The road to “All In Texas” continued last night, AEW returned to Ontario at the Toyota Arena for the 300th episode of “Dynamite.”
I thoroughly enjoyed “Dynamite 300.” While I wish this was more of a celebration, I have to applaud Tony Khan for prioritizing the road to “All In Texas” and focusing on the task at hand.
Not only was the opening segment very sports-entertaining, but the main event between Kota Ibushi and Kazuchika Okada was one of the better “Dynamite” matches of 2025.
Rating: ***½ (VERY GOOD)
HIT: “Hangman” Adam Page and Jon Moxley open the show
“Dynamite 300” began with “Hangman” Adam Page, reaffirming his commitment to vanquishing The Death Riders at any cost. Page is prepared to go to hell and back to defeat Jon Moxley. So, why not up the ante and make this a Texas Death Match?
From there, all hell broke loose—culminating in Page leveling Marina Shafir with a Buckshot Lariat and forcing Moxley to accept his proposal.
Not only was this thoroughly entertaining television, but it created even more intrigue to Moxley and Page’s match at “All In Texas.”
HIT: Mercedes Moné [c] vs. Mina Shirakawa
Mercedes Moné defended her TBS Women’s Championship in the opening contest against Mina Shirakawa.
This was Moné and Shirakawa’s third single’s encounter this year. The first took place at “Wrestle Dynasty,” while the second occured in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, at “Resurgence.” Moné managed to win their first encounter, while the second was won by their third opponent, AZM.
In their prior meetings, Shirakawa’s goal was the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship. Now, it’s Moné’s TBS Title, as well as exacting some measure of revenge for her transgressions against “Timeless” Toni Storm.
Unfortunately, Shirakawa’s efforts weren’t enough to overcome the “CEO.” However, this was another strong outing from both women—on par with their bout at “Wrestle Dynasty.
Rating: ***½
HIT: MJF vs. Brody King vs. Anthony Bowens vs. AR Fox
For months now, I’ve questioned the logistics of a match to determine the pole position in the Casino Gauntlet Match. Afterall, being the second entrant would be equally as advantageous.
Maybe my criticism was taken into consideration, because this fourway match was held to determine the second entrance in the Men’s Casino Gauntlet Match at “All In Texas.” Last week, Mark Briscoe earned his spot. Last night, it was MJF, Brody King, Anthony Bowens, and AR Fox’s turn to earn theirs.
Of course, AR Fox returned to “Dynamite” to perform a time-honored tradition: a job. This time, it was for MJF, who forced Fox to submit via the Salt of the Earth.
This was a fun exhibition though, accentuating MJF’s greatest strengths as a heel.
Afterwards, Mark Briscoe confronted MJF, challenging him to leave The Hurt Syndicate backstage next week so they can have a man-to-man conversation.
Rating: ***
HIT: The Hurt Syndicate beat JetSpeed within an inch of their life
Shortly after Briscoe confronted MJF, it was JetSpeed’s turn to confront the AEW World Tag Team Champions. However, “Speedball” Mike Bailey and Kevin Knight chose violence over diplomacy, quickly getting the better of the champions.
Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin quickly recomposed themselves and easily overwhelmed JetSpeed—crushing them with their sheer might. However, JetSpeed weren’t ready to lay down, so The Hurt Syndicate attacked again, and again, and again.
While The Hurt Syndicate ran roughshod, they still couldn’t manage to break Bailey and Knight’s indomitable spirit. For that reason alone, this was thoroughly entertaining.
HIT: Konosuke Takeshita & The Young Bucks vs. Bandido, Roderick Strong, and Kyle O’Reilly
This match was sponsored by the new “Superman” movie and billed as a battle between good and evil. The antagonists were Konosuke Takeshita & The Young Bucks, while the heroes were Bandido, Roderick Strong, & Kyle O’Reilly.
Takeshita and Bandido are slated to wrestle next Friday at “Supercard of Honor,” for the latter’s ROH World Championship in Texas. So, this contest gave us a preview of that encounter.
It’s been over four years since Matt & Nick Jackson joined forces with Takeshita, but their synergy was extraordinary. And, it proved to be too much for the trio of Bandido, Strong, and O’Reilly.
Rating: ***½
HIT: Will Ospreay & Swerve Strickland reissue their challenge
After The Young Bucks’ match, Swerve Strickland & Will Ospreay confronted the brothers to reissue their challenge.
Last week, Ospreay urged The Young Bucks to put their titles as Executive Vice Presidents on the line. This week however, Strickland clarified their stipulation by admitting that Ospreay and Strickland aren’t interested in becoming EVP’s. Instead, The Young Bucks will simply lose their executive powers.
Of course, The Young Bucks declined their offer—so Ospreay sweetened the deal. If Strickland and Ospreay lose at “All In Texas,” they’ll be unable to challenge for the AEW World Championship for the next year.
Strickland was incensed by Ospreay’s offer. Recognizing their dissent, Matt & Nick Jackson accepted Ospreay’s revised proposal.
Thus, one more match has been made official for “All In Texas.”
HIT: Will Ospreay & Swerve Strickland vs. La Facción Ingobernables
Strickland & Ospreay stayed in the ring for another match between good and evil, sponsored by “Superman.”
Their opponents were The Beast Mortos & Dralistico, representing La Facción Ingobernables.
This was a serviceable match. Mortos & Dralistico fared well against the dream-team pairing of Ospreay & Strickland, but this was still a one-sided affair.
Ospreay & Strickland’s creativity was on full display, dispatching LFI with a pair of improvised finishing maneuvers.
Rating: **¾
HIT: Kazuchika Okada vs. Kota Ibushi
In the main event, Kota Ibushi squared off against his longtime rival, Kazuchika Okada, in hopes of exacting some measure of revenge against the “Rainmaker” for his violent transgressions towards Kenny Omega.
Ibushi and Okada’s rivalry stems from their time together in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, where the two wrestled in a myriad of exceptional contests. However, their last meeting was marred by misfortune, when Ibushi was injured performing his patented Phoenix Splash.
This was a full circle moment for the “Golden Star,” whose career has been plagued by injuries and controversy since that fatal night. And, it was a momentous occasion for AEW’s flagship television program. Ibushi and Okada have competed in the main event of New Japan’s grandest stage, “Wrestle Kingdom,” in the Tokyo Dome. Last night, their storied rivalry was renewed in the main event of “Dynamite 300.”
As a fan of New Japan in the late-2010’s and early-2020’s, this match resonated with me in a profound way. Ibushi and Okada found a way to extract the essence of their rivalry and distill it down to its purest form—creating something that was digestible for national American television.
Like all of his encounters in AEW, Okada needed to be brought out of his shell. Thankfully, the “Golden Star” forced the “Rainmaker” to rise to occasion, resulting in one of the better “Dynamite” matches of 2025.
Afterwards, The Don Callis Family swarmed Ibushi, prompting Kenny Omega to intervene.
After nearly two-years, The Golden Lovers have reunited once more.
Rating: ****¼
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