AEW Dynamite delivered a thrilling night of action with high-stakes matches, chaotic moments, and the official reveal of the Women’s Tag Team Championship tournament. From championship defenses to rivalries heating up, this episode set the stage for AEW’s future storylines as they head into Full Gear and the first-ever Women’s Blood & Guts Match. Here’s the comprehensive recap, including everything you missed, with Okada vs. Bandido taking center stage in the main event.
Opening Segment — WrestleDream Recap & Roadmap
Dynamite kicked off with a highlight package of AEW WrestleDream 2025, setting the tone for the night. Tony Khan and other AEW figures highlighted key developments post-WrestleDream, most notably the official announcement of the Women’s Tag Team Championship tournament. This tournament, which begins next week, will crown the inaugural champions, providing a fresh chapter in AEW’s women’s division.
The show immediately teased the various storylines that would unfold, particularly the growing tensions in the women’s division, as well as unresolved rivalries from WrestleDream.
Match 1 – The Opps (c) def. The Hurt Syndicate — AEW World Trios Championship
Samoa Joe, Katsuyori Shibata, and Powerhouse Hobbs (The Opps) successfully defended their AEW World Trios Championship against Bobby Lashley, MVP, and Shelton Benjamin (The Hurt Syndicate). The match was brutal, with both teams showcasing their raw power and technical ability. The Opps used their hard-hitting style to wear down their opponents, ultimately retaining their titles after a powerbomb-lariat combination from Hobbs.
Why it matters: The Opps’ dominant victory keeps them firmly in control of the Trios Division, and their continued reign provides AEW with a top-level team to anchor tag and multi-man division storylines. The Hurt Syndicate, while a credible threat, will need to regroup before they can challenge again.
Match 2 — Four-Way Tag Advantage Match – Jamie Hayter & Queen Aminata win
In a high-paced four-corner match, Jamie Hayter and Queen Aminata emerged victorious, defeating Harley Cameron & Willow Nightingale, Julia Hart & Skye Blue, and Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford. Hayter and Aminata pinned Penelope Ford to secure the win, which gave them the strategic advantage of selecting their first-round opponents in the Women’s Tag Team Championship tournament.
Why it matters: Hayter and Aminata’s win positions them as one of the top teams in the tournament. The personal dynamics and alliances in this match also set the stage for the coming weeks of the tournament, where rivalries and storylines are sure to develop.
Match 3 — Kyle O’Reilly def. Jon Moxley
In a hard-fought singles contest, Kyle O’Reilly defeated Jon Moxley. The match featured a mix of hard strikes and grappling sequences, with O’Reilly using his technical expertise to capitalize on an opening. O’Reilly secured the win with a devastating submission, forcing Moxley to tap out.
Why it matters: This victory is a significant milestone for O’Reilly, who has been seeking to make his mark on AEW after a period of turbulence. The loss keeps Moxley in a personal slump, raising questions about his next steps and future rivalries. This result also opens up potential storylines between O’Reilly and other top AEW stars.
Match 4 – The Conglomeration & Roderick Strong def. Death Riders
The Conglomeration (Orange Cassidy and Mark Briscoe) teamed with Roderick Strong to defeat the Death Riders (Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, and Daniel Garcia). The match was an exciting mix of high-flying and submission wrestling, with each team displaying their strengths. In the end, The Conglomeration and Strong took the win after a series of well-executed double-team moves.
Why it matters: This victory gives The Conglomeration momentum as they head into future storylines, while the Death Riders may need to regroup and reassess their approach, particularly with Castagnoli’s ongoing issues with his tag partner, Wheeler Yuta.
Mercedes Moné Segment — Cake Chaos & New Tag Team Alliance
In a chaotic segment, Mercedes Moné was interrupted during her celebratory cake-cutting ceremony by Kris Statlander, who ambushed her and sent Moné crashing through a table. Moné’s celebrations were completely disrupted, and the two women exchanged heated words. Later, Athena appeared backstage and proposed that she and Moné team up in the Women’s Tag Team Championship tournament, a challenge Moné immediately accepted. This surprising pairing sends shockwaves through the women’s division.
Why it matters: This segment further fuels the growing rivalry between Statlander and Moné, with their Full Gear match now being heavily teased. At the same time, the alliance between Moné and Athena provides a fresh angle in the tag division, combining star power with in-ring chemistry.
Match 5 — AEW Unified Championship — Kazuchika Okada (c) def. Bandido
In the main event, Kazuchika Okada successfully defended his AEW Unified Championship against Bandido in a highly anticipated singles match. After a brutal back-and-forth contest, Okada emerged victorious, pinning Bandido after hitting the Rainmaker lariat. Bandido fought valiantly, nearly securing the win with his signature 21 Plex, but Okada’s championship pedigree proved too much for the high-flying challenger.
Why it matters: Okada’s victory preserves his dominance as AEW’s Unified Champion and solidifies his place as one of the top stars in the company. Bandido, though defeated, continues to rise as a major player, having held his own against one of the world’s best. Okada’s win also keeps his storyline with Konosuke Takeshita and Don Callis alive, setting up future confrontations and potential title defenses.
Women’s Tag Team Championship Bracket Reveal
AEW officially unveiled the bracket for the Women’s Tag Team Championship tournament, which will crown the first-ever champions in a series of high-profile matches starting next week. The teams competing in the tournament are:
- Jamie Hayter & Queen Aminata vs. Julia Hart & Skye Blue
- Mercedes Moné & Athena vs. Willow Nightingale & Harley Cameron
- Toni Storm & Mina Shirakawa vs. Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford
Why it matters: The reveal sets up weeks of exciting matchups, with star power and established tag teams facing off. The tournament will not only provide a new focal point for AEW’s women’s division but also tie into existing rivalries, including the Moné–Statlander feud.
Other Notable Moments & Quick Results
- Backstage segments continued to build personal stories. The ongoing tension between Jon Moxley and Kyle O’Reilly was further teased, while Death Riders showed signs of internal conflict.
- AEW’s upcoming schedule was heavily discussed, with Full Gear quickly approaching and more twists likely in store for the main event scene.
Show Closing Beats — Takeaways and What’s Next
- The Opps remain dominant — Their continued reign as Trios champions strengthens the power dynamic in AEW’s multi-man division. Expect challengers like the Hurt Syndicate to return for a rematch soon.
- The Women’s Tag Tournament is now AEW’s most talked-about feature. The inclusion of Moné & Athena as a star-powered team raises the stakes of the tournament, while teams like Hayter & Aminata add intrigue and fresh alliances.
- Okada vs. Bandido was a hard-hitting, championship-worthy match. Okada’s title defense was critical in securing his place as AEW’s top-tier champion, while Bandido’s performance ensures he remains one of the company’s brightest stars.
- Moné vs. Statlander at Full Gear is heating up. The chaos and cake-throwing segment added even more fuel to their fiery rivalry, ensuring the match will be one of the most anticipated at Full Gear.
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