By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
AEW Dynamite (Episode 302)
July 16, 2025, in Chicago, Illinois, at Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
Simulcast live on TBS and Max
[Hour One] Tony Schiavone stood in the ring and welcomed viewers to the show before introducing Hangman Page as the new AEW World Champion. Excalibur and Taz checked in on commentary as Page walked out with a limp, opened his jacket, and showed off the AEW World Championship.
Page entered the ring, where Schiavone shook his hand and handed him the mic before making his exit. A “you deserve it” chant broke out. Page said the truth is that the fans deserve it. The fans responded with a “we deserve it” chant. Funny.
Page said the fans supported “grassroots, do it yourself pro wrestling” and started a revolution to change the world. An “AEW” chant followed. Page said the wrestlers don’t do it for the championship, they do it for the fans. The fans chanted, “Thank you, Hangman.”
Page said the fans deserve to see the championship and to have someone hold it who understands the connection and has more gratitude for the fans than they would ever know. Page said he walked into a war at All In Texas.
Page said some people who walked into the war to free the title belt didn’t come out the same. Page thanked Orange Cassidy, Jay White, Adam Copeland, Kasuyori Shibata, Powerhouse Hobbs, Samoa Joe, Bryan Danielson, Darby Allin, and Will Ospreay.
The fans started chants for Swerve Strickland. Page said that if he is going to be the champion and the man he says he is, then he has to say something. Page thanked Swerve.
Page said he shed a few tears over the All In Texas weekend. He said people like Jon Moxley would say he’s weak. Page said he has a wife and two kids who love him. He said he has millions of people watching AEW who can look to him and respect him. “And if you want to know what kind of man I am, you can look at me tonight, because I am the champion of the f—ing world,” Page said while being censored…
Powell’s POV: A really good celebratory promo from the new champion. By the way, the host venue that will be AEW’s home for a residency through the end of the month looks like something out of Squid Game.
A video package aired on All In Texas to the tune of Bush’s “Machinehead.” It touted that the event had the company’s highest attendance in North America, had fans from all 50 states and 29 countries, had 4.8 social media engagements on Saturday, 12 million social media engagements throughout the week, 196 million video views throughout the week, and the company added nearly 100,000 more social media followers…
Powell’s POV: That’s more like it. AEW has been too quick to turn the page rather than make their pay-per-views feel important coming out of the shows. They included a lot of the information that WWE would use to tout the success of their events, but the structure felt unique to AEW.
Footage aired from earlier in the day of “The Young Bucks” Matthew Jackson and Nicholas Jackson being dropped off at the building in an Uber rather than in a limo due to no longer being executive vice presidents. Funny…
Ring announcer Justin Roberts delivered the introductions for the opening match while the entrances took place. Excalibur mentioned Adam Cole and wished him well…
1. Kyle Fletcher (w/Don Callis, Lance Archer) vs. Mascara Dorada. Dorada hit an early missile dropkick. Fletcher came right back with a big boot that knocked Dorada off the apron. Dorada avoided Fletcher and then hit him with a spinning dive over the top rope to the floor. Fletcher regained offensive control heading into a picture-in-picture break. [C]
Dorada hit a top rope 450 splash for a near fall. Taz said Dorada did more moves in this match than he did in his entire career. Nice. Fletcher rallied and hit a kick in the corner and then followed up with a brainbuster for the win.
Kyle Fletcher beat Mascara Dorada in 10:55.
After the match, Fletcher knelt down and drooled while talking about how Dustin Rhodes ruined the biggest moment of his life. Fletcher said his life’s mission is to take everything from Rhodes. Schiavone said new TNT Champion Dustin Rhodes will appear on Saturday’s Collision…
Powell’s POV: A nice opening match. I like that Callis didn’t sit in on commentary. I’ve never been a fan of AEW managers sitting in on commentary while their wrestlers are having meaningful matches. Save that for squash matches, and give the managers promo time instead.
Footage aired from earlier in the day of the Young Bucks arriving backstage and being greeted by Renee Paquette, who asked how they feel about no longer being EVPs. They blew her off. The Bucks crossed paths with Marina Shafir. Matthew asked how she was doing. Shafir shook her head and walked past them.
The Bucks arrived at their dressing room. A crew member was crossing out the “EVP” title on their locker room door sign. He wrote “Matt” and “Nick” instead. Ricochet, Bishop Kaun, and Toa Liona showed up. Ricochet said it sucks to be the Bucks, and then did his laugh before walking away.
Don Callis showed up and said he thought it was an abomination that the company was treating them like a couple of jobbers for losing one match. Callis said he knew they had their issues in the past, but maybe they can do business now that Kenny Omega is “dead.” Matthew told him they would never join his family, but he thought they would work things out. Callis and the Bucks hugged… [C]
Footage aired of “The Hurt Syndicate” Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, MVP, and MJF delivering a backstage promo at All In Texas. MVP said he’d like to celebrate, but there was nothing to celebrate over because they knew they would retain the AEW Tag Team Titles. MVP begged “one of these legendary tag teams” to step up. “Take these titles from us, please,” MVP said.
MJF said he was happy that Hangman Page won the AEW World Championship. MJF showed off the title shot contract he earned by winning the men’s Casino Gauntlet match. MJF said he would have pinned Jon Moxley in a weakened state. MJF said he is the best in the world, and he didn’t need the contract to beat Page. MJF said the contract was “break glass in case of emergency.” MJF said Page can be the main character all he wants, because he has no problem being the bad guy…
Entrances for the eight-man tag match took place. The Young Bucks came out and waited for pyro that didn’t come. Their video wall switched to listing them as Matt and Nick with “EVP” crossed out. It also showed footage of them exiting the Uber. “They used to be EVPs and now they’re not,” Justin Roberts said as part of their introduction…
2. Bandido, Mike Bailey, Kevin Knight, and Brody King vs. Josh Alexander, Hechicero, Matt Jackson, and Nick Jackson in an all-star eight-man tag. Well, that didn’t last long. Callis sat in on commentary. Alexander had Knight on his shoulders at ringside when Nick superkicked him from the apron into a Doomsday Device bump. The Bucks hit their stomp and powerbomb combo on Bailey, and then Nick ran up the ropes and performed a corkscrew dive onto Bandido and King on the floor. [C]
Late in the match, Bandido hit the X Knee on Nick and then went for the 21-Plex, but Alexander broke it up. The Bucks and Alexander teamed up for a spike piledriver on Bandido. Hechicero launched Bandido into a double superkick from the Bucks, and then locked him in a sleeper for the win…
Josh Alexander, Hechicero, Matt Jackson, and Nick Jackson defeated Bandido, Mike Bailey, Kevin Knight, and Brody King in 13:35.
The heels celebrated their win afterward… [C]
Powell’s POV: Can we get through a week without AEW holding an “all-star” eight-person tag match? The live crowds always have fun with these matches because of the big spots, but they get tiresome to see on television so regularly because they feel trivial. AEW has a tag team division. They even have trios titles. The tag team division is underwhelming and the trios titles feel unimportant. Focus on building up the tag team division (and the trios titles if they have to stick around) and give it up with these eight-man (or more) tag team matches.
[Hour Two] Adam Copeland made his entrance. The fans sang his entrance theme after it stopped playing. He thanked the fans and said he kept doing this because of them. Copeland asked whether he came out to save Christian Cage at AEW All In Texas. Copeland laughed and said no.
Copeland said Christian has tried to make his life miserable since he arrived in AEW. Copeland recalled some of the things that Christian had said and done to him. Copeland said he didn’t blame Nick Wayne, Mother Wayne, and Kip Sabian for what they did to Christian.
Copeland said all he can do is hope that Christian is pulling his “giant cranium out of his ass.” Copeland said he came back to get his hands on FTR. Copeland recalled getting his career back five years ago when he was medically cleared. He said he called FTR because he knew they would whip him back into shape.
Copeland said he spoke with Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler about forming Rated FTR and winning the AEW Trios Titles, even while he was still working for a different company. Copeland said they started complaining within two weeks about being in his shadow and being glorified Edgeheads.
Copeland said FTR complained that he was somehow holding them back from winning the AEW Tag Team Titles. He said it didn’t make sense, but megalomaniacs blame everyone else. Copeland said they put him on the shelf for four months.
Copeland said that might seem like a lot of time to the fans, but every time he gets in the ring could be his last time. He said those were four months that he didn’t have after doing this for 33 years. Copeland said he didn’t come back to wrestle FTR; he came back to end them.
The FTR entrance theme played. Stokely Hathaway walked out with a group of security guards. Hathaway entered the ring with a security guard on each side of him. The crowd chanted, “Shut the f— up.” Hathaway said it felt like the Hathaway family reunion.
Hathaway said Copeland’s board with nails that he calls Spike is a liability. Hathaway said Tony Khan and Warner Media were sent three anonymous emails about Copeland’s behavior. Hathaaway said that Copeland would be fired if he interfered in FTR’s matches or even tried to shake their hands.
Hathaway said FTR needs to focus on the AEW Tag Team Titles. He told Copeland to go find a hobby and leave FTR alone. The fans booed loudly. Copeland said Hathaway was like an angry Oompa Loompa.
Copeland recalled Hathaway saying he’d be fired if he put his hands on FTR, but he didn’t say anything about himself. Copeland took care of the two security guards in the ring, and then the ringside security guards ran away. Copeland speared Hathaway…
Mark Briscoe delivered a backstage promo. He said MJF acted like a bitch by dodging him throughout the Casino Gauntlet match. Briscoe spoke about debuting under unfortunate circumstances, but it put the Briscoes on a bigger stage. He said he will make MJF pay for his sins…
Entrances for the four-way match took place…
3. Willow Nightingale vs. Kris Statlander vs. Thekla vs. Queen Aminata in a four-way for $100,000. Thekla performed a top rope dive onto two opponents on the floor. [C] Late in the match, Willow hit a Doctor Bomb on Thekla and had her pinned, but Statlander pulled referee Aubrey Edwards out of the ring. Willow and Statlander fought to the back.
Aminata hit Thekla with a top rope double stomp for a near fall. Skye Blue walked out and climbed on the apron, but referee Edwards blocked her path to enter the ring. Julia Hart entered the ring behind them and sprayed mist in the face of Aminata. Thekla hit a Stomp on Aminata and then pinned her…
Thekla defeated Queen Aminata, Willow Nightingale, and Kris Statlander in a four-way in 10:40 to win $100,000.
After the match, Hart and Sky raised Thekla’s arms…
Powell’s POV: Thekla won the match, but I’m not sure what she gained because the match was laid out to show that she would have lost to Willow had it not been for Statlander pulling the referee out of the ring. The heels didn’t need to go through the trouble of distracting the referee, given that there are no disqualifications in four-way matches. The matches for financial prizes haven’t led to anything in the past, so I’m guessing this time won’t be any different.
AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm stood in a second level balcony while being introduced by Justin Roberts. Storm delivered a promo about retaining her title at All In Texas. Storm recalled saying that if Mercedes Mone made one wrong move, she would eat her alive. “Well, darling, you were delicious,” Storm said. The fans chanted “Toni.”
Storm invited Mone to come back for seconds while adding, “From my lips to yours, this buffet is always open, darling.” Storm said she was sad to announce that Luther was injured in the line of duty. She said she couldn’t say what happened, but it required reattachment surgery. The fans chanted Luther’s name. Storm said her tits were pointing to the future. She said she had to be careful now, because this was the big one.
ROH Women’s Champion Athena appeared on the big screen with Billie Starkz. Athena said Mina Shirkawa is also hurt because she stepped into ROH, and Athena took her head off with a kick. Athena signed the contract she earned by winning the women’s Casino Gauntlet match, which gives her a shot at the AEW Women’s Championship. Athena said Storm should stop looking for her happy ending, because her demise and murderer are here.
Storm said if Athena is ready, she will be sweaty. If Athena is willing, Storm will be thrilling. And if Athena is able, she will bend her over the table…
Powell’s POV: The usual fun Storm promo. Athena and Billie Starkz need a strong reintroduction to AEW viewers. Sure, they’ve appeared on AEW television before, but they’ve spent most of their time in ROH.
Nick Wayne, Kip Sabian, and Mother Wayne delivered a backstage promo. Sabian actually spoke about how they took bullet after bullet for Christian Cage. Sabian said his purpose is to defend his brother under the matriarch. Mother Wayne said Nick and Sabian are her boys, and Nick is her son and a prodigy.
Nick said Christian became a liability. He said he realized it when Christian didn’t stick to their plan when he attempted to become AEW World Champion. Nick recalled Christian asking him how many world championships he’s won. Nick said he’s 20 years old, and the question is how many world championships will he win. Nick said Christian created the monster, and now he has to live with him becoming the face of AEW now and forever…
Don Callis gave Kazuchika Okada a big introduction, and then he made his entrance while his opponent was already inside the ring…
4. AEW Unified Champion Kazuchika Okada vs. Quintero in a non-title match. The broadcast team sent their best wishes to Kenny Omega and Mina Shirakawa while playing up their injuries. Okada dominated the match and then hit the Rainmaker for the win.
AEW Unified Champion Kazuchika Okada defeated Quintero in 1:05.
After the match, Okada said Swerve Strickland screwed over his friends, the Young Bucks. Okada called Swerve a bitch. Swerve’s entrance music played. Prince Nana came out and did his dance while Swerve came out, and then they both headed to the ring. Swerve went face-to-face with Okada. “Yeah, I did do that,” Swerve said. “What are you going to do about it, bitch?”…
Excalibur hyped the main event for after the break… [C]
The Death Riders made their entrance from a backstage area and through the crowd, and then the babyface entrances followed…
5. Hangman Page, Powerhouse Hobbs, and Mark Briscoe vs. “The Death Riders” Jon Moxley, Wheeler Yuta, and Claudio Castagnoli (w/Marina Shafir). Schiavone said they would stick with the match as long as they needed to. The broadcast team played up the damage that the Texas Death Match did to Page and Moxley, saying neither man was 100 percent health. Moxley had a bandage on his forehead, and he avoided tagging in before a PIP break. [C]
[Overrun] Moxley tagged in after his partners had Hobbs down. He took a shot at Hobbs and then tagged out. Excalibur said it was a different Moxley in that he seemed hesitant, whereas he usually can’t wait to mix it up. Moxley tagged back in. Briscoe got the better of him and went to the ropes, but Shafir stopped him while the referee was distracted. Moxley put Briscoe down with a DDT on the floor heading into the final PIP break. [C]
Moxley caught Page with a cheap shot that knocked him off the apron. Moxley put Briscoe down with a piledriver. Yuta and Castagnoli attacked Hobbs and ran him into the ring steps. Moxley got Briscoe on the ropes, but Briscoe fought back and bit Moxley’s forehead. Page took a hot tag and performed a pop-up sit-out powerbomb on Yuta and had him pinned, but Catagnoli broke it up.
The following matches and segments were announced for Saturday’s AEW Collision: Dustin Rhodes appears for the first time since winning the TNT Title, Ricochet vs. AR Rox, Bandido, Mascara Dorada, Mike Bailey, and Kevin Knight vs. Lance Archer, Rocky Romero, Josh Alexander, and Hechicero in an eight-man tag match, Rush vs. Katsuyori Shibata, and Taya Valkyrie vs. Alex Windsor.
Late in the match, Page set up for his finisher on Castagnoli, but Moxley cut him off and bit his forehead. Hobbs put Moxley down with a spinebuster. Yuta hit Hobbs with a Busaiku Knee. Briscoe hit Froggy Bow on Yuta. Castagnoli went for The Neutralizer on Page, who countered with a jackknife pin for the three count.
Hangman Page, Powerhouse Hobbs, and Mark Briscoe defeated “The Death Riders” Jon Moxley, Wheeler Yuta, and Claudio Castagnoli in 17:45.
Moxley attacked Page after the bell. Yuta and Castagnoli stood guard while Page’s partners were down at ringside along with Shafir. The lights dimmed, and then Darby Allin was spotlighted in a balcony area, which distracted Moxley. Hangman Page hit Moxley with a Buckshot Lariat that was shot horribly by the production team. Page’s music played as his partners returned to the ring.
A graphic listed AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm vs. Billie Starkz in a non-title match for next week’s Dynamite, which will be presented by Shark Week. Excalibur wrapped up the show while Page stood on the middle rope with his title belt, and Allin was shown watching from the balcony…
Powell’s POV: I was really hoping to at least get a break from The Death Riders after they lost the AEW World Championship and failed to regain the AEW Trios Titles at All In Texas. At least Page went over clean and was the focus. They are going Crow Sting with Darby by having him rappel from the rafters at All In Texas, and now having him stand expressionless being getting the spotlight treatment.
Overall, the Page promo was strong, the show had the usual good wrestling, and they turned the page by starting to set up some new programs. I will have a lot more to say about Dynamite later tonight in our weekly same-night audio review of Dynamite Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of the show by grading it below.
Join Jake Barnett for a live review of AEW Collision on Saturday night.
Not sure what Thekla gained?
She gained 100,000!
Lol
In a world filled with babyface vs. babyface matches, I am not sure why we needed the abrupt and unexplained heel turn from Athena. I am not sure what she is on ROH TV and nobody watches it so it doesn’t matter anyway – for AEW audiences she was last spotted as the babyface against Mercedes Mone and (quite rightly) whooping it up as a babyface at All-In. Why not let her carry on for now in that role, when crowds want to cheer her in her matches anyway?
Because Tony Khan has cocaine infused retardation.