This episode of Dynamite felt like a streak of calm after the madness of Revolution. Though the show was not without its occasional interesting moment, it mostly felt a little like spinning wheels before next week, giving a break to some of the guys and gals that put their bodies through hell on Sunday. The show had a very slow start but picked up with a terrific string of segments, beginning with the debut of Speedball Mike Bailey and the excellent Bailey/Mortos matchup, through an amazing backstage segment with Nick Wayne and Christian Cage and culminating with the mightily intriguing relationship with MVP and MJF. Though the culmination of Max’s efforts with MVP and Hangman made for fascinating viewing, it was one of the few bits of key advancement. Overlong, incoherent and/or inconsequential promos from Storm, Ospreay and Omega left a little to be desired, while the main event slightly under-delivered for the calibre of talent involved. Moments of occasional magic mixed with equal moments of mundanity.
Tonight on AEW Dynamite, the International Championship Contendership Tournament gets underway with two key matchups. Firstly, the alchemist of Lucha Libre Hechicero takes on on Orange Cassidy, while The Beast Mortos takes on a mystery opponent. We also hear from Will Ospreay, MJF, Toni Storm and others following the events of AEW Revolution. Lets get at it!
GOOD Kenny Omega Promo
A nice opening segment from Kenny, with a good focus to the upcoming contender tournament. It was a little pedestrian and not the most energetic, but it had nice sentiment and I appreciate the earnest attempt to thank the fans and those that have helped Omega. Nothing much, but pleasant.
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 3 Stars
SQUASH The Opps vs Vinny Pacifico, Eli Theseus and Gabriel Aeros
The staredown from The Opps and Omega on the entrance ramp was far more interesting than the match itself, a quick steamroll of enhancement talent. I feel like we’ve done this too many times and I would like to see The Opps take down some actual talent of consequence.
Result: Shibata by Pinfall via Penalty Kick
Good retort promo from Ricochet asking Shibata not to show up to Collision and targeting Omega. Basic but effective (I feel like this will be a theme for the show)
They announce Moxley and Cope 2 for next week in a street fight. It’s a bold strategy, but I assume the negative reception to that main event of Revolution made them want a do-over. Hope this is better received .
Swerve and Cope have a backstage moment of respect. There is something in that interaction, but I feel Mox and Swerve is the more likely direction. Would’ve liked a little more tension here as I think Copeland being buddies with all his possible opponents makes him appear more bland which isn’t helping his overall image.
Mox has a very well delivered promo as per usual, but this should’ve come before the announcement of the match, as it feels like this is a matchmaking promo rather than a retort. I also worry they are trying way too hard here to try and revive a cold PPV ending. I reserve judgement for next week.
GOOD Hologram and Powerhouse Hobbs vs Dralistico and Brian Cage
This is a Collision match if ever I’ve seen one. Bringing together 2 smaller feuds is fine but it doesn’t feel like something for the A-Show. Regardless, the action takes a while to pick up but does nicely with a superbly impressive suplex counter from a Hologram suicide dive. The spots here vary, some superbly impressive and others rather contrived. Dralistico in particular had quite a few timing issues here with both members of the opposition. It overall didn’t fully work from a storytelling and fundamental perspective, but there were nevertheless some big triumphs and moments of great skill. Too much good to call a failure, but not enough to be considered anything above solid.
Result: Powerhouse Hobbs by Pinfall via Spinebuster
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 3.25 Stars
The Hurt Syndicate are taking the week off, it would be great to see some challengers established.
Excellent video recap of the Storm/May feud.
GOOD Toni Storm Promo
The usual parade of fascinating metaphors from Toni, some of which inspired and some insipid. I would’ve rated this promo a touch lower if not for Megan Bayne’s appearance to close the segment, at least signalling clear direction for Toni. For every magnificent promo she gives though, sometimes you get segments like these from Toni, segments that are fine and lyrical but lack substance. She is better with a feud to sink her teeth into, and Megan is the perfect feud to achieve that.
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 3.25 Stars
AMAZING The Beast Mortos vs Mike Bailey
Amazing to see Speedball make his AEW debut following his TNA departure, and Mortos was the perfect dance partner, being athletic enough to sell all of Bailey’s offence while dominating enough to show off Bailey’s strength, fighting from the position of the underdog. Plenty of key spots left on the table for future matches too which is always important. Excellent chemistry between the two, and while I think they have an even better match in them, but a perfect TV debut match in its structure and execution.
Result: Mike Bailey by Pinfall via Crescent Kick
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 4 Stars
A superb backstage segment in which Nick Wayne finally stands up to Christian Cage. Some brilliant aggression displayed by both men, even if it often did look like they were about to kiss. AEW, I beg, do not let this drag out, let’s supercharge Nick Wayne off the back of this. Please please please.
MJF is shown fractured and angry post Revolution. Brilliant acting from MJF.
AMAZING MJF/MVP Promo
MJF’s refusal to change in spite of all the evidence he should remains such a compelling trait. MVP is equally such an interesting prescence, a veteran head respected by MJF trying to exploit his vicious side rather than helping him see the light, breaking down and seeing through MJF’s tired excuses. MJF seemed towards the segment end to experience an epiphany or breakthrough, so I will be very curious to see how this moves forward into upcoming weeks. I just hope this move doesn’t cause friction within the Hurt Syndicate, as that is not what this faction needs.
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 4.25 Stars
GOOD Max Caster Promo
Another simple bit of heel braggery. His promo pre match was standard, but his promo during the match (which I will also count) was actually enjoyably funny, too delusional to realise the ill intent.
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 3 Stars
SQUASH Max Caster vs Konosuke Takeshita
More an angle than a match, a quick destruction for Takeshita. Funny and made Takeshita look extremely cool. A fun moment for the show.
Result: Takeshita by Pinfall via Raging Fire
Jericho cuts a well delivered promo whilst holding Gravity’s mask like the skull from Hamlet. Quite unnerving stuff from Jericho in a nicely cinematic manner.
AVERAGE Willow Nightingale vs Penelope Ford
This sadly was below par for these talents, slow and lacking chemistry. There were a few solid sequences, but nothing with clear innovation or psychology, lacking any true reason to invest beyond a briefly enjoyable comeback sequence from Ford. The main event women’s title build continues to build, with a post match attack from Megan Bayne on Kris Statlander, who emerged to help Willow escape a post match beat down. There are stories here and Bayne looked strong in the aftermath, it’s just a shame the match failed to capture the attention of the audience or myself.
Result: Willow Nightingale by Pinfall via Pounce
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 2.75 Stars
Mercedes Mone and Billie Starks is made for next week. Good work from both women to set up a fun first match in the inevitable return of Athena.
GREAT Will Ospreay Promo
What an odd promo this was. The first half felt like a rambling stand up routine while the second half felt like we finally got down to brass tacks and got the meat and potatoes of what he was trying to say. If you cut the phone comedy and just focus on his passion to get to All In through The Owen Hart Cup you have a truly excellent piece of promo work, but as is it only partially comes together.
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 3.5 Stars
Jay White promises to see Ospreay down the road which was a nice touch, before cutting an overlong but well delivered promo promising to take down Moxley as is always the case.
MJF and Hangman Page have a great backstage interaction, furthering MJF’s narrative of how much he believes what he says. Is MJF’s bark more than his bite, that is what MVP and the Hangman feud will I think bring out. Its a very strong direction through the night for MJF.
GREAT Hechicero vs Orange Cassidy
For a main event two of the most innovative wrestlers in the world, this was a surprisingly tame and straightforward main event. OC utilised some excellent selling and there were moments of innovation from OC doing new moves with hands in pockets, but the ever reliable Hechicero felt just a step off the pace today at times compared to his usual fluid high standard, including a very slow and not very well executed finish into the mousetrap roll-up. A solid main, but never hit the gear of the early tournament match and all in all is rather a step down sadly
Result: Orange Cassidy by Pinfall via Mousetrap Pin
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 3.5 Stars
Overall…
This episode of Dynamite felt like a streak of calm after the madness of Revolution. Though the show was not without its occasional interesting moment, it mostly felt a little like spinning wheels before next week, giving a break to some of the guys and gals that put their bodies through hell on Sunday. The show had a very slow start but picked up with a terrific string of segments, beginning with the debut of Speedball Mike Bailey and the excellent Bailey/Mortos matchup, through an amazing backstage segment with Nick Wayne and Christian Cage and culminating with the mightily intriguing relationship with MVP and MJF. Though the culmination of Max’s efforts with MVP and Hangman made for fascinating viewing, it was one of the few bits of key advancement. Overlong, incoherent and/or inconsequential promos from Storm, Ospreay and Omega left a little to be desired, while the main event slightly under-delivered for the calibre of talent involved. Moments of occasional magic mixed with equal moments of mundanity.
Matches: 0.5/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.5/1 Stars
Atmosphere: 0.5/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.5/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/1 Stars
Overall Rating: 2.75/5 Stars
Photo Credit: All Elite Wrestling – March 12th 2025
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