By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
AEW Dynamite “Grand Slam Mexico” (Episode 357)
Mexico City, Mexico, at Arena Mexico
Simulcast live on August 5, 2026, on TBS and HBO Max
[Hour One] The Dynamite opening aired. Excalibur, Nigel McGuinness, and Tony Schiavone checked in from their desk at ringside…
Ring announcer Justin Roberts delivered the introductions for the opening match. Adam Copeland came out wearing a lucha mask that he quickly removed. The fans sang Copeland’s theme loudly after it stopped playing. The other babyfaces made standard entrances. The Death Riders team entered through the crowd…
1. Adam Copeland, Christian Cage, Matt Jackson, and Nick Jackson vs. Jon Moxley, Pac, Wheeler Yuta, and Daniel Garcia (w/Marina Shafir). Christian had his left forearm wrapped. Nick dove from the ring onto a couple of opponents at ringside. Christian went up top and dove onto several wrestlers on the floor before the first picture-in-picture commercial break. [C]
Copeland and Nick teamed up for a double 619 on Moxley. Christian performed a top rope headbutt on Moxley, and then Matt dropped an elbow on him. All four babyfaces superkicked Moxley, but the pin attempt that followed was broken up.
A short time later, Copeland was setting up to spear Moxley, but Shafir stopped him. Christian pulled her to the floor. Shafir slapped Christian, who kicked her, um, below the belt. A short time later, Copeland speared Moxley and got a visual pinfall while Yuta distracted the referee.
Copeland gave up the pin. Pac ran Copeland into the ropes and tried to clothesline him, but Copeland ducked it and then bumped into Matt on the apron. Moxley rolled up Copeland and pinned him while holding the tights…
Jon Moxley, Pac, Wheeler Yuta, and Daniel Garcia beat Adam Copeland, Christian Cage, Matt Jackson, and Nick Jackson in 11:20.
Afterward, Copeland and Matt shook hands, but Christian exited the ring without shaking hands with the Jacksons…
Powell’s POV: A solid eight-man tag match. The live crowd doesn’t get to see these guys regularly, so they loved it and were hot from bell to bell. By the way, I’m filling in for Jake Barnett tonight. I believe he’s shopping for a watch at Walmart, but I could be mistaken. Either way, Jake will be reviewing WWE Smackdown on Friday night.
Tommaso Ciampa made his entrance. Renee Paquette spoke briefly while on the stage. The entrances of Komander and Andrade El Idolo followed. Andrade had a couple of women with him. The Spanish Broadcast team checked in briefly…
2. Andrade El Idolo vs. Komander vs. Tommaso Ciampa in a Triple Threat for the first entry in the Casino Gauntlet match at All In London. Komander ran across the ropes and dove onto both opponents on the floor a couple of minutes into the match. Back in the ring, Andrade clotheslined Komander over the top rope to the floor. Andrade jumped from the middle rope over the top rope and performed a spinning dive onto Komander. Andrade posed for a selfie with a female fan in the front row before a PIP break. [C]
Andrade was alone in the ring when he removed his pants to reveal trunks with “How You Know?” written on the back. Komander returned to the ring, but Andrade hit him with Three Amigos, which drew “Eddie” chants from the crowd. Andrade went up top, but Ciampa returned to the apron and shoved him down. Ciampa dumped Komander to the floor. Ciampa grabbed the pants that Andrade removed and stomped on them and performed Project Ciampa on them before covering them for a pin. Komander intervened, but Ciampa put him down with Project Ciampa.
Ciampa went to the ropes and was cut off by Andrade. Ciampa fought off Andrade and then performed an Air Raid Crash on Komander. A short time later, Andrade went for a back elbow on Komander, who ducked, and Andrade hit Ciampa instead. Komander put Andrade down with a Poison Rana. Komander walked the ropes and hit a moonsault on Ciampa, but Andrade pulled him off. Andrade hit The DM and scored the pin.
Andrade El Idolo defeated Komander and Tommaso Ciampa in a Triple Threat in 11:05 to earn the first entry in the Casino Gauntlet match at All In London.
Afterward, Andrade put on a Dynamite Diamond Ring. He took the mic and spoke in Spanish and English to the fans. He said he’s the proud holder of the AEW National Championship and he wants more. He said he would win the Casino Gauntlet at All In. Excalibur translated to say that Andrade said he wants to win the AEW World Championship for all the fans in Mexico. He closed with a “How You Know?”
MJF’s entrance theme played, causing Andrade to look to the stage. MJF entered the ring behind Andrade and hit him with his Triple B version of the AEW World Championship. MJF took the Dynamite Diamond Ring from Andrade, put it on, and punched him. Andrade bled while on the entrance ramp. MJF threw punches at Andrade and then tossed him off the ramp and to the floor.
“Someone get that piece of trash from this piece of shit country out of this arena right now,” MJF said while standing in the ring with a microphone. MJF said he’s an American Hero and the best professional wrestler in the world. “Make no mistake about it, I am your champion,” MJF said while holding up the Triple B title belt.
MJF said he had Kenny Omega dead to rights at Beach Break until Will Ospreay got involved. MJF said Ospreay is the reason that “paper champion” Omega gets to walk into Wembley Stadium with a toy belt. MJF threw a tantrum while saying the main event was his.
MJF said he always gets what he wants. MJF said there would be another Casino Gauntlet qualifier for the No. 2 spot during next week’s show in Las Vegas. MJF said he would win the gauntlet, dog walk Andrade again, and win the contract again. MJF said he would do exactly what he did last time.
MJF said the only championship that should be recognized is the Triple B, and he should be the only champion recognized. MJF said he didn’t care whether Omega or Ospreay win at All In London, because whether fans like it or not, he is the one true champion. MJF exited through the crowd with security guards, and he stopped to yell at one fan…
A video package recapped the Willow Nightingale celebration angle that resulted in her being attacked by Mercedes Moné, Megan Bayne, and Lena Kross. Excalibur said the women’s trios match would take place after the break… [C]
Powell’s POV: Who would be narcissistic and shameless enough to claim they won something that everyone knows they lost? Pathetic. Anyway, it’s good to see MJF back. The last thing AEW needs is another title belt on television, but we’ll see how it goes with him claiming he’s the rightful champion. If nothing else, I appreciated the “I am your champion” line, which Gino Hernandez made famous when he held the World Class Texas Title.
Entrances for the women’s trios match took place…
3. AEW Women’s Champion Willow Nightingale, Jamie Hayter, and Alex Windsor vs. Mercedes Moné and AEW Tag Team Champions Megan Bayne and Lena Kross in a trios match. Willow called for Moné to start the match, but Bayne started for the heel trios instead.
[Hour Two] Willow and Windsor cleared Bayne and Kross from the ring and then jumped from the apron and performed cannonballs on them. Hayter sent Mone to the floor. Hayter went up top and performed a crossbody block onto all three opponents before a PIP break. [C]
Willow and Mone squared off. Willow got the better of it until Bayne and Kross intervened. Hayter and Windsor supelxed Bayne and Kross. Willow went for a Doctor Bomb on Mone, who slipped away. They jockeyed for position, and then Willow used a backslide to get the three count…
AEW Women’s Champion Willow Nightingale, Jamie Hayter, and Alex Windsor defeated Mercedes Moné and AEW Women’s Tag Team Champions Megan Bayne and Lena Kross in 11:25.
Powell’s POV: I wasn’t expecting Willow to pin Mercedes since she already has a win over her in a singles match. Is it a sign that Mercedes will get one of those wins back at All In London?
Entrances for the AEW International Championship match took place. Mike Bailey wore a mask to the ring. Kyle Fletcher came out with Don Callis and was holding a mask. Renee Paquette spoke from the stage and noted that Fletcher and Bailey are 1-1 against one another…
4. Kyle Fletcher (w/Don Callis) vs. Mike Bailey for the AEW International Championship. Bailey removed his mask. Fletcher put his mask on the mat and rubbed his foot over it. Fletcher lawn darted Bailey into the ringside barricade during the opening minutes of the match.
Back in the ring, Fletcher set up for a powerbomb, but Bailey countered with a backslide for a two count. Bailey sent Fletcher to the floor and then hit him with a moonsault from the middle rope. A short time later, Fletcher performed an avalanche Michinoku Driver and got a near fall before a PIP break. [C]
Later, the broadcast team spoke about how the rings in Mexico are harder than what AEW normally uses. Fletcher performed a brainbuster for a close near fall. Bailey came back and hit Ultima Weapon for an even closer near fall (many fans thought the match was over).
Bailey threw a kick, but Fletcher caught his leg and lawn darted him into the middle turnbuckle. Fletcher followed up with a Helluva Kick and a brainbuster on the top turnbuckle before pinning Bailey.
Kyle Fletcher defeated Mike Bailey in 16:40 to win the AEW International Championship.
Powell’s POV: A strong match, but I wish they’d incorporate more psychology. It’s hardly limited to these guys or this company, but I’m a fan of Fletcher and Bailey’s work and a little more selling would go a long way. Again, though, this was good, and these guys work really well together.
Kazuchika Okada made his entrance for the next match while Fletcher was still celebrating his win. Fletcher exited the ring and held up his title while locking eyes with Okada as they crossed paths on the entrance ramp.
Hechicero and Kevin Knight made their entrances. The fans sang along with Mistico’s theme during his entrance. Okada covered his ears. Chris Jericho came out to Judas (I covered my ears. Kidding.) Darby Allin made the final entrance. He skateboarded down the ramp, but Knight performed a running leap over the top rope and clotheslined him. Cool moment.
5. Mistico, Darby Allin, and Chris Jericho vs. CMLL World Champion Hechicero, TNT Champion Kevin Knight, and Kazuchika Okada in a trios match. Knight tossed Darby off the ramp, and he crotched himself on the padded barricade (no amount of padding is enough). As if Darby hadn’t taken enough punishment, he went for a suicide dive a few minutes later, but Okada dropkicked him in midair before a PIP break. [C]
Late in the match, Knight had Allin tied up in a tree of woe when he jumped from the top rope, only to be hit with a Judas Effect. Jericho put Okada in the Walls of Jericho. Mistico put Hechicero in La Mistica. Darby hit a Coffin Drop on Knight and got the three count…
Mistico, Darby Allin, and Chris Jericho defeated Hechicero, Kevin Knight, and Kazuchika Okada in 10:30.
Powell’s POV: That was fun and a total crowd pleaser. Jericho was in total throwback mode with his gear and with “Corazón de León” appearing on his video wall. It looked like his hair was lighter, like it was earlier in his career. He waved to the fans afterward. Mistico is a mega star in Mexico, and the fans also showed a lot of love for Darby.
Excalibur narrated highlights of recent issues involving Persephone and Kris Statlander before they made their entrances…
6. CMLL Women’s Champion Persephone vs. Kris Statlander in a non-title match. Thunder Rosa was shown in the crowd holding the Mexican Women’s National Championship belt. Persephone performed an early flip dive onto Statlander on the floor. Persephone stood up and pointed at Rosa’s title belt, and then Rosa jawed back at her.
[Hour Three] [C] Persephone turned Statlander inside out with a clothesline. The fans were quiet. Persephone pulled Statlander to her feet, and they traded slaps. The fans cheered Persephone’s slaps and booed Statlander’s slaps.
Moments later, Statlander went for a 450 splash and crashed hard on the mat when Persephone moved. Ouch. McGuinness said it was frightening to watch. Persephone went to the floor and pulled Rosa’s title belt away from her. With Rosa at ringside, Persephone hit her with her own title belt. Statlander dove off the apron onto Persephone and the referee. REF BUMP!!!
Statlander had Persephone pinned in the middle of the ring when Hikaru Shida showed up and hit Statlander to break up the pin. Persephone hit a springboard frog splash on Statlander. The referee returned to the ring and made the three count…
CMLL Women’s Champion Persephone beat Kris Statlander in a non-title match in 9:05.
Maya World and Hyan came out to check on Statlander…
Powell’s POV: A weak finish. The fans were quiet at times, but they remained invested in the match. The Persephone and Shida alliance isn’t doing much for this viewer. By the way, they made Megan Bayne and Lena Kross vs. Jamie Hayter and Alex Windsor for the AEW Women’s Tag Team Titles official for All In London.
Excalibur set up a video package featuring recent events involving Will Ospreay and Mark Davis…
Hangman Page, Bandido, and Brody King with a mini. Page, Bandido, and King wore masks, ponchos, and sombreros while a mariachi band played. The Demand’s entrance followed…
7. “The Demand” Ricochet, Toa Liona, and Bishop Kaun vs. Hangman Page, Bandido, and Brody King for the AEW Trios Titles. Schiavone said it was Page’s first match in 144 days. The Demand jumped the challengers. The referee rewarded them for cheating by calling for the opening bell. The champions stood in the ring and had the challengers down on the floor before a PIP break. [C]
The champions isolated Bandido until he eventually made a hot tag. Page performed a fallaway slam on Ricochet and then dove onto Liona on the floor. Page turned to the ring and avoided a Ricochet kick and then put him down with a clothesline. Page hit a sit-out powerbomb on Ricochet and had him pinned, but Liona broke it up.
Page set up for his finisher on the apron, but he was distracted long enough for Ricochet to hit him with a knee strike. The champions performed dives from the ring onto the challengers on the floor. The champions triple-teamed Page in the ring while his partners were down on the floor. Ricochet hit a standing shooting star press for a near fall.
Liona and Kaun held up Page while Ricochet set up for a move from the apron, but King grabbed him from behind to break it up. King entered the ring and ended up hitting a corner splash on Liona and Kaun. He followed up with a cannonball on Kaun. Ricochet performed a nice series of moves until Page turned him inside out with a clothesline.
A short time later, Liona had all three challengers on his shoulders and back when he took a few steps before performing a Samoan Drop. Wow. Liona charged Bandido in the corner, but Bandido moved, and Liona’s head hit the ring post. Bandido went for his 21 Plex finisher. Liona held the ropes until Page kicked his hands, but Bandido still couldn’t suplex him. Page hit Liona with a Buckshot Lariat into a German suplex and a bridge from Bandido, who got the three count…
Hangman Page, Bandido, and Brody King defeated “The Demand” Ricochet, Toa Liona, and Bishop Kaun in 13:35 to win the AEW Trios Titles.
Powell’s POV: The Demand’s run with the AEW Trios Titles started last week on Dynamite and ended tonight. The match had some fun moments, but I don’t see how AEW can expect anyone to care about these titles.
Right around the time the 2.5-hour show was supposed to end, Excalibur ran through the three previously advertised Continental Cup tournament matches for Saturday’s live AEW Collision…
Will Ospreay made his entrance for the main event. Mark Davis made his entrance holding a chair, which he sent flying when Ospreay fought him on the apron…
8. Will Ospreay vs. Mark Davis in a Mexico City Street Fight with no one allowed at ringside. The wrestlers brawled to start the match while the fans sang Ospreay’s name. A “we want tables” chant broke out at one point. Davis threw some chairs inside the ring and then threw a plastic trash can at Ospreay on the floor. Davis picked up Ospreay and powerbombed him onto a “fan” on the other side of the barricade before a PIP break. [C]
Davis ran Ospreay into a chair that was wedged in between the ropes in a corner of the ring. Ospreay came up bleeding from the forehead. Davis had Ospreay seated on a chair when he jabbed his head with a fork. Davis ran the ropes for no good reason, and Ospreay hit him with a drop toe hold to send him crashing face-first on the chair.
Ospreay grabbed the fork and jabbed Davis’s head with it. Davis bled. Excalibur wondered if Ospreay was showing the killer instinct that the Death Riders wanted from him. David set up a couple of chairs. He placed Ospreay over his shoulder and then ran and jumped so that his own ass crashed onto one of the chairs while he performed a move on Ospreay, which led to a near fall. Davis used barbed wire on Ospreay, who then launched a chair at his head.
Davis set up for a move on the apron, but Ospreay stuffed it. King raked the barbed wire over Ospreay’s back. Ospreay came right back with a piledriver on the apron. The referee counted to nine and then seemed to nudge Davis, who got up and stood on the floor for a second while the referee just stopped his count.
Back in the ring, Davis wrapped barbed wire around his arm and then ran the ropes for a lariat, but Ospreay avoided it and hit a Styles Clash for a near fall. Ospreay removed his elbow pad and then threw elbow strikes at Davis. Ospreay wrapped the barbed wire around Davis’s head before hitting him with the Hidden Blade and then pinning him…
Will Ospreay defeated Mark Davis in roughly 18:00 in a Mexico City Street Fight.
Ospreay celebrated his win while the fans sang his name. Excalibur hyped the previously advertised matches for Collision to end the episode at the two-hour and 53-minute mark…
Powell’s POV: Did anyone actually think the show would end in 2.5 hours? Did anyone actually think Davis would win? This was billed as a street fight, but the violence still felt excessive for where these two are at in their rivalry. I guess Tony Khan wants to continue showing that Ospreay developed a mean streak during his time with the Death Riders. I get it, but I think he could have done that in less time.
Overall, it was a good show that played to a hot Arena Mexico crowd. One of these years, I hope AEW will cut one match and give us a better feel for the atmosphere in and around the historic venue. Anyway, I’ll have more to say about Grand Slam Mexico during my same-night audio review for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of the show by grading it below.
I heard Walmart was out of watches. Poor Jake. 😛
I enjoyed your election reference when discussing MJF’s promo. Bravo!
Judging by the clip of Edge and Jackson’s 619, they should’ve told Moxley to stand up and clothesline them. I’d say bowling shoe ugly but that’d be an insult to bowling shoes everywhere.