AEW Dynamite was a terrific episode of weekly tv from top to bottom, combining excellent in-ring work with some outstanding storytelling in key segments. Both world title matches were transformed on this show through the incredible work of the performers involved, while The Bucks set the stage for their clash with Cope and Cage in a strong sit down interview. The show was also significant between the ropes for the crowning of new Trios Champions in The Demand, as well as title retentions from Maya World and Andrade, the latter of which provided the match of the night. No match or in-ring segment failed to deliver, making this one of the strongest post PPV-Dynamites in the company’s history!
AEW Dynamite sees the fallout of AEW Redemption as Kenny Omega speaks for the first time since dropping Will Ospreay with a One Winged Angel. Willow Nightingale will also have a Championship Celebration following her victory of Thekla at Revolution. On top of that, we will see 3 championship matches as the National, TBS and Trios Championships are all up for grabs!
| AEW Dynamite July 29th 2026 Star Ratings | |
| Match / In Ring Promo | Result and Star Rating. |
| AEW Dynamite Opening Match Andrade El Idolo (c)vs Nick Wayne vs Jack Perry- National Championship | Andrade El Idolo by Pinfall via DM MUST WATCH- 4.5 Stars |
| Andrade El Idolo Promo | Andrade brags about all the people he has outsmarted and announces he is entering the Casino Gauntlet to get a World Title Shot GOOD- 3.25 Stars |
| Don Callis Family (Kyle Fletcher, Jake Doyle and Brian Cage) vs Brodido and Mike Bailey | Mike Bailey by Pinfall via Arm Trapped Sunset Flip AMAZING- 4.25 Stars |
| Persephone vs Maya World (c)-TBS Championship | Maya World by Pinfall via Tabletop Suplex GREAT- 3.5 Stars |
| Willow Nightingale Championship Celebration | Willow Nightingale signs the contract for her match with Mercedes Mone. Divine Dominion attack Willow and leave her laying, bringing out the Brawling Birds to defend her. MUST WATCH- 4.5 Stars |
| Jon Moxley (c) vs Komander- Continental Championship | Jon Moxley by Submission via Bulldog Choke GREAT- 3.75 Stars |
| The Conglomeration (c ) vs The Demand- Trios Championship | The Demand by Pinfall via Spirit Gun After the match The Demand and The Swirl (who cost the faces the match) attack The Conglomeration. Brody King and Hangman Page defend the Conglomeration. AMAZING- 4.25 Stars |
| Main Event Kenny Omega/Will Ospreay Face To Face | After being antagonised, Ospreay takes down Omega and promises to pull the trigger in front of him, not behind his back like Omega did to him PERFECT- 5 Stars |
AEW Dynamite July 29th 2026 Highs
While there were numerous strong stories told throughout the show, the strongest was the fallout from Omega stabbing Ospreay in the back. From the opening recap showing Moxley’s simmering agitation to their alleyway confrontation the stage had been beautifully set. The return of Hangman Page into the Ospreay narrative was also beautifully handled, with Hangman the emotionally freed man and level head in a volatile situation. The closing segment of the show was absolute perfection, with Ospreay and Omega’s brotherly dynamic spilling into real tension as Omega pushed and prodded Will in an entirely believable way. Though Ospreay gave a typically excellent promo here, I was most impressed by Omega who delivered one of his best ever nights on the microphone. This flawless segment well and truly sold me on their main event at All In.
Also incredibly strong was the build for the Women’s World Championship match as Willow Nightingale went face to face with Mercedes Mone. Willow got a great reaction from this incredible Detroit crowd and seemed genuinely overwhelmed by it. Her promo on overcoming difficulties was so powerful, emphasised by shots of inspired young girls in the crowd. As Mercedes came out, maintaining a strong and uptight posture and a forlorn look of entitled irritation, I couldn’t help but be brought back to her work with Bayley a decade ago, widely considered some of her finest work, and was reminded just how well Willow works as a foil to the character of Mone. They are certainly storytelling soulmates!
The matches were excellent up and down the show. The 3 way for the National Championship was an incredible sprint, as was the 6 man tag with some simply dazzling work from all involved. Bandido in particular is a freak of nature and continues to be sublime in every capacity he finds himself. I was also a huge fan of the Trios Championship match, particularly the chemistry between GOA and The Conglomeration. Moxley and Komander also had its moments (particularly Moxley having none of Komander flips) and while the weakest on the card, there was certainly fun to be had in Persephone and Maya World. Fantastic work from top to bottom.
AEW Dynamite July 29th 2026 Lows
The negatives to this show are nitpicks, but I shall mention them nonetheless. The biggest confusion coming out of this is a mention of a Continental Cup from Jon Moxley. This hasn’t been mentioned before and creates huge amount of confusion. If he is referring to a Continental Classic then it is an unfortunate slip, but if there is yet more tournaments or cups relating to the Continental Championship that not only dilutes the C2 but feels like a completely unneeded wrinkle to Moxley who is more than fine for stories to tell right now.
Despite the segment being nowhere near as terrible as Redemptions dog barking debacle, Mick Foley continues to feel awfully out of place as a backstage interviewer, not having nearly the same confidence or polish as Renee Paquette or Lexi Nair. I feel his presence would be much better felt as a personality to interact with wrestlers using his own experience and previous character than the bland shell we saw as GM in 2017. Much more of Foley in the right capacity, much less of Foley in this capacity.
Finally, despite the opening match being terrific, I do continue to struggle to feel any prestige behind the National Championship. This was further legitimised by Andrade immediately going for the World Title at the first opportunity. It is not breaking news, but the number of belts in AEW dilute the value of all of them.
Summary-
AEW Dynamite was a terrific episode of weekly tv from top to bottom, combining excellent in-ring work with some outstanding storytelling in key segments. Both world title matches were transformed on this show through the incredible work of the performers involved, while The Bucks set the stage for their clash with Cope and Cage in a strong sit down interview. The show was also significant between the ropes for the crowning of new Trios Champions in The Demand, as well as title retentions from Maya World and Andrade, the latter of which provided the match of the night. No match or in-ring segment failed to deliver, making this one of the strongest post PPV-Dynamites in the company’s history!
Matches- 0.75/1
Show Structure- 0.75/1
Atmosphere- 1/1
Storytelling- 1/1
Production/Theme- 0.75/1
Overall Rating- 4.25/5 Stars
Photo Credit- AEW Dynamite- July 29th 2026
For inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article detailing the rating system here:
