AEW Dynamite Results, Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights From Jan. 14

Maximum Carnage came to All Elite Wrestling for the January 14 show of Dynamite, including a massive Men's World Championship clash in the Arizona Financial Theater in Phoenix.

MJF and Bandido collided for the world title, while The Triangle of Madness tested the friendship of Kris Statlander, Willow Nightingale and Harley Cameron.

Kenny Omega made his return, and Darby Allin hoped to complete his run through The Death Riders with a win over Pac.

It was to be a special night of action, delivering the true definition of "maximum carnage."

Darby Allin vs. Pac

All Elite Wrestling

Darby Allin looked for revenge against Pac.

Last Time in Action: Pac alongside Wheeler Yuta and Daniel Garcia defeated Sky Flight (Collision, January 10); Darby Allin defeated Yuta (Collision, January 3).

Allin dived onto Pac during his entrance, beginning a brawl into the audience, that The Bastard won after suplexing The Daredevil onto steel steps.

Once the bell rang, Pac hit a multiple rebound clothesline for the near-fall, still leaving Allin with little ability to fight back in this contest.

The resilience of The Daredevil was tested, nearly getting counted out after The Bastard threw him onto the stage, but the tide turned after Pac seemed to tweak his ankle.

Allin went after Pac, intentionally targeting the ankle. Wheeler Yuta tried to make the save with a steel chair, but The Daredevil knocked him out and used that chair with a Coffin Drop on the ankle.

Allin then locked in the Scorpion Deathlock to force a submission.

This was a phenomenal match, especially if the hints of Allin's crusade clouding his morality will pay off down the line.

As the tide turned, The Daredevil went after Pac with vicious clarity, attacking an ankle that has previously sidelined The Bastard. Even if justified, it came off more like a heel tactic.

It is hard to imagine Allin as a full heel, but anything is possible. The true long-term future of The Death Riders remains uncertain, and The Daredevil could make a play to take over.

Pac and Allin have so much chemistry as a pairing, delivering vicious offense that never verged on unsafe.

The Daredevil picked up an expected but important victory to put The Death Riders behind him. He has already started to tease his next goal is the AEW Men's World Championship.

So many wrestlers want a shot at MJF, but few come as a more believable opponent to dethrone than Allin, given the history between these "Pillars".

Result

Allin def. Pac by pinfall.

Grade

B+

Notable Moments and Observations

Renee Paquette did a quick rundown of this match similar to her Continental Championship rundowns, indicating she may do it more for The Death Riders.

Daniel Garcia carried both Jon Moxley's Continental Championship and Claudio Castagnoli's CMLL World Heavyweight Championship during Pac's entrance.

The placement of Pac on his release German suplexes was impeccable, especially sending Allin into the turnbuckles without any head or neck bump.

Pac sold the ankle like a serious concern, and the post-match saw officials worried about his health. It did not make Allin's final win feel that heroic.

It was somewhat surprising, especially given the injury sell, that only Yuta got involved in this match to help Pac.

Hangman Adam Page vs. 'The Bounty Hunter' Bryan Keith

All Elite Wrestling

Hangman Adam Page fought off Samoa Joe's latest obstacle for The Cowboy.

Last Time in Action: Hangman Adam Page alongside Swerve Strickland defeated Powerhouse Hobbs and Hook in a Lights Out match (Dynamite, January 7); Bryan Keith alongside Big Bill lost to JetSpeed (Collision, January 3).

The show started with Samoa Joe announcing backstage that he had put a bounty on Page's head, taken by Keith.

Big Bill tried to interfere multiple times to keep The Bounty Hunter in this fight, but Swerve arrived to take out the big man with a chain, setting up a Buckshot Lariat from Hangman to Keith for the win.

Afterward, The Cowboy warned The Samoan Submission Machine that he would take everything from Joe. The Mogul then warned MJF that he and Hangman were still coming for him.

Kenny Omega arrived to tell both men he would go through them and anyone else to earn his way to the world title. All three agreed that the best man would get to MJF.

After Hangman and Swerve left, Don Callis arrived to challenge Omega to fight Josh Alexander. The Cleaner wanted it on the night, but Callis set it would be next week on Dynamite.

It is always fun to play on the Western gimmick dynamics in AEW, even if The Bounty Hunter had no chance to beat The Cowboy in this match.

They pair up well and delivered a more complete match this time around than their first encounter back in 2023 on the former Rampage program.

It was not the most memorable match, but it would be great to eventually build this as a rivalry once AEW has a clearer direction for The Bounty Hunter.

Swerve's involvement continues to sell what neither man will fully admit. They are partners in this fight and will have each other's back.

The Omega arrival was a nice dramatic sell for his own title aspirations. He played well to the crowd, even if he hammered home the need to win matches before his challenge a bit too hard.

Omega vs. Alexander is a big match given the history built between them, especially Kota Ibushi's injury. It may have made more sense though to build this up before Omega turned to MJF.

Result

Hangman def. Keith by pinfall.

Grade

B-

Notable Moments and Observations

Swerve started with "I" but turned it to "we" when warning MJF about the title challenges to come. Hangman walked into frame after the "we."

The Cowboy warned Omega that he would not treat him like a friend but a rival before they shook hands.

The Cleaner had to explain at least four times that he needed to win matches to earn a title shot. It is odd he then did not set up a match for this week.

Backstage later, Swerve put over JetSpeed before Hangman said he would team with them to challenge The Opps for the World Trios Championships on Collision.

Brody King vs. Jonathan Cruz

All Elite Wrestling

Brody King continued his win streak on Dynamite.

Last Time in Action: Jon Cruz alongside Rob Killjoy lost to Powerhouse Hobbs (Dynamite: Fight for the Fallen, January 1, 2025); Brody King defeated Barrett Brown (Collision, January 10, 2026).

Renee Paquette interviewed Brody King backstage, who hyped up Bandido, until Jonathan Cruz interrupted.

King revealed he was facing Cruz next in a standby match, throwing his opponent to the ring and making quick work of him for the victory.

What are these squash matches accomplishing? They are helping King's win-loss record ahead of his claims for a world title opportunity and keeping him on TV.

However, King is good enough that he could be fighting more substantial opponents in these matches.

While it is nice to see one of AEW's best big men in action, hopefully this is about the end of his squash match era.

King's insistence on getting the first shot at Bandido for the world title most likely will set up a heel turn, which would be a shame as Brodido still has legs as an alliance.

Result

King def. Cruz by pinfall.

Grade

D+

Notable Moments and Observations

King wrestled most of the match in his jacket and threw it onto Cruz after winning.

King cut a short promo, telling Bandido to beat MJF and win big. He slipped on his words at the end, talking about his title opportunity.

4-Way Tornado No. 1 Contender Tag

Last Time in Action: "Speedball" Mike Bailey and Kevin Knight alongside Anthony Bowens lost to GOA and Ricochet (Collision, January 10); Young Bucks and "Jungle" Jack Perry defeated The Demand (Dynamite, January 7). This was Jake Doyle's debut, teaming with Mark Davis for the first time.

This tag team match was chaos from the start as all eight men brawled in and out of the ring.

Toa Liona and Bishop Kaun caught Matt Jackson with Open the Gates for the first near-fall. Knight caught Liona with a UFO Splash to Liona, almost sealing the win.

The Young Bucks caught Speedball with the BTE Trigger, and Ricochet had to interfere to save the match. Jungle Jack attacked The One and Only afterward.

In the following chaos, GOA and Young Bucks took each other out while Doyle and Davis isolated Knight for Close Your Eyes to win.

After the result, FTR arrived, wheeling out Stokely Hathaway, and a brawl quickly broke out between the teams.

Unsurprisingly, this match sparked early and never slowed down. Especially because of the tornado format, there was no opportunity for anything but pure action.

While only one team could win, every single one looked like a serious challenger for FTR in a tag division that has truly come together again to be a big part of AEW.

This was a massive debut for Doyle, who looked like a dominant force alongside Davis. This team immediately looks like a threat to anyone, even FTR.

It is odd that the heel teams are feuding, but if this tag title match happens in Australia, Davis will be the crowd favorite. AEW can play in the heel/face ambiguity in the meantime, selling that they just both want to be the best.

Davis and Doyle are unlikely to win, but that is mainly because the end game of FTR vs. Adam Copeland and Christian Cage for the tag titles is pending. Otherwise, this is a team to invest in.

Result

Davis and Doyle def. JetSpeed, Young Bucks and GOA by pinfall to become the new No. 1 contender to the AEW World Tag Team Championships.

Grade

A

Notable Moments and Observations

Backstage, Sky Flight laid out challenges for Collision. Zayda Steel would face Marina Shafir, and Top Flight and Scorpio Sky would fight Josh Alexander, Kyle Fletcher and El Clon.

Both Ricochet and Don Callis joined commentary for this match.

The way Doyle powered through Speedball's hurricanrana and threw him onto the crowd outside made a statement on his unreal strength.

Cosmic Babes of Wrath vs. Triangle of Madness

Last Time in Action: Kris Statlander, Willow Nightingale and Harley Cameron defeated Hyan, Maya World and Vertvixen (Collision, January 10); Triangle of Madness alongside The MegaProblems and Mercedes Moné defeated The Cosmic Babes of Wrath, Timeless Love Bombs and Jamie Hayter (Dynamite: Blood and Guts, November 12).

In this back-and-forth fight, these trios both showed off their team synergy.

The Cosmic Babes of Wrath nearly won after Stat planted Thekla then Harley jumped on Willow's back for a double running senton.

The Sisters of Sin broke up the pin before the action broke down. Stat saved Willow from a Thekla Spear then took a Stomp from The Toxic Spider that sealed the win for Thekla.

This was a delightful sprint, though it could have used a few more minutes to especially highlight Julia Hart and Skye Blue down the stretch.

The final run was all about The Toxic Spider, who was too much for both Willow and Stat, setting the stage for her to pin The Cosmic Killer.

Even though Stat, Willow and Harley looked great together, this match could only end one way. The Triangle of Madness should be nearly unstoppable in trios action.

Moreover, this win solidified why Thekla must be Stat's next challenge for the AEW Women's World Championship.

It would also make too much sense for The Sisters of Sin to earn a Women's World Tag Team Championships match from this.

Result

Thekla, Hart and Blue def. Stat, Willow and Harley by pinfall.

Grade

B+

Notable Moments and Observations

Excalibur confirmed Stat, Willow and Harley were the Cosmic Babes of Wrath when teaming together.

The Cosmic Babes came out dressed as HUNTR/X.

After this match, AEW showed a teaser graphic for the new signed Rascalz.

AEW Men's World Championship: MJF (c) vs. Bandido

Last Time in Action: Bandido defeated Sammy Guevara (Dynamite, January 7, 2026); MJF defeated Samoa Joe, Hangman Adam Page and Swerve Strickland to become the new AEW men's world champion (Worlds End, December 27, 2025).

MJF tried to quickly steal the win in this one with a roll-up, but the early pin attempts only solidified that this was going to a long fight.

The Salt of the Earth mocked Bandido while focusing on his left arm. The ROH world champion turned the tide with a tope suicida followed by a crossbody over the barricade on MJF.

Bandido combined a Poison-rana into a Code Red for a close near-fall.

The Salt of the Earth held the ropes on the first 21 Plex attempt then transitioned into the Heatseeker. Bandido fought it off but was caught on the follow-up springboard with a cutter for a near-fall.

The two exchanged near pins late that were much closer to finishing the fight, but Bandido reversed into a X-Knee and 21 Plex.

The ROH world champion was slow to the pin, and MJF turned the pin into the Salt of the Earth transitioned into a LaBell Lock, causing Bandido to pass out from the pain on his injured arm.

Afterward, MJF put over Bandido as a future AEW champion, saying it was why he needed to hurt him more. Brody King made the save before MJF could rip off his mask.

This was as good as it gets for a TV main event. MJF and Bandido were electric throughout, setting AEW's standard for match of the year. Everyone will be looking to surpass including future MJF challengers.

The best way for MJF to surpass this is with more dramatic stakes. The action was great, but the result was inevitable.

The ROH world champion lost nothing in the expected loss. MJF even showed respect to Bandido afterward before going back to heel mode.

The two men have great chemistry that could be explored even more in the future.

It was a definitive loss though, making clear that Bandido is not coming back around to challenging MJF soon.

It is more likely based on teases that King will be the next one up for MJF, possibly at the Grand Slam: Australia show.

Meanwhile, AEW should use the spotlight from this match to quickly establish the next challenger to Bandido's ROH World Championship. That could also be King if AEW wants to test this friendship more.

Result

MJF def. Bandido by technical knockout to retain the AEW Men's World Championship.

Grade

A

Notable Moments and Observations

Bandido came out in impressive Aztec Batman gear.

MJF pulled out both a mocking Three Amigos and Macarena early to aggravate his opponent.

The 21 Plex set-up rivals Rey Mysterio's 619, but MJF played his role well in selling why he was falling to the ropes for those finisher teases.

The show ending with King holding up Bandido triggered wrestling paranoia, but King did not turn against his friend... yet.

Overall Show

While AEW has delivered higher level in-ring spectacle for themed editions of Dynamite, this was clearly a show relying upon its main event to sell the importance of Maximum Carnage.

Bandido and MJF delivered on the promise of the moment, competing at the highest of levels throughout.

At 29 and 30 years old, respectively, MJF and Bandido showcase the level of talent AEW can have on its roster for more than a decade to come.

The rest of the show did not slouch, particularly in delivering results that sets standards to come.

Jake Doyle's debut alongside Mark Davis was a spectacular match and announcement of the big men's importance to the tag team division, immediately earning a shot at FTR.

Thekla pinned Kris Statlander in a clean finish that establishes The Toxic Spider as a major threat to The Cosmic Killer's title reign.

Darby Allin put Pac behind him in a great opener that should add even more future challengers for MJF in a loaded world title scene.

Everyone was on point throughout the night, even if the pace of the show stalled a bit during the overlong Kenny Omega promo and unnecessary Brody King squash.

All was forgiven down the stretch by consistently great action in the second hour.

Overall Grade: B+