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SB Nation    •   26 min read

Dynamite recap & reactions: Heroes and cowards

WHAT'S THE STORY?

AEW’s YouTube

Dynamite (July 23, 2025) was about heroes and cowards. Hangman Page made a blockbuster challenge, MJF got on the Hurt Syndicate’s nerves, FTR took one step closer to a tag title shot, Athena’s plan to cash-in was spoiled, and more from Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, IL.

Hangman Page was a shark in dangerous waters. The show revolved around the cowboy as world champion, and the climax was a huge announcement. Several stories were connected with the major players. The evening began with Hangman vowing

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to punish Wheeler Yuta for hanging Colt Cabana. MJF butt in claiming that he will beat Hangman to prove a point without using the title contract. Hangman was gruff in response to the gutless coward. He wasn’t giving MJF a free shot at the AEW World Championship.

Hangman went to work to back up his words on Yuta. Yuta was scrappy, but he was no challenge for Hangman. The buckshot lariat sealed the deal for victory. The aftermath was bloody. Hangman used the steel chain to bust Yuta open. The cowboy teased hanging the dirtbag over the ropes, but he stopped short to show him that none of the Death Riders were coming for the save.

That was an intense way to start the show. Hangman put MJF in his place like a punk, then he pounded Yuta without concern. Beating Yuta into a bloody mess was cathartic payback for Cabana, and it created a violent visual to remind that world of Hangman’s edge. I hope that message to Yuta isn’t the start of teasing him breaking away from the Death Riders. AEW jerked that idea too many times for me to care anymore.

Moxley vented about losing to Hangman. Mox acknowledged his failure, so now it’s time to go again. The work doesn’t stop. Moxley will fix his mistake. He teased a showdown for later in the show.

It is interesting that Moxley took accountability and also showed respect for Hangman. It gives me hope that we are past the cowardly heel vibe for the Death Riders. Let them be murderers.

The next piece of the puzzle was Adam Copeland doing business with the Hurt Syndicate to attack FTR. When the dust settled, Cope tried to spear Stokely Hathaway, but Big Stoke shoved a security guard in the way. I am 100% on board for Copeland finding ways to work around the law to target FTR and especially spearing Big Stoke.

The reason for highlighting that Cope deal was to put wheels in motion for MJF complaining that the Hurt Syndicate haven’t helped him enough to win back the Triple B. Bobby Lashley lost his cool to goozle MJF for being selfish. They aren’t lackeys and don’t have to help him with squat. Lashley is already voicing his displeasure to vote MJF out of the group.

Lashley can be a scary man. I like the dynamics of the scene for MVP to give the nod to the big man. It’s curious that AEW appears to be causing strife within the group already. MJF didn’t do anything to get back in their good graces, so it leaves me wondering where tensions stand by next week. Turning on MJF should position the Hurt Syndicate as heels, which would make sense to a degree. The people want to cheer for them, and the top competition (FTR, Young Bucks) are heels right now.

Later in the show, MJF addressed the crowd. He doesn’t need Lashley. He can beat Hangman fair and square. MJF was cut off by Mark Briscoe. He challenged MJF to a match for next week. The coward balked at the request. Maxwell went low. People don’t respect Mark. Even his fans know that he’s a joke. One man people did respect was Jay Briscoe. Mark heard enough and sprinted to the ring. MJF ran away.

That is some dastardly trash talk. I am intrigued by how AEW chooses to resolve this story. MJF shouldn’t be losing right now, but he really does deserve a beating from Briscoe. Losing to MJF would put a ceiling over Briscoe’s head.

That scene transitioned to the main event. Briscoe wrestled Claudio Castagnoli. The Death Rider was in control until Darby Allin moseyed in like a ghost in the crowd.

That distraction helped Briscoe go on a rampage for a cannonball outside, the cactus elbow drop off the commentary table, and leaping from the barricade for a blockbuster.

Claudio regained control, however, Briscoe countered the Neutralizer into a small package for the win. Dat Boy did it. Shove that in your keister, MJF.

After the match, the Death Riders pounced on Briscoe. Moxley called out Hangman. The cowboy answered with a stern proposal. Hangman versus Moxley next week with everyone banned from ringside. Mox had no choice but to say yes, since Hangman calls the shots as champion.

Lots of moving pieces on the chess board, and the payoff was... I don’t play chess, so I don’t know how to finish that sentence. I’ll just say Yahtzee! AEW did a great job of actions creating a chain of reactions. When the evening began, I was not expecting Hangman versus Moxley to be announced as the big surprise finish. Of course, Hangman did it in a badass way. He cornered Moxley on logic to force his terms. The rest of stories are simmering with MJF, Hurt Syndicate, Mark Briscoe, and Darby Allin to build toward an explosion of Dynamite.

Let’s jam through the rest of Dynamite. Catch up on all the details with excellent play-by-play from Claire Elizabeth.

AEW #1 contender tournament: FTR defeated JetSpeed. Quarterfinals bout to determine the Hurt Syndicate’s tag title challengers at Forbidden Door. FTR focused on damaging the legs of the high-flyers, but it didn’t stop JetSpeed from exciting moves, such as this doomsday dropkick from Knight.

On the finish, Dax Harwood executed a slingshot bomb on Bailey, but Knight grabbed Harwood from behind for a crucifix pin. Harwood barely kicked out in time. Knight went for a victory roll, however, Harwood stacked down on top. He grabbed Stokely Hathaway’s crutch for leverage top win.

Excellent tag team action. JetSpeed continue to bring explosive entertainment, while FTR are good foils as rude dudes. Everyone knew Big Stoke would cheat somehow with his crutch. I figured it would be as a foreign object to strike. Applause for the creativity to use the crutch on the pin in that manner. FTR escaped with the win for heel heat as JetSpeed had the fans rocking in support. That method of victory was a gut punch in a good way to feel disappointed but still smile at the way they cheated.

Toni Storm defeated Billie Starkz. Even though this was an eliminator match, Athena made it clear that Starkz’s mission was to hurt the champ. Starkz was aggressive for a competitive match. In the end, Storm put her knees up to block a senton atomico. Timeless slapped on the chicken wing submission to win. The action didn’t stop there. Starkz blindsided Storm with the title belt, then she urged Athena to the ring. The Fallen Goddess smashed Storm’s head into the steel steps. Before Athena could officially cash in, Alex Windsor ran in for the save, which hypes her match against Athena for Collision.

Nice work by Starkz. She finally listened to the boss. ROH viewers will understand. AEW has done a good job of introducing Starkz little by little to the wider audience. She gets opportunities to impress in the ring against top talent, so the losses don’t look bad. The cash-in tease from Athena was just enough to start getting excited. Of course I’d prefer a proper match for this title feud, but the plotting is entertaining for television.

Swerve Strickland defeated Hechicero via disqualification. When Swerve had momentum, Lance Archer blatantly interfered in front of the referee. A skirmish rook place, then Okada hit Swerve from behind with a chair. Swerve rebounded to place Okada’s neck in the chair for a stomp, however, the Rainmaker escaped to safety.

When this match was announced, it seemed foolish to hand Hechicero a loss while he is being built up to challenge Bandido for the ROH world title. Well, that finish answers that. Hechicero showcased his submission skills and the nifty spinning hammerlock slam, and he didn’t lose any shine due to the BS interference. AEW doesn’t use that tactic too often, so I’ll just shrug and hope it doesn’t start to become a crutch. Swerve wasn’t very smart there in the post-match activity. If he breaks Okada’s neck, then no title shot for a while.

Notes: Will Ospreay has been struggling with neck issues, but he kept it to himself. Bruv made a promise to help get back the world title from Jon Moxley. The sacrifice paid off. Now, Ospreay needs to take time off to heal two herniated discs. He hopes to be back for Forbidden Door. When Ospreay returns, he is coming for the Death Riders.

Poetic vignette for Julia Hart, Skye Blue, and Thekla as a new team. The triangle of madness will infect the whole roster.

Willow Nightingale is coming for Thekla.

Nick Wayne will show what his family can do uncaged from Christian holding them down.

Ricochet and the GOA are $200,000 richer. They will invest those winnings in their quest for gold.

Stud of the Show: Hangman Page

That’s how the world champion should be.

Match of the Night: FTR vs. JetSpeed

Engaging story in the ring for tag team wrestling.

Grade: B

Lots of intensity. The story pieces strung together in interesting ways.

Share your thoughts about Dynamite. How do you rate it? What were your favorite moments from the show? Who impressed you the most?

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