AEW Dynamite Review - October 22, 2025

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

AEW World Trios Champions The Opps (Samoa Joe, Katsuyori Shibata and Powerhouse Hobbs) def. The Hurt Syndicate (MVP, Shelton Benjamin and Bobby Lashley)

After what The Opps did to Adam Page at WrestleDream, I thought Page would cost The Opps their AEW World Trios Championship here out of revenge. Instead, it was The Demand costing Hurt Syndicate the win. Apparently that program will continue despite Hurt Syndicate beating them in their last two six-man tag team matches. Otherwise, this was a quality opener. The logic of Joe's post-match promo was whatever, but the delivery of his mic work is always so strong that I don't mind so much.

Darby Allin Addressed The Death Riders

Although the "I Quit" match between Allin and Jon Moxley at WrestleDream wasn't necessarily for me, I was happy Allin finally beat Moxley and even happier that their feud seemingly ended. Well, I was wrong. This segment indicated that their bad blood isn't over and that was confirmed to be the case later in the night. Ugh. This was a fine promo from Allin, but I'm beyond ready for him to move on.

Jamie Hayter & Queen Aminata def. Penelope Ford & Megan Bayne, Willow Nightingale & Harley Cameron, and Sisters of Sin in a Four-Way Tag Team Match

It was established that the winners would get to choose their opponents for the first round of the AEW Women's World Tag Team Championship Tournament. Per their victory, Hayter and Aminata will be facing Sisters of Sin (the new team name for Julia Hart and Skye Blue) in the quarterfinals. As for this match, it was very good and a successful showcase of the upcoming women's tag team division.

AEW Women's World Champion Kris Statlander and Harley Cameron Crashed AEW TBS Champion Mercedes Mone's Championship Celebration

I'm sorry but this segment did absolutely nothing for me. I realize Cameron's puppet is popular with fans, but it didn't work as well here as it usually does in backstage segments and it felt like it dragged on for too long. It doesn't help that we've seen several Mone championship celebrations already in the last year or so. Statlander vs. Mone should undoubtedly deliver at Full Gear, but I maintain that it's a lose-lose situation regardless of who wins and that it isn't the right time to be doing it.

Kyle O'Reilly def. Jon Moxley by Disqualification

I believe Allin and Page are the only ones to beat Moxley one-on-one so far this year, so I assumed this would be a straightforward win for Moxley. That said, the disqualification finish was a pleasant surprise. The match itself was really well wrestled and the final few minutes in particular were great. This led nicely into the subsequent six-man tag team match.

The Conglomeration (Mark Briscoe, Roderick Strong and Tomohiro Ishii) def. The Death Riders (Wheeler Yuta, Daniel Garcia and Claudio Castagnoli)

I still don't give a single shit about The Conglomeration, but I will them give credit for their clever new entrance inspired by Friends (or a similar sitcom). This was a solid six-man tag team affair with enjoyable action. Allin making the save for the babyfaces afterward must mean that it will be The Conglomeration and Allin vs. Death Riders in Blood and Guts next month. 

AEW TNT Champion Kyle Fletcher and Don Callis Declined Mark Briscoe's Challenge

I was looking forward to seeing who would step up as Fletcher's next AEW TNT Championship challenger and was actually disappointed when Briscoe showed up considering he just lost to Fletcher at WrestleDream. Sure, they had a hell of a match on Saturday, but they've had five matches in the last year and I have zero desire to see a sixth anytime soon. At least they kept this short and sweet.

AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada def. ROH World Champion and AEW World Tag Team Champion Bandido (ROH World Championship Was Not Defended)

This was the perfect match to do after Bandido pinned Okada in the AEW World Tag Team Championship match at WrestleDream. I have no issue with them not waiting until Full Gear to do it because a formal feud between them wasn't necessary. They had the excellent main event they were capable of here, even if the outcome wasn't in much doubt. Okada and Konosuke Takeshita staring each other down afterward makes me think we might get that match at Full Gear instead of in the Continental Classic (or maybe both?).

Overall Show

This edition of Dynamite had the typical above-average wrestling and the two hours were totally serviceable, but I hated how it felt like very little changed coming out of WrestleDream. Seriously, most of the feuds from that event are continuing and few of them are remotely interesting, especially the Death Riders garbage. Where is the big, exciting angle worth looking forward to on these shows from week to week? It's no wonder Dynamite's ratings are lower than they've ever been. There needs to be more of an incentive for viewers to tune in beyond the norm.

SEE MORE: Dynamite Reviews