wrestling / TV Reports
Ciocco’s AEW Dynamite Review 2.11.26
Image Credit: AEW
Loading...SICKOS! It’s Wednesday, you know what that means! AEW Dynamite is LIVE tonight from the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California! No, not Ontario as in Canada, but the area outside of Los Angeles! Tonight, titles will be on the line, and title implications will be made clear!
We’ll start with the TNT Title being on the line, as Tommaso Ciampa, the recently crowned champion, will continue his workhorse schedule, as he defends the belt against former TNT Champion Kyle Fletcher. It will be interesting to see if Kyle wins tonight considering that Grand Slam Australia is this weekend, or if Ciampa retains his title to fight another day.
The Women’s World Title will be on the line, as Kris Statlander will face Thekla in a rematch from a recent title defense that The Cosmic Killer scored on the Toxic Spider. However, this time, Statlander got to choose the stipulation for the match, and after she got whipped by Thekla on Collision this past Saturday, she has chosen a strap match! Will Kris defeat Thekla once more, or will the challenger use the stipulation to her advantage and become the new champion?
We know that three teams will be competing tonight in #1 contenders match to move on and challenge the champions 7-Star FTR. And while we know that The Rascalz and The Young Bucks will be involved in the match, there will be a mystery third team taking part. Insider speculation seems to indicate that it COULD be the return of Adam Copeland and Christian Cage, or could it be a team that hasn’t been seen in a long time due to any number of issues, such as Private Party or the Butcher and the Blade?
We will also have a face-to-face interview between two of the biggest superstars in AEW when Kenny Omega and Swerve Strickland, coming off of a recent error in communication that allowed Andrae El Idolo to defeat Omega last week on Dynamite, talk things out. I mean, if you want to go THIS way for a match at Revolution, then I am here for it! All of this and, of course, so much more in store for us tonight!
So, how is everyone doing tonight? The Winter Olympics are in full swing, and not having any kind of work (outside of my coverage duties of NXT and Dynamite) allows me to keep up with my favorite sport for both the Men’s and Women’s side of the hockey tourney.
So, enough about you and enough about me, let’s get ready to make some Dynamite go BOOM!
Dynamite is LIVE tonight from Ontario, California! Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, and Bryan Danielson are on the call tonight!
Speaking of Tony, he’s in the middle of the ring for the face-to-face interview! Tony introduces Kenny Omega as the Cleaner, and here comes the Omegaman! He gets all the pyro as we see the events from last week in Kenny’s match with Andrade El Idolo and the aftermath.
Tony now introduces Swerve Strickland to the ring, and like clockwork, Prince Nana is out first to do his hot step dancing! Both men join Tony and Kenny in the ring.
Tony says we saw a breakdown last week during Kenny’s match, but let’s be honest. We have seen the looks, we have felt the tension, and this goes back to Maximum Carnage. Tony wants to start with Strickland.
Swerve needs to get some stuff off of his chest. Kenny, six years ago, you were on top of this company. And that was the last time you had the World Title. You were the Cleaner, the Best Bout Machine, everyone scratched and clawed to get here and face you. Swerve scratched and clawed his way to get here, but where were you? He has been winning titles while Omega hasn’t been around.
But don’t get Swerve wrong, he’s seen Omega pitching amazing matches in New Japan, but in AEW, you’ve either been hung up in a hospital bed or injured. Swerve says that anywhere he goes, the church sings WHOSE HOUSE. Now, it seems like Omega wants to march into the world title scene again, and it seems like Kenny is using his EVP powers to get here. Strickland has already dealt with EVP idiots last year, and he put them in their place. He doesn’t care if people call Kenny a God, if you step in front of him, he will put you in your place.
Kenny wants to know if he can talk now. He wants to correct Strickland and says he doesn’t call himself the God of Wrestling, the fans did that. He never begged these fans for forgiveness, they hold the signs, they wear the shirts, and they know they are getting the absolute best from Kenny. How you see that is in the eye of the beholder, but one thing is clear, they will see Kenny make it to the top of the mountain one more time, and he will do it the right way.
It may be your house, Swerve, but for you to question me, the lights might be on, but no one is home in that house. And if you need someone to burn down that house, well, Kenny has a friend who has experience in that. Kenny is feeling good, yeah, he doesn’t need the EVP powers to get it, yeah, and if it wasn’t for you, Kenny would have won and he would be going for the championship. Kenny is asking for one thing simply, and that is a fight. He sees how Strickland looks at him, with disrespect, he sees him whisper sweet nothings in Nana’s ear. If you want a fight, then that is what we will do. If you want to pad stats, then let’s do it. Accept, or yield?
Swerve says you’re afraid because this generation is lapping you. If you want a match with the Most Dangerous Man in AEW, but Omega cuts him off and says he forgot about that. Fact is, you aren’t pal, if anyone is, that is Brody King. Strickland says if you want to do this, he’ll put you in a hospital bed again, and this time, you aren’t getting out of it.
Omega says what a great idea, and he slaps Swerve. Strickland removes his coat, and he says it looks like you made your choice. Whatever happens next, is on you. Strickland double legs Omega and hammers away on him. The fight spills to the outside, as Swerve losses control when Omega throws him into the crowd. Kenny grabs a chair and he beats Strickland further into the crowd.
Swerve turns the tables and he throws a trash can at Omega. Strickland leads Omega around the side of the ring and back onto the entrance ramp. Both men trade hands in front of the video screen, and Kenny throws Swerve into it. V-Trigger from Kenny into the screen! Omega wants the One-Winged Angel, but Strickland jabs Kenny in the head with what looks like a mic to get free. Swerve SPEARS Kenny and himself off of the stage and into the audio equipment! Finally, security and officials are here to separate both men.
Excalibur runs down the card for tonight and then throws it to The Remarkable Renee Paquette, who has Kyle Fletcher and Don Callis in the back. Callis says Fletcher doesn’t feel pressure, he is going to defeat Ciampa for the TNT Title, and he will get a hero’s welcome back to Australia. Fletcher says Callis is right, he doesn’t feel pressure, and he will win his TNT Title back. He asks Callis to let him do this on his own, and Callis seems happy to sit back and watch. He calls Fletcher his son.
It’s time to ride that death!
The Death Riders vs. The Don Callis Family
Moxley, Castagnoli, and PAC are going for the Death Riders, while Takeshita, Alexander, and Davis are up for the Family.
PAC and Davis will start this one off. Davis throws PAC down to the mat straight away. Another lock-up, and again Davis throws PAC to the mat. Moxley wants the tag, while Davis holds the ring. Moxley locks-up with Davis, they struggle around the ring, and Jon takes Mark to the corner. He opens up with chops and punches. Davis with ONE shot, which drops Moxley to the mat.
Claudio wants the tag now, while Davis still holds serve. Claudio gets a running start before he locks up with Davis, but Mark still takes Claudio to the ropes. Claudio with uppercuts and Davis with chops. A mid-ring collision is followed by chops from Davis and a running shoulder tackle. Davis can’t suplex Claudio, but Castagnoli dead lifts Davis into a suplex!
Davis finally tags out, and Takeshita is in. Claudio whips Takeshita, but Konosuke changes course and kicks Moxley in the face! It’s chaos now, as everyone is fighting everyone! Paul Turner counts but, frankly, no one is listening. Konosuke and Claudio return to the ring, and Castagnoli catches Takeshita with a tilt-a-world back breaker.
PAC with the tag, and he gets a two from a standing shooting star press. Alexander gets the tag, he charges the corner, but PAC moves. PAC looks to springboard back in, but Takeshita pulls him down to the floor. He sits PAC on the apron, and Josh hits his running crossbody block to the back of PAC. That’ll take us to the break.
Takeshita has PAC grounded as we return. PAC gets to his feet, and he hits a hip toss. Alexander gets the tag, as he goes to ambush Moxley and Claudio. PAC catches him with a suplex, though, and now Claudio is in. He hits Alexander and Davis without prejudice with uppercuts. He dashes from corner to corner with uppercuts for both men. Alexander is put in the Giant Swing, but Davis kicks Claudio to release Josh. Claudio hits Davis with a power slam for a two.
Claudio looks for the Neutralizer, but Davis rolls out only for Claudio to counter him for a roll-up that gets a two. Both men run into one another and they’re down. Tags are made, and Moxley and Takeshita are in. Takeshita with a huge forearm smash, but he runs into a lariat from Moxley. Davis saves Takeshita from a Paradigm Shift, leading to everyone coming in and hitting their shit. Exploder from Takeshita to Moxley, but Jon kicks out at two.
Takeshita has Moxley lined up, but he eats the corner instead. The Death Riders train runs him over in the corner, and Moxley with a CUTTER! The cover, but Davis makes the save. Everyone fights to the floor, leaving Moxley applying a sleeper on Takeshita. Konosuke backs up, though, and Alexander gets the tag. They take their turn smashing Moxley in their corner. Ripcord Lariat from Takeshita, German from Alexander, and a lariat from Davis, but the Death Riders save Moxley. Excalibur mentions that Tony Khan has made Strickland-Omega for next week. That’s great, but it feels more like a match reserved for Revolution.
All three members of the Family stomp on Moxley. Claudio is back to save Moxley, and there is a moment where everyone looks at each other. PAC helps to clear the ring of the Family, leaving Moxley to put Alexander in the sleeper and then hits the Death Rider for the win!
WINNERS: The Death Riders
TIME: 15:05
THOUGHTS: It started a little bit slow, but it picked up and it delivered the goods. This feud feels like it has run so long already, but the different combinations manage to keep it feeling fresh.
RATING: ***1/2
The TNT Title match is up next!
COMMERCIALS!
PROTOSTARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
TNT Title Match: Tommaso Ciampa (C) vs. Kyle Fletcher
Despite Kyle wanting to do this on his own, Don Callis and Lance Archer do come out with him.
The bell rings, and I am genuinely curious as to how this match ends. Fletcher isn’t in a hurry to get this started, as he holds the corner, and Ciampa begs him to attack. Fletcher instead rolls to the outside and panders to the fans. Ciampa heads to the outside and implores him to get back in the ring. Ciampa even holds the ropes for him, but Fletcher goes the other way lol.
Both men go for a test of strength, Fletcher shoulder tackles the champ and does a double bicep pose, but he pops right back up. Both men trade, but Ciampa catches Fletcher with a low dropkick. He slaps Fletcher and hits as basement thrust kick. Fletcher to the outside, but he catches Ciampa with a standing thrust kick before returning Ciampa to the ring.
Fletcher maintains control in the ring, but Ciampa avoids a corner attack from Fletcher and hits a flying clothesline. Ciampa with a high boot to Fletcher, who rolls out to the apron. Ciampa incites Callis and Archer at ring side, and Ciampa boots Fletcher to the floor. He drags Fletcher to the barricade and throws him into the ringside chair. He blows kisses to Don and Lance and hits a running knee strike to Fletcher. He throws Fletcher into the opposite barricade, but he mises the follow-up, allowing the challenger to hit a Snap Dragon on the floor. That’ll take us to the break.
Both men are back in the ring looking to regain their footing as we return. That doesn’t last long, as Ciampa catches an incoming Fletcher and low bridges him to the floor. Ciampa heads to the outside but he confuses Fletcher for the ring steps and runs into them. Fletcher picks up Ciampa on the ring steps, but Tomasso reverses it and he plants Fletcher with a Psycho Driver on the steps!
Ciampa catches Fletcher sliding into the ring with the running knee strike! The cover, but Fletcher kicks out at 2.5! Justin lets us know that ten minutes are left, which makes me wonder. While I wonder, Ciampa reverses a Fletcher suplex with a reverse DDT for a two. Ciampa sits Fletcher on the top rope and chops him some. He makes his way to the top, looking for the Psycho Driver, but Fletcher escapes. Ciampa bites the forehead of Fletcher, but Kyle responds with a running enziguri. Fletcher with an Avalanche Back Suplex for a two! Tiger Driver from Fletcher, but again, it’s only a two!
Fletcher scores the running kick in the corner to Ciampa, but the champion reverses it and puts Fletcher on the apron. He stumbles to the floor, Ciampa jumps from the apron, but Kyle with an Apron Powerbomb! Back in the ring, and Fletcher uses Rick Knox as a distraction to hit another running kick in the corner. Brainbuster from Fletcher, but Ciampa kicks out at two!
Fletcher wants an Avalanche Brainbuster now, but Ciampa escapes and hits a German. Running knee strike, but Fletcher kicks out at two. Ciampa drops his knee pad, and he hits ANOTHER knee strike, but Fletcher kicks out at 2.9. Either that, or Knox fucked up the count.
Five minutes remain says Justin, as Ciampa stalks Fletcher. Kyle spits at him and reverses Ciampa’s offense and throws him into the corner. He hits another running kick, but he falls victim to another running knee strike! BRAIN BUSTER FROM CIAMPA, BUT KYLE KICKS OUT AT 2.8! Kyle wants more, so Ciampa tries another knee strike, but Fletcher sweeps up Ciampa and hits the Sheer Drop Brainbuster and he is a two-time TNT Champion!
WINNER: Kyle Fletcher (NEW CHAMPION!)
TIME: 16:35
THOUGHTS: Jeez, I need a cigarette, and I don’t even smoke! This win is even more impressive when you consider that every match that Tomasso has been involved in has either been winning the TNT Title or defending it as champion. Fletcher bust his ass, Ciampa bust his ass, and this was remarkable.
RATING: ****3/4
Post-match, Renee is in the ring, she congratulates Kyle on the win and wants to know what is next. Fletcher says that he told everyone he was going to win the TNT Title back, and he did just that. And because he is a proud champion, he will defend his TNT Title in his hometown this Saturday against anyone from anywhere.
Mark Briscoe is back! He says Fletcher was once a mop-headed kid who was following everyone around, and he’s a two-time TNT Champion, you earned it! But Briscoe says that they have fought each other six times and the wins have been split down the middle. He will give Fletcher homefield advantage in game seven if you aren’t scared.
Fletcher says he is sick of Briscoe, but he DID say he would defend the title against anyone from anywhere. So, they need to make the seventh and final match special. You say you like to reach for the sky, so you can do that, because the title will on the line in a ladder match!
Well, that’s going to rule.
Tag team action is on deck next!
COMMERCIALS!
All-In is returning to Wembley Stadium on August 30th! I wonder if a Billy Goat BRUV might be ready by then.
Video package for the Babes of Wrath. They may have lost to Penelope and Megan, but they are going to show them what wrath really looks like. They will take this to the land down under. So, it sounds like we have another title match for Grand Slam! Makes sense, since Harley is from Australia.
Oh, cool, Clark has an entrance theme and fire!
Daniel Garcia and Clark Connors vs. Orange Cassidy and Roderick Strong
Cassidy and Connors look to start, but Roddy is like fuck that I want this. He lays into Connors, but he takes some time to talk to Cassidy, and Connors hits a misdirection shoulder tackle. Strong fires back with a dropkick, he picks up Connors, but Clark sneaks out the back door. Garcia jaws with Strong, allowing Connors to tackle Strong to the mat and he lands wild punches.
Garcia with the tag, and he stands on Strong in the corner and panders to Moxley. Strong reverses this with a back breaker, and he throws Danny into his corner. He mounts and punches Garcia as Cassidy counts along lol. Orange tags Roddy’s ass as he stands in the corner. He ducks and Roddy chops Garcia. Cassidy mounts Garcia, hits one punch, and celebrates! Cassidy counters Garcia with the Stun Dog Millionaire, but Garcia fires back with a Saito Suplex. He taunts Roddy as we head out for break.
Garcia has a front face lock on Cassidy as we return. He clubs on the back of Cassidy to keep him on the mat. Cassidy gets to his feet and finally gets the hands in the pockets. Connors comes in, Cassidy kicks them both away, and he trips Clark up onto the bottom rope. Cassidy goes to make the tag, but Strong leaves the corner! He heads up the ramp and Connors appears from off the screen and tackles Cassidy.
Garcia and Connors work quick tags and take turns stomping on Cassidy in their corner. Garcia whips Cassidy, but he ends up on the apron. Garcia holds Cassidy in place for an apron SPEAR from Connors! Garcia gases Connors up, but he misses his SPEAR and hits the barricade. Someone grabs Connors and takes him into the crowd, and it’s Darby Allin! He’s not ded again!
Cassidy with a tope suicida to Garcia! He returns Danny to the ring; Garcia’s attack is countered by Cassidy who scores a roll-up for the win!
WINNER: Orange Cassidy and, I guess, Roderick Strong?
TIME: 9:05
THOUGHTS: More storyline driven than anything else. We know that Roddy doesn’t want to conglomerate, and he finally had enough tonight. Allin getting revenge on the War Dogs also plays into this as well, making this less a match and more a story.
RATING: ***
Post-match, Garcia pouts on the floor, and we see Timeless Toni Storm and Luther on the balcony! Children of Los Angeles, lend me your ears! She is at peace with her life choices, but Marina, you are a miserable bitch! If she losses at Grand Slam, then she deserves to have her head shaved in front of her friends and former lovers. But, if she wins, she will shave Marina’s head, and they will sell her at Spirit Halloween. LMAO!
She calls Wheeler Yuta a little shit, and he comes out screaming ENOUGH! He tells someone to bring her out, and we see Marina bring out Mina! She has her in the Mothers Milk, and Yuta cuts a piece of Mina’s hair off before they leave her on the entrance ramp. That sheepdog piece of shit, he’ll pay for this.
Andrade El Idolo and Don Callis promo following the events of last week. Don says they are a family, and it is an honor to have Andrade in his family. He guarantees that Andrade is going to defeat Hangman and then take the title from MJF. Andrade thanks Don and says no one will stop him from winning the World Title.
Hangman Adam Page promo. He looks like he is pacing around outside in the night. He thought for sure it was going to be Kenny and himself at Grand Slam, but no matter, because he is going to defeat Andrade and move on to reclaim his World Heavyweight Title.
COMMERCIALS!
Jet Speed are walking post-break. Mike Bailey says they are looking for challengers, but it’s admirable that Hangman is looking to win more gold. Kevin Knight says they can also go for singles gold as well. He proclaims 2026 to be the year of the Jet Speed Rodeo!
Yeah, I dunno, I liked the Horsecock Express idea from Speedball more lol.
It’s time for tag team chaos!
Number One Contenders Match for the AEW World Tag Team Titles: The Young Bucks vs. The Rascalz vs. ???
Well, it turns out that the wildcard team is in fact Private Party! Better than Adam Copeland and Christian Cage, eh?
WELCOME BACK chants from the crowd, as Marq Quen and Dezmond Xaiver will start this off. They shake hands, but Quen with a side headlock. This breaks down quickly, with Isiah Kassidy catching Desmond with a stunner on the top rope. Myron Reed looks to fly in, but he gets a Manhattan Drop for his trouble. The Rascalz lay out so the Young Bucks can enter.
The Jackson’s bump fists and show respect to Private Party, but their sneak attack is cut off. The Bucks take over the match, they take the Rascalz off the apron and hit the wheelbarrow face buster on Quen. The Rascalz won’t take this disrespect, and Reed clears the top rope and wipes out the Bucks. Quen sets himself, allowing Kassidy to fly out of the ring. Nick Jackson with a baseball slide dropkick, but Dezmond heads to the top rope, steadies himself, and hits a shooting star press onto the entire pile. That’ll take us to the break.
Private Party have Nick Jackson in the ring as we return. Nick manages to escape with a double wrist lock takeover, and he tags in his brother. Matt starts the Locomotion on Kassidy; he catches Quen and keeps going. Nick with a two-for-one to both members of Private Party. Stereo Senton elbow drops from The Bucks to Private Party, but they kick out at two. Matt sets Kasidy on the top rope, Nick does the double knees, but Isiah counters the powerbomb with a sloppy looking Rana. They get rid of the Bucks only for the Rascalz to enter the match.
Gin and Juice is countered, but Quen scores with a DDT. Everyone enters the ring and hits their shit. We get four kip-ups and four thrust kicks, while Nick Jackson hits a destroyer on Quen. We’re left with Matt and Dezmond, who trade punches. Matt sets up Dezmond for a SUPERKICK! Reed eats one as well, but Private Party are back. Reed with a Flame On to Kassidy and to the floor onto Quen and Nick!
Back in the ring, Reed with a 450 splash to Natt. The cover, but Nick makes the save. The Bucks with SUPERKICKS for everyone, and they set up Reed for the TK Driver, which gets them the win!
WINNERS: The Young Bucks
TIME: 13:40
THOUGHTS: Yeah, I wasn’t keeping up with this action, which is a good thing, because it was insane. The Bucks winning was the obvious call, and perhaps the right one, too.
RATING: ****1/4
Post-match, the celebration is short lived, as FTR and Big Stoke are here. Dax says they come in peace. They are generational rivals; there are 18 tag team title reigns between us. Dax wants to know how the Bucks feel about sitting in second place behind FTR? Matt goes to answer, but Dax takes the mic away and he says that no matter what company they have been in, they have been successful. But in the Bucks case, they had to create their own company. Does that bother you?
Well, it must bother Matt, because he SUPERKICKS Dax. Nick follows suit with one for Cash Wheeler. The Bucks head to the outside and Stoke tries to wheel himself away lol. They fake-out Stoke with Superkicks, but they end up patting him on the shoulder and giving him the tag team titles.
We get another BRUV vignette. When he returns, will the fans still be there for him? Will the Assassin reclaim the air? Will he answer every single question, when he returns. Good stuff, it makes me miss Ospreay that much more.
The main event is up next!
COMMERCIALS!
MJF and Brody King video package post-break. We see MJF foolishly turn his back to King, causing to lose last week to Brody and giving him a World Title match at Grand Slam. Not going to lie, I don’t think MJF loses the title match, but I like the insulation of the guys around the world title scene right now.
It’s time to get Cosmically Toxic!
AEW Women’s World Title Strap Match: Kris Statlander (C) vs. Thekla
Both ladies attach the strap to their wrists as the bell rings. They play tug of war over the strap, with Kris winning out. She doesn’t get to whip Thekla, though, because she gets out of dodge. She gets dragged back into the ring by Statlander though, and Kris proceeds to drag Thekla all around the ring.
Thekla rolls back out to the floor. Statlander gives chase, but Thekla whips Kris in the face! She whips her on the back, but Statlander reverses the attack. She goes to whip Thekla, but she moves and Kris whips the post instead. Statlander lays out Thekla before picking her back up and throwing her into the barricade. She pulls Thekla in for a scoop slam before posing.
Thekla uses Kris’ momentum against her and pulls her face first into the ring steps. We see Aubrey Edwards put on the black gloves which can only mean one thing. We see Statlander is bleeding from the forehead. Thekla moves in and drills some elbows into the forehead of Kris as we head out for the break.
Statlander powers Thekla into the corner as we return. Undeterred, Thekla holds on and applies the Tarantula! She lets go and poses on the apron, allowing Statlander to sneak up and choke her from behind. Thekla falls to the floor, but pulls on the strap, hanging up Statlander on the top rope. Thekla heads to the top rope and hits a crossbody block for a two.
Thekla uses the strap to smack Kris on the ass. Thekla does the Spider pose, but Kris pulls the strap and forces Thekla to fall to the mat. She pulls in Thekla for a powerslam that gets her a two. Statlander to the top rope, but Thekla cuts her off and heads up as well. Kris with a headbutt, causing Thekla to fall into the Tree of WHOA. But Thekla sits right up and smacks Kris with the strap. Spider Suplex from Thekla! She takes too long posing, as Kris is up and she smacks Thekla in the back with the strap.
Thekla swings for Kris, but Statlander moves and she hits a discus lariat. The ensuing pin gets her a two. Both women to their feet, shots are traded, Thekla spits on Kris, which only serves to enrage Kris. She smacks Thekla with the strap and hits a Blue Thunder Bomb which gets her a two. Kris whips herself as a means to psyche herself up, but Thekla stops her momentum. Thekla lines her up, but Kris uses the rope to pull Thekla to the mat. Tombstone from Statlander!
The Sisters of Sin are here! Skye distracts Aubrey, Julia attacks, and Thekla wraps the strap around the wrists of Kris before delivering a huge stomp! The pin, and we have a new champion!
WINNER: Thekla (NEW CHAMPION!)
TIME: 14:00
THOUGHTS: It felt like Thekla was going to win the title here, given that she already lost to Statlander a couple of weeks ago, and she basically cohered Kris into this match. Still, the obvious choice can be the best choice, and the title is vindication for Thekla and how great she has been in AEW since she has arrived.
RATING: ****
Post-match, the entire Triangle of Madness attack Statlander, but here come the Brawling Birds to save the day! Hayter and Windsor hold serve as the Triangle retreat. And with that, we are done!
