AEW Dynamite: Summer Blockbuster Review - June 11, 2025

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

Will Ospreay vs. Swerve Strickland Ended in a Time-Limit Draw

It was smart to have this start the show to ensure it got as much time as possible (and so the show didn't end on a time-limit draw). I had a feeling it'd go to a time-limit draw, and although AEW does a lot of those, I honestly didn't mind them doing it in this case. They had another excellent outing and the post-match angle with Ospreay taking the proverbial bullet for Strickland during the beatdown from The Death Riders and The Young Bucks gets them back on the same page.

Mistico def. Blake Christian

I don't closely follow CMLL's product, but Mistico has been on AEW TV a handful of times in the past and I've also seen the awesome run he's had over in MLW over the last year, so it's cool that he's back in AEW having a mini feud with MJF heading into Grand Slam: Mexico. This served as a nice showcase of his skills and his post-match confrontation with MJF set up their match for next week.

The Hurt Syndicate (MJF and AEW World Tag Team Champions Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin) def. "Speedball" Mike Bailey, Kevin Knight and Mascara Dorada

I liked how the post-match angle from the last match immediately led into this. I thought the babyfaces might win to set up Bailey and Knight as the next number one contenders to the AEW World Tag Team Championship, but apparently not. Despite that, this was a fun, spirited six-man tag team affair. I get wanting to give MJF a win before he faces Mistico.

The Opps Saved "Hangman" Adam Page from The Death Riders

As I always say, anything involving Death Riders is indeed death to me most weeks, but this was a decent angle for what it was, largely because of Page and his intensity. He took the beating and attempted to fight back like a champ. At least he had The Opps to save him. AEW has done nothing to convince me Page is winning at All In, but he's still playing his role exceptionally well.

Tay Melo and Anna Jay def. Penelope Ford and Megan Bayne

Of the many partners Jay has had throughout her tenure in AEW, she had her strongest chemistry with Melo. Melo hasn't wrestled on AEW TV in over two years, yet I thought she held her own just fine here. It was an average outing otherwise, and I can see this leading to Melo vs. Bayne one-on-one. And no, I have zero interest in AEW creating tag titles for the women. Those would quickly go to waste.

AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada and Don Callis Attacked AEW International Champion Kenny Omega During the Winner Take All Contract Signing for All In

The video package that preceded this contract signing recapping their history in New Japan Pro-Wrestling was fantastic as well as necessary for the few viewers who may not have been aware considering it's been so long since their last match. It definitely gave their upcoming clash a big fight feel. They kept the talking to a minimum, but Okada's beatdown on Omega was well done (other than Omega's ridiculous selling of the "blood") and put more heat on their match. Callis' involvement in this story isn't needed, though.

Overall Show

Much like last week, the show opened and closed on a high note (the Dynamite portion that is, I'll discuss Collision in a separate review). The stuff in the middle was serviceable, but this was no different than Fyter Fest in that it didn't really feel like all that special of a show. The Summer Blockbuster branding was pointless, but I realize that was only done because of Collision airing right after. The top matches for All In are clear, but the rest of the card needs focus.

SEE MORE: Dynamite Reviews