AEW Dynamite Results, Winners, Live Grades and Highlights From June 25

The road to All In continued heating up with the June 25 edition of AEW Dynamite. At the ShoWare Center in Seattle, the stars came out to fight.

Kota Ibushi made a shock return to All Elite Wrestling on Collision, backing up Mark Briscoe against The Don Callis Family. He had his first singles match in AEW against Trent Beretta on Wednesday.

"Hangman" Adam Page hoped to pick up some momentum in a battle with The Beast Mortos while Jon Moxley and The Death Riders loomed.

In a pair of Fatal 4-Way matches to determine the No. 1 spot for both Casino Gauntlets, Willow Nightingale faced Athena, Thunder Rosa and Kris Statlander, while Konosuke Takeshita fought Bandido, Mark Briscoe and Roderick Strong.

"Timeless" Toni Storm continued to torment Mercedes Moné in her own unique way, and The Hurt Syndicate addressed their enemies after MJF's controversial actions at Grand Slam: Mexico.

What would AEW deliver ahead of All In on July 12?

Mercedes Moné Gets Revenge on 'Timeless' Toni Storm

Mercedes Moné interrupted "Timeless" Toni Storm's entrance, taking her to the stage where she mocked her rival and locked in the Statement Maker.

Officials and Mina Shirakawa came out to break it up and protect Storm. In one last mocking line, The CEO threw the "let the games begin" line back at The Timeless One.

This was a wild opening, playing off Storm's dramatic arrivals to the start the show. In particular, it sold that Moné has been stewing on her revenge for a full week.

The tensions are high, and weekly brawls between these two women until All In are likely. It is important to do more than just that, though, especially with the imaginative mind of The Timeless One in the mix.

For now, this served as a hot start that made clear anything could happen on the road to All In.

Grade

B

Notable Moments

*Shirakawa was popular with the crowd when she arrived for the save.

Will Ospreay and Swerve Strickland vs. Blake Christian and Lee Johnson

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The Young Bucks announced Will Ospreay and Swerve Strickland's match had been moved up to the opener.

While The Aerial Assassin and The Mogul struggled to get into a rhythm early on, they eventually put it all together. Swerve knocked out Blake Christian with a House Call after an Ospreay Hidden Blade for the three-count.

Afterward, they challenged Matt and Nick Jackson to put their EVP titles on the line in a tag team match at All In.

Ospreay and Swerve have impeccable chemistry as a tag team already, but that is hardly a surprise given their history and impressive matches against one another.

Still, it's one thing to expect it and another to see it. While this won't rank among The Aerial Assassin and The Mogul's best contests, it accomplished exactly what was needed.

Christian and Johnson continue to make the most of their spotlights on television, getting more competitive with bigger competition.

Swerve and Ospreay have shown they can fully work together now the issue of Adam Page's involvement is settled.

The tag team match announcement was expected, but Swerve and Ospreay pushing them to put their EVP titles on the line is a surprise.

The Bucks could use a change in dynamic, so taking power away from them would work in that regard. Nick and Matt may find out how few friends they have without that power.

Especially with more stakes, this tag team match has serious potential to steal the show at All In.

Result

Ospreay and Swerve def. Christian and Johnson by pinfall.

Grade

B+

Notable Moments

*Both Ospreay and Swerve sold their discomfort with the early start time for their match, still getting their gear on during their entrances.

*The Young Bucks came out mid-match with chairs to watch the action.

*Afterward, backstage, The Young Bucks suspended Swerve for the week without pay for putting his hand on an AEW official.

Kota Ibushi vs. Trent Beretta

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Trent Beretta brutalized Kota Ibushi early and often in this match. He focused on the neck of The Golden Star, yet his opponent still rallied and hit the Kamigoye to win.

Kazuchika Okada came out to confront Ibushi before Excalibur announced they would fight next week on Dynamite 300.

The Golden Star may never be the same wrestler in AEW that he was in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, but this was as good as he has ever looked in the company.

It helped that he had a giving veteran to work with who was willing to get hit hard. This was a physical battle that sold Ibushi as healthier than he has been in years.

The 43-year-old kept pace throughout and hit his signature offense with fire. It was a welcome sight and a sign he is ready to get back to action, especially working alongside Kenny Omega upon his return.

The stage has been set for The Cleaner to return next week after Okada vs. Ibushi, selling multiple levels of Japanese wrestling history coming together at All In.

Result

Ibushi def. Beretta by pinfall.

Grade

A-

Notable Moments

*AEW aired a video package to showcase the dynamic of The Golden Lovers.

*Okada introduced The Young Bucks to The Don Callis Family backstage. Konosuke Takeshita reminded The Rainmaker this alliance is temporary.

JetSpeed vs. Ricochet and AR Fox/The Hurt Syndicate Strike

Ricochet and AR Fox struggled to get on the same page until The One and Only walked out on his partner. Kevin Knight hit him with a Sky High into the UFO Splash for the victory.

Knight and "Speedball" Mike Bailey called for an AEW World Tag Team Championships shot at All In. Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin attacked them from behind and sent them through a table.

MVP agreed to the match if the challengers could still walk after the beatdown. MJF declared he would win a qualifier for the Casino Gauntlet next week and then earn his chance at the AEW World Championship.

Mark Briscoe interrupted to request The Hurt Syndicate leave as MJF was taking too long with his promo. The Salt of the Earth tried to verbally snap back but was ultimately embarrassed by Briscoe before he left.

When Ricochet first announced his intent to scout talent, it seemed a foregone conclusion he would align with CRU. With each week, The One and Only has instead sold a different idea.

He has teased working with Blake Christian and Lee Johnson, Lio Rush, Gates of Agony and now Fox. Each tease feels possible and keeps him unpredictable.

This entire angle has allowed Ricochet to interact with a variety of lower-card stars and make it feel like important television.

This match was no different. The One and Only found a great dynamic with Fox, continuing to grow more hateable. They flowed well with the great speedster team on the opposite side.

JetSpeed has come together as one of the most exciting tag teams in AEW today. While both have the talent and charisma to be singles stars, they fit on the current card better as tag team title challengers.

This is the first challenge to The Hurt Syndicate that feel like a genuine threat. JetSpeed might just be able to pull it out, and even if they don't, it will be the best match The Hurt Syndicate has had in AEW so far.

After everything MJF did in Mexico, it would have been nice to see more follow-up, but it seems a rematch with Místico is not on the immediate horizon.

MJF winning the Casino Gauntlet would make sense as he has sold for months that he was looking for the easiest path to the AEW World Championship.

Result

Bailey and Knight def. Ricochet and Fox by pinfall.

Grade

B+

Notable Moments

*Ricochet found Fox backstage and asked him to team with him against Speedball and Knight, forcing a handshake agreement.

*Fox came out awkwardly during Ricochet's entrance while JetSpeed arrived to their new theme together.

*Fox caught The Jet with an apron springboard foot stomp then launched off Knight into a cannonball on Bailey. Ricochet took all the credit for the momentum change on the opposite side of the ring.

*Ricochet and Fox finally turned on one another when they could not decide on whether to hit a double suplex or Irish whip on Knight.

*Briscoe delivered the word of the day "empathy" before saying MJF's hurtful comments came from a deficiency in his "Kosher pickle."

4-Way for the No. 1 Spot in Men's Casino Gauntlet

After a chaotic match and wild series of near-falls, Bandido took out Konosuke Takeshita with a 21 Plex only to walk into the End of Heartache.

Mark Briscoe then caught Roderick Strong with Froggy Bow to seal the win and the No. 1 spot in the men's Casino Gauntlet.

This was an unpredictable match on paper, but the previous segment heavily telegraphed a win for Briscoe.

That was the only small downside to an awesome run of in-ring action between four fast and hard-hitting competitors.

The chemistry between these stars was obvious, especially Briscoe and Strong. Takeshita and Bandido showed serious fire together as well and might be a great rivalry in the making.

Hopefully, all four can continue this hot streak in the Casino Gauntlet as they all come off as ring generals for this style of action.

Briscoe's win is a nice small positive for him after taking some tough losses. He will not win but should play a heavy role in the contest.

Result

Briscoe def. Strong, Bandido and Takeshita by pinfall to earn the No. 1 spot in the men's Casino Gauntlet.

Grade

B+

Notable Moments

*Takeshita knocked Bandido off the top rope to the floor followed by Briscoe knocking him off the top. Strong ducked the Froggy Bow that followed and planted him with an Olympic Slam.

*Briscoe and Bandido hit side-by-side dives on Takeshita and Strong. Bandido tried to steal the pin afterward, but Briscoe broke it up and then failed to get his own three.

*The biggest pop of the night came from The Alpha countering the 21 Plex on Briscoe and suplexing both men at once.

*Adam Cole laid out an open challenge for the TNT Championship to anyone in The Don Callis Family on Collision. It was later announced Josh Alexander accepted.

4-Way for the No. 1 Spot in Women's Casino Gauntlet

Athena had big aspirations in this match that were dashed by Thunder Rosa. This left Willow Nightingale in the ring for a Marina Shafir/Wheeler Yuta distraction and a Staturday Night Fever for Kris Statlander's victory.

This was not quite able to hit the chaotic heights of the men's 4-Way, but it was still a major showcase for four of AEW's best women.

Athena was the fastest competitor throughout this match, flying around the ring whenever she was in control. She showed why she needs to do more on AEW TV.

That could be the plan following her match with Thunder Rosa at Supercard of Honor. Rosa might finally be the one who can dethrone The War Goddess as ROH women's champion.

The most exciting part of this match, though, was more development in the story of Willow and Statlander.

It looked like the two would come together as friends again until recently, but suddenly it is more likely The Death Riders could add another female to their ranks.

Statlander needed a statement win, and earning the No. 1 spot in the Casino Gauntlet is an important step in the right direction.

This is the second time she has earned that distinction, and this time she might just be able to make the most of it.

The women's Casino Gauntlet feels far more open-ended. Anyone could emerge with the win and become a serious problem for the AEW women's world champion.

Result

Statlander def. Willow, Rosa and Athena by pinfall to earn the No. 1 spot in the women's Casino Gauntlet.

Grade

B

Notable Moments

*Athena started out trying to buddy up to Statlander unsuccessfully.

*The War Goddess demanded Billie Starkz bring her her title, but Rosa took Athena out in the meantime, falling off the steel steps with a suplex.

*Backstage, through Stokely Hathaway, FTR asked for a face-to-face meeting with The Outrunners in the ring on Collision.

'Hangman' Adam Page vs. The Beast Mortos

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"Hangman" Adam Page survived the best lucha libre that The Beast Mortos could deliver and took him down with a Buckshot Lariat.

Afterward, the lights went out. When they turned back on, The Young Bucks hit The Cowboy with the EVP Trigger.

The Death Riders descended, and The Elite assisted Jon Moxley in choking out Hangman with a steel chain. The Opps and Will Ospreay ran them off eventually, but the damage was done.

As good as these two men can be in the ring, this was never about the match as much as the aftermath.

Hangman played to Mortos' strength, working a fast-paced style throughout their contest. They hit their beats well and delivered fun action without much drama.

But this was the main event because Matt and Nick Jackson finally turned on Hangman. They delivered the EVP Trigger the same way they did Swerve Strickland at Dynasty.

It was a nice visual parallel followed by a memorable but short attack from The Death Riders on Hangman.

Logically, the faces took too long to save Page as it was, but it would have been more effective for Moxley to do even more damage to his All In challenger at this stage.

Especially with Swerve "suspended," this was the time to let the heels look truly unstoppable and sell that The Cowboy needs even more support.

Instead, it was simply a solid match and segment that didn't quite take things to the next level.

Result

Page def. Mortos by pinfall.

Grade

C+

Notable Moments

*Early in the night, Moxley delivered an emphatic promo backstage, stating that he would end The Cowboy at All In.

*The champion ended the night with the emphatic statement: "On July 12, I will show the world what the world champion looks like."

Overall Show

Dynamite flowed extremely well over its two-hour run time. Each segment naturally set the stage for the next across a wild card that delivered more surprises than expected.

The matches were consistently strong, helped by relying on some of the fastest stars on the roster throughout the night.

With all that said, this felt more like a well-paced filler week than a truly necessary building block to All In.

While there are still two more Dynamites and three Collisions left before the pay-per-view, it would have been nice to see this show deliver a couple real moments along the way.

Mercedes Moné and "Timeless" Toni Storm started off hot, but there was room for some follow-up on their brawl.

Will Ospreay and Swerve Strickland added a surprise wrinkle to their expected tag team challenge to The Young Bucks, but the main event segment could have hit harder as a follow-up, even with Swerve "suspended."

The Death Riders have done so many heinous things to wrestlers over the past year that this should have been bigger.

Kazuchika Okada and Kenny Omega still lead the All In build in terms of pure heat at this stage.

Dynamite did enough to sell the moment and keep fans excited, but it's time to ramp everything up for AEW's biggest night.

Overall Grade: B-