By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
AEW Dynamite “Maximum Carnage” (Episode 328)
Phoenix, Arizona, at Arizona Financial Theater
Simulcast live January 14, 2026, on TBS and HBO Max
[Hour One] Excalibur checked in on commentary and said his color commentator would be Bryan Danielson. Excalibur ran through the show’s lineup…
Footage aired from “Earlier today” of Samoa Joe delivering a promo. He spoke about Hangman Page, but said he must prepare to defend the AEW Trios Titles. Joe said he put a bounty on Page, and then introduced Bryan Keith, who said he would collect…
Ring announcer Justin Roberts introduced Darby Allin, who made his entrance for the opening match. Renee Paquette checked in from ringside and spoke about Allin’s desire to beat Pac, because then he will have beaten every member of the Death Riders.
Pac was shown seated on a chair with the other Death Riders around him. Pac walked through the crowd and was followed by Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Marina Shafir, Wheeler Yuta, and Daniel Garcia. Once they approached Paquette, Pac told the others over her microphone that he needed to do this on his own.
Once Pac arrived at ringside, Allin hit him with a suicide dive. They fought into the crowd. Allin put Pac down and then climbed onto the railing on the second level and performed a Coffin Drop onto Allin.
They eventually made their way back to ringside, where Pac avoided a charging Allin before putting him down with a German suplex. Pac pulled the ring steps out and then executed an overhead belly-to-belly suplex that planted Allin on the steps. Ouch.
1. Darby Allin vs. Pac. Once both wrestlers entered the ring, referee Paul Turner stopped Pac from going after Allin. Turner checked on Allin, who told him to ring the bell. Pac performed a couple of suplexes, including another overhead belly-to-belly suplex into a bridge, which resulted in a near fall before the first picture-in-picture break. [C]
Pac performed a Razor’s Edge that launched Allin over the top rope and onto the stage, which is level with the ring. Allin beat the referee’s count by returning to the ring at nine. Allin sat on the mat and flipped off Pac, who had been seated on the top rope.
Pac dropped off the ropes and sold an ankle injury. Allin went right at Pac, who ended up on the floor. Allin hit him with a Coffin Drop. Allin got Pac on the apron and hit him with another Coffin Drop. Allin went for a move in the corner, but Pac pulled the referee in front of him. REF BUMP!!!
Allin put Pac in the Scorpion Leg Lock. Pac motioned for help and then tapped out. Wheeler Yuta came out with a chair, but Allin took him out with a Scorpion Death Drop. Allin wrapped the chair around Pac’s ankle and then performed a Coffin Drop on top of it. Allin put Pac in the Scorpion Death Lock. The referee recovered in time to see Pac tap out.
Darby Allin beat Pac in 11:05.
After the match, the other Death Riders came out to check on Pac while Allin made his exit… Excalibur hyped upcoming segments… [C]
Powell’s POV: A good opening match. The idea that Allin would find peace in beating every member of the Death Riders if he could get by Pac didn’t pack much of a punch. I guess we’ll see if Allin moves on or if his feud with the faction will continue. By the way, I’m filling in for Jake Barnett tonight. I believe he is lying low after sharing an Uber with Kiefer Sutherland the other night, but I could be mistaken.
2. Hangman Page vs. Bryan Keith (w/Big Bill). Both entrances were televised. Page dominated the offense until Bill distracted him. Keith took advantage by headbutting Page before a PIP break. [C]
Keith distracted the referee while Bill grabbed Page by the throat for a chokeslam at ringside. Swerve Strickland showed up and choked Bill with a steel chain. Page hopped on the apron, hit Keith with a Buckshot Lariat, and then pinned him.
Hangman Page beat Bryan Keith in 9:25.
After the match, Page called Keith a dumbass and told him to try to collect his bounty now. Page said he would take everything from Samoa Joe. Swerve had a mic of his own and said he had a message for MJF. “I, no, we will be coming after you relentlessly,” Swerve said while he and Page looked into the camera. Swerve said this would be the year when he gets back on top of the mountain.
Kenny Omega made his entrance and joined Page and Swerve inside the ring. Omega said he had his own time scheduled, but he thought he might as well come out now. He said the fans labeling him the God of Professional Wrestling means they still believe.
Omega said that winning a belt requires more than being an EVP and snapping your fingers. He said he needed to win a couple of matches first. He looked at Page and said, “Whether it be friend,” and then he looked at Swerve before saying, “or whether it be foe,” he’s going for the belt.
Page said it looked like there were three of them who want the AEW World Championship. Page said that if he and Omega cross paths on the way to the championship, he sincerely means it when he says may the best man win. Page and Omega shook hands. Page’s entrance theme played, and he left the ring while Swerve and Omega spoke off-mic for a bit. Swerve made his exit with Prince Nana, leaving Omega alone inside the ring.
Don Callis’s entrance noise played, and then he walked onto the stage with Josh Alexander, Lance Archer, and Rocky Romero. Callis said he’s always been a big fan of MJF, but he had to question his logic for even thinking about associating with a scumbag like Omega.
Callis said if Omega has to win some matches, he could wrestle Alexander. Callis recalled that Alexander broke Kota Ibushi’s leg and sent Omega to the hospital. Omega said he had a little time tonight, then asked Alexander, who was game. Callis stepped in front of Alexander and shot it down. Callis said Omega forgot how their relationship works. Callis said Omega gets the match when Daddy says. Callis said the match would take place next week.
Omega told the fans it looked like it would have to be next week, but it was a big day. Omega told the fans that they saw phase one of him becoming the next AEW World Champion. Omega delivered his usual closing line and then exited the ring…
Excalibur credited Tony Khan with making Omega vs. Alexander official for next week’s Dynamite in Orlando…
Powell’s POV: The match was well worked. It may have gone a tad longer than necessary, but Bill’s interference helped keep things interesting. It looks like they are building a three-way to determine the No. 1 contender.
Backstage, Renee Paquette was trying to interview Brody King, when Jon Cruz showed up. Cruz told King to tell Bandido never to put his hands on him again. King informed Cruz that they would meet in a standby match. Cruz squirmed, and King told him he’d see him soon… [C]
Jon Cruz ran to the ring dressed in non-wrestling attire. Cruz threw his shoes as Brody King walked calmly to the ring…
3. Brody King vs. Jon Cruz. Cruz jumped off the top rope and was punched by King, who followed up with his Gonzo Bomb finisher for the win.
Brody King defeated Jon Cruz in 0:35.
King took the mic and told Bandido that he wants him to kick MJF’s ass. King said it would be an honor to be the first to step in the ring with the new AEW World Champion…
Powell’s POV: The match was fine, but I don’t know why they are labeling King’s squashes as standby matches.
Excalibur plugged AEW’s meal deal at White Castle, and then he and Danielson set up a video package on the AEW World Championship match…
Entrances for the four-way match took place…
4. “Young Bucks” Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson vs. “GOA” Toa Liona and Bishop Kaun vs. “JetSpeed” Kevin Knight and Mike Bailey vs. Jake Doyle and Mark Davis in a four-way for a shot at the AEW Tag Team Titles. Don Callis and Ricochet sat in on commentary. The Bucks and JetSpeed took turns hitting dives onto their opponents on the floor to start the match, and then squared off inside the ring.
[Hour Two] Doyle and Davis powerbombed the Bucks and then squared off with GOA. Liona performed a moonsault off the apron onto a few wrestlers on the floor. [C] Callis hyped Andrade vs. Angelico for Saturday’s Collision, and said Kyle Fletcher would return from Japan.
Liona had the Bucks on his shoulders when Bailey hit them with the Ultima Weapon. Knight performed a UFO Splash on Liona and had him pinned, but Kaun returned to break it up. Moments later, Ricochet pulled the referee out of the ring to stop another pin attempt.
Jack Perry showed up and fought Ricochet until they were out of camera view. Doyle powerbombed Bailey onto a group of wrestlers on the floor. Davis performed a piledriver on Knight before pinning him.
Jake Doyle and Mark Davis defeated “JetSpeed” Kevin Knight and Mike Bailey, “The Young Bucks” Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson, and “GOA” Toa Liona and Bishop Kaun in a four-way in 15:00 to earn a shot at the AEW Tag Team Titles.
After the match, AEW Tag Team Champions “FTR” Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler brought Stokely Hathaway onto the stage in his wheelchair. Harwood and Wheeler entered the ring and jawed with Doyle and Davis. The teams brawled until security intervened…
Powell’s POV: Good action. I dig the new team of Doyle and Davis, but it seems odd to rush them right into a tag team title match, especially when the champions are fellow heels.
Excalibur hyped the main event, and the women’s trios match… [C] Arizona scenery shots were displayed while Excalibur offered condolences to the family, friends, and fans of musician Bob Weir. Excalibur said the late Grateful Dead guitarist was close friends with Tony Khan…
Powell’s POV: Tony Khan is a Deadhead? Who knew?
“SkyFlight” Scorpio Sky, Dante Martin, Darius Martin, Zayda Steel, and Christopher Daniels delivered a backstage promo. Steel spoke about facing Marina Shafir, and said she bullies bullies. Sky and the Martins will face Kyle Fletcher, Josh Alexander, and El Clon on Collision. Sky said everyone is focused on what’s next when they should be focused on what’s now…
5. Kris Statlander, Willow Nightingale, and Harley Cameron vs. “Triangle of Madness” Thekla, Julia Hart, and Skye Blue. The entrances were televised. Graphics noted that Megan Bayne and Penelope Ford will be in action, and Jack Perry will face Anthony Bowens for a shot at the AEW National Championship on Saturday’s Collision. Blue worked over Cameron before a PIP break. [C]
Late in the match, Willow set up Thekla for a powerbomb, but she slipped away. Thekla struck her silly spider pose for no good reason while Statlander made a blind tag. Thekla stood up and tried to spear Willow, but Statlander shoved Willow out of the way and took the spear herself. Thekla followed up with a Stomp and then pinned Statlander…
“Triangle of Madness” Thekla, Julia Hart, and Skye Blue defeated Kris Statlander, Willow Nightingale, and Harley Cameron in 11:30.
Powell’s POV: The crowd was pretty quiet for this one, but I like the call to have Thekla pin the AEW Women’s Champion to set up a future title match. Now, if only she would ditch the spider walk and stop emphasizing the word “toxic” during her promos. There’s a lot to like about Thekla, and I think those minor tweaks would improve her act.
Renee Paquette interviewed “JetSpeed” Kevin Knight and Mike Bailey and asked how they would turn things around. Before they could respond, Swerve Strickland and Prince Nana showed up. Swerve put his arms around both men and said that it would be fireworks when he and Bailey eventually mix it up. Swerve recalled walking into Tony Khan’s office and bringing up Knight. Swerve said Knight is the future of the business, and then made his exit.
Hangman Page showed up after Swerve and Nana made their exit. Page said JetSpeed may have lost their chance to earn an AEW Tag Team Title match, but not for the trios titles. Page recalled saying that he would take everything from Samoa Joe. He said he took Hook from Joe, and on Saturday, he will take the AEW Trios Titles from him with Knight and Bailey as his partners…
Excalibur hyped the main event… [C]
A teaser video aired for The Rascalz, who were listed as coming soon to AEW…
Powell’s POV: They didn’t specify whether Zachary Wentz, Trey Miguel, Dezmond Xavier, and Myron Reed are all coming, but hopefully that’s the plan. Much like Jake Something, TNA’s loss is AEW’s gain with these free agent signings. Will TNA return the favor? If Chris Jericho isn’t re-signing with AEW and he isn’t WWE-bound, then TNA would be a logical landing place for him. As I’ve mentioned when I’ve thrown out the possibility before, I’m just taking a shot in the dark.
Entrances for the main event took place…
6. MJF vs. ROH Champion Bandido for the AEW World Championship. Justin Roberts delivered in-ring introductions for the title match. MJF was in offensive control before an early PIP break. [C]
[Overrun] Bandido had MJF down on the fan side of the barricade (there’s a gap between the seats and the barricade). Bandido performed a top rope crossbody block onto MJF. Cool spot. Back in the ring, Bandido performed a corkscrew dive from the top rope onto MJF for a near fall.
Bandido performed a Poison Rana and followed up with a Code Red for a near fall. Bandido went for his finisher, but MJF held the ropes, and Bandido sold arm pain. MJF set up for a Heat Seeker, but Bandido blocked it. MJF executed with a slingshot cutter for a near fall.
Bandido rallied and hit a top rope shooting star press for a near fall. MJF avoided a Code Red and hooked Bandido into a pin for a near fall. They took turns reversing pins, which was capped off by a close near fall for Bandido. He put MJF in a Torture Rack position and then hit him with a GTS.
Bandido hit the 21 Plex. Bandido sold arm pain before draping it over MJF, who kicked out at two and then immediately applied the Salt of the Earth armbar. Bandido neared the ropes, but MJF pulled him back to the center of the ring and applied the LeBell Lock. Bandido flipped off MJF, but then he faded, and the referee called for the bell.
MJF defeated ROH Champion Bandido in 19:50 to retain the AEW World Championship.
After the match, MJF sat in the corner with a microphone and called for his music to stop playing. MJF said he laughed when people said Bandido would be the AEW World Champion. MJF said that after wrestling Bandido, the people who said that were right. “Bandido, as much as it pains me to say this, you’re going to be a world champion one day in All Elite Wrestling.”
MJF stood up and said, “Unfortunately, that means I have to do this.” MJF slammed his title belt on Bandido’s shoulder and then worked him over with punches to the head. MJF indicated that he was going to remove Bandido’s mask. MJF sat him up and grabbed the mask.
Brody King ran out, which sent MJF scurrying to the back. King consoled Bandido before helping him up. King had his arm around Bandido and played to the crowd before leading a Bandido chant to close the show…
Powell’s POV: A good world championship match. There was no reason to think Bandido would win this early in MJF’s title reign, but he was given some good near falls, and the way he lost protected him. I know I wasn’t the only one wondering if King was going to turn on Bandido at the end of the show.
Overall, a solid episode capped off by the entertaining main event, and it included the fun news of The Rascalz signing with AEW. I will be back shortly with our weekly same-night audio review of Dynamite, which will be available exclusively for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of the show by grading it below.
Join me for my live review of TNA Impact’s AMC premiere on Thursday night at 8CT/9ET.
“Tony Khan is a Deadhead? Who knew?”
Oh I am so tempted to say something here – but I’m better than that.