Another bittersweet episode was in store for AEW Dynamite
(Sep. 30, 2026) after the death of PAC (Benjamin Satterley). As always, AEW delivered a classy tribute to honor the man. This was supposed to be the fallout episode from All Out. Due to the circumstances, this show was not about storylines. Dynamite was focused on tributes and wrestling. One of the surprise tributes was Brian Danielson returning to the ring.Tribute to PAC
The best was saved for last to close the show with a tribute music video
containing footage and photos from PAC’s career on the indies and in AEW. An empty chair with PAC’s towel was set up all night for the Death Riders to pass during their entrances. The final image was poignant with the spotlight on the chair as the Death Riders stood together in the shadows of the background.
AEW aired several tear-jerking promos from wrestlers remembering PAC. A similar theme shined. PAC was a Bastard on screen and a wonderful person behind the curtain. My favorite story was Darby Allin recalling the match on the golf course at Fairway to Hell. Allin assumed that PAC would be stern about keeping the action in the ring, then he found PAC playing in the sand trap coming up with spots. That drove home the point that PAC truly loved professional wrestling.
That promo and all the rest from this episode can be found here compiled in one article.
Bryan Danielson surprise
The moment came unexpectedly after Jon Moxley defeated Orange Cassidy in the opening bout. Mox savored the victory in honor of PAC, then familiar music hit the speakers as the fans erupted with enthusiasm. Danielson hugged it out with the man who attempted to murder him. All in the good name of PAC.
That wasn’t the last we saw of Danielson. The reunion with Moxley was a prelude to joining the Death Riders in the ring for the main event.
A 10-man tag was set between the Death Riders and the Callis Family. The burly crew of Josh Alexander, Mark Davis, Lance Archer, Jake Doyle, and Wardlow arrived to the ring. Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Daniel Garcia, and Gabe Kidd represented PAC’s team, but that only makes four. Moxley sat on commentary with a nonchalant attitude to usher in the surprise of Danielson as the final teammate. The execution for this reveal was smooth to pack a punch.
The match formula was isolation tactics by the Callis Family to set up hot tags for the Death Riders. Danielson received one such tag to run wild. In the end, the Death Riders were a well-oiled machine. Danielson and Yuta cleared the coast with a suicide dive. Kidd clobbered a running clothesline to Doyle. Garcia slapped on the sharpshooter, and Claudio added a curb stomp. Garcia pinned Doyle for the win.
That was a great touch adding Danielson to the mix. The final group hug brought tears far and wide.
Let’s jam through the rest of Dynamite emanating from Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Catch up on all the details with excellent play-by-play from Claire Elizabeth.
AEW Continental Championship: Jon Moxley (c) defeated Orange Cassidy to retain the title. One of the few storyline bits on the show was a post-PPV promo from Moxley after losing to Will Ospreay. This was the last time PAC was filmed in AEW. Moxley has no regrets losing the match. He gave his best. Losses happen, and he will bounce back. Moxley continued about how they have the best job in the world. It’s Ospreay’s turn to carry AEW into the future. This is the kind of promo that earns Moxley fans, even though, he is the bad guy.
This match was booked as PAC’s friend versus PAC’s rival. They had a humorous callback to Cassidy’s breakout contest against PAC. Mileage will vary with OC’s comedy, but Moxley made it cool with his reactions. Cassidy did the rolling bit only for Moxley to cut him off. I laughed at Cassidy’s wry smile. His games paid dividends for an explosion of offense on a suicide dive and a tornado DDT. Later, Moxley borrowed a page from that book to roll away from Cassidy.
When Cassidy did the lazy kicks, Moxley hammered him with hard blows. Moxley did the lazy kicks back to mock him, so Cassidy put his hands in his pockets. Moxley teased doing the same then flashed the double bird. Once again, this played right into Cassidy’s tactics for a dropkick and superman punches.
The finish was a banger. Moxley crushed PAC’s running clothesline then went for the Brutalizer submission. No dice as Cassidy reversed for his own Brutalizer attempt. Moxley smoothly escaped to pop up for a curb stomp. The Death Rider maneuver sealed the deal for the champ.
Entertaining clash of personalities. Moxley’s aggression worked so well here, because the vibe was that he might break character to join in Cassidy’s fun. Moxley stayed true to form to keep the wrestling engaging. The finish was slick in how Moxley grabbed Cassidy’s foot to set up the curb stomp. Those are the kind of technical details that stick out.
Kenny Omega, Young Bucks, & Hangman Page defeated Kyle Fletcher, Kevin Knight, Rocky Romero, & Trent Beretta. This match was booked as an Elite reunion in honor of PAC. There was no story for it. The reunion was in the bubble of the tribute show. The Elite feasted with teamwork offense. The Callis Family were excellent foils as heel fodder to see the Elite go to work. Trent ate the loss taking the Buckshot Trigger combo, the BTE Trigger, and the One Winged Angel. Omega made the pin.
Will Ospreay defeated Ricochet. Non-title bout for the world champion. They started with a hug then got down to business. The action was as wildly athletic as you would expect. Ricochet landed a phoenix splash from the middle rope.
The craziest move was a shooting star Pele kick from Ricochet followed by a proper shooting star press.
Ospreay took control in the end by countering the Spirit Gun into the Styles Clash. Instead of covering for a pin after hitting the Hidden Blade, Ospreay honored PAC with the Black Arrow to win. Respect was exchanged for a hug after the match.
Marina Shafir, Thunder Rosa, & Hyan defeated Mercedes Moné, Persephone, & Dr. Britt Baker DMD. Shafir and Mercedes were additions to the previously scheduled tag team bout. This match was about giving Shafir a chance to shine in honor of PAC as Death Riders teammates. Baker applied the Lockjaw submission on Shafir. Shafir showed strength to power up for an escape with a badass judo throw, then she slapped on the Brutalizer to tap out Baker. Shafir broke into tears upon victory. Respect to Baker for taking a backseat and eating the loss in her hometown for the greater purpose.
Stud of the Show: Bryan Danielson
Even if this was a one-off return, it was great to see Danielson back in the ring to honor PAC.
Match of the Night: Jon Moxley vs. Orange Cassidy
PAC’s most famous match in AEW is probably that tango with Cassidy. This clash with Moxley was a good representation of that memory.
Grade: RIP, PAC
AEW hit another home run for this tribute show. The promos were emotional, and the action played into PAC’s style perfectly. I enjoyed how most of the finishes were in honor of PAC. Everyone in AEW should be proud of the effort.
Share your thoughts on the tributes to PAC, the matches, the surprise of Bryan Danieson, and all the rest. What were your favorite moments from the show?
