On Wednesday, AEW will celebrate the sixth anniversary of its flagship television program, Wednesday Night “Dynamite.” There have been 312 episodes of “Dynamite,” delivering classic matches, promos, and everything in between.
To celebrate the show’s sixth anniversary, these are the six best moments in “Dynamite” history.
Hikaru Shida wins the AEW Women’s World Championship
Hikaru Shida was the pillar of the women’s division during the COVID-19 pandemic, winning the title on May 23, 2020, at “Double or Nothing,” and holding it for a staggering 372 days. Unfortunately, due to health and safety guidelines, Shida was unable to defend her championship for full crowds.
All of that changed on Episode 200 of “Dynamite,” when Shida defeated a heel Toni Storm for the AEW Women’s World Championship.
While her second reign was brief, it was a victory lap for Shida, who had been the division’s standard bearer during the pandemic era.
“Hangman” Adam Page burning down the house
Since its inception in 2019, AEW has emphasized its in-ring product. This has been typified by the promotion’s slogan, “where the best wrestle” – a sentiment that’s been reaffirmed by the promotion’s president, Tony Khan.
However, AEW is no stranger to the bizarre world of sports entertainment, either – where professional wrestling can reach the height of absurdity.
“Hangman” Adam Page and Swerve Strickland’s rivalry stemmed from a series of matches in late 2023 and early 2024, that propelled Strickland to the world stage. While Strickland reinvented himself as the AEW World Champion, Page became singularly focused on vengeance.
All of that culminated in Episode 258 of “Dynamite,” when the “Hangman” burned Strickland’s childhood home to the ground.
The Elite reunite
Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks and “Hangman” Adam Page were centrifugal forces in the formation of All Elite Wrestling. Alongside Cody Rhodes, Omega and the Bucks were the promotion’s Executive Vice Presidents – and collectively known as The Elite.
Meanwhile, Page was groomed to be the promotion’s future ace – embarking on a two-year long saga that culminated in him defeating Omega for the AEW World Championship.
In 2023, the faction triumphantly returned, reuniting to face the Blackpool Combat Club in an “Anarchy in the Arena” match at “Double or Nothing.”
CM Punk, MJF promo battle
CM Punk’s feud with MJF and The Pinnacle was a high-water mark for the promotion, culminating in a pair of phenomenal singles matches and a plethora of terrific promos. However, none were more poignant or incendiary than their first exchange.
On the microphone, Punk and Friedman are both masters of their craft, so seeing both men share the ring and set the stage for their ensuing rivalry was a sight to behold.
Sting’s debut
Sting’s brief stint in the WWE was distastrous. Buried by Triple H, robbed of his veritable dream match with The Undertaker, and ultimately injured by Seth Rollins. It seemed like the icon’s career had reached its end. That was, until “Winter is Coming” in 2020.
In the same episode that Kenny Omega won the world championship from Jon Moxley, it was Sting who stole the show – beginning an encore for the ages.
Brodie Lee tribute show
Brodie Lee’s untimely passing in December 2020 shook the professional wrestling world to its core. In his wake, AEW responded in the only way they knew how: delivering a heartfelt tribute show. The episode honored Lee’s legacy and life, not only as a tremendous professional wrestler, but as both a father and husband.
The show was a testament to All Elite Wrestling’s reverence for the sport of professional wrestling and its superstars – giving the bereaved a chance to pay their respect to Lee and the art form he dedicated his life to.
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