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AEW DYNAMITE REPORT
MARCH 26, 2025
ST, PAUL, MINN. AT ROY WILKINS ARENA
AIRED LIVE ON TBS & MAX
Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Taz
Ring Announcer: Justin Roberts
Attendance: WrestleTix reports that 3,432,tickets had been distributed this week; the venue is set up for around 3,705 seats. The arena has a capacity of 5,844 spectators for concerts. Note: This is the biggest Dynamite crowd of the year and the third time in five weeks being over 3,000 after seven straight weeks being under 3,000.
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PWTorch editor Wade Keller and PWTorch’s Darrin Lilly to review AEW Dynamite LIVE tonight right after Dynamite. Join us and let us know your thoughts on Dynamite during the show.
Email our post-show at wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Dynamite. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
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[HOUR ONE]
-There was a Dynamite opening theme for the first time since one week of the Pointer Sisters earlier this year, and it was the original Dynamite theme music with a Minecraft tie-in.
-They cut to the arena as pyro blasted. Excalibur introduced the show as the camera panned the audience (the largest crowd of the year for Dynamite, by the way).
(1) KENNY OMEGA vs. BLAKE CHRISTIAN
The announcers talked about him being on a seven match win streak in ROH. Excalibur called it a big opportunity for him. Highlights aired of some of his recent matches. After Christian made his entrance, fans chanted “Kenny! Kenny!” Omega then made his way out. Taz said if Christian wins, he should just retire because what would there be to prove if he could defeat Omega. The bell rang 4 minutes into the hour. Christian spit at Omega and gave him a middle finger gesture. Schiavone defended his “bravado.” Taz said he was overdoing it. Christian speared Omega on the ring apron and then dove onto him at ringside.
Omega eventually came back with a Snap Dragon suplex, a V-Trigger, and then the One-Winged Angel for the win.
WINNER: Omega in 5:00.
-Afterward, Omega said “what’s going on” in his casual, chill way. He said it’s unfortunate he doesn’t get a chance to wrestle every week like he’d like it. He said when he has a chance to come to “St. Pauls” (it’s St. Paul), he promised them that he’ll make it quick. He said Tony Khan “had no choice but to sign it on the dotted line.” (None of this so far makes actual sense and his syntax is all messed up.) He said it’ll be different at Dynasty because has to face both Ricochet and “a newcomer – new to you, not so new to me” – “Speedball” Mike Bayley.
Bayley walked out and wiped his sneakers before entering the ring. A “Speedball” chant started. They cracked up the crowd with their shared nerdy awkward exchange. Speedball said he’s an inspiration. He said he also admires him. Omega reacted like he just insulted him. He said he respects him as a wrestler and a person. He said at Dynasty, he won’t pull any punches or hold back. He said he will kick his head clean off and take his International Championship. Fans booed and Bayley cupped his ear and smiled as if he was going for boos or hearing cheers.
Ricochet interrupted from a pool. (It’s so typical AEW, unfortunately, that the sound was muffled for the whole promo.) He called Speedball “Cornball” and said Omega is the “former Best Bout Machine.” He said he’s leaving Dynasty with “both the girl and the gold.” Omega said, “Not so fast, Ricochet.” He then realized he was gone. (He was pretending that was live, I suppose.) Omega looked back at Speedball and said it won’t be about making friends at Dynasty because, “I have a cat, I don’t need any more.” Fans laughed. Omega said when it comes to wrestling, there’s only one thing he has time for, and it’s over his shoulder and his legacy. (That’s two things.) He said he wishes he could talk more, but he then bid everyone adieu.
(Keller’s Analysis: I suppose Omega and Speedball were adorable there in a “nerds interacting” way, but I’m not sure if that’s the intent. I don’t endorse putting Speedball in this match and this didn’t change my mind. It’s two babyfaces against one heel, and fans were kinda turning against Speedball here, which is a ridiculous spot to put him in this early in his AEW run. Ricochet’s promo was bordering on cringe, but it also kinda worked because I do think that’s what he’s going for.)
-A clip aired of Bandido taking the Gravity mask back from Jericho. They showed a very young girl in the front row giving Jericho the middle finger gesture.
-Jericho, with Bryan Keith and Big Bill, complained about the mask being stolen from him. He shifted to complaining about Keith and Bill not properly utilizing the wisdom he has bestowed upon them. He told them to think if they’re still worthy of being associated with him. He said it time for them to prove themselves to him. Bill nodded but was hard to read otherwise. Keith seemed to take the words to heart and hung his head in a bit of shame.
MJF said, “Just like Michael Jackson’s legacy is far more important than that talentless hack named Prince, my words are far more important than everybody watching on their cheap TV sets on their trailerparks at home.” He mocked a stereotypical Minnesota accent. He pulled out the MVP business card and said he’s been looking at it for weeks. He called MVP to the ring. Taz said MJF apparently choosing to do this publicly in front of the world.
A loud “MVP” chant broke out as he entered the ring. Taz made fun of fans chanting over each other. MJF called MJF a legend in pro wrestling. He complimented MVP on his new cane. He said after what happened with Adam Cole, he promised himself he’d never “do friends again” in his career. He said he doesn’t do friends, he does business just like MVP.
MJF said he’s made a decision that he like to be in the business of hurting people. MVP offered his hand. Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin came out to their music before MJF could address MVP’s handshake offer. Schiavone wondered if they were to celebrate MJF being added to Hurt Syndicate. Lashley walked up to MJF and offered a handshake. Lashley then clarified, “Give me the card.” MJF gave him the card and looked confused. Lashley then ripped it up.
MJF asked MVP if they had a deal. MVP said they’re cool and told MJF they’d talk, and then he turned to Lashley. Excalibur said it appears Hurt Syndicate aren’t completely aligned. Schiavone noted that Shelton appeared to be in sync with Lashley.
Out came Bryan Keith and Big Bill. Keith said they aren’t there to join their “little group therapy session.” He said they had real business to tend to. Bill said he sees those tag team titles, but he doesn’t see challengers. MVP interjected, “Me neither.” Bill asked if he’s a pimp or a businessman. MVP said he’s a little bit of both and warned him about running his mouth. Bill said MVP is the “MVP of being their bitch.” Bill said he was once a tag team champion, and he was never pinned or submitted for those titles. He said his partner got pinned by Sting, then Sting ran and retired before offering a rematch. He called for his rematch now.
MVP, Lashley, and Shelton walked up to them on the stage. MVP said they should “actually win a match” and then they’ll give them a shot at their titles. He threw down the mic and returned to the back. Lashley and Shelton eyed Bill and Keith, then followed behind MVP.
(Keller’s Analysis: Fans didn’t know who they were supposed to cheer between Bill & Keith and Lashley & Shelton.) [c]
-Renee Paquette (who earlier in a preview video said they were in Minneapolis, only to be instantly corrected by R.J. City) interviewed Toni Storm & Thunder Rosa about their main event. Rosa said the last time they worked together, Storm knocked her out and wiped her make-up off her face. Storm said, “We all make mistakes in the heat of passion.” Rosa said she wants a shot at her AEW Title. Storm said Megan Bayne and Penelope Ford are “about to get double-teamed like you never dreamed.” Storm called their pairing “Thunder Tits.” Rosa said, “No, it’s Thunder Storm!” Storm told their opponents, “Strap yourself in, girls, you’re in for a bumpy night.”
(Keller’s Analysis: They’re onto something with this Toni Storm character!)
(2) BRODY KING vs. KYLE FLETCHER (w/Don Callis)
Brody came out first. Fletcher acted like he was going to remove his pants only to attack Brody. The ref rewarded the attack by instantly, emphatically calling for the bell 44 minutes into the hour. Fletcher then yanked off his pants. Brody recovered and attacked Fletcher with a barrage of attacks. King knocked him to the floor. Fletcher made a comeback, but Brody knocked him to the floor. They cut to a double-box break at 3:00. [c/db]
Fletcher leaped through the ropes and knocked Brody hard into the ringside barricade at 10:00. Fletcher rolled back into the ring. Brody followed a few seconds later. Fletcher landed a top rope elbowdrop for a two count. Brody gave Fletcher an exploder suplex into the corner. He went for a piledriver on the ring apron, but Fletcher escaped and kicked him. Brody fired back with a Death Valley Driver on the ring apron. With both down at ringside, they cut to another double-box break at 12:00. [c/db]
Back from the break, Fletcher gave Brody a tombstone piledriver for a two count. Fletcher made a cocky cover. Brody had Fletcher down in the corner. When he went for a cannonball, Mark Davis pulled Fletcher out of the way. Fletcher then went on the attack and set up a superplex. Fletcher raked Brody’s eyes as Davis distracted the ref. (Was the ref distraction really necessary? Like, would the ref had disqualified Fletcher over a mere eye rake?) Fletcher then gave Brody a turnbuckle brainbuster for the win.
WINNER: Fletcher in 18:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Good match.)
-After the match, Davis and Fletcher beat up Brody. Powerhouse Hobbs’s music played. He came out through the crowd. Excalibur said the match wasn’t scheduled now. (So who knew to play Hobb’s music and how did Hobbs know to be ready to sneak attack Davis and Fletcher from behind by entering from the other side of the entrance stage?) Hobbs cleared the ring and the heels fled as they cut to a break. [c]
-Exaclibur said it was chaos during the break. Security was holding them back. Callis joined in on commentary and complained about Hobbs’s conduct. Davis had enough and shoved security out of the ring. Hobbs punched the security guys. The ref called for the bell as they began to fight each other.
(Keller’s Analysis: I’m not sure what the big ordeal was about preventing this scheduled match from happening, but they sent a ton security out there to prevent a premature start. Then as soon as they discarded the security, the ref was quick to start the match after all. Former NXT wrestler Von Wagner was a security guard in that scene.)
(3) POWERHOUSE HOBBS vs. MARK DAVIS
The bell rang 58 minutes into the hour. Hobbs landed a powerslam and scored a quick, decisive win. Callis said he’s not sure if he’s a wrestler or a criminal based on how he was acting.
WINNER: Hobbs in 2:00.
[HOUR TWO]
-Lexi Nair interviewed Nick Wayne, Mother Wayne, and Kip Sabian. She asked Nick what he has been doing. Nick said he’s beginning to understand Christian’s actions, but he’s going to discuss his thoughts with him face to face. He said everyone was on the same page last week and it showed how to properly execute a plan. He walked away. Mother Wayne followed. Kip was expressionless.
(Keller’s Analysis: Fans booed Nick a the end there. I have no idea what’s going on there or what they’re going for, but that wasn’t a good chapter in a plan to turn Nick babyface.) [c]
-Renee interviewed “Hangman” Page. Swerve interrupted right away and they exchanged heated words. Swerve asked if he is getting involved in his championship match. Prince Nana pulled Swerve away and said they didn’t have time for that.
-They went to Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, and Taz at ringside to discuss the FTR situation.
-A pre-taped interview aired with Schiavone talking with Adam Copeland and FTR. Schiavone noted they are neighbors. Dax Harwood said he let his emotions get the better of him last week. He apologized to Cash Wheeler and Copeland. He said they took a break for four months from going after the tag titles to focus on helping Copeland win the AEW World Title. He said after two tries, it didn’t happen. He said it affected him emotionally. Copeland said he’s making it sound like he pulled them away from the tag titles. He said he tried to help them battle Moxley and the Death Riders. Dax said that’s why he’s apologizing. He said it wasn’t Copeland’s intention, but they did take their eyes off the prize. Cash said they all let their emotions get the best of them. He said he wants his two best friends to be on the same page. Dax apologized again and said he took it too far last week. He said they’ve assisted Copeland in his goals, and now it’s time to go after the tag titles. Cash said he thinks Rated FTR have a lot of life yet and he’d like them to go after the tag titles. Copeland said he agreed. Copeland challenged the Death Riders for a Trios Title match. Dax said he liked the sound of that.
-They went to Taz, Excalibur, and Schiavone. Taz said they worked it out right in front of them and he liked it. Schiavone said it was great.
-Swerve Strickland and Prince Nana made their way to the ring. Nana led the crowd in chanting “Swerve’s House!” Swerve called out Moxle. Mox made his way into the arena through the crowd. They went eye-to-eye mid-ring. Swerve said people have been asking since October why he wasn’t going after the AEW Title. He said he likes to give people enough rope to hang themselves. He asked Mox what happened to him. He said Mox used to be revered in AEW. He said he’s hiding behind Claudio, Wheeler Yuta, and Marina Shafir. He said he’s not worthy to be champion. He said he thinks he hides the AEW Title belt in the briefcase because he can’t look at himself with the title because he knows it’s not worthy. Swerve said Mox’s title defense end with narrow escapes.
Claudio walked up behind Nana. Mox kept Swerve looking his way and said, “This isn’t about me, it’s about you.” He said at Dynasty it’s Swerve versus Swerve. “Who are you, really?” he said. “What are you, really?” He said he knows what he could be, and he’s had high hopes for him. He said he’d give him a chance to step in and be everything he can be. He asked Swerve to ask himself how far he thinks he’ll go. “When you have the entire weight of the world on your shoulders, will you endure?” he said. “Will you put one foot in front of the other?… You aren’t what you think you are. You haven’t suffered enough yet.” He said he will suffer on Apr. 6
“My sport has been taken over by billionaires and Hollywood talent agencies and kids who see the world through their Instagram filters and don’t know their heads from their asses,” he said. He said Swerve gives him hope that everything he put his body through was for a reason. He said he doesn’t give handouts. He said he’s willing to go the whole way right now. He leaned into Swerve’s space. Swerve had some off-mic words for him. Shafir jumped onto the ring apron. Willow Nightingale showed up right behind her with a crowbar.
Swerve told Mox that he is violence. He said while Mox has been in Texas Death Matches, he has won them. He said he’ll take back his AEW World Title “and continue to lead the dynasty era.” He said after that, “y0u can continue to play Jon Moxley on TV.” The staredown intensified as fans chanted “Swerve’s House.” Mox hopped out of the ring and left with Shafir and Claudio. Shafir then went after Willow. Claudio carried Shafir away as Willow kept taking swings at her.
(Keller’s Analysis: The tease of a fight meant more than if a fight broke out between Swerve and Mox.)
-Excalibur said Katsuyori Shibata had commandeered a camera backstage.
-Samoa Joe asked Hook about sinking in his choke for some extra time. Hook said he was an annoying dude. They then showed Max Caster backstage pitching A.R. Fox and Top Flight to go solo because fans are chanting for him. “Let’s Go Max, You’re The Best Wrestler Alive!” Joe then put Max in a sleeper. Joe smiled and all tension was gone with him and Hook as they hugged. Shibata’s phone said, “I see what they did there.” [c]
-Renee interviewed Jay White backstage. She asked him about Will Ospreay entering himself in the Owen Hart Cup Tournament. Jay said he wanted to add his name. He said he lost to Hangman last year for the first time due to Christian and then ended up injured and out for three months. He called out anyone to face him to try to earn his spot in the tournament on Collision on Saturday.
(4) TOP FLIGHT (Dante Martin & Darius Martin w/A.R. Fox) vs. ALEX FINDLEY & DEVO KNIGHT
The bell rang 30 minutes into the hour. The announcers acknowledged how popular Top Flight were with their local fans. They showed Bill & Keith watching backstage. Excalibur said Top Flight will face Keith & Bill on Collision on Saturday. Top Flight had some words with Action Andretti & Lio Rush at ringside afterward.
WINNERS: Top Flight in 3:00.
(5) KONOSUKE TAKESHITA (w/Don Callis) vs. MARK BRISCOE
They cut to a double-box break at 4:00 with Takeshita in control at ringside. [c/db]
Briscoe rallied and went for a top rope elbow. Takeshita suplexed Briscoe. Briscoe popped up and hit a running lariat fora near fall. Callis threw a fit at ringside. He set up a Jay Driller, but Takeshita blocked it. Briscoe gave Takeshita three exploder suplexes. Takeshita fired back with a running knee for a near fall. Briscoe ducked a lariat attemt and landed a Jay Driller. He made the cover near the bottom rope, and Takeshita draped his leg over the bottom rope. Briscoe set up a Cut Throat, but Takeshita slipped free and hit a rolling elbow. He followed with a Raging Fire for the win.
WINNER: Takeshita in 11:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Hard-hitting match.)
-A promo airedwith Wheeler, Claudio, and Pac. Wheeler accused Copeland of trying to manipulate him. Claudio said they were throwing hissy fits. Pac said their cockiness is hard to stomach. Pac said they challenge them, not the other way around, “to survive the Death Riders.” [c]
-MVP and Lashley and Shelton brushed off an attempt to get answers on apparent dissension. Lashley said MVP told them to take a vacation, and then they see MVP offered MJF a spot. MVP said they deserved time off, and he “made a move.” MVP said he likes MJF. Lashley said he’s not to be trusted. MVP said he’s reprehensible, and that could be good for their business. MVP said they should focus on the Big Bill & Keith situation. They seemed to be on the same page as far as that went.
(6) PENELOPE FORD & MEGAN BAYNE vs. TONI STORM & THUNDER ROSA
The bell rang 57 minutes into the hour. Excalibur plugged Jamie Hater vs. Queen Aminata and Jay White vs. Kevin Knight for Collision and Willow & Swerve vs. Mox & Shafir and the retur of Will Ospreay next week on Dynamite. They cut to break a few minutes in. [c/db]
[OVERRUN]
After the break, Rosa hot-tagged out to Storm who took it to Bayne with a flurry of offense and then clotheslined her over the top rope to ringside. Ford landed a running hip attack in the corner on Bayne at 9:00. Bayne popped up and no-sold it. Storm looked dismayed. Ford held Storm. Bayne went for a running kick, but Storm moved so it the kick hit Ford. Bayne came back with a Fates Descent on Storm for the three count.
WINNERS: Bayne & Ford in 10:00.
-Excalibur plugged the Dynasty line-up so far as Storm suffered the agony of defeat and Rosa tried to console her.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
PWTorch editor Wade Keller and PWTorch’s Darrin Lilly to review AEW Dynamite LIVE tonight right after Dynamite. Join us and let us know your thoughts on Dynamite during the show.
Email our post-show at wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Dynamite. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller” and “pwtorch” in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.
LIVE ON YOUTUBE RIGHT AFTER AEW DYNAMITE TONIGHT: CLICK HERE TO WATCH
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