By Jake Barnett, ProWrestling.net Co-Senior Staffer (@jakebarnett)
AEW Dynamite (Episode 359)
Baltimore, Maryland, at Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena
Simulcast live August 19, 2026, on TBS and HBO Max
Excalibur and Taz began the show on commentary and ran down the advertised matches for tonight’s card. Will Ospreay made his ring entrance to start the in ring festivities. He was joined by United Empire members Henare and Francesco Akira. They were followed by Don Callis Family members Brian Cage, Rocky Romero, and Lance Archer.
1. Will Ospreay, Henare, and Francesco Akira vs. Brian Cage, Rocky Romero, and Lance Archer: Cage backed Ospreay into a corner and delivered shoulder thrusts. Ospreay attempted a hurracarrana, but Cage used his power to hold on and avoid it. Ospreay landed some kicks, and Cage stumbled into his corner to tag Romero. Akira tagged in and delivered some strikes. Henare and Archer joined the mach soon after and got into a big strike battle. Archer delivered a shoulder block, but Henare ducked the follow up and went back to trading strikes.
Archer delivered a wheel kick and made a tag to Ospreay. United Empire knocked the Callis Family off the apron and swarmed Archer. The Callis Family returned to the apron and Archer landed an overhead throw on Akira. He then knocked Ospreay and Henare to the floor…[c]
Akira fired back with strikes on Brian Cage, but he was unable to crawl to his corner to make a tag. He then threw a running kick and tagged in Henare. Henare landed a sit out powerbomb and covered Cage for a two count. Cage and Henare traded strikes, and then Cage landed a fireman’s carry slam for a two count. Archer tagged in and attempted Blackout, but Henare slipped out the back door and landed a German Suplex. Henare hit the ropes, but got caught with a bossman slam and both men were down.
Ospreay tagged in along with Romero, and Romero was quickly overwhelmed. Archer was forced to break up a pinfall. Akira landed a futile set of strikes on Archer, who was not impressed. Romero attempted a sliced bread on Ospreay, but was turned away with a double team cutter from Akira and Ospreay. Henare and Akira then dove onto Archer and Cage on the floor. Ospreay drilled Romero with a hidden blade a moment later and got the win.
United Empire defeated the Don Callis Family at 10:57
After the match, United Empire celebrated their victory and headed to the back. Backstage, Renee Paquette interviewed Kazuchika Okada. She asked about the triple threat match scheduled for All In, to which he replied that nothing is more important than family. Okada said Fletcher would not make the same mistake Takeshita did, and he would be happy for him to retain the International Champion. He said if he wins, he expects Kyle to be happy for him and raise his hand in the center of the ring.
In the arena, Tony Schiavone brought Kyle Fletcher down to the ring for an interview. Schiavone asked Fletcher about the possibility of raising Okada’s hand at All In. Fletcher said he was in the middle of the greatest International Championship run of all time, and he sees no reason it needs to end at All In. He then said he owes Don Callis a lot and trusts him, and this is his plan, and Fletcher was willing to follow the plan. Fletcher told Okada that he needs to know his role in this, which is to be his family and help him retain the title.
He then turned to Takeshita, and said he hated his guts. He mocked him for losing the G1 Tournament, which brought Takeshita out to the ring. They brawled, and Fletcher landed a half and half suplex. Takeshita returned fire with a Blue Thunder Bomb. He then delivered a poisonrana and a power drive knee, before ending the skirmish with a Raging Fire suplex. Takeshita held up the International Championship before leaving the ring. Okada never appeared to bail him out. A sit down interview with Omega and Ospreay is up next…[c]
My Take: A fairly throwaway opening match without much suspense. Okada leaving Fletcher out to dry immediately after he told him his role was to protect him was not exactly subtle. It sets up a conflict when Callis comes back next week.
In a pre-taped interview, Renee Paquette sat down with Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay. Omega had a very disgusted look on his face immediately. She asked about their first meeting at PWG, and Ospreay said it was a chance to face one of his idols. Omega said he fancied himself having a finger on the pulse of wrestling and Ospreay was an internet darling who he looked forward to facing. Omega said he was ultimately unimpressed but saw potential.
She then asked about their times in New Japan. The conversation switched into a meta conversation about the struggles both faced during COVID. Ospreay said Omega would not have been able to handle the restrictions and difficulties of working in NJPW during COVID, and enjoyed a relatively comfortable time in AEW. Omega said that nobody would have shown up to fill the building for Ospreay even if crowds were able to attend.
The conversation shifted to their two matches in New Japan and AEW, where Omega won in Japan and Ospreay defeated Omega in AEW. Omega said that he brutalized Ospreay in Japan, and he didn’t need to use Don Callis to do it. Ospreay said he was haunted by Don Callis using a screwdriver in their match, and Omega used that as a reason to say that Ospreay was just desperate to come up with a reason to believe he’s on his level.
Renee then asked about their career threatening injuries. Omega dismissed his diverticulitis and said he’s now better than he’s ever been, but Ospreay couldn’t say the same thing about his neck. Ospreay then recalled telling Omega many times that he shouldn’t give up on the World Title, but it wasn’t until he told him that he’s given up on himself that he found any motivation at all. Omega then asked if Ospreay actually wanted him at a weakened state because he would be easier to defeat than MJF.
Ospreay said he wanted Kenny at his best, because he wanted to prove he can beat Kenny Omega in front of his family and his wife in his home country. He said the pressure is on and he can’t crumble because he’s been on a ten year chase to be better than Omega and he’s going to do it on his own. Omega said the last time he tried that was in 2023 and he failed, and next time he would do it in front of his own mother.
Ospreay got to his feet at the mention of his mother. Omega told him to calm down, and said his mother would still be proud of him win, lose, or draw. But his son might have somebody new to look up to after he beats him in Wembley. Ospreay started to go after Omega, but was held back by AEW officials.
In the arena, Hikaru Shida made her ring entrance. She was followed by Persephone. A video played during her entrance that showed an argument between Shida and Persephone on Collision. They were followed by Kris Statlander and TBS Champion Maya World. A picture in picture of Maya was shown during her entrance. She said she would be ready for anything and everything, and hoped it came down to her and Statlander.
2. Hikaru Shida vs. Kris Statlander vs. Persephone vs. Maya World for the AEW TBS Champion: Shida landed an Enziguri on Statlander that sent her to the floor. Maya landed a hurracarrana that sent Shida outside immediately afterwards. Persephone sent Maya to the outside with a dropkick and hit the ropes, but got cut off by Statlander. All four women brawled on the floor, and Maya was the last one standing. Persephone quickly got to her feet and slammed World onto the apron…[c]
My Take: Kenny came across like a smarmy asshole in the backstage segment, which was effective. I wasn’t a huge fan of some of the digressions in the promo about COVID wrestling and drawing money, but most of it was quite good at setting the table regarding Omega’s overconfidence and Ospreay’s desperation to prove himself.
Persephone landed a German Suplex on Statlander and bridged for a near fall. Maya landed a double stomp on Persephone, but was quickly tossed into the turnbuckle by Shida. Everybody piled up in the corner, and Statlander flew in with a spear on Shida. She then tripped up Persephone and traded punches with World. Shida delivered a Falcon Arrow on World, and Persephone took down Statlander with a spear. Shida and Persephone traded blows, but World rolled up Persephone from behind for a two count.
Shida poked Persphone in the eye. Maya World and Statlander got back into the match and sent both Shida and Persephone to the floor. Statlander attempted a Staturday Night Fever on World, but got reversed into a rollup for the win.
Maya World defeated Kris Statalander, Hikaru Shida, and Persephone at 9:56
After the match, Statlander looked very unhappy with the result. Backstage, The Brawling Birds said they wish they could say they’d been dreaming about facing Divine Dominion since they formed as a tag team, but they really just wanted to punch them in the face. Hayter said they could try whatever they wanted, but the receipt would always come back even harder. They said they would have a good time in Blighty. In the arena, Jay White made his ring entrance, followed by Jon Moxley.
3. Jon Moxley vs. Jay White in a Continental Cup Quarterfinal: The crowd chanted back and forth for both men as they circled each other. They traded some holds and reversals for a bit, and Moxley sent White to the floor with a shoulder block…[c]
My Take: A nice fatal four way from the women. They managed to involve everyone in a way that did a nice job of hiding the typical four way problem of two people constantly taking a powder and resting on the floor.
Moxley ducked a clothesline and landed a release German Suplex. They brawled in the corner, and White responded with a DDT. He followed up with more chops and strikes. Moxley attempted a powerbomb, but White reversed into a hurracarrana. The action spilled out to the floor, where both men collided with a double clothesline and ended up on the floor. They brought the action back into the ring, where White suplexed Moxley into the turnbuckles and covered for a two count. White managed to apply a Rings of Saturn, but Moxley was able to roll through and reach the ropes to force a break…[c]
The action spilled back outside again, and Moxley dove on White on the floor. During the break, Moxley landed a piledriver and took control of the match. White avoided Moxley diving off the top rope, and landed back to back half nelson suplexes. He managed to land two more suplexes and a Uranage and covered for a close near fall. White then placed Moxley on the turnbuckle and delivered a superplex, but winced from the pain of delivering it.
Moxley went for a sleeper hold, but White reversed him into a pinfall for another close near fall. White then managed to hit Blade Runner, but Moxley rolled to the floor. White brought Moxley back into the ring, but Moxley managed to roll him up into a choke. White got to his feet, but Moxley landed a Death Rider for another near fall. Moxley went right back into a choke, and after a struggle, was forced to submit.
Jon Moxley defeated Jay White at 19:22
Nigel McGuinness vs. Hechicero was advertised for later, with other quarterfinal matches taking place over the next 10 days heading into All In. White got to his feet after the match, and got jumped by The Dogs. Orange Cassidy and Kyle O’Reilly tried to make the save, but got destroyed by a returning Gabe Kidd. Brodido and Hangman Page eventually made their entrance and ran off The Dogs. Ricochet and The Demand appeared on the stage. Hangman Page got on a microphone. He said they weren’t going to miss Wembley as the Trios Champions, and if anybody out at ringside wants a fight, they can meet them under the Wembley Arch at dusk.
Backstage, Maya World said she wasn’t done yet, and she had just defeated three of the best women in AEW. Willow Nightingale walked up and said she was a woman of her word, and offered Maya her first title defense for Saturday on Collision. Jonathan Cruz (Sepentico) was in the ring as MJF’s personal Spanish translator. He read from a scroll in Spanish. Cruz said Andrade did not deserve to be a Champion, and was not a real Latino Man. Cruz called himself more of a man, more of a latino, and he’s more guapo.
Cruz said he’d tell him to his face if he was in Baltimore, but he’s not, and that’s just another reason MJF is better than him, and he knows it. He offered to beat Andrade in a match if he were to show up, which he did immediately.
4. Andrade vs. Jonathan Cruz: Andrade hit a back elbow and a DM for the win.
Andrade defeated Jonathan Cruz in 0:12
After the “match”, Andrade said he was a bigger bastard than MJF, and he would kick his ass if he showed up in the ring. MJF appeared on the screen in a hot tub. He mocked Baltimore as a town for poors and said the next time he would see “Andrew” was when he was looking up at the lights at Wembley. Andrade delivered another DM to Cruz before leaving the ring. Hechicero vs. Nigel McGuinness is up next…[c]
My Take: Jay White and Jon Moxley had a very strong match. I’m curious what they have White doing at Wembley, but I imagine it will involve the Trios Titles since Hangman basically issued an open challenge that will end up including several teams. Jonathan Cruz plays his role very well.
Mercedes Mone and Willow Nightingale were in a multi pane interview where they were filmed in different locations. Mercedes called Willow a dumb bitch, and Willow said she had her number and she knows it. She continued and said she had the fans, and Mercedes hates them. Willow accused Mercedes of having everything she needs in wrestling except a connection with the fans. Mercedes fired back and called Willow a bully, because she had spent the last few years smiling and dancing while she was going through injuries and struggles that nearly ended her career.
This devolved into Mercedes calling Willow a dumb bitch again, and said she would take her smile. They both left their separate interview sets and brawled their way to the ring, where they were eventually separated by AEW officials and security. Backstage, Swerve Strickland approached the camera and told Hangman Page that he shouldn’t say it if he doesn’t mean it, referring to his open challenge. In the arena, Nigel McGuinness made his entrance with a limp.
Renee Paquette filled in the TV audience that Nigel has an ankle injury and was at less than 100%. He was followed by Hechicero.
5. Hechicero vs. Nigel McGuinness in a Continental Cup Quarterfinal: Things moved pretty slowly in the early going. Hechicero placed Nigel’s injured foot on the ropes and kicked them. Hecichero then landed a flying cross body and covered for a two count…[c]
Hechicero landed some chops, and Nigel fired back with some uppercuts and a palm strike. Hechicero baited Nigel in and then delivered a dropkick to his bad leg. He then performed a swinging hammerlock into a backbreaker. Hechicero got trapped in the corner and Nigel went for a Tower of London, but Hechicero slipped out the back door and applied a sleeper hold.
After some grappling Nigel attempted a London Dungeon, but Hecichero escaped by attacking his bad leg. Nigel could barely stand, but caught Nechicero with a knee as he ran in to attack. Nigel then applied a Guillotine Choke and wrenched on it, and Hechicero eventually passed out.
Nigel McGuinness defeated Hechicero at 9:46
After the match, a video package aired for the Darby Allin feud with Kevin Knight. After the video, Tony Schiavone was in the ring to invite Kevin Knight out to the ring for an interview. Knight told Tony he didn’t need him and said he’s got answers for everyone who has been questioning The Jet for the past few months. He said he was no longer a young boy, he was a grown ass man and the greatest TNT Champion of all time. Knight then demanded Darby Allin come to the ring, and his music hit.
Darby walked onto the stage, and demanded that security check Darby Allin for weapons. Darby opened his coat and had nothing. Knight told Darby to head to the ring, but a bunch of pyro explosions went off that incapacitated him. Knight then dragged Darby in the ring and set him up in a tree of woe with a chair in his face. He then went coast to coast and dropkicked the chair. Darby crumpled into a heap in the ring as Knight left. Darby was then put into a neck collar by AEW medical and put onto a gurney to leave the ring…[c]
My Take: Well, if Darby didn’t bring a hatchet to the ring before, he’s probably considering it now. The Nigel and Hechicero match was pretty rough. It was understandable given Nigel’s leg injury, but I don’t think I’d want to see him win the semi final and compete at Wembley in his current state.
Kevin Knight observed backstage as Darby Allin was loaded into an ambulance. Steve Borden was with Darby and threatened to go after Knight, but Darby told him not yet. Knight said he wasn’t ready for it anyway. In the arena, El Clon, Jake Doyle, and Mark Davis made their entrances for the main event. They were followed by The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega.
6. Matt Jackson, Nick Jackson, and Kenny Omega vs. El Clon, Jake Doyle, and Mark Davis: Nick Jackson and El Clon began the match. Nick landed some strikes and an arm drag. He then tagged Matt, and they landed some double team offense that sent the heels to the floor. Omega tagged in and they landed a triple team enziguri onto El Clon in the corner. Mark Davis tried to get involved, but was sent back to the floor by Omega. The Bucks then tossed El Clon into him at ringside.
Davis and Doyle returned to the match and took control with some power offense. They launched El Clon at Nick Jackson and he landed a Codebreaker. Davis then landed a body block on Omega while Doyle pummeled Matt Jackson in the corner…[c]
My Take: The big pyro explosions from the Kevin Knight and Darby Allin segment have left the arena in a smoky haze.
Matt Jackson dove on El Clon at ringside. He then delivered a Sunset Flip on Davis for a two count. Matt then managed to land Sliced Bread on Davis and crawled to his corner to tag in Omega. He entered the match and delivered some chops and double axe handles to Clon. He then delivered a neckbreaker and covered for a two count. Everybody ended up back in the ring and The Elite dropped all three men and performed simultaneous top rope attacks on all three of them for a near fall.
They then delivered triple suicide dives onto the Callis Family on the floor. They delivered a superkick party on Doyle and then Omega set up for a V-Trigger knee. He delivered one and then landed a One Winged Angel for the win.
The Elite defeated the Don Callis Family at 10:16
After the match, RPG Vice and Lance Archer ran down to the ring and attacked Omega and The Young Bucks. They set up a table at ringside, but Adam Copeland and Christian Cage ran down to provide an assist. Christian ate a double superkick from The Bucks in a misfire, and that pissed off Copeland. Everybody brawled to the back as Omega was left in the ring. Ospreay ran down and demanded to know what Omega had to say to him. Omega brought security down to the ring and had his escorted out. He called him an English bitch and told him they were done until Wembley.
Ospreay broke free from security and attacked Omega. Security intervened and Omega used the opening to land a V-Trigger. He then said he had one last lesson for him, and dragged him over to the apron. He then put him through the ringside table with a One Winged Angel. Kenny looked crazed as the show went off the air.
My Take: That was a wild mess at the end there. That match itself felt unnecessary, but the post match further cemented Kenny’s descent into madness and betrayal of his principles.
Isn’t “dumb bitch” Thekla’s thing?