By Jake Barnett, ProWrestling.net Co-Senior Staffer (@jakebarnett)
AEW Dynamite (Episode 289)
April 16, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts at MGM Music Hall at Fenway
Simulcast live on TBS and Max
Excalibur and Tony Schiavone joined in on commentary to start the show. They said Hook was attacked earlier in the day and was in the hospital. They ran down the advertised card, and Mercedes Mone made her entrance for the opening match in the Owen Hart Cup Tournament Semi-Finals. She was followed by Athena.
1. Athena vs. Mercedes Mone in an Owen Hart Cup Tournament Semi-Final match: They soaked up the crowd reaction to start the match, and then tied up. They tumbled out of the ring onto the raised stage and then separated to have a staredown. They worked their way back into the rind continued to trade mat wrestling reversals. Mercedes caught Athena’s foot and delivered a kick. She then performed a sunset flip powerbomb into the corner, and followed up with a Meteora for a two count.
Athena returned fire with some kicks and a vaulting forearm strike into the corner. Mercedes applied a Statement Maker as a reversal, and Athena rolled her way out of the ring to prevent a submission win. Mercedes held onto the hold on the floor, but eventually released. Athena tried to take the action back to the ring, but a Meteora tied her up in the ropes and had her hanging by her feet off the apron. Mercedes attempted a double stomp, but Athena avoided it and caught Mercedes with a stunner on the floor…[c]
My Take: Hook vomited in the ring on Dynamite last week, so I hope he’s alright and this is an angle instead. Hopefully he gets to play hero and make an appearance late in the Trios Title match.
Highlights were shown of both women landing heavy shots during the commercial break. They continued to trade punches and kicks in the ring. Athena attempted a Tombstone, but Mercedes reversed into a lungblower. She made a late cover and got a two count. Mercedes followed up with back to back tornado DDTs and covered for a close near fall. She landed the Three Amigos, and Athena replied with a Triple Powerbomb. She attempted a fourth, but Mercedes slipped out of the back and both women landed awkwardly.
Mercedes landed rapid fire punches. Athena replied with a Death Valley Driver for a two count. They went back and forth a bit until Mercdes landed double knees in the corner and sent Athena out to the apron. Mercedes attempted a German Suplex off the apron, but Athena held the middle rope. Mercedes switched her leverage and attempted a powerbomb, but the result was the same. Mercedes looked like she attempted a Gory Special, but it didn’t go anywhere.
Athena managed to land a powerslam on the apron, and followed up with a crossface in the ring. Mercedes reversed into a crossface of her own. Athena then rolled her up for a two count. She then landed a slam, but Mercedes rolled out of the ring to avoid a cover. The action spilled outside, where Athena was sent hard into the barricade. Both women ended up standing on the barricade and trading punches.
Mercedes jumped off to avoid catastrophe, and Athena landed a shotgun dropkick that sent her into the screen on the outside. She tossed Mercedes back into the ring and climbed to the top to attempt an O-Face. Mercedes managed to catch her and roll her up tight, which resulted in a pin.
Mercedes Mone defeated Athena at 21:44 to advance to the finals of the Owen Hart Foundation women’s tournament
After the match, Mercedes celebrated. Toni Storm’s music hit and she was shown staring at Mercedes from the crowd. Backstage, the Young Bucks and Okada spoke to Hangman Page. The Bucks told him they could squash his beef with the Death Riders. Okada asked him why he was so angry and told him to smile more. When Hangman walked away disgusted…Okada called him a bitch. Hangman came charging back, but Okada just told him to smile and Page rolled his eyes and left…[c]
My Take: A good match with a finish that felt like a bit of a let down. Mercedes and Athena work well together and I think the next match will be even better when they tighten up some of the felling out and awkwardness that creeped into this match here and there.
Hangman Page made his entrance. He will face a mystery challenger in the Owen Hart Cup Quarterfinal, who ended up being Josh Alexander.
2. John Alexander vs. Hangman Page in a Owen Hart Cup Tournament Quarterfinal match: Both men tied up and ended up at a stalemate. They then traded punches, and Hangman got the initial advantage. Alexander replied with a running kick. Page quickly recovered and delivered a fallaway slam and a corner lariat. Alexander favored a knee after landing out on the apron, and Hangman pushed the action on the floor. Alexander missed a running kick and ended up draped over the barricade. Page followed up with a flying lariat from the elevated stage…[c]
Alexander landed a German Suplex and covered for a two count. He then attempted another German Suplex, but Hangman landed on his feet and landed a big lariat of his own and turned Alexander upside down. Hangman then went for Deadeye on the apron, but Alexander avoided it. He then attempted a piledriver, but Page reversed into a back body drop. He followed up with a moonsault from the turnbuckle to the floor, and then a sit out powerbomb in the ring for a close near fall.
Alexander fired back with an elbow to the back of the head, and then picked up Page and spun him off of his shoulders to the mat. Hangman recovered and landed a Tombstone piledriver for a close near fall. Alexander rolled to the apron to avoid a buckshot lariat. He slammed Page on the apron, and followed up with a running attack that sent Hangman to the floor. They traded reversals in the ring and Hangman rolled Alexander up with an inside cradle and got the win.
Hangman Page defeated Josh Alexander at 13:11 to advance to the semifinals of the Owen Hart Foundation tournament
After the match, Kyle Fletcher walked out to confront Page as his Semi-Final opponent. Hangman and Fletcher tussled, and Page landed a big lariat. Don Callis whispered something to Josh Alexander, and he bailed out Fletcher and attacked Page from behind. Alexander landed a powerbomb, and Fletcher followed up with a brainbuster.
My Take: A good match from Page and Alexander. The downside with how everything played out is they’ve immediately defined Alexander as someone who is being recruited into the Callis family and would play a support role to blue chippers Kyle Fletcher and Konosuke Takeshita. Hopefully I’m wrong about that.
Nick Wayne spoke backstage about the patriarchy collapsing without a father figure. Christian reappeared and brought up Nick Wayne saying he knew why Christian executed his contract. Wayne replied that he thinks he didn’t stick to the plan because he couldn’t stand the idea that Cope would be Champion before him. Christian said that’s an assumption, and it makes an ass out of him.
He then said he’s been impressed by the fire Nick Wayne has shown recently, and took it upon himself to procure him a spot in the NJPW Battle of the Super Juniors tournament, and he has a match with Komander for the ROH TV Title on Thursday’s Collision that he needs to win by himself. Christian then left with Kip and told Shayne to follow along.
A video package was then shown that recapped the recent heel turn by FTR. Tony Schiavone said they have been suspended for a week and docked a week’s pay for their actions. The Gates of Agony made their entrance in the arena, followed by the Hurt Syndicate.
3. The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin w/MVP) vs. Gates of Agony (Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona) for the AEW Tag Team Championships: Liona and Kaun started out hot and double teamed Benjamin in a neutral corner. Lashley tagged in and turned the tables on Kaun, and landed a jawbreaker, followed by a suplex and a lariat that sent him to the floor…[c]
Kaun and Benjamin crashed together and were slow to their feet. Liona tagged in and stumbled a bit. He recovered quickly and landed a Samoan Drop and a running senton for a two count. All four men ended up in the ring, and Liona hit a lariat that sent Lashley to the floor. He followed up and tossed him into the barricade on the floor. In the ring, Benjamin landed a thrust kick and a couple of release German Suplexes.
Liona tried to interfere, but Benjamin low bridged him out to the floor. Lashley roared back with a spear on Liona on the floor. Benjamin then landed a knee strike on Kaun. Lashley tagged in and landed a spear for the win.
The Hurt Business defeated Gates of Agony at 8:26 to retain the AEW Tag Team Titles
MJF made his entrance after the match and asked the crowd to give it up for the Hurt Syndicate. He called himself gifted, and then praised Benjamin and MVP. He implied Lashley was a slow learner, which pissed him off. He then said he had hired some talent in the back, brought a gaggle of attractive women down to the ring for a “night out” with the Hurt Syndicate. He then requested three thumbs up in exchange for the gift. MVP said everyone knows how he feels, and gave a thumbs up.
Shelton said he needed a little more time, which meant he wanted the watch on Max’s wrist in exchange for a thumbs up. MJF said he knew he liked him for a reason, and said he could have it for thumbs up. Lashley gave him a look, and Benjamin voted thumbs down anyway. MJF said he respected democracy, and offered Benjamin the watch and a night with the women anyway. He then said when he joins the Hurt Syndicate, there would be plenty where that came from.
MJF addressed Lashley and said he’s known for being the All Mighty, but he’s known for getting what he wants. And that’s because he’s MJF, and he’s better than you and you know it. MVP calmed down Lashley and they headed to the back with the women…[c]
My Take: Well, Benjamin can be bought off with escorts and jewelry. What will it take to placate Lashley? Maybe we’ll find out next week.
Backstage, Lashley told MVP he didn’t trust MJF. MVP explained that he understands he’s annoying, but business wise they can use him to get what they want. He then said the minute he gets out of line…Lashley finished his sentence by saying they would hurt him. They then called the ladies back into frame and walked off with them.
Will Ospreay made his entrance in the arena. He was followed by Konosuke Takeshita.
4. Will Ospreay vs. Konosuke Takeshita in an Owen Hart Cup Tournament Semi-final match: Things were slow going early on as both men felt each other out. Ospreay landed a big chop, but Takeshita didn’t sell the damage. They kicked it up a gear and had a face paced exchange that resulted in Ospreay landing a deep arm drag. Takeshita fired back with a leaping lariat and big shotgun dropkick. Takeshita sent Ospreay to the floor and flew over the ropes to dive on him…[c]
Ospreay landed a kick and a top rope elbow strike for a near fall. Takeshita fired back with some strikes and set up for an exploder suplex, but Ospreay avoided it and landed an enziguri. Takeshita fired back with a high angle suplex and covered for a two count. Ospreay shook his hands to get feeling back. Takeshita set up for an avalanche Raging Fire, but Ospreay reversed into a stunner.
He then hit an Oscutter out on the raised stage, and a missile dropkick back in the ring. Ospreay then landed a top rope sky twister for a close near fall. Ospreay avoided a Blue Thunder Bomb and landed another Oscutter in the ring for a close near fall. He then attempted Stormbreaker, but Takeshita reversed out of it. He ended up delivering a high angle German Suplex to Ospreay and rolling over the top for a very close 2.9 near fall.
Takeshita landed heavy strikes in the corner. Ospreay fired back with a kick after a taunt from Takeshita. He attempted a second big kick, but Takeshita caught his foot and leveled him with an elbow. He then went for raging fire, but Ospreay replied with a series of superkicks. Ospreay then went for a Hidden Blade, but Takeshita avoided it. He then landed a big strike and a Blue Thunder Bomb for a close near fall. Ospreay leapt into a big elbow from Takeshita, but kicked out at one. He then landed a hidden blade, but Takeshita kicked out at one.
Ospreay then landed a modified tombstone and then a wheelbarrow slam. Takeshita fired back and starched Ospreay with a strike and both men ended up down on the mat. They both barely answered a standing 10 count, and Takeshita quickly delivered a running kick. Both men ended up battling in the corner. They both ended up standing on the top rope. Ospreay flipped off and landed on his feet. He landed a hidden blade and got a near fall. After some reversals, he landed a Styles Clash for a close near fall.
Takeshita managed to land a backslide and get a two count. He hit the ropes, but Ospreay landed a kick to the gut and hit Stormbreaker and got the win.
Will Ospreay defeated Konosuke Takeshita at 21:09 to advance to the finals of the Owen Hart Foundation tournament
Ospreay celebrated the win, and he awaits the winner of Kyle Fletcher vs. Hangman Page in the other semi-final match. Death Riders vs. Opps is up next…[c]
My Take: Having Death Riders vs. The Opps follow that match is a CHOICE. Takeshita and Ospreay was an excellent technical showcase for both men and a killer TV match, especially if you enjoy the style that Ospreay and Takeshita like to work. There isn’t much selling, and the near falls can make you a bit numb down the stretch, but the sheer athletic display is mighty impressive.
The Death Riders made their entrance. The Opps then made their entrance, but instead of Hook, the Opps were joined by Powerhouse Hobbs.
5. The Opps (Samoa Joe, Katsuyori Shibata, Powerhouse Hobbs) vs. The Death Riders (Jon Moxley, Wheeler Yuta, Claudio Castagnoli) for the AEW Trios Championships: The match was chaos to start, but eventually ended up with Hobbs in the ring with Yuta. He delivered a beat down in the corner followed by a running powerslam. Joe tagged and followed up with rapid fire punches. He then landed a kick in the corner and taunted Jon Moxley. Shibata tagged in a moment later and the Death Riders managed to turn the tide.
They isolated Shibata in their corner and used ref distractions to land double teams…[c]
Marina Shafir landed a chop block on Powerhouse Hobbs on the floor. Claudio continued the assault on Shibata in the ring. They traded heavy strikes until Claudio landed a jawbreaker. Shibata fired back with a kick to Moxley and an uppercut to Yuta. He then pulled Claudio down with a back heel trip and made a hot tag to Samoa Joe. Yuta also tagged in, and Joe teed him up. He landed a Manhattan drop and a big lariat followed by a powerslam. Moxley broke up the pinfall and grabbed a chair from under the ring.
Willow Nightingale appeared and stole the chair. Things broke down and everybody traded power moved. Hobbs landed a nice spinebuster on Claudio and Joe put down Moxley with a big wind up lariat. The Young Bucks walked down to the ring and grabbed some chairs. Swerve then appeared from the crowd and took them out with a double Swerve Stomp. He then tossed them over the barricade.
Back in the ring, Joe dropped Moxley with a Uranage. Shibata then cleared Claudio from the ring and applied a sleeper on the ramp. Joe set up Moxley for a muscle buster, but Yuta broke it up. Hobbs got control of Yuta and slammed him on the announce table. Shafir hit Hobbs with a chair, but Willow cleaned her clock with a lariat. In the ring, Moxley set up for a DDT, but Joe reversed into the Coquina Clutch and Moxley passed out. The match was called.
The Opps defeated The Death Riders at 13:49 to win the AEW Trios Titles
After the match, Swerve, Kevin Knight, WIll Ospreay, Mike Bailey and some others came out to celebrate with the Opps to close the show.
My Take: The AEW Trios titles have been freed from the clutches of the Death Riders. It’s hard to argue with that decision, despite the Trios division feeling a bit lost in the wilderness generally speaking. This was a solid episode of Dynamite. There were 3 matches that were fun to watch that had something at stake, and a fun brawl to close the show with a title change. Hopefully the rest of the build between now and Double or Nothing is able to continue building momentum.
“A bit numb” wins the award for 2025 understatement of the year. And it’s mid April
That match was everything I hate about AEW and I’m sorry the baseball game ended early and I switched over to see it.
23 stars on another web site I’m sure
That last match was a pleasant surprise, even accounting for AEW’s tiresome focus on trios rather than tag teams. Joe being back is a huge shot in the arm for AEW. I am still baffled by the decision to waste a clean finish to Mone vs. Athena on this show.
It was not a clean finish. Mone actually held on to Athena’s tights. This is definitely being revisited and potentially title for title.
That completely passed me by! Did the commentators mention it? The perils of second screening I suppose.