By Jake Barnett, ProWrestling.net Co-Senior Staffer (@jakebarnett)
AEW Dynamite (Episode 280)
Taped February 11, 2025 in Cedar Park, Texas at HEB Center
Simulcast February 12, 2025 on TBS and Max
The Hurt Syndicate, Gunns, MJF, and Dustin Rhodes were shown backstage preparing for their matches, along with the newly signed Megan Bayne.
Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, and Nigel McGuinness joined in from the commentary desk. Max Caster was in the ring to start the show with a microphone. He introduced himself as the best wrestler alive while the crowd screamed that he sucked. Caster showed off his copyright on the name in his hand, and offered anybody a chance to challenge him. He then said he ran off Anthony Bowens and Billy Gunn from the company, and questioned who would make the attempt to survive with the best wrestler alive. Cue Hangman Adam Page.
Page made his ring entrance and Caster scurried into the crowd. Caster attempted to camouflage himself in the crowd with a sign, but the crowd gave him up immediately. Page gave chase into the crowd and pursued Caster back in the ring.
1. Hangman Page vs. Max Caster: Caster attempted to jump Hangman as they got back in the ring and the bell rang. Page cut him off with a lariat pretty quickly, and then rolled out the the apron and delivered a buckshot lariat and got the win.
Hangman Page defeated Max Caster at 1:14
After the match, Hangman played to the crowd and put his jacket on before heading to the back. A video package then aired that recapped Ricochet’s victory over Swerve Strickland from last week. Ricochet mocked Swerve by wearing Jimmy Rave’s jacket, and Swerve swore they weren’t through even though Prince Nana told him to focus on Jon Moxley and the AEW World Title. Back in the arena, The Undisputed Kingdom made their entrance for a trios Championship match. They were followed by the Death Riders.
2. The Death Riders (Pac, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta) vs. The Undisputed Kingdom (Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, Roderick Strong): The action spilled to the floor immediately with the Undisputed Kingdom off to an early advantage…[c]
My Take: A bit of a shotgun start to the show. The crowd was very into Hangman Page.
The action was back in the ring as Claudio controlled O’Reilly with a rear chin lock. KOR got to his feet, but Wheeler Yuta gave Claudio an assist and prevented a tag. The Death Riders made frequent tags to isolate O’Reilly, but he was able to make a tag after a knee lift to Pac. Roderick Strong and delivered a series of backbreakers to all three men. He then suplexed Yuta on top of Pac and made a cover for a two count. The action broke down a bit here with everybody back in the ring.
Strong and Pac ended up the legal men again, but Claudio used a ref distraction to deliver a back suplex on Strong and take back control in the heel corner. Pac tagged in and delivered a snap suplex and a running uppercut before covering for a two count. Strong crawled for his corner but could not make a tag. The heels cleared O’Reilly and Cole from the ring apron and delivered rapid fire running elbow strikes in the corner on strong…[c]
After breaking free from Wheeler Yuta, Strong made a hot tag to Adam Cole. He entered and knocked both Claudio and Pac off the apron, and delivered a big knee strike to Wheeler Yuta. Pac tagged in a moment later, but he leapt right into a superkick from Cole. KOR tagged into the match, and the Undisputed Kingdom delivered a triple team knee strike to Pac. Claudio broke up the pinfall attempt. The action got chaotic as Wheeler Yuta got destroyed by more knees and a high low from the Undisputed Kingdom.
O’Reilly eventually put an Ankle Lock on Yuta. Claudio grabbed a chair, which ended up distracting Rick Knox. Wheeler used the distraction to deliver a low blow to KOR and rolled him up for the win.
The Death Riders defeated The Undisputed Kingdom at 17:03 to retain the Trios Titles.
After the match, the Death Riders continued the attack, but were eventually run off by Daniel Garcia and 2.0. Backstage, Jon Moxley and Marina Shafir walked through a hallway. Jay White and Adam Copeland managed to shove them into a room and use a bolt cutters to steal the briefcase that was chained to the wrist of Marina Shafir.
Elsewhere backstage, Renee Paquette interviewed MJF. He said Texas isnt’ a real state and Dustin Rhodes isn’t a real man. He told Dustin to get down on his knees and pray to the devil because the paint won’t be able to hide the shame on his face when he’s done with him. Hangman Page walked up and told MJF to get out, it was his interview time.
MJF mocked Hangman and told him he smelled like Jack Daniels. Hangman asked if that was the best he had after five years. MJF said fine, and told him whatever this was wasn’t him. He doesn’t have the stomach for it. MJF asked if he lost his friends and his sanity because he wanted a little apology? He then said after he destroyed Dustin Rhodes he would do what Hangman has failed to do multiple times, and win the AEW World Title for a second time.
3. Samoa Joe, Hook, and Katsuyori Shibata vs. Aaron Solo, Rosario Grillo, and John Cruz: Utter domination from the word go from Joe, Shibata, and Hook. After throwing them around for a bit, Samoa Joe hit a Muscle Buster on John Cruz and pinned him.
Samoa Joe, Hook, and Katsuyori Shibata defeated Aaron Solo, Rosario Grillo, and John Cruz at 0:59
After the match, Joe said they are brothers that bring violence with them wherever they go. He then addressed Christian and the Patriarchy, and said it could have been simple. He named their Trio “The Opps” and said that since he was too much of a “chicken ass” to show up tonight, they wanted Christian and The Patriarchy in the ring next week.
Chris Jericho was interviewed backstage by Renee Paquette. Bryan Keith stood by. Renee asked Jericho about Bryan Keith coming up short against Bandido. He said Bryan Keith would get a learning experience, because he was challenging Bandido to a showdown. He demanded that he meet him in the ring right now. Keith then told Renee not to embarrass him in front of Chris Jericho as he walked away..[c]
My Take: This show is very rapid fire tonight. The Death Riders and Undisputed Kingdom was a decent match, but the Undisputed Kingdom are very cold as an act. MJF dressing down Adam Cole was a nice change of pace from him, as Hangman forced him to aim a little higher than his former on screen alcoholism. Samoa Joe remains one of the most fun AEW acts. I’d be surprised if he isn’t positioned higher than he is sooner than later.
Willow Nightingale was interviewed backstage, but was jumped by Marina Shafir almost immediately. Jon Moxley then popped into frame to tell Adam Cole and Jay White they were dead men walking. In the arena, Chris Jericho made his ring entrance. He was followed by Bandido.
Both men went back to back in the ring, and then marched off 10 paces. They turned to face each other, and Bryan Keith appeared from under the ring and grabbed Bandido by the ankle. Jericho and Keith jumped Bandido, but The Outrunners were quick to run out and make the save. Big Bill then ran down and grabbed Bandido for a chokeslam, but then Powerhouse Hobbs music hit. He ran down to the ring and traded punches with Bill before delivering a big spinebuster.
Jay White and Adam Copeland spoke backstage. White told him not to worry about his briefcase, just get his Death Riders on a plane to Australia so they can paint the ring with the blood of the one true King. Copeland said he’s carried one of these briefcases before in his career, and told Moxley that if he wanted it back he could meet them in the ring at the end of the show…[c]
My Take: Jay White very much feels like a guy who is trying to figure out how to act as a babyface on the fly, and hanging out with a guy who is constantly referencing cooler shit he did 20 years ago isn’t helping him much.
Dustin Rhodes was interviewed backstage. He fired up the crowd and told MJF that he was about to find out that he was the last of his kind….bitch (everybody take a shot).
In the arena, MJF made his ring entrance. He was then followed by Dustin Rhodes.
4. MJF vs. Dustin Rhodes: The match started and Dustin took control with some punches. MJF bailed to ringside, but Dustin gave chase and forced him back into the ring. MJF hung him up on the top rope and then began to target his arm with knee strikes. He then applied an arm bar, but Dustin quickly fought to his feet. Dustin went for a sunset flip, but MJF avoided going to his back and continued to attack the right arm. MJF taunted Rhodes and called him a joke. Dustin fired back with some punches and MJF gouged his eyes.
He then landed some punches in the corner on Dustin, and attempted to mock him with a Goldust gesture, but Dustin powered out of the corner and delivered a powerbomb. He followed up with an uppercut and a Manhattan Drop. Dustin returned the favor with mounted punches in the corner, including a Goldust thrust for good measure. He followed up with a bulldog, but declined to make a cover. Dustin attempted to climb the ropes, but MJF kicked him in the elbow as he was climbing.
Dustin managed to roll up MJF to escape a Salt of the Earth armbar. He then followed up with a Cross Rhodes and covered for a close near fall. Both men traded rollups for near falls. MJFmanaged to pull in Dustin for a piledriver and covered for a close near fall. MJF sold frustration and retrieved a chair from ringside. He wrapped the chair around Dustin’s arm, but the referee pulled the chair away. Dustin hit the ropes and MJF fell into position for Shattered Dreams.
He delivered the kick while the ref disposed of the chair. He then delivered a Final Reckoning suplex for a close near fall. MJF played possum and delivered a final reckoning of his own, and then transitioned into a Salt of the Earth. He then applied a crossface along with it, and Dustin passed out.
MJF defeated Dustin Rhodes at 11:21
After the match, MJF attempted to inflict more damage on Rhodes, but Hangman Page ran down to confront him. MJF tried to back off, but then grabbed MJF with a double leg. Officials quickly intervened to break them up, with both men getting free to continue the attack on the floor. They spilled into the crowd and brawled until officials finally separated them. MJF then went back to the ring and trash talked the crowd. Hangman emerged from the backstage area and continued to brawl with him until officials finally got both men under control…[c]
My Take: Dustin and MJF put on a good match, but I’m glad the post match didn’t involve Jeff Jarrett. Hangman and MJF is a huge upgrade from what either guy was doing, and should make for some more engaging promos and television in general.
During the break, Hangman broke free and beat up the Security Guards. Hangman and MJF will have a face to face next week on Dynamite. Megan Bayne then made her entrance in the arena for the next match.
5. Megan Bayne vs. Maya World: Bayne backed up World into the corner. She then delivered a shoulder tackle. Both women ran the ropes, and Bayne caught a leaping World in a bear hug before throwing her with a suplex. World threw some weak punches, but Bayne threw her again with an overhead suplex. She then delivered a leaping lariat and an F5 for the win.
Megan Bayne defeated Maya World at 1:57
After the match, Kris Statlander made her entrance and started down Megan Bayne as they crossed paths entering and exiting the ring. She was followed by Penelope Ford.
My Take: Tormund Giantsbane passed out at home watching Megan Bayne and Kris Statlander walk past one another.
6. Kris Statlander vs. Penelope Ford: They tied up early on and worked some chain wrestling. Ford licked the side of Statlanders face, which angered her. Statlander delivered a lariat and covered for a two count. She then grabbed Ford’s tongue and gave her an angry look. Statlander followed up with a vertical suplex…[c]
The Opps vs. The Patriarchy was confirmed for next week. Ford delivered a big boot in the corner, followed by a neckbreaker for a two count. Ford climbed to the second rope, but Statlander pulled her off the turnbuckle. Ford delivered a Stunner, but Statlander replied with a German Suplex for a near fall. Statlander then picked up Ford, but she reversed out the back door with a poisonrana. Ford attempted to follow up, but Statlander pulled out a reversal of her own and delivered Wednesday Night Fever for the win.
Kris Statlander defeated Penelope Ford at 9:32
Megan Bayne emerged after the match. Penelope Ford attacked Statlander from behind and sent her off the apron. Bayne then delivered an F5 on Statlander on the floor. Excalibur then introduced a video package for Harley Cameron vs. Mercedes Mone that focused on Harley Cameron rapping and talking with her Mercedes puppet. Harley cut in the middle of the music video to a more straightforward promo. She thanked Mercedes for doubting her, and said it pushed her to be better. Harley said she would win the TBS Championship in her home country, and Mercedes would feel the wrath.
Back in the arena, The Gunns made their entrance for their Tag Team Title Match. They were followed by the Hurt Syndicate, who entered with MVP.
7. The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin w/MVP) vs. The Gunns (Austin and Colten Gunn) for the AEW Tag Team Championships: Bobby Lashley started the match with Colten Gunn. Austin tagged in, and Lashley quickly slammed him out onto the floor. Benjamin jumped off the apron and continued the assault, sending him into the barricade and back into the ring. Shelton tagged in and stomped on Austin and made a cover for two…[c]
My Take: Bayne and Statlander will make for an interesting feud between two power wrestlers. I’m curious what kind of chemistry that amounts to in the ring. The Hurt Syndicate is getting a much louder reaction than the babyface Gunns in Austin.
Lashley delivered a vertical suplex to Austin. Both Lashley and Benjamin isolated Austin, but he was able to roll under a double lariat and make a tag out to Colten. He delivered some rapid fire punches to Benjamin and sent Lashley to the floor with a lariat. He followed up with another big lariat to Benjamin for a two count. Lashley grabbed Colten’s ankle from the floor, and the action started to break down. All four men ended up in the ring and The Gunns landed an assisted blockbuster on Lashley. Colten hit a Fameasser on Benjamin for a close near fall.
They set up for 3:10 to Yuma on Lashley, but Benjamin cut them off with a kick. Benjamin cleared Colten from the ring and set up Lashley for a spear on Austin. He delivered and covered Austin and The Hurt Syndicate gets the win.
The Hurt Syndicate defeated The Gunns at 11:34 to retain the AEW Tag Team Championships
Lance Archer and Brian Cage appeared on the stage and clapped for The Hurt Syndicate. The show quickly cut to Mariah May backstage. She said Timeless Toni Storm should have died back in August, but she never knew how to write an ending. Mariah continued and said that after she defeats her in Australia, everyone will realize that Mariah did it better. She claimed Toni Storm isn’t real, she’s just the invention of a sad, tired, and pathetic woman. Mariah said she must really love Storm, because this is going to be a mercy killing…[c]
My Take: No brainer outcome for the tag match. Mariah May delivered a good promo. I was hoping for an in ring confrontation on this show between them, but I guess it wasn’t meant to be.
Adam Copeland and Switchblade Jay White made their entrance. Copeland asked the crowd if they wanted to see what’s in the briefcase. He retrieves his own larger briefcase from under the ring, and threatened to use “spike” to smash the briefcase if Moxley didn’t come out and give him an answer to his challenge.
Moxley eventually emerged and told Copeland he didn’t know jack about him. He said he has left chunks of his soul in the ring for that AEW title, and right now he’s going to do something he doesn’t want to do. He said he would break Adam Copeland’s neck at Revolution, so if he wanted his shot, he could have it. Copeland said that’s what he wanted, but he wanted to give Austin, TX what they wanted, and started to beat the briefcase with his giant board with nails in it.
The Death Riders attacked and managed to distract Copeland and White long enough for Marina Shafir to retrieve the briefcase. Cope managed to land a spear on Moxley. Jay White landed a Blade Runner on both Yuta and Pac. He then got the microphone and told Moxley that before he loses his title at Revolution, they would put the Death Riders in the ground in Australia.
My Take: Copeland vs. Moxley is not a match that gets me hyped up. This segment was ok, but I don’t think there was as much anticipation as they might have expected for opening the briefcase. It’s not like it’s the Pulp Fiction briefcase with some fabled MacGuffin in it or something. It’s either the AEW Title or it’s not. They really need to hit the drawing board for the long term goals of the Death Riders because it’s not as hot as it should be for being the companies big stakes main event program. As a general episode of Dynamite, this felt like a fairly average show. As a go home show it was a bit below average. The two women’s matches got some attention, and the final segment was more about setting up Revolution than Grand Slam. Omega and Ospreay were ghosts on this show, as were Takeshita, Fletcher, Okada, and Buddy Matthews.
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