AEW Dynamite live results: International Championship Series begins

The International Championship Series begins on tonight’s AEW Dynamite in Phoenix.

In a rematch from last year’s Revolution pay-per-view, Orange Cassidy will face Roderick Strong on tonight’s episode. Strong was the International Champion at last year’s Revolution and successfully retained the title over Cassidy.

The winner of tonight’s Cassidy vs. Strong bout will go on to face International Champion Konosuke Takeshita for the title on next week’s Dynamite, with the winner of that contest set to defend against Kenny Omega at this year’s Revolution pay-per-view on March 9.

After their confrontation on last week’s episode, MJF and Hangman Adam Page will go face-to-face once again on tonight’s Dynamite.

In a street fight, Powerhouse Hobbs will take on Big Bill of The Learning Tree on tonight’s show.

In six-man tag team action, The Opps Samoa Joe, Hook, and Katsuyori Shibata will face The Patriarchy’s Christian Cage, Nick Wayne, and Kip Sabian.

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AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Taz & Ian Riccaboni as the music for MJF and it’s time for the opening face-off.

Hangman Adam Page & MJF Face-to-Face

Security surrounded ringside, as MJF & Page (still using the heel tunnel) made their way to the ring, with both agreeing to zero physicality. MJF insulted the crowd and brought up Double or Nothing 2019, the first official match of the company being the Casino Battle Royal. MJF had the match won, but Page screwed him, cheap shotting him like a worm, so MJF had to claw his way to the top, by beating some of the biggest names wrestling has to offer. MJF brought up beating Page to win the Dynamite Diamond Ring, headlining Wembley Stadium, former International Champion and best/longest reigning AEW Champion of all time because he’s better than you and you know it.

Page asks why MJF is talking like he doesn’t know who he is? MJF is a 28-year-old who has accomplished so much, but can’t be happy, is it because there’s something he’s unable to win, from the fans? MJF snapped back and screamed at Page to shut his mouth, he doesn’t care about the fans. MJF thinks it’s funny the fans can determine who is morally redeemable when Page has been given everything on a silver platter and the main character. Page, who drank blood, attacked veterans, drove a syringe into opponent’s face, lighting a man’s house to ash (which got a huge pop). MJF said the fans will tell you Hangman did nothing wrong, as they’ll chant “Cowboy Sh*t” at the top of their lungs and asks if that gives Page the warm and fuzzies inside? MJF asks if everything Page has done, does Page love himself? Did Page love himself when he ended the career of his mentor, that worthless coward Christopher Daniels?

Page fired back that Daniels is 10 times the man MJF ever will be and he’d rip out his spine and give it to Daniels if he could. Page said Daniels gave part of his life to every company he’s been in, fighting for his life in the ring til the very end and knows Daniels wouldn’t have had it any other way. Daniels took care of wrestling, even when wrestling didn’t take care of him. Daniels is the best of pro wrestling and a reason why there’ able to stand in the ring tonight. It’s that humility that MJF doesn’t understand, as MJF doesn’t have the stomach for it. If MJF’s career ended tonight, what would they say about him, that he’s a credit to the sport or he’s an opportunist, a selfish coward, someone who has taken every shortcut possible thinking he’d get the fans admiration. After everything Page has done, the fans still care about him, but he’s not going to be arrogant enough to understand why. Page knows what is right and wrong, he tells the truth about things. He’s lied probably 100 times over the last 5 years, but never to the fans. Everything Page has had, he’s worked for, Tag Titles, World Titles, a family, it hasn’t been easy, while MJF has spent 5 years scheming to the top, lying to everyone standing in his way. Page hopes for MJF’s sake, a small part of him thinks it’s true because it’s not, deep down, MJF knows it.

MJF laughs and baby talks to Page & the fans before saying news flash dipsh*t, it doesn’t matter how you get to the top, he’s earned everything, which he can’t say the same for Page. The Powers That Be made Page the golden boy before this company even started, when all MJF needed was a scarf and a mic. He’s better than Page at everything and asks one thing Page is better at. Page simply said, he’s real before dropping the mic. MJF said Page can be the main character all he wants; he has no problem being the bad guy. An intense face-off occurred before both took their jackets off and were about to fight as security surrounded the ring. MJF faked retreating, but came back and spat in Page’s face. Page charged, but MJF high tailed it with security holding Page back. Page laid out all the security until Christopher Daniels showed up and Page pulled his punch. Daniels said this has been what he was fighting for this whole time, he knows the real Hangman and so does Page, who nodded in agreement. I thought this whole opening segment was excellent and a nice way to ramp up this feud.

-Video package recapping Grand Slam was shown

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-Renee Paquette is backstage with the Undisputed Kingdom, as Roderick Strong says he & Orange Cassidy are destined to dance forever. Strong knows Cassidy is friends with Kyle O’Reilly, but it won’t stop him from defeating him tonight and go on to win the International Title next week from Takeshita. O’Reilly said Cassidy is his boy, but Roddy is going to have to break his back. Adam Cole said they have Strong’s back and that is Undisputed.

The Opps (Samoa Joe, HOOK & Katsuyori Shibata) defeated The Patriarchy (Christian Cage, Kip Sabian & Nick Wayne w/Mother Wayne)

(Standard TV match where The Patriarchy controlled the commercial, only for The Opps to power back the second half. Cage wasn’t in very much in this, as the main story was him feeding Wayne & Sabian to the wolves. I’m not sure what the end game of this feud is, but I’m hopeful The Opps can break off into doing something new soon, especially as a repackaged trio. Seeing them vs. the Death Riders would be a fun match down the line.)

New theme and pyro for The Opps, as Joe especially got a massive ovation for their entrance. Shibata starts with Sabian, as both trade working the others arm until a kitchen sink from Shibata led to a tag to Joe, where both lit up Sabian with chops. Joe with the leg trip, as Sabian tried to roll out of the way, only to be flattened by a Joe senton. The same fate for Wayne, who tripped over his own partner before being squashed. Cage faked a tag, but bailed and forced Wayne to be brutally chopped in the corner. Mother Wayne ran distraction, as Sabian decked Shibata from behind, allowing Wayne to hit a snap suplex for two, staying in control during break.

Shibata mounted a comeback by sending Sabian outside and laying out Wayne, as HOOK made the hot tag, dishing out suplexes aplenty, including Cage, who was sent to the floor. Wayne fought off a suplex with a release Fisherman’s suplex of his own, as Joe steps in and cleans house. Cage nearly snuck in for a Killswitch, but Joe sent him outside and nailed a big time tope suicida. Wayne tried to steal a pin using the ropes, but HOOK kicked out, as Wayne was up and hit a high kick, trying Wayne’s World, but leapt into REDRUM. Shibata sank in a choke outside on Sabian, as Joe held off Cage, who refused to come in and try to break things up as Wayne tapped.

-It’s official, MJF vs. Hangman Page at Revolution

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-Highlights of Bandido & The Outrunners defeating The Learning Tree at ROH Global Wars on Monday was shown. Renee Paquette is backstage with Chris Jericho and jokingly asked if Jericho accomplished what he set out to getting pinned by Bandido in Australia? Jericho said if it wasn’t for him, Paquette wouldn’t have a job and he could throw her out of this building. No one would be here without Jericho, saying maybe it’s time for The Learning Tree to start teaching history lessons, as he’s a 9-time World Champion. Jericho is the guy fans asks to take pictures with, while Bandido is the guy they ask to take the picture. Jericho said he’ll give Bandido a ROH Title shot this Saturday and show why people around here are getting a little too comfortable around Chris F’N Jericho.

Powerhouse Hobbs defeated Big Bill in a Street Fight

(This was a pretty definitive win for Hobbs, who stood tall when it was all said and done. I assume Bill could have an out and say Hobbs never pinned him, which I’d be fine with, as anything to have these two brawl more, they’ve been great and the fans have been into it every time it happens.)

Hobbs chucked weapons into the ring on his way out, while Bill carried a backpack, as both brawled into the stands right at the bell. They slugged it out until Hobbs clotheslined Bill over the barricade ringside. Hobbs hit a charge against the barricade, but tried again only for Bill to chuck a case at Hobbs’ legs. Bill pulled a wrench from under the ring and missed three times, allowing Hobbs to get a big chair shot to the back. Referee Aubrey’s expression after that was priceless. Bill was able to grab the wrench and waffle Hobbs in the side of the head, busting Hobbs open. Bill hit a big boot and follow-up choke slam on the steps as things went to commercial.

Back from break, Bill turned his attention to set-up a table in the corner, allowing Hobbs to clobber him with a trash can repeatedly. Hobbs went for a powerslam when Bryan Keith hit the ring to make the save, only to be sent through the table with a spinebuster. The distraction worked, as Bill hit another big boot to sent Hobbs to the stage. Meat Forever chants from the fans, which distracted Bill long enough for Hobbs to hit a World’s Strongest Slam before decking Bill with the backpack, which Hobbs revealed was filled with bricks, busting Bill opened now.

With ring steps set-up on the stage, Hobbs repeatedly drove Bill’s face into them, as Hobbs brought Bill up and just shoved him off crashing through barbed wire tables. Referee Aubrey put a 10 count on Bill, who couldn’t get free from the barbed wire, resulting in Hobbs winning and standing tall. Ian Riccaboni with the reference of the year by name dropping Dan Cortese as his previously favorite Bricklayer until tonight. Not sure how many appreciate that reference, but I certainly did, well done, Ian.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with the Murder Machines, as Brian Cage said they had something to say with The Hurt Syndicate tonight, but surprise, surprise, they’re nowhere to be found. Lance Archer called them out to meet on Collision, as those Tag Titles are coming to them.

-Justin Roberts is in the ring and made the announcement for those not aware that Double or Nothing is coming to Phoenix on May 25^th.

Timeless Toni Storm Title Celebration

Luther accompanies Storm to the ring before heading to the back and giving Storm the spotlight, literally, as the lights go out and a light is on Storm. The whore you all adore, the slut you can’t rebut, the tramp is now the champ! Storm brought up the woman from hell who she beat for the title, calling Mariah May a sick bitch who gave Storm the fight of her life. Storm beat her with her small package, as folks say good things come in small packages, but May should’ve worn protection, as Storm railed her with the biggest package there’s ever been. May has been exiled and given a permanent end, as Storm gave a cheap plug for the new movie she’s in, Queen of the Ring, in theaters March 7^th.

Storm said she is here to defend her title against the best, whether that’s Kris Statlander, Willow Nightingale or Wendi Richter. Storm said whoever wants to go face-to-face, tit-to-tit or lip-to-lip, she’s not hard to find, as God is a woman and her name is Timeless. Storm drops the mic and gives a bow and pose as the light fades to black.

-A Gabe Kidd video package is shown, highlighting his run in New Japan Pro Wrestling and his epic against Kenny Omega at Wrestle Kingdom. We’re told Kidd is coming to Collision this Saturday night.

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-Renee Paquette is backstage with Willow Nightingale, who immediately interrupts and said she was given a minute of precious TV Title last week, only to be interrupted by Paquette’s husband and Marina Shafir. Right on cue, Shafir busts in and attacks Nightingale, as Jon Moxley walks into the shot and brings the camera man out to the stage, along with Wheeler Yuta.

Moxley takes the mic to the ring and said he’s the champion of the World, which means this is his mic, that’s his camera, the fans are sitting in his seats. No one comes into his house and challenges him like Adam Copeland did, as Copeland isn’t here, he’s probably still face down in the dirt in Australia after Moxley nearly popped his head off with his bare hands. If Copeland comes to Revolution, Moxley will finish the job.

Switchblade Jay White’s music hits and he walks out through the tunnel, as Claudio Castagnoli has joined the crew in the ring, as PAC starts walking slowly out from the tunnel. White is surrounded until Cope’s music hit and he attacks Moxley from behind. White drops PAC with a Blade Runner on the stage, as Cope hit Spears on Yuta and an assisted one with White. Cope grabbed Spike from under the ring and swung wildly, as Moxley and crew bailed through the crowd.

Cope & White went after them until Cope grabbed a mic and said this isn’t Moxley’s arena and these fans aren’t his, they’re Cope’s people. Moxley is probably back under his bridge where he lives, so when he sees this, Cope said Moxley has no spine, so he’ll take his goon squad out one by one until it’s man to man at Revolution, where Cope will kick Moxley’s ass.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Mercedes Mone, who said Harley Cameron learned there’s a price to pay when you mess with Mone. We cut to Momo Watanabe backstage at Grand Slam Australia, as she said after winning the International 4-Way at Wrestling Dynasty and challenging any title she wants, she chooses Mone and the TBS Title at Revolution. Mone was insulted and said Watanabe needs to show up on Dynamite and say that to her face.

Megan Bayne defeated Kris Statlander

(I thought the match itself was a nice TV battle and Bayne more than held her own with Statlander. I have no clue what that post-match was, as it was clunky as hell. I assume a tag match is on tap, but we should probably not give Rosa a chair to try to swing in the future.)

Bayne faked a clean break in the ropes after a tie-up and hit a clubbing blow, as Statlander shrugged it off before no selling a shoulder block. Bayne got a boot to the midsection and shoulder block, but Statlander kipped up, swept the leg into a standing moonsault for two. Sliding dropkick from Statlander, who lit up Bayne in the corner with chops and punches until Bayne powered out. Statlander with a high kick, wanting an Electric Chair, but Bayne slid out and hit a huge Spear as things went to break.

Both ladies collide with clothesline attempts until a pump kick from Bayne led to her charging right into a Statlander lariat. Axe Kick from Statlander got a near fall, as she went for Wednesday Night Fever, but Bayne slid out into a deadlift German suplex. They slug it out on the apron where Bayne missed a home run shot and Statlander hit a back suplex on the edge. Statlander tried to recover, but Bayne rose up and hit a suplex back into the ring. Both slug it out in the ropes, until Bayne took the ref, as Penelope Ford ran out and shoved Statlander off the top rope. Bayne hit the F-5 for the tainted victory.

Post-match, Ford attacked Statlander until Thunder Rosa came out with a chair. Rosa came off like she never held a chair before, as she clumsily tried to swing at Bayne, who just stood there before having a little tussle over the chair with Ford. Bayne & Ford just left as Rosa checked on Statlander. Incredibly awkward ending to an otherwise good match.

-Renee Paquette is with Max Caster backstage, who said despite being 0-2, his Open Challenge strategy isn’t the problem. Hangperson Adam Page chased him around the ring before one of his matches and the Open Challenge continues on Collision, as he’ll show there’s no one better than the best.

Ricochet & Prince Nana Have Words

Ricochet came to the ring wearing The Embassy robe and called Arizona a poor man’s Vegas, as much like Kevin Durant, he’s looking forward to getting out of this town as quick as possible. Since the fans are acting like ungrateful animals, he’ll speak to the fans at home. All of the booing doesn’t matter to him, when you boo a winner, you boo into a void of nothingness and Ricochet is a winner, he proved it 2 weeks ago when he beat Swerve Strickland. In reality, he’s proved it every second he’s been in AEW, whooping ass of all the fans favorites. Winners have something to show for their success and shows off The Embassy robe. Ricochet isn’t content with just wearing the robe, he wants gold, he will be the main name on this roster and he wants to win gold. 2025, Ricochet will be champion in AEW, as he’s too good looking not to be.

Swerve Strickland’s music hit as Prince Nana walked out sipping his coffee. No dancing tonight, as Nana is all business as he came to the ring. Nana said he wanted to talk Ricochet one on one, so he asked Strickland to stay home. Nana doesn’t know where this is all going, but he knows Ricochet is wearing something that doesn’t belong to him. Three decades Nana has been in this business and that robe has a lot to do with it. The robe represents pride, integrity and those we have lost. Those who wears the robe has honor and the ability to be great, something nana never gave Ricochet an opportunity to be. If Ricochet is the happy go lucky winner he says he is, do him a favor and give the robe back. Ricochet tells Nana if he wants the robe back, take it. Mocking Nana, Ricochet asks if he’s about to cry before leaving the ring saying he feels it looks really good on him.

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Orange Cassidy defeated Roderick Strong (w/Adam Cole & Kyle O’Reilly) in an International Title Contenders Match

(These two have great in ring chemistry with one another and you knew this would be a solid main event when it was announced. This was exactly the kind of back and forth you’d expect, as Cassidy made the most sense here to get the victory, especially after being off for a stretch. I really liked the post-match, as despite the picture looking like Omega & Takeshita for Revolution, this put a lot of focus on the title match next week and not write off like Cassidy doesn’t have a shot at winning the title for a third time.)

Jim Ross joined commentary, as they talked about how this was the first time in about 6 weeks that we’ve seen Cassidy, it’s given him time to heal up. This is the OG Cassidy with his blue jeans and denim, as Dark Orange is gone for now.

Fast sequence to start, as Cassidy escaped a reverse waist lock, got a quick takedown before throwing a little chop for the stalemate. Cassidy bailed out to the floor and hugged O’Reilly, who had a smile on his face until Cole was there with a serious face. Cassidy slowly rolled back into the ring, as it was Strong’s turn to roll out and hug O’Reilly & Cole, only for Cassidy to hit a dive. One More Time chants from the fans, as Cassidy obliged and hugged O’Reilly again. The delay allowed Strong to hit a dropkick in mid-air from a diving Cassidy off the top. Snazzy slingshot powerslam from Strong, who kept control during commercial.

Cassidy mounted his comeback with a slingshot Tornado DDT, as Strong was up and threw chops, only for Cassidy to kip up, hands in the pocket and hit his snap dropkick. Cassidy sent Strong repeatedly into the turnbuckle before going up top to hit a cross-body. Cassidy wanted his spinning DDT, Strong avoided, Cassidy nearly hit a Stundog, but Strong again dodged, only Cassidy hit the second try on the DDT for another reset. They exchange hard shots until Cassidy hit Beach Break for a near fall. Cassidy signaled for the Orange Punch, but the delay allowed Strong to hit a charging knee and multiple backbreakers capped with End of Heartache for a close two. Strong Hold attempt, countered into a Cassidy roll-up for two, as Strong was up first to hit another backbreaker into a Cloverleaf. Cassidy got the ropes

Cassidy spun up to his feet and ramped up the kicks, only to run into a pop-up gut buster followed by a Sick Kick. Strong wanted another End of Heartache, but Cassidy countered into a Stundog Millionaire and Orange Punch flush to get the victory. A visibly upset Strong recovered and marched to the back being consoled by Cole & O’Reilly as Tony Schiavone gets in the ring to interview Cassidy in the post-match.

Schiavone said if Cassidy wins next week, he has the chance to go for the 3-peat and be the greatest International Champion of all time. Don Callis’ music hits and he walks out with Konosuke Takeshita & Mark Davis. Callis said to him, Cassidy is nothing more than a red headed hippie, a loud mouth punk, as Davis & Takeshita attacked. They held Cassidy so Callis could get in some boots until Kenny Omega’s music hit and he bolted to the ring. Omega was in control briefly until Davis sank in a sleeper and Takeshita hit boots to the ribs until hitting a home run forearm. Cassidy tried to make the save, as Takeshita wanted Raging Fire, but Cassidy countered into a Stundog, Omega hit a V-Trigger and Cassidy with another Orange Punch. Omega & Cassidy stand tall, as commentary talk about how if Cassidy wins the title next week, it’ll be he & Omega at Revolution for the title. Omega held up the International Title, as Cassidy stared it down and the realization sank in for all parties what this could mean. The Don Callis Family bailed, as Omega & Cassidy stare at the International Title to close the show.

AEW Collision 2/22/25

• Chris Jericho vs. Bandido for the ROH World Title
• Death Riders (Claudio Castagnoli, PAC & Wheeler Yuta) defend the AEW Trios Titles against Daniel Garcia, Matt Menard & Angelo Parker
• The Murder Machines call out The Hurt Syndicate
• Gabe Kidd Comes to Collision

AEW Dynamite 2/26/25

• Konosuke Takeshita vs. Orange Cassidy for the AEW International Title