AEW Dynamite 11/5/2025

AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Bryan Danielson before they go back to last week in Hangman Adam Page’s switcheroo with Tony Schiavone to pull one over on The Opps, laying out Samoa Joe, which leads us to tonight’s main event.

Tony Schiavone is in the ring and said there’s a big announcement regarding a new National Championship that will be determined at Full Gear, but before he could go any further (it was announced by Tony Khan & Schiavone on social media just before the show began that it’ll be a Casino Gauntlet), Samoa Joe’s music hit and The Opps were out to interrupt. Joe said Houston, we have a problem, there’s a term he’s heard a long time ago that applies to the person standing in the ring. Joe knows Schiavone will say he had nothing to do with last week, but finds that very hard to believe. Schiavone tried to tell Joe he has respect for him, but Joe yelled at him to shut up and there’s consequences we choose to engage in and those have come for the Georgia peach. The Opps try to get in the ring, but security rush the ring to stop them. Joe said Schiavone is only getting more people hurt in this equation.

Hangman Page’s music hit and the AEW Men’s World Champion sprinted to the ring and was held back by the security, as Joe said now they can take care of two problems at once. The Opps go to get in the ring, but Eddie Kingston & HOOK rush to the ring and keep The Opps at bay. Kingston is wielding a crutch, as Page said Hangman is right here and said if Joe wants to handle his problem, he’ll beat Joe’s ass in his Wranglers. HOOK took the mic and said The Opps are Trios Champions, ones they won with him and challenges Joe to make the main event for the Trios Titles. Joe screamed that HOOK will never speak to him like that and if he wants a Trios Title shot, that’s what they get. Schiavone said Tony Khan has made it official, the main event will be for the Trios Titles.

Orange Cassidy vs. Claudio Castagnoli in Match 1 of the Blood and Guts Advantage Battle

***

Thumbs Up

I feel the need to point out a fan had a Chuck Taylor on a Stick that Cassidy proudly showed to the camera during his entrance. Before Castagnoli even got to the ring, Cassidy wiped him out with multiple Tope Suicidas and 10 punches against the barricade, but Castagnoli pressed Cassidy over his head and chucked him to the ring. The match officially began, as Castagnoli tried a pop-up uppercut, but Cassidy countered into an arm drag. Castagnoli went to the outside, where he caught Cassidy, who tried a third Tope and slammed him ribs first on the barricade before getting Cassidy in a suplex position, walking up the steps and slamming him on the mat. Cassidy desperately tried a slingshot DDT, but again, Castagnoli caught him in mid-air, which Cassidy was able to counter into a sleeper. Castagnoli tried to do a Giant Swing variation, but Cassidy hung on for dear life. Finally able to get free by snapping Cassidy’s fingers, Castagnoli swung him around for a proper Giant Swing and gained control heading into commercial.

Castagnoli controlled the entire break, but Cassidy kept trying to hulk up by going to his pockets, as he absorbed all the gut wrenches suplexes, which only infuriated Castagnoli. The brief delay allowed Cassidy to hit a corner hurricanrana and dropkick before kipping up and getting a backslide for two. PK took Castagnoli’s head off, as Castagnoli went to the outside, where Cassidy flew under the bottom rope in the corner with a sliding tilt-a-whirl DDT and diving DDT back inside for two. Castagnoli countered Orange Punch into a massive Liger Bomb and transition into a Crossface. Castagnoli wanted a Neutralizer, Cassidy attempted a counter with Beach Break, but settled for a roll-up for two. Castagnoli popped right up with a flying low uppercut, but again, Cassidy wouldn’t quit. Trapping Cassidy in the ropes, Castagnoli unleashed machine gun uppercuts before taking Cassidy up to the top, which Cassidy countered into an Avalanche Stundog Millionaire. Castagnoli blocked Orange Punch with a pop-up uppercut, tried again, but Cassidy hit an Orange Punch mid-air. Cassidy went for a home run shot, but Castagnoli connected on one final pop-up uppercut to win it.

Match Result: Claudio Castagnoli defeated Orange Cassidy (Death Riders are up 1-0 in the Blood and Guts Advantage Battle)

Renee Paquette is backstage with Mark Briscoe, Kyle Fletcher & Don Callis, as Briscoe requested this time, as he’s received a response from his challenge a few weeks ago from Callis, but not Fletcher. Briscoe said his thought process was a swift kick to his family jewels is what helps Fletcher win, which can’t feel good, it’s like making out with your sister. Briscoe wants to make Fletcher a real man and said let’s do it again at Full Gear, No Disqualification. Fletcher told Callis he might enjoy that and Callis said he loves to see when Fletcher is happy. Callis said if Briscoe gets a shot at the title, he needs something from Briscoe. When Briscoe loses to Fletcher, he must join the Don Callis Family and leave The Conglomeration forever. Callis said Briscoe should make it about himself for a change and Briscoe called Callis a silver-tongued snake and said he’s not losing, it’s Callis who made a deal with the devil and accepts the stip.

Renee Paquette is backstage with The Young Bucks, Don Callis & Josh Alexander after the announcement of the $1,000,000 Trios Match for Full Gear. Paquette asked if The Bucks have joined The Don Callis Family and before they could answer, Callis cut them off and said he sent a nice care package to make sure The Bucks get the treatment they deserve and not some jobbers like they have been. When they’re part of the team, they’re Family. The rest of the Callis Family walked in and Callis introduced The Rainmaker, as Kazuchika Okada walked in. Matt said this is all overwhelming, as Callis said to take their time before leaving with his Family, as Okada stuck around and told The Bucks not to take too much time deciding.

TBS Champion Mercedes Mone & ROH Women’s Champion Athena vs. The Babes of Wrath (Willow Nightingale & Harley Cameron) in an AEW Women’s Tag Team Title Tournament Quarterfinal

***

Thumbs In The Middle Pointing Up

Mone & Athena immediately rushed their opponents, as it’s Cameron that was worked over and isolated to kick things off. A back suplex was what it took to break free and make the hot tag to Nightingale, who ran wild with clotheslines and corner splashes. Double shotgun dropkick sent Mone & Athena flying, as Cameron quickly tagged back in and dished out double enzugiris, as Bryan Danielson questioned how fast Cameron returned after being worked over so long. Cazadora splash led to a two count, as Athena broke up the count with a running senton. Nightingale ate an enzugiri off the apron, as Mone saved Athena with a backstabber on Cameron, held the ropes open, as Athena hit a low Tope on Nightingale. Athena used Mone to hit a Gory Bomb onto Cameron for two, as things head to a commercial.

Back from break, Mone was in the process of Three Amigos, when she tagged Athena, which allowed Cameron to float over, make the blind tag and hit a double crucifix bomb. Nightingale in, who completely mowed down Athena & Mone with stiff clotheslines. 10 corner clotheslines and cannonball to follow, as Athena was planted with a spinebuster for two. Athena spun to her feet and hit a discus forearm, as Mone hit the tag and delivered a cross body for a near fall of her own. Mone tried a head scissors, but Nightingale planted her with a side suplex. Cameron tagged back in, as Mone was ping ponged with strikes until a backstabber laid out Nightingale. Cameron was there with Sole Food, but Athena dropped her with a front face suplex. Nightingale again made the save with a lariat on Athena, who responded with a double Code Breaker, sending Cameron falling back into a lungblower/Statement Maker. Nightingale launched Athena with a Pounce, resulting in the breaking up of the submission and reset.

Athena & Nightingale tag in and exchange strikes until another lariat folded Athena up. Nightingale laid out Mone with a Death Valley Driver, but missed a corner cannonball on Athena, who hit a spinning double knees. Blind tag by Cameron, as Athena was able to hit an impressive Samoan Drop/Fall Away Slam combo on Nightingale & Cameron for two. Billie Starkz sprinted out ringside and grabbed the ROH Women’s Title, but Kris Statlander appeared and laid out Starkz before chasing Mone around the ring. As Athena was about to use the title, Nightingale caught her with a Doctor Bomb, as Cameron flew in with Her Finishing Move! (Roll of the Dice) and pinned Athena. Both Nightingale & Cameron were shocked, as Statlander headed to the back

Match Result: The Babes of Wrath defeated Mercedes Mone & Athena to advance in the AEW Women’s Tag Team Title Tournament when Cameron pinned Athena

AEW National Championship & First Casino Gauntlet Competitors Announced

Tony Schiavone is in the ring and officially announces that at Full Gear, Tony Khan has signed a Casino Gauntlet Match for the newly formed National Championship. Schiavone said it’s been about 40 years since a National Championship has been on TBS and wrestlers backstage have been lining up wanting to be part of it. Schiavone introduces two men who will be in that match, Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin, who make their way to the ring alongside MVP. Bryan Danielson said he wants Lashley & Benjamin to go at it in the Gauntlet, but can’t bring himself in choosing who would win. Schiavone said this brings up an interesting situation possibly for The Hurt Syndicate. MVP said what’s interesting is the history of the newly debuting National Championship and brings up Paul Orndorff, Jack Brisco, Dusty Rhodes, Wahoo McDaniel & Nikita Koloff. MVP said they are businessmen and they will do what’s best for business, but who will win in that scenario is the AEW viewing audience.

The Demand interrupt, as Ricochet said he’ll make this as quick as possible, since he doesn’t want to be in this trash ass state. Ricochet they want to give The Hurt Syndicate the credit they deserve, as it doesn’t matter how old and hobbled they are, he admires them. Every time Ricochet opens his mouth, he’s spitting out facts and saying I told you so. Ricochet said he promised The Syndicate will never win gold and asked Lashley how his back was from last week. They’re starting to piss Ricochet off, as MVP cut him off saying no one cares about what he has to say and they best they’ve ever looked was getting their asses kicked by The Syndicate. Ricochet said at Full Gear, The Demand will be met and he’ll be the inaugural National Champion. MVP says Ricochet talks sh*t, while they run it.

Jurassic Express are walking backstage where Jack Perry said there’s things more important than money, like friendship. Perry knows The Young Bucks have been having problems with money, so this should help. He takes $100 and stabs it with a knife out in front of The Don Callis Family locker room. Luchasaurus was about to take the money when Perry told him to leave it.

Darby Allin vs. Daniel Garcia in Match 2 of the Blood and Guts Advantage Battle

***

Thumbs Up

During Garcia’s entrance, Jon Moxley was backstage with him and told Garcia to finish this so they can win the Advantage Battle right now (meaning Moxley wouldn’t have to face Roderick Strong on Collision). Allin shot early double legs and worked a headlock, resulting in Garcia wrenching at the ear and cross chopping the windpipe. Garcia brought Allin to the apron, but a delay by posing allowed Allin to pull Garcia throat first into the corner and follow with a somersault dive to the outside. A shotgun dropkick launched Garcia into the barricade, as Allin threw him back inside, but Garcia scrambled quickly back outside. Allin had his feet swept off the apron and trapped in the ring skirt, allowing Garcia to hit a charging boot before slamming Allin into the ring steps.

Back from break, Garcia rolled through a sunset flip, but Allin kicked out the legs, causing Garcia to fall right into a Guillotine. Both reversed submissions, as Garcia locked in a Rear Naked Choke, but Allin rolled back into a pin attempt for two. Garcia held on, as he pulled Allin up into a choke in the corner and let Allin crumble. Garcia followed with a huge Superplex, held on, but Allin floated over a suplex into a Scorpion Death Drop for the double down. Allin slowly went up top for a Coffin Drop, but Garcia crotched him and sent Allin crashing outside. Quickly out after, Garcia trapped Allin between the post and steps and hit a running dropkick, demanding referee Bryce put a count on Allin. Garcia broke the count, as he distracted the ref long enough for PAC to appear and turn Allin inside out with a lariat before hightailing it. Allin didn’t move until about 9 and managed to break the count. Allin is bleeding from the back of the head, as Garcia starts chopping him violently before locking in the Dragon Tamer, mocking Sting with a wooooo in the process. Allin was about to get the ropes, but Garcia pulled back to the middle of the ring. In doing so, Allin quickly repositioned and sank in the Scorpion Death Lock. Garcia scrambled, but ultimately tapped out.

PAC hit the ring again, as Allin tried fighting him off, but ate a big boot to the face. Orange Cassidy ran out and lit up PAC in the corner with punches until Wheeler Yuta appeared with a Busiaku Knee. Claudio Castagnoli joined the beatdown until Roderick Strong hit the ring, while Jon Moxley blindsided Kyle O’Reilly ringside, going after his knee. PAC laid out Cassidy with a Tombstone, while Castagnoli flattened Allin with a Neutralizer. O’Reilly was held down and Moxley was about to take him out, when Strong leapt over everyone with a huge knee to Moxley, causing Death Riders to scramble. Commentary was asking where Mark Briscoe was during this, as Excalibur said he had his own battles tonight (which, all he had was a backstage promo, so that didn’t make sense).

Match Result: Darby Allin defeated Daniel Garcia (Men’s Blood and Guts Advantage Battle now 1-1)

FTR Address the AEW Tag Team Champions and Titles

Cash Wheeler said last week they became #1 Contenders for the AEW World Tag Team Titles, which you’d think they’d be over the moon, when they should’ve been three-time champions in London, but Brodido took it away from them. They have a bone to pick with Brodido, but want to do it face-to-face and calls them out. Harwood held the ropes open, but Brodido was nowhere to be found, instead, we heard pounding on a door backstage. Renee Paquette walks up to Stokely who said he’s been trying to get Brodido out of their locker room all night, but can’t, so asks Paquette if she wants to watch The Wire on his phone, as it’s on HBO Max.

Paquette leaves to get help, as Harwood back in the ring said darn it to heck, he was looking forward to shaking hands like gentlemen, but they have the second best thing, Bandido’s family ringside. FTR go to ringside and introduce themselves to Bandido’s grandmother saying it was so heartwarming that she attended her grandsons match and asks how old she was. Harwood cut her off and said she doesn’t look a day over 113 years old and said they just celebrated Halloween and said if they were celebrating Day of Dead, she takes the cake. Harwood said it’s heartwarming how much of a star Bandido has become and asks how proud she is. Harwood cut her off again and said if she promises to be a good girl, maybe he & Wheeler will adopt her as their abuela. Harwood said maybe they’ll seal the deal with a kiss on the cheek? Bandido’s grandmother slapped Harwood, as FTR pulled Gravity (Bandido’s brother) over the barricade and beat him down in the ring.

Stokely, still watching The Wire on his phone outside the locker room, had Brody King’s arm bust through the door and grab Stokely, who broke free and sprinted to the ring to warn FTR. Gravity was about to take a Spike Piledriver when Brodido hit the ring and FTR bailed up the ramp as Bandido & King checked on Gravity and Bandido’s family.

Blood and Guts video package narrated by Dean Malenko was shown

Timeless Toni Storm comes to ringside to join the commentary team ahead of out next match. This is the first time we’ve seen Storm on Dynamite since WrestleDream. She told Excalibur she’s out to support her beautiful wife, Mina Shirakawa.

Mina Shirakawa vs. Megan Bayne (w/Penelope Ford) in Match 1 of the Blood and Guts Advantage Battle

**

Thumbs In The Middle Pointing Down

Excalibur asked Storm if the Shirakawa replacing Queen Aminata in Blood and Guts puts them at a disadvantage in the Women’s Tag Title Tournament. Storm said of course not and invites Excalibur to do commentary on one of her orgies and told Danielson that she didn’t know they made hemp cologne. Shirakawa tried a series of shoulder blocks on Bayne, who barely budged, instead she dropped Shirakawa with one of her own. Shirakawa rolled through a suplex and hit a Buzzsaw Kick, as Bayne stumbled to her feet, missed a wild clothesline, causing Shirakawa to hit a dropkick that sent Bayne to the floor. Storm cheered on Shirakawa to “get that big b*tch” and when Danielson said Storm was the only one to pin Bayne in a singles match, Storm said it’s because she’s bloody brilliant. Shirakawa hit a flying cross body off the top to the floor and told Storm she loved her, which Storm said the same. The delay, allowed Bayne to recover and deliver an Avalanche Fall Away Slam on Shirakawa into commercial.

Back from break, Shirakawa battled back with a slingshot Tornillo for a near fall. Excalibur apologized if he upset Storm on commentary, which she denied, but still told him to shut up. German Suplex from Bayne sent Shirakawa to the apron, where they trade suplex attempts until Shirakawa hit a high kick and snap suplex. Shirakawa took too long to follow, giving Bayne a chance to hit a Superplex. Bayne wanted a Liger Bomb, but Shirakawa countered into a hurricanrana and rolling elbow. Top Rope Sling Blade connected, but Bayne kicked out at two. Storm all of a sudden was choked out by Marina Shafir, as she broke free and started brawling with Shafir, causing her to miss that in the ring, Bayne planted Shirakawa with a Liger Bomb for the win.

Post-match, Storm was sent into the steps by Shafir, who joined Bayne in a beat down of Shirakawa. Storm got a chair and chased Bayne & Shafir off until Triangle of Madness hit the ring and beat up Storm. Jamie Hayter, Willow Nightingale & Harley Cameron ran out to even the odds, as all the ladies brawled until Mercedes Mone was going to hit the ring, but put on the brakes and thought otherwise. Kris Statlander mowed her down ringside and made the save, standing tall with her team, as all the ladies involved in Blood and Guts stared each other down.

Match Result: Megan Bayne defeated Mina Shirakawa (Team Bayne are up 1-0 in the Blood and Guts Advantage Battle)

The Opps (Samoa Joe, Powerhouse Hobbs & Katsuyori Shibata) vs. AEW Men’s World Champion Hangman Adam Page, HOOK & Eddie Kingston for the AEW Trios Titles

***

Thumbs In The Middle Pointing Up

Joe faked like he was going to start against Page, instead, tagging in Shibata, who was lit up with Page forearms to start, surprising even Kingston on the apron. Shibata was leveled with a big boot and corner chops, but he was able to respond with a corner charge boot. Page answered with a massive lariat before tagging HOOK, who got a Northern Lights Suplex for two. Shibata fought back with boots and chops before Hobbs entered the match and HOOK tried to battle back, but was flattened with back breakers. HOOK side stepped a corner splash and hit a huge overhead suplex, as a double down led to commercial.

During picture-in-picture, Shibata & Kingston traded a wild series of chops until Joe took the ref, allowing Shibata to hit almost a Shattered Dreams on Kingston. We’re missing heel Shibata antics during commercial, as he toyed with Kingston before tagging in Joe, who lit up Kingston in the corner. Good old-fashioned nerve hold by Joe on Kingston, as we see doctors checking on HOOK ringside. After some Tenzan-esque Mongolian Chops by Joe, Kingston was able to break free and make the hot tag to Page, who ran wild. Hobbs caught Page off a slingshot cross body, but Page slid out and posted Hobbs. Back inside, Page connected on a Moonsault for a close near fall and followed it up with a rolling elbow. Blind tag by Kingston, as Page took out Shibata with a dive. Kingston laid out Hobbs, but Joe was there to take him out with a clothesline.

Shibata & HOOK reappear and Shibata dropped HOOK with an overhead suplex, but right as Page & Kingston looked to take out Shibata, Hobbs swept out Page’s legs on the apron and launched Page up the ramp with a Pounce. Both Page & Hobbs continue to brawl on the stage until Hobbs hits a Worlds Strongest Slam off the stage through a table. Kingston was left to fight by himself against Joe & Shibata, who missed a big boot and Joe took the shot. Exploder on Shibata, as Hobbs bull rushed Kingston to the corner. A visibly injured HOOK made the tag and tried REDRUM on Hobbs, who easily escaped and locked HOOK in with a backbreaker. Joe held Kingston back, as HOOK submitted. The Opps celebrated on the ramp, as Kingston checked on HOOK, who has now submitted back-to-back weeks.

We’re told next week Hangman Adam Page will take on Powerhouse Hobbs in a Falls Count Anywhere Match.

Match Result: The Opps defeated Hangman Adam Page, Eddie Kingston & HOOK to retain the AEW Trios Titles when Hobbs submitted HOOK

Overall: Thumbs In The Middle Pointing Up