AEW Dynamite Results, Winners, Live Grades, Reaction, Highlights From Aug. 5

All Elite Wrestling returned to Arena México in Mexico City for a special Grand Slam: Mexico edition of Dynamite.

Will Ospreay looked to settle his issues with Mark Davis in a Mexico City Street Fight. Hangman Adam Page joined forces with Brodido to challenge The Demand for the World Trios Championships.

Kyle Fletcher defended the International Championship against "Speedball" Mike Bailey. Mercedes Moné and Divine Dominion teamed up to take on Willow Nightingale and The Brawling Birds.

These were just the beginning of a packed two-and-a-half-hour event. Check out all the grades, reaction and highlights for the show.

The Death Riders vs. Young Bucks, Christian Cage and Adam Copeland

Last Time in Action: Jon Moxley, Pac and Wheeler Yuta alongside Claudio Castagnoli lost to The Bang Bang Gang while Daniel Garcia lost to Will Ospreay (Collision, July 30). Christian Cage and Adam Copeland successfully defended the Men's Tag Team Championships against The Death Riders, and The Young Bucks defeated Jon Moxley and Ospreay (Redemption, July 26).

These two teams did not wait long to start brawling. Matt and Nick Jackson inspired even Christian to fly down onto The Death Riders, gaining an early advantage into the commercial break.

Mox tried to turn the tide from the break, but the surprise chemistry of their opponents caused him problems, including a double 619 from Cope and Nick.

The Patriarch delivered a low blow to Mox followed by a triple Superkick for the near-fall on the continental champion.

Marina Shafir distracted Cope from a Spear and received a low blow from Christian. After the team fought off Yuta and Garcia, Cope caught Mox with a Spear.

Pac knocked The Rated-R Superstar into Matt and caught Cope with a roll-up with a handful of tights to take the win.

This was a good match emphatically elevated by a hot crowd that was interacting with everyone.

Despite eight men in the match, Mox and Cope were overwhelmingly the focus of the action. It was a waste of more fresh dynamics, especially between Christian and The Death Riders.

Still, there was nothing but crowd-pleasing action throughout, and no one looked shy about taking a bump or delivering one.

Cope took the fall but only after miscommunication with The Young Bucks, which set nicely that this friendly dynamic is likely to fall apart on the road to All In.

Mox never needs a win, but this does give him more momentum into the Continental Cup starting on Collision.

However, it made sense for The Death Riders to beat a group that looked good but was understandably less cohesive than the established stable.

Result

Mox, Garcia, Yuta and Pac def. Cope, Christian, Matt and Nick by pinfall.

Grade

B-

Notable Moments and Observations

• Cope talked up on Instagram about how much it meant to him to compete in Arena México. He arrived with a specialty luchador mask.
• The crowd was electric from the start, erupting for many of the top AEW stars arriving as well as popping big for explosive spots.
• After the inadvertent collision at the end of the match, Cope and The Young Bucks argued while Christian walked away.

#1 Spot in the Casino Gauntlet: Tommaso Ciampa vs. Komander vs. Andrade El Ídolo

All Elite Wrestling

Last Time in Action: Tommaso Ciampa defeated Nick Comoroto, and Komander defeated Jay Lethal (Collision, July 30). Andrade El Ídolo successfully defended his National Championship against "Jungle" Jack Perry and Nick Wayne (Dynamite, July 29).

While Ciampa tried to drive the crowd's ire early, he was taken down by the impressive rope walk dive of Komander.

Andrade caught Komander with a clean Torneo to the floor then found a woman Nigel McGuinness described as a "world class honey" for a selfie into the break.

The Psycho Killer took over through the break by catching Komander mid-springboard with a strong Knee Strike. El Ídolo knocked down Ciampa to pull off his pants to a pleased crowd.

Ciampa took back over and laid out Andrade's pants with a Project Ciampa. When nothing was keeping his actual opponents down though, Ciampa argued with referee Aubrey Edwards.

Andrade used the distraction to catch Ciampa with a Corner Meteora and the Día de los Muertos. Komander hit Ciampa with Cielito Mundo, but Andrade caught Komander with The DM right after to win.

Afterward, Andrade told the crowd that he would win the Casino Gauntlet for all of Mexico and his fellow Latinos.

MJF returned to attack El Ídolo with his Triple B, stealing back his Dynamite Diamond Ring before punching Andrade with it.

The Salt of the Earth then announced he would compete in the #2 Spot qualifier for the Casino Gauntlet next week and prove to the world that he was the one true world champion.

Unsurprisingly, this was excellent, building on the athleticism of all three men while utilizing the natural likability of both babyfaces, especially in Mexico.

Ciampa was the ring general as the heat magnet for wild lucha action.

While The Psycho Killer played his role well, it was always clear that Andrade needed to win this.

That only became clearer with the return of MJF, who is on a collision course with El Ídolo.

MJF delivered his usual strong promo work, selling the importance of the Casino Gauntlet at All In.

It is a shame that they will not fight one-on-one at All In, but hopefully that will eventually be the goal.

Andrade has become one of AEW's clearest top babyfaces. A feud with MJF would only solidify that fact.

At this point, it seems more likely Andrade would win the Casino Gauntlet over MJF, but best bets would be on a mystery entrant while MJF and Andrade take each other out.

Result

Andrade def. Komander and Ciampa by pinfall to qualify for the #1 Spot in the Casino Gauntlet at All In.

Grade

A

Notable Moments and Observations

• Before this match, AEW showed a hype video recapping last week's exchange between Will Ospreay and Kenny Omega.
• Ciampa arrived draped in the U.S. flag for the cheap heat.
• Excalibur threw out a fun fact that Andrade has competed in this arena over 500 times.
• Andrade was very popular in this match, though Komander might have been even more popular thanks to his wild high-flying.
• The Three Amigos delivered one of the loudest "Eddie" chants in a long time.
• MJF carrying around The Triple B and calling himself the real world champion is obviously a parody play on CM Punk's last run in AEW, and it is genuinely funny.

Mercedes Moné and Divine Dominion vs. Willow Nightingale and The Brawling Birds

All Elite Wrestling

Last Time in Action: The Brawling Birds alongside Hyan defeated MIT (Collision, July 30). Willow Nightingale defeated Thekla to win the Women's World Championship (Redemption, July 26). Mercedes Moné, Megan Bayne and Lena Kross defeated Willow, Maya World and Hyan (Dynamite, July 15)

Willow showed early chemistry with Jamie Hayter and Alex Windsor, running over the competition with explosive offense.

They even managed to knock Bayne off her feet. Hayter then dove onto all the heels on the floor heading into the commercial break.

Kross found herself isolated by the confident Brawling Birds back from break. The Megasus turned the tide as the two established teams collided in the center of the ring.

Moné and Willow tagged in and gave fans a preview of All In, delivering hard-hitting offense. After a Clothesline, Willow teased the Babe with the Powerbomb until Divine Dominion made the save.

The CEO tried to catch Willow with the Moné Maker, but Willow reversed into a Backslide for a three-count.

Six of AEW's top women collided and made the most of the moment. It was an interesting opportunity to tease two of the women's division's biggest matches to come.

While Moné and Willow delivered some fun short sequences, it was clear that both were holding back for the All In match to come.

However, Divine Dominion and Brawling Birds were not holding back, selling that as a must-watch tag match for All In as well.

It was a surprise to see Moné lose here, but it sold the story of The CEO's growing doubt. At this stage, the possibility of Moné losing at All In feels more tangible than a victory.

This should make Moné more desperate as these two have several more weeks to build this angle into Wembley.

Result

Willow, Hayter and Windsor def. Moné, Bayne and Kross by pinfall.

Grade

B

Notable Moments and Observations

• Moné and Divine Dominion looked like a complete trio with matching gear unlike the completely non-matching babyfaces.
• Excalibur announced afterward that this win had earned The Brawling Birds a future shot at the Women's World Tag Team Championships.

International Championship: Kyle Fletcher (c) vs. 'Speedball' Mike Bailey

All Elite Wrestling

Last Time in Action: "Speedball" Mike Bailey alongside Brodido defeated Kyle Fletcher alongside Brian Cage and Jake Doyle (Dynamite, July 29).

Both men arrived in masks, but while Speedball wore his with respect until the match, The Protostar stomped on his in disrespect.

The hard-hitting offense of Fletcher took down Bailey early including an Avalanche Michinoku Driver for two before the commercial break.

Speedball tried to fight back after the break, flying at The Protostar with little regard for his own body as the pace escalated.

The two fought to the stage where Fletcher teased a Brainbuster, but Bailey fought it off and hit a Moonsault off the steps.

Back in the ring, Speedball suffered another Michinoku Driver for a near-fall. Fletcher rolled to the floor with Bailey into an Apron Powerbomb.

He followed up with a Corner Rocket Kick and Sheer Drop Brainbuster for a close near-fall. Bailey caught Fletcher with a Top Rope Poisonrana into Weapon X for the closest near-fall of the match.

The Protostar would not be denied, picking up the victory after a Lawn Dart into the second turnbuckle and a Turnbuckle Brainbuster.

Fletcher tried to celebrate his win, but Kazuchika Okada interrupted for his own match. The Protostar stared down The Rainmaker while raising the International Championship.

Fletcher and Speedball are soulmate opponents, as this show-stealer once again proved. This was spectacular, perhaps even outpacing their Continental Classic battle.

Even if it was highly unlikely that Bailey would dethrone Fletcher ahead of a likely triple threat at All In (The Protostar vs. The Rainmaker vs. Konosuke Takeshita), the near-fall at the end sold the upset.

Without a replay, it did not even fully look like Fletcher did get his shoulder up in time.

This was a strong indicator of how big Speedball can be in AEW, and the company should not wait too much longer to reward him with a singles title run.

He would be a great name to dethrone his former friend Kevin Knight as TNT champion.

Result

Fletcher def. Speedball by pinfall to retain the International Championship.

Grade

A+

Notable Moments and Observations

• Don Callis was a true manager for Fletcher for the night to the delight of commentary, not having to talk to him.
• "This is lucha" chants rocked the arena after the stage brawl.
• The crowd completely bought into Speedball throughout this match, supporting him almost as strong as Andrade El Ídolo.

The Don Callis Family vs. Místico, Jericho and Darby Allin

All Elite Wrestling

Last Time in Action: Hechicero alongside Brian Cage and Jake Doyle lost to Kenny Omega, Will Ospreay and Jon Moxley (Dynamite, July 22). Kazuchika Okada and Kevin Knight alongside The Don Callis Family lost inside Death's Door (Forbidden Door, June 28).

Knight started the action by attacking The Daredevil during his entrance, immediately making The Jet the most hated man in the match.

Kazuchika Okada helped The Family keep control into the break with a vicious dropkick to Allin.

Místico helped rally the team in a crowd-pleasing sequence with a series of dives onto The Family at ringside.

Knight tried to steal the win by teasing a Coast to Coast to Allin, but Jericho caught him with a Judas Effect.

As Y2J locked Okada in the Walls of Jericho and Místico locked in La Mística on Hechicero, The Daredevil laid into Knight with a Coffin Drop to win.

While this was an odd match on paper, it was a massive crowd-pleaser throughout. All three babyfaces were huge fan favorites.

It was especially impressive how much the crowd cheered on Allin when two CMLL legends were also on his team.

His victory should set up a rematch with Knight, perhaps with a hardcore stipulation to set them up for a show-stealer in Wembley.

It is always special to see Místico in Arena México, so this was one of the best moments of the night despite limited connection to the build to All In.

Result

Allin, Místico and Jericho def. Knight, Okada and Hechicero by pinfall.

Grade

B+

Notable Moments and Observations

• Nothing beats Arena México singing "Me Muero" for Místico, but this crowd was electric for Jericho and Allin as well.
• Hechicero got some loud chants as well throughout. As one of CMLL's top men, AEW could have given him a better spotlight on the night.
• Jericho came out in throwback gear to his time as Corazón de León in CMLL and played on his high-flying past as he could in the match.
• Nigel McGuinness heavily implied this win for Allin should set him up for a TNT Championship rematch soon.

Persephone vs. Kris Statlander

All Elite Wrestling

Last Time in Action: Kris Statlander defeated Aurora Teves (Collision, July 30); Persephone lost to Maya World for the TBS Championship (Dynamite, July 29).

The CMLL world women's champion was the obvious crowd favorite despite her dirty tactics throughout this fight.

Thunder Rosa watched the action outside the ring, frequently jaw-jacking with Persephone while she supported Stat.

A strong Dropkick from Persephone helped her take control into the break, and she continued to challenge the power of Stat with confident aggression.

Stat missed the 450 Splash and ran right into a Spear from Persephone. In frustration, Persephone stole Rosa's Mexican National Championship and blasted her with it.

Stat took out Persephone but accidentally knocked down the referee at ringside. This allowed Hikaru Shida to take Rosa's title, blast Stat and set up a Springboard Frog Splash from Persephone to win.

Afterward, Maya World and Hyan arrived to make sure Stat and Rosa were okay while Persephone mocked them all for trying to beat her in her arena.

While it was the right move to have Persephone compete at Grand Slam: Mexico, Stat was the wrong opponent for this moment despite the story.

Persephone was the crowd favorite no matter what she did, and Stat only got light cheers for big moves in the contest.

Because of the larger story, Stat couldn't lean into the heel role, setting up an awkward contest with overdone interference down the stretch.

From a pure in-ring perspective, these two are good together, and this would have been better just about anywhere else. It was just the wrong stage for this booking.

The win for Persephone and full acknowledgement of her alliance with Shida sets up an interesting road to All In.

Maya has multiple interesting challengers for the TBS Championship, which may require a multi-woman match to settle this growing rivalry.

Result

Persephone def. Stat by pinfall.

Grade

C-

Notable Moments and Observations

• Rosa was popular at ringside and has clearly endeared herself to CMLL fans.
• Stat seemed to acknowledge the boos at time, but she never truly changed her style over the course of the match.
• The best part of all of this was Persephone's confidence and air of invincibility competing in this arena.

World Trios Championships: The Demand (c) vs. Brodido and Hangman Adam Page

Last Time in Action: The Demand defeated The Conglomeration to win the World Trios Championships, and Brody King and Bandido alongside "Speedball" Mike Bailey defeated The Don Callis Family (Dynamite, July 29). This was Hangman Adam Page's first match since losing to MJF in Texas Death (Revolution, March 15).

The Demand took advantage of their opponents' inexperience at first, but they could not handle the focused and fresh Hangman.

He set the pace and helped Bandido dive onto The Demand. However, Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona took out the babyfaces and laid into Bandido with Backbreaker into the commercial break.

The Demand kept control past the break as Ricochet proved too elusive for the babyfaces.

Liona showed off his unreal strength with a triple Samoan Drop on all three babyfaces but only got two on the pin.

After King took out Ricochet and Kaun at ringside, The Cowboy and Bandido combined for a Buckshot Lariat and 21 Plex on Liona to win.

On a night full of incredible action, this was solid but forgettable from a pure in-ring standpoint. However, the title win will be one of the most talked-about moments of the show.

The Cowboy is a champion again, and hopefully without a world title distraction, he and Brodido can run with the gold for a while.

This is a fun trio dynamic that AEW should lean into past All In. It should be tough for any trio to dethrone them.

It is a shame that The Demand already lost the gold, but Ricochet has found a way to keep himself and GOA relevant for a while without titles.

That should continue until the time comes for a championship opportunity again.

Result

Bandido, King and Hangman def. Liona, Kaun and Ricochet by pinfall to become the new World trios champions.

Grade

B

Notable Moments and Observations

• Hangman and Brodido came out to a mariachi band in matching sombreros, backed by CMLL's KeMalito.
• Unsurprisingly, Hangman was popular with a crowd that stayed loud past the second hour.
• King showed off his growing lucha style with some wild springboards.
• KeMalito stood in the babyface corner so confidently that the commentators repeatedly joked that he might tag in.
• Ricochet sold his genuine shock afterward at the loss at ringside, teasing there could be a loud response to this loss.

Mexico City Street Fight: Will Ospreay vs. Mark Davis

All Elite Wrestling

Last Time in Action: Will Ospreay defeated Daniel Garcia (Collision, July 30); Mark Davis lost his National Championship to Andrade El Ídolo (Redemption, July 26).

Will Ospreay went after Mark Davis immediately, starting strong until Davis threw Ospreay into a fan at ringside into the commercial break.

Back from break, the two fought on the top of the stage where Davis blasted Ospreay with a board that sent The Aerial Assassin rolling down the steps.

The Auszilla sent Ospreay head-first into a steel chair in the corner that busted him open. Davis used a fork to further open up the wound.

Ospreay fought back and used the fork to also bust open Davis. However, Davis responded with a brutal Running Crucifix Piledriver through chairs for a near-fall.

The Aerial Assassin turned the tide fully with a crotch grab and an Apron Piledriver. Davis returned to the ring into a Hidden Blade for a near-fall.

Ospreay blocked a Running Clothesline with barbed wire and landed a Styles Clash for another near-fall. Finally, The Aerial Assassin sealed it by wrapped barbed wire around Davis' head and hit another Hidden Blade.

Even with the build-up of this match, the pace of the main event did not quite land. Davis kicked out multiple times against offense that would have easily won any other night.

It was also never truly a question of who was winning, just how much Davis would survive before it was over.

Still, it was a fun and gory battle through the overrun that solidified all the more that Ospreay is ready to do anything to win in Wembley Stadium.

With this victory, Ospreay puts one of the two big losses on his record since returning behind him.

For most, that will be more than enough and keep the biggest story in AEW going for another week.

It was a surprise to not see Kenny Omega at all, but with his health, it may be best to not push him toward frequent travel ahead of one of the biggest matches of his career.

Result

Ospreay def. Davis by pinfall.

Grade

C+

Notable Moments and Observations

• The "Ospreay" chants echoed through the arena into the action.
• Even Arena México is not immune the "We want tables!" chant even while both are destroying each other with everything else.
• The referee had to awkwardly remind Davis to get up when he almost counted him down for 10 on the outside after the Apron Piledriver.

Final Word

The environment of Arena México is unlike just about any other venue in wrestling, and that elevated this to a can't-miss event.

The crowd stayed loud from start to finish, giving huge reactions to AEW's top stars while the card itself never quite rose to their level.

Kyle Fletcher vs. "Speedball" Mike Bailey was easily the match of the night, though all of the contests were at least good.

For a show that lasted nearly three full hours, though, much of the action was fairly inconsequential, just leaning into the spectacle.

Everything moved at a breakneck pace to deliver for a crowd that may not see full AEW action again for another year.

If AEW can work out the logistics, this would be a fantastic arena for a future AEW pay-per-view, delivering a show with stakes and action truly worthy of the moment.

No one is going to complain too much about what AEW delivered for Grand Slam: Mexico, but an easy argument could be made that the company could have delivered a bigger card on the road to All In.

Final Grade: B+