Wow! AEW Dynamite (Sep. 2, 2026) wasted no time in setting up world champion Will Ospreay versus Jon Moxley in a surprise finish to the show. Not even Moxley saw that coming. The fallout episode from All In also featured Adam Copeland & Christian Cage setting up a TLC match, Thekla confronting Mercedes Moné over the women’s world championship, Darby Allin in an awesome brawl for TNT gold, New Level & Swerve Strickland strutting in style for a trios title defense, and more from Credit Union of Texas
Event Center in Allen, TX.
World champion vs. Sensei
Most of us expected Will Ospreay to face former mentor Jon Moxley at some point during this world title reign, but I don’t think many expected it to be this soon. Tony Khan surprised everyone to book that match for the All Out PPV on September 26 in Chicago.
The evening started with the question of who would step up to be Ospreay’s first world title defense. Bruv cut a passionate babyface promo that the crowd ate up with a smile. Ospreay spoke with confidence like the best wrestler in the world. That promo makes me believe, and it makes me believe that he believes. So, would there be a rematch with Kenny Omega? Ospreay left the ball in Omega’s court. The champ is satisfied at the 2-2 series, because they are now recognized on the same level of greatness. If Omega wants to break the tie, then name the time and place.
A name from Ospreay’s past wanted to be next. Ricochet interrupted to take credit for elevating Ospreay’s career back in the day. He demanded the first shot. Gabe Kidd cut in line with anger about Ospreay stealing his opportunity to become the first Englishman to win the world title on home soil. I like both those excuses to justify title shots in their minds. Ricochet played to his own ego, and Kidd is a madman with an imaginary slight.
When the heels tried to get aggressive with Ospreay, that led to a 10-man tag team match. Bruv’s mates in the United Empire had his back, but they were still one man short. One important note about Ospreay’s promo is that he wants to recruit his own United Empire stable in AEW. That should be a cool direction, which got overshadowed by the Moxley news. Callum Newman had the man for the job, and that man is already a member of United Empire. Enter Andrade. “How you know?” This created an interesting dynamic with El Idolo possessing a world title contract from the Casino Gauntlet.
You may be wondering where MJF fits into the picture. It sounds like the back of the line for now. MJF ranted with anger about Ospreay screwing him out of the world title. There will be payback, and nobody will see it coming.
Time for the main event. Sides were Ospreay, Newman, Henare, Francesco Akira, and Andrade versus Ricochet, Bishop Kaun, Toa Liona, Kidd, and Clark Connors. The action was as hectic as expected for a 10-man tag in AEW. I loved Henare hossing with Liona. Meat! The babyface team selfie with Andrade’s lady of the night was funny.
The question was if any tension would explode between Ospreay and Andrade as teammates. The answer was no. In fact, Andrade saved Ospreay from a spear in the end. El Idolo connected on a timely back elbow strike as Connors ran the ropes. Andrade served Ospreay the win via Hidden Blade. The champion shook hands with the future challenger.
Business picked up in a big way after the match. The fighting continued, and Kidd was alone with a chair threatening to maim Ospreay. That’s when the Death Riders arrived. Curious by his absence was Moxley. When Kidd was ready to deal a death blow, Moxley urgently arrived to get in the way to protect Bruv. This part was a little weird and confusing to figure what AEW was going for. I hope it’s pivoting after that horrendous murder death kill heel turn from Moxley at Redemption. They slowed the maniacal side of Moxley since then and even showed the sensei handing the flag to Ospreay for his All In world title win. It still makes sense in story that Moxley would protect Ospreay, even though, that previous part of the story could have been told cleaner.
Khan threw a swerve to close the show by flashing the match graphic on the big screen for Ospreay versus Moxley for the world title at All Out. Moxley sold that moment great with shock and surprise in his eyes as his jaw dropped. It was a smooth touch at the end when Moxley realizes they will be opponents and removed his helping hand, so no more friendly protection with the world title on the line.
This is a curious choice to book Ospreay versus Moxley so soon. I immediately wondered if AEW wanted to ensure a big turnout in Chicago with the tease of WWE counterprogramming with CM Punk at Worlds Collide in the same city on the same night. Ospreay versus Moxley should do the trick. It is the biggest PPV match AEW can make at the moment given current storylines. I’m sold on it. The match should be epic with the killer instinct angle and what could be Moxley’s final lesson as he passes the torch in defeat. I also enjoy how there a lot of questions to answer in the coming weeks. Are the Death Riders on board with Moxley’s protective attitude? Will Gabe Kidd pick a fight with Mox instead? Will Ospreay need to make quick decisions for new teammates to fight the Death Riders? And the list goes on.
Let’s jam through the rest of Dynamite. Catch up on all the details with excellent play-by-play from Claire Elizabeth.
AEW World Trios Championship: Swerve Strickland & New Level (c) defeated the Rascalz to retain the titles. Electric offense from both teams. New Level opened their bag of cool moves, and Swerve joined in for slick teamwork as a true trio. The Rascalz had plenty of cool moves of their own. The one that takes the cake is Myron Reed leaping over the ropes for a cutter on Austin Creed and also a hurricanrana on Swerve. Amazing!
In the end, Swerve saved Kofi with a House Call kick to intercept Dezmond Xavier midair. New Level closed with a flying stomp powerslam combo, and Swerve added another House Call. Kofi pinned Xavier for the win.
New Level wrestled like stars. That’s easy to take for granted given their popularity from WWE. It’s still an important step considering there are first-time viewers and first-time in a long time viewers. Not all of the AEW fanbase watches WWE. I like how Swerve is treating this like a real trios team with his involvement in combo offense. I do think it’s silly that Swerve is a babyface all of a sudden, but it is what it is. The important part in the ring is elevating the champs so that their future title defenses feel like a big deal. Credit to the Rascalz for shining in their role.
Afterward, New Level crossed paths with the Young Bucks, and tension was hot.
Tables, Ladder, Chairs. The Young Bucks put on their tough guy pants to call out Adam Copeland and Christian Cage for cheating to keep the tag titles at All In. FTR interrupted to talk trash. The champs arrived on stage. Christian pointed out that people don’t ask how they won. They ask who won. Cope was the voice of reason with a solution to make things right. He proposed a three-way dance with chairs, tables, and ladders at All Out. TLC? Yes, please. Technically, the match graphic calls it a ladder match. Christian and Copeland turned this into a fun segment to pop the crowd with the tease for the match.
TNT Championship: Darby Allin (c) defeated Mark Davis to retain the title. This match was awesome. It was the classic Allin style of match turned up to 11. The action started when Davis blindsided Allin off his skateboard.
The brawling outside continued for a good chunk of time as Davis tossed Allin like a sack of potatoes over the timekeeper table.
Allin climbed the upper level in the stands for a Coffin Drop.
In the end, Allin blitzed offense and closed with a pair of Coffin Drops.
Afterward, RPG Vice attacked Allin. Steven Borden ran in for the save with a big air on a leapfrog and a dropkick. Josh Alexander made a surprise return to give the power back to the Callis Family. Alexander slapped on an ankle lock to Allin, and Davis spiked Borden on a piledriver.
That brief summary doesn’t do justice to the chaos. If you enjoy the style of Allin and Davis, then this is a must-watch match. Davis made it entertaining in how he treated Allin like a test dummy. Of course, Allin was going to win, and he rallied in style in his own special way. The addition of Borden and Alexander ups the stakes for excitement. Borden caught me in awe of his athleticism. I was not expecting the height on that dropkick. It’s great to see Alexander back in the fold from injury. He can slide into his role as enforcer, where he found his groove before injury. This sure feels like the wheels are in motion for Borden to debut in a tag match.
Megan Bayne defeated Alex Windsor. Slugfest. Lena Kross tried to cheat with the title belt. Jamie Hayter brawled with her. In the commotion, Bayne clocked Kross with the object, then the Megasus closed with a running powerbomb. I’m happy that this tag team feud doesn’t appear to be over just yet. Divine Dominion and the Brawling Birds have good chemistry beating each other up. Bayne and Windsor unleashed aggression in this bout. Give me more.
CEO celebration. Mercedes Moné is the one smiling as world champion. She revealed a busted nose and black eyes while mocking Willow Nightingale’s loss.
Before Mercedes could toast with tequila, Thekla interrupted from high above. The Toxic Spider wanted to know when Mercedes is ready to give her title back. The charisma from both women in this promo session was another level. This feud will be fire. Thekla rattled off a tongue-twister using her catchphrase in the clip below.
AEW Continental Championship eliminator: Jon Moxley (c) defeated AR Fox. Moxley wrestled with gritty submissions and strikes. Fox thrilled with flash. His best shot to win as on a 450 splash. Moxley gained control in the end for a counter sleeper, then he transitioned to the Death Rider for victory. Interesting clash of styles that resulted in a meat and potatoes victory for Moxley.
Notes: For those placing bets, Dynamite had a 25 minute overrun past the 2-hour time slot. Last week was no overrun, so this starts a new streak.
Chris Jericho talked smack to Nick Wayne. The Prodigy slapped that old man. Fisticuffs erupted. That young punk kicked Jericho in the nads. That was an effective way to heat this up fast. Wayne does a good job making it easy to hate his character.
Dr. Britt Baker DMD and Persepone claim to be the perfect pair to rule the women in AEW. Perse will be a fighting TBS champion and defend against Vertvixen on Collision. This promo answers questions about why they are aligned.
Kyle Fletcher and Kevin Knight bickered about losing titles at All In. Don Callis booked them in a tag team match on Collision to build cohesion. Okada rubbed it in with a smile. It’s always humorous when Okada stirs the pot.
Stud of the Show: Steven Borden
Don Callis wasn’t lying about Borden being an athletic specimen. Jumping off a ladder at All In was cool, but most wrestlers can do that. I was left impressed on Dynamite by his leapfrog and the height on his dropkick. Sting Jr. is quickly creating interest in his few minutes on screen.
Match of the Night: Darby Allin vs. Mark Davis
Car crash wrestling in the best way possible.
Grade: B+
I was wondering if AEW would have a hangover for this episode coming out from All In in Wembley Stadium. That was far from the case. The action was its usual frantic pace of athleticism, and a few matches were extremely hard-hitting too. The best aspect from this show is a jolt of excitement to see what happens. Ospreay versus Moxley, Mercedes versus Thekla, and TLC are all directions that have me hyped for All Out.
Share your thoughts about AEW Dynamite. How do you rate it? What were your favorite moments from the show? Who impressed you the most?
