AEW Dynamite 4/23/2025

AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Tony Schiavone welcoming us in the ring, as he announces Master P, who makes his entrance and introduces the new AEW Trios Champions, The Opps, to a huge ovation. Samoa Joe wastes no time singing Make’em Say Ugh with Master P and the crowd, thanking him for everything he does for the city and student athletes. They’re cut off quickly by the Death Riders music, as Marina Shafir walks out alone, but it was a distraction, as Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta attack The Opps from behind. Master P was left alone in the ring with Moxley, they had a brief face-off until Joe recovered and sank in a Kokina Clutch on Moxley, as Master P got in a few shots and laughed, ordering Joe to put Moxley to sleep. The Young Bucks & Kazuchika Okada hit the ring with chairs and save Moxley, as Master P bailed. Moxley stumbled to his feet, but had to be pulled away by Shafir before coming face-to-face with The Elite. Swerve Strickland’smusic now hits and he walks in from the crowd. Joe recovers, as Strickland hits the ring and the Elite bail up the aisle way, but Kenny Omega’s music hit and The Elite scurrying away through the crowd. Omega, Strickland & The Opps stood tall, as Excalibur talked about how Team AEW must display a united front.

Joe said he’s going to beat Jon Moxley’s ass and choke him out, taking back his (as he glances at Strickland at this point) AEW World Title. The Opps leave, as Omega & Strickland give each other a nod before leaving as well.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with The Patriarchy, congratulating Nick Wayne on winning the ROH TV Title and being the youngest champion in the company. Christian Cage took the title from Nick and said she should be congratulating him, as he’s responsible for what Nick has become, The Prodigy. Cage told Nick he & Mother Wayne celebrated extensively later that night. Cage said you see what happens when you shut your mouth and listen to him, good things happen and he always tells the truth. Nick said what happens when you stick to the plan, you actually win championships. Nick went to take back his TV Title, but Cage resisted and put it on Nick’s shoulder himself, saying he loves his family.

Before our opening match, Taz informed us HOOK is back in New York and recovering, but when the time is right, he’ll be back and do what he has to do.

Ricochet vs. Mark Briscoe

***

Thumbs Up

Lots of stalling from Ricochet in the early going, so it was Briscoe who had to get things going with the quick offense. Scissor kick through the ropes connects, as Ricochet keeps trying to escape, both fought to the apron, Ricochet hit a pump kick, but Briscoe answered with a Cactus Jack elbow to the floor. Back inside, Ricochet pulled referee Paul Turner into the path, allowing him to drape Briscoe throat first on the top rope and a baseball slide that put him in control throughout break.

Ricochet took too long mocking the crowd, allowing Briscoe to battle back with a flying forearm. Ricochet blocked a bulldog, but Briscoe put on the brakes and slapped the bald head. They trade a series of pin attempts, until Ricochet hit a Northern Lights into a Brainbsuter for a close two. Again, Ricochet wasted time trashing talking, as Briscoe caught a springboard into an Exploder for two of his own. Briscoe wanted a Jay Driller, but Briscoe settled for a rolling DVD and sliding D. Ricochet avoided a Froggy Bow, repeatedly hung-up Briscoe on the ropes and hit a springboard 450 Splash for a near fall.

Briscoe cut off Ricochet in the ropes, knocked him to the floor and hit a Tope Con Hiro. Back inside, massive lariat turned Ricochet inside out for a close two. Ricochet again avoided a Jay Driller, tried to steal a pin with the feet on the ropes, but Briscoe rolled through and got the flash pin.

Briscoe celebrated the win, but Ricochet cracked him in the ribs and back with a chair in the post-match. He pulled the golden scissors out and was about to use them until Kevin Knight sprinted out. Ricochet tried attacking at the aisle, but Knight clocked him with a right hand, knocking the scissors from Ricochet’s hand, as he bailed quickly to the back. Knight helped out Briscoe, standing tall, as we see The Rock n’ Roll Express applauding from the crowd.

FTR Return from Suspension

Tony Schiavone was about to introduce FTR to the ring, when he was cut off by the returning Stokely Hathaway, who gave a grand introduction to Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler, the most decorated tag team in wrestling. Hathaway made his way to the ring with FTR, as he said he’ll address the elephant in the room. FTR were suspended for accidentally hitting someone and touching Tony Schaivone? Darby Allin has lit people on fire, Hangman Page has committed arson, Ricochet has shanked people with scissors & Jon Moxley has committed acts of terrorism, kidnapping, extortion and continues walking around AEW unpunished. Hathaway told FTR not to worry, that’s why he’s here, as he’ll have their suspension expunged from their permanent record. If you want to have a conversation with FTR, you need to have one with Hathaway, who is now the new agent for the greatest team alive today, FTR.

Hathaway ordered Schiavone to do his job, as he reluctantly pointed the mic to Wheeler, who thanked Hathaway for what he’s doing for them. Wheeler said last week, Daniel Garcia made his own decision and responsible for what happened, it was 2.0 who wanted to fight and they weren’t ready to fight FTR. Out of respect to Garcia, he asked them to stop beating up 2.0 and they did. FTR put Garcia and the TNT Title first and Cope first, but it got them nothing, no more, the fans are going to boo them for that?

Harwood said they have a couple of legends in the house tonight, the Rock n’ Roll Express, welcoming Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson in the ring. They got a huge ovation, as Harwood asked them what their greatest match ever, but cut off Morton before he could answer, telling them The Midnight Express was better than the Rock n’ Roll Express. Harwood asked Morton how old they are, but cut him off again, saying they look 108-109 years old. Harwood asked what their favorite experience was, cut off again, but Morton wasn’t standing for it. Hathaway presented them with a FTR shirt and said that this shirt was for Morton. FTR quickly attacked Gibson & laid out Morton with a Spike Piledriver. The Paragon (Adam Cole, Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly) hit the ring for the save, as FTR quickly bailed with Hathaway through the crowd.

The Young Bucks (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson) vs. Speedball Mike Bailey & Kevin Knight

***

Thumbs Up

Fast start by Matthew & Bailey, with both trying superkicks at the same time, getting tied up, so Nicholas jumped in with a superkick of his own. Double back elbows by The Bucks, as they hit their pose, but are cut-off double slingshot dives to the outside by Bailey & Knight. Back inside, The Bucks were able to regain control with double teams, as Bailey suffered a slingshot facebuster by Nicholas, who followed with a moonsault off the apron onto Knight, with The Bucks controlling throughout break.

Bailey battled back with machine gun kicks to Nicholas, allowing a hot tag to Knight, who ran wild. Big time float over into a lariat on Mattew, as Knight hit multiple corner splashes and leaping slash for two. Rolling DDT countered into rolling Northern Lights from Matthew, even hitting a 2 for 1 on Bailey as well. Bounce back powerbomb on Knight, as Nicholas rolled through the double stomp into a backstabber on Bailey. Head fake superkick into a DDT by Matthew on Bailey, as Nichoals tagged in, played the crowd, asking if they want a Superkick Party? Everyone proceeded to hit with superkicks, until Bailey & Nicholas collided with dueling ones, Matthew & Knight hit each other with double clotheslines, as Bailey & Nicholas were up again and hit dueling corkscrew kicks in an amazing sequence into a reset.

Nicholas hit a roundhouse kick on Knight, who answered with a picture-perfect dropkick, as we got a chicken fight with Matthew on Bailey’s shoulders and Knight on Nicholas’. Matthew was caught in the corner, Knight hit a huge standing hurricanrana, as a dropkick/backstabber combo followed for a near fall. Nicholas suffered a High/Low, as Bailey & Knight went to opposite sides of the ring, as Bailey hit a massive Moonsault onto Matthew outside, as Knight hit a springboard splash on Nicholas for two. PK and Moonsault knee drop from Bailey onto Nicholas, as Knight hit the UFO Splash, but Matthew tackled Bailey onto the pile.

The Bucks looked to regroup outside, but Bailey & Knight were quick after, fighting up on the barricade. Bailey was dropped, as The Bucks hit a Doomsday Device off the barricade onto Knight. Back inside, Bailey was there to try a Triangle Moonsault, but was caught by The Bucks, as Matthew held on, as Nicholas hit a running Meltzer Driver off the barricade. Back inside, Knight dodged an EVP Trigger into a double Pele kick and double spike DDT. Referee Rick Knox turned his back as Knight went for a springboard, as Ricochet tripped up Knight, allowing The Bucks to hit an EVP Trigger and win it.

Renee Paquette is backstage with Timeless Toni Storm and asks her thoughts on Kris Statlander vs. Jamie Hayter. Storm tells them to rip their tits off if they must, but you’re watching the feature presentation. Paquette brings up Storm appearing at the TCM Film Festival and the Empire Strikes Back. Storm said there’s not an Empire big enough to strike this back, she’s a lover and a fighter, before she cucks around Hollywood this weekend and yanks Ben Mankiewicz, she has an announcement and says attention slop-tarts, there will be a Title Eliminator performance this Saturday on Collision, as Queen Aminata quickly walks in and said she loves to fight. Storm says let’s make cinema!

MJF tries to win over The Hurt Syndicate…Again

MVP told the crowd this is an official announcement from The Hurt Syndicate. On behalf of Shelton Benjamin & Bobby Lashley, they’re so good at hurting people, every single team they’ve beaten, haven’t been seen since. The Gates of Agony won’t be seen in the near future, after being hurt by them, but they have a bright future, just now is not their time.

MVP hands the mic over to Lashley, who was cut-off before he could talk by MJF pulling up to the arena in a snazzy ride, telling an attendant to keep it running and here’s your tip, hitting him low, calling him a douche. MJF makes his way to the ring and said we all know they had a good time last week and if they want to have a good time the rest of their lives, all he needs is three thumbs up. MVP gives a thumbs up, Benjamin slowly gives a thumbs up of his own, but holds back MJF from trying to hug him. Benjamin says he didn’t give a thumbs up for a bunch of broads and a watch, but because of MVP, don’t forget that. MJF said we all love Montel, just like we love our friend, Bob. MJF told Lashley if he’s in the Syndicate, they’ll have all the gold in the world, but some things he brings to the table that Lashley doesn’t. MJF knows this place more than anyone and cut corners better than anyone (Taz said that’s a shoot on commentary, which was hilarious) and if they let MJF into the Syndicate, they run wrestling.

MJF knows he’s been a little prickly towards Lashley in recent weeks, but will tell him two words he’s never said before. He really had to fight to get it out, but ultimately said I’m Sorry. Right as Lashley was about to give a thumbs down, MJF stopped him and said the car he drove to the arena in is Lashley’s if he gets a thumbs up. Lashley asked to see the keys and MJF said they’re in the back, so let’s go and take a walk. Everyone heads to the back, as MJF tells the crowd they’re as tough to look at as they are lovely.

Commentary talks about how MJF sees the path to the AEW World Title through the Hurt Syndicate. We go backstage as MJF hands Lashley the keys to the car, as Lashley & Benjamin get in. MJF said all he needs in a thumbs up, but Lashley gives a thumbs down as they drive away. MVP has to calm MJF down, reminding him to give the people what they want, as MJF calms and through his teeth says he hopes Bob enjoys the car.

Renee Paquette is backstage with Hangman Adam Page, who screamed that the minute he sees Kyle Fletcher, he’s putting his ass down. MJF strolls in and says Page’s new haircut looks like he met his wife at a family reunion. Page said unless MJF has something of substance to add, he’d get in his car and, oh wait. MJF laughs and said it’s funny, guy enters the Owen Hart Tournament, but someone strolls in the back door thanks to The Hurt Syndicate to become a two time World Champion. Page said MJF doesn’t know anything about the back door and MJF couldn’t hang with him in the ring, and couldn’t hang in the Owen. MJF called Page an idiot who acts high and mighty since he beat him, but reminds Page they are 1-1, if they fight again, he’ll send Page to the glue factory. If Page makes it to the Finals of the Owen, he’ll do what he does best, choke. MJF leaves, as Page screamed he has something for MJF to choke on, dumbass.

Will Ospreay & Brody King vs. Konosuke Takeshita & Josh Alexander (w/Don Callis & Lance Archer)

***1/4

Thumbs In The Middle Pointing Down

Alexander got the upper hand to start against Ospreay, who responded by firing off a quick hurricanrana and tag to King. Double shoulder tackle to Alexander, as Takeshita was slammed onto his partner. King & Ospreay stack on top with splashes before King fires off corner chops on Alexander. Takeshita tripped up and trapped Ospreay in the ropes, allowing Alexander to attack on the outside, as even Callis got in a cheap shot during picture-in-picture.

Back from break, Ospreay hit a double handspring Pele to be able to make the King hot tag. Series of clotheslines and back drops dished out, as King followed with a dive onto the floor. Alexander was stacked onto Takeshita against the barricade, as King hit a cross body onto both. Back inside, Ospreay tags, as King had Takeshita in a fireman’s carry, double stomp by Ospreay, as King hit a DVD onto his partner’s knees. King went outside after Alexander, as Ospreay avoided a Blue Thunder Bomb, but was starched by a massive right hand. Ospreay tried a handspring, but Takeshita hit the Blue Thunder Bomb for a wild two.

Alexander & King tag in, as Alexander wanted a piledriver, King spun-out, rolling elbow and huge lariat for two. Cannonball in the corner connects, as Archer ran distraction on referee Bryce, allowing Takeshita to get in a cheap shot. Osperay took out Archer with a dive, as back inside, Takeshita dodged Pip, Pip, Cheerio, as Alexander hit a forearm in mid-air and powerbomb to follow. Takeshita decked King with a Helluva Kick, as Alexander hit a rolling German, as he & Takeshita hit a double rolling elbow for a close two. Power Drive Knee hits, as Alexander spiked King with the C4 to get the victory.

Post-match, Ospreay tried to save his partner from an attack, but was chokeslammed by Archer for his troubles. With Ospreay & King down, Kyle Fletcher saunters down the aisle and was about to put Ospreay away, until Hangman Adam Page’s music hits and he power walks to the ring, but was attack from behind by Trent Beretta & Rocky Romero. Taz said the Callis Family simply have too many guys, as they threw Page into the ring and the Family put a 6 on 3 beatdown on them all, with Page eating a Brainbuster from Fletcher prior to their Semifinal Owen Hart Tournament match next week.

During the match, we were told Jon Moxley will be defending his AEW World Title against Samoa Joe on the May 14th episode of Dynamite at Beach Break.

Kris Statlander vs. Jamie Hayter in an Owen Hart Foundation Semifinal

**3/4

Thumbs In The Middle Pointing Down

Both tried to showcase their power early, but collided with a double shoulder tackle, neither budging. They shrugged it off, as Hayter sent Statlander crashing into the corner and followed with a dropkick off the second rope for a near fall. Statlander answered with a roll through sending Hayter face first into the corner, but was sent to the apron after a charge. Both ladies brawled on the apron, as Statlander caught a big boot, swept out the leg, wanted a moonsault, but Hayter stepped aside and Statlander crashed and burned into commercial break as Hayter dabbed the sweat from her brow.

We return to a slugfest, as during break it was an even back and forth. Statlander ducked an enzugiri into a German suplex for two. Dragon Sleeper applied with the body lock, but Hayter tilts into a pin attempt for two, ultimately escaping into a head scissors. Statlander powers to her feet and drops Hayter down face first before hitting a Meteora to the back of the head. Statlander wants Staturday Night Fever, but Hayter fired off a thrust kick and enzugiri. Hayter charges, but Statlander hit a pop-up powerbomb, rolls her through, but Hayter spun-out into a Hayt-breaker into the double down.

Statlander dodges Hayterade into a spinning suplex, as she went up top and hit the 450 Splash for a close two. Statlander went up the ropes again, but Hayter cut her off. Statlander tried to leap off, but Hayter got wrist control and leveled her with a lariat. A proper Hayter-ade took Statlander’s head off and Hayter got the win.

Post-match, the celebration was short, as Mercedes Mone walked to the stage next to the Owen Hart Foundation trophy. Mone posed and did her dance, as Hayter tried to get her to come to the ring, but Mone didn’t bite. Mone’s music cut and Hayter’s kicked in and the two stared each other down to close the show.

Overall: Thumbs In The Middle Pointing Up