By Jake Barnett, ProWrestling.net Co-Senior Staffer (@jakebarnett)
AEW Dynamite (Episode 305)
August 6, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio at Wolstein Center
Simulcast live on TBS and Max
Excalibur hyped up the main event between MJF and Mark Briscoe, and then introduced a promo from MJF. He trash talked Briscoe and called Hangman a cowards. He then said one of Mark Briscoe would pay for Hangman’s sins. MJF called himself the evil, and said he had no fire sending Briscoe back to hell AKA Delaware and go back to being a loser and a blue collar bitch. He said Briscoe was white trash who got lucky, and the people cheer for him because they pity him. MJF said tonight Briscoe’s luck would run out and he would see him in the Main Event.
Excalibur ran down the remainder of the card, and then Jon Moxley made his ring entrance with Marina Shafir and Wheeler Yuta. He was followed by Speedball Bailey, accompanied by Kevin Knight.
1. Jon Moxley vs. “Speedball” Mike Bailey: Bailey landed some punches early on, but Moxley returned fire and then tried to tear at the left ear of Bailey. Moxley took Bailey to the ground and applied a chicken wing. He then delivered some elbows, but Bailey was able to use his speed to escape and deliver some kicks. He sent Moxley to the apron with a kick, but Moxley recaptured control with an eye gouge. Moxley distracted the referee so Shafir could perform a leg sweep on Bailey out on thee floor.
Kevin Knight approached Shafir and talked some trash. Moxley then got in his face and pie faced Knight. They jawed back and forth with each other, which allowed Bailey to recovery and deliver a moonsault onto Moxley on the floor. He then sent Moxley into the barricade, and performed a double knee drop onto the back of Moxley…[c]
Moxley bent up the fingers of Bailey and then ripped them apart. He then delivered some kicks and chops in the corner. Bailey fired up and landed some hard kicks to the elbow of Moxley. He then delivered a drop kick and covered for a two count. Bailey landed more kicks and a running shooting star press for a two count. He continued to attack the arm of Moxley, and then another shooting star press from the top rope for a near fall.
Bailey transitioned to a cross arm breaker. Moxley rolled into it, so Bailey transitioned into a triangle choke. Moxley tried to pick him up, but Bailey reversed out of it and reapplied the armbar. Both men traded pinfall attempts, and then Bailey delivered another backflip into a double knee drop. Wheeler Yuta interfered, which allowed Moxley to land a release vertical suplex.
Darby Allin appeared in the crowd and snatched Darby Allin and put a rag over his face. Moxley got distracted by this, and Bailey rolled him up for a 2.9 count. Moxley escaped another arm bar attempt and applied a sleeper. Bailey escaped, but got pulled right into a Death Rider DDT. Moxley covered for the win.
Jon Moxley defeated “Speedball” Mike Bailey at 14:34
After the match, Kevin Knight checked on Mike Bailey and Moxley made his escape to the back to presumably find Wheeler Yuta. Alex Windsor and Toni Storm were interviewed. Toni dropped some sexual innuendo while challenging Athena to sign her contract and cash it in tonight. Alex Windsor said Queen Aminata and Skye Blue better get ready because she doesn’t get licked without giving a lick back. Toni then said it was time to tape up their tits and tango. Elsewhere, Jon Moxley discovered Darby Allin in a body bag with a card stuck to his forehead that said Forbidden Door.
My Take: Moxley and Speedball was fun. It would have been a good opportunity for Bailey to get the upset thanks to Darby Allin. Moxley would have lost nothing in that scenario.
Excalibur mentioned Skye Blue vs. Queen Aminata vs. Billie Starkz vs. Alex Windsor for a TBS Title shot later in the show. Mercedes Mone pulled up to the building and Renee Paquette complimented Mercedes on her match at All In Texas. Mone told her to stop being such a mark, and walked away. In the arena, Alex Windsor made her entrance. She was followed by Queen Aminata, Skye Blue, and Billie Starkz with Athena. Timeless Toni Storm then made her ring entrance to be in the corner of Alex Windsor.
2. Skye Blue vs. Queen Aminata vs. Alex Windsor vs. Billie Starkz: Aminata and Windsor sent Starkz and Blue to the floor. They then tangled up, and Aminata took control early on with some strikes. Skye Blue pulled Aminata to the floor and sent her into the ring steps. Blue then took down Windsor with a body scissors. Aminata and Blue then fought on the apron, where Aminata landed a DDT. Windsor then dove onto Aminata on the floor, and Starkz flew into the picture to take down Windsor with a moonsault…[c]
Window delivered a blue thunder bomb to Skye Blue, but Starkz broke it up. Starkz then took a run at Windsor, but got caught with a powerbomb. Windsor then applied a Sharpshooter, but Queen Aminata broke it up with a kick. Aminata and Windsor landed German Suplexes on Blue and Starkz. They then collided heads when both attempted a headbutt, and went down. Blue and Windsor fought in the corner, where Blue landed a Code Red from the top, but Aminata broke it up.
Aminata landed a high angle side slam to Blue. Starks then came from the top with a swanton to break up the fall. The action spilled to the floor, where Sky Blue attempted another Code Red onto a chair, but Aminata broke it up and delivered another high angle side slam. Athena then tried to get involved to assist Starkz, but Toni Storm pulled her from the ring and decked her. Windsor then reversed a suplex attempt with a small package and got the win.
Alex Windsor qualified for the TBS Title Fatal Four Way at Forbidden Door at 11:29
Mercedes Mone walked out to the ring with her grab bag of championships. She and Windsor had a staredown. Toni Storm entered the ring, and Athena quickly delivered an O-Face from the top rope. Mercedes then delivered a backstabber to Windsor. Athena and Mercedes declared a truce and left each other alone. Kyle Fletcher is up next…[c]
My Take: Another enjoyable match for the most part, but this one had a few noticeable clumsy moments that broke up the flow a bit. Windsor getting a TBS Title shot in London makes sense. It never hurts to have someone in the match that the locals are firmly cheering for.
Renee Paquette interviewed the Young Bucks backstage. Renee got really excited about Brodido. The Bucks noticed a production guy nearby and gave him crap about their entrance and ring announcements lately. They demanded their pyro back, and a proper ring announcement from Justin Roberts. The production guy chuckled and told them he would take care of it.
In the arena, Renee Paquette introduced Kyle Fletcher and Don Callis. Footage was shown of the Tarantino Film that broke out in the Main Event of Collision last week between Dustin Rhodes and Kyle Fletcher. Callis and Fletcher were joined by Lance Archer, Hechicero, and Josh Alexander. Callis got on the microphone and complimented Fletcher on his victory, and for retiring a legend in the process.
Fletcher said Rhodes got exactly what he deserved for stealing his moment at All In. He said a 60 year old man doesn’t deserve to be in the ring again, and then took credit for putting Adam Cole on the shelf as well. Fletcher said this was just the beginning of his legacy, and anyone who attempts to take the title away from him will suffer the same fate. He claimed he would become the greatest TNT Champion of all time on his way to being the greatest of all time.
Callis addressed Fletcher the greatest are memorialized in art, and he had spent the last days putting something on canvas. Fletcher demanded to say it, and told Callis to take the cover off of the painting. It showed Callis and Fletcher looking jacked to the gills, and Fletcher’s only clothing was the TNT championship covering his groin. Fletcher said he wanted to be a fighting champion for Callis, the Family, and for himself, and his first defense will be Saturday on Collision.
Fletcher said no matter who shows up, his hand will get raised, and he will be the TNT Champion for a very long time. Fletcher and Callis embraced to end the segment. We then got some footage of Adam Copeland delivering a spear to Stokely Hathaway. Alicia Atout interviewed Adam Copeland backstage, and asked him what his take was about Christian last week. Copeland said he didn’t know what to think about Christian, since he refused accountability for being an asshole for the last few years.
He then said he had spoken to Tony Khan, and got a match with Stokely scheduled for next week. If FTR interferes, their restraining order is null and void. In the arena, Brodie King made his entrance with Bandido. They were followed by the Young Bucks. During the Bucks entrance, the set malfunctioned and they had to crawl out from under one of the screens. Justin Roberts read their note verbatim, which was just a list of their complaints, and they had one little fart of pryo. Their chryon said Max and Jeremy Buck.
3. The Young Bucks vs. Brodido: Bandido took down Matt and Nick with a tornillo and then focused on Nick Jackson. Brodie tagged in and took out both Bucks with a double clothesline. Bandido then used Brodie’s assistance to scale the ropes and land a moonsault onto both Bucks out on the floor. At ringside, Bandido and Brodie landed big chops. Brodie then splashed both men into the barricade…[c]
My Take: That was a long segment between commercials. Fletcher’s promo was just ok. I’m growing a bit fatigued of the Don Callis presentation, and I think that has started to drag down my opinion of the very talented Fletcher. The humor around the Young Bucks entrance was well done.
The Young Bucks surged back into control with their quickness. They landed a double team splash and moonsault on King for a near fall. Nick Jackson kept Brodie down in the corner with kicks. Matt then tagged in and delivered a double axe handle from the top to the lower back. Brodie fired back with chops, but the Bucks fired back with an assisted sliced bread and a superkick for a near fall. Matt then picked up Brodie for a double team, but collapsed under his weight.
Bandido tagged in and picked up Nick for a press slam, but Matt bailed him out with a kick. Nick then delivered a springboard facebuster. He then followed up with a big Senton. Matt Jackson attempted a pin, but Brodie broke it up. Matt Jackson landed a series of aerial moves onto King on the outside, and then Neck splashed Bandido on the far side of the ring from the apron…[c]
My Take: Strong action so far in this match. Brodie offers the Young Bucks a strong base for their double team and aerial moves.
The Bucks went for a double knee strike, but Bandido avoided it and they collided. Brodie tagged in and delivered a cannonball to Matt in the corner. Bandido then used Brodie as a slingshot to launch him over the top rope and onto the Bucks on the floor. He then delivered a big splash onto Nick Jackson back in the ring for a near fall. Brodido attempted a double team, but it was foiled when Nick got his knees up.
Matt tagged in and climbed to the top rope. Brodie met him up there and delivered a towering superplex. Bandido then attempted a double team 450, but it failed. The Bucks then seized control and delivered a double stomp to Bandido that sent him into Brodie. They then delivered a TK Driver, but Brodie broke it up. Matt spiked Bandido on the apron with a DDT. Brodie then delivered a Death Valley Driver to Matt. Nick Jackson fired back with a tornado DDT to Brodie. Bandido and Nick then fought on top of the barricade, where Bandido picked up Nick with a press slam and tossed him onto Matt on the floor nearby.
Bandido delivered an X Knee and a 21 Plex to Matt in the ring, but Nick broke up the fall. Brrodie and Nick fought on the floor. Bandido delivered a top rope blockbuster on Matt for a close near fall. Brodie and Bandido then delivered their double team vaulted 450 on Matt for the win.
Brodido defeated The Young Bucks at 20:54
After the match, we got a video package that recapped the verbal assaults MJF heaped onto Mark Briscoe over the past weeks. Backstage, The Hurt Syndicate were interviewed and asked about Brodido. MVP extended them a congratulations and said whoever wins the tournament, they would be more than happy to hurt them at Forbidden Door.
MJF walked up to interrupt him and made a pitch for MVP to leave Bobby and Shelton behind and go after the world championship. MVP told him his ego was too big for anybody to stand, and that in the Hurt Syndicate “we” hurt people and all he could ever talk about was himself. He said as his last act of kindness, because he loves him like a little brother, they would leave him in one piece to pursue his triple B, but he hoped he failed in his mission. If he succeeds, Bobby Lashley would come after him, and it would not be business, it would be very personal…[c]
My Take: A really good spotfest style match between Brodido and The Young Bucks. If that style suits you as a fan, you should go out of your way to check it out. I have no interest in MJF feuding with Bobby Lashley, so lets hope they have something else in mind.
Backstage, FTR and Stokely were interviewed by Alicia Atout. They said they put the restraining order in place for Copeland’s protection, and that they wanted him to grow old with his wife and kids. Stokely said he can’t believe that Copeland is doing this at his big age. He insulted Copeland for being a clown, and said his wife had a head like a metro brawler. Stokely called Copeland’s kid delinquents and said he was a broken man who can’t get any hoes, he would take out all of his frustrations when he beats Copeland next week.
The announce team introduced a video package that focused on Kazuchika Okada and his recent victories. Renee Paquette then introduced Swerve Strickland for an interview on the stage. She asked him about his match for the Unified Championship at Forbidden Door. He said he had to put down his good friend Will Ospreay last year at Forbidden Door, and if he could do that to his friend, what does he think he would do to him?
He said people say Okada is a Japanese Legend, but no one will ever be able to replicate Swerve Strickland. Swerve explained that he had lost some of the biggest matches of his career in London, and he would use the opportunity against Okada to cement his legacy and knock the chip off his shoulder. He said he would claim the Unified Championship and make his claim to being the greatest of all time.
Backstage, Mark Briscoe was asked about the main event, and said he couldn’t wait to get his hands on MJF and give him the beating he deserves. Alicia then said that he has won 3 consecutive main events, and winning tonight could mean a shot at the AEW World Championships. Hangman Page then walked up and told Mark that he has always respected him, but never more than the last few years. He then said hoped Mark was his next challenger, and shook his hand…[c]
My Take: Swerve is working on getting his swagger back, and for the most part it’s working, but there’s still something missing from this feud with Okada. I think most of it is that Okada has had so little characterization that it’s hard to get really invested in seeing him get his ass kicked.
Queen Aminata said she felt like she could have been Mercedes Mone if she had the opportunity. Willow Nightingale walked up and said she was sorry she didn’t win earlier but she gave a great performance. She then said she would get her revenge on Saturday when they faced the Triangle of Madness. Kris Statlander then walked up and put on a very fake personality and pretended to be all about women supporting each other. Willow told her off for being a fraud, and Statlander stormed off at the rejection.
In the arena, MJF made his entrance and was announced as the CMLL World Champion, despite holding the CMLL Light Heavyweight Championship. Excalibur explained it was an ego thing. Mark Briscoe then made this entrance.
4. Mark Briscoe vs. MJF: The match became a walking brawl early on. MJF escaped to the outside and both men spilled into the crowd. They brawled around and then back into the ringside area. Briscoe hit a neckbreaker at ringside and then set up a table. Briscoe tossed MJF into the ring post and then back into the ring. Briscoe set up for a Froggy Bow, but MJF got to his feet. MJF pulled the ref into the line of fire to cause a diversion, and then poked Briscoe in the eye. He then flip tossed him into the corner buckles and gloated to the crowd.
MJF slowed things down and gained control of the match. He gloated to the crowd as Briscoe struggled to recover on the mat…[c]
Briscoe started a comeback as the show returned. He delivered a splash in the corner a suplex, followed by a running boot in the corner. Briscoe took to the top rope, but MJF rolled to the floor. Briscoe jumped down to the apron and delivered an elbow drop on the outside. He tossed MJF back in the ring, but he rolled back out to the floor on the other side of the ring. Briscoe then dove on MJF and sent him into the barricade. He placed MJF onto the table set up at ringside and climbed to the top rope.
MJF then rolled back into the ring. He cut off Briscoe with a thrust kick and then slammed him down with an Alabama Slam. MJF then applied a Boston Crab. After a brief struggle, Briscoe rolled him into an inside cradle for a two count. Briscoe came up with a bloody mouth. He climbed to the turnbuckle again, and MJF knocked him down. MJF set up for a tombstone from the second rope, but Briscoe escaped and sent MJF back down with an uppercut.
Briscoe then delivered Froggy Bow, but made a late cover for a near fall. They ended up on the floor again, and Briscoe set up MJF on the table at ringside. He then took to the top rope again, but MJF rolled away and nobody was home when he hit the table. MJF rolled into the ring and the countout started. Briscoe fell down at 8, but managed to get back into the ring. MJF delivered a knee and a heatseeker, and the referee counted three despite Briscoe’s foot being on the ropes.
MJF defeated Mark Briscoe at 17:33
Briscoe made his case to the referee that his foot was on the ropes to no avail. MJF then assaulted Briscoe after the bell and put on his Dynamite Diamond Ring. He then punched Briscoe in the face with it, which brought out Adam Page. MJF ran at Page and they brawled on the pathway to the ring. They were separated by officials, and MJF escaped into the crowd. Hangman checked on Briscoe, but MJF returned to run his mouth.
Hangman and MJF then brawled in the crowd for a bit. They then returned to ringside, where Hangman set up for a Buckshot Lariat, but MJF bailed and ran back up towards the stage to end the show.
My Take: The finish to the main event leaves the door open for another Briscoe vs. MJF match. It seems a bit premature for MJF and Page to have their ultimate showdown, so I hope they don’t rush into that for the Forbidden Door PPV. The match itself was ok, but I wasn’t a huge fan of the structure. It just felt like a lot of Mark Briscoe climbing up and down the turnbuckles while MJF rolled in and out of the ring. I understand MJF is a heel and a lot of being a heel is depriving the fans of things they want to see, but it did get repetitive in this scenario. Overall, this was a better episode of Dynamite than we saw the past few weeks following All In Texas. Here’s hoping things continue to improve heading into Forbidden Door.
“He trash talked Briscoe and called Hangman a cowards. He then said one of Mark Briscoe would pay for Hangman’s sins. MJF called himself the evil, and said he had no fire sending Briscoe back to hell.” You all right, buddy?
Feel free to link to your live coverage without errors.
“to link to your” ?
Sorry man, that was too easy