This special “Homecoming” edition continued the road to “WrestleDream,” consecrating “Hangman” Adam Page and Samoa Joe’s match with a terrific face-to-face interview conducted by Tony Schiavone.
Page acknowledged that he owes The Opps a debt of gratitude for neutralizing The Death Riders at “All In: Texas.” So, he’ll happily oblige Joe’s challenge.
Joe was far less cordial, disparaging the champion as a “pretender.”
I love this feud’s simplicity. Spurred on by a perceived slight from the world’s champion, Samoa Joe has turned water into wine.
In addition to their world championship match, three other matches were announced for the show.
Having successfully defended his TNT Championship against Kyle O’Reilly, Kyle Fletcher’s next challenger will be Mark Briscoe.
This will be their fifth singles encounter, with both performers tied with two wins apiece.
Kyle Fletcher vs. Kyle O’Reilly
Rating: ***1/2
— Ray Petree (@raypetree.bsky.social) October 8, 2025 at 11:32 AM
The Young Bucks will face Jurassic Express with a $500,000 cash prize on the line — giving Matt & Nick Jackson an opportunity to recuperate their losses last week at the Hard Rock Casino.
Brodido lost their double-jeopardy eliminator match against Kazuchika Okada and Konosuke Takeshita, so the champions will be forced to put their titles on the line against the Don Callis Family’s dueling aces at “WrestleDream.”
Brodido vs. Kazuchika Okada & Konosuke Takeshita
Rating: ***1/4
— Ray Petree (@raypetree.bsky.social) October 8, 2025 at 11:33 AM
The other noteworthy development was the debut of Lacey Lane, formerly known as Kayden Carter in WWE. Lane has previously been featured in Ring of Honor, but made her AEW debut answering Mercedes Moné’s open challenge for the TNT Championship.
Lane’s offense was dynamic, taking the champion by surprise. In the end, it wasn’t enough to overcome the “CEO.”
As a singles competitor, I don’t have a great deal of interest in Lane. However, if she can incentivize Kacy Catanzaro (fka Katana Chance) to become All Elite, then the impending tag team division will be exponentially stronger.
Mercedes Monè [c] vs. Lacey Lane
Review: ***¼
— Ray Petree (@raypetree.bsky.social) October 8, 2025 at 11:26 AM
The opening contest saw Jon Moxley square off against New Japan’s “Stone Pitbull,” Tomohiro Ishii. In addition to being the current NJPW Strong Openweight Champion, Ishii is also a member of The Conglomeration. All of Ishii’s work is characterized by its physicality. An adept practitioner of NJPW’s strong style, Ishii is willing to both endure and inflict pain in equal measure.
As a heel, Moxley is an ideal canvas for that smashmouth brand of wrestling — forced to continue coming back for more.
Jon Moxley vs. Tomohiro Ishii
Rating: ***¼
— Ray Petree (@raypetree.bsky.social) October 8, 2025 at 11:26 AM
The Hurt Syndicate resolved to settle their score with The Demand this week, squaring off against Ricochet & The Gates of Agony in a street fight. Like Samoa Joe, Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin’s demeanor exudes legitimacy. Not only because of their stature of amateur credentials, but the way they carry themselves. Their intensity is palpable, reminiscent of world class prize fighters.
Juxtaposed against the former tag team champions, Toa Liona and Bishop Kaun seem more formidable than ever before. Especially the former, who took Lashley to task.
Ultimately, it was the Hurt Syndicate who prevailed — rebounding from their loss at “All Out.”
The Demand vs. The Hurt Syndicate
Rating: ***¼
— Ray Petree (@raypetree.bsky.social) October 8, 2025 at 11:26 AM
The show ended with Darby Allin intervening in PAC and Orange Cassidy’s match, on behalf of the latter. When The Death Riders tried to retaliate, Allin produced both a taser and Molotov cocktail — forcing security to physically restrain him.
Orange Cassidy vs. PAC
Review: ***
— Ray Petree (@raypetree.bsky.social) October 8, 2025 at 11:26 AM
For the past year, no one has been able to match Jon Moxley’s brutality. In Allin, Moxley has found a formidable adversary. Can Moxley sink to the same depths that Allin has to survive “WrestleDream” or will he be forced to surrender?
From top to bottom, this week’s episode of “Dynamite” was a considerable improvement over the last few installments—blending quality performances in the rings with entertaining segments. And, at two and a half hours, the episode’s blistering pace made everything feel digestible.
Rating: ***¾
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