AEW Dynamite live results: Samoa Joe vs. Claudio Castagnoli
AEW continues on its road to Double or Nothing and next week’s Beach Break on tonight’s Dynamite.
Before challenging Jon Moxley for the AEW World Championship on next week’s Beach Break edition of Dynamite, Samoa Joe geos one-on-one with Claudio Castagnoli on tonight’s episode.
Three of the four Owen Hart Foundation tournament finalists will speak on tonight’s show, as we will hear from men’s finalists Will Ospreay and Hangman Adam Page. They will face off in the tournament finals at Double or Nothing on May 25. We will also hear from women’s finalist Jamie Hayter in a sit-down interview with Renee Paquette. Hayter faces Mercedes Mone in the tournament finals at Double or Nothing.
In trios action, The Young Bucks will team with Ricochet against Swerve Strickland, Mark Briscoe, and Mike Bailey.
Two title eliminator matches are also set for tonight’s episode.
Women’s World Champion Toni Storm will take on Thunder Rosa, Penelope Ford, and Anna Jay in a four-way World title eliminator contest.
Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada faces Kevin Knight in another title eliminator bout.
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AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Taz & Tony Schiavone, as Hangman Adam Page makes his entrance to the ring, with the Owen Hart Foundation trophy set up on the stage.
Hangman Adam Page & Will Ospreay Face-to-Face
Page said he’s never understood after everything he’s done why even one fan would cheer for him, but it does make a difference, so thank you. Page shouldn’t have to say it, but the past two years have been some kind of special hell. After what happened to his family, he wanted revenge and justice. Page took from another man, his hopes and dreams, nearly killing him, but after the Cage Match with Swerve Strickland, he thought he’d find some sort of joy, but ultimately felt nothing. For one moment, Page thought if he went back to the ring and finish the job, he’d get that closure, but he didn’t. The fans chant “Tell Us Why” and Page said he doesn’t know why, but he took that frustration bottled up and unleashed it on anyone in his way, but all it did was tear those down around him. Page looks right into the camera and said he’d never forget or forgive what Strickland did to him, but he’ll have to put it behind him. When Page made that decision, he chose to enter the Owen Hart Foundation Cup, defeating Josh Alexander & Kyle Fletcher and finally, come Double or Nothing, he’ll wrestle who everyone calls the best wrestler in the world, Will Ospreay.
Right on cue, the birthday boy, Ospreay, comes out and stares at the Owen Cup before walking to the ring. The face-off gets “Holy Sh*t” chants from the crowd, who switch to singing Happy Birthday to Ospreay, who apologizes to Page for interrupting his therapy session. It’s the first time they’ve ever spoken to one another, so it’s a pleasure to meet the Hangman, but in that same breath, he wants to apologize, he knows Page has been a lot. Ospreay knows how much this match means to Page, everyone does. One of Ospreay’s favorite moments in AEW was when Page took the misfits in the Dark Order and showed them leadership, from there, how Page rode that support in becoming AEW World Champion was perfect. However, after Page lost it, everything changed, which Ospreay understands. Last week, after Page beat Fletcher, Ospreay & the fans noticed something Page hasn’t done in a few years, smile. While he’s aware many want Page to become the main character again, Ospreay has a problem with that, he’s not going to lose.
Ospreay brings up Page tearing people like Jeff Jarrett, Christopher Daniels & his friend, Swerve Strickland, down. Ospreay has been doing Page’s job of media calls, meet and greets, taking photos with kids and families, but the best part about it, when the bell rings, Ospreay still shows how this is where the best wrestle. If Page thinks he found his smile, that doesn’t mean Cowboy Sh*t to him. Ospreay understands this is about redemption for Page, but it’s about Ospreay’s ascension.
The camera slowly pans from an intense face-off to see the entire Don Callis Family on stage. Callis can barely get a word out, but says the stupidest day of Ospreay’s life was when he left The Family. Just to prove his stupidity, Callis asks if Ospreay even knows what is standing next to him? It’s a violent, unstable sociopath, who put his mentor in a nursing home. Ospreay held back Page and issued a challenge for any two Callis Family members for Beach Break next week. Page slowly removed Ospreay’s hand, as Callis said they can’t even get through a segment without wanting to kill each other. Callis gleefully accepts, so long as Page doesn’t have another mental breakdown before next week. The Callis Family leaves, as this was an excellent opening segment for all parties involved.
-FTR & Stokely Hathaway interrupt the commentary team running down tonight’s card to ask if Tony Schiavone or Nigel McGuinness have an issue with FTR? Hathaway said FTR issued an apology, but week after week, Schiavone has something to say about them and Hathaway, who Schiavone called a snake in the grass. Hathaway called Schiavone a decrepit, pasty, piece of…he was cut off by Schiavone, who was pushed back into his chair by Dax Harwood. Wheeler told Schiavone to relax and stop being so tense, this is about Daniel Garcia, who made his choice, turning is back on FTR after everything they did for him. Tomorrow night on Collision, it’ll hurt them a lot more than it’ll hurt Garcia, emotionally. Harwood told Schiavone to tell McGuinness, they’ll see him tomorrow, top guys, out.
-Harley Cameron is preparing Anna Jay backstage ahead of her Title Eliminator 4-way. Cameron says she has Jay’s fat ass and they have T&A, tenacity and aggression, but Jay said it’s Tits and Ass, which Cameron said yeah, that too. Jay asked Thunder Rosa, Penelope Ford & Toni Storm, who wants to get choked out? Cameron told Jay to get on, as she piggy backed Jay out of the shot.
Timeless Toni Storm vs. Thunder Rosa vs. Penelope Ford vs. Anna Jay in an AEW Women’s Title Eliminator
(Everyone certainly got their moments to shine in this match and I’d say out of the 4, Storm got arguably the least amount. I was somewhat surprised Rosa didn’t win this match and we had the explosion of Thunder Tits at Double or Nothing, as we’re just a few weeks away and Storm has no opponent for the PPV. I thought this was a chance for Storm to not get pinned and a new challenger emerge, but I guess we don’t have one, yet.)
Jay & Ford brawled to the floor immediately at the bell, leaving the former Thunder Storm (or Thunder Tits, if you ask Toni Storm) duo to duke it out quickly. Rosa got a fast start with a head scissors and dropkick into the corner for a near fall. Rosa opted to get the crowd going and ultimately missed a splash, allowing Ford to fly in with a dropkick to the back for a two, which Jay broke up. Knee lift between the ropes followed by a spin kick got Jay a near fall, which Storm broke up, resulting in the crowd popping. Fisherwoman’s Suplex was broken up by Ford, who kicked Storm low and Taz questioned if Storm was wearing a cup? Ford wiped out Jay & Storm with a moonsault off the apron, but Rosa took her time and hit a Tornillo onto the pile as things went to commercial.
Back from break, the match was breaking down, as it was Jay who cut off the Rosa momentum before being tripped up to the floor by Ford. Jay answered with a snap suplex, dodged a Rosa baseball slide, but was planted with a Rosa DDT of her own. Ford went up top and did a moonsault onto the pile. Ford missed her corner handspring on Jay, who connected on a spin kick, but Storm was there to wipe both out with Sweet Cheek Music. Rosa launched off Storm’s back for a dropkick onto Jay & Ford. Thunder Tits couldn’t get Ford up for a double suplex, which was kind of ridiculous, but it was a stall for Megan Bayne to come to the ring and lay out Storm & Rosa, as it’s No DQ in a 4-Way. Jay escaped Fate’s Decent, as Ford tried to attack from behind, which was long enough for Bayne to clock Jay and lay her out with a powerbomb. Harley Cameron sprinted to the ring with a pipe, as she clotheslined Bayne to the outside and decker her repeatedly with the pipe, as they both went to the back.
Back to the ring, Ford had Jay trapped in an Indian Death Lock, allowing Storm to get revenge and stomp Ford low. Storm sank in a cross faced chicken wing (Excalibur called it the TCM Chicken Wing) and got Ford to tap out. Post-match, Rosa came into the ring and hugged Storm before giving her the Women’s Title. Excalibur told us Storm is 12-0 in Title Eliminator matches.
Match Result: Timeless Toni Storm defeated Ford, Rosa & Jay when she submitted Ford
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-CRU (Action Andretti & Lio Rush) walk in from the crowd and appear to be ringside ahead of the next segment involving the AEW World Tag Team Champions.
MJF Hurts People
The Hurt Syndicate come out to a loud ovation from the crowd, as MVP does a roll call before asking where are the best tag teams to step up to challenge them? MVP questions who, as they like to hurt people, but who will hurt them? Top Flight’s music hits, as Darius said they’ve been down on their luck lately, but they can’t look at this challenge and see this as an opportunity. Teams like CRU are scared to step-up, as MVP asks if Top Flight wants to be next to get hurt? Dante said they know they’re the underdogs and no one has their money on them, but have proven themselves against championship caliber teams before and will again. Darius asks if the Motor City wants to see a miracle?
MJF sprinted out, taped fists and beats the hell out of Top Flight, bloodying both Dante & Darius up. MJF wiped very little of Dante’s blood on his shirt before delivering a powerbomb on the edge of the ring. He got into the ring and into Lashley’s face, as MVP handed the mic over and MJF screamed that he hurts people. Lashley took the mic, smiled and I believe he said he’ll have an answer for MJF next week (the mic cut out when Lashley first spoke). MJF walked to the back as his music played.
-The Young Bucks, Kazuchika Okada are backstage and scold Excalibur for not having more enthusiasm when throwing it to their EVPs. Okada told Kevin Knight to have a good night, bitch. Ricochet walked in, as this 6-man tonight was his idea, as he knows The Bucks have a Swerve problem and has his number, just like he does Mike Bailey, so if they follow his lead, they’ll be on their way to victory. Ricochet leaves, as The Bucks open their locker room and the Death Riders are sitting in the dark room. Matthew asks if there’s something they can help them with, as they walk in and Marina Shafir slams the door.
-Nick Wayne was about to make his entrance and was immediately cut-off by Christian Cage’s music, as he walks out with Mother Wayne & Kip Sabian. We’re told Nick will wrestle someone from Cage’s past, coming up next.
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Nick Wayne (w/The Patriarchy) vs. Rhino for the ROH TV Title
(The whole surprise aspect was pretty much ruined for this, as AEW announced Rhino would be wrestling on this show and Collision this week a few days ago. Regardless, the Detroit crowd loved Rhino, even though this was a pretty quick match. The slow build to the fall-out of Cage & Wayne continues and I remain curious just how the heck they’re going to make Cage a babyface if all roads lead to him reuniting with Adam Copeland eventually. Side-note, best of luck to Wayne and also Kevin Knight in the Best of Super Juniors over the next month.)
The Detroit crowd popped big for Rhino, as Cage had a smirk on his face as Rhino made his entrance. Wayne used his speed early, hitting a missile dropkick out of the corner and posing before putting the boots in the corner. Wayne kept Rhino grounded, but was too cocky and missed a standing moonsault. Commentary mentioned how Wayne is heading to Japan tomorrow for the Best of Super Juniors tournament, as Rhino delivered a big belly to belly before signaling for the Gore. Sabian ran distraction of the ref, allowing Cage to trip up Rhino. Wayne charged, but was flattened by a spinebuster, as Rhino went for the Gore, Wayne side-stepped, allowing Wayne to deliver a Killswitch for the quick win.
Post-match, Wayne went to rip the ROH TV Title from Cage, who faked like he was about to put it around Wayne’s waist, but instead looked at it. Cage threw the title at Wayne’s feet before leaving with Sabian as Mother Wayne stayed with her son.
Match Result: Nick Wayne via Killswitch to retain
-Footage of Sammy Guevara winning a 4-Way match on Collision last week with Rush, Kevin Knight & AR Fox was shown, as Rush then cut a promo saying Kevin Knight cost him that match and will pay with his blood. If you mess with the bull, you get the horns.
Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana), Mark Briscoe & Speedball Mike Bailey vs. Ricochet & The Young Bucks (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson)
(We’ve continued the streak of wild PWG style party matches, as this one had bursts of insane offense, leaving the crowd going nuts. I liked the finish, as Strickland took his eye off the prize ever so briefly and it resulted in getting caught. I’m looking forward to seeing Strickland’s feud with The Bucks continuing on the road to presumably Anarchy in the Arena or Blood and Guts, whichever we ultimately get come Double or Nothing.)
Ricochet wanted to start until he realized it’d be against Strickland, when he tried to bail, but The Bucks weren’t having it, resulting in Strickland kicking Ricochet’s ass out the gate. Strickland charged at The Bucks, who high tailed it, as Briscoe & Bailey hit a great flying hurricanrana before Bailey paint-brushed Ricochet. The Bucks tripped up Bailey long enough to run distraction, as Strickland got caught with a jawbreaker, letting the Bucks hit a double corner enzugiri. The Bucks hit stereo slingshot sentons, as Ricochet did a float over senton, but during their posing, Strickland, Briscoe & Bailey recovered. Ricochet thought they’d head back in the ring as a united front, but The Bucks didn’t bite, as Bailey popped Ricochet with a pump kick, causing him to fall onto The Bucks. Strickland & Briscoe hit double dives on The Bucks, as back inside, Ricochet was picked apart by Redneck Kung-Fu and Tae-Kwan-Do by Briscoe & Bailey respectively. Strickland was caught with a slingshot facebuster by Nicholas and Briscoe with a follow-up moonsault off the apron. Bailey was draped over the top and The Bucks hit the double stomp bounce back powerbomb combo, until Matthew did a huge dive onto Briscoe as a slingshot 450 Splash by Ricochet caps it off as things go to commercial with the crowd going nuts.
Briscoe was dominated the entire break, but was finally able to break free when things returned to Bailey, who ran wild with kicks aplenty. Running Shooting Star on Matthew got a near fall, as a twisting Falcon Arrow led to Nicholas cutting him off in the ropes, but Bailey managed a hurricanrana off the apron on Nicholas onto Matthew on the floor. Bailey rolled through a Shooting Star off the top, but hit the Collision Course for a near fall. The match breaks down, as everyone hit a wild sequence, ending with Strickland decking Ricochet with a House Call, Nicholas ran in with a Destroyer, which Strickland no-sold briefly, connecting on another House Call for a reset.
The Bucks went for a double Superkick on Bailey, who roundhoused both their legs away, Matthew briefly Matrixed out of a superkick, but Bailey took out The Bucks before Strickland made a tag and finally got his hands on The Bucks, delivering a springing uppercut before hitting the Gritty. Double suplex on The Bucks, as Ricochet flew in for a springboard hurricanrana, but Strickland held on and powered into a spinning powerslam. Briscoe with a rolling DVD on Matthew, as Bailey followed with a backflip double knees. Briscoe connected on a Froggy Bow, but Nicholas saved his brother to break the pin. Briscoe with a Blockbuster off the apron, as Bailey hit the Golden Triangle onto Ricochet. Strickland wanted to end it, but Matthew caught him with a small package for the flash pin.
The Bucks & Ricochet scurry away and bask in their victory, as Strickland, Nana, Briscoe & Bailey can’t believe it.
Match Result: The Young Bucks & Ricochet when Matthew pinned Strickland
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Will Ospreay and asks about his tag match with Hangman Adam Page next week when he’s interrupted by MJF, who shilled ShopAEW merch saying to make Max richer and you poorer. MJF told Ospreay he hopes he wins the Owen Hart Tournament, got to All In and win HIS AEW World Title, so he can get an easy W when getting back the title. Ospreay asks why MJF wasn’t in the Owen Hart Tournament, but realizes if he entered, Ospreay would drop him right on his head just like at Wembley and asks how the power in Max’s arms is?
MJF said Ospreay is the reason they put instructions on shampoo bottles, but if they ever wrestle again, he’ll find out there’s no one on the level of the Devil. MJF went to leave, but Ospreay pulled him back in and said he is, as he’s on another level. Ospreay apologizes to Paquette as things go to commercial.
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-Renee Paquette is backstage with her sit-down interview with Jamie Hayter and talks about her Owen Hart Foundation Final at Double or Nothing against Mercedes Mone. Hayter said this means more to her than it does Mone, who talked nonsense last week. Hayter said she wants to get to know the real Mercedes, the human behind the hype, not the brand or egotistical woman we’ve seen today. Paquette said Mone said last week Hayter reminds her of herself and Hayter said that’s insulting. Mone runs away last week like she owed Hayter money, but Hayter doesn’t have Mone’s resume, but she has grit and truth. This isn’t about gold or glory, this is about showing that Mone isn’t untouchable, she’s not the second coming. Paquette brought up the back injury for Hayter, but was cut-off, saying Mone is looking past her. Mone burst into the shot and attacked from behind before they were shown brawling in the box seats of the arena into the crowd.
Mone, who just attacked Hayter, tried running again when Hayter got in a few shots. Hayter looked to the camera and was about to say something when Mone again ran in and attacked from behind on the stage, applying the Statement Maker, being pulled off by referees. Mone stood next to the Owen Hart Foundation Cup and smiled as Hayter clutched her back.
-Alicia Atout is backstage with Willow Nightingale and brings up her ongoing issues with the Death Riders. Nightingale said she knows the list of people wanting revenge on Death Riders is growing, but wants to be the first one to put her fist in their faces when Kris Statlander walked in. Nightingale knows Statlander is sorry and asks if she’s just feeling remorseful after losing the Owen? Nightingale reminds Statlander that she could’ve won the Owen last year, but didn’t, because of Statlander. Nightingale stops Statlander from leaving and said if Statlander wants to settle things in the ring, how about tomorrow on Collision, a lot of sickos wanting to see them wrestle again. Statlander accepts the challenge, as the two shake hands.
Kazuchika Okada vs. Kevin Knight in an AEW Continental Title Eliminator
(This turned into one heck of a TV match, even with the pre-match attack on Knight by Rush. We got glimpses of how great Okada can be towards the end of this, as Knight put on another great showing, even in defeat. The post-match beating could at least write Knight off TV while he’s gone for the Best of Super Juniors and I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re getting Okada & Mike Bailey soon, which will be great.)
During Knight’s entrance, Rush attacked from behind and slammed him violently into the steps as Dralistico was out to watch the beating. Rush shrugged off security and choked out Knight with a cable wire until Mike Bailey ran out to make the save and fight off Dralistico, as Rush smirked, bailed and tossed Knight to Bailey. Referee Aubrey asks Knight if he still wants to wrestle and Knight continues to say he does, as Aubrey tells Bailey he has to go to the back. The expression on Okada’s face during all of this is hysterical and gif-worthy for sure.
The bell sounds, Okada quickly spikes Knight with a DDT for a close near fall. Knight got a roll-up of his own, but Okada was up first and hit a massive flapjack. Knight got in a few shots, tried a monkey flip, only for Okada to turn him around and hit his dropkick, causing Knight tumbling outside into commercial.
Knight fought back with a Sky High for a near fall when things returned, as Okada scurried to the corner, but Knight met him with an impressive standing hurricanrana and leaping follow-up splash for two. Knight went for a leaping DDT, but Okada countered into an Air Raid Crash on the knee. Okada went up top and hit his zero hang time elbow drop before the Rainmaker flip-off to the fans. Rainmaker was countered into an inside cradle by Knight, who followed with a backslide for another near fall. Knight leap frogged a Rainmaker into a backflip kick, but as he went for the UFO Splash, Okada got the knees up. Okada missed his signature dropkick, as Knight connected successfully. Knight wanted a springboard clothesline, but Okada dropkicked him in mid-air and followed with a Rainmaker flush for the victory.
Post-match, Okada delivered two more Rainmakers and was about to deliver a third when Knight collapsed and Mike Bailey ran to the ring to make the save again. Okada smiled as he went to the back, as Bailey checked on his tag partner.
Match Result: Kazuchika Okada
-Don Callis Family is backstage and Callis brings up The Outrunners challenging Beretta & Rocky Romero, but ups the ante and tells them to find two more partners to face the entire Callis Family (Lance Archer & Kyle Fletcher were standing by), so Callis can kick their asses like it’s 1983. I should point out Fletcher’s arms looked massive in this camera angle; he’s in insane shape right now.
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-Alicia Atout approaches The Hurt Syndicate backstage and asks about MJF, but Lashley is stopped by their legal counsel, Harrison Landau and tells Atout MJF will have an answer next week.
Samoa Joe vs. Claudio Castagnoli
(Hard hitting main event, with Joe rightfully standing tall ahead of the Beach Break World Title showdown with Moxley. Castagnoli got in plenty off offense and this was pretty even throughout, but I liked they showed that Joe can get the Coquina Clutch at any given moment, driving home that there can be a new champion next week just like that.)
Castagnoli made his way to the arena I believe using the elevator for his entrance, while Joe conducted the crowd during their “Joe’s Gonna Kill You” chants. As both backed to the corner, Castagnoli got in a cheap shot and unloaded uppercuts until Joe side-stepped a charging uppercut and sank in the Coquina Clutch, but Castagnoli scurried to the ropes. The fight spilled outside and Joe brutally slammed Castagnoli into the barricade, so Castagnoli, using sheer power, picked Joe up and draped him on the barricade. Castagnoli charged, but ran into a Uranage on the floor, as Joe dusted off an ROH oldie with an Ole Kick against the railing. Back inside, Joe connected on his corner enzugiri, looked for a Muscle Buster, but Castagnoli bit free and zoned in on the arm as things went to commercial at just about the top of the hour.
It was all Castagnoli during break, who had a Cobra Clutch applied, as Joe fought free with a beautiful snap powerslam for two. Manhattan Drop, big boot, running senton signature combo from Joe, but Castagnoli again went to the eyes and followed with a wild uppercut for two. Picture-perfect springboard uppercut from Castagnoli, who signaled for the Giant Swing, but Joe fired off an up kick, causing Castagnoli to fall right into the Coquina Clutch and immediately tapped out in a fun finish.
Post-match, Joe stood tall in the ring as Wheeler Yuta, Marina Shafir & Jon Moxley appeared ringside, but Powerhouse Hobbs appeared with a chair to give Joe back-up. Hobbs waffled Castagnoli in the back repeatedly, as Moxley looked on expressionless. Joe set the chair up and delivered a front face suplex onto it, crushing Castagnoli’s ribs and payback for what happened to Katsuyori Shibata last week. Joe stared down Moxley while holding the chair high in the air before they meet next week in a Steel Cage for the AEW World Title.
Match Result: Samoa Joe via submission
AEW Collision 5/8/25
- Daniel Garcia vs. A Member of FTR
- Kris Statlander vs. Willow Nightingale
- Speedball Mike Bailey vs. Dralistico
- Anthony Bowens vs. Lee Johnson
AEW Dynamite: Beach Break 5/14/25
- Jon Moxley defends the AEW World Title against Samoa Joe in a Steel Cage Match
- Hangman Adam Page & Will Ospreay vs. Konosuke Takeshita & Josh Alexander