The AEW World Championship is on the line inside a solid steel cage on tonight’s Dynamite Beach Break special.
Jon Moxley of The Death Riders puts his AEW World title up in a steel cage against Samoa Joe of The Opps on tonight’s episode from suburban Chicago.
A Women’s World title eliminator four-way is also scheduled for tonight, with Women’s World Champion Toni Storm facing newly-crowned NJPW Strong Women’s Champion AZM, Mina Shirakawa, plus the returning hometown star Skye Blue.
After their confrontation on last week’s Collision episode, Ricochet and Zach Gowen will go one-on-one on tonight’s show.
The Owen Hart Foundation men’s tournament finalists will also team on tonight’s episode, as Hangman Adam Page and Will Ospreay take on Konosuke Takeshita and Josh Alexander of The Don Callis Family. Page and Ospreay will battle in the Owen finals at Double or Nothing for the right to challenge for the AEW World title at All In Texas in July.
**********
AEW Dynamite: Beach Break comes on the air with Sum 41’s “You Wanted War” playing for the opening theme, as Excalibur welcomes us alongside Taz & Ian Riccaboni. The music for Will Ospreay hits, as it’s time for the opening tag match. The camera keeps splitting between picture in picture for Ospreay’s entrance, but it got sorted once Hangman Page walked out, signing a fans shirt in the process, which Ospreay noticed and approved of.
Hangman Adam Page & Will Ospreay vs. Konosuke Takeshita & Josh Alexander (w/Don Callis)
(Excellent opener, with the action fast and furious, while just slighting teasing the dissention between Page & Ospreay for most of the match, until the finish. The crowd popped huge for the end, as the post-match was exactly what you’d expect, as the cracks were finally going to give, as Ospreay & Page are on their road to the Owen Hart Foundation Final. I almost hope they get a run as a tag team at some point simply for the stereo Buckshot/Hidden Blade combo, which was wildly impressive.)
Riccaboni pointed out the only blemish on Ospreay’s record in 2025 was a tag team loss a few weeks ago to the Callis Family. Ospreay & Takeshita kick things off with a lighting quick opening sequence before Alexander tags in. After a snap hurricanrana, Ospreay was about to tag Page, but a brief delay allowed Alexander to hit a flapjack. A wild pump knee Doomsday Device off the ropes by Takeshita, who tried to target the kidneys, but Ospreay managed a head scissors and hot tag to Page. Springboard lariat, slingshot plancha and moonsault off the apron wiped out Alexander, as Takeshita was planted with a DVD back inside for two, as Callis reluctantly put him over on commentary. Both up and trade Tombstone attempts until Page hits a sit-out powerbomb for a near fall. Page seemed hesitant to tag Ospreay, but did, as the two hit a sliding lariat/standing Shooting Star combo. Ospreay was wildly backdropped to the floor by both Takeshita & Alexander, who leveled Page with a sliding cross body on the apron. Takeshita got a head of steam and connected on a somersault dive onto Ospreay & Page as things went to commercial.
The Callis Family controlled the entire break, isolating Page, who woke up after Alexander opted to start slapping him in the face. Ankle lock applied, but Page kicked free and Alexander collided with his partner, allowing Ospreay to make the tag with a full head of steam. Double handspring Pele Kick led to a standing Sky Twister Press on Alexander for two. Page decked Takeshita with a big boot, as both Page & Ospreay had a brief stare down before hitting stereo moonsaults off the top to the outside, as Ospreay patted Page on the head. Pip, Pip, Cheerio connects by Ospreay back inside, as Alexander fought off Storm Breaker and countered a handspring into a spinning Torture Rack slam for two. Ospreay was clocked by a Takeshita right hand, but over-rotated a Blue Thunder Bomb and didn’t get much of it for a near fall.
Page tried making the save, but Alexander flattened him with a release overhead German. Helluva Kick decked Ospreay, as Alexander & Takeshita hit a stereo ripcord pump knee/lariat, but Ospreay kicked out. They wanted the Doomsday knee again, but Ospreay countered into a Poison Rana and Oscutter twice, but Alexander got a shoulder up. Ospreay signaled for Hidden Blade, but Page got a blind tag. Alexander ducked a Buckshot, Page narrowly put on the brakes to avoid hitting Ospreay, who tried Hidden Blade, Alexander again ducked and Ospreay came within inches of hitting Page, but pulled up at the last second. Both got on the same page and hit dueling finishers, Buckshot Blade or Hidden Buckshot if you will, for the victory.
Post-match, Page & Ospreay were having an intense face-off, when Takeshita & Alexander attacked. Ospreay fought back with a Hidden Blade on Alexander, suplex on Takeshita and Ospreay swung wildly with a forearm, decking Page. Referee Bryce had to separate both men, as Ospreay was trying to say he thought it was Alexander, but stormed to the back when Page didn’t want to hear any of it.
Match Result: Hangman Adam Page & Will Ospreay defeated Konosuke Takeshita & Josh Alexander via Buckshot/Hidden Blade combo
-Video package for Jon Moxley vs. Samoa Joe in a Steel Cage Match in the main event tonight is shown.
-Alicia Atout is in the back with Top Flight & Leila Grey, as we’re told they are in action tonight against The Hurt Syndicate. Dante Martin is fired up and said last week, if MJF wants to stick his nose in their business, he’ll bite it off. Darius said tonight, they’re going to defeat The Hurt Syndicate and are coming for the Tag Team gold.
ROH Tag Team Champions Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara walk in, as Rhodes gives his approval, saying they need to use that doubt in people’s minds as fuel to prove them wrong. Rhodes & Guevara will be watching later tonight.
Ricochet vs. Zach Gowen
(Gowen put up one heck of a fight and got the crowd behind him with their pure hatred of Ricochet, even kicking out of some heavy shots, but wasn’t meant to be at the end.)
Ricochet strutted to the ring with Gowen’s prosthetic leg he stole from him last week on Collision, resulting in Gowen coming to the ring on crutches, hugging his kids ringside. Commentary put over Gowen and his history, sharing the ring with Paul Wight, Shelton Benjamin, Mark Briscoe, even teaming with The Great Muta in AJPW in 2007. Gowen tried to goad Ricochet to go to the ground to start, as he literally chased Ricochet from the ring, so Gowen hit a slingshot cross body, landing on his foot. After shining up Ricochet’s head and hitting a palm strike, Ricochet slammed Gowen into the barricade heading into picture in picture.
Back from break, Ricochet missed a charge and crotched himself in the ropes, as Taz pointed out it was Yam-bag Yahtzee that couldn’t have felt good. Ricochet caught Gowen leaping off the second and fired off some chops, mockingly blowing a kiss to Gowen’s family before hitting a springboard 450 Splash for two. Ricochet followed with a Shooting Star Press, but again, Gowen kicked out. Vertigo connected, as Ricochet got a nonchalant cover, but Gowen got a shoulder up. Ricochet opted to grab the golden scissors, but Referee Rick Knox refuse to let that happen. With his back turned, Gowen waffled Ricochet with his prosthetic leg and got a close two. Gowen signaled for his moonsault, but nobody was home, allowing Ricochet to load up and hit the Spirit Gun for the win.
Post-match, Ricochet hit another Spirit Gun to the back of the head, followed by a running punt kick to the head. Mark Briscoe ran to the ring and chased off Ricochet, who retreated with a smile on his face.
Match Result: Ricochet defeated Zach Gowen via Spirit Gun
-Renee Paquette is backstage and introduces MJF, asking how he’ll feel if The Hurt Syndicate accept him into their group tonight? MJF said it was an incredibly intelligent question, first time for everything, as for 406 consecutive days, he was the greatest wrestler on God’s Green Earth. The AEW roster is stacked from top to bottom and if MJF has to wrestle, he wants to know he’s going to win. If he gets to be part of The Hurt Syndicate, they will be an unstoppable 4 headed dragon, as him becoming AEW Champion for a second time won’t be a possibility, it’ll be a probability. Paquette asks what if they say no? MJF pondered it before MVP’s hand was placed on his shoulder, as The Hurt Syndicate walk in. MVP said after their match, it’s imperative that MJF joins them in the ring. They walk off, Lashley smiling, as Paquette patted MJF on the shoulder.
The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin w/MVP) vs. Top Flight (Dante & Darius Martin w/Leila Grey)
(The match itself, at least Top Flight seemed to put up a fight and this wasn’t an entire squash, they got in a good amount of offense, even taking Lashley off his feet, which many haven’t been able to say. The post-match felt like a quick “we need a tag title match for the PPV” as Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara, despite being ROH Tag Champions, really haven’t been on Dynamite in a long while and CRU got barely any reaction. I think it’s safe to say whoever gets the title shot at Double or Nothing, I wouldn’t be betting on them over Lashley & Benjamin.)
Quick double team DDT by Darius & Dante on Benjamin, before taking out Lashley with a dropkick on the apron. Dante tried a dive, Lashley caught him, so Darius dove onto the pile to take Lashley off his feet. Back inside, Dante hit a cross over Frog Splash on Benjamin for a near fall, as Darius tagged in. Dante tried another dive on Lashley, who caught him in mid-air and posted him in the process. Benjamin launched Darius with a suplex and then to the floor against the barricade, as Lashley took over to do the same. Spinebuster on the apron, as followed with a corner charge and neckbreaker before tagging Benjamin, who took Darius to Suplex City, but Darius kicked out. Dante recovered, but as he made a tag, was immediately hit with a pump knee in mid-air and step-up knee in the corner, as Lashley, who destroyed Dante with a Spear. The Hurt Lock applied, as Benjamin clocked Darius with a superkick before Dante passed out.
Post-match, Lashley refused to release the submission when Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara walked out. Rhodes said Lashley doesn’t look like a badass, he looks like an asshole, saying why don’t they pick on someone their own size? MVP said with the respect he has for Rhodes and Dusty, he won’t have his guys beat them and leave them in a pool of blood. MVP asked what they wanted, Rhodes said it’s obvious, until they were all interrupted by CRU, Lio Rush & Action Andretti, who didn’t get much of a reaction at all.
Andretti kept calling Rhodes “gramps” and said they’ll rearrange Guevara’s face before sending him home to his beautiful little daughter. The zero reaction turned to “Shut the F Up” chants, as they said they have business with The Hurt Syndicate, as they also beat Top Flight. Rush brought up his history with Lashley and wanted a title shot. Rhodes said no cutting in line and to respect your elders. MVP has had enough, so told them to take this to Collision and the winners get an AEW Tag Title match at Double or Nothing. MVP said he was told in his ear that they have 30 seconds until break, so told the crowd to stay tuned, MJF will get his answer for what he deserves.
Match Result: The Hurt Syndicate defeated Top Flight when Lashley submitted Dante
**********
The Hurt Syndicate Give MJF His Answer
MVP orders MJF to the ring to get what he deserves, but MJF doesn’t come out, so MVP tells Benjamin to head to the back, as MJF seemed to have lost his way. Benjamin runs to the back and Tony Khan rats MJF out, as he was hiding behind his table in the Gorilla Position. MJF said he was just looking for Benjamin, who shoved MJF out to the arena to the ring.
MVP said this is his moment of reckoning, as MJF asked for this. They had one final discussion, as MVP & Benjamin both give a thumbs up until Lashley puts his arm around MJF and pulls him to the middle of the ring. Benjamin looks like he’s going to attack MJF, as Lashley really teased his answer for a long time, the crowd loving it, before giving a thumbs up. MJF leapt into the arms of Lashley, who shoved him off, so MJF hopped on the ropes and led a “We Hurt People” chant. MVP said next week on Dynamite, the official signing of MJF into the Hurt Syndicate. MJF hugged them all, as MVP raised his hand and Excalibur pointed out he wasn’t sure MJF celebrated this much when he won the AEW World Title.
**********
Timeless Toni Storm vs. Skye Blue vs. Mina Shirakawa vs. New Japan Strong Women’s Champion AZM in an AEW Women’s Title Eliminator
(This was by far the best Eliminator of the series that Storm has been having and it was bound to catch up with her the closer we got to the PPV. I was surprised Storm herself took the pin, but it ultimately makes sense, as now Shirakawa has momentum heading into Double or Nothing. Post-match continued Mone’s bad blood with AZM and it’s a match I wouldn’t be shocked if we got at maybe Forbidden Door a few months from now? I enjoyed everything about this match and post segment, job well done to everyone involved.)
We saw clips of AZM winning the Strong Women’s Title at Resurgence, not pinning Mercedes Mone, but Shirakawa in a 3-way. Commentary informs us Shirakawa (who came out to a different theme) is officially part of the AEW roster and no longer a Stardom competitor, as Storm was vibing to Shirakawa’s entrance. Blue entered last to a huge hometown pop, returning from nearly 10 months on the shelf due to injury.
Bell sounds and Shirakawa sprinted to attack AZM, as Storm & Blue fought on the outside. Lighting quick back and forth from AZM & Shirakawa, who slid into her dance, but AZM got a roll-up for two. Shirakawa tripped up AZM to the floor and hit a Tornado DDT off the apron, leaving Storm & Blue inside the ring. Tilt-a-whirl head scissors by Blue, who followed with a pump knee and Tornado DDT of her own, but AZM back in, they dodge roundhouse kick attempts and have a forearm battle. Storm & Shirakawa trip them both up and pull them outside, leading to a brief face-off. The spider graphic is shown crawling down the screen, like last week, as it’s a tease for the incoming Thekla. Riccaboni brings up Storm & Shirakawa’s past in a love triangle, but never mentions Mariah May by name.
Double Thesz Press delivered to Blue & AZM, as Storm & Shirakawa start trading forearms. AZM in with a high kick on Shirakawa, who hit a cazadora on Storm, sinking in a Figure Four after dispatching of AZM. Storm got the rope break, as Shirakawa connected on a dive off the top to the outside on Storm, as AZM followed with multiple dives, until Blue took out the pile with a dive heading into commercial.
Back from break, all four ladies are slugging it out with forearms until AZM & Storm get decked with knee lifts, leaving Blue & Shirakawa to continue throwing bombs. Storm & AZM in for a double release German, as Storm followed with another to AZM, leaving all competitors in separate corners. Sweet Cheek Music dished out to everyone, until Storm finally missed and ate a trifecta of strikes, sending her outside. Blue missed a charge on Shirakawa, who hit a bounce back engugiri, wanted her Glamourous Driver, but Storm flew in with a shotgun dropkick. Sky High by Storm on Skye Blue, but again, Shirakawa sent Storm outside. Blue & Shirakawa trade kicks until Blue just got enough of Code Blue, but AZM broke the count, dodging Code Blue and hit a Destroyer for two, as Storm broke the count. Storm caught a charging AZM with a snap Storm Zero, but Shirakawa broke it up. Storm tried her Big Package, but Shirakawa rolled through and got a flash pin on the AEW Women’s Champion.
Post-match, Storm couldn’t believe it, but the graphic was shown on the tron (Shirakawa’s old theme that everyone loves played this time, which is much better), making the Double or Nothing match official. Storm left, as Referee Aubrey was helping AZM to the back before Mercedes Mone sprinted out and decked AZM, applying the Statement Maker, screaming that AZM stole her title. Jaime Hayter ran out to make the save and applied the Statement Maker on Mone, narrowly hitting a Hayter-ade when security broke things up.
Match Result: Mina Shirakawa defeated Timeless Toni Storm, Skye Blue & AZM via Small Package on Storm
-We go to the announce table, where Excalibur puts over a pioneer of the business passing away this week, Sabu, mentioning that his legacy is almost unmatched. He said if there was anyone who knew Sabu, it was the man sitting next to him, as Taz said Sabu was a machine, his work ethic was off the charts and energy was infectious. Sabu was aura before aura was cool and behind the curtain he was loved by his peers worldwide. Taz broke down, as commentary did the Sabu point to the sky as a graphic was shown. This was a great tribute, RIP Sabu.
**********
-Renee Paquette is backstage with MVP & an ecstatic MJF, who said he feels like he won the lottery. All that he has left to do is for his lawyer, Mark Sterling, to go over the contract. MVP was caught off guard, as Sterling walked in, offered a handshake, but MVP shoved it aside. MJF said Sterling could take a walk and told MVP you don’t sign a contract without making sure it’s kosher, as MVP seemed to understand and they walked off together.
Nigel McGuinness Addresses FTR
Tony Schiavone is in the ring with Nigel McGuinness, who apologizes to Schiavone for getting in the ring last week on Collision, something he told Schiavone to never do. There’s someone else he needs to apologize to, Daniel Garcia, who makes his entrance. McGuinness said he let his ego get the best of him, robbing Garcia of getting the winners purse, but realizes his place is at the announce table with Schiavone and it’ll never happen again.
Garcia said McGuinness could keep his apology, as FTR disrespected him and he stood up for himself. FTR tried to end Adam Copeland’s career, Garcia’s career and possibly McGuinness’ career. Garcia will do this with or without him, but it would be an honor for McGuinness to fight by his side.
Stokely Hathaway walked out and said FTR aren’t here tonight, but is here to speak on their behalf. What McGuinness did last week was reprehensible, as he nearly broke Harwood’s jaw and dislocated Wheeler’s shoulder, asking what McGuinness’ problem was? McGuinness mockingly said he’s so sorry, as Hathaway said that doesn’t work for them. When you do something bad, there’s consequences for your actions. FTR & Hathaway talked and said the punishment for McGuinness should be to get in the ring with FTR in an official match, as they won’t be held accountable for injuring him. McGuinness said that’s why he doesn’t want to wrestle them, they’re 10-time champions, he’s barely had a conversation with Garcia, they’d kill them. Garcia said McGuinness has overcome the odds his whole career, something Garcia has had to do as well. Hathaway said McGuinness can continue sitting at the commentary table being the Al Bundy of AEW, but what makes him think he can beat FTR when he barely beat hepatitis.
FTR sneak attacked from behind, laying out Garcia with Shatter Machine, as McGuinness was about to be dropped with a Spike Piledriver when Daddy Magic sprinted to the ring with a crowbar. FTR & Hathaway retreated, ripping up a FTR Is the Best sign, just to drive home that they’re true dastardly heels.
**********
Jon Moxley (w/Marina Shafir) vs. Samoa Joe for the AEW World Title in a Steel Cage Match
(The cage match was a bloody brawl and one you’d expect from both men involved; it was a solid main event. That said, the ending was also what you’d expect, as there were a total of 13 people not named Jon Moxley or Samoa Joe that got involved in the finish or post-match. We knew they had to set-up Anarchy in the Arena somehow with Double or Nothing coming up in 2 weeks and it seems like it’s set, my question is, are Shafir & Nightingale involved in the match itself, as that’d be an interesting addition that would be fun. This certainly ended in anarchy and the PPV should be no different.)
Joe wasted no time slamming Moxley hard into the cage, delivering headbutt after headbutt before a charging boot. Joe dropped an elbow, as Moxley rolled to the corner, flipped off Joe and the brief distance was enough for Moxley to kick out the leg and deliver a chop block, zoning in on the left leg. Figure Four is applied, but Joe reversed it, causing Moxley to release the hold. Forearm battle kicks in until Moxley fired off a big boot, taking control as things head to break right around the top of the hour.
Moxley was busted open badly during commercial, as we return to both slugging it out on their knees until Moxley bit at Joe. Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta have joined Shafir cageside, as Willow Nightingale & Powerhouse Hobbs are also down to corner Joe, who ramped up the strikes, before Moxley went for the eyes. Moxley tried climbing the cage, but Joe cut him off with an Atomic and Manhattan Drop followed by a massive senton for two. Taz said Moxley looks like he got hit in the face with a bazooka, as he’s bleeding buckets, as Joe sank in a Crossface deep, but Moxley got the ropes (I still don’t understand rope breaks in a Cage Match, but I digress).
Joe wanted a Muscle Buster, but Moxley bit at the face, rolled out of the corner into multiple lariats. Joe managed a big boot, but Moxley exploded into a Cutter for two, as Moxley transitioned into a cross-arm breaker attempt. Moxley switched to the Bulldog Choke, Joe started fading, but the arm didn’t drop a third time and he started to power up. Moxley spiked him with a Paradigm Shift, but Joe kicked out, leaving Moxley furious. Moxley wanted another, but Joe spun out into the Coquina Clutch. Castagnoli tried climbing the cage, but Nightingale stopped him, as Yuta was planted through a table by Hobbs. With Joe’s attention turned, someone in a hoodie ran down and slid Moxley the briefcase, as he decked Joe and got the tainted victory. The hooded person was revealed to be Gabe Kidd as the cage rose.
Hobbs stalked down Kidd up the ramp until Castagnoli smacked him in the back with a chair, which Hobbs no sold. Kidd hit a low blow and the two sent Hobbs crashing into the steps, as Nightingale was driven into the barricade by Shafir. The Young Bucks music hit, as Matthew & Nicholas Jackson applaud making their way to the ring. Kidd helped up Moxley, along with Shafir and The Bucks were about to shake their hands when Kenny Omega’s music hits.
Omega sprinted and laid out Yuta with a V-Trigger on the ramp and sent Castagnoli into the barricade, but Kazuchika Okada appears and delivers a forearm into the midsection of Omega, throwing him into the ring. Matthew had the control to lower the cage back down, leaving Joe & Omega locked inside with Death Riders, Kidd & The Bucks. Okada didn’t make it in the cage, as he was chased off by Speedball Mike Bailey, which we barely saw. The Bucks hit Omega with an EVP Trigger and Moxley followed with a Paradigm Shift. They choked out Omega, as Death Riders put the boots to Joe.
Swerve Strickland’s music hits and he walks out with Prince Nana, quickly climbing the cage and delivers a Swerve Stomp off the top of the cage onto the pile. Matthew frantically raised the cage, as The Bucks ran away, as Death Riders were soon to follow. Strickland took the mic and said the last time he was in this city and a cage; he got his brains beat in and dropped on a cinder block, but here he is again. Strickland realized he is the fear, the most dangerous man in AEW and they all want to cause a little anarchy. Double or Nothing, Anarchy in the Arena. The challenge has officially been laid out as the show closes.
Match Result: Jon Moxley defeated Samoa Joe to retain the AEW World Title
AEW Collision Beach Break 5/17/25
- ROH Tag Champions Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara vs. CRU (Lio Rush & Action Andretti) winners face The Hurt Syndicate for the AEW Tag Team Titles at Double or Nothing
- Bryan Keith & Big Bill vs. Gates of Agony in a Chicago Street Fight
- Kyle Fletcher vs. AR Fox
- Speedball Mike Bailey vs. Blake Christian
- Anna Jay vs. Megan Bayne
- Tribute to Steve “Mongo” McMichael
AEW Dynamite 5/21/25
- MJF Signs His Contract to Join The Hurt Syndicate
