AEW Dynamite Results

Will Ospreay in-ring interview with Tony Schiavone

Schiavone began the show asking Ospreay for any updates after last week’s scuffle with Swerve Strickland. Ospreay voiced his regrets before directing his focus to helping “Hangman” Adam Page dethrone Jon Moxley of the AEW Men’s World Championship. Before he could continue, CRU interrupted, with Lio Rush detailing his displeasure to the Brits, especially Ospreay. The pair scheduled a match for next week’s episode of AEW Dynamite.

Jon Moxley defeated Mark Briscoe

Briscoe regulated the early lock-up on Moxley in the ring before unleashing a torrent of fists on Moxley’s bald head. He sustained his momentum with a Scissor Kick towards the outside, but collided with a ring post thanks to Wheeler Yuta, bloodying the Sussex County Chicken.  Briscoe grasped a comeback with a high-velocity Tope Con Hilo to the Death Rider into the commentary table. Moxley caught Briscoe mid-air during a Froggy Bow, clutching him in a rear-naked choke transitioned into a juji gatame. Yuta intervened once more, sending Briscoe into the steel steps. The bloody Briscoe dropped Moxley with a Death Valley Driver + Jay Driller combination. Moxley suffocated Briscoe with a Bulldog Choke until he struggled no more, thus earning the AEW Men’s World Champion the victory.

You can’t go wrong with Briscoe as a babyface foil. This wasn’t as hot as it could have been, but the feeling was there regardless. The low hum of boos cements that. However, Briscoe made it all look convincing. I’d like to see these two do the dance again in the future.

Toni Storm & Mina Shirakawa defeated Skye Blue & Julia Hart (with Mercedes Mone on commentary)

Mone demanded a space for herself near the commentary table with an unbelievably huge and delicious-looking steak. Blue sought to take Shirakawa down early, but Storm allied with her partner to deliver a unified effort. Mone sipped her wine as she bore witness to Blue tossing Storm into the LED barricade. The durable Shirakawa withstood all of this combined offense, leading to a hot tag with Storm. The AEW Women’s World Champion downed Blue with a Lou Thesz Press and almost kissed Shirakawa. The pair proceeded with Hip Attacks to Hart and Blue. Storm tapped Blue out with a Crossface Chickenwing for the victory.

Post-match, Storm shared a kiss with Shirakawa. Mone stormed off, so the champion indulged herself with her steak and a nearby salad and a wine to wash it all down.

Hart is still struggling to find the same fire she had pre-injury, but she’s getting there. Blue helped drive the match and all her tread before her own injury paid off as she came off naturally. Shirakawa’s been enjoying the spotlight, and her chemistry with Storm is palpable.

MJF and Will Ospreay backstage segment

Lexy Nair attempted to interview Ospreay when MJF approached, advising Ospreay to leave well enough alone so Jon Moxley, Swerve Strickland, and “Hangman” Adam Page can “eat each other alive.” MJF mentioned Ospreay’s son’s name, almost facing a beatdown. Fortunately for the grinning goober, MJF’s friends in the Hurt Syndicate came to his aid and Ospreay backed off.

Hurt Syndicate in-ring promo

MVP greeted the crowd in seemingly high (heh) spirits, mentioning Bobby Lashley once lived in Denver. Lashley then gave the Colorado crowd a thumbs down. MVP challenged any tag team to step up to Lashley and Shelton Benjamin. MJF declared he still wanted the AEW Men’s World Championship. Furthermore, he challenged CMLL’s Mistico to a match at AEW Grand Slam Mexico.

“Speedball” Mike Bailey, Kevin Knight, and Komander emerged, with colorful descriptions from MVP. Bailey and Komander matched that with vibrant language from their native tongues to which Knight followed up with a challenge to the Hurt Syndicate. MVP rejected this notion, instead demanding they earn their shot.

Komander, Kevin Knight, and “Speedball” Mike Bailey defeated La Facción Ingobernable (RUSH, Dralistico, & The Beast Mortos)

Dralistico threw Komander into the announce desk, while RUSH used his strength to wear down Knight on the outside near the hard cam side. Mortos overwhelmed Bailey near the entrance ramp. Knight and Bailey collided with RUSH before boosting Komander with a Dropkick. Dralistico and Mortos sent Knight and Komander to the outside before they and RUSH assaulted Bailey, punctuated by a synchronized dropkick. The French-Canadian’s troubles were far from over, however, as they carried him around the ring to cause enough momentum to throw him to his partners.

Komander earned a resurgence with his aerial maneuvers, awarding Knight with a full-throttle brawl with RUSH. A thunderous Rolling Right Hand crumpled Knight in the corner before an insulting boot to the face, adding insult to injury. The multicultural front sent La Facción Ingobernables to the outside with unified cascading dropkicks to rapturous applause. Alone, Mortos suffered an onslaught of offense, with Knight’s UFO securing a pinfall victory.

Post-match, The Hurt Syndicate returned as MVP announced the successful trio would soon be facing Lashley, Benjamin, and MJF next week. Komander, Bailey, and Knight quickly sent Lashely and Benjamin rolling to the outside, and MJF fared no better. MVP wrangled up his posse as the babyfaces gloated.

A high-octane thriller to inject some life into tonight’s show. Knight and Bailey should be tag champs in the near future. I adore the time added for Komander lately. As for LFI, they’d ideally be featured as more than just threatening mid-card jobbers.

Paragon and Daniel Garcia segment

Adam Cole invited  Garcia to the group. For now, Garcia opted out so he could focus on the Don Callis Family.

The Patriarchy backstage segment

Christian Cage lauded Nick Wayne’s performance in NJPW’s Best of the Super Jrs, from the great performances to the lack of winning. Cage mentioned he had a match planned for Wayne tonight, defending his ROH World Television Championship in a 4-way.

Powerhouse Hobbs defeated Max Caster

Caster led his typical “Best Wrestler Alive” chants. Powerhouse Hobbs emerged from the crowd, whereas Caster expected him at the ramp. He instantly flattened the former Acclaimed member with a shoulder tackle. Hobbs withstood a top rope dropkick, only staggering. Caster aimed for a Double-Jump Axe-Handle, but Hobbs ended the match in one minute and forty-eight seconds with a powerslam.

Not only did this keep Hobbs fresh, but it was a nice cooldown for fans after the trios match from earlier.

Kenny Omega (c) defeated Brody King, Claudio Castagnoli, & Mascara Dorada for the AEW International Championship

Omega and Dorada watched as King and Castagnoli warred, with the former standing tall. These spectators then aligned their efforts, sending King to the outside. Omega and Dorada fought to a standstill, broken up by Castagnoli, who suffered a vengeful Lariat from King. The Death Rider collapsed due to over-the-top moves from Omega and Dorada. King powerbombed Dorada into Castagnoli’s midsection. Omega toppled the giant with a Snapdragon Suplex.

The champion followed up with a Terminator Dive to Castagnoli and King onto the outside floor. The tenacious and resilient Omega superceded Castagnoli and Dorada, nearly doing so with a bloody King, who used his own weight to weaken The Cleaner. Omega struck Castagnoli with a V-Trigger in the corner, but couldn’t capitalize due to King’s interference. Omega tested all of his strength as he positioned King for a One-Winged Angel—Castagnoli took advantage with a Doomsday Devise + Uppercut mixture. Dorada sent Castagnoli flying with a top rope Hurricanrana.

Omega delivered V-Triggers to King and Catagnoli, but couldn’t land a One-Winged Angel to Dorada. The gargantuan rivals King and Castagnoli tossed Dorada after a failed Flying Crossbody, yet he interfered in the latter’s Swing on King. Omega broke up Castagnoli’s Neutralizer to King, to the ovation of Denver. Dorada shone in agile and acrobatic action, his stamina permeable to the devastating tactics of his opponents. His luck ran out, with Omega ultimately securing his invincible One-Winged Angel for the pinfall.

Post-match, Kazuchika Okada greeted Omega, teasing an upcoming Continental versus Intercontinental Championship Match. They briefly brawled, with Okada narrowly escaping.

Omega’s skill is why he’s at this epic status. King and Castagnoli are destined to do the dance forever. However, Dorada’s fantastic display is a fine advertisement for AEW Grand Slam: Mexico.

Will Ospreay defeated Lio Rush

The Aerial Assassin kept Rush at bay with a preparedness that almost sealed the deal early with a Styles Clash. He attempted a Hidden Blade, but Rush fled to the outside. Rush’s agility briefly outmatched Ospreay’s, trounced only by an Oscutter. Ospreay sought another Hidden Blade, unable to do so as Action Andretti grabbed his leg while the referee was distracted. The Brit soared with a flying forearm, nearly falling to a Frog Splash. Andretti gave Rush a weapon, but the referee caught it. Ospreay ended the match with a Styles Clash for the win.

Post-match, CRU rained a beatdown on the softened Ospreay. “Hangman” Adam Page strutted to the ring, scaring off Rush and Andretti. Page shook hands with Ospreay. On the microphone, Page further emphasized his upcoming match with Jon Moxley at All In. The crowd cheered “Whose House? Swerve’s House!” to which Page proclaimed he would never stand side-by-side with Swerve Strickland. Jon Moxley appeared behind Page, startling Tony Schiavone on commentary. The Death Riders swarmed Page, to which Ospreay replied with two steel chairs—one for him, and one for Page. The Death Riders departed through the crowd.

Rush maximizes every minute he gets to wrestle, adding so much in such little moments. For a monumental talent like Ospreay, this adds mountains of substance.

Don Callis Family and Hechicero segment

Don Callis welcomed Hechicero to the group, with the CMLL wrestler and Konosuke Takeshita speaking in Spanish and Japanese, respectively, before concluding on his own terms.

FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) defeated Atlantis Jr & Templario

Wheeler overwhelmed Atlantis prior to offering a faux attempt at a handshake. Templario scared off Harwood with his speed. The two danced around each other until Templario downed FTR with knee strikes; Atlantis added to it with superkicks. Templario evaded FTR’s chicanery the best he could, but Harwood downed him with a Spinebuster. The luchadores achieved a rejuvenated trajectory with topes and dropkicks. A lone Harwood suffered a unified offense from Templario and Atlantis, before desperately tagging Wheeler in. Templario lost the aid of his sapphire friend thanks to Harwood’s interference and fell to a double-underhook pinfall.

Post-match, Denver disallowed FTR and Stokely Hathaway from speaking, drowning them in choruses of boos.

FTR struggles with luchadores sometimes, but the way this came together wasn’t half bad. I’ll always pop for Atlantis and Templario, and I’m glad they got a lot of time.

Don Callis Family (Kyle Fletcher, Konosuke Takeshita, & Hechicero) defeated Los Outrunners (Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd) & Bandido

Bandido and Hechicero grappled with their distinctive, differing styles when the former dropped the latter with a tijeras. Fletcher and Takeshita assisted Hechicero in dropping Bandido with a powerbomb, to which the Don Callis Family’s residential luchadore followed with a tope. Floyd walked the rope with control over Hechicero’s hand, sending him down with an arm drag. Bandido and Hechicero dropped one another with simultaneous dropkicks. Takeshita plummeted Bandido with a Blue Thunderbomb. The Don Callis Family took turns picking apart Bandido, but he persevered by sneaking a top rope hurricanrana on Takeshita. Los Outrunners slingshot Bandido to Hechicero and Takeshita on the outside before the latter and Fletcher drop them with Exploders. The pair crushed Los Outrunners with a Brainbuster each for the win.

As luchadores, The Outrunners did well for themselves, but not quite fast enough in some spots, and sloppy in a few others. Everyone else was definitely worth watching in this one.

Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford assault Anna Jay

Backstage, Bayne and Ford had beaten Jay offscreen. Dragging her to the ramp, they sought to throw her onto the floor a great distance down. To Jay’s rescue, however, was a returning Tay Melo.

Melo returning like a remnant of a bygone AEW past was not in my cards for tonight, but it makes sense given Jay’s history. Welcome back!

Anthony Bowens & Billy Gunn backstage promo

Bowens declared June 4 to be the Pride of Pro Wrestling Month, subsequently challenging Kyle Fletcher for an upcoming match in the future.

Nick Wayne (c) defeated AR Fox, Sammy Guevara, and Lee Johnson for the ROH World Television Championship

Cosplaying as an Admiral from the anime series One Piece, Ricochet sat at the commentary desk, scouting talent. Christian Cage and Shayna Wayne accompanied Nick Wayne to the ring. As the bell rang, Guevara and Fox tossed their opponents to the outside. They then fought to a stalemate. Fox dispatched Johnson on the outside while Guevara’s experience and agility outmatched Wayne’s. Guevara continued his swift momentum, toppled by the interference of Blake Christian and a top rope maneuver by Johnson. Blake Christian continued to deploy interjecting ambushes. Guevara evaded the jaws of a backslide pin attempt by Wayne, but Johnson quelled any potential advantage he may have had.

Wayne and Fox reignited their rivalry with pure adrenaline and rage; Fox downed the champion with a Twisting Suplex. Wayne returned with a Spin Kick + Driver combination for the victory over Fox. Cage and Shayna celebrated with Nick while Ricochet walked away empty-handed.

Fox not only glued this match together, but he also stood out brilliantly. I went in wanting a Johnson victory and to see the Wayne/Cage storyline progress, but the veteran changed that. Guevara’s been steady since his return months ago, and he did well here.

Thekla defeated Lady Frost

Thekla’s debut began with cruel dominance over Frost. A few stray kicks seemingly dazed Thekla, but the Toxic Spider clung to the ropes for her prey. Enacting her signature spider crawl, Thekla charged at Frost before submitting her with a Death Trap Choke.

Post-match, Thekla did her spider crawl again before choking out Frost again. Queen Aminata sprinted with a high-heeled shoe in hand, but Thekla had already fled with a smirk on her face.

Thekla’s in-ring is unique, undoubtedly filling a Mariah May-sized hole in the women’s roster while bringing something else entirely.

Queen Aminata backstage promo

Aminata didn’t take kindly to Thekla’s post-match beatown on Lady Frost, threatening the Toxic Spider in a challenge for a future match.

Tony Khan’s announcement

Tony Schiavone reported that Khan had signed for Kenny Omega and Kazuchika Okada to have their highly anticipated rematch at All In. This will be a Winner-Takes-All Match.

Paragon (Adam Cole, Roderick Strong, & Kyle O’Reilly) & Daniel Garcia defeated Don Callis Family (Trent Beretta, Rocky Romero, Josh Alexander, & Lance Archer)

O’Reilly contended with Beretta, who cheaply kept him underfoot. Alexander’s technical style prohibited him further, but Garcia sent a flurry of punches their way, including Romero in the beatdown. Archer rampaged through Garcia and Strong. O’Reilly and Strong kept Archer at bay on the outside as Cole thwarted Alexander’s flow. Strong sent Romero and Beretta into a steel chair, setting O’Reilly to cannonball himself into them. Archer tossed himself over the top to flatten Paragon and Garcia. Alexander, with a Bridging Suplex, couldn’t put Cole away.

Archer pulled Garica off of a Bridged Suplex Pin on Alexander, but agonized over the merged offense of O’Reilly and Strong. Cole superkicked Romero, setting up for The Boom. With that, the Don Callis Family has been vanquished on Fyter Fest, but they were ready to fight another day.

Fun 8-man tag match. Adam Cole and Josh Alexander were the standouts. They had an interaction that eerily reminded me of Shawn Michaels and Kurt Angle in the mid-2000s and I’m here for it.

Closing thoughts

Just as Raw, NXT, and SmackDown have served as appetizers for Worlds Collide in WWE, AEW has done the same for its Grand Slam Mexico event with luchadores prominently featured. This, in addition to the builds for All In, the return of Tay Melo, and the great first showing for Thekla has made Fyter Fest an exciting show. The matches weren’t as hot as weeks previous, but were still incredibly exhilarating. That’s not a knock at all. The builds and surprises make this a show worth watching.