AEW Dynamite Results, Winners, Live Grades and Highlights After Forbidden Door 2025

Following up a wild and violent Forbidden Door, the August 27 Dynamite began All Elite Wrestling's residency in the 2300/ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Darby Allin looked for revenge against Claudio Castagnoli in a Falls Count Anywhere match, certain to tour much of the arena.

Jon Moxley looked to face another rising star in AEW, challenging Daniel Garcia one on one.

Megan Bayne and Penelope Ford collided with the unique pairing of Kris Statlander and Harley Cameron.

The Don Callis Family faced the exciting duo of JetSpeed and newly crowned AEW world tag team champions Brodido.

Mercedes Moné looked to celebrate her latest championship victory, the Discovery Wrestling Scottish Women's Championship. Who might appear to celebrate with "Nine Belts" Moné?

More surprises were expected for Dynamite based on which stars were available following Forbidden Door. What would AEW have in store?

Adam Copeland and Christian Cage Run off FTR and Announce All out Match

FTR had a genuine grief with the referee Paul Turner for counting a pin from the illegal competitor, demanding he reverse the decision and award Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler the AEW World Tag Team Championships.

After Paul refused to do so, Adam Copeland arrived to run off FTR alongside Christian Cage before announcing Christian and Cope vs. FTR at All Out in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

This was a perfectly paced open. FTR struggled against the sound of a rowdy audience while trying to bully a referee, only for Christian and Cope to send them running.

The first match for All Out was announced and none too soon. FTR vs C&C has been the expectation for a long time, especially with the show happening in Toronto.

The heat is strong between these two teams to the point that this match with no gold on the line could genuinely main event.

It should be fun to see how these teams play off each other in the next month before the All Out match.

Grade

A+

Notable Moments and Observations

• AEW set up the 2300 Arena to look as close to its old ECW look as possible in the modern era.
• FTR jaw-jacked with the fans on their way to the ring, especially Cash who looked ready to square up with one.
• Paul told FTR that he had 27 years of experience as a ref, which aggravated the team more.
• Christian slipped in first to hit Big Stoke with a Killswitch.
• The Patriarch mocked FTR about their dead fathers despite Cope briefly stopping him.

Jon Moxley vs. Daniel Garcia

Daniel Garcia pushed Jon Moxley far more than The Death Rider expected, hobbling him with a focus on his right knee.

However, Mox escaped with the pin with a small package reversal after barely kicking out after the piledriver.

Afterward, Wheeler Yuta told Darby Allin that Mox refused to fight Darby Allin. Wheeler got back in the ring after the break to rant at the audience,

Hook interrupted with a new theme, "So Tell The Girls That I Am Back In Town" by Jay-Jay Johanson and laid out Yuta with a running forearm strike.

Mox has always been a giving partner in matches, but it felt like he was especially motivated to make Garcia look like a killer in this match.

The way Red Death wore down The Death Rider was genuinely surprising. Garcia has cooled off considerably in recent months, and Mox walked into this match with the goal to elevate him.

By the end, Garcia looked like the man that defeated Bryan Danielson in 2022. It was an inspired performance from all involved.

AEW cannot afford to miss with the follow-up. This should lead to a Red Death heel turn, perhaps even joining The Death Riders.

It would certainly be interesting to go that route. Garcia would benefit, and The Death Riders could use at least one more man.

However, Yuta is not likely to be pleased with that outcome since he and Garcia have feuded since they started in AEW.

It was good to see Hook back, and his new presentation is a major upgrade from what he was doing before his hiatus. He feels unique while keeping the best aspects of his character.

Result

Mox def. Garcia by pinfall.

Grade

A

Notable Moments and Observations

• Before the match, in a stylized vignette, Allin warned Mox that he would need to be ready to die to step in the ring with him.
• Garcia started this match as a technical roll, winning out over Mox multiple times. When it turned to a brawl though, the former champ took over.
• Matt Menard was late to back up Garcia but protected him from Wheeler Yuta and Marina Shafir at ringside.
• Red Death's focus on the right knee of Mox led to The Death Rider working hobbled down the stretch.
• Mox nearly tapped out to the Dragon Slayer. Once he got out, The Death Rider rolled outside and planted Garcia with a DDT on the steel steps.
• The Death Rider mockingly indicated Garcia almost got him afterward then argued with him outside the ring.
• Red Death shoved a cameraman out of his way out.

Megan Bayne and Penelope Ford vs. Kris Statlander and Harley Cameron

Kris Statlander and Harley Cameron showed off their tag team chemistry throughout this hard-hitting bout, highlighted by the power clash of Megan Bayne and Stat.

After Harley cleared The Megasus from the ring, Statlander forced a submission with a headscissors stretch.

Bayne attacked Statlander after the bell, but Stat fought back. Ford pulled The Megasus to safety when Willow Nightingale arrived to uneven the odds.

If there was any doubt that the women's tag team division is coming together in a big way, Harley and Statlander came out like a real duo with a combined entrance.

While their tag team moves together are still a work in progress, this was undoubtedly fun, elevated by every clash of Bayne and Stat.

All signs point to the first women's Blood & Guts match, and Statlander vs. Bayne is going to be a centerpiece of that contest, no matter who else is involved.

Result

Statlander and Harley def. Ford and Bayne by submission.

Grade

B

Notable Moments and Observations

• Harley sang the opening lines of her theme in the arms of Statlander for their tag team entrance.
• Statlander and Harley hit Bayne with a combination pendulum facebuster for a near-fall that Ford broke up.
• Willow and Statlander remained uncertain with one another, but Harley raised both their hands while the fans called for a hug.

Mercedes Moné Refuses to Acknowledge Alex Windsor During Championship Celebration

Renee Paquette hosted a celebration for Mercedes Moné. After early pleasantries, Renee questioned why The CEO would not acknowledge Alex Windsor making her tap out at Forbidden Door.

The CEO chose to turn the focus to mocking Windsor and the injured Will Ospreay.

Since Windsor was not in the arena, this did not accomplish anything. AEW did not even have footage to show of Moné's RevPro title victory.

If The CEO is going to have all this gold, it would be good to set up a variety of challengers for her.

Even if the TBS Championship is the only gold The CEO can defend in AEW, more women should want a shot at that title and a chance to work with Moné.

Anna Jay, Tay Melo, Nyla Rose, Taya Valkyrie, Yuka Sakazaki, Lady Frost, Leila Grey, and more come to mind as options with availability for at least a one-off title challenge.

Grade

D+

Notable Moments and Observations

• No one beyond Renee appeared for this celebration, showcasing that The CEO had no friends or even teammates to back her.
• The CEO teased that she was going to break Último Dragón's ten championship record soon.

Brodido and JetSpeed vs. the Don Callis Family

Bandido, Brody King, "Speedball" Mike Bailey and Kevin Knight moved at an unreal pace, pushing The Don Callis Family almost beyond their limit.

However, after a fast-paced energetic back-and-forth, Josh Alexander managed to catch Bailey with a roll-up for the three count.

This was incredible action throughout, moving so fast it was verging on difficult to follow. The talent involved never let up, and the result could have gone either way.

Alexander was clearly the lowest-level star in this match with serious potential to step up to his peers in The Family. Giving him the win here was the right move.

It sets up for any mix of The Don Callis Family to challenge Brodido soon, which gives plenty of variety in the tag team division while others deal with personal rivalries.

Result

Alexander, Okada, Takeshita and Hechicero def. Speedball, Knight, Bandido and King by pinfall.

Grade

A

Notable Moments and Observations

• Don Callis gave Hechicero the biggest introduction while Okada was presented almost separate from The Family.
• Wardlow stood with Callis, looking like his exclusive bodyguard.
• Okada and Takeshita almost got into it during a tense tag sequence.
• With an assist from King, Bandido moonsaulted off the top rope while JetSpeed dived simultaneously with The Don Callis Family.

Kenny Omega Comes out to Save Hangman Adam Page from the Don Callis Family

Hangman Adam Page celebrated Will Ospreay and hoped that he could meet him again with the AEW Men's World Championship on the line.

Don Callis tried to intimidate The Cowboy, sending out a variety of his Family. Hangman jumped at Josh Alexander before JetSpeed came to help followed by Kenny Omega.

It has been a long time since Hangman and Omega worked on the same side, so it was good fun to see them fighting together again.

This sets up an exciting team-up next week, bringing together the former tag team champions against The Don Callis Family.

That was the main positive of this segment that felt a bit rushed through, especially considering it would make more sense for Hangman to still want some revenge on The Death Riders.

The Callis Family going after all the gold. It is hard to say who would be the one to challenge Hangman though since Kazuchika Okada, Konosuke Takeshita and Hechicero are already in separate championship pictures.

However, a return match between Hangman and Alexander could be a good way to keep establishing The Walking Weapon in a loaded stable.

Grade

C+

Notable Moments and Observations

• MJF cut a chilling promo backstage after Forbidden Door, promising to take Hangman's soul when he signed his contract after dealing with Mark Briscoe.
• Mark warned MJF that he was ready for anything but first wanted to challenge Kyle Fletcher for the TNT Championship.
• Omega and Hangman hit a V-Trigger/Buckshot combo on Lance Archer.
• In a pair of pre-taped interviews, "Timeless" Toni Storm helped hype up Mina Shirakawa while Athena promised to beat her down in the 2300 Arena.

Trios Championships: the Opps (c) vs. Ricochet and GOA

Ricochet was all over this match, helped by Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona's ability to physically match-up to The Opps.

As The One and Only looked poised to win, MVP blasted Ricochet with his cane, knocking him off the top rope. Powerhouse Hobbs spinebustered The One and Only followed by a Samoa Joe Coquina Clutch for the win.

Afterward, while Ricochet struggled to stand, Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin arrived. The Hurt Syndicate brawled with GOA to the back.

The talent involved was always going to deliver, but the booking and presentation of this match was rushed, mainly focused on setting up an obvious finish.

Ricochet has become a top name in AEW, so it was somewhat surprising he took the pin. Beyond that though, The Hurt Syndicate costing them gold was completely expected.

The two teams have each lost out on gold in the same week, so this should be presented as an intense rivalry for all involved.

Meanwhile, The Opps remain a dominant force in the trios division. While there are plenty of potential trios that could step up next, it is time to build credibility with those rival teams before the next title match.

Result

Joe, Hobbs and Shibata def. Ricochet, Kaun and Liona by knockout to retain the Trios Championships.

Grade

B-

Notable Moments and Observations

• The One and Only tried to out-muscle Hobbs early to very little effect.
• Ricochet caught Joe with a superkick and running shooting star press, but Shibata saved the pin.

Falls Count Anywhere: Darby Allin vs. Claudio Castagnoli

Darby Allin and Claudio Castagnoli brutalized each other in a hardcore match that started in the back.

The Daredevil finally managed to put away The Swiss Superman with a pair of Coffin Drops.

Gabe Kidd led a sneak attack on Allin afterward, but The Daredevil managed to send Kidd into Jon Moxley and escape.

Especially in AEW, the question of what anyone will do in a plunder-style match could be answered in the most extreme ways. This was more fun than truly brutal, even if Allin took some wild spots especially early.

Both men needed that though after an intense steel cage match at Forbidden Door. They warred around the arena and protected The Swiss Superman while giving Allin a needed victory.

Mox vs. Allin is the clearest second match for All Out, setting a strong standard for the rivalry matches. The championship bout will have a tall order keeping up with the heated foundations for All Out.

Result

Allin def. Castagnoli by pinfall.

Grade

B+

Notable Moments and Observations

• The match started with Castagnoli throwing Allin in a shopping cart and sending him into a set of chairs.
• The Daredevil climbed a high pole at ringside and Coffin Dropped Castagnoli for an early near-fall.
• Emulating Bam Bam Bigelow tossing Spike Dudley in the same arena, Castagnoli tossed Allin out of the ring onto the announce table.
• Allin dodged Castagnoli to send him through one table in the corner. The Swiss Superman responded with a powerbomb into a table in the other corner.
• For some reason, Kidd wore a hoodie to disguise himself briefly for his attack on Allin, but it obvious who was attacking.

Overall Show

The pace of this show was unreal. It was truly non-stop, even if the first hour was better than the second.

Christian Cage and Adam Copeland sending FTR packing right into Jon Moxley vs. Daniel Garcia then Megan Bayne and Penelope Ford vs. Kris Statlander and Harley Cameron was a wild start to the night.

The All-Star 8-Man tag was also great and helped pick back up the momentum into the fun main event of Darby Allin vs. Claudio Castagnoli to sell the omnipresent threat of The Death Riders.

Tony Khan is known to be a big ECW fan, so it was not surprising that he is taking this residency seriously.

The crowd was electric throughout. The action was wild while also leaving plenty of excitement for future weeks to come.

The All Out card is already coming together, but the vision is blurry for the major championship scenes.

This was a hype night that made clear why the 2300 Arena is going to be a great venue to highlight AEW's roster for several weeks.

Hopefully, Dynamite, Collision and ROH continue to build the excitement over future weeks.

Overall Grade: A-