This was a terrific episode of AEW Dynamite, with some utterly superb promo work. MJF and Hangman page had a magnificent segment to start the show, and great promo work from Toni Storm, Ricochet, Chris Jericho, Moxley and Cope made for a parade of top quality segments. The matches were also great, with Bill/Hobbs a very fun monster brawl, Bayne/Statlander an excellent strong style clash and Strong/Cassidy overcoming a lack of investment initially to craft an innovative clash, even if it probably should’ve been placed elsewhere on the card. No match blew the roof off, but it was consistently exciting. In fact the show throughout was consistent, with almost every segment scoring 4 stars or higher, the only exception being a fine but unremarkable trios match, the show’s only real blemish. An excellent show from top to bottom, aided by a rabid crowd, and making me desperate to catch Revolution!
Tonight on AEW Dynamite, MJF and Hangman Page finally come face to face after weeks of tension. Big Bill and Powerhouse Hobbs also blow off their rivalry in an Anything Goes Street Fight! Elsewhere on the card, Megan Bayne takes on Kris Statlander, Roderick Strong and Orange Cassidy battle for the right to face Konosuke Takeshita, and we hear from the new Womens Champion Toni Storm. Lets get at it!
PERFECT MJF and Hangman Page Face to Face
The two best actors in AEW come face to face in a frankly glorious segment. These characters have years and years of intricate development and it all came gushing out here. There is a level of confidence yet insecurity behind both men, and the argument had about why Hangman gets chance after chance to redeem himself was such a captivating angle. I initially thought the opening was cheesy but realised quickly that was entirely the point, MJF hides behind his accomplishments, but has no really ability to connect with the world around him. It was magnificent storytelling, and is a reminder than for all the recent tribulations, MJF is an unbelievable storyteller on his best day. The best segment AEW have produced this year so far on the mic.
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 5 Stars
Recap of the excellent Grand Slam event.
A promo backstage from the Undisputed Kingdom that felt like it was being both written and spoken by AI.
GOOD The Patriarchy vs The Opps
While I thoroughly enjoyed the counter into the RedRum for the finish, there wasn’t much of a match here. The opening showed The Patriarchy being thrown pillar to post, before some work over in the ad break and a brief flurry from the faces before going to the finish. There was also some major communication issues around the hot tag which made it all look a bit clunky. Otherwise solid and entertaining work, but very slight for this match that has so so much build around it
Result: Hook by Submission via RedRum
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 3 Stars
Good promo from Chris Jericho to set up a match with Bandido on Collision. A distinct tonal change here which I liked.
AMAZING Powerhouse Hobbs vs Big Bill
This was just as full of silly plunder as possible, with wrenches, barbed wire and tables. An inventive finish with a huge chokeslam off the steps through a table off the stage, which was a horrible bump I commend Bill for taking. Excellent fun, though my one complaint is that the bag of bricks to the head should’ve been treated as a far bigger deal, as instead Bill pretty much got straight back up despite the damage being sold by commentary that such a weapon can do. Thoroughly enjoyable though and a very fitting blow off to this rivalry.
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 4 Stars
Lance Archer and Brian Cage cut a standard promo to set up a bigger encounter on Collision with The Hurt Syndicate.
AMAZING Timeless Toni Storm Promo
Though this didn’t set up any new challenger or advance any storyline, I had the biggest ear to ear smile on my face from start to finish. Toni now has mastery of this character and her delivery was absolutely word perfect. Her cadence is just sublime and the presentation from AEW is much better than it was in her already great first run. It’s amazing to see the character back because she is incredible at performing it. Did it advance anything, no, but it was just an incredibly entertaining segment which is just what I wanted
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 4.25 Stars
Gabe Kidd is coming to Collision which is incredibly exciting news
Willow Nightingale is attacked again backstage by Marina Schafir. I want to see this blown off in a match at Revolution.
AMAZING Moxley/Cope Promo
The run of top promo’s continue with great fire from both Moxley and Copeland. When you take away the convoluted guff that’s surrounded it, this is two men that just want to destroy each other, and that’s what this promo represented. Cope promised to take out every member of the Death Riders to leave him and Moxley one on one which is your story going into Revolution, and the arrogance of Moxley being turned into a rallying cry behind Cope was amazing. I feel Australia has revitalised Cope again and now he feels like a much bigger deal than before it. Very strong segment.
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 4 Stars
Momo cashes in her Wrestle Dynasty shot on Mone. Not sure why Momo wouldn’t try for a world title, but the match will nonetheless be terrific.
AMAZING Kris Statlander vs Megan Bayne
Before the pretty simple finish this was a superb little match. They have immediately amazing chemistry and worked super well together, and it makes me annoyed we got this 8 minute match rather than an 18 minute PPV match. They crammed as much as they could into those 8 minutes but I was thirsty for even more. We won’t discuss whatever happened upon Thunder Rosa’s return with her seemingly allergic to the chair she was holding.
Result- Megan Bayne by Pinfall via F-5
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 4 Stars
AMAZING Ricochet Promo
Ricochet is such an obnoxious weasel, and I mean that with the highest compliments. Coming out in Nana’s robe he poked, prodded and pushed every button he could with the upmost glee. He is so annoying he is perfect. Nana also played his part well, giving an impassioned promo wanting it back. The only thing that lets this down slightly is the ending, in which it seemed to run out of time and cut before it was ready, ending a little jankily. The feud continues however, and in an exciting way, especially after Nana’s assertion to Swerve last week to not let it become personal. Very very clever writing.
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 4.25 Stars
AMAZING Orange Cassidy vs Roderick Strong
This was a very well worked match between two veterans who know how to get the best from each other. The psychology and fundamentals were all excellent and there was some nice storytelling dynamic peppered throughout. Unfortunately it suffered a little from underwhelming placement, as truthfully it makes little difference who wins given Omega and Takeshita is the clear direction.Terrific wrestling, but very little reason to invest.
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 4 Stars
Overall…
This was a terrific episode of AEW Dynamite, with some utterly superb promo work. MJF and Hangman page had a magnificent segment to start the show, and great promo work from Toni Storm, Ricochet, Chris Jericho, Moxley and Cope made for a parade of top quality segments. The matches were also great, with Bill/Hobbs a very fun monster brawl, Bayne/Statlander an excellent strong style clash and Strong/Cassidy overcoming a lack of investment initially to craft an innovative clash, even if it probably should’ve been placed elsewhere on the card. No match blew the roof off, but it was consistently exciting. In fact the show throughout was consistent, with almost every segment scoring 4 stars or higher, the only exception being a fine but unremarkable trios match, the show’s only real blemish. An excellent show from top to bottom, aided by a rabid crowd, and making me desperate to catch Revolution!
Matches: 0.5/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.75/1 Stars
Atmosphere: 1/1 Stars
Storytelling: 1/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/1 Stars
Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars
Photo Credit: All Elite Wrestling – February 19th 2025
For inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article announcing the new system here :
