Tonight’s AEW Dynamite emanates from College Park, Georgia, with a grudge match headlining as former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland will face Ricochet, built for several weeks stemming from Ricochet attacking Strickland with scissors in a bloody, memorable angle.
The Hounds of Hell (Brody King & Buddy Matthews) are set for action against Kyle Fletcher & AEW International Champion Konosuke Takeshita of the Don Callis Family ahead of their own match against Kenny Omega & Will Ospreay next week at Grand Slam Australia.
A potential new or returning member of the Callis Family has been teased as the mystery opponent for Ospreay in a singles match tonight.
Toni Storm faces Queen Aminata in a tune-up bout ahead of rematching Mariah May for the AEW Women’s World title at Grand Slam Australia. May will be on commentary for the match.
Live appearances by MJF and Hangman Page in addition to AEW Tag Team Champions The Hurt Syndicate are also scheduled.
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AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Swerve Strickland & Ricochet seen arriving ahead of their main event tonight, as well as Timeless Toni Storm, who returns to Dynamite for the first time since her “return” on Collision a few weeks ago.
Renee Paquette is backstage with Switchblade Jay White, who is asked about his recent friendship with Cope. White said it’s a relationship being built in real time, as there’s no history between the two, but there is some between FTR & himself. White has to rely on some he might not have expected to in regards to the Death Riders. Right on cue, Jon Moxley & his crew approach White and think they have him cornered when Rated FTR walk up behind the group and an all-out brawl ensues. Marina Shafir literally picks up Paquette and carries her away from the fight, which spills out into the arena. The brawl continues around ringside until White & Moxley are left in the ring. Yuta looked to cut White off for another week, but eats a Blade Runner for his troubles. PAC interrupts, but suffers a Shatter Machine. Castagnoli pulls Harwood outside and hits a Giant Swing into the barricade, as Wheeler tried a dive, but ate an uppercut. Moxley & Castagnoli put the boots to White, as Cope wanted to take out the AEW World Champion with a Spear, but Castagnoli shoved Moxley aside and took the bullet. Cope, FTR & White stare down Death Riders, who retreated into the crowd.
Cope took the mic and said the fans are chanting one name and asks what Moxley’s answer is from his challenge on Collision last week for a World Title match at Revolution. Moxley charged back to ringside, grabbed a microphone, saying Cope deserves nothing, so his answer is no. White took the mic and said he has another offer for him, how about he breathes with the Switchblade, choking in a pool of his own blood. White issues a challenge to an anything goes Brisbane Brawl at Grand Slam, White & Cope vs. Moxley & Castagnoli. It looked like that match Moxley agreed to, as they said they’ll see them in Australia. This was a fun and chaotic start to Dynamite, pretty much setting up the main event for Grand Slam.
-Footage from Buddy Matthews again challenging Kazuchika Okada to a Continental Title match on Collision was shown. Okada laughed off the challenge initially, but Matthews called him a bitch and that’s what it took, as we learned the match is also official for Grand Slam. Okada vs. Matthews for the Continental Title.
Will Ospreay defeated Mark Davis (w/Don Callis)
(The match itself was a good, albeit short, TV battle, but the explanation on why Davis had to take this match was ridiculous. They said he was doing this match under duress, but at no point did he look reluctant to fight his friend. The post-match was fine, but didn’t really do a whole lot to further the feud with Omega/Ospreay vs. Takeshita/Fletcher. The anticipation for the match, at least for me, was the same level it was last week. I still can’t wait to see Omega & Ospreay as a tag team in Australia.)
Callis entered to a ton of boos and could barely get his announcement off, as Davis made his way out and Ospreay was left shocked. Callis called Davis “The Ospreay Killer” as the crowd chanted You Sold Out. Callis said he signed Aussie Open 2 years ago, but gave Kyle Fletcher the power of attorney while Davis was in the hospital, so Callis now owns Davis. Excalibur said this must mean Davis is doing this under duress. That explanation is beyond insane to me, as Davis has wrestled pretty much done nothing but wrestle the Don Callis Family since coming back last year and there’s been zero mention of this then.
Ospreay tried a quick start, but the size and power of Davis led to a charging sliding forearm in the corner as he followed up with chops in bunches leading to a sit-out senton. Palm strikes in the corner by Davis, who looked for a superplex, but Ospreay took out the knee and followed with Pip, Pip, Cheerio, as Davis regrouped outside, with Callis barking orders into commercial.
Ospreay controlled during break, but Davis responded when things returned with a release German and curb stomp. Davis took too long to follow-up, allowing Ospreay to hit a handspring corkscrew kick, followed by a slingshot cross body to the outside. Ospreay was able to hit a series of hook kicks and the Oscutter for a near fall, as Callis almost crawled into the ring to break it up. Osperay signaled for Hidden Blade, but Davis fired off a lariat. Ospreay no sold initially, but was trucked with a lariat and massive piledriver for two. Davis ripped off the middle turnbuckle, tried to drive Ospreay into it, but referee Rick Knox noticed it and stepped in between. The distraction allowed Ospreay to hit a charging Hidden Blade and got the victory.
Post-match, Ospreay took the mic and said it’s like a party here in Atlanta. Since Callis is a party pooper, he has a new best friend backstage who he’s teaming up with at Grand Slam and the music for Kenny Omega hit. Callis scurried away as Omega made his way to the ring, walking by a down Mark Davis in the process. Omega said man to man, Mark Davis, he has no clue what Don Callis has over him, it may be scary, but help is there and there are people he can trust. Omega said he’ll wrestle in 10 days with Ospreay, but got the itch to come out and say hello to the fans of Atlanta. Kyle Fletcher & Konosuke Takeshita look to charge out from the backstage, but Callis held them back. Omega said they can do this right here and now, but if not, hop on a jet, start training for Australia. It’s been a long time since people could feel what Omega felt in 2019-2023, but now that he’s back, everyone can feel that feeling once again. This match next week will show that the future is with Omega & Ospreay and hits his go-home line as we got an insane amount of pyro for the Goodbye and Goodnight line, which surprised even Omega.
-Recap video of the history of the Swerve Strickland & Ricochet rivalry leading us to tonight’s showdown is shown. This was an excellent highlight package.
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The Hurt Syndicate make their way to the ring, as Westside Gunn is shown ringside, as he helped with the theme. MVP said this is an official announcement from The Hurt Syndicate and asked the crowd to stand for the Standard of Excellence, Shelton Benjamin & The Almighty Bobby Lashley, the new AEW World Tag Team Champions. MVP said he’ll keep this short, as they have a plane to catch for the Super Bowl. He puts over Private Party, who are talented people, but were in the wrong place at the wrong time. MVP put the locker room on notice, if you’re an athlete or champion, when they choose, they will hurt you and take your title. Now, they’re open for business and if you want an opportunity, they’ll accept it.
The lights went out and the returning Austin & Colten Gunn are shown on the ramp. Lashley & Benjamin didn’t budge initially, as Austin said they mean no disrespect, they’re also businessmen and want to talk business. MVP said they aren’t dressed as such, but respects that they want to do this as men, so invites them in the ring. Austin & Colten get in and introduces themselves as former AEW Tag Team Champions, waiting 2 years for their rematch, but now they’re back. Colten congrats them on hurting people and doing their job, it’s what you’re supposed to do. MVP appreciates the courage and respects their father, which is the only reason his men haven’t choked them out. Next week, The Hurt Syndicate vs. a couple of Ass Boys. MVP & crew leave, but Austin said they’re damn right they are and hit the Gunns Up go home line. The Gunns got a real nice reaction on their return here.
-Renee Paquette is backstage outside of Mercedes Mone’s locker room when she’s joined by puppet Mercedes, as she said Harley Cameron is going to be live in concert this Saturday on Collision. Cameron slides into the camera shot and says what a great idea and knows that Mone wasn’t a dummy. Mone herself walks in from behind and interrupts all this and asks if Cameron is stupid or dumb and mockingly congratulates Cameron on her first ever win. Mone remembers how she felt winning all her titles, she’s the greatest TBS Champion of all time and Cameron is nothing but a loser and rips the puppet off her hand saying to stay off the Mone Train. Mone leaves and Cameron tries her darnedest to flip her off, despite Paquette’s best efforts for her not to. This was your weekly reminder how great Harley Cameron continues to be.
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-Renee Paquette is with Hangman Adam Page, asking why he was looking for Swerve Strickland last week and Page said it was a moment of weakness and we won’t address it again, nor should she ask. Paquette asked about the potential regret on his face when he learned Christopher Daniels’ in ring career was over. Page denied it and said that’s what happens when you take on Hangman in a Texas Death Match.
Max Caster is shown off camera and tells Paquette to wrap it up, he’s been waiting forever for his promo, as Page asked if he has a problem? Caster told Page he respects him, as he’s too busy with his Open Challenges to fight, but it’d be a shame if he put someone like Anthony Bowens in the hospital or end Billy Gunn’s career, which he should do. Page didn’t bite, so Caster thanked them for their time and went to scurry away, but Page said it’s ok, he’ll follow him. Caster again putting his foot in his mouth.
AEW International Champion Konosuke Takeshita & Kyle Fletcher (w/Don Callis) defeated Hounds of Hell (Brody King & Buddy Matthews)
(This was a hell of a tag match with everyone looking great and the fans into it throughout. I didn’t like seeing King & Matthews getting pinned this quickly off their reset as a duo a few weeks ago, but I understood why King was the one to take the pin, and it took a whole heck of a lot to put him away. They’ll be able to bounce back as a team in no time.)
Fletcher & Matthews kicked things off, which gives commentary a chance to put over both Australians ahead of Grand Slam next weekend. Both trade ground work and a series of pin attempts before Fletcher narrowly dodges a PK, as Takeshita tagged in. Series of go-behinds led to a blind tag from King, who came in and fired off hard chops to both Takeshita & Fletcher. The fight spilled outside, as the Don Callis Family are seated against the barricade and King hit a double running cross body. The crowd chanted one more time, so King stacked them both on each other and hit another one into commercial.
Takeshita & Fletcher gain the advantage during break, isolating King, who fired off some heavy shots, nearly made the hot tag, but Takeshita wiped Matthews out with a big boot. Takeshita turned around and was flattened by a lariat, but Takeshita responded with a stalling gut-wrench German suplex. King no sold, tried a Gonzo Bomb, but Takeshita slid out, both collided with a double lariat, only to pop right up and collapse simultaneously. Matthews & Fletcher tag in for a fast sequence, as Matthews hits the hip toss neckbreaker and leg lariat, as both tried draping DDT’s, but Fletcher was sent outside onto Fletcher. Matthews hit a big time somersault plancha before connecting on a Meteora off the top back inside for two. Crowd is hyped, as Matthews missed the Curb Stomp, Fletcher hit the Half and Half, but ran into a corner knee. Matthews went to end it off the top, but the sound of the coin drop played, as Kazuchika Okada’s music hit. The distraction nearly led to Fletcher attempting a Brainbuster, but Matthews slipped through with a Nandos kick. King made the tag and they hit the double cannonball/dropkick combo, only for Takeshita to fly in and break the count with a senton.
Takeshita was taken to the apron, as King locked in the sleeper, but Takeshita raked the eyes, allowing Fletcher to hit the draping DDT for two. Matthews was sent flying into the barricade, as Fletcher wanted the brainbuster on King, but Takeshita saved his partner and hit a series of strikes until an assisted brainbuster connected and Fletcher pinned King with Takeshita holding off Matthews.
-Samoa Joe & HOOK are power walking backstage, with Joe hell bent on revenge after being laid out on Collision (which we saw in a video package prior to this). HOOK had to give Joe some advice before they rushed The Patriarchy’s locker room to find only Kip Sabian & Nick Wayne. They were going to leave when Joe said they’ll send a message and laid both Sabian & Wayne out with Christian Cage & Mother Wayne peaking in from the door. Joe & HOOK left, as Cage walked in and demanded what the hell just happened, shoving away the camera man.
MJF came to the ring and immediately started in on geriatric Jeff Jarrett, who couldn’t stay out of the way of a handsome star like MJF, which is why he had to teach him a lesson. The E in AEW stands for Elite not Elderly, which popped MJF. Now that the carny schmuck is out of his way, he’s closer to regaining his Triple B because ain’t no one on the level of…Max Caster rushed to the ring and MJF berated him, as Caster tried saying he was trying to escape Hangman Page, whose music hit. Caster rushed out of the ring and arena, as Page went to the ring, briefly stared down MJF and continued stalking down Caster.
MJF said before he was interrupted by a talentless hack, ain’t no one on the level of…Dustin Rhodes’ music hits and he walks to the ring, as MJF demands his music cut off. Rhodes demands MJF shut his trap, as all he does is bad mouth everyone in the back, degrade them, even those who are no longer with us like Owen Hart. Rhodes suggests MJF keep Owen’s name out of his mouth before he kicks his teeth in. Stop talking about people’s wives or sobriety issues, which is what Rhodes has done, for the last 16 years, Rhodes crawled out of hell and kicked the Devil’s teeth in. There’s a reason he’s still here at 55 years old, hanging with everyone on this roster, it’s because he’s a survivor, he’s the last of his kind. He’s survived everything MJF could imagine, he’s been through it, boy. Rhodes wants MJF to know when he’s gone, the mold will be broken forever, he is better than MJF and his punk bitch ass knows it.
MJF called timeout and applauded Rhodes for the promo but said being a worthless drug addict must’ve turned his brain to swiss cheese to make him believe that he’s better than MJF. He said it took Rhodes 37 years to get out of his father’s shadow, but now he lives in the shadow of his little baby brother. Rhodes decked MJF, as security rushed the ring to separate them, as Rhodes broke through, got in a few more shots and MJF retreated. MJF said he’s leaving when he broke through security, hit the ring and got a low blow kick before leaving.
Christopher Daniels went to tell MJF to get to the back when MJF was about to throw a punch when he realized it was Daniels and chuckled, calling Daniels an old man before leaving. This whole Rhodes/MJF segment made me want to see that match so much more than MJF & Jarrett. I mean, the slow build to MJF/Page continues, but I really want MJF vs. Rhodes at this point.
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AEW Women’s World Champion Mariah May joins commentary for the next match saying it was ironic that the testosterone level rose when she arrived. Taz agreed with her and May said it’s nice Taz is here, as he’s the only one as miserable as she was to have to be here.
Timeless Toni Storm defeated Queen Aminata
(I enjoyed this entire segment, as Storm played May to a tee and was hilarious throughout. Aminata put up a good fight and I wouldn’t mind seeing this happen again without the comedy elements, but it was still entertaining for what it was. I thought this whole thing did a great job building to the Women’s Title match at Grand Slam.)
Justin Roberts announced “playing the role of Mariah May is Timeless Toni Storm.” May’s entrance video and theme played again, even the name graphic is shown, as Storm came out in May’s gear and played her to perfection and looked identical. May herself was unamused, mockingly saying she was flattered, demanding to know how Storm got this outfit after Excalibur reminded May that she did the same thing to Storm last year. Serena Deeb was shown watching backstage, as Aminata tripped Storm in the ropes, but missed her charging boot, allowing Storm to hit a hip attack, launching Aminata to the outside. Storm took too long mocking May’s mannerisms, allowing Aminata to hit a low tope and hit the Timeless pose, controlling the action into break.
Storm mounted a comeback, as May grabbed her chest, asking Tony Schiavone what two things Storm is missing to truly be May, but Schiavone refused to answer. Storm hit a head scissors out of the corner, as she went for May Day, but Aminata swept the legs for a jackknife pin near fall. Both ladies got to their feet and traded super stiff strikes until Aminata hit a snap German and sliding shin to the face as Storm’s hair extensions are falling out. Aminata wanted an Air Raid Crash, but Storm escaped with a snap DDT, charging knee and Sweet Cheek Music that led to May Day for the victory.
May looked on furious on commentary as Renee Paquette came in to congratulate Storm on her win. Storm said to call her Mariah May, the woman from hell, there’s not a woman alive who can touch her. May herself left commentary and got on the apron, as Storm wanted a hug, but May grabbed the AEW Women’s Title and bailed with Storm posing like May in the ring.
-Backstage, Dustin Rhodes said for 37 years, people have tried to put him in the ground, as he’s the last of his kind, around for a reason. Next Tuesday night, his backyard in Austin, Texas, he’s going to beat MJF’s ass. Dynamite will be taped on Tuesday next week.
-A video package of the bad blood between Big Bill & Powerhouse Hobbs is shown and their brawl at Daily’s Place a few weeks ago. Last week on Collision, we see Bandido’s return to help The Outrunners from a Learning Tree attack. This leads us to a New York Minute, as The Learning Tree are on stage for the first ever live edition of their show. Jericho said they’re coming from Georgia, the big ALT, which Bryan Keith said stands for Appreciate Learning Tree. Jericho said he doesn’t know how Bandido is “The Most Wanted Man” as no one wants him here. Jericho holds up the paper saying there’s a $100,000 bounty on Bandido’s head, so since he’s with The Bounty Hunter, he’ll double the money, so Bryan Keith can cash in and do to Bandido what Bill has done to Powerhouse Hobbs.
Right as Bill went to speak, Hobbs’ music hits and the fight is on. It’s 3 on 1, as Hobbs is helped out by The Outrunners, who sprint out from the back and it’s a six way brawl until security (really earning their money tonight) separate them. Bill & Hobbs both have their hands on security and each demolish them with brutal choke slams, as they slowly rise and get in the ring to the chants of Meat. They brawl briefly in the ring and spill back outside until Hobbs tackles Bill over the commentary table. Even the camera man takes a bump, as the fight continues as things go to commercial.
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-Chaos backstage, as security is escorting The Learning Tree from the building with Powerhouse Hobbs & The Outrunners being held back in the process.
Ricochet defeated Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana)
(This felt like an appetizer for what’s to come in this feud. The finish is going to seem like Ricochet lucked his way into it, but a heel hitting a low blow only fooled the official. Stealing the Embassy robe in the post-match is only going to lead to this continuing and getting more personal. This was a good Round 1 from these two to end the show.)
Strickland is wearing the Embassy robe he wears for big matches, but he was waffled with a chair shot to the back by Ricochet during his entrance. This was shot great, as you never saw Ricochet coming, as more chair shots were delivered before Strickland was tossed into the ring. Strickland slapped Ricochet in the face and demanded the match begin, as the bell sounded, Ricochet charged with a pump knee and hit Vertigo for a close two. Ricochet stayed in control, as Strickland tried a leap frog, but was dropkicked out of mid-air to the outside, where Ricochet followed with a low tope. They fight up onto the barricade, where Ricochet wanted a snap hurricanrana, but Strickland held on and powerbombed him violently onto the barricade. Strickland stayed in control throughout commercial.
When things returned, Ricochet kicked out Strickland’s legs in the corner and hit a lungblower for a near fall. Both men slug it out, as Ricochet fired off a combo until Strickland cut him off, wall walk from Ricochet, who hit a pump knee and stood tall. Both trade powerbombs, until Strickland was able to hit his floating powerbomb into the powerslam for two. Ricochet grabbed the official, tried a mule kick, but Strickland blocked it and hit a release German into a rolling Flatliner and House Call flush in a great looking combo. Strickland hit the Swerve Stomp, but Ricochet escaped at two.
They go the apron, as Ricochet floated over a DVD, whipped Strickland’s neck back on the ropes, missed a hop over hurricanrana, so settled for a release German on the apron. Quickly recovered, Ricochet threw Strickland back in for a springboard 450 for a near fall. Ricochet up top for a Shooting Star to the back, but Strickland kicked out. Ricochet went for the Spirit Gun, but Strickland hit a House Call in mid-air and tried another Swerve Stomp, but Ricochet got hit fists up for a blatant low blow, which the ref just allowed. Ricochet connected with The Spirit Gun and got the win.
Post-match, Nana tried to come in the ring to tend to Strickland with the Embassy robe, but Ricochet pie-faced Nana and took the robe, putting it on and celebrated up the ramp to the close the show.
AEW Collision 2/8/25
- Kyle Fletcher vs. Mark Briscoe
- Harley Cameron In Concert
- Bandido vs. Bryan Keith
AEW Dynamite 2/12/25 (taped 2/11)
