By Jake Barnett, ProWrestling.net Co-Senior Staffer (@jakebarnett)
AEW Dynamite (Episode 333)
Sacramento, California, at Memorial Auditorium
Simulcast live February 18, 2026, on TBS and HBO Max
We got a series of rapid fire promos at the start of the show. Mina Shirakwa said she would follow up cutting Wheeler Yuta’s hair with winning the TBS Title. WIllow responded by saying she would defend her title and may the best woman win. Megan Bayne called herself an All Elite Goddess. Swerve Strickland intensely said he needed a win tonight. Kenny Omega responded less intensely, and said he needed Swerve out of his way.
Renee Paquette was interviewed backstage about Roderick Strong abandoning him last week. He found a replacement tag partner in Tomohiro Ishii. They will face Gabe Kidd and Clark Connors later on in the show. In the arena, Jon Moxley made his entrance for the opening match, which is an eliminator match for the Continental Championship. Renee Paquette was shown at ringside, speaking about the long travel for both Mark Davis and Jon Moxley, and how Davis wants to use this match as an opportunity to prove himself.
Mark Davis then made his ring entrance.
1. Mark Davis vs. Jon Moxley in a Continental Championship Eliminator Match: Davis and Moxley traded holds early on and fought to a stalemate. Davis landed a few shoulder blocks and a big body block to take Moxley off his feet. He followed up with a hip attack and a running elbow strike in the corner. Moxley escaped to the floor, but Davis followed and landed a series of heavy chops. He lined up for a big forearm strike, but Moxley ducked and he struck the ring post. Moxley then quickly turned on the jets and hit a suicide dive. Davis had bloody knuckles after hitting the post. Moxley targeted the hand and bit him. He then placed his hand on the steel steps and stomped on it…[c]
As the show returned, Moxley was sat in a chair in the corner near the barricade on the floor. Davis charged at him and kind of whiffed what would have been another hip attack. Moxley continued the attack on Davis’ bloody knuckles as the match returned to the ring. He pulled Davis back into the ring with a superplex. He followed up with some gut punches and a big running PK for a two count. Davis landed a punch with his bad hand and winced.
Moxley returned fire with some punches, but Davis leveled him with an enziguri. He attempted a lariat, but Moxley ducked it and landed a cutter. Moxley attempted a sleeper, but got suplexed instead. Davis went for a piledriver, but Moxley escaped and rolled him up for a near fall. Davis quickly turned a gutwrench into a piledriver for a close near fall. Moxley avoided another enziguri and landed a stomp to get back into the match.
Both men traded big shots, but Moxley was able to take down Davis and apply the Bulldog Choke to get a tap out victory.
Jon Moxley defeated Mark Davis at 13:48
After the match, Jon Moxley celebrated his victory before exiting the ring. Hangman Page was shown in a pre-taped promo. He told MJF he was coming for him, and he would end him if necessary to take back his AEW World Championship. MJF and Hangman will go face to face later in the show. Back in the arena, FTR made their ring entrance…[c]
My Take: An enjoyable opening match that suffered a bit from a lack of suspense. I’m not sure if Davis actually broke his hand or just had a cut, but there was enough blood to make for a convincing weak point throughout.
Dax Harwood complained that the Young Bucks cheapshotted them. The crowd chanted “STFU” as he said that the Young Bucks were the best tag team in the world in 2016, but a decade later they sit firmly in second place to the team of the generation. Stokely spoke up and said the definition of insanity was doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results, and that’s where they were with the Young Bucks.
He said they shook hands with the Rascalz and Private Party last week, even though they tried to run Private Party out of AEW, and that’s the hypocrisy he hated in AEW. Stokely continued and said the hate they have for their coworkers is overwhelming, and then complained about their parents and kids running around the locker room like they own the place. The Bucks snuck in from behind and superkicked FTR, and then Stokely was left defenseless.
The Bucks played to the crowd a bit, and after some teasing kicked Stokely and FTR again before officially issuing a challenge for the Tag Team Championships at Revolution. Backstage, Brody King and Bandido were shown in a pre-taped promo. Brody said he was “that close”, but he’s not going to sit around and feel sorry for himself. He said he was looking for a fight on February 25th to get back into the World Title hunt.
Back in the arena, Marina Shafir made her ring entrance for the TBS Championship fatal four way match. She was followed by Megan Bayne, Mina Shirakawa, and TBS Champion Willow Nightingale.
2. Willow Nightingale vs. Mina Shirakawa vs. Megan Bayne vs. Marina Shafir for the TBS Championship: Bayne and Shafir worked together early on to target Willow Nightingale after sending Mina to the floor. Willow battled back and sent Bayne to the floor with a lariat and then landed a cannonball from the apron to the floor. Mina then climbed the top turnbuckle and took out all three women on the floor with a big splash. Mina continued the assault on Shafir in the ring with a twisting splash and covered for a near fall.
Willow landed some splashes in the corner on Shafir and Bayne, but they quickly turned the tables on her. Bayne landed an impressive hurracarrana out of the corner. She then picked up Mina and tossed her onto Willow and Shafir at ringside…[c]
My Take: The Bucks and FTR is a quality addition to the PPV lineup. The TBS Title match is off to a fast start.
Bayne and Shafir continued to attack Willow as a unit. Mina landed a kick to Shafir and a slingblade to Bayne. Willow broke up the fall. She then landed a series of spinebusters on all three opponents. Willow covered Mina for a fall, but Shafir broke it up. Bayne and Willow traded power shots, and eventually both went down with a double clothesline. Willow was up first and delivered a Death Valley Driver to Bayne. Shafir landed a twisting backbreaker to Willow.
Bayne sent Shafir to the floor and then dove on all three women at ringside. Shafir and Bayne then came to blows. Shafir landed some kicks, but Bayne picked her up and tossed her into the timekeeper’s area. Bayne then climbed the turnbuckle in the ring, but Willow pulled her into the ring with a scary German Suplex that had her land almost directly on top of her head.
Mina Shirakawa landed a flurry of punches and a spinning backfist on Willow. She attempted to apply a Figure Four, but Willow rolled her up and got the win.
Willow Nightingale retained the TBS Championship at 11:29
Willow celebrated after the match as Bayne and Shafir were fuming. We then got a video recap of the Grand Slam Australia show. Hangman Page and MJF will go face to face next. Tony Schiavone and Bryan Danielson paid tribute to recently deceased WWE Producer/Director Kerwin Silfies and offered condolences to his family and friends…[c]
My Take: That was a scary moment for Megan Bayne, who seemed alright after taking a very dangerous bump. Otherwise, that was a fun match that had better flow and chemistry than you might have thought on paper.
In the arena, Hangman Page made his ring entrance. The announce team said no physicality was allowed between MJF and Hangman Page. MJF then made his way out to the ring.
MJF said he’s not going to cut some cutesy wrasslin’ promo to sell tickets, it’s not a revolution it’s a fact that he hates Hangman’s guts and everything about it. He said he hated his white knight holier than thou bullshit, and he hates that the white trash kicks in the crowd think he’s on his level. MJF said he can’t stand the gall of Hangman being called the main character when clearly it’s him, and he can’t stand that people feel the need to chant Cowboy Shit whenever he walks around.
But most of all, he hates that he holds two wins over his head and it makes him want to puke. MJF called him lucky and said he’s not better than him, and said he can smell something is off about him. He said it might be cause his boyfriends Kenny and Swerve are fighting, or that he’s had the opportunity to be the guy twice and both times he’s crumbled under pressure. MJF said he’s probably wondering if he wins the title and crumbles again whether everyone will finally figure out that he’s a fraud.
He continued and said this Hangman isn’t the same guy he faced at Revolution last year, but he thinks he’s all out of bullets. MJF then said he looks forward to ending the myth of Hangman Page and his Cowboy Shit. Page finally replied and said between the two of them, he’s the lucky shot? He said the people carried him to the world title twice and beat the absolute dogshit out of him not once but two times. Hangman said MJF is the lucky one because he came back to collect the spoils of greater men by coming back with a head of hair thicker than Mark Davis to cash in a contract and sit on the floor before kicking him in the balls at the last second.
Page said he hated MJF, but he had to admit he’s never met someone more like him. He called out MJF’s desperation for love and acceptance, and how much he wants to make his mark, and his fierce loyalty to AEW. Page said others wanted the AEW World Championship, but both of them have always needed it. He continued and said it had to end at Revolution, and they both know it can’t just be a regular wrestling match at Revolution. Page told MJF to think about a stipulation, because they know what it is, and they need to let the people know what it is.
MJF scoffed and said they were doing a normal wrestling match. Page replied that he thought he’d say that because he’s a coward, and he knows what it could mean to him. He said if MJF agrees, he will give everyone his word that he will never challenge for the AEW World Championship as long as he lives. MJF smirked and said he’s got himself a deal, but he needs a week to think over his stipulation because unlike Page he doesn’t shoot first and ask questions later. Page said he should think about it, but he already knows it’s going to be Page and MJF at Revolution in Texas Death.
Page left the ring and took a pause before heading to the back. Backstage, Jon Moxley called The Death Riders coyotes, loners and survivors. Pac then chimed in and called out the Callis Family, and said since they like to fight, they should gather themselves together for Collision, because they won’t be hard to find. Moxley then told Takeshita that he wasn’t done with him, and he didn’t want any time limits. One way or another there must be a winner as long as it takes.
In the arena, Orange Cassidy made his ring entrance with Tomohiro Ishii. They were followed by Gabe Kidd and Clark Connors.
3. Gabe Kidd and Clark Connors vs. Orange Cassidy and Tomohiro Ishii: Cassidy and Kidd started the match. Kidd took a hard swing at Cassidy, who ducked out of the way. Ishii then tagged in and squared up with Kidd. Connors jumped Ishii from behind as soon as he turned his back. They dragged Ishii to the heel corner and traded off landing some hard chops. Cassidy and Ishii soon returned the favor on Connors, with Cassidy landing his insulting weak chops.
Cassidy dove on Kidd on the floor, but got caught and chopped instead. Connors then took out Cassidy with a running shoulder tackle. Kidd shoved Ishii into the commentary desk on the opposite side of the ring…[c]
My Take: That was some strong promo delivery form MJF and Hangman. It felt a lot like they covered a lot of similar ground in comparison to their last matches, but I think it’s somewhat unavoidable. I can’t say I’m a huge fan of putting the match in the storyline jail of having Hangman not challenge for the AEW World Championship again. It doesn’t seem like there’s a ton of immediate upside there. I think you could have generated just as much suspense without locking yourself into something like that.
Cassidy kipped up and made a tag to Ishii as the show returned. Kidd and Ishii traded chops until Kidd bit Ishii on the forehead. After a short reset, they went back at it until Kidd landed a big comebacker lariat off the ropes. Ishii sold his hip and lower back and appeared to have hurt himself. Connors picked him up and landed another lariat. He managed to land a suplex, but could barely walk when he got to his feet. Cassidy finally got back into the match, and brawled into the crowd with Kidd.
Darby Allin appeared and pulled Kidd back into the crowd. Cassidy returned to the ring and landed and Orange Punch on Connors. Ishii managed to land a Brainbuster on Connors and got the win. Bryan speculated on commentary that Ishii may have torn his hamstring.
Orange Cassidy and Tomohiro Ishii defeated Gabe Kidd and Clark Connors at 9:58
After the match, Ishii got to his feet but buckled back to the ground. The Callis family were shown backstage beating up random security guards or goons backstage. They accepted Moxley’s challenge for Collision, and Don Callis accepted Moxley’s challenge to Takeshita for Revolution. Okada popped up to say he showed up to work today to do his job because he’s a champion, unlike Takeshita. Andrade then popped up and said he had eyes on the AEW World Title. Don Callis said he should capture Claudio’s CMLL World Championship while he was at it…[c]
My Take: I hope Ishii is ok, he looked to be in considerable pain after the match. The Don Callis family beat up random ass unknown people backstage made for a completely absurd setting for a promo.
The Brawling Birds Jamie Hayter and Alex Windsor made their entrance. Viva Van and Becca were already in the ring.
4. Jamie Hayter and Alex Windsor “The Brawling BIrds” vs. Viva Van and Becca: It was all Birds in the opening minute. Hayter and WIndsor traded off landing some impressive chops. Hayter delivered a suplex and a lariat to Van. Van landed some upkicks to avoid a Sharpshooter from Windsor and made the tag to Becca. She backed off both Hayter and Windsor with some strikes and a double stunner. She then charged into the corner.
Hayter shut down Becca with a backbreaker and a big lariat. They then landed a Hart Attack style finisher and got the win.
The Brawling Birds defeated Becca and Viva Van at 3:26
After the match, the Birds celebrated on their way to the back. Backstage, Kris Statlander was interviewed alongside Thunder Rosa. Statlander said she wasn’t cleared to wrestle, but she wanted a fight with Thekla when she’s done hiding from her. Rosa said since she isn’t cleared, she would step up for her as she had just gotten cleared today. She challenged Thekla to a match, but no date was specified.
In the arena, Kevin Knight made his ring entrance with Mike Bailey. Knight will be in singles competition. A picture in picture promo aired where Knight said if Mortos can beat him tonight, LFI would get a trios title shot on Collision. The Beast Mortos then made his ring entrance.
5. Kevin Knight vs. The Beast Mortos: The match spilled outside early and Knight delivered a kick. They returned to the ring and landed some acrobatic evasions running the ropes. Mortos landed a hard chop, but missed the follow up knee in the corner and spilled to the floor. Knight dove on Mortos on the floor…[c]
My Take: I think I would have had the Brawling Birds win there in about 60 seconds. I don’t think they needed to protect Becca and Viva Van in the short term.
Mortos landed an impressive tornillo dive through the ropes onto Knight as the show returned. Knight returned fire in the ring with a dropkick but continued to sell fatigue. He managed to land a jumping lariat and then managed to pick up Mortos for a slam. Knight followed up with a running splash and covered for a two count.
Knight picked Mortos from the top rope with a head scissors and then climbed to the top rope and delivered a UFO Splash for the win.
Kevin Knight defeated The Beast Mortos at 8:50
After the match, Knight celebrated with Bailey. A Will Ospreay video package aired hyping his return…[c]
My Take: A good match from a work rate perspective, but it was another one where I never bought into the idea of Mortos getting a win.
The Demand cut a promo backstage where they challenged Jet Set Rodeo for the Trios Titles on Collision. Ricochet said he was done with Jack Perry, but then they found a Knife stuck into the door of their “locker room”. In the arena, Swerve Strickland made his entrance for the main event, followed by Kenny Omega.
6. Kenny Omega vs. Swerve Strickland: They traded some slaps early on and both men got fired up. Omega took Swerve to the floor with a hurracarrana and set up for a dive to the floor, but Swerve popped back into the ring and landed a lariat. Swerve and backflipped over the top onto Omega, and landed on Omega somewhat awkwardly. They battled over the barricade into the crowd. Omega jumped onto the barricade and performed a Moonsault onto Swerve…[c]
Omega and Swerve traded heavy shots until Omega landed a basement dropkick and a facebuster. He then picked Swerve up in a Fireman’s Carry for a forward roll suplex and a follow up Moonsault for a two count. Omega attempted a running attack in the corner, but Swerve avoided it and placed him on the top rope. Swerve climbed to the top rope, but Omega slipped free and pulled Swerve down into the turnbuckle. He then followed up with a snap Dragon Suplex and running knee for a near fall. He tried another knee, but Swerve intercepted.
Swerve delivered a backbreaker and kick that sent Swerve out to the apron. He drove Omega repeatedly into the turnbuckle and then picked him up for a Vertebreaker on the apron. Omega slipped out and delivered a snap Dragon Suplex on the apron. Omega had a bleeding scrape on his right elbow. He set up for another suplex off the apron to the floor, but Swerve blocked it and they locked up on the ropes. Omega managed to pull him off the apron, but Swerve landed on his feet and Omega landed hard on his back.
Back in the ring, Swerve managed to land a 450 and covered for a 2.9 count. Omega tripped Swerve into the second turnbuckle and then landed a running knee strike. Both men then ended up on the top rope and Omega delivered an avalanche dragon suplex for another close near fall. Aubrey Edwards got pulled into the line of fire by Swerve and ate a knee from Omega when she checked on him after the suplex. Swerve then landed a House Call kick and covered, but no referee was available to count the fall.
Swerve climbed to the top rope and landed a big stomp on Omega who had rolled onto the apron. He then catapulted Omega throat first into the exposed steel of the bottom attachment for the turnbuckle. Swerve then delivered another stomp from the top rope. He covered when a new ref appeared and got another 2.9 count. Omega fired back with a snap dragon and a V-Trigger knee, but couldn’t land the One Winged Angel. Swerve fired back with House Call kick and Big Pressure and got the win.
Swerve Strickland defeated Kenny Omega at 20:41
After the match, Swerve continued the attack on Omega and tossed the referee from the ring. He then wrapped a chain around the neck of Omega and threw him over the top rope hanging him there. Swerve eventually released the chain and started pulling items from the top of the commentary table. He then pulled the ring steps over to the commentary table and picked up Omega. Swerve then put Omega through the commentary table with a Vertebreaker and screamed to the crowd that “He needed this”.
My Take: OMG, they killed Kenny again. A really strong match to close the show, with a hot angle to close things out cementing a Swerve heel turn. I’m curious if Kenny will be taking some time away from TV after this, or if they will go back to a rematch at Revolution in a few weeks. I think both are plausible depending on when they want to put Kenny in position to challenge for the AEW title. Overall, this was a newsworthy, above average show with a couple of hot segments, even if everything wasn’t a home run.
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