By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
AEW Dynamite (Episode 340)
Edmonton, Alberta, at Rogers Place
Simulcast live April 8, 2026, on TBS and HBO Max
[Hour One] Excalibur delivered his standard opening for the show, but then the cameras cut to a parking garage where The Death Riders were attacking Will Ospreay. A black SUV arrived. Alex Windsor exited the driver’s door. New IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Callum Newman, Henare, and Francesco Akira also emerged from the vehicle and stood with Ospreay. Excalibur explained that they are members of the United Empire faction.
The factions brawled in the parking lot. Wheeler Yuta was down in front of a car as the others fought their way into the arena. Winter fought Marina Shafir. Ospreay got Jon Moxley in the ring and threw punches at him until he was pulled off. Eventually, Moxley and Daniel Garcia put the boots to Moxley. Henare and Akira ran out from the back and helped Ospreay. Pac showed up and threw a series of strikes at Henare. Newman booted Pac. Ospreay put Moxley down, and then Newman hit him with a top rope double stomp. The United Empire crew stood tall in the ring.
Ospreay got a microphone and spoke about going to Japan, and introduced Newman Henare, and Akira. Ospreay called for the main event of Dynamite to be United Empire vs. The Death Riders…
Excalibur, who was joined on commentary by Nigel McGuinness and Tony Schiavone, said Tony Khan announced before the show that TNT Champion Kyle Fletcher was injured and a new champion will be crowned…
Don Callis stood on the backstage interview set and said that Kyle Fletcher is injured and is out of action. He said the new champion will be determined in a Casino Gauntlet match at AEW Dynasty. Callis said he was negotiating to have Fletcher and Kazuchika Okada face the Young Bucks at Dynasty. Callis said the match was off, but he had a pivot that would blow everyone’s mind. Callis said people want to see Okada fight Konosuke Takeshita, but he said too bad. He spoke about picking up Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers and painting the town like it was 1984…
Powell’s POV: While it’s cool that they got Callum Newman on the show shortly after he won the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, I’m sure the brawl was a bit confusing for fans who don’t follow New Japan Pro Wrestling. The introduction of the NJPW wrestlers was not ideal, but it’s pretty easy to follow that they all represent the United Empire faction. The Fletcher injury news sucks. Here’s wishing him the best in his recovery. By the way, I’m filling in for Jake Barnett tonight. While I could be mistaken, I think he mentioned something about holding hands with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. Either way, he should be back for next week’s Dynamite.
1. Andrade El Idolo, Konosuke Takeshita, and Mark Davis (w/Don Callis) vs. Darby Allin, Bandido, and Jack Perry. The entrances for both teams were televised. Andrade teased starting the match with Allin, but he tagged out and then walked up the ramp. Moments later, Allin got a microphone and questioned why Andrade was playing these games when he’s one of the best wrestlers in the world. Allin asked why Andrade is Callis’s “little bitch.”
Andrade walked out, and then Allin went up the ramp to meet him. Takeshita grabbed Allin from behind and gave him a German suplex. Andrade pointed at his head to show that walking out was strategic. Andrade returned to the apron with his team. Callis joined the broadcast team. Andrade posed with a female fan who was in the front row before a picture-in-picture break. [C]
Callis said Kazuchika Okada would embarrass Myron Reed on Collision. A graphic showed that the AEW International Championship will be on the line. Takeshita and Davis grabbed Allin by his arms and legs and then swung him over the barricade and into the timekeepers’ area. Perry was left alone in the ring while Allin and Bandido were down. Davis put Perry down with a piledriver. Legal man Andrade entered the ring and soaked up the boos before hitting the DM finisher on Perry and pinning him.
Andrade El Idolo, Konosuke Takeshita, and Mark Davis beat Darby Allin, Bandido, and Jack Perry in 10:45.
After the match, Allin and Bandido returned to the ring. Allin shoved Andrade while Bandido tended to Perry. Andrade pointed at the AEW Dynasty sign and then kicked Allin in the balls.
“The Young Bucks” Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson ran out and worked over Okada and Davis. The Bucks set up Davis for a double team move. Matt had to act like he was struggling to hold up Davis while Kazuchika Okada ran out and pulled Nick off the apron. Takeshita dropped Matt with an elbow strike. Okada rolled Matt inside the ring. Takeshita and Okada put the boots to the Bucks.
Okada got in Takeshita’s face and shoved him. Takeshita returned the favor. Okada threw an elbow strike, and Takeshita retaliated with his own elbow strike. They traded blows until Hechicero, Lance Archer, and El Clon separated them.
“The Rascalz” Dezmond Xavier, Zachary Wentz, and Myron Reed ran out. Xavier, Wentz, and Bandido dove onto some of the Callis Family members. Okada laughed at Takeshita being one of those hit by the dive. Reed performed a dive onto Okada. Reed returned to the ring and motioned for the title belt while a graphic and the announcers hyped his title shot on AEW Collision…
Excalibur hyped Chris Jericho’s appearance, “Chaos in Canada” with The Death Riders vs. United Empire, and the previously advertised TBS Title match and Kenny Omega promo…
Backstage, Lexi Nair interviewed Dr. Michael Sampson about MJF’s comments regarding Kenny Omega’s abdomen being a ticking time bomb. Sampson said MJF was trying to get in Omega’s head. Sampson said he spoke with Omega and feels he’s in the best shape of his life… [C]
Powell’s POV: Only the men were advertised for the main event, meaning no Alex Windsor or Marina Shafir in the match. I believe we have a new record for the most wrestlers ever featured in or around the ring for a non-battle royal during the first 30 minutes of a television show. The opening match was all action. They did a nice job of adding some juice to the Andrade vs. Allin match for the pay-per-view. On a side note, earlier today, WrestleTix listed the venue as being set up for 4,253 with 3,760 tickets distributed. The listed capacity is 20,734. The last time AEW ran Rogers Place was on May 8, 2024, when they distributed 4,572 tickets.
2. Willow Nightingale vs. Queen Aminata for the TBS Title. Aminata performed a quick neckbreaker and covered Willow for an early near fall. Willow rolled to the floor. Willow smiled and said it was a close call. Aminata smiled and motioned for Willow to return ot the ring. They ended up trading strikes on the floor.
Hikaru Shida was shown watching the match from an area just off the main floor. Aminata was in offensive control before a PIP break. [C] Aminata avoided a moonsault and then caught Willow with a running elbow strike that led to a near fall. Aminanta showed frustration. Aminata went up top and performed a double stomp for a near fall. Willow came back and hit Aminata with the Pounce. It didn’t look great. Willow followed up with her Doctor Bomb finisher and got the clean win…
Willow Nightingale defeated Queen Aminata in 11:05 to retain the TBS Title.
Powell’s POV: A solid match that made Aminata look good before Willow came back and beat her. I guess Shida isn’t finished with Willow, who beat her clean on last week’s Collision.
A video package aired on AEW World Champion MJF’s AEW career highlights… [C]
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