AEW Dynamite rocked with loads of storyline material on Wednesday night (July 1, 2026). The episode featured MJF issuing a big stipulation for Kenny Omega, Will Ospreay giving his answer about joining the Death Riders, crowning a new TBS champion in Survival of the Fittest, and more from Viejas Arena in San Diego, California.
MJF’s big stipulation
Big Hebrew came up with a big stipulation after Kenny Omega ran his mouth about his desire to challenge MJF for the AEW World Championship. This episode
intertwined the stories of MJF, Ospreay, and Omega throughout the show, so I’m going to cover the segments in order.
Dynamite opened with an interesting scene post-Forbidden Door. Jon Moxley offered Ospreay an official spot in the Death Riders. When Ospreay inquired about what ‘it’ is, Mox answered with a sensei riddle. “He who defines himself can never know who he really is.” Mox’s pitch was to elevate AEW to where the best wrestle. He handed Ospreay the Death Riders patch, and Ospreay was in deep reflection about whether to accept. We found out his answer later.
The camera panned over to Omega standing there the whole time without anybody noticing. Omega was concerned about Ospreay heading down the wrong path under Moxley’s tutelage. Ospreay wasn’t hearing that bunk, and he accused Omega of giving up on himself. MJF stepped in with a cocky attitude toward Omega, so Kenny teased to guess who is coming for the Triple B. MJF looked right past Omega to say he’ll see Ospreay in Wembley Stadium.
Great way to kick off the fallout episode to Forbidden Door. It plants the seeds and sets the tone for the world title picture heading to All In. Moxley’s philosophical teachings are amusing. I side with Ospreay in defending Moxley to Omega. Mox has done nothing villainous in pushing Ospreay to be his best. It’s a weird line that gets crossed when the Death Riders cheat in matches, however, they have shown to have Ospreay’s back. I also like how this scene built the chip on Omega’s shoulder, which comes into play later. The way MJF dismisses Omega as a threat to look right past him toward Ospreay was a great touch of disrespect.
AEW World Championship: MJF (c) defeated Mark Briscoe to retain the title. MJF has business to handle in the opening match against Dat Boy. The story in the ring revolved about the Jay Driller. Briscoe went for the double underhook setup several times, but MJF escaped often either by skill or cheap tricks like gouging the eyes. Briscoe eventually executed that signature maneuver, and MJF kicked out of it for the first time in his career. MJF rallied to win via Heatseeker piledriver.
Fun match as expected. It was bloody, filled with drama, sprinkled with high spots, and acted as the storytelling tool needed for MJF’s next chapter. MJF targeted a wound from the steel cage match, and Briscoe bled profusely for much of the fight. I was not expecting that much crimson. The near falls had good teases. Briscoe made a soft cover on the Cutthroat Driver, and MJF kicked out. Briscoe was close to winning after a foggy bow outside through a table, however, MJF put his foot on the ropes to break the three-count. This all set up the belief that Briscoe could win with the Jay Driller. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be. MJF wrestled a smart game with defensive strategy for Briscoe’s tendencies.
Afterward, MJF delivered a Dynamite Diamond Punch. Omega ran out for the save, and they gabbed about a title shot. MJF had a big idea to deal the same stipulation used on Cody Rhodes and Hangman Page. If Omega loses, then no more shots at the AEW World Championship ever again. MJF wanted an answer by the end of the night, or else the offer expires. This was a good hook to keep viewers interested in Omega’s answer.
Backstage, MJF warned that payback is coming to Andrade, and it will hit El Idolo like a ton of bricks. He also joked that Omega is gutless. Ospreay stepped in, and MJF reiterated that he will see him in Wembley. MJF’s confidence for the potential All In showdown builds up the moment even greater should he lose the title before then.
Speaking of Andrade, he is done with the Callis Family. It’s time to beat MJF and win the world title. Apparently, the Callis Family is not done with Andrade. They attacked Andrade, and Brian Cage planted El Idolo with the Drill Claw. With all those numbers, it leaves me wondering if Rush will help his old pal down the line.
Later backstage, the Young Bucks voiced their concern about Omega taking the risk of MJF’s stipulation. Omega didn’t like the man he became during his first title reign, and this is the chance to make it right.
Jon Moxley & Will Ospreay defeated Blake Christian & Lee Johnson. Swirl isolated Moxley, with help from Jay Lethal. Marina Shafir retaliated by suplexing Lethal on his head.
Hot tag to Ospreay running wild. He caught Christian for a cutter. Moxley hit the Paradigm Shift on Johnson, and Ospreay closed with the Hidden Blade. The takeaway was that Ospreay had the Death Riders patch on his tights, so that decision is official.
Ospreay and Moxley have bigger things on their plate in solo action, but I can’t help being curious how they would stack up in the tag team division. The Paradigm Shift to Hidden Blade combo should put down any man. Imagine the possibilities of this Death Riders duo against Cope & Christian, the Young Bucks, and FTR. That would be interesting to explore down the line.
As Omega was ready to close the show with his decision, Ospreay pulled him aside. Omega believes in himself, and he will go out guns blazing. Bruvs hugged.
Omega accepted the big stipulation from MJF. He is proud to give it 100% in the ring every time. Omega is proud of his career, but a selfish part in him knows it isn’t enough. With support from the fans, Omega believes he can represent AEW as a champion to be proud of. He can still be the Best Bout Machine. The match is on for next week at Beach Break. With that in mind, AEW heated the tension with a pull-apart brawl.
Thumbs up for the show ending hot. I’m pumped to see Omega wrestle MJF next week. I’m surprised that AEW is rushing into MJF versus Omega on TV, but I like that decision. If Omega wins, then he gets more time as world champion to establish that reign before presumably losing to Ospreay at All In. If MJF wins, then it should make him even more hated when fighting Ospreay in Wembley Stadium. Of course, there is the possibility of a screwy finish resulting in a rematch at the next PPV. In terms of setting up the match, AEW did a great job. MJF was a scumbag, like usual. Omega really sold the gravity of the stipulation. Ospreay was in the middle enough to roll with the story in either direction depending on the opponent in London.
Let’s jam through the rest of Dynamite. Catch up on all the details with excellent play-by-play from Claire Elizabeth.
Survival of the Fittest for the TBS Championship: Hikaru Shida defeated Kris Statlander, Maika, Harley Cameron, Persephone, and Queen Aminata to win the vacant title. The main event bout was given about 20 minutes. All six entered for the elimination match. Harley was the first one eliminated. She felt the groove teaming with Persephone. Harley got too comfortable trusting her, and that bit her. Persephone snatched Harley off the turnbuckles for the crucifix bomb and pin.
Maika was the second elimination. Shida used the referee as a distraction to score the roll-up. Aminata was the third elimination. After a headbutt, she was geared to finish Shida. Persephone swooped in for a sneaky roll-up on Aminata. Persephone’s comeuppance came at the hands of Statlander on a counter series of roll-ups. The finish came down to Shida versus Statlander. Persephone didn’t leave as a good sport. In a pivotal moment, she cracked Statlander with the title belt. This was no DQ, so that shot was fair game. Shida locked in a submission, but Statlander was already out cold. The referee ended the match and awarded the win to Shida.
Solid outing for Survival of the Fittest. It had the natural drama from creative eliminations. Persephone was the standout as the straw that stirred this drink. The cheap finish is a smart way to set up longevity in storytelling. Statlander should be occupied in getting revenge on Persephone, while Shida gets her run with the belt. It’s no surprise that StatDaddy and Shida were the final two, and no doubt that they meet again to fight over the TBS Championship.
TNT Championship: Kevin Knight (c) defeated Lio Rush to retain the title. Knight tweaked his knee early, and that allowed space for Lio to work his character antics. Knight surged in the end to win on the Crash Landing slam.
Lio continues to get over with the Blackheart character. The crowd was hugely behind him with support. Callis helped with that aspect by freaking out about Lio. I wonder what this version of Lio is like performing everyday activities. I want to see Thekla take Lio to the strip club to make it rain.
After Knight’s win, Darby Allin came out on stage to demand a TNT title shot. Callis cut Knight off from accepting the challenge. Callis refused to reward criminal behavior from Allin. That sounds like a recipe for Allin to increase the carnage until he gets what he wants. I’m curious how far Allin with go. Trent Beretta and Rocky Romero should be worried about becoming the sacrificial victims. They get no respect, and the Callis Family might not notice if they go missing.
Notes: Adam Copeland explained Jay White’s return as paying back a favor. Christian Cage still hates Switchblade. I don’t remember anything about White’s storylines with Cope and Christian. I need a video package on that one.
White addressed the crowd with his focus on beating up David Finlay.
Shane Taylor Promotions claimed to run Collision, and they called out the Bang Bang Gang, aka Collision cowboys.
Mercedes Moné gloated at the harbor about winning the Hart Hart Cup twice. I wonder if she smuggled in Beast Mortos on that boat for the celebration party.
Tommaso Ciampa accused Chris Jericho of being a bully. Jericho backed up his bravado with a brawl backstage. This was a nice little scene to keep the juice hot for their match next week at Beach Break.
Stud the Show: Persephone
Perse created three new feuds and a possible partnership with the TBS champion. That should set her up for plenty of quality TV time in the coming weeks.
Match of the Night: MJF vs. Mark Briscoe
This was an effective way to close the chapter on their rivalry for now.
Grade: B
Fun action in the ring with plenty of stakes. The story arc throughout the episode created a reason to stick around for Omega’s answer.
Share your thoughts about AEW Dynamite. How do you rate it? What were your favorite moments from the show? Who impressed you the most?
