By Jake Barnett, ProWrestling.net Co-Senior Staffer (@jakebarnett)
AEW Dynamite (Episode 291)
April 30, 2025, in Norfolk, Virginia at Chartway Arena
Simulcast live on TBS and Max
The show began with Excalibur, Taz and Tony Shiavone on commentary. Mark Briscoe made his ring entrance for the opening match. His teammates are Mike Bailey, Kevin Knight, and Kenny Omega. They were followed by Ricochet, The Young Bucks, and Kazuchika Okada.
1. Kenny Omega, Mike Bailey, Kevin Knight, and Mark Briscoe vs. Kazuchika Okada, Ricochet, & The Young Bucks: Okada started the match with Omega, but then immediately tagged out to Nick Jackson. Omega turned his back briefly, and all four heels ran into the ring and ambushed the Omega and company. Nick Jackson then landed an arm drag on Omega, and then Matt Jackson used the ropes to perform an arm ringer.
Ricochet tagged in, and after more confusion Matt Jackson ended up giving him an arm ringer. Omega capitalized and tossed him into the friendly corner. Kevin Knight tagged in and delivered some strikes, and then made a tag to Mark Briscoe. Ricochet fired back with a jawbreaker and made a tag to Matt Jackson. Briscoe delivered some punches and a big boot to get control of the match. There was a silly series with eight missed elbow drops heading into the break…[c]
Ricochet and Matt Jackson landed tandem Northern Lights Suplexes on Mike Bailey and Kevin Knight. Bayley battled back and crawled for a tag, but Okada tagged in and shut him down. Okada signaled for a brain buster, but everybody ended up in the ring to break it up. We then got 4 separate brain busters, and once everything shook out it was Kevin Knight in the ring with Okada. Knight landed a missile dropkick, and Okada tagged in Nick Jackson.
Knight landed a hurracarrana out of the corner and covered for a near fall. Omega got back into the match and cleaned house on the heels. The Bucks returned fire and Omega ended up hung over the apron. Mike Bailey tried to assist, but got cut down by a superkick. Nick and Matt Jackson then splashed Bailey and Omega simultaneously…[c]
Omega was isolated in the heel corner, but managed to flip out to make a tag. Nobody was home when he got there, because everyone else had been yanked off the apron. Matt Jackson faked out Omega with a kick and landed a DDT instead. Ricochet then tagged in for a springboard 450, but he crashed and burned. Omega finally tagged out to Briscoe, who entered the match and took out Matt and Nick Jackson with punches and kicks.
Okada charged at Briscoe but ate a big book. Kevin Knight and Mike Bailey dove on Ricochet and The Bucks at ringside. Briscoe landed a Fisherman’s Buster on Okada and covered for a near fall. Okada fired back with a neckbreaker and then took to the top rope. He then landed an elbow drop and signaled for the Rainmaker. Mike Bailey blasted him with a back heel kick, and then got but down by the Young Bucks.
There was a rapid fire breakdown at this point that led to Omega and Okada being the last men standing. Omega nearly landed a One Winged Angel, but Okada escaped. He did land a snap dragon suplex, but The Young Bucks took him out with a double superkick. The heels set up a double Meltzer Driver and landed them both. Okada covered Mark Briscoe, but he kicked out. The Bucks set up for a BTE Trigger, but Briscoe moved and their knees collided.
Brisoe then delivered a Jay Driller to Okada, but Ricochet broke up the fall. Kevin Knight delivered a doomsday device dropkick onto Ricochet, who landed on The Bucks on the floor. Omega then dove on Ricochet and The Bucks at ringside. Briscoe set up for a Froggy Bow on Okada, but Ricochet recovered enough to knock him off the turnbuckle. Okada followed up with the Rainmaker and got the win.
The Young Bucks, Ricochet and Kazuchika Okada defeated Kenny Omega, Mike Bayley, Kevin Knight, and Mark Briscoe at 26:01
After the match, the Hurt Syndicate was shown destroying some local enhancement wrestlers backstage who were initially chanting for them. They then headed to the ring. MVP and Benjamin then gave Lashley the hard sell on MJF, and promised they would hurt MJF if he screwed them over…[c]
My Take: A fun spotfest to start the show. It wasn’t telling a magnificent story or anything, but the crowd was into the big acrobatic moments.
The Opps were already in the ring. They were opposite Nick Comorato, Rhett Titus, and Myles Hawkins.
2. The Opps (Samoa Joe, Katsuyori Shibata, Powerhouse Hobbs) vs. Nick Comorato, Rhett Titus, and Myles Hawkins: Joe started the match with Rhett Titus and mangled him. Shibata then mixed it up with Nick Comorato and won a strike battle. Myles Hawkins then tagged in and got shut down with a kick to the ribs. Hobbs tagged in and landed some heavy blows, followed by a powerslam. He then delivered big lariats in the corner, before dropping the straps of his singlet. He then delivered a spinebuster and got the win .
The Opps defeated Nick Comorato, Rhett Titus, and Myles Hawkins at 3:14
After the match, The Death Riders jumped The Opps and the brawl carried to ringside. Joe applied a Coquina Clutch on Moxley, but Claudio was able to deliver a Neutralizer on a chair to Shibata while Joe was occupied. Joe grabbed a microphone and said Moxley acts like a boss until the fight starts, and then he’s a bitch. He told Moxley he doesn’t seem to want this fight that he asked for. Joe then said if he’s going to fight Jon Moxley for the AEW Championship, he wanted to do it inside of a steel cage. He then declared that he would be the next AEW World Champion.
Mercedes Mone was interviewed by Renee Paquette. Mercedes repeated she’s on a global mission, and that the Owen Hart Cup tournament is about her and her legacy. Renee then asked about Jamie Hayter’s size and strength advantage, and Mercedes pointed to the fact that she’s undefeated. She claimed the wrestling world runs on Mone Time, and insulted Hayter for her Scooby Doo style and said a champion can’t look like a cartoon…[c]
My Take: The Opps against the jobbers didn’t do much for me, but the cage stipulation adds a bit of interest to Joe vs. Moxley. Not that it will stop interference. It never stops interference.
Nick Wayne was asked about heading to Japan for the Battle of the Super Juniors tournament. Christian answered for him, but was cut off almost immediately by Jay Lethal. He asked for a match with Wayne for the ROH TV Champion. Wayne initially refused, but Christian accepted and told him to get his head in the game.
In the arena, Timeless Toni Storm made her entrance. We then got a video package for Miyu Yamashita, followed by her ring entrance.
3. Toni Storm vs. Miyu Yamashita: Miyu applied an arm twist and then landed some leg kicks. Storm fired back with a Thesz Press and some right hands. Storm got tied up between the first and second turnbuckle in the corner, and Yamashita landed a series of kicks. She continued the assault on the floor…[c]
Yamashita was in control during the break. Storm fired back with some forearm shots, but Yamashita won the strike battle. Strom avoided a kick and then delivered a german suplex. Yamashita fired back with a wheel kick, but was slow to cover and only got a near fall. Storm avoided another strike and delivered a Sky High for a near fall of her own.
Storm delivered another german suplex bridge for a near fall. Yamashita delivered a round kick, but Storm fired back quickly with another German Suplex. She followed up with a hip attack and Storm Zero for the win.
Toni Storm defeated Miyu Yamashita at 8:48
After the match, Mercedes Mone appeared and got on the microphone. She told the crowd to shut up and say hello. She then addressed Toni, and said she would come for what she deserves after she wins the Owen Cup. Jamie Hayter then appeared, and Mercedes took a shot at her. Hayter blocked it and punches Mone, who ran away like she was on fire. Toni Storm then danced to Jamie Hayter’s music for a laugh.
Backstage, Don Callis bragged about Brodie King and Will Ospreay being beaten by Takeshita and Alexander last week. He then said that Kyle Fletcher would continue their streak and Kyle Fletcher would defeat Hangman Page. Fletcher said he could go on to defeat Will Ospreay again and then become the AEW World Champion at All In. Then everyone would be forced to put respect on his name.
Back in the arena, The Hurt Syndicate made their way to the ring. MVP said they needed a unanimous vote to add a new member, and they were going to do this one more time. MJF then made his way to the ring. He complimented Benjamin can called MVP one of his oldest friends in wrestling. He then addressed Bob, and gave him a stern look. MVP rushed to the vote, and both MVP and Benjamin gave an immediate thumbs up. Lashley considered it for a moment, and gave him another thumbs down.
MJF told Lashley he was sick of his shit. He then said he had given him cars, money, women, and cars, and wondered what would interest him. He suggested Rogaine, and got in Lashley’s face. Lashley grabbed him by the head and backed him into the corner. He told him they hurt people, and he should hurt someone if he wanted to get his attention. The Hurt Syndicate left, and MVP told MJF he runs his mouth too much.
We then got a video package for FTR and Stokely Hathaway. Nick Wayne then made his ring entrance. Christian’s entrance music cut off Wayne’s and the rest of the Patriarchy headed to the ring. He was followed by Jay Lethal.
My Take: Good match from Toni and Miyu. Lashley finally putting his hands on MJF was a welcome progression to the story. Does MJF hurt Lashley or somebody else?
4. Jay Lethal vs. Nick Wayne for the ROH TV Championship: Lethal got the advantage early and took the action to the floor…[c]
Wayne fired back with some strikes, but Lethal shut him down with a Lethal Combination. He then covered for a two count. Lethan went up top for a flying elbow, but Wayne cut him off and attempted a superplex. Lethal knocked him down and went for the elbow, but Wayne countered with a cradle pin for a near fall. He then attempted a few other roll up covers for near falls. Wayne then delivered a roundhouse kick and a Fisherman’s Buster for the win.
Nick Wayne defeated Jay Lethal at 8:59
Christian picked up the ROH TV Title and placed it around the waist of Wayne. The Patriarchy then clapped for him before leaving. Excalibur confirmed that Moxley vs. Samoa Joe will take place in a Steel Cage Match. A video package then aired for Double or Nothing on May 25th. Kyle Fletcher vs. Hangman Page is up next…[c]
My Take: Wayne vs Lethal was fine, but nothing you’ll remember tomorrow.
Kyle Fletcher made his ring entrance, followed by Hangman Page.
5. Hangman Page vs. Kyle Fletcher in an Owen Hart Cup Semi-Final: They went back and forth for the opening minute, and then Hangman delivered a heavy chop to the chest. Fletcher rolled to the outside to recover and took his time getting back in the ring.
Fletcher tried to get cute and taunt Hangman, but that was shut down quickly when Hangman spanked him. No, I’m not joking. Fletcher escaped to the floor again to avoid a Buckshot Lariat, but Page followed up and delivered a big lariat that sent Fletcher into the timekeeper’s area…[c]
Fletcher was bleeding from the lower back when the show returned due to a crash with the LED Screen barricade on the outside. He delivered a few kicks to Hangman, but got turned inside out by a lariat a moment later. Page landed a few punches and then a big back body drop to follow up. He then landed a Death Valley Driver for a near fall. Fletcher hit the ropes, and Hangman caught him and delivered a fallaway slam.
He then delivered a springboard clothesline that sent Fletcher to the floor. Page attempted to climb the ropes for a moonsault, but Fletcher cut him off with some kicks and a brainbuster on the apron. Hangman backflipped off the barricade and caught Fletcher, then pulled him into position for a Tombstone on the floor…[c]
Page delivered a superplex as the show returned. Fletcher replied and threw Hangman with a half and half suplex. Hangman managed a sit out powerbomb in response for a close near fall. He then attempted a Deadeye, but Fletcher avoided it with a kick to the chest. Hangman recovered and delivered the Deadeye on the second attempt and covered for a close near fall.
Hangman attempted a moonsault, but Fletcher got the knees up. He then delivered a big Liger Bomb and covered for a very close near fall. Hangman attempted a roll up, but Fletcher kicked out. Hangman went to the apron for a Buckshot, but Fletcher cut him off with a kick. Hangman replied with a Deadeye on the apron, and a big Moonsault on the floor. He then lined up for a Buckshot Lariat, but Fletcher shoved the referee and kicked Hangman in the balls as he landed.
Fletcher picked up Hangman and delivered a big Brainbuster for a 2.9 near fall. Both men backed into opposite corners, and Fletcher landed a running kick. Fletcher placed Hangman on the ropes for a Super Brainbuster, but Hangman clubbed him down with lariats. He then followed up with a big Buckshot lariat for the win.
Hangman Page defeated Kyle Fletcher to advance to the Owen Cup Finals at 23:30
Hangman celebrated his win while Fletcher attempted to recover on the mat.
My Take: This show really needed this match. There were other moments on the show that were entertaining, but this was the only match on the show that really grabbed and held onto my attention. Page winning made the most sense to me, but I bought into the false finish after the low blow late in the match that would have set up a rubber match between Fletcher and Ospreay. I think opinions on this show will vary depending on how much one enjoyed the long opening 8-man tag. If you loved that match, this was a well above average edition of Dynamite. If you were lukewarm on it, then this was mostly an average show with a great main event.
Great show with PPV caliber matches.
Miyu looked good.