By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
AEW Dynamite (Episode 348)
Richmond, Virginia, at Siegel Center
Simulcast live June 3, 2026, on TBS and HBO Max
[Hour One] Footage aired from earlier in the day of Renee Paquette standing on the backstage interview set with Rush. Paquette asked Rush how it felt to be getting a title shot. Rush spoke about finally getting a title shot and doing it for his people and his family. He started to deliver his usual catchphrase, but MJF cut him off. MJF slapped Rush. MJF said that if Rush is the bull, then he’s the matador. Rush tackled MJF and threw punches at him until security pulled him off…
Excalibur, Taz, and Tony Schiavone were on commentary. Excalibur ran through the lineup…
Paquette stood backstage with Rush and said they just found out that his match with MJF would have no count-outs. Andrade El Idolo showed up and gave Rush a pep talk…
Rush made his entrance. MJF wore a matador’s jacket and pants…
1. MJF vs. Rush in a match with no count-outs for the AEW World Championship. Ring announcer Justin Roberts delivered in-ring introductions for the championship match. MJF whispered to Roberts, who included a line about how MJF made sure the hometown boy (Hangman Page) could never challenge for the title again. He also said the fans “put the virgin in Virginia.”
MJF spat in Rush’s face during the opening minute. Excalibur said there would be limited commercial interruptions. Rush hit MJF with an early flip dive to the floor. Rush worked over MJF on the floor. Back in the ring, Rush removed a top turnbuckle pad while he had MJF seated in the opposite corner. Rush blasted MJF with a forearm to the jaw and then threw kicks at him.
Rush went for Bull’s Horns, but MJF went to the apron to avoid it. Rush wanted to run MJF into the exposed turnbuckle, but referee Bryce Remsburg stepped in front of it. MJF shoved Remsburg out of the way and then slammed Rush’s head into the exposed turnbuckle. Rush bled from his forehead.
MJF worked over Rush and performed a spinebuster. Rush came back and ran MJF’s head into the exposed turnbuckle. Rush had a couple of near falls before MJF came back with a backbreaker. MJF applied the Salt of the Earth, but Rush forced him to break the hold by going for a pin. A “this is awesome” chant broke out. Rush performed a piledriver on the apron before a picture-in-picture break. [C]
Rush headbutted the ringside doctor. Excalibur explained that the doctor wanted to stop the match because MJF and Rush were unfit to continue, but the match moved forward. Rush hit Bull’s Horns and covered MJF, who put his hand over the bottom rope at the last moment.
Rush went for a piledriver on the apron, but MJF avoided it. Rush sold his left arm. Rush went for Bull’s Horns on the floor, but MJF moved, causing Rush to dropkick through the barricade. MJF performed a tombstone piledriver on the piece of barricade that Rush’s dropkick broke.
Back in the ring, MJF avoided a missile dropkick. MJF put Rush in a crossface while also hooking his foot. Rush looked up at MJF and stuck his tongue out. Rush flipped off MJF while locked in the hold. Rush started to fade, and then the referee called for the bell to end the match.
MJF defeated Rush in 18:30 in a match with no count-outs to retain the AEW World Championship.
After the match, MJF was about to hit Rush with the title belt, but Mark Briscoe ran out. Briscoe ducked a belt shot attempt. MJF stuffed a Jay Driller and then kicked Briscoe in the balls. MJF set up to hit Briscoe with the title belt, only to run away when Orange Cassidy, Tomohiro Ishii, Roderick Strong, and Kyle O’Reilly ran out… [C]
Powell’s POV: An entertaining opening match despite the part with the ringside doctor feeling overbooked. There was absolutely no reason for a doctor to stop the match, so it felt unnecessary. AEW did a really good job with the match presentation, which was a pleasant surprise considering that it opened the show. It was a nice touch to show the Rush and MJF confrontation on the interview set, as well as Andrade’s speech to Rush. Also, roughly an hour before showtime, WrestleTix listed the venue as being set up for 3,973 with 3,549 tickets distributed. The listed capacity is roughly 7,500. This is the company’s debut at the venue. Finally, I’m filling in for Jake Barnett tonight because he’s cancelling his Peacock subscription and organizing a protest of The Hunting Party being cancelled. Jake will be writing tomorrow’s AEW Dynamite Hit List.
Orange Cassidy, Tomohiro Ishii, Roderick Strong, and Kyle O’Reilly were heading to the back when Lio Rush made his entrance. The Conglomeration wrestlers stood still while Rush acted weirdly around them. Cassidy looked especially creeped out by Rush…
2. Mark Briscoe vs. Lio Rush. Early in the match, Briscoe did a “Bang Bang” tribute to Cactus Jack while on the apron. Rush stood on the apron and mimicked Briscoe before they traded punches. Briscoe was in offensive control at ringside before a PIP break. [C] In the end, Briscoe hit a Cutthroat Driver and scored the pin.
Mark Briscoe beat Lio Rush in 9:10.
Briscoe delivered a post-match promo. He recalled his brother Jay dying in January 2023. Briscoe said his birthday was a few days later, and Jay’s birthday was just over a week after his death. Mark said that instead of celebrating and eating birthday cake together, he found himself making his AEW debut alone.
Mark said he had grief, anger, and rage that he had to push down and bury deep inside of himself. He said AEW may have saved his life because it allowed him to get his anger out. Briscoe said he still couldn’t find joy until he found some friends “who were down to conglomerate.” Mark said he was finally able to feel the joy of being a pro wrestler again.
Mark said he and MJF crossed paths not long after that. Mark said that nobody has made him feel so much hatred. He said he never hated a man more than MJF and recalled pinning him in the middle of the ring. Mark said he felt at ease again when MJF disappeared.
Mark said MJF came back and has something he wants. Mark said he’s not like MJF, who bitches, whines, moans, and complains until he gets what he wants. Mark said he’s a grinder. He said he comes to work every day and does his job without complaining. Mark said he was challenging MJF’s manhood. He said MJF says he’s the best and dared him to prove it.
Mark said MJF brought him to a place of darkness he’d never been in. He said he felt demons on him, which is appropriate because MJF calls himself The Devil. Mark pointed to a tattoo on his chest and said it says “Child of God.” Mark said he doesn’t know if MJF read the book, but he loses. “Now quit being scared and give me a title shot, you moist-ass bitch.”
Powell’s POV: The match was a little too comedic considering that Briscoe seems likely to be the next challenger for the AEW World Championship. But Briscoe made up for it after the match with a serious promo. It wasn’t Mark’s best, but it was a solid promo.
A video package aired on Kevin Knight and Mike Bailey, and then the broadcast team spoke about them facing for the TNT Title later in the show…
Excalibur plugged AEW Collision airing live from coast-to-coast on Saturday at 7CT/8ET. He said the Owen Hart Cup tournament would continue on Saturday. Excalibur spoke about the tournament matches that were still to come on Dynamite…
AEW Women’s Champion Thekla interrupted Excalibur. Thekla spoke as she walked down the steps in the crowd with Julia Hart and Skye Blue. Thekla hopped the barricade and recalled being fired in Japan. Thekla stood in the entrance aisle and said Blue needs to win the Owen Hart Cup, and Hart needs to get the TBS Title back.
Thekla spoke about Forbidden Door and her issues with Stardom. Hart and Blue headed backstage and returned with a ladder. Thekla climbed up the ladder and spat on the Stardom logo on the Forbidden Door pay-per-view logo on the big screen… [C]
Backstage, Will Ospreay was on one knee while Pac, Wheeler Yuta, and Daniel Garcia stood by as Marina Shafir drove her elbow into Ospreay’s neck. Yuta was giving a speech to Ospreay, but Jon Moxley took over once he arrived. Moxley recalled Mark Davis beating Ospreay, but he said this version of Ospreay has never faced Davis. Moxley said he doesn’t blow smoke up anyone’s ass. He pointed to Ospreay’s heart and said he’s starting to see it…
[Hour Two] Andrade El Idolo made his entrance while his opponent was in the ring. Andrade stopped to pose for a selfie with a female fan in the front row…
3. Andrade El Idolo vs. DK Vandu. Andrade dropped Vandu with a back elbow. Andrade covered Vandu for a two count and then picked him up. Andrade hit the DM and scored the pin.
Andrade beat DK Vandu in 0:40.
After the match, Andrade took the mic and said he really wants the AEW World Championship now that MJF has it. Andrade said MJF beat Rush. Andrade questioned if MJF thinks he can beat him. “How you know?” Andrade said to close.
The usual synth noise played for Don Callis, who headed to the ring with Jake Doyle. Callis entered the ring and shook Andrade’s hand. Callis told Andrade good job and said it was amazing, but he had something important to say. Callis introduced Kevin Knight as the newest member of the Callis Family. A bridge or something fell out of Callis’s mouth while he was introducing Knight, which got a laugh out of the broadcast team. Mike Bailey made his entrance…
4. Kevin Knight (w/Don Callis, Jake Doyle) vs. Mike Bailey for the TNT Championship. Bailey got the better of Knight on the floor and then slid him back inside the ring. Bailey went up top and had to land on his feet when Knight moved to avoid whatever move Bailey was going for. Knight dropkicked Bailey and threw punches at him before a PIP break. [C]
Bailey knocked Knight off the apron with a kick. Bailey tried to run up the ropes, but Knight shoved him to the floor. A short time later, Bailey was setting up for a move while Knight was on the ropes with him. Doyle distracted the referee while Callis crotched Bailey on the ropes. Knight set up for a move from the top rope and ended up dropping Bailey on his back. Knight followed up with a uranage slam and got the three count.
Kevin Knight beat Mike Bailey in roughly 13:00 to retain the TNT Championship.
After the match, Knight took the mic and said he had to get rid of the dead weight, so he hooked up with the Callis Family. Knight told Callis that he wants to become “Jet Two Belts.” Knight told MJF that he’s waiting on him, and then dropped the mic…
Powell’s POV: I’m not sure what move Knight and Bailey were going for from the top rope. Fortunately, Bailey landed on his back and seemed okay. On a less important note, Knight joining the Callis Family is a groaner. Also, Chris Vetter wrote to say that the woman who posed for the selfie with Andrade is independent wrestler Emily Jaye.
Renee Paquette interviewed David Finlay and Clark Connors on the interview set. They boasted about taking out Adam Copeland and Christian Cage, and taking care of the Bang Bang Gang.
“The Young Bucks” Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson showed up. “Who let the dogs out?” Nick asked before throwing in the obligatory “who, who, who, who.” Matt said the Dogs were new guys trying to make an impression. Matt said they probably thought they were next in line for the tag team titles, but he didn’t see them going to Bullet Club’s worst leader and his partner (I couldn’t make out the insult for Connors). Matt said he and Nick consider themselves the No. 1 contenders, and they were willing to settle the debate tonight. Finlay said the number one contenders will wrestle when they feel like it… [C]
Alex Windsor made her entrance for the Owen Hart Cup match. Mercedes Mone was introduced as the Wild Card wrestler…
5. Mercedes Mone vs. Alex Windsor in an Owen Hart Cup tournament quarterfinal match. Mone caught Windsor in a crossface. Windsor tried to roll out of the hold. Mone released it once they got to their feet, but she put her right back down with a Backstabber for a two count. Mone stood on the apron and executed a backbreaker over the middle rope. Mone performed a meteora from the apron before a PIP break. [C] In the end, Mone used the Statement Maker to get the submission win…
Mercedes Mone defeated Alex Windsor in roughly 13:00 to advance to the Owen Hart Cup tournament semifinals.
Powell’s POV: I would have preferred to see Mone win quickly and decisively in her return match, even if it meant having her face another wrestler. Mone won beat Windsor, but her return didn’t feel like as much of a moment as I would have anticipated.
Excalibur hyped Persephone vs. Hazuki in a women’s Owen Hart Cup tournament quarterfinal match, and Megan Bayne and Lena Kross vs. Tay Melo and Anna Jay for the AEW Women’s Tag Team Titles for Saturday’s AEW Collision…
The following matches were announced for next week’s AEW Dynamite: Skye Blue vs. Sareee in a women’s Owen Hart Cup tournament quarterfinal match, and Swerve Strickland vs. Brody King in an Owen Hart Cup tournament semifinal match…
Renee Paquette spoke with Don Callis and Kazuchika Okada on the backstage interview set. Callis touted Kevin Knight joining his family and predicted that Mark Davis would beat Will Ospreay in the main event. Callis said Okada was screwed and they won’t stand for it. Okada said Konosuke Takeshita is nothing without the family. He said Takeshita won’t have the AEW International Championship for long… [C]
Tommaso Ciampa delivered a promo about Chris Jericho from the interview set. Ciampa told Jericho to stay away and lick his wounds. He said he would be waiting for him when he returns. Ciampa closed by calling Jericho a “stupid idiot”…
Entrances for the main event took place. Renee Paquette spoke briefly about the match from ringside…
6. Will Ospreay vs. Mark Davis in an Owen Hart Cup tournament semifinal match. Davis wore an eyepatch to start the match, but it didn’t last long. Ospreay mounted him in the corner, removed the patch, and threw ten punches at him. Davis’s eye looked fine.
[Overrun] Davis was in offensive control before a PIP break. [C] Excalibur recalled that Davis beat Ospreay via ref stoppage in their last match. Ospreay applied an armbar, but Davis powered him up and slammed him to the mat to break the hold. Davis picked up Ospreay by his legs and put him right back down with a piledriver for a near fall.
Davis set up for a piledriver on the apron, but Ospreay fought back. Davis clotheslined Ospreay over the top rope and back inside the ring. Davis pulled Ospreay back to the apron and went for a piledriver, but Ospreay countered with a huracanrana that left both men on the floor.
A short time later, Ospreay hit the Styles Clash for a near fall. Davis avoided an OsCutter. Davis threw a kick that Ospreay avoided, but it took out referee Paul Turner. REF BUMP!!! Ospreay hit the OsCutter and got a visual pinfall.
Trent Beretta and El Clon came out and attacked Ospreay. Daniel Garcia and Wheeler Yuta saved Ospreay and cleared the heels from the ring. Lance Archer showed up and took out Yuta and Garcia. Claudio Castagnoli ran out and took out Archer. Brian Cage took out Castagnoli. Pac took out Cage.
Ospreay put Davis down again and covered while Pac threw the referee back inside the ring. Jake Doyle showed up and pulled the referee to the floor. Marina Shifir climbed on Doyle’s back, but he slung her to the mat. Jon Moxley came out and put Doyle down with a Paradigm Shift. Moxley and Shafir hit Doyle with a double clothesline that sent them all to the floor.
Kyle Fletcher showed up and put Ospreay down with a half and half suplex. Fletcher pulled out a screwdriver, but Konosuke Takeshita arrived and pulled him to the floor. Davis picked up the screwdriver. Ospreay hit Davis with two Hidden Blades and covered him. A second referee ran out and counted, but Davis kicked out.
Davis ducked another Hidden Blade and a kick, then put Ospreay down with a piledriver and covered him for a near fall. Davis ran the ropes for a lariat, but Ospreay transitioned into his Death Ground finisher and got the submission win.
Will Ospreay defeated Mark Davis in roughly 23:00 to advance to the Owen Hart Cup tournament final.
Excalibur questioned whether Ospreay would face Swerve Strickland or Brody King in the tournament finals at Forbidden Door. He said Swerve will face King in the other semifinal match next week on Dynamite. Ospreay celebrated his win while Excalibur hyped Collision to close the show…
Powell’s POV: The match was slow to start. Davis beat Ospreay back in April, but there was no reason to think he’d do it again during the tournament that Ospreay is expected to win. It may have helped retain viewership if they went to the run-ins sooner, but they definitely woke up the crowd and turned this into a spectacle. I wouldn’t want to see all those run-ins regularly, but it was fun because it’s not something that AEW has done repeatedly. The run-ins kept things interesting and helped close the show on a high note.
Overall, this was a good episode. I will have a lot more to say about it when I host our weekly same-night audio review of Dynamite for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of the show by grading it below.
Completely agree about Kevin Knight, why does he need to be with Don Callis? Why does AEW feel the need to shoehorn almost everyone into factions?