“All In Texas” is only 17 days away, so it was important for this week’s episode of “Dynamite” to continue building towards the show.
Fortunately, it did exactly that—determining the number one entrants in both the Men’s and Women’s Casino Gauntlet Matches.
The highlight here was the men’s fatal fourway match, which was one of the better “Dynamite” matches of 2025.
Rating: ***½
Hits and Misses
MISS: Mercedes Moné Attacks “Timeless” Toni Storm
The show opened with Mercedes Moné attacking “Timeless” Toni Storm, exacting some measure of revenge against Storm, for her transgressions last week at “Grand Slam: Mexico.”
Moné’s assault was interrupted by Mina Shirakawa—setting the stage for a rematch between Moné and Shirakawa next week, on the 300th episode of “Dynamite.”
Still, as far as cold opens are concerned—this was a lackluster way to begin this week’s episode of “Dynamite.”
“You want to play games, Mercedes?!”
EXCLUSIVE: AEW Women’s World Champion ‘Timeless’ Toni Storm is INCENSED and on the hunt for Mercedes Moné! pic.twitter.com/UUJjnrQEYY
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 26, 2025
HIT: Will Ospreay & Swerve Strickland vs. Blake Christian & Lee Johnson
The Young Bucks exercised the executive powers to move Will Ospreay and Swerve Strickland’s match, that was scheduled for the second hour, to the opening contest
So, Will Ospreay’s music began to play and the “Aerial Assassin” sprinted to the ring—still taping his wrists. Fortunately, he was able to lace his boots during Swerve Strickland’s entrance.
Hailing from Tacoma, Strickland was in his element last night—receiving a hero’s welcome.
Their opponents were Blake Christian & Lee Johnson, who were handpicked by The Young Bucks.
While Christian and Johnson had the element of surprise on their side, they had no chance of upsetting the veritable dream team of Ospreay and Strickland.
Afterwards, the duo tried to attack The Young Bucks, but were thwarted by security. So, Ospreay and Strickland chose a more diplomatic route.
Strickland challenged The Young Bucks to a tag team match at “All In Texas,” while Ospreay suggested an intriguing stipulation: The Young Bucks put their title’s as Executive Vice Presidents on the line.
The Young Bucks were incensed by the idea, but it’ll be interesting to see where this angle takes us.
Rating: **½
HIT: Kota Ibushi vs. Trent Berretta
Last week on Saturday Night “Collision,” the “Golden Star,” Kota Ibushi, returned to confront the Don Callis Family and avenge Kenny Omega.
Ibushi hasn’t appeared in AEW since November 2023, when Omega was sidelined due to his bout with diverticulitis. In January 2024, Ibushi severely injured both of his ankles in a match against Naomichi Marufuji, for Pro-Wrestling NOAH.
He returned to the ring last August for DDT, but his stint in the promotion was curtailed due to creative differences.
Finally, the “Golden Star” has returned to AEW, and is ready to exact some measure of revenge against the Don Callis Family. His first victim was Trent Beretta.
While this match was far more contentious than I would have liked, it was still a fine showcase of Ibushi’s ability. Beretta’s cornerman, Rocky Romero, ran interference—giving Beretta
Afterwards, Okada made his presence known, but refused to confront Ibushi face-to-face. Now, the old rivals will meet once again, next week, for “Dynamite 300.”
Rating: **¾
HIT: Jon Moxley addresses “Hangman” Adam Page
Jon Moxley was backstage in a stairwell to address “Hangman” Adam Page. In short, Moxley has grown tired of Page’s indecisiveness. And, at “All In Texas,” he’s going to prove that Page doesn’t deserve the AEW World Championship.
There’s truth to Moxley’s words, too. Page’s self confidence has wavered, whereas Moxley has never lost sight of his objective. At “All In Texas,” Page will need more than momentum to conquer the “One, True King.”
HIT: Ricochet & AR Fox vs. JetSpeed
Ricochet is still in search of a faction, so this week—he’s enlisted the services of AR Fox, for a tag team match.
Their opponents were JetSpeed: “Speedball” Mike Bailey & Kevin Knight. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed JetSpeed’s work thus far, and this was no different.
Of course, Fox returned to perform the time honored tradition—a job—being pinned by Kevin Knight.
Afterwards, Bailey and Fox used their victory to challenge the AEW World Tag Team Champions, Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin, to a match at “All In Texas.”
The Hurt Syndicate answered in kind.
Rating: ***
HIT: Mark Briscoe confronts The Hurt Syndicate
Lashley and Benjamin made quick work of Bailey and Knight, with the “Almighty” chokeslamming both men through a table. Afterwards, MVP and MJF addressed the audience in Seattle.
MVP accepted JetSpeed’s challenge at “All In Texas” on the champion’s behalf, on the condition that they can still walk.
MJF briefly touched on his “victory” over Mistico last weekend, where he unmasked CMLL’s franchise player. Now, he’ll turn his attention to the Men’s Casino Gauntlet Match at “All In Texas,” where the winner will earn a shot at the AEW World Championship. Ostensibly, in a manner similar to last year’s “All In London,” where Christian Cage was awarded a contract.
However, his promo was interrupted by Mark Briscoe.
Briscoe said that the word of the day was “empathy,” because he recognizes that MJF’s derogatory remarks come from a place of pain. After all, Briscoe would be frustrated too if he had a small “kosher dill pickle.”
While MJF was incensed, Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin couldn’t help but laugh.
It’s clear that Mark Briscoe and MJF can produce great television. Hopefully, this isn’t an aberration.
HIT: Mark Briscoe vs. Bandido vs. Roderick Strong vs. Konosuke Takeshita
Mark Briscoe stayed in the ring for the next contest, to determine the number one entrant in the aforementioned Men’s Casino Gauntlet Match.
In the past, I’ve discussed how ridiculous this concept is. Theoretically, it would be advantageous to have the number one spot, because the match could end before the third entrant is introduced. However, that means it would be equally as advantageous to enter second. So, shouldn’t Tony Khan book a match to determine the second entrant?
In reality though, the first entrant has never won a Casino Gauntlet Match, which lends credence to MJF’s criticism: why compete for a spot that doesn’t give you a competitive advantage?
With that said, this match was still awesome.
Mark Briscoe faced Bandido, Roderick Strong, and Konosuke Takeshita in a fatal-fourway match. Need I say more?
All four men delivered, frantically trying to intercept pins and take advantage of the chaos. In the end, Briscoe was victorious—earning his place in the Men’s Casino Gauntlet Match.
Rating: ***¾
HIT: Kris Statlander vs. Athena vs. Willow Nightingale vs. Thunder Rosa
The next match determined the number one entrant in the Women’s Casino Gauntlet Match at “All In Texas.”
For weeks now, The Death Riders have seemingly been trying to court Kris Statlander into their ranks. Last Saturday on “Collision,” Jon Moxley even approached Statlander, offering her a bit of unsolicited advice.
All of that informed her performance in this match, against Athena, Thunder Rosa, and her former friend—Willow Nightingale.
There are essentially three stories intersecting here. The first is Athena and Thunder Rosa’s program, which has predominantly taken place in Ring of Honor. The second is Kris Statlander and Willow Nightingale’s ongoing saga. And, the third is Kris Statlander’s series of interactions with The Death Riders—which played a huge role in this match.
Wheeler Yuta and Marina Shafir ran interference in this match, distracting Nightingale long enough for Statlander to pin her with the Wednesday Night Fever.
Are we heading towards Nightingale and Statlander’s umpteenth encounter at “All In Texas?” If we are, then quite frankly I’m here for it.
Rating: ***½
HIT: “Hangman” Adam Page vs. The Beast Mortos
The main event saw “Hangman” Adam Page go one-on-one with The Beast Mortos.
As Jim Ross would say, this was a “slobberknocker.”
Page and Mortos are two of the hardest-hitting combatants in All Elite Wrestling. They’re also both able to work at a junior-heavyweight pace, turning this into a smash-mouth firefight.
Of course, it was Page who won the duel with his Buckshot Lariat.
Afterwards, the light’s went out. When they returned, The Young Bucks were in the center of the ring and leveled Page with an EVP Trigger.
The Death Riders followed in short order, circling the champion with chairs. However, it was Moxley who punished Page, choking him with a chain. The Opps tried to intervene, but were unable to enter the ring due to The Death Riders and Young Bucks overwhelming numbers.
Finally, the “Aerial Assassin” sprinted down the aisle and slid into the ring, distracting The Death Riders long enough for The Opps to join him. The Death Riders and Young Bucks immediately retreated, but the damage to Page had already been done.
On his way out of the arena, Moxley grabbed a camera and promised that, at “All In Texas,” he’ll show the world what a “real world champion” looks like.
Rating: ***
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