World Title and MJF
MJF has played the heel champion role throughout this stretch, repeatedly trying to avoid matches against wrestlers who have beaten him in the past. He attempts to use his stature to influence decisions and makes clear that he does not need friends, leaning on his money as the source of his power in his own view.
The ongoing story also points toward future World Title clashes involving MJF against Mark Briscoe, Andrade, Kevin Knight, and perhaps Kyle Fletcher down the line.
Mark Briscoe vs Pac
Mark Briscoe and Pac delivered a strong match that mixed mat wrestling with physical strikes and standout spots. Briscoe followed up on a solid promo from the prior week and went to the boss to set up a big cage match for Forbidden Door, where he can earn a shot at MJF's title.
Will Ospreay Backstage Promo
The Will Ospreay angle of joining the Death Riders to rebuild him into a champion has been positioned as AEW's strongest story of the year so far. The setup has included compelling backstage segments featuring Jon Moxley and Kenny Omega.
A video recorded after Ospreay beat Mark Davis continued to present him in a sympathetic light, with Ospreay opening up directly to the camera and connecting with the audience. He put over Davis by saying Davis was stronger than ever before, which framed Ospreay's victory as more impressive. Ospreay consoled Alex Windsor at the end of the segment.
Swerve Strickland vs Brody King
Swerve Strickland and Brody King closed the show in a main event slugfest that largely matched expectations despite limited pre-match backstage interviews or video packages to sell the bout's stakes.
Both men showed their ability to adjust styles for different opponents, and the match included a wide range of action. Brody may have knocked himself out briefly on a suplex from the top rope midway through the bout, either fighting through it or selling heavily through the sequence.
The pace started slow before building toward a stronger crowd reaction by the finish. Swerve's house call from the top rope stood out as a highlight, and Brody still looked strong in defeat. The bout served as a solid main event on an overall decent episode.
Owen Hart Tournament and Maya World
Maya World scored an upset win over Skye Blue in Owen Hart Tournament action. Saree was unable to participate in the tournament, and it was clear Saree was positioned to beat Blue, which made Maya World's replacement victory a logical booking outcome.
It was revealed that Maya World lost her brother within the last week. Renee Paquette communicated that detail to the television audience, though the live crowd in the arena did not appear to know during the match. The audience stayed flat for much of the bout, and Maya World did not receive the level of reaction her win might have otherwise earned. Tony Khan gave Maya World the victory in that spot.
Additional Dynamite Notes
Jon Moxley had a physical match with Shane Taylor, but after introductions the crowd struggled to invest because Taylor and his group have not been featured enough, or at all, on Dynamite and lack the win record to read as a credible threat to Moxley.
A Mercedes Mone video package aired as part of her return, though she came back portraying the same character as before rather than a humbled babyface turn.
Darby Allin returned sooner than expected to confront Kevin Knight, returning after only a couple of weeks rather than a longer absence.
