AEW Dynamite is live tonight from Sacramento, California.
Coming off two shows this weekend in Australia, the company has booked a main event featuring two top stars for this week’s episode, as Kenny Omega faces Swerve Strickland. Both wrestlers are coming off losses to Andrade El Idolo in the recent tournament to determine a new number one contender for MJF’s AEW World Championship.
Also scheduled, MJF and Hangman Page will appear in a face-to-face segment after their AEW Revolution match was made official over the weekend.
The in-ring television debut of the Brawling Birds, Jamie Hayter and Alex Windsor, is also set for the show.
The TBS Championship will be on the line, with Willow Nightingale defending against Marina Shafir, Megan Bayne, and Mina Shirakawa in a four-way match.
Dynamite takes place at the Memorial Auditorium in Sacramento. According to WrestleTix, 2,672 tickets had been distributed as of Monday.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern.
AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Bryan Danielson & Tony Schiavone as they throw it to comments from tonight’s competitors.
Mina Shirakawa is up first talking about how it’s Mina Time to grow, as everyone wants her, but she wants the TBS Title. Willow Nightingale talks about not having to be pinned to lose her title tonight, but realizes that comes with the territory. She can kick ass in Australia with Harley and fly to Sacramento to defend her title. Megan Bayne said gold belongs to the All Elite Goddess. We then cut to Swerve Strickland who said he needs this, as Kenny Omega said Strickland got in the way of what he wanted the most, so until he’s no longer in his way, he’ll wish him goodbye and good night.
Renee Paquette caught up with Orange Cassidy earlier today and asked about Roderick Strong walking out on him last week and he said thankfully with The Conglomeration, there are a lot of them. Tomohiro Ishii walks in and he’ll be teaming with Cassidy tonight against Gabe Kidd & Clark Connors.
AEW Continental Champion Jon Moxley vs. Mark Davis in a Continental Title Eliminator
(Fending off another Callis Family member threat, commentary drove home how Moxley hasn’t slayed the one demon he’s wanted to the most so far, in Konosuke Takeshita. Another strong showing from Davis, who continues his run of competitive matches against top tier talent. All roads for Moxley have to lead to Takeshita, so it’s good that he’s still doing Eliminator matches, even though Takeshita will most likely be getting the shot at Revolution.)
During Moxley’s entrance, Renee Paquette is ringside talking about Moxley being unable to close that loop against Konosuke Takeshita, going to a time limit draw with him in Australia. Meanwhile, Davis wants to use this opportunity with Jake Doyle on the shelf, to prove to the Callis Family that he can be their X-Factor. Bryan Danielson was severely disappointed that we didn’t see bald headed Wheeler Yuta during Moxley’s entrance, as he was rocking a hoodie. Despite his history with the Death Riders, Danielson respected that Moxley forced Yuta to get in the ring and have his head shaved after losing the match at Grand Slam.
Davis used his size early, trucking Moxley with a running body block and dishing out corner strikes. Moxley fired back, tried a sunset flip, but Davis squished him like a pancake dropping all his weight on Moxley’s sternum. Sliding forearm strike in the corner, as Moxley wobbles to the outside, where Davis was relentless with his attack. Moxley ducked a punch and Davis clocked the ring post so hard it started to bleed, allowing Moxley to hit a Tope Suicida to get the fans loudly behind him. Moxley wrenched at the fingers and stomped on them on the steps into commercial.
Back from break, Davis has gained control and ran through Moxley against the LED board. Quickly back to the ring, Davis went up top, but Moxley cut him off and bit at the bloody finger before delivering a superplex for the double down. Moxley again went back to the sunset flip, but avoided Davis sitting out and clocked him with a PK, but Davis kicked out at 1. Slugfest ensues at the 10-minute mark, as Davis hits an enzugiri, but Moxley ducked a lariat into a flash cutter. Davis spun out of a sleeper into a backdrop suplex, as both rose from separate corners, charged and Moxley hit a series of lariats, until Davis kicked away at one and hit a home run shot. Davis wanted a piledriver, Moxley slid out, dodged a charge into a school boy for two. Davis, from a gut wrench position hit an insane piledriver, but Moxley just got a shoulder up. Davis slapped on a sleeper, Moxley escaped, but Davis popped him with another lariat. Whiffing on another enzugiri, Moxley followed with a Curb Stomp into the double down. Both collide with clothesline attempts, neither budging initially, but the third, Moxley crumbled. Moxley floated over a piledriver and sank in a Bulldog Choke, where Davis frantically tapped.
Match Result: Jon Moxley submitted Mark Davis
-After Grand Slam last weekend, Hangman Adam Page said he now knows why Andrade is called El Idolo. The next time MJF tries to kick him in the balls, Page will make sure he doesn’t have a happy future. At Revolution, Page is coming for the World Championship and he’ll end MJF to take it. Look into his eyes and know he’s telling the truth, Max.
-FTR & Stokely make their way to the ring, as we’ll hear from the AEW Tag Team Champions up next.
**********
FTR & Stokely Address The Young Bucks
Dax Harwood barely was able to start talking before Shut The F*ck Up chants rang out. He brought up how The Young Bucks called themselves the best team in the world 10 years ago, but cut to today and they’re sitting comfortably in second place. Stokely said truth be told, it pisses him off that last week on Dynamite, The Young Bucks shook hands with The Rascalz & Private Party, which is interesting, as The Bucks tried to run Private Party out of the company a year ago, but now they are good? That fakeness is what Stokely hates about professional wrestling. Who is at the top of FTR’s hate list is Matt & Nick Jackson, under them are their parents, followed by their delinquent kids running around backstage. The Bucks appear behind them and take out Harwood & Wheeler with superkicks, leaving Stokely alone, spinning around in his wheelchair, backtracking like crazy. The crowd chants for another superkick and they got their wish, as Stokely gets clocked out of his wheelchair with a Superkick Party. The Bucks hold up the Tag Titles and officially challenge FTR for the titles at Revolution, in their backyard.
-Brody King is backstage with Bandido at Grand Slam, talking about how he was this close to winning the AEW World Title, he could taste it. King isn’t sitting around feeling sorry for himself, bring the biggest and baddest, February 25th, he’s getting back into the World Title hunt and he’s looking for a fight. Loud F*ck ICE chants were heard from the Sacramento crowd in the background as the promo was shown.
AEW Women’s Tag Team Champion Willow Nightingale vs. Mina Shirakawa vs. Marina Shafir vs. Megan Bayne for the TBS Title
(I thought this turned into a really fun and chaotic four-way. Everyone had their chance to shine and it never really felt like your standard two people outside, two in the ring and rotate type of match like this has a tendency to be. I wouldn’t be surprised if Bayne gets a future one-on-one shot at the TBS Title, as she looked the strongest coming out of this.)
Shafir quickly sends Shirakawa to the outside and turns things into a handicap match as she & Bayne target Nightingale, who is forced to battle back, sending both over the top to the floor. Cannonball connects off the apron, as Shirakawa follows with a huge cross body off the top onto the pile before taking Shafir back inside with a Tornillo for two. Shafir starts fighting back, sending Shirakawa outside again, as Bayne & Shafir ate a double Code Breaker. Numbers became too much, as Shafir set-up Nightingale in the corner, where Bayne hit a hurricanrana, as Shafir followed with an awkward looking Tiger Feint head-scissors, pulling Nightingale outside. Bayne picked up Shirakawa and launched her from the ring to the floor onto Shafir & Nightingale as things go to break.
Things return with Nightingale & Shirakawa battling back, launching off Bayne’s back with a Tornillo on Shafir. Bayne missed a senton on Shirakawa and squashed Shafir, allowing Shirakawa to nail Bayne with a Sling Blade for two. Nightingale flattened everyone in her path with spinebusters as the straps came down for a two count on Shirakawa. All four ladies rise and trade shots, as Shafir no sold Shirakawa initially, but ate the backfist flush. Bayne & Nightingale wipe out Shafir & Shirakawa, collide with a double clothesline for the complete reset.
Nightingale was up first and spiked Bayne with a DVD, but Shafir was there with a Uranage. Shirakawa took her out with a DDT, as Bayne flew in with a flying clothesline. With everyone outside, Bayne took out the pile with a Tope Suicida, but Shafir pulled Bayne back to the floor and both finally slugged it out. Bayne blocked a kick and powerbombed Shafir onto the time keepers table, which didn’t break. Back inside. Bayne went up top for I think a moonsault, but Nightingale cut her off with an Avalanche German Suplex that looked scary as hell. Shirakawa flew off the top with a Shotgun Dropkick and backfist on Nightingale, as she went for the Figure-Four, but Nightingale caught her with a flash cradle for the win.
Post-match, Bayne was left furious on the ramp, Shafir was struggling, as Shirakawa shook Nightingale’s hand, as she stood tall with the TBS & Women’s Tag Team Titles.
Match Result: Willow Nightingale defeated Mina Shirakawa, Marina Shafir & Megan Bayne to retain the TBS Title
-Highlight video package on Grand Slam is shown
-Commentary paid their respects to the recent passing of Kerwin Silfies, Tony Schiavone talked about working with him earlier in his career, while Bryan Danielson got choked up and said he didn’t know anything about production before getting to WWE and gives his condolences to his family. This was a great tribute.
**********
MJF & Hangman Adam Page Face-to-Face
MJF wants to make something clear, he’s not cutting some cutesy promo to sell tickets, he hates Page’s guts, everything about him. How he walks, looks, how he wrestles, his white knight bullsh*t, how the dumb, white trash hicks actually think Page is on MJF’s level and they have the gall to call Page the main character, when clearly it’s MJF. Most of all, MJF hates the fact that Page holds two wins over him, makes him want to puke. Page isn’t better than MJF, he’s a lucky shot, but MJF sees something the idiots can’t, he can see it in his eyes. Maybe it’s his two boyfriends Kenny & Swerve are fighting or maybe Page is in his head that he had a chance to be at the top of the mountain twice and both times, crumbled under pressure. Maybe, Page wonders if he wins the title a third title and crumbles again, will the fans wonder if Page is truly a fraud? The man MJF is looking in the eye isn’t the same guy he fought at Revolution last year, he thinks Page is out of bullets. MJF can’t think of a better birthday gift to himself than to end Page and his Cowboy Sh*t.
Page said between the two of them, he’s the lucky shot? Page talked about the fans carrying him back to the World Title and how he beat the dogsh*t out of MJF last year. If anyone is lucky, it’s the guy who had a guaranteed shot, took it home, waited until they were in front of the largest crowd they ever seen. Returning with a new head of hair, thicker than Mark Davis, waiting until everyone was on the floor, kicked Page in the balls and collected the spoils of greater men. Page said MJF hates him, but he hates Max so much worse. It’s not because of any of the years of cheating and lying, despite all that, it’s when he looks at MJF, he’s never met someone more like Page. MJF’s desperation for love, acceptance, Page is no better than that and he hates it. Page knows how much MJF wants to make his mark and his loyalty to AEW, but as much as everyone wants that title, they both know they needed it. At Revolution, Page wants to end this for good, forever and he thinks MJF knows that this can’t just be a normal wrestling match, so tells MJF to think of a stipulation. Page always have known what this match should be and should let the fans decided.
Crowd starts chanting Texas Death, as MJF quickly shuts them up and said Page is crazy to think they’re going to have anything but a standard wrestling match. Page thought MJF would say that because he’s scared, a coward, he knows what this could mean. If MJF agrees to the stipulation, Page will give him his word, if Page doesn’t win, he’ll never challenge for the AEW Men’s World Title as long as he lives. Smirk was shown on MJF’s face, as he immediately accepts, saying as far as his stipulation goes, unlike these morons, he thinks things through. MJF needs a week to determine the stipulation, but Page said he knows, Texas Death. Page stormed out of the ring and stopped on the aisle, with the realization of what he just offered up hitting him.
-Jon Moxley is backstage with the Death Riders and said the strength of the wolf (or woof, if you know that Moxley backstory of how Renee gives him a hard time about how he pronounces that word) is the pack, he doesn’t like wolves, he likes coyotes, adaptable, survivors. PAC told the Don Callis Family they aren’t like them, so if you want to continue to test this, how about Collision, gather a few of yourselves and they won’t be hard to find. Daniel Garcia said for the Callis Family, it’s just a name, they aren’t willing to live or die for. Moxley said he’s not done with Takeshita, Revolution, Hollywood, No Time Limits. One way or another, there must be a winner, as long as it takes.
The Conglomeration (Orange Cassidy & Tomohiro Ishii) vs. War Dogs (Gabe Kidd & Clark Connors)
(Another hard-hitting match and another week where Darby Allin plays the thorn in the side of the War Dogs. I can only hope that Big Tom isn’t badly injured, though commentary talked about how he might’ve torn his hamstring. It’s amazing that he gutted the finish of this match out, but you’d really expect nothing less from The Stone Pitbull.)
Ishii was worked over and isolated early, but started no selling chops from Connors, as You F’d Up chants rang out in the arena. Ishii started teeing off on Connors before Cassidy tagged in and joined in on the chops the lightest way possible for a two count. Kidd briefly distracted Cassidy, who was able to wipe out Connors with a top rope clothesline, but Kidd caught a Tope Suicida and planted Cassidy with an Exploder, until Connors mowed him down with a tackle. Ishii was launched by Kidd ringside, as the War Dogs stood tall heading into commercial.
Connors tried charging at Cassidy, who had his hands in his pockets, but ate a dropkick into the double down. Ishii & Kidd tag in and trade chops until Kidd bit the forehead. Kidd tried a shoulder tackle, but Ishii didn’t budge, so he delivered one of his own and Kidd went flying. Both up and trade loud chops and slaps until Kidd hit a comebacker lariat for another double down.
Connors tags in, charges, but Ishii collapsed, clutching his hip or hamstring. The crowd goes quiet, as Connors picks Ishii up and hits another lariat for two. Ishii avoided a suplex and planted Connors with a backdrop suplex. Ishii struggled to his feet, but still turned Kidd inside out with a lariat, but Connors hit a snap powerslam. Cassidy returned and spiked Connors with a spinning DDT and hit a Tope Suicida on Kidd. Both men brawl into the crowd, where Darby Allin is shown pretty much kidnapping Kidd deep into the crowd. Cassidy returned to the ring, hit an Orange Punch on Connors, who stumbled back into an Ishii brainbuster for the win.
Post-match, Cassidy & referee Rick Knox checked on Ishii, who looked in really rough shape.
Match Result: Orange Cassidy & Tomohiro Ishii defeated Gabe Kidd & Clark Connors when Ishii pinned Connors
-The Don Callis Family are backstage beating up a bunch of fellas, as Josh Alexander accepts the Death Riders challenge. Don Callis walks in and puts the boots to one of the fallen and accepts Moxley’s challenge on Takeshita’s behalf (he’s celebrating with Kyle Fletcher after he won the TNT Title at Grand Slam). Kazuchika Okada walks in and said he’s love to be celebrating with Fletcher in Australia, but he showed up here to do his job because he’s a champion, unlike Takeshita. Okada welcomes in Andrade and calls him the uncrowned champion. Andrade said his eyes are on the AEW World Title. Callis said he sees Claudio Castagnoli walking around with his CMLL World Title, which would look incredible on the mantle of the Don Callis Family. Callis, Okada, Andrade, Alexander, Lance Archer, El Clon, Rocky Romero all cackle like villains to end the segment.
**********
-HOOK cuts a promo about being the new boss of The Opps with Samoa Joe out with injury. The Opps are recruiting and says he sent Shibata back to Japan for their recruiting overseas, while HOOK will handle recruiting here. HOOK calls himself the greatest second generation wrestler of all time, he’s the leader of The Opps.
The Brawling Birds (Jamie Hayter & Alex Windsor) vs. Viva Van & B3CCA
Windsor starts things out with Van, as the two trade clubbing shots until Hayter made a blind tag that led to a sunset flip running boot combo. Snap suplex from Hayter, as Van continued to be worked over until she kicked free from a Sharpshooter attempt, but missed a corner charge. Van escaped a double suplex and made the hot tag to B3CCA, who connected on a flashly double springboard cutter. The Birds quickly regained control, as they took out Van on the apron, hit a stereo clothesline and a Hart Attack to win it. Schiavone said their finisher is called Two Birds One Stone.
Match Result: The Brawling Birds defeated Viva Van & B3CCA
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Kris Statlander & a returning Thunder Rosa. Paquette said Statlander is still not clear to wrestle for a few weeks and Statlander said she doesn’t want to wrestle; she wants to fight Thekla. Rosa said she was cleared officially today and doesn’t like what’s been happening to Statlander at the hands of Thekla. While Statlander isn’t cleared, Rosa is and she wants a match. Statlander warns Rosa of what Thekla is capable of.
AEW Trios Champion Kevin Knight (w/Speedball Mike Bailey) vs. The Beast Mortos
(While this was a relatively short match, the crowd were really into it from the opening bell. Mortos continues living up to being the Most Underrated winner this year in the Observer Awards, as he’s not on Dynamite often, but when he is, he more than delivers.)
If Mortos wins, then LFI will receive a future AEW Trios Title shot. Mortos charged at the bell, as Knight quickly sent him outside and launched off the apron with a leaping lariat. Back inside, Mortos was able to mow through Knight with a cross body, but missed a follow corner knee, flying back outside. Trying to create distance, but wasn’t successful, as Knight launched over the corner post with a dive, staying in control heading to break.
Mortos worked over Knight during commercial, as he launched Knight over the top and flattened him with a Tornillo that popped the crowd huge. Back inside, Mortos spiked Knight with a massive pop-up Samoan Drop for a near fall. Knight managed to battle back with a huge dropkick into a double down. Knight used his speed to connect on a hang time lariat and big bodyslam before a leaping splash got a two. Mortos avoided a leaping DDT, went to the corner, where Knight met him with a leaping hurricanrana and pendulum DDT. Knight went up top and hit the UFO Splash for the win.
Match Result: Kevin Knight defeated The Beast Mortos
-Another Will Ospreay vignette is shown saying if you think he’ll be half the animal he was when he returns, no, this isn’t where the Best Wrestle, it’s where the Billy GOAT Wrestles.
**********
-Ricochet & G.O.A. are backstage talking about finally putting Jack Perry into the ground last week before talking about Kevin Knight getting lucky against Mortos. Bishop Kaun is furious that Knight & Bailey are having singles matches and not defending the Trios Titles. Toa Liona said this Saturday, be prepared to be in deep waters against sharks. Jet Set Rodeo doesn’t need to have that stupid name much longer; they’re taking the titles. Ricochet turns around to see a knife stabbed on his locker room door, but they laugh it off.
Kenny Omega vs. Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana)
(An unbelievable main event that somehow reached another level when things returned from the last commercial break. This was a PPV caliber showdown, with a whole lot happening down the stretch, as Strickland not only (presumably) put Omega on the shelf for a while, but he’ll undoubtedly have to answer to Hangman eventually. This makes the World Title picture even more compelling that it already was, as Strickland’s heel turn here was completely unexpected, as least to me, this soon. Bryan Danielson pleading in the post-match, only added to the drama and I hope they have some sort of promo interaction in the weeks to come.)
MJF is shown watching backstage before the crowd started the Holy Sh*t chants at the opening bell, as both trade shoulder tackles before slapping one another in the face. Strickland fired off forearms, but ran right into a standing hurricanrana from Omega that sent Strickland outside. Omega wanted a Terminator Dive, but Strickland cut him off and hit a Fosbury Flop. Strickland was sent into the crowd, where Omega briefly stumbled in his initial attempt, but hit a moonsault off the barricade into commercial.
Back from break, Omega got a boot out of the corner, but charged into a Strickland hip toss, roll, which Omega countered into a suplex of his own for the reset. Double axe handles from Omega, who hit a basement dropkick and Kotaro Crusher before a running face-plant slam got a near fall. Omega connected on You Can’t Escape, but Strickland against kicked out at two. Strickland side-stepped a corner charge, brought Omega up in the corner, took too long for a top rope hurricanrana, allowing Omega to slide out and plant Strickland face first on the post. Snap Dragon and running knee decked Strickland for another near fall. Omega quieted the Whose House chants and hit multiple knee lifts until Strickland caught the third into a back breaker/dropkick combo sending Omega to the apron. Danielson said he sees that look in Strickland’s eye, as he slammed Omega repeatedly into the turnbuckles. Strickland wanted a Vertebreaker on the apron, but Omega thankfully floated over, wanted a Snap Dragon and got it.
This Is Awesome chants, as Omega gives a long look at the floor, as he wanted a Snap Dragon off the apron, but Strickland fought him off. Omega switched to headbutts, went back to it tried the Snap Dragon, only Strickland backflipped out to his feet and hit a rolling suplex on the floor. After throwing Omega back inside, Strickland hit a 450 Splash to the back, but Omega kicked out. Both countered Big Pressure and Snap Dragons respectively, until Omega hit a wheel kick to the head and V-Trigger in the corner to follow. Omega wanted an Avalanche Dragon Suplex and got it, as Strickland called to referee Aubrey that his shoulder might’ve been dislocated. As Omega charged for another V-Trigger, Strickland pulled Aubrey in and she took the blow. Omega was shocked initially, as he tried to go for One-Winged Angel, but Strickland rolled through and hit a House Call. Strickland had a visual pin, but there was no referee.
Nana checked on Aubrey, as Strickland went up top and hit a Swerve Stomp on Omega on the apron, with Omega’s face taking a lot of that, as he’s clutching his jaw. Strickland took off the protective cover of the steel keeping up the turnbuckle and hit a slingshot on Omega face first. Strickland called for another referee, as Paul Turner ran out right as Strickland hit a Swerve Stomp, but Omega kicked out and the crowd went nuts. A shocked Strickland rose to his feet, wanted House Call, Omega ducked into a Snap Dragon, V-Trigger to the back and Poison Rana. Omega wanted One-Winged Angel, Strickland escaped, but ran into another V-Trigger. Omega wanted another, but Strickland hit a charging House Call. Big Pressure spiked Omega for the victory and one hell of a main event.
Post-match, Nana danced, as Strickland slowly turned back to Omega and pounced on him with right hands before launching referee Paul Turner from the ring. Strickland took the chain from Nana and wrapped it around Omega’s throat, hanging him over the top rope. Danielson is pleading on commentary that Strickland is better than this. Omega collapses on the floor, as Strickland cleans off the commentary table with Danielson continuing to say Strickland proved his point. Strickland set up the ring steps next to the table and hit a Vertebreaker off them, crashing through the table, as he looked right at the camera saying “I Needed This” repeatedly as the show went off the air.
Match Result: Swerve Strickland defeated Kenny Omega
AEW Collision 2/21/26
- Jet Set Rodeo (Hangman Adam Page, Speedball Mike Bailey & Kevin Knight) defend the AEW Trios Titles against The Demand (Ricochet & G.O.A.)
- Death Riders vs. The Don Callis Family
- Claudio Castagnoli vs. Josh Alexander for the CMLL Heavyweight Title
- Thunder Rosa Returns to Action Against Julia Hart
