AEW Dynamite Results, Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights From Oct. 1

The sixth anniversary episode of AEW Dynamite brought a celebration of All Elite Wrestling's growing legacy at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, on October 1.

The Death Riders faced multiple threats. Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli and Daniel Garcia took the fight to "Hangman" Adam Page, Samoa Joe and Powerhouse Hobbs.

Meanwhile, Kris Statlander and Darby Allin teamed together against Marina Shafir and Wheeler Yuta after last week's dramatic finish.

Kenny Omega returned to team up with Brody King and Bandido, looking for revenge against Josh Alexander and The Young Bucks.

Kyle Fletcher put his TNT Championship on the line against Orange Cassidy in Freshly Squeezed's second match back, replacing the injured Hologram.

"Timeless" Toni Storm returned to Hollywood, hoping to find her focus again after losing the Women's World Championship.

Jurassic Express also made their return. Jack Perry and Luchasaurus stood together again, but were they ready to take on a new tag team division in AEW?

This was an important night for AEW, hoping to live up to a massive anniversary for the brand.

Kenny Omega and Brodido vs. The Young Bucks and Josh Alexander

Last Time in Action: Brodido successfully defended the tag titles against GOA (Dynamite, September 24); The Young Bucks as well as Josh Alexander and Hechicero lost a ladder match for the tag titles (All Out, September 20); Omega lost with "Hangman" Adam Page and JetSpeed to The Don Callis Family (Dynamite, September 3).

Alexander fought hard throughout, but once Brodido cleared the ring, a V-Trigger, 21 Plex and One Winged Angel sealed the pinfall win by Omega on The Walking Weapon.

Afterward, The Cleaner tried to clear things up with Matt and Nick Jackson. Instead, Alexander attacked him from behind. Jurassic Express arrived to take out The Young Bucks while Omega fought off The Walking Weapon.

Omega thanked the fans for their support before Andrade El Idolo made a shock return to attack him and then align with Don Callis.

This was a wild 30 minutes of television that escalated in multiple unexpected ways.

The match that opened the show was everything it promised to be, with six of the best in AEW right now going at it.

Alexander was especially giving to the babyfaces and made them look like destructive forces throughout the contest.

Omega was always going to win here because he was making a big return to the ring. He looked good though not quite at his peak thanks to a few sloppier moves.

Still, AEW will always need The Cleaner as long as he is healthy and ready to compete. That was proved by how much the fans bought into his simple babyface promo celebrating AEW's history.

It was ultimately a swerve to set up the return of a man who has wasted no time re-acclimating himself to the AEW roster.

Many will have differing feelings about Andrade, who has bounced between WWE and AEW more than anyone else in the past six years, but there is no denying his in-ring talent.

If Omega and Callis, two of AEW's stalwarts, are ready and willing to work with him and Tony Khan is happy to bring him back, that says he should be a good addition to the roster again.

Result

Omega, Bandido and King def. Alexander, Matt and Nick by pinfall.

Grade

A-

Notable Moments and Observations

• During the day, Matt Jackson talked to AEW about a massive entrance while Nick lost it all in the Hard Rock Casino.
• "The Broke Bucks" got a jobber entrance.
• Kenny did the Macarena with Bandido, but Alexander stopped King from joining in.
• King bodyslammed the Bucks and Omega onto Alexander one by one, then Bandido slammed King onto The Walking Weapon.
• Matt flipped through a 21 Plex and then flipped Bandido into Alexander's arms. Omega, King and Bandido turned it around and hit a triple piledriver.
• The Cleaner and The Scapegoat exchanged words in the ring, but Perry dived past him to go after the Bucks.
• Backstage, to the surprise of Konosuke Takeshita, Callis announced he and Kazuchika Okada would fight Brodido next week.

TNT Championship: Kyle Fletcher (c) vs. Orange Cassidy

Last Time in Action: Kyle Fletcher successfully defended the TNT Championship against Komander (Collision, September 27); Orange Cassidy won alongside Mark Briscoe and Hologram against The Don Callis Family (Dynamite, September 24).

Cassidy found several ways to avoid the brainbuster but could not put away Fletcher.

Hologram arrived, only to trip Freshly Squeezed on the top rope, setting him up to take the brainbuster for the loss.

Afterward, the fake Hologram revealed himself be El Clon and aligned with The Don Callis Family as the whole stable stood on the ramp together.

Unsurprisingly, Cassidy and Fletcher were good together, though this match did not quite sell Freshly Squeezed as a real threat to The Protostar down the stretch.

Even with limited drama, this was a strong first chapter in what could become a great rivalry down the line as The Conglomeration faces the Family.

Callis' stable has become comically large, which sets the stage for him to likely lose members in the near future.

While Andrade and El Clon could use a mouthpiece like Callis, Konosuke Takeshita should immediately find his opening to turn on his manager to raise his stake further.

Lance Archer, Rocky Romero and Trent Beretta look more expendable at this point while Brian Cage is unlikely to return to the group when he is back from injury. Wardlow might also be quietly written out while recovering.

Even with those potential extras, this does illustrate why AEW might want to scout potential managers for this roster. Callis cannot elevate all these names at the same time.

Result

Fletcher def. Cassidy by pinfall.

Grade

B

Notable Moments and Observations

• AEW aired a highlight package celebrating many of the best Dynamite moments over the years.
• In a backstage promo, Briscoe mocked MJF going home after losing at All Out.
• Callis focused on playing good manager for Fletcher over joining commentary.
• Cassidy almost stole the win with a small package counter of the brainbuster.

The Death Riders vs. 'Hangman' Adam Page, Samoa Joe and Powerhouse Hobbs

Last Time in Action: Claudio Castagnoli, Daniel Garcia and Jon Moxley defeated Paragon and Matt Menard (Collision, September 27); Hangman Adam Page successfully defended his world title against Lee Moriarty (Dynamite, September 24); Samoa Joe and Powerhouse Hobbs defeated The Workhorsemen (All Out, September 20).

Page was a house of fire throughout this match, hitting out at every member of The Death Riders. He picked up the win over Claudio Castagnoli with a Buckshot Lariat.

Afterward, Joe took offense to The Cowboy's attitude, and the two almost started brawling before security intervened.

Backstage, Hangman gave Joe a chance to win back his AEW World Championship, setting a challenge for WrestleDream.

More good action lived up to the legacy of AEW on its anniversary, especially highlighting a fun rising dynamic between Garcia and Hobbs.

The closing sequence between Hangman and Castagnoli was fantastic and could have set up a World Championship match between them at WrestleDream.

Instead, AEW swerved the focus to Hangman vs. Joe with a phenomenal post-match angle. The Samoan Submission Machine is a perennial world title contender thanks to his legacy and past title reign.

The Cowboy and Joe have obvious chemistry and are among the best character workers in the business, so this is sure to be a must-watch match.

AEW should give Page and Joe live mics in the next two weeks before WrestleDream to sell the story of their dynamic.

Result

Hangman, Hobbs and Joe def. Castagnoli, Garcia and Mox by pinfall.

Grade

B+

Notable Moments and Observations

• Garcia tried to square up to Hobbs to the delight of a crowd that watched him get flipped with a clothesline in a failed attempt.
• Hangman finally got the tag, and Garcia was left alone to face his wrath. Mox finally found an opening to piledrive The Cowboy and turn the tide.
• Hangman took out Mox with a Buckshot then went for Castagnoli, only to run into a European uppercut for the near-fall.
• Joe sucker-punched Hangman and reminded him "you've never beaten me."
• Later, Joe agreed to face Page at WrestleDream, promising to remind himself and Hangman who he is.

'Timeless' Toni Storm vs. Tay Melo

Last Time in Action: Storm lost her Women's World Championship to Kris Statlander (All Out, September 20); Tay Melo lost alongside Anna Jay, Harley Cameron, Jamie Hayter to Megan Bayne, Penelope Ford and The Triangle of Madness (Collision, September 13).

"Timeless" Toni Storm found a strong fight in Tay Melo, but she was able to reverse a Tay-KO and follow up with a corner hip attack and Storm Zero for the victory.

Afterward, The Timeless One made clear she was not done with Kris Statlander, but she also was struggling to figure out who she is without her world title.

This felt quick, but they made the most of just about eight minutes in the ring to tell the story of Melo trying to level up against the former champion.

She looked good throughout but could never quite match Storm. There was little drama in that regard, even when she teased the Tay-KO.

This segment accomplished its goals. Melo fought hard while Storm remains the top potential challenger for Stat.

Result

Storm def. Melo by pinfall.

Grade

B-

Notable Moments and Observations

• Melo challenged Storm on social media just before Dynamite.
• The crowd was very supportive of The Timeless One throughout the match only to pull out the obnoxious "What?" chants when she spoke.
• Sammy Guevara delivered a warning to Eddie Kingston that LFI was going to take him out, starting with him fighting Dralístico on Collision.

GOA vs. The Swirl

Last Time in Action: GOA lost in their challenge of Brodido for the Men's World Tag Team Championships (Dynamite, September 24); The Swirl lost to The Acclaimed (Collision, September 27).

Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona took Blake Christian and Lee Johnson too lightly early, allowing The Swirl to stay in this. GOA finally put them away with an elevated double.

The Hurt Syndicate arrived, and MVP admitted he failed Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin. They challenge The Demand to a Street Fight next week, which Ricochet accepted.

This was standard affair action and match set-up. GOA gave The Swirl enough to not bury them but still came out with an obvious win.

It was good to see The Hurt Syndicate in full force and ready to get right back into the ring, not waiting until WrestleDream for the trios rematch.

MVP, Lashley and Benjamin should get their win back here, but AEW will need to find a way to keep The Demand hot afterward.

Perhaps they can be the ones to dethrone The Opps when Katsuyori Shibata is back.

Result

Kaun and Liona def. Johnson and Christian by pinfall.

Grade

C

Notable Moments and Observations

• Ricochet joined commentary and was not kind to Bryan Danielson despite his kind demeanor toward The One and Only.
• After the win, Ricochet sent Christian into the ring to take the Spirit Gun.
• MVP played to the crowd, getting them to change his name after calling out the Florida area codes nearby.

Tornado Tag: Kris Statlander and Darby Allin vs. Marina Shafir and Wheeler Yuta

Last Time in Action: Marina Shafir and Wheeler Yuta made quick work of Rachael Ellering and Rosario Grillo (Collision, September 27); Kris Statlander successfully defended the Women's World Championship against Mina Shirakawa (Dynamite, September 24); Darby Allin lost to Jon Moxley in a Casket Match (All Out, September 20).

After a wild brawl, Marina Shafir got powdered by Wheeler Yuta. This led to her accidentally choking out Yuta and setting him for a 450 from Stat and Coffin Drop from Allin for the victory.

"Timeless" Toni Storm arrived afterward to stare down the champion and start brawling. Allin whipped Yuta with a leather belt in the ring until Pac made the save.

The Bastard choked out Allin while Jon Moxley promised he would make him say "I quit."

This was a delightful main event where all four contestants fought hard throughout. Shafir was clearly wrestling with an intense need to prove herself, knowing she was competing with three strong competitors.

This was more hardcore mess than classic, but it was an entertaining mess throughout, elevated especially by Allin and Stat's greatness.

The weapon usage was memorable especially down the stretch, and Shafir more than held her own.

While Storm and Statlander have not quite sold the need for a brawl in their face-off, they are clearly excited about elevating their feud quickly in these next couple weeks.

The Timeless One has enough credibility to tease that she could possibly get her gold back right away, even if she shouldn't.

Meanwhile, Allin has just a couple weeks to figure out how he can beat Moxley at WrestleDream. He is going to need some help.

Result

Allin and Stat def. Yuta and Shafir by pinfall.

Grade

B+

Notable Moments and Observations

• Mercedes Moné agreed to put her TBS Championship on the line next week against someone from Florida and then refused to team with Harley Cameron.
• In a pre-match interview, Stat accepted Storm's challenge for WrestleDream.
• Yuta slammed Stat only to get suplexed onto a pile of chairs for it.
• Shafir got thrown feet first onto thumbtacks in the match's most painful spot.

Overall Show

AEW likely could have done more to fully lean into the nostalgia of the sixth anniversary, but this was a good Dynamite throughout.

In particular, the WrestleDream build was consistent, setting up some big announcement, especially "Hangman" Adam Page vs. Samoa Joe.

The show started stronger than it finished, but it is difficult to follow up an opening 30 minutes where Kenny Omega returned to action against The Young Bucks and Andrade El Idolo made his shock return to AEW.

Despite AEW missing Will Ospreay and Swerve Strickland, it does not feel like Dynamite has any weak angles at the moment.

Everything matters and the action is consistently strong. Next week will be a tough show for AEW changing nights to Tuesdays, but Dynamite also built a solid foundation for that show as well.

In fact, Mercedes Moné defending the TBS Championship and Brodido fighting Kazuchika Okada and Konosuke Takeshita could deliver at least two matches better than anything this week, which would be a high bar to beat.

Overall Show: B