/The Dogs b. Rascalz/Young Bucks – Suplex/top rope spear combination to Wentz
Kris Statlander b. B3cca – Staturday Night Fever
Rush b. Adam Priest – Bull’s Horns
Skye Blue/Thekla b. Persephone/Alex Windsor – Code Blue to Persephone
Jack Perry b. El Clon – Running knee
The Demand b. Chris Jericho/Hurt Syndicate – Ricosault to Jericho

 

 

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AEW Dynamite – April 15, 2026: Whoo Boy. Ok Then. And A Comic Book Miniseries.

Dynamite
Date: April 15, 2026
Location: Angel Of The Winds Arena, Everett, Washington
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Excalibur, Bryan Danielson

It’s the first show after Dynasty, which was another good pay per view that ended with MJF retaining the World Title over Kenny Omega. That is the kind of ending that would leave you wondering where the title picture is going next, but this isn’t the most common situation. In this case we have Darby Allin coming after the title after beating Andrade El Idolo on Sunday. Let’s get to it.

Here is Dynasty if you need a recap.

MJF arrives and ignores Renee Paquette but talks to Don Callis. After an exchange of pleasantries and praise, MJF says Andrade will never be title material because he screwed up. Renee finally yells at MJF to get his attention: Allin wants his title match TONIGHT and it’s RIGHT NOW. MJF: “WHAT THE F***???”

AEW World Title: Maxwell Jacob Friedman vs. Darby Allin

MJF is defending but hang on because he says this isn’t happening and threatens to sue everyone from Allin to that pervert Justin Roberts. MJF says that Allin is talented but not that good so…and Allin cuts him off. Allin says you only need one night to turn the wrestling world on its head.

He’s crying as he talks about how he hung posters for this show. He worked so hard to get here and climbed Mount Everest and now he wants the World Title. RING THE BELL! Actually hang on as Bryan Danielson grabs the mic and says Tony Khan agrees that it isn’t fair for MJF to defend the title on no notice. So he can defend it against Allin….in tonight’s main event or be stripped of the title. MJF is ticked and Allin is thrilled. No match here.

After Dynasty, Kenny Omega didn’t have much to say but ran into Will Ospreay in the trainer’s room. Omega doesn’t think he has much time left but Ospreay has the heart of a wrestler and years to go. Ospreay wants the World Title and thinks Omega can do it too. He calls Omega his hero and leaves. The hero bit gets to Omega, who thinks he might still have a chance and asks for the cameras to be cut. This was good stuff, as Omega being the legend who isn’t sure if he has it anymore and Ospreay as the current version of what Omega used to be is interesting.

Tommaso Ciampa vs. Dezmond Xavier

Ciampa stomps away to start fast and sends him into the barricade. Xavier flips over the steps and sticks the landing, followed by a dropkick back inside. Ciampa is ready for the dive and it’s a staredown as we take a break. We come back with Ciampa grabbing a chinlock and throwing up the bicep.

Xavier fights up and strikes away, setting up a middle rope tornado DDT for two. The 450 misses though and Ciampa hits a discus forearm, only to get knocked out to the floor. Xavier hits a dive and now the 450 connects for two. Ciampa knees a springboard out of the air though and Project Ciampa connects. The running knee finishes Xavier at 9:38.

Rating: B-. Ciampa continues to do his thing and should be moving up to the next level at some point. They had a good, fast paced match as Ciampa cut off the high flying and won in the end. I’m not sure where Ciampa is going, but he’s done well with everything he’s done around here thus far. Just find something bigger for him to do.

Post match Ciampa says he wants it all. As in the World Title. Well that’s bigger. Ciampa gets in a cheap shot on Xavier before leaving.

Video on MJF vs. Darby Allin, including MJF beating him with an armdrag takeover.

Here is FTR, with Stokely, for a chat. Harwood talks about how the fans are losers, just like Adam Copeland and Christian Cage when they lost at Dynasty. Stokely talks about all of the teams FTR has beaten and Wheeler wants a moment of silence for Copeland and Cage. We go old school with a ten second pose from FTR to wrap it up.

TNT Title: Claudio Castagnoli vs. Kevin Knight

Knight is defending after winning the title on Dynasty. Some early rollups give Knight two and he dropkicks Castagnoli out to the floor. Castagnoli is back up with an uppercut and a hard slam, followed by the neck crank. That’s broken up and Knight sends him outside for a dive as we take an early break.

We come back with Castagnoli missing an elbow and getting rolled up for two. A top rope clothesline hits Castagnoli and Knight grabs a slam of his own. Castagnoli is sent outside for a big running flip dive and they head right back inside. The super hurricanrana is blocked, as is the super Neutralizer (because that might hurt a lot).

Knight tries a super DDT, which is countered into…something close to a pop up uppercut (it didn’t seem to make contact but fair enough as that was a pretty complicated spot). Knight is back up and springboards into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, meaning it’s time to go Swinging. A catapult sends Knight into the corner but he bounces back with a spinning clothesline. The UFO Splash retains the title at 9:44.

Rating: B. I could go for more of Knight as he’s getting better and more confident in the ring almost every day. That’s a great thing to see as Knight has all kinds of talent and it works to have him in the ring like this. At the same time, Castagnoli is someone who is at his best when he is making someone else look good and beating him clean still feels like a pretty big deal. Nice match.

Post match Knight praises Castagnoli and says he’s not mad at Mike Bailey about losing the Trios Titles. This is moving through another door and he’s ready to go.

Video on Ricochet beating Chris Jericho at Dynasty.

Here is Jericho for a chat. Jericho soaks in some cheering before saying he might have lost at Dynasty because he was down 3-1. Cue the Demand, with Ricochet saying he had the chance to win on Sunday by using what is now the Ricosault. Now Jericho should just leave for good as we’ve seen everything he has.

Jericho thinks Ricosault is a brutal name and keeps calling out Ricochet for being bald while issuing the challenge to come down here one on one. Ricochet gets in the ring and Jericho beats him up, only for the Gates Of Agony to come in and drop Jericho without much trouble. Ricochet even adds a Ricosault. So who does Jericho get to help him?

At Dynasty, Konosuke Takeshita mocked Kazuchika Okada after their loss, which Takeshita intentionally caused.

Will Ospreay vs. Hechicero

Hechicero’s CMLL World Title isn’t on the line. Hechicero takes him down by the arm to start before going after Ospreay’s taped up neck. A headscissors is broken up but Ospreay’s neck is in trouble. Ospreay is able to hit a running hurricanrana into a slingshot dive and we take an early break.

We come back with Hechicero hitting his swinging hammerlock backbreaker. Hechicero spins the neck around and Ospreay has to bail out to the floor. Back in and Hechicero grabs the surfboard but Ospreay escapes for a handspring kick to the head. Hechicero gets up and takes his straps down, allowing Ospreay to fire off some chops. The Hidden Blade is countered into a headscissor driver and we take another break as the medics look at Ospreay’s neck.

We come back again with Hechicero choking on the apron and then knocking him out to the floor. A top rope elbow to the back of the neck gives Hechicero two but Ospreay hits a Stundog Millionaire. Ospreay kicks him in the head but the Oscutter is blocked. Hechicero tries the cross armbreaker so Ospreay stands up and reversed into the Styles Clash (that was slick). The Hidden Blade finishes Hechicero at 17:56.

Rating: A-. You know what this was? An awesome comic book miniseries. Hechicero wasn’t going to beat a star like Ospreay but the superhero fought back against the lesser known villain and beat him after an entertaining fight before moving on to the bigger issues. You could see Ospreay trying to find a way around Hechicero’s skills and hit his big shot, which is exactly what happened in the end. Awesome match here and I got way into this.

Post match Mark Davis runs in to take out Ospreay and gives him a piledriver.

After being attacked by Kamille at Dynasty, Willow Nightingale says she’s ready to take Kamille out on Dynamite.

Renee Paquette is here to talk to…someone but Thekla interrupts. She says the Toxic Spider is in the house and brags about beating Jamie Hayter. Cue Alex Windsor who wants a fight of her own and calls out Thekla for getting fired from Japan. Thekla: “I did not get fired from Japan! Ok I did get fired from Japan!”

Japan couldn’t handle her, just like Windsor can’t do it. The challenge is on and here are the Sisters Of Sin, who are taken out just as fast. Thekla is one of the best, or certainly most entertaining, on the mic in the company, with her firing line being hilarious. Even if she just slipped up, she rolled with it and it worked fine.

Jon Moxley, with the Death Riders, doesn’t feel bad about going after Will Ospreay’s neck to beat him at Dynasty. He’ll be facing Nick Wayne on Collision and doesn’t know much about him, so hopefully Wayne has a surprise.

TBS Title: Willow Nightingale vs. Kamille

Nightingale is defending and strikes away to start fast. Kamille is back to work on the bad arm and twists it down as we take an early break. We come back with Nightingale sending her into the corner for the Cannonball. A running X Factor and Rough Ryder give Kamille two so she tries a cross armbreaker. Nightingale stacks her up for two and sends Kamille into the corner. A backslide retains the title at 8:26.

Rating: C+. Well that came out of nowhere. I’m not sure what the point was in having Kamille come back to win a squash at Dynasty and then lose in a title match three days later. I like Nightingale getting this kind of a win, but this felt like it was rushed through at the last minute rather than at the beginning, which is basically the case coming straight off of a pay per view.

Hikaru Shida and Kris Statlander are ready to win at Collision. Well Shida is at least, as Statlander can’t get a word in edgewise.

Darby Allin is asked about the main event….and Sting shows up. Allin says it’s showtime, but Sting says it’s YOUR time. Allin has to win here right? Like….he has to right?

AEW World Title: Darby Allin vs. Maxwell Jacob Friedman

Allin is challenging and after the Big Match Intros, MJF backs away and asks for time. MJF gives the ring to the referee and uses the distraction to kick Allin low. Allin shoves MJF away though and the referee ducks, allowing Allin to hit a low blow of his own. The Scorpion Death Drop sets up four straight Coffin Drops….and Allin grabs a headlock takeover for the pin and the title at 2:15.

The locker room comes out to celebrate with Allin and even Grandpa Sting shows up for the big feel good moment.

Whoo boy. Ok then. I’m not a big Allin fan, but this couldn’t have gone much better. Allin is someone who has felt ready to move up to the title picture more than once and they threw a curve ball by having him do it this way. They had the very nice touch thrown in of MJF cheating first so Allin’s low blow was evening the score instead of cheating as well.

The headlock takeover was great as well and the whole thing went so fast that you were left wondering if it would actually happen. Normally I would say “save it for the PPV”, but I like the change of pace here with the out of absolutely nowhere ending. It is absolutely not something you can do very often, but if you nail it like this, it’s ok if done very infrequently. Great moment.

Overall Rating: A-. Yeah this went pretty great, with the outstanding shock title change unfortunately overshadowing an incredible Ospreay vs. Hechicero match. There wasn’t much else worth seeing on the show, but I’m thinking a 1-2 punch like they had here was more than enough. I’m not sure I’d call this a big reset, but it was a huge moment in the end and that went about as perfectly as possible. Awesome show here, though I have no idea where things are going from here (which isn’t a bad thing).

Results
Tommaso Ciampa b. Dezmond Xavier – Running knee
Kevin Knight b. Claudio Castagnoli – UFO Splash
Will Ospreay b. Hechicero – Hidden Blade
Willow Nightingale b. Kamille – Backslide
Darby Allin b. Maxwell Jacob Friedman – Headlock takeover

 

 

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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AEW Dynasty 2026: Bold Choice

Dynasty 2026
Date: April 12, 2026
Location: Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Nigel McGuinness

We’re back on pay per view for what doesn’t feel like the biggest show. That’s been the case before though and things have wound up going rather well so maybe they have another one up their sleeves here. The main event is MJF defending the World Title against Kenny Omega so let’s get to it.

Zero Hour: Alex Windsor vs. Marina Shafir

Windsor’s New Japan Strong Women’s Title isn’t on the line. They go right to the slugout to start with Windsor taking her down. Shafir can’t get the armbar all the way in but there’s enough damage to put Windsor in trouble. Another armbar on the ropes sends Windsor outside and Shafir sends her hard into the barricade. Back in and a judo throw takes Windsor down and Shafir steps on her face, which has the fans rather upset.

A whip into the corner has Windsor in more trouble but she manages to send Shafir outside for a breather. Shafir gets back inside and is shouldered down a few times but blocks a Sharpshooter attempt. Back up and another armbar has Windsor in trouble and they strike it out again. A kick to the face puts Windsor down and they get a double breather. Windsor tells her to bring it before grabbing….call it a t-bone DDT for the pin on Shafir at 8:42.

Rating: C+. This was almost a squash until Shafir came out of nowhere with the surprise pin. I do like Windsor winning here though, as Shafir is kind of locked into her spot as one of the Death Riders’ enforcers and doesn’t really need to win anything. On the other hand you have Windsor, who could be turned into a title contender pretty quickly if need be. I’m not sure why this was on the pre-show, as it had enough of a story to be a main roster match, but they got the result right.

Zero Hour: Kamille vs. Big Anne

So Kamille attacked Willow Nightingale and ruined the open challenge for the TBS Title so she gets this instead, ending her 500+ day hiatus from AEW. Kamille stomps away in the corner and hits a pump kick, followed by a torture rack powerbomb for the fast pin at 1:25 to complete the squash. Cool. Now do something with her.

Post match a taped up Nightingale comes in and gets beaten up again.

National Title: Mark Davis vs. Jack Perry

Perry is defending. Davis throws him down to start and knocks Perry’s flying shoulder out of the air. Back up and Perry dropkicks him to the floor but Davis grabs a dive out of the air. That’s escaped as well and Perry hits a quick 619 around the post. They get back inside, with Perry getting knocked back into the corner for a running elbow and backsplash to give Davis two. The chinlock goes on but Perry is right back up to low bridge him to the floor.

Perry grabs a Sliced Bread out of the corner but can’t grab a piledriver. Instead Davis sends him to the apron for a big running shoulder and a suplex slam drops him onto the apron. The piledriver is broken up back inside though, with Perry eventually swinging around into a DDT. Perry hits his own piledriver for two but Davis is back with an enziguri. A quick hurricanrana is enough for Perry to retain the title at 8:30.

Rating: B. I liked this one way more than I was expecting to, as they told a good story out there. It was Perry in over his head physically so he had to pick some shots where he could. That wound up working well, partially because Davis is becoming pretty awesome at being a powerhouse. Good stuff here and a rather nice surprise.

Zero Hour: Women’s Tag Team Titles: Hyan/Maya World vs. Megan Bayne/Lena Kross

Kross and Bayne are defending and Kross knocks World down to start. World pops right back up and brings in Hyan to face Bayne. A hurricanrana out of the corner takes Bayne down but she knocks both of them outside without much trouble. Bayne’s suplex sets up a basement crossbody for two and some running pump kicks in the corner drop Hyan for two. Hyan manages to low bridge Bayne to the floor but it’s still not enough for the tag.

Bayne misses a charge into the post though and it’s back to World to pick up the pace on Kross. Everything breaks down and a running knee into a neckbreaker drops Kross for two. That doesn’t last long as Kross kicks her way out of trouble and Bayne fall away slam/Samoan drops the challengers. The double chokeslam is broken up and World is back with a double DDT. Hyan dives onto the floor and World adds a moonsault onto both villains. A TKO gets two on Kross but Bayne boots World into a German suplex. The double chokeslam retains the titles at 10:38.

Rating: B-. The champs had to break a sweat here and I’ll take that as a nice surprise. Hyan and World aren’t a successful team and were little more than cannon fodder here but at least the action wound up being good. I’m not sure who is going to take the titles from Kross and Bayne, but this was closer than I was expecting.

And now, the show proper.

Konosuke Takeshita/Kazuchika Okada vs. Young Bucks

Don Callis is on commentary. Takeshita shoulders Nick down to start so it’s off to Okada, who shakes Takeshita’s hand on the way in. Okada’s slingshot hilo connects but Nick is up with the springboard wristdrag/armdrag combination. Matt comes in to sunset flip Nick, who German suplexes Takeshita at the same time. The TK Driver is loaded up but Nick headfakes Okada into missing a dropkick in a funny spot.

Matt gets knocked down and Takeshita grabs a chinlock, leaving Callis to call for getting Matt’s eye (he’s offering money). Callis goes after Matt’s eye on the floor and Okada is over to pull Nick to the floor, meaning there’s no tag. That lets Okada grab the Bucks’ gear for some posing (Callis: “What a fiery young babyface!”) but Matt manages to knock both of them down. Nick comes in to make the rapid fire comeback and the fans certainly approve.

The Bucks are sent to the apron but come back with stereo sunset flips into Sharpshooters. That leaves Okada and Takeshita facing each other and slapping one another in the face rather than tapping. They eventually make the ropes so the Bucks take them down with the superkicks. A top rope elbow and Swanton get a double near fall but Okada breaks up another TK Driver attempt. The Family hit a Tombstone each and Matt gets sent flying with an overhead release German superplex.

Nick is back in for the save and everyone is down again. Okada is up with his falling top rope elbow to Nick but it’s a sunset flip into a German suplex to put everyone down again. Takeshita’s running knee drops both Bucks but he can’t cover as the fans are rather enthused. Back up and they slug it out until Okada hits Takeshita and they forearm each other.

Matt gets between them and then sends them into each other so Takeshita’s running knee hits Okada. Takeshita breaks up the BTE Trigger but Okada Rainmakers him by mistake. The BTE Trigger gets two on Okada…and Takeshita leaves him to take the TK Driver for the pin at 20:12.

Rating: B+. This got rather good and they were doing a nice job of tying the story between Takeshita and Okada into the match. There was only so much of a reason for these teams to fight so having the Family fighting among themselves (again) was a good idea. If nothing else, we might finally gets the Takeshita vs. Okada grudge match, which has been built for…ever?

Post match Takeshita leaves and Callis is livid.

We recap Chris Jericho vs. Ricochet. Jericho returned, Ricochet didn’t like it, the match was set.

Chris Jericho vs. Ricochet

The Gates Of Agony are here with Ricochet. Jericho takes him down to start fast and mocks Ricochet a bit, followed by his stolen camera deal. Ricochet flips into his pose and gets chopped down, setting up Jericho’s running bulldog. The Lionsault is shoved off though and the Death Valley Driver plants Jericho on the apron. Jericho is sent shoulder first into the post and Ricochet nails his slingshot dropkick in the corner.

The bad arm is bent around the ropes, with Liona getting in some pulling of his own. Ricochet cranks on the arm but Jericho gets back up to avoid a dropkick. Now the Lionsault connects but the Walls attempt is countered. A kick to the back lets Jericho try it again, only for Liona to offer a distraction so Kaun can send him into the corner. Jericho fights up and they slug it out from their knees but Ricochet grabs the Detonation Kick.

Vertigo gets two so Ricochet goes up and gets crotched back down almost immediately. Ricochet kicks him away and tries the shooting star press but gets Codebreakered out of the air for two instead. The Walls go on so of course the Gates get involved for the save. Jericho dives onto all three of them and hits a Judas Effect on Kaun. That doesn’t get rid of Liona though, who is right there with a running clothesline. Back in and Ricochet hits a shooting star press for two, followed by a Spirit Gun. That’s not enough for a cover though, as Ricochet adds a Lionsault for the pin at 19:12.

Rating: B. This had its moments and I was a bit surprised by the result, but I’m more worried about this being the high point for Jericho’s return. There is a good chance that he goes to find some new lackeys to help him deal with the Gates and that’s not the best sign for his future. It was a nice return and the fans liked it, though I’m worried about how long those good feelings are going to last.

We recap Darby Allin vs. Andrade El Idolo. Allin wants the World Title and MJF has paid the Don Callis Family to stop him. Therefore, if Allin wins here, he gets the title shot.

Darby Allin vs. Andrade El Idolo

Idolo powers him into the corner to start so Allin comes back with a rather aggressive headlock. That’s broken up rather quickly and Idolo pulls him into a surfboard to have Allin in some early pain. Idolo is up with the Tranquilo pose in the ropes so Allin gets smart by knocking him to the floor. A woman at ringside inspires Idolo to fight back and grab a suplex while walking Allin up the steps.

Now it’s time to meet said woman, allowing Allin to take him out with a dive. They fight into the crowd and go up the steps, with Allin dropkicking him back down. Allin throws him back inside (after three minutes and fifteen seconds on the outside because countouts are a thing of the past) and gets caught in the Three Amigos, with the third sending him into the corner. Andrade’s running knees miss though and Allin grabs the flipping Stunner. They go up top with Allin grabbing…some kind of a flipping slam into a crossface, which sends Idolo into the ropes.

Idolo heads back outside and gets caught with a suicide dive, though Allin hits the announcers’ table instead. A bite to the head has Idolo in more trouble and they slowly get back inside. Andrade goes to the apron and suplexes Allin to the floor, because of course he’ll take that bump.

Back in and the running knees hit Allin in the corner for two so Idolo takes his (I’ll let you guess whose) pants off. The double moonsault gets two on Allin but he’s back up with a Scorpion Death Drop out of the corner. The Coffin Drop gets two, with Idolo having to grab the referee’s arm. Back up and the spinning elbow gives Idolo two but Allin grabs a quick Last Supper for the pin at 16:33.

Rating: B. Allin seems to be on his way to the main event scene and that’s pretty overdue. There are very few wrestlers who get the same kinds of reactions as Allin and it was nice to see him not do a bunch of stupid stuff. Allin has the wrestling abilities to make something like this work and he did rather well here, though Idolo loses something without the pants.

We recap FTR vs. Adam Copeland/Christian Cage for the former’s Tag Team Titles. Copeland and FTR were really close but FTR turned on him, even attacking his wife. Copeland left for a bit and came back with Cage to reform their famous team to get revenge. And the titles. FTR did attack Cage’s arm on Dynamite so he’s coming in banged up.

Tag Team Titles: Adam Copeland/Christian Cage vs. FTR

FTR, with Stokely, is defending. Copeland and Wheeler won’t shake hands to start so the four way brawl is on. The Canadians take over and it’s a side slam/reverse DDT combination to put Harwood down. We settle back down but FTR takes over on Copeland anyway, with Harwood grabbing a chinlock. Wheeler misses a charge in the corner though and it’s off to Cage, who puts both champions in the ropes.

Cage stands on their back and a low blow cuts Harwood off. FTR is sent outside for a big dive out to the floor, which sets up the Unprettier for two as Wheeler makes the save. Cage’s arm is wrapped around the post and slammed into the post, followed by the seated armbar. The piledriver is broken up and Cage blocks the PowerPlex. A Swan Dive hits Harwood and it’s back to Copeland for the top rope clothesline.

Copeland and Cage load up a PowerPlex of their own but Cage’s splash hits knees. Harwood’s does as well though and we get stereo crossfaces on FTR. Those are broken up so Wheeler tries to bring in a title, which knocks Copeland silly. A 3D gets two on Harwood as Copeland is busted open. Stokely’s distraction sends Copeland running into the Shatter Machine, with Cage shoving Stokely into the cover for the save.

Copeland is back up with a spear for two and Cage goes to grab a chair. That earns him a posting and a toss over the announcers’ table, leaving Copeland to slug it out with FTR. That’s reversed into FTR’s version of the Young Bucks’ kicks, only for Copeland to spear both of them down. Back up and Copeland charges into the Shatter Machine to retain the titles at 21:05.

Rating: B. The match had the good moments you would expect as Copeland and Cage still have their chemistry together but having them lose here is quite the surprise. It felt like a layup to change the titles in the big moment for the Canadian fans but they went the other way instead. Copeland was the big star here, which isn’t a surprise, though Cage did look good in his return. FTR is still a heck of a team, but I’m not sure who is supposed to take the belts. As long as this doesn’t lead to another ladder match (it probably will), it should work out.

We recap the TNT Title match. Kyle Fletcher is injured, Casino Gauntlet match, end of recap.

TNT Title: Casino Gauntlet

For the vacant title with random intervals, first fall wins (can happen at any time so there is no guarantee of how many entrants you’ll get) and Tommaso Ciampa in at #1 and Rush in at #2. They slug it out to start and seem to enjoy an exchange of chops. Rush gets the better of things and knocks him into the corner for the cocky kick to the face. Ciampa is back up with a running knee in the corner and it’s Bandido in at #3.

Bandido starts fast with a running clip dive to Ciampa and a frog splash hits Rush, with Ciampa making the save. Rush is back up to throw Bandido down and go for the mask as Mike Bailey is in at #4. As usual, that means Bailey gets to clean house, with a running shooting star press hitting Ciampa for two. Rush chops Bailey down and El Clon is in at #5. Clon gets to fire off some kicks but we’re already up to Pac in at #6.

Pac’s corkscrew moonsault to the floor takes out a bunch of people and we get a Pac vs. Bandido vs. Bailey showdown. Hurricanranas abound and it’s Daniel Garcia in at #7. Garcia tries some fast rollups but gets superkicked by Clon for two. Anthony Bowens is in at #8 and gives Clon the running Fameasser. The wind up DDT out of the corner drops Pac for two and it’s Kevin Knight in at #9.

Jet Speed gets the better of the fight against the Death Riders and knock them to the floor for the stereo dives. Rush is back in to unload on Bowens in the corner and Bandido’s 21 Plex hits Garcia for a VERY close two. Wheeler Yuta is in at #10 and joins the pile, with Ciampa superplexing Knight onto a bunch of people. Pac throws Bailey back inside but Garcia is back with the Dragontamer to Bailey. Knight breaks that up with the UFO Splash and pins Garcia for the title at 21:21.

Rating: B. I love the result as Knight has felt like he has been ready to jump up to the next level for a long time now. Having him hopefully break out on his own is a good idea as we get to see where he’s going. At the same time, the match was fun but these things haven’t nearly reached the heights of the first editions. There were no surprising names here and it felt more like a big scramble, which isn’t quite as fun. Thankfully we aren’t seeing them as often, but throw a few curve balls in there next time.

We recap Jamie Hayter challenging Thekla for the Women’s Title. Thekla attacked Hayter when she arrived and now Hayter wants revenge.

Alex Windsor wishes Jamie Hayter luck.

Women’s Title: Thekla vs. Jamie Hayter

Thekla, with the Sisters Of Sin, is defending. Hayter slugs her down to start and hammers away but Thekla hits a quick spear to send Hayter outside. They trade right hands against the barricade with Hayter getting the better of things and trying a rather delayed suplex on the ramp.

She also tries one off the ramp but Thekla fights out and knocks Hayter down the ramp in a heap. Thekla’s big dive to the floor connects and a slap to the face drops Hayter again. The Black Widow is broken up as Hayter gets over to the rope so Thekla kicks her hard in the face. Hayter manages a suplex on the ramp and fires off some running clotheslines in the corner.

A Liger Bomb gives Hayter two and a Tombstone connects for the same. Hayter catches her up top with the spider suplex, followed by a top rope double stomp to the back. Hayter’s chokebreaker looks to set up the Hayterade but Thekla reverses into a rollup, while grabbing the rope, for the pin at 16:33.

Rating: B-. Another good one here, with Hayter feeling like just enough of a threat to take the title. That’s all this needed to be, as Hayter was little more than a filler on the way to the next really big challenger. I’m not sure who that is going to be, but Hayter is being built up rather well with these title defenses.

Post match Alex Windsor runs out and protests the rope hold but gets nowhere.

We recap Will Ospreay vs. Jon Moxley for the latter’s Continental Title. Moxley and the Death Riders hurt Ospreay’s neck so it’s time for more revenge.

Continental Title: Will Ospreay vs. Jon Moxley

Moxley is defending. The bell rings and Ospreay hits the Hidden Blade about a second later but doesn’t cover. Another Hidden Blade puts Moxley on the floor so Ospreay follows him for a hanging neckbreaker from the apron. Back in and Moxley tries a triangle choke, which is countered into a powerbomb. They head back outside with Ospreay loading up the steps but missing a running knee. Moxley snaps off a sleeper suplex back inside and things slow down a bit.

Back up and they slug it out before heading to the apron, where Ospreay takes over. Ospreay’s springboard is knocked out of the air though and they chop it out again. Ospreay tries a Spanish Fly but gets pulled into the bulldog choke. That’s broken up as well and Ospreay flips out of a belly to belly superplex. Some kicks to the face rock Moxley, who grabs a Paradigm Shift, only to get Hidden Bladed for a double down.

The referee almost gets bumped before Ospreay grabs a Styles Clash into a bulldog choke of his own. That’s broken up but Ospreay hits a third Hidden Blade, only to come out with his arm banged up. They head outside again, where Moxley hits a piledriver onto the steps. Ospreay beats the count so Moxley hits a Stomp and two Paradigm Shifts…for two. The Death Rider retains the title 18:12.

Rating: B. That ending is a bit of a surprise, but I’m assuming the idea here is that Ospreay was going too far after revenge and his body couldn’t hold up. That feels like more of a long term story, though it’s quite the move to have Ospreay lose here. Moxley is being built back up into the evil Superman and I’m not sure who is supposed to take the title from him. Either way, another good match.

Darby Allin is getting his World Title shot on Dynamite.

The Dogs won the Trios Titles last night on Collision. Now the Conglomeration wants the titles and have a mystery partner to come after them.

Trios Titles: Conglomeration/??? vs. The Dogs

The Dogs are defending but we cut to a Conglomeration sitcom set. Roderick Strong comes in (Orange Cassidy wants more sleep) but Kyle O’Reilly pop in to be the mystery partner. Makes sense. The Dogs break down the set and do various unpleasant things to the couch. O’Reilly takes Finlay down to start and sends him into the corner for the rapid fire kicks. Everything breaks down and the Conglomeration sends them outside to hit some dives.

The Dogs take over again and Cassidy gets sent into the corner as we settle down a bit. That doesn’t last long as Cassidy fights up and brings Strong in to clean house. Strong gets double teamed to put him in trouble but hang on as Kidd seems to be injured. The medics check on him as Strong fights up and hands it off to O’Reilly for the real comeback. The kicks abound and an ankle lock makes Connors tap the titles away at 9:50.

Rating: C+. This was fine and O’Reilly was a nice bonus (not the biggest surprise but that’s ok), though Kidd’s injury might have cut things short. Hopefully he’s ok as you never want to see someone get hurt, especially when the Dogs were finally starting to win a bit. The Conglomeration are fine as the new champions, as they’re certainly popular enough to hold the titles.

We recap MJF vs. Kenny Omega for the former’s World Title. MJF is the rather cocky champion and Omega wants the title back. Let’s go.

AEW World Title: Kenny Omega vs. Maxwell Jacob Friedman

Omega is challenging. They circle each other for a bit to start before MJF tries an early Salt Of The Earth. That’s reversed into a rollup for two and Omega scares him out to the floor (oh yeah they’re going long). Back in and Omega snaps off a hurricanrana to send MJF outside again, this time for a slingshot dive. MJF drops him onto the barricade but Omega moonsaults off of it for the knockdown. A table is stomped onto MJF but Omega takes too long setting up the table.

That lets MJF get in a knockdown and the chinlock goes on back inside. An Alabama slam gives MJF two so he fakes a knee injury and grabs a piledriver for two on Omega. MJF’s V Trigger misses and Omega grabs a snapdragon, setting up the Fameasser from behind of two. MJF bails outside again and gets taken out by the big running flip dive. Back in and MJF bites in the corner but can’t hit a super Tombstone. Instead Omega fights back..but gets caught with a poisonrana.

Omega pops up with a running knee for two and they’re both down. The Heatseeker is blocked so MJF settles for the slingshot cutter for two instead. Omega breaks up You Can’t Escape and hits a V Trigger for two of his own. MJF escapes You Can’t Escape but gets hurricanranaed out to the floor. The means a moonsault from Omega and they both need a breather on the floor. Back in and MJF goes after the stomach before stereo crossbodies leave them both down again.

Omega’s dropkick gets two…and a super One Winged Angel knocks MJF silly. Omega can’t cover due to the stomach though and MJF manages to roll outside. Back in and another snapdragon gives Omega two so he tries another One Winged Angel. That’s reversed into a Cross Rhodes and a package piledriver for a rather near fall and MJF is ticked off. MJF slowly strikes away but Omega gets mad and beats him down in the corner, setting up a heck of a V Trigger.

The One Winged Angel is broken up though and the referee gets bumped. A low blow puts Omega down and MJF finds the Dynamite Diamond. The big shot misses and it’s another One Winged Angel…and another referee comes in to count two. That counts as kicking out of it for the first time, though it should have an asterisk. They go to the apron where MJF hits him in the stomach with the ring. A Tombstone through the table sets up the Heatseeker to retain at 38:50.

Rating: B+. It did feel like this big epic struggle and MJF beating Omega is going to be a big deal for him. The match probably went a bit longer than necessary, but the result was the right call as Omega can come back and win the title later. MJF gets to continue to establish himself as this big villain and it’s working well so far. Omega might not be as great as he was before, but he can still put on a heck of a performance. Great main event here, which isn’t a surprise.

MJF poses on his throne to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. This was another very good show, with the main event and a lot of other things delivering. At the same time, it was another show where I was just wanting it to be over with about an hour and a half to go. That’s par for the course for AEW, along with having a bunch of rather awesome matches. On on top of that, the villains won most of the top matches, which is quite the choice for a show like this. It’s a show worth a look, though as usual you might want to watch it in shifts, which isn’t the greatest feeling.

Results
Alex Windsor b. Marina Shafir – T-bone DDT
Kamille b. Big Anne – Torture rack powerbomb
Jack Perry b. Mark Davis – Hurricanrana
Megan Bayne/Lena Kross b. Hyan/Maya World – Double chokeslam to Hyan
Young Bucks b. Don Callis Family – TK Driver to Okada
Ricochet b. Chris Jericho – Lionsault
Darby Allin b. Andrade El Idolo – Last Supper
FTR b. Adam Copeland/Christian Cage – Shatter Machine to Copeland
Kevin Knight won the Casino Battle Royal – UFO Splash to Garcia
Thekla b. Jamie Hayter – Rollup while holding the rope
Jon Moxley b. Will Ospreay – Death Rider
Conglomeration/Kyle O’Reilly b. The Dogs – Ankle lock to Connors
Maxwell Jacob Friedman b. Kenny Omega – Heatseeker

 

 

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6




AEW Collision – April 11, 2026: Just Get There

Collision
Date: April 11, 2026
Location: Rogers Center, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Tony Schiavone, Excalibur

It’s the night before Dynasty and we have something of a warmup title match this week. The Trios Titles are on the line as Mistico and Jet Speed defend against the Dogs, who have barely won anything but get a title match anyway. Other than that it’s likely time for the final hard sell to the pay per view so let’s get to it.

Here is Dynamite if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Trios Titles: The Dogs vs. Mistico/Jet Speed

Mistico and Jet Speed are defending and get jumped by the Dogs to clear the ring to start. Back in and Bailey flips away from Kidd but gets knocked out to the floor. Mistico gets back in to grab a headscissors to send Connors outside. Kidd runs back in to take Mistico down but all six are back inside for the slugout. The champions all hit dives to the floor so they load up more, only to get knocked down as we take a break.

We come back with Knight fighting to his feet and bringing Mistico back in, meaning more dives can put the Dogs down again. Bailey hits a moonsault to the floor and Knight drops Finlay but the UFO Splash is broken up. Kidd piledrives Mistico but Bailey is back up with the Ultimate Weapon to put Kidd down. A straitjacket sunset flip gets two on Kidd, who is right back with a heck of a clothesline. Connors picks Bailey up for a suplex and a top rope spear gives us new champions at 13:39.

Rating: B-. It was the kind of wild match you would expect from these guys and while the Dogs don’t have the best win/loss record, it wasn’t like Mistico was going to be a regular around here. The titles are hardly some mega serious thing so having them bounce around might be the best option for them. They still don’t really need to exist but this is better than having them sit on a shelf for months at a time.

Post match Orange Cassidy and Roderick Strong pop up on screen for a challenge, suggesting they have a third. Kyle O’Reilly I’m guessing?

Will Ospreay introduces the United Empire and then says they won’t be there at Dynasty. Ok then.

Kris Statlander/Hikaru Shida vs. Ava Lawless/Gigi Rey

Shida strikes away at Lawless to start and puts her down with a Falcon Arrow. Statlander comes in with some suplexes to Rey and Staturday Night Fever finishes at 1:40.

Post match Shida isn’t happy with Statlander tagging herself in to win the match.

Hyan and Maya World are getting a Women’s Tag Team Title shot at Dynasty. Their AEW record as a team: 0-5.

Jon Moxley says no one can hang with the Death Riders and if Will Ospreay is so determined to break his neck again, so be it.

Rush vs. Anthony Bowens

For the #2 spot in the Casino Gauntlet. They trade headlocks to start and then shove each other a bit. The exchange of strikes goes to Rush but Bowens is back up to send him outside. Rush is sent into various things, including the steps, but he whips Bowens into the barricade and we take a break.

We come back with Rush hitting a basement dropkick to the back of the head before they strike it out again. Rush misses a kick in the corner and gets caught with a hanging wind up DDT for two. Back up and Rush sends him into the corner but the Bull’s Horns is broken up. A running dropkick sends Bowens outside, where Rush sends him into the barricade. Back in and the Bull’s Horns finishes Bowens at 11:10.

Rating: B-. They had a hard hitting match here, but what mattered the most was the fact that either of them could have pulled this off. Bowens winning wasn’t out of the question as Rush hasn’t been the most consistent star in AEW. Odds are Bowens will be in the match anyway, but in this case the numbers actually matter so he’s at a disadvantage. Oh and is Bowens to the Opps still a thing?

The Brawling Birds are ready for their singles matches at Dynasty, as they want revenge and the Women’s Title.

Hurt Syndicate vs. Andy Anderson/Mo Jabari

Lashley shoves Anderson into the corner to start and gives him a delayed vertical suplex. Benjamin comes in and gets annoyed at Jabari’s chops. That earns him a knee to the head, followed by a spear to Anderson. Benjamin superkicks Anderson for the pin at 2:19. Total squash.

Mina Shirakawa and Harley Cameron are sad that their partners are gone. They opt to drink instead.

Young Bucks vs. Don Callis Family

Hechicero/Clon for the Family. Matt and Clon start things off with Matt grabbing a wristdrag/headscissors combination to put the Family down. The Bucks hit some dives, only for Hechicero to knee Matt in the face back inside. The rather spinning rollup gives Hechicero two, followed by the spinning backbreaker for the same.

We take a break and come back with Matt rolling the northern lights suplexes. Nick comes in with a double high crossbody and everything breaks down. The Bucks go with stereo sunset flips into stereo Sharpshooters, which are quickly broken up. The Family grabs a pair of bridging rollups for two each and everyone is knocked down for a breather. Back up and Clon flips out of a DDT, only to get superkicked down. Hechicero throws Matt into a choke with Nick making the save. The EVP Trigger misses but the Bucks are right back with the TK Driver to finish Clon at 14:49.

Rating: B. This was little more than a way to get the Bucks on the show, which is all it needed to be. The Bucks are one of those acts who are able to pop the crowd just by being in the ring and that’s what we got here. It’s a good enough match too, even with the D-list Family opponents.

We look at Chris Jericho and Ricochet’s meeting on Dynamite to set up their match at Dynasty.

International Title: Myron Reed vs. Kazuchika Okada

Okada is defending and both of their associates are here too. Okada misses a clothesline in the corner to start and sends Reed to the apron. That’s fine with Reed, who is back with a springboard kick to the face. A springboard is blocked though and Okada dropkicks him out to the floor as we take a break.

We come back with Okada hitting a DDT for a cocky one but the falling top rope elbow hits raised knees. Reed ties him in the ropes for a slingshot legdrop as Don Callis is starting to panic. Okada is sent outside and taken out with a dive but comes back in with the Air Raid Crash onto the knee for two. Now the top rope elbow can connect but Reed is right back up with the diving cutter to the floor. Back in and Reed’s springboard 450 hits raised knees and the Tombstone into the Rainmaker retains the title at 11:22.

Rating: B-. Reed was able to get in some stuff here but it wasn’t quite what he’s done before. At the same time, he has been treated as the singles star from the Rascalz, which isn’t the worst move. He’s one of those guys who puts everything into his matches and that makes for a nice feeling. At the same time, Okada is (still) gearing up for his match with Takeshita and this was a way to keep him warm.

Willow Nightingale wants some of the new talent to come after her title.

Lena Kross and Megan Bayne are ready for Hyan and Maya World.

Dynasty rundown.

Thekla/Marina Shafir vs. Brawling Birds

Thekla and Shafir jump them during the entrances and the brawl heads to the floor before the opening bell. Hayter gets choked with part of the barricade but Windsor drops Shafir onto the apron. The bell rings (the fans don’t seem thrilled) with the Birds getting beaten up again as we take an early break.

We come back with Windsor fighting her way out of trouble and bringing in Hayter to clean house. Thekla catches her in a Black Widow as everything breaks down again. All four are knocked down for a bit until Shafir is up to strike it out with Windsor. A shot to the face staggers Shafir and a quick Two Birds One Stone finishes her off at 9:01.

Rating: C+. There is nothing wrong with taking two PPV matches and having them do a tag match together to build it up. That’s all it needed to be here and it worked out fine enough. The Birds winning gives Hayter just enough momentum to make her feel like a bigger threat to the title. It’s not exactly a main event level match, but I’ll take what I can get.

Overall Rating: B-. This was a fine enough show, with just a show that got us over the final stretch to Dynasty. They added in a few matches to make the PPV card even bigger because we have to do that but nothing really big was changed. That’s all it needed to be and the show went by rather easily.

Results
The Dogs b. Mistico/Jet Speed – Suplex/top rope spear combination to Bailey
Kris Statlander/Hikaru Shida b. Ava Lawless/Gigi Rey – Staturday Night Fever to Rey
Rush b. Anthony Bowens – Bull’s Horns
Hurt Syndicate b. Andy Anderson/Mo Jabari – Superkick to Anderson
Young Bucks b. Don Callis Family – TK Driver to Clon
Kazuchika Okada b. Myron Reed – Rainmaker
Brawling Birds b. Thekla/Marina Shafir – Two Birds One Stone to Shafir

 

 

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AEW Dynamite – April 8, 2026: Dynasty Mode

Dynamite
Date: April 8, 2026
Location: Rogers Place, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Excalibur, Taz

It’s the last Dynamite before Dynasty and that means we’re going to be seeing one of the last pushes towards the pay per view. In this case we have a big six man tag, which should make for a rather entertaining match. We might be seeing some more matches added to the card, which still has some spots available. Let’s get to it.

Here is Collision if you need a recap.

Will Ospreay jumps Jon Moxley in the parking lot so here are the Death Riders to cut him off. Cue Alex Windsor and the United Empire (New Japan stable) for the big brawl. The fight heads into the arena, with Callum Newman (the new IWGP World Champion) hitting a dive. The Death Riders run off and Ospreay says this is him using his head. Ospreay issues the challenge for the big team match tonight.

Don Callis announces that Kyle Fletcher is injured so the TNT Title is vacated. There’s going to be a casino gauntlet match for the title at Dynasty, but he’s not done. People are asking to see Takeshita vs. Okada but he doesn’t give them what they want. The Family will be stronger than ever.

Darby Allin/Bandido/Jack Perry vs. Don Callis Family

It’s Konosuke Takeshita/Andrade El Idolo/Mark Davis for the Family. Bandido is replacing Brody King, who had a family issue. Allin starts with Andrade, who hands it off to Takeshita and walks out. Davis teases a piledriver but gets knocked outside for some dives. Allin calls Andrade back out, so here he is to suplex Allin in the aisle. Takeshita throws Allin into the corner but it’s off to Perry to take over, including a dive to the floor. Back in and Takeshita knocks Perry out of the air and Andrade sends him into the barricade. Andrade gets his weekly photo with the woman and we take a break.

We come back with Perry enziguring Davis, allowing Bandido to come in and start the comeback. A pop up hurricanrana gets two on Davis and Allin dives onto Andrade. Allin gets caught though and LAUNCHED over the announcers’ table for a huge crash. Bandido gets powerbombed onto the apron to take him out as well. Back in and Davis hits the piledriver on Perry, leaving the rather cocky Andrade to come in and hit the DM for the pin at 11:40.

Rating: B-. This was quite the wild match, with Allin’s huge toss over the announcers’ table being a heck of a visual. The Family basically won by diving and conquering, which was a fun strategy. It should mean that Andrade gets the next National Title shot, but can we pleased stop having the champion get pinned? It’s happened far too often in the title’s short history.

Post match the beatdown continues, with Andrade distracting Allin to kick him low. Even Callis gets to go after Perry’s eyes but the Young Bucks run in for the save. Kazuchika Okada comes in to save Davis from the TK Driver before going face to face with Takeshita. They slug it out until the Family breaks it up. Cue the Rascalz to hit some dives onto the Family as this was quite the populated segment.

The medical doctor says Kenny Omega has been cleared, no matter what MJF said.

TBS Title: Queen Aminata vs. Willow Nightingale

Nightingale is defending. Aminata snaps off a quick neckbreaker for an early two and they head outside to forearm it out. We see Hikaru Shida watching as Aminata misses a running boot over the barricade. Back in and Nightingale fires off the clotheslines in the corner but gets taken down for a PK.

We take a break and come back with Nightingale grabbing a backbreaker, followed by a middle rope dropkick. The Death Valley Driver gives Nightingale two and Aminata rolls outside, where a running flip dive from the apron takes her down. Back in and Aminata hits a running elbow for two, followed by some chops. Nightingale grabs a backslide for two before Pouncing Aminata out to the floor. The Babe With The Powerbomb finishes for Nightingale at 11:08.

Rating: B. Aminata hasn’t been around in a rather long time but she had a good return here. It certainly helped to be in the ring with Nightingale, who can work well with just about anyone. The match kind of came out of nowhere but it wound up being better than I was expecting, which is always a nice bonus.

We get a video on MJF’s impact on wrestling, which is quite praising of everything he has done.

Here is Chris Jericho for a chat. Jericho has a clipboard and talks about how glad he is to be back. He’s going to sign his new AEW contract, just 100 kilometers from where he wrestled the first match of his career. Yes he’s glad to be back, but he admits that everything he’s done here hasn’t been great.

There have been times when things haven’t gone as they were supposed to but all he cares about is trying to build AEW. Jericho is about to sign the contract but here is the Demand to interrupt. Ricochet insults all of Canada, though he’s here to talk to Jericho (as you might have guessed). His advice to Jericho is to just don’t sign and come back. Why would he want to come back after a year?

The reality is that Ricochet is the man right now and no one wants Jericho here right now. Jericho: “Wow. You really are bald.” He doesn’t care what Ricochet thinks and signs the contract. Oh and there’s a bonus: he can pick whomever he wants to face at Dynasty, so he’ll face Ricochet. He hasn’t done this in about ten years, but he takes the back of the clipboard off to reveal his own logo. Ricochet being bald means HE JUST MADE THE LIST!

Don Callis announces the Young Bucks vs. Okada/Takeshita, neither of whom are happy with this. Takeshita wants to challenge Okada for the International Title, which is fine with Callis. He even makes them shake hands, but they argue over which one is Pippen and which is Jordan.

Tommaso Ciampa vs. Mascara Dorada

For the #1 spot in the Casino Gauntlet match at Dynasty. Ciampa works on the arm to start but has to escape a quick crossface attempt. Back up and Dorada flips around a lot, setting up a nice wristdrag. Ciampa avoids a flip to the floor and hits a heck of a running knee. Dorada gets back inside for a headscissors out of the corner and we take a break.

We come back with Dorada coming off the top with another wristdrag to send Ciampa outside. A big moonsault off the post hits Ciampa, followed by a middle rope 450 for two. Dorada’s handspring is cut off with a dropkick but Dorada catches him with something like a 619 on top. Something like a standing Iconoclasm gets two but Dorada misses a charge and gets caught in Willow’s Bell. The running knee finishes Dorada at 11:01.

Rating: B. When Ciampa signed, he felt like just another guy but he has wound up being one of the best additions to the roster in a good while. He’s had one good match after another and it wouldn’t be a bad idea to give him the title back on Sunday. Dorada is quite the star in his own right but Ciampa felt like the better one here, which has me encouraged about where he’s going.

The Dogs have attacked Orange Cassidy and Roderick Strong and now they’re coming for the Trios Titles.

Thekla is so sick of hearing about Jamie Hayter being a former Women’s Champion that she threatens….to take Lexi Nair to a strip club, give her a nice dinner, and drag her onto the stage and break every bone in her body. Oh and general threats to Hayter. I have no idea what Thekla was going on about here but it certainly had my attention.

Here are Adam Copeland and Christian Cage. Copeland talks about how FTR’s jealousy of being in his shadow but that’s not his fault. He’s not shrinking to their size and they’re not big enough to get into his. Cage talks about how FTR has ticked off all of Canada and as everyone’s favorite father figure, they have been very naughty. He has visited both of their mothers and, just so there’s no confusion, “I mean, I banged them both” (Copeland needs a minute on that one). Oh and Stokely shouldn’t feel left out, because Cage will be visiting Stokely’s mother very soon, but as half of the Tag Team Champions.

Cue FTR and Stokely for a distraction, allowing Roppongi Vice of all people to sneak in and beat Copeland and Cage down. That left FTR come in to beat the Canadians down, with Stokely even spearing Copeland. Cage’s arm gets Pillmanized as well to leave him in big trouble. It’s not a great ending for them, but Cage was hilarious here.

Darby Allin talks about how he really wants to be champion and he’s coming for the winner of the title match at Dynasty.

United Empire vs. Death Riders

Anything goes as this is CHAOS IN CANADA. The Empire jumps the Riders in the crowd to start fast and they head back to ringside. Cue Alex Windsor to go after Marina Shafir as Francisco Akira and Henare pull out a ladder to go after Castagnoli. Newman hits a huge dive onto a pile of Riders and we take a break.

We come back with the Empire setting up a table at ringside (to go with another on the other side) but Castagnoli cuts Newman off. Akira gets taken inside for a string of running shots in the corner and Newman receives the same treatment. Henare is back in to take the Riders down again but Castagnoli muscles him up on the floor, where he walks Henare around to suplex him through a table.

We take another break and come back with Castagnoli forearming away at a downed Ospreay. Henare comes back in and we hit the parade of knockdowns. Garcia gets Ospreay into a Dragontamer, with Moxley adding a Stomp to knock Ospreay silly. Akira breaks up the cover and strikes away at Moxley, which doesn’t go so well. Newman comes in to strike it out with Moxley until Ospreay is back in for a double cutter and a double near fall

Castagnoli swings Ospreay, only to get taken down by Henare’s clothesline. Henare finally spears Castagnoli through the table at ringside and Garcia is put onto (not through) another table. A top rope double stomp puts Pac through a table at ringside and Callum’s splash still won’t put Garcia through another table. Back in and Moxley gives Ospreay the Paradigm Shift and then does it two more times. Newman makes a save with a clothesline and Ospreay Hidden Blades Moxley through the table in the corner for the pin at 20:49.

Rating: B. I’m not sure what to think of this one. It was a wild brawl and felt like a bigger deal than most of the matches of this kind…but that’s kind of the problem. This is something AEW does fairly often and they threw it together on about two hours’ notice. You have all of these guest stars, including the IWGP World Champion, and he’s in an eight man tag with no rules. It felt like this was thrown together without much planning, which left it more like “yeah go do something and we’ll call it a main event”. Still good, but it felt like it should have been something more.

Video on Kenny Omega’s history in wrestling, basically his version of the MJF video from earlier.

Here is Omega (in a suit) for a chat. He talks about how he used to drive here about twenty five years ago because he wanted to be part of this place’s independent scene. That brings him to MJF, who thought he was surprising people by bringing up his diverticulitis. Omega points out that commentary mentions it EVERY SINGLE WEEK so it wasn’t exactly shocking

MJF is best known for his talking about everything he can do. Well everything MJF can do, Omega can do better and everything MJF can’t do is what Omega does every day (that’s a great line). He thought the idea here was to have the title on the best wrestler, as in someone who can actually wrestle. These fans deserve a better champion and while he might not be the same Omega he was before, but now it’s about working harder. At Dynasty, he’s taking the title and starting to right MJF’s wrongs.

This brings out MJF, who thinks Omega and the fans are scared. Is this going to be Omega’s last match? It will be his last shot, because his health isn’t holding up and MJF is ready to show that Omega isn’t on his level. Omega says this is their last chance to act civil together and offers one final handshake before Dynasty.

MJF swings instead and gets kneed in the face, with Omega calling him predictable and stealing the ring. Omega hits his catchphrase and drops the ring to end the show (a whopping 25 minutes after the scheduled ending). This was really long after it started late in the first place, but Omega’s promo was great.

Overall Rating: B+. This was the big final push towards Dynasty and that worked pretty well, even if Dynasty doesn’t feel like the biggest show. I liked Omega’s promo a lot and Ciampa is always worth a look. It would be nice to keep the card a bit smaller than usual, though there is always the chance that more matches will be added on Collision. Good show here though, and that’s what they needed for Dynasty.

Results
Don Callis Family b. Darby Allin/Bandido/Jack Perry – DM to Perry
Willow Nightingale b. Queen Aminata – The Babe With The Powerbomb
Tommaso Ciampa b. Mascara Dorada – Running knee
United Empire b. Death Riders – Hidden Blade to Moxley through a table

 

 

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AEW Dynamite – April 1, 2026: No Fooling?

Dynamite
Date: April 1, 2026
Location: Canadian Life Center, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Excalibur, Nigel McGuinness

We’re up in Canada with about a week and a half to go before Dynasty. That should make for an interesting night, though I’m almost scared to see what might happen around here on April Fool’s Day. There is a good chance that we’ll get some kind of a gag this week and the humor may go in a variety of ways. Let’s get to it.

Here is Collision if you need a recap.

Here is Tony Schiavone to get things going with the contract signing between Kenny Omega and MJF…and he’s cut off by a returning (hometown boy) Chris Jericho. Oh dear that’s going to get people talking. Jericho walks around and soaks in the fans’ version of Judas, plays to the crowd a bit, says “Winnipeg! AEW! I’m home”, and we’re done.

In the back, Will Ospreay is attacking Jon Moxley until the Death Riders make the save.

Here are MJF and Kenny Omega to sign their contract. Omega signs without saying anything and then cuts MJF off from whatever he was going to say. Omega knows MJF rehearsed this stuff in front of his bathroom mirror and MJF brags about the ratings. These people aren’t here to hear MJF talk though, because they’re here to see the best wrestle.

Omega was less than twenty four hours from dying and someone needs to chop down MJF for thinking he’s a wrestling god. MJF laughs off the idea that this is Omega at his best and while he could talk about how Omega is a stiff breeze away from his career ending, just like Kota Ibushi. No, instead let’s talk about what Omega doesn’t want to talk about: why he wants the World Title so badly.

Apparently his diverticulitis is getting worse and his career and life are ticking time bombs. MJF says Omega would be better off dead at Dynasty, which has Omega turning the table over. Cue Mike Bailey (since Omega isn’t allowed to touch MJF or he loses his title shot) for a lecture and some threats of kicking in the head. Omega says he’s missing 24 inches of intestines but he’d rather miss that than his testicles. MJF agrees to face Bailey and be an American hero.

AEW, Dynamite, Brody King, Jack Perry, Kenny Omega, The Demand

IMG Credit: All Elite Wrestling

Kenny Omega/Brody King/Jack Perry vs. The Demand

Omega and Ricochet start things off so let’s go with Kaun instead. Ricochet gets in a shot from the apron and Omega is knocked down into the Demand corner. That’s broken up with a quick backdrop and Omega’s partners both come in for running corner clotheslines. Everything breaks down and Perry moonsaults onto a pile at ringside. Back in and we get a parade of fighting over a suplex until the good guys all get together to make it work. Liona runs Perry over on the floor though and we take a break.

We come back with Perry in trouble until he hits a running clothesline to put Ricochet down. The tag brings in Omega and everything breaks down, with Omega hitting an enziguri on Ricochet. King hits a Cannonball on all three in the corner but Lion is up for some running shoulders around ringside. Ricochet hits some dives, followed by a springboard 450 for two on Omega. Perry’s running flip dive is pulled out of the air so King adds a suicide dive to take all of them out.

Omega avoids another 450 and comes back with a running knee but Ricochet grabs a poisonrana to leave both of them down. King and Liona crash into the timekeeper’s area and Ricochet tries to grab the National Title, which is pulled away. Omega nails the V Trigger into the One Winged Angel to pin Ricochet at 16:59.

Rating: B+. This was all about flying around and going nuts for a pretty long time and it was quite the opener. Omega gets some momentum on the way to his title match at Dynasty and Ricochet loses again, which is a rather fun thing to see. Good stuff here, with everyone working hard and going as fast as they could, as you should in a match like this.

Willow Nightingale wants a title defense on Collision so it’s open challenge time.

Adam Copeland and Christian Cage arrive with chairs and want to take out FTR, including everyone in the way. Cage seems to think this includes Renee Paquette, but Copeland cuts him off. Copeland: “Really? Renee?”

Post break Copeland and Cage find FTR’s locker room…but it’s really Roppangi Vice’s locker room. Apparently FTR is on Collision tomorrow, so Copeland and Cage chair Vice down for being in their way.

AEW, Dynamite, Pac, Will Ospreay

Pac vs. Will Ospreay

Pac jumps him on the ramp and hits a brainbuster so the medics are here to check on him. Ospreay gets up and tries to go to the ring, but the medic says give it more time. That’s all of two seconds before Ospreay gets inside and we’re ready to go. Pac is right there to stomp him down and we take an early break.

We come back with Ospreay hitting a Phenomenal Forearm for two but the Cheeky Nandos Kick is broken up. Ospreay hits a brainbuster into a 450 for two but the neck is really bothering him. Pac counters a sunset bomb to the floor and hits a tornado DDT to leave Ospreay on the floor. Back in and something like an Octopus on the mat sends Ospreay to the ropes and us to another break.

We come back again with Pac’s bridging German suplex getting two. Ospreay is back up with a Styles Clash for the same and they’re both down again. Pac gets back up this time and snaps off a hurricanrana, followed by a running clothesline. Rather than covering though, Pac goes up and hits the Black Arrow to the back, followed by the Brutalizer. The hold stays on for a rather long time until Ospreay goes for the rope. Pac tries to roll him away but Ospreay stacks him up for the pin at 17:09.

Rating: B. Another good match here, though Ospreay being slowed down a bit by the neck takes away some of the superhero feeling. That being said, I’d rather him slow down a bit and be here later in his life than have his neck give out all over again. The Brutalizer staying on for so long at the end was a bit much to believe but it hardly killed the match.

Post match Pac goes after Ospreay again but gets cut off with a Hidden Blade. Cue the Death Riders, with Jon Moxley wrapping a chair around Ospreay’s neck. Actually Moxley just talks to him though, saying this was how it was going to go because it’s six on one. Next time, use your head or you might lose it permanently. This isn’t personal for Moxley and Ospreay should keep it that way. The Riders leave without hurting him any more.

AEW, Dynamite, Triangle Of Madness, Brawling Birds, Mina Shirakawa

IMG Credit: All Elite Wrestling

Triangle Of Madness vs. Brawling Birds/Mina Shirakawa

Shirakawa and Thekla start things off with Thekla having to duck underneath an elbow, meaning it’s quickly off to Blue. A pull of the hair brings Shirakawa down but she’s right back with a springboard kick out of the corner. The Birds come in for a sunset flip/PK combination and Blue gets knocked into the corner as well. Shirakawa’s slingshot corkscrew splash connects but Thekla gets in a cheap shot from the apron. A double stomp from the apron to the back hits Shirakawa and we take a break.

We come back with the Triangle getting triple suplexed (just like in the opener) and everyone needs a breather. Shirakawa’s Sling Blade looks to set up a Figure Four but Thekla kicks her away, allowing Blue to grab a swinging full nelson faceplant. Hart comes in and gets backbreakered and everyone is knocked down again. Thekla loads up the brass knuckles but gets them taken away, earning herself Two Birds, One Stone. Another backbreaker cuts Hart off and Hayterade finishes her at 9:20.

Rating: C+. The crowd did not seem overly interested here but the women were working hard for a pretty nice result. Maybe the result means that Hayter is going to get back towards the title picture now that Toni Storm is gone. Someone is going to need to be in that spot and Hayter might be the best possible option they have at the moment.

We recap Tommaso Ciampa’s recent issues with the Bang Bang Gang, leading to his match with Juice Robinson on Collision.

Here is Darby Allin, who wants the World Title and for someone, anyone, to beat MJF. Allin calls him out but gets the Don Callis Family instead. Don Callis gets right to the point: if Allin can beat a member of the Family, he gets a title shot. That would be Andrade El Idolo, but for now, the team comes in to go after Allin. Cue Jack Perry and Brody King to cut the Family off and then stare Allin down. Kenny Omega comes out and says something to Allin, though we can’t hear him.

Mike Bailey vs. Maxwell Jacob Friedman

Non-title and Kenny Omega is on commentary. MJF even brings back the big American flag because he’s an American hero. MJF jumps Bailey from behind to start but Bailey says ring the bell anyway. Bailey strikes back but has to stop the Tornado Kick as MJF pulls the referee in the way. A toss sends Bailey outside and MJF grabs a chinlock back inside. That lets MJF throw him down and recite part of the Pledge Of Allegiance.

Omega thinks that if Bailey could put his mind and feet to it, he could be a champion soon. See? Even the EVP doesn’t care about the Trios Title that Bailey has at the moment. MJF mocks Bailey’s kicking prowess and gets his leg swept out, allowing Bailey to start firing off the kicks. A running boot puts MJF on the floor but it’s too early for the Ultimate Weapon back inside. Bailey grabs a weird sunset flip for two, followed by something like a Spanish Fly powerslam for two more.

Bailey’s springboard is countered into a sitout powerbomb for two and they’re both down. Back up and MJF kicks him to the floor, meaning it’s a middle finger to Omega. The Heatseeker is countered though and it’s a top rope Asai moonsault to the floor. We take a break and come back with MJF kicking him off the top and heading to the apron.

The piledriver is broken up so Bailey tries, and misses, the Ultimate Weapon, instead settling for a running boot in the corner. A snapdragon puts MJF down (Omega approves) and now the Ultimate Weapon (middle rope version) gets two, with MJF putting his foot on the rope. Bailey misses the moonsault knees on the apron though and it’s an apron piledriver to knock him silly. The Heatseeker finishes Bailey at 15:40.

Rating: B. Bailey taking a beating is one of the best ways to use him and it worked well enough again here. At the same time, it’s smart to have MJF get a clean win like this one. He needs to be ready for the World Title shot and at some point he needs to prov that he’s still a top level star. They pulled that off here and Bailey looked good in defeat.

Post match MJF goes after Bailey some more so Omega makes the save. Omega helps Bailey up to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. AEW continues to be on something of a roll with television as of late and this show was no exception. They did a good job of building up Omega vs. MJF here while also getting Ospreay back in the ring. This show was all about getting us closer to Dynasty and building up the hype, which worked rather well, along with the rather good matches to back it up. Very good show here, with Dynasty having more potential.

Results
Kenny Omega/Brody King/Jack Perry b. The Demand – One Winged Angel to Ricochet
Will Ospreay b. Pac – Rollup
Brawling Birds/Mina Shirakawa b. Triangle Of Madness – Hayterade to Hart
Maxwell Jacob Friedman b. Mike Bailey – Heatseeker

 

 

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