AEW Dynamite Results, Winners, Live Grades, Reaction, Highlights From September 16

The September 16 edition of AEW Dynamite aired from the Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Virginia, promising first-time collisions and exciting developments toward All Out.

Will Ospreay, Andrade El Ídolo and Francesco Akira fought The Death Riders' Jon Moxley, Pac and Gabe Kidd. Jamie Hayter fought Lena Kross for the first time one-on-one.

Christian Cage, Adam Copeland, Darby Allin and Steven Borden teamed up to fight FTR, Kyle Fletcher and Kevin Knight. Nick Wayne hoped to make a statement at the expense of Chris Jericho.

For all the action and drama, check out the results, live grades and highlights below.

Christian Cage, Adam Copeland, Darby Allin and Steven Borden vs. FTR, Kyle Fletcher and Kevin Knight

Last Time in Action: Darby Allin and Steven Borden won their team debut against Josh Alexander and Mark Davis, and Kyle Fletcher and Kevin Knight defeated The Young Bucks (Dynamite, September 9). Christian Cage and Adam Copeland defeated The Young Bucks (All In, August 30). FTR lost to Cage and Cope (Double or Nothing, May 24).

Allin and Christian quickly tagged back and forth to decide who would get into it with Fletcher.

Steven got a chance to show off against Dax, including an impressively high Dropkick. The tensions kept building until all eight brawled in the ring into the commercial break.

From the break, the heels isolated The Daredevil and took out Cage and Cope, but Steven was able to make the hot tag and clear the ring until he was alone with Dax.

Dax managed to lay out Steven and set him up for a series of dives by all the heels, but Allin broke up the pin.

Christian caught Dax with a steel chair behind the referee's back then Cope hit him with a Spear. After a final scrap, Allin and Steven hit their Scorpion Death Drop/Coffin Drop combo for the win.

There were eight men in this match, yet this was the Steven show in terms of pace and focus.

He got all the hot tag spots and the pinfall victory at the end. It is clear that Tony Khan is heavily invested in Sting's son and wants to make him the next big thing.

He may just succeed, especially given how good he looks with Allin. The crowd is invested in the new star and is ready to believe.

Knight and Fletcher have been the main focus of recent weeks, including winning the main event last week. It was a bit surprising how little they factored into this match.

It looks likely that The Protostar and The Jet will face Allin and Steven at All Out, which will be the biggest possible challenge for the new star that needs to show he can hang with two of AEW's biggest top star projects.

Result

Steven, Allin, Cope and Christian def. Dax, Cash, Knight and Fletcher by pinfall.

Grade

B

Notable Moments and Observations

• The show started with both team conversing backstage. Christian struggled to play nice while Don Callis questioned if his boys should be No. 1 contenders.
• Cope was wearing his new shirt just added on ShopAEW.com.
• Stokely Hathaway joined commentary while Callis played manager. Stokely was especially focused on Steven.
• In a match filled with present and future top guys in AEW, Steven was easily the most over star in the match.
• Steven is still learning, but his Dropkick is amongst the best in AEW. He knows it too because it used it liberally.
• After the match, Christian did not want to give Allin back his TNT Championship.

Jericho vs. Nick Wayne

All Elite Wrestling

Jericho vs. Nick Wayne

Last Time in Action: Nick Wayne defeated Komander (Collision, September 5); Jericho lost in the Casino Gauntlet (All In, August 30).

Jericho and Wayne exchanged strikes early, but the 21-year-old phenom got too caught up in talking trash to Y2J.

Jericho laid out Wayne with a Death Valley Driver on the apron, but Wayne responded with a Destroyer off the steel steps into the commercial break.

Wayne took down Jericho with a Senton Atomico on the apron but then dived into a Codebreaker for a near-fall.

Y2J countered the Roundhouse into a Walls of Jericho, but Wayne powered his way free.

Jericho hit a pair of Second-Rope Headscissors Drivers into a Judas Effect that Wayne ducked into a Wayne's World for a near-fall.

Jericho ripped off the puka necklace of Wayne, which frustrated the young star and allowed Jericho to catch him with a leg-trap pin for the victory.

Afterward, Jericho tried to console Wayne, only for the young star to kick the rope between Y2J's legs then blasted Jericho with steel chair shots to the back.

Jericho continues to work hard to try and keep up with the younger hungry stars in AEW. It is not always flawless, but it is obvious that Y2J is doing the most he can with his physical limitations.

The positive was that Wayne looked great as the faster star throughout. He was good about keeping the action moving.

Overall, it was a solid showing that especially made Wayne look like a threat to a former world champion.

The puka necklace becoming a centerpiece of the story is an odd choice but could be a step in Wayne evolving his presentation.

This should all lead to the young star defeating Jericho in this rivalry, even if he needs some dirty tactics to pull it off.

If it does not, it is hard to say what the real point of this was, but it would not be surprising for Jericho to win again just like he did against Tommaso Ciampa.

Result

Jericho def. Wayne by pinfall.

Grade

C+

Notable Moments and Observations

• Before the match, AEW showed a highlight package for this feud including a heavy focus on Wayne's puka necklace, which he has worn for years.
• Renee Paquette also highlighted the experience gap between these two.
• "You still got it" chants for Jericho do not seem necessary since he's been working regularly on AEW television for months.
• A much more justified chant toward Wayne after the match: "Where's your mom?"

For a World Trios Title Match at All Out: The Conglomeration vs. Hangman Adam Page and Brodido

All Elite Wrestling

The Conglomeration vs. Hangman Adam Page and Brodido

Last Time in Action: Orange Cassidy, Roderick Strong and Kyle O'Reilly defeated The Lethal Twist (Collision, September 12); Hangman Adam Page, Bandido and Brody King defeated Braddah Kaimi, LVJ and Vin Parker (Collision, September 5).

The unorthodox styles of both teams were on display early including O'Reilly rolling Hangman effortlessly into submissions and Orange trying to catch King chops with his hands like high fives.

Orange's strategy did not last though, and Strong had to get involved to make the save, sending the match into commercial break with a loud chop exchange.

The Cowboy turned the tide out of the break with a strong hot tag sequence including catching Strong throwing Orange at him, laying out Freshly Squeezed with a Fallaway Slam.

King tagged in and Cannonballed both KOR and Strong then caught Orange jumping at him out of the ring. He tossed Freshly Squeezed onto a steel chair, but Orange ducked and allowed King to hit the barricade.

Bandido tagged in for an impressive Delayed Military Press Cutter for a near-fall. Orange fired back with a Stundog Millionaire and Orange Punch with the assistance of Strong for a near-fall.

In the final sequence, Strong saved Orange from King but walked into a Buckshot Lariat for the victory for The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

This was pure energy action. No one slowed down, and the strikes were loud throughout. It was a great showcase for two of the best trios in AEW.

The result was never in question since New Level and Swerve Strickland already defeated The Conglomeration while Hangman and Brodido are the money match right now for the World Trios Championships.

Still, everyone worked hard to make this a crowd-pleaser that sells The Cowboy and his friends as a big threat at All Out.

Result

Hangman, Bandido and King def. Strong, O'Reilly and Orange by pinfall to earn a World Trios Championships match at All Out.

Grade

B+

Notable Moments and Observations

• Taz sold Orange's strategy against King by highlighting the technicality of his blocks until King was too much for Orange.
• Hangman tossed Orange at Hangman, but he caught him for
• Orange ended up on the back of Hangman and teased riding The Cowboy then Hangman reversed into his own backpack position for his riding tease.

• Excalibur announced that Thekla and Willow Nightingale would fight for the right to challenge Mercedes Moné at WrestleDream since The CEO is not yet medically cleared.
• AEW then transitioned to promos from both women promising victory.

Tommaso Ciampa Wins Quick/The Demand Attack The New Level and Swerve Strickland

Last Time in Action: Tommaso Ciampa lost in the Casino Gauntlet (All In, August 30). Myles Hawkins alongside Rhett Titus and Nick Comoroto lost to The Opps (Dynamite, April 30).

Ciampa made quick work of Hawkins, catching him with his Running Knee for the victory.

Swerve Strickland, Kofi and Austin Creed arrived to talk with Tony Schiavone, but Ricochet, Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona arrived to lay them out.

They dominantly attacked Swerve and The New Level, standing over the champions with the promise of victory to come next week on Wednesday.

The squash match was nothing to write home about but gave The Psycho Killer a nice win to sell his threat to Kazuchika Okada and the International Championship.

The attack in the next segment was more important as it made clear that The Demand are not a filler threat to the champions. Ricochet is serious about getting his gold back.

This could be the opener or the main event for next week, but it is going to be a barn burner either way.

It is good to New Level already facing some adversity in terms of challenges, forcing Kofi and Creed to adapt to the fresh talent coming for them in AEW.

Result

Ciampa def. Hawkins by pinfall.

Grade

C

Notable Moments and Observations

• Ciampa declared his next goal in a pre-taped video, wanting to face Okada for the International Championship.
• Hawkins made the most of his brief time, highlighting his nice vest.
• Later, Okada insulted Ciampa only to get laid out by The Psycho Killer.
• AEW aired a nice video package highlighting Collision's tribute to "The Butcher" Andy Williams.
• "Jungle" Jack Perry backstage challenged another world champion, calling for a match with Samoa Joe including painting his challenge on the wall.

Jamie Hayter vs. Lena Kross

All Elite Wrestling

Jamie Hayter vs. Lena Kross

Last Time in Action: Jamie Hayter alongside Alex Windsor defeated Lena Kross alongside Megan Bayne to capture the Women's World Tag Team Championships (All In, August 30).

Kross immediately laid into Hayter before the bell, allowing her an early advantage in this contest. Kross continued to dominate including a vicious Apron Powerbomb into the commercial break.

Back from break, Hayter finally fought back, hitting a strong Flying Clothesline off the ropes.

The two exchanged strong strikes including a snappy Knee Lift by Kross that almost sealed the win.

Hayter fired back with a German Suplex and Shining Wizard for a near-fall.

Bayne arrived to distract referee Aubrey Edwards to allow Kross to hit Hayter with a crowbar followed by a Jackhammer for the victory.

Alex Windsor immediately ran down after the match with a wooden table leg to run off Divine Dominion.

Kross and Hayter have undeniable chemistry, and they delivered the best pure hard-hitting action of the night throughout this contest.

It is a shame that the match had a dirty finish for what could have been a statement moment in Kross's career with a clean win.

She looked great against a former AEW women's world champion and made a strong case that she and The Megasus could go for singles gold soon.

This result much like the battle of Megan Bayne and Alex Windsor made clear that The Brawling Birds are still the underdogs in the rematch with Divine Dominion.

Hopefully, both teams will get plenty of time to deliver a brutal hardcore Street Fight in Chicago.

Result

Kross def. Hayter by pinfall.

Grade

B+

Notable Moments and Observations

• Renee Paquette struggles to quote the dirty mouth of Hayter ahead of the match to describe the champion's feelings about Divine Dominion.
• The sound of Kross's knee to Hayter was louder than even King's chops earlier in the night.
• Backstage, Paquette tried to interview The Brawling Birds, who still looked confident about the fight they were bringing to Bayne and Kross.

Will Ospreay, Andrade El Ídolo and Francesco Akira vs. The Death Riders

All Elite Wrestling

Will Ospreay, Andrade El Ídolo and Francesco Akira vs. The Death Riders

Last Time in Action: Will Ospreay defeated David Finlay, and Andrade El Ídolo defeated The Beast Mortos to retain his National Championship (Dynamite, September 9);

Mox and Ospreay teased starting the action before tagging in Kidd. It was The Aerial Assassin, Andrade and Akira that showed their chemistry early, diving onto all three opponents at ringside.

The Death Riders eventually took over by isolating Akira, wearing him down in the ring into the final commercial break.

Ospreay and Andrade finally helped Akira out and turned the tide with their fast-hitting offense.

Mox and Ospreay gave fans a brief tease of what they could do together while Akira recovered for a fiery hot tag.

Akira caught Mox with a Springboard Cutter then went for a Running Knee, but The Death Rider's leader ducked.

Akira laid into Mox with chops into the corner, but a distraction from Wheeler Yuta allowed Mox to hit a King Kong Lariat.

Kidd laid out Ospreay outside with a Gotch Piledriver, and Pac caught El Ídolo with a Poisonrana on the floor. Mox hit two Paradigm Shifts and a Death Rider before locking in the Bulldog Choke for the submission.

Mox kept locking in the Choke past the bell until Andrade made the save, but The Dogs arrived to lay into El Ídolo.

The Death Riders threatened to use a steel chair on the neck of Akira, but Ospreay fought off the crowd with Hidden Blades. He and Andrade checked on Akira to end the night.

Limiting the number of men involved made this a better match than other recent Ospreay-focused multi-man contests, delivering a worthy main event for the night.

This served as a nice highlight spot for Akira. While he had competed previously with Ospreay, the focus was especially on highlighting what makes him special beyond just being in United Empire.

He looked spry and wild throughout, even called a more controlled Darby Allin by Excalibur.

It is a shame the finish of this match likely means he will be heading back to New Japan for a while, but it does set the stage for Ospreay to start building his own AEW-specific crew.

This match allowed Ospreay and Andrade to continue working together, selling the growing story of these two eventually colliding for the world title.

While Ospreay vs. Mox is a huge story, it also feels like the Andrade match to come will be a major contest where a title change is much more likely.

The Death Riders made a major statement to end the night with a victory, and this main event scene feels hot, making everyone involved look great.

Result

Mox, Kidd and Pac def. Akira, Andrade and Ospreay by submission.

Grade

A-

Notable Moments and Observations

• Earlier in the night, Pac showed that he did not appreciate Mox holding back against Ospreay while Kidd was fired up for the fight.
• Andrade and Ospreay teased one another backstage while Akira swore in excitement in both Italian and English over the fight to come.
• AEW aired a video talking up Andrade's legendary wrestling legacy.
• Excalibur announced that Andrade would defend the National Championship against Daniel Garcia as well as Thekla vs. Zayda Steel for Collision.
• El Ídolo found his usual "baddie" in the crowd, who gave him a lick during their selfie.

Final Word

The road to All Out feels important, elevated by great action from a talented roster of top wrestlers.

While most of the action was just good enough, the pay-per-view build has kicked in fully, and the hype for All Out is real.

The last two matches especially delivered big action and spectacle for what could be unforgettable battles to come.

Dynamites like this are likely to be mostly forgotten in the grand scheme of AEW, but they are still important, especially if All Out can live up to the hype.

Will Ospreay vs. Jon Moxley is carrying a heavy burden to be worthy of how much time and focus this feud has taken up on weekly TV. It is hard to imagine they will fail though.

Overall Grade: B-