With “AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door” in the rearview mirror, AEW returned to Wintrust Arena in Chicago for the “Beach Break” edition of Wednesday Night “Dynamite.” 

This episode was headlined by a series of matches in the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament; the return of Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D., and a championship celebration for Mercedes Moné; and the evening’s main event — Will Ospreay defending his International Championship against Daniel Garcia, accompanied by Maxwell Jacob Friedman. 

Did AEW manage to stick the landing or did they suffer from a “Forbidden Door” hangover?

Let’s dive in.

Hits and Misses

HIT: The Cold Open

Normally, we’re greeted by Excalibur from the outset of the program, but this episode began with a cold-open from Daniel Garcia and “Daddy Magic” Matt Menard, interviewed by Renee Pacquette backstage to address the show’s main-event. MJF interrupted Pacquette’s interview, reiterating his respect for Garcia and offering his services as the challenger’s second in the match. Garcia graciously accepted MJF’s offer, adding another wrinkle to the exhibition.

The unorthodox nature of this segment emphasized the importance of Garcia’s opportunity. It made an otherwise ordinary main event for “Dynamite” feel like a momentous occasion. More importantly, it made me ask the question: “will the International Championship change hands this evening?”

That’s a homerun in my book.

HIT: The Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Matches 

After the aforementioned cold open, the focus shifted to center-ring — where the “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson met “The Bastard” PAC in an Owen Hart Foundation Tournament semifinals matchup.

As wrestling fans, we often throw the term “dream match” around, rather loosely. This was a veritable dream match. Neither Danielson nor PAC disappointed, either. Danielson continued to sell his neck injury, with PAC using the angle as a vehicle to target his offense. The match was filled with each wrestler exchanging many of their signature spots, culminating in a climactic exchange of submission maneuvers. Danielson reversed PAC’s inside cradle into a crucifix rollup, escaping by the skin of his teeth.

The second Owen Hart Cup matchup was Willow Nightingale versus Kris Statlander, accompanied by Stokely Hathaway, in a semifinal matchup. With Nightingale’s and Statlander’s sordid past fresh in our minds, the Owen Hart Cup is the perfect vehicle to continue this exciting feud.

It’s rare to see two women, defined by their unique combination of strength and quickness, share the ring. Statlander was the aggressor early on, leaving the ring to attack Nightingale during her ring entrance. The momentum swung back and forth from then on, but ultimately it was Hathaway’s interference that cost Statlander a chance at advancing. Now, Nightingale is one match away from winning back-to-back Owen Hart Cup tournaments. I can only imagine that Statlander and Hathaway will exact their revenge on Nightingale at the least opportune time.

The last Owen Hart Cup match of the evening was the “Last Outlaw” Jeff Jarrett, facing The Elite’s mysterious wildcard wrestler. That wildcard proved to be “Hangman” Adam Page, who returned after a three-month sabbatical — complete with new entrance music and a frightening demeanor.

Jarrett recently detailed his relationship with the man, Owen Hart, as well as the significance of taking part in the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament, in a digital exclusive interview that was as emotional, as it was brilliant. I urge all wrestling fans to watch that interview, because it greatly informed this match. For once in his career, Jarrett was the beloved underdog — trying to overcome an insurmountable obstacle in the former champion, Page. Ultimately, it was latter who advanced to the semifinals — exercising little mercy in his abject domination of Jarrett.

This isn’t the “Hangman” Page of old. His resentment towards Swerve Strickland is palpable. In his post-match interview with the Young Bucks, Page made his intentions very clear. Not only did he renounce his affiliation with the Elite, but his only goal is to win the Owen Hart Cup and defeat Swerve Strickland, at “All In” in London.

All three of these matches were phenomenal, continuing a wonderful trend for this year’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament. If I were to pick a favorite, it would easily be Danielson versus PAC. That easily could have been a 30 minute long Pay-Per-View match. Instead, we were fortunate enough to watch it on “Dynamite.” It’s a terrific time to be a wrestling fan.

HIT: Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D., and Mercedes Moné

2024 has been a triumphant year for AEW’s women’s division. “The Professor” Serena Deeb and former Women’s World Champion, Thunder Rosa, both made their returns after prolonged absences; Tony Khan acquired Deonna Purrazzo and Mariah May; and “Timeless” Toni Storm’s current portrayal has become a highlight of the company’s weekly programming. However, no signing or return has been quite as momentous as the acquisition of Mercedes Moné, who debuted at the special “Big Business” edition of “Dynamite” in Boston. Moné has become a force of nature in such a short amount of time, winning the TBS Title from Willow Nightingale at “Double or Nothing”, followed by defeating Stephanie Vaquer at “Forbidden Door” and earning the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship. Now, Moné is the double-champion — evening earning The Young Bucks’ admiration.

Enter Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D., one of AEW’s most successful and beloved wrestlers — who returned at “Forbidden Door” on Sunday after a 10 month sabbatical. Baker addressed her absence and condemned Moné for her arrogance, but was interrupted by the arrival of the “CEO” via the titantron. Moné was greeted outside of the arena by the Young Bucks, acknowledging her as a “CEO” that even they can support — signaling a change for the TBS Champion.

This segment was brilliant. Baker remained in the ring while the production team hurriedly prepared for Moné’s “double-championship celebration.” When Moné finally made her entrance, Baker gave her little room to breathe. Their back and forth was intense, perpetuating a recurring narrative in AEW that has yet to be properly executed: the newcomer outshining the AEW original. Last night, the AEW faithful chose the original. Baker challenged the double-champion to a match at “All In,” but Moné caustically declined — telling Baker to wait in the back of the line.

What a brilliant way to kick off such a highly anticipated feud. Very few women’s wrestlers today have the improvisational ability on the microphone as Baker. Very few women’s wrestlers have attained the stardom that Moné has. I can’t wait to see seven more weeks of this unfold, before “All In.”

HIT: Mark Briscoe Joining Team AEW

Mark Briscoe announced himself as the first member of “Team AEW,” who will represent the company at “Blood & Guts” against the Elite. While Briscoe was assaulted by the newly-crowned TNT Champion, Jack Perry, Kazuchika Okada, and the Young Bucks shortly thereafter — it was the speech that prefaced Briscoe’s announcement that reaffirmed his brilliance. Briscoe possesses so many of the same unique qualities that Eddie Kingston does. There’s an authenticity in the way he speaks; a candidness that connects with the audience on an extraordinary level. Normally, it would seem strange that the Ring of Honor Champion is representing AEW. For Briscoe, it’s only right.

HIT: The “Learning Tree” Finally Takes Root 

Before Samoa Joe, Katsuyori Shibata, and Hook faced the Cage of Agony in a trios match, the “Learning Tree” music began to play. At first, I was admittedly unhappy. Then, Chris Jericho revealed that he had received an executive order from The Young Bucks — forcing Taz to vacate Wintrust Arena before his son, Hook, began wrestling. Jericho took Taz’s place at the commentary desk, lamenting Hook’s use of the Judas Effect to defeat Jericho at “Forbidden Door;” which Jericho referred to as “gimmick infringement.”

For the first time since Jericho began his “Learning Tree” gimmick, it feels like this new portrayal of Jericho is trending in the right direction. While the jury’s still out on whether or not Big Bill and Bryan Keith were the right wrestlers for the role, the combination of influences that Jericho is trying to channel are interesting nonetheless. Finally, it seems like Jericho is less concerned with his shifting place in AEW’s landscape, and more interested in crafting a long-term story with Hook.

HIT: The Main Event 

What an extraordinary main event.

Shortly before both wrestlers took center stage, Will Ospreay shared a brief moment with Don Callis backstage. Callis urged Ospreay to use a screwdriver at “Forbidden Door” on Swerve Strickland, but Ospreay couldn’t bring himself to use the foreign object. Ospreay blamed himself, though, but told Callis that he isn’t the same man that he was last year — when Callis helped Ospreay defeat Kenny Omega and Chris Jericho. In short, Ospreay wants to leave the Don Callis Family. Surprisingly, Callis freely granted Ospreay his release, remarking that he’s happy to do Ospreay the favor. Maybe one day, Ospreay will be willing to return the favor to Callis.

With that exchange coloring our expectations, MJF made his way ringside as Garcia’s second, followed by the challenger, and lastly the champion. The match itself was exceptional, which was only natural given its’ participants. Garcia has proven himself time and time again, as an in-ring worker capable of going mano a mano with some of the greatest wrestlers alive. Ultimately, it came down to MJF offering Garcia the Dynamite-Diamond-Ring, to finish off Ospreay. While Garcia declined MJF’s offer, his reluctance gave Ospreay an opportunity to recuperate — finishing the challenger with a vicious Hidden Blade and retaining the title.

Ospreay consoled a heartbroken Garcia, whose emotions washed over him after the match. After Ospreay exited the ring, it was Garcia and his cornerman, MJF, who gave Garcia a similarly rousing speech. However …

MJF put his arms on Garcia’s shoulders, delivering a low blow between the legs. After that, he viciously assaulted Garcia with the Dynamite Diamond Ring, looking into the camera and asking the audience if this will “restore the feeling?” MJF didn’t stop there though; driving Garcia’s neck into the canvas with a tombstone piledriver off the top rope. Officials, physicians, and Interim EVP Christopher Daniels all made their way down to the ring, but MJF’s rampage didn’t end until Will Ospreay resurfaced — rushing to Garcia’s aid.

What an effective heel turn from MJF. Over one year ago, the once reviled MJF became one of AEW’s most adored stars, despite his arrogance and antagonist tendencies. To become a heel again, we knew it would have to be a momentous act. Something so indefensible and ruthless that it would garner unilateral hatred. This was brilliant.

Not only has AEW’s greatest antagonist returned, but he’s set his sights on arguably the company’s greatest protagonist, Will Ospreay. What an incredible feud to kick off the road to “All In.”

Tony Khan certainly didn’t suffer from a “Forbidden Door” hangover. From top to bottom, this was the best episode of AEW “Dynamite” in a long, long time. Normally, the exclusion of the World Champion would be an indictable offense, but this show left little room for Strickland to breathe. Hopefully, Tony Khan carries “Dynamite’s” momentum into Saturday Night’s Collision.

This week’s programming includes:

Friday Night “Rampage”

• Rush vs. Komander 
• Kyle O’Reilly in action
• Kyle Fletcher & Konosuke Takeshita vs. Private Party 
• Mariah May vs. Hikaru Shida (Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Semifinals Match)

Saturday Night “Collision” 

• MJF will kick off the show
• “Timeless” Toni Storm vs. Trish Adora 
• “Hangman” Adam Page vs. “Switchblade” Jay White (Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Semifinals Match)