wrestling / TV Reports
Winfree’s AEW Dynamite Review 9.30.26
Image Credit: AEW
Loading...Hey everyone, Winfree filling in this week. This is a special episode of AEW Dynamite as it will be a tribute to Benjamin Satterley, known professionally as Pac in AEW and his indy days or Adrian Neville during his time with WWE. Pac passed away quite suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of jus 40 last weekend. Our scheduled main event is still AEW world champion Will Ospreay taking on Ricochet in a non-title affair but I’m basically throwing out anything else listed from before the news about Pac broke. So let’s all take a moment to appreciate the people who matter to us in our lives, and be here while tributes are given for Pac the wrestler and Benjamin Satterley the man.
We open with an “In Memory” graphic for Pac. Excalibur is alone at commentary to start and gives an emotional tribute to Pac.
In the ring Tony Schiavone is flanked by a portrait of Pac and a funeral flower display. Tony has a Pac armband over his suit and puts over Pac for being a wonderful human being behind the curtain.
Jon Moxley video from after All Out, Pac is with him as are the Death Riders. This is the last time Pac was on AEW cameras. Mox talks about losing to Ospreay, he has no regrets about the match. He knows everyone loses in wrestling and in life, you’ll lose people, opportunities, you wont get what you deserve or what you earn. You’ve got to just keep getting up and giving it your best. There’s nothing better than what he’s doing, every day is a gift. Osrpreay was the best tonight, and he says all you’ve earned is more hard work. There’s only two kinds of eulogies, this is what this guy did or this is who this guy was. Mox knows which of those he wants. He says they’ve all got the future of wrestling in their hands right now. And if anyone else has what it takes to really be great, to take the gift we’ve got here and do something with it, now’s the time to step up. They all leave, Pac is actually the last member of the Death Riders to exit the frame.
Back to the ring for the 10 bell salute. All the wrestlers and officials have moved to the entrance stage for that part. The Death Riders music hits and we see an empty chair with a towel over it down the hallway they walk through.
Match #1 – AEW Continental Title Match: (c) Jon Moxley vs. Orange Cassidy
Cassidy is visibly emotional as his sunglasses come off. They tie up, Moxley then grabs a hammerlock and Cassidy uses a leg to get to the ropes. Another tie up, Moxley back to the arm but Cassidy counters into an arm snap down. Another tie up, Moxley grabs a side headlock but Cassidy counters into one of his own then hits some arm drags. Yet again they tie up, this time Moxley goes to a chop, then they trade pin attempts leading to a stand off. Test of strength spot, Moxley is the stronger and he forces Cassidy down into a bridge then to the mat. Cassidy avoids being pinned a few times, then bridges again before they head upright. Back heel trip from Cassidy but Moxley counters into a rear naked choke but Cassidy rolls to the ropes right away to avoid getting really caught in the choke. Cassidy grabs a side headlock, then hits a shoulder block but runs into one from Moxley. Moxley tosses Cassidy out of the ring and we get some ringside brawling as we head to break.
We come back to Moxley hitting a piledriver for a 2 count. Moxley goes for a 10 Punch, he gets all 10 then Cassidy heads to the apron and starts bouncing Moxley’s head into a corner for a 10 count, then Moxley drills Cassidy with a dropkick to send him rocketing into the announce table. Back into the ring, Cassidy just rolls across it and to the floor. Moxley, bemused, goes after Cassidy and sends him back in again but Cassidy again rolls across and out of the ring. Moxley tosses Cassidy back in, then runs around the ring to cut off Cassidy on the other side. Lovely little callback there. Suicide dive from Cassidy connects, back in the ring Cassidy hits a diving elbow then an around the world DDT for a 2 count. Cassidy pulls himself up top, and Moxley rolls to the opposite corner. Cassidy, not happy with someone stealing his gimmick, follows and tries an Orange Punch, he hits it then Moxley hits a Cutter and both men are down. Both men pull themselves up and Cassidy with his leg kicks while Moxley keeps elbowing his head off. Superkick from Cassidy, now we’re trading elbows in close then Moxley with the weak leg kicks to mock Cassidy. Cassidy puts the hands in his pockets, so Moxley does the same, but stops to give Cassidy the double bird. Dropkick from Cassidy then an Orange Punch, Moxley is staggered and Cassidy with another Orange Punch to drop Moxley. Cassidy wants another, then switches into a roll up for 2. Stunner from Cassidy, but Moxley drops down and tries a choke only for Cassidy to switch into a crucifix for 2. Moxley avoids a Beach Break but Cassidy lands a kick. Cassidy wants another Orange Punch but Moxley with a clothesline then a Pac style clothesline for 2. Moxley then with a Brutalizer attempt but Cassidy switches into a pin. Cassidy with his own Brutalizer attempt now, Moxley gets his arm free though and ankle picks Cassidy then hits a Stomp. Death Rider from Moxley and that’ll do it.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Jon Moxley retained the title in 17:18
Rating: 3.5 stars
Thoughts: Some lovely tributes to Pac in there, plus Moxley and Cassidy have had some very good matches before and now this one is just further proof of their chemistry.
Post match Moxley sits in the ring. Bryan Danielson’s music hits, here’s the American Dragon crying as he gets into the ring. Bryan looks on as Moxley turns to face him, the emotion finally hitting Moxley as both men embrace. That will send us to break.
Adam Page sit down tribute, he talks about how much he loved working with Ben and how they became close over the last few months. He is glad he told Ben how much he meant to him recently. Ben loved wrestling, cared for everyone, and Page will miss him.
To the ring for our next match.
Match #2 – 8 Man Tag Team Match: The Elite [Kenny Omega, “Hangman” Adam Page, and Young Bucks (Nick and Matt Jackson)] vs. Don Callis Family (Kyle Fletcher, Kevin Knight, Rocky Romero, and Trent Beretta) w/ Don Callis
All eight men get to brawling right away. Nick winds up isolated by the heels. Fletcher kicks away at Nick, Matt with a blind tag and Fletcher takes some of the usual stuff from the Bucks. Knight tags in, the Bucks are just getting to run through all their normal spots on him, then on Trent after Trent tagged in. Rocky shows up and hits a double hurricanrana. Page slides in behind Rocky, then Omega flanks Rocky. Omega and Page chop the life out of Rocky for a bit. Trent shows back up, Page and Omega then hit some of their old tag team offense on him. The Elite get to stand tall in the ring, then we get tandem suicide dives from all of them. Everyone winds up back in the ring and we get a four corner 10 Punch spot. Matt with a bucklebomb, Nick adds a kick then Fletcher shows up to break up Bang For Your Buck. The heels now get to clear the ring and run through some of their stuff. In the ring Trent and Rocky hit the double stomp and Crunchie combination but Nick saves the match as we head to break.
We come back to Matt starting to fight off the heels after taking heat during the break. Rocky blocks a tag then cheap shots Page and Nick. Matt counters the forever clotheslines with the rolling Northern Lights Suplexes, including an extra one for Trent as he tried to get involved. Nick tags in and runs through his usual spots. Fletcher and Knight corner Nick and kick away at him, Nick avoids Fletcher who runs into Knight then Page tags in. Page with elbows, a plancha, then a Fall Away slam to Knight. Running Shooting Star Press from Page gets 2. Omega wants in, and gets the tag, Knight attacks the eyes but Omega catches him with a snap Dragon suplex. A lot of snap Dragon suplexes from Omega to the heels. Fletcher cuts off a V-Trigger with a Michinoku Driver. The heels get to take turns hitting their stuff. Knight leaps into a V Trigger. Superkicks for Trent, then a four man superkick to Rocky. Stereo aerial moves from all four faces but only a 2 count on Omega’s cover to Trent. Trent avoids a V Trigger but finds himself caught between Page and Omega for their Buckshot Lariat and V Trigger combination, a BTE Trigger form the Bucks. Omega with a One Winged Angel to Trent and that’ll get the pin.
OFFICIAL RESULT: The Elite won in 14:02
Rating: 3 stars
Thoughts: Plenty of fun here, the layout protected Knight and Fletcher nicely and let everyone get enough of their stuff in.
Post match all of The Elite hug.
Cash Wheeler’s sit down tribute airs next. He’s going to miss Ben’s smile. Not just as a wrestler, he’ll miss Ben the person. They’re all going to miss Ben.
Jay White next, he isn’t sure Ben knew how much he meant to the locker room. He studied Pac and tried to emulate him but of course couldn’t, Ben was one of one. He calls Ben the perfect wrestler, and everyone’s still half waiting for him to show up to the event tonight. To close he prays for Ben’s family and says he misses him.
Renee Paquette on the mic at ringside to read a statement from Ben’s family. The family is devastated, but the love from every corner of the globe is helping them. More than just his wrestling legacy they’re heartened to see all the tributes to Ben the man. It talks about what Ben loved, including spending time with his parents who now have to mourn their only child. Ben’s coming to AEW is covered and they can only express gratitude to AEW for helping the family navigate this tragedy. Thanks to the fans and friends of Ben and they love Ben and their lives will never be the same without him.
Swerve Strickland comes out next, he’s in street clothes and is followed by Austin Creed and Kofi of the New Level along with Prince Nana. The trios champions head to the ring, Creed visibly in tears. They hold up the trios titles, which of course Pac helped make relevant, and set the belts down then lay a Pac towel over them. The four men hug as we head to break.
Ricochet sit down, he can’t believe he’s even here. He and Ben used to live together in Japan during their Dragon Gate time. They had almost no space in that room, and he always looked up to Ben for who he was. Ben was an inspiration, the way a brother or father should be, and it feels like that’s what he lost. It’s always the good people, and there’s not too many people that everyone can get together and share nothing but positive stories about. This sucks, but seeing everyone share memories of Ben in Japan, WWE, AEW, Mexico, England, all of it. People who have never met each other have bonded over their stories about Ben, and there will never be another one like him. He knows they’ll see him again, and sends love to Ben and they’ll all miss him.
To the ring and here comes Ricochet with Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona, followed by Will Ospreay who’s got Andrade El Idolo and Mike Bailey with him.
Match #3: Will Ospreay w/ Andrade El Idolo and Mike Bailey vs. Ricochet w/ Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona
The two men drop down and share a prayer and hug together. Ricochet with a snapmare then a chin lock. Ospreay hits a shoulder block but Ricochet kips up. We get an update, our main event will be a 10 man tag the Death Riders against the Don Callis Family. Some acrobatic counters from both men then Ricochet lands a dropkick. More evasion from Ricochet then a crossbody for a 2 count. Uppercut from Ricochet then a chop. Ospreay with a boot then a hurricanrana sends Ricochet out of the ring. Plancha from Ospreay. Back into the ring Ospreay corners Ricochet and lands a chop. Ricochet gets a boot up and then hits an enziguri to send Ospreay to the floor, then Ricochet follows with a dive and lands on his feet as we head to break.
We come back to both men on the floor, Ricochet tries a 450 off the barricade but Ospreay moves then Ricochet lands a superkick. Ricochet charges and runs into an overhead belly to belly throw into the barricade. Back in the ring Ospreay starts landing elbows then hits a Red Dot kick. Ospreay hits a Phenomenal Forearm for a 2 count. Kawada kicks from Ospreay then a chop. They start trading chops, then Ospreay counters a suplex with a Stunner. Handspring into a around the world DDT from Ospreay only gets a 2 count. Ricochet counters a Stormbreaker with a hurricanrana for a 2 count. Ricochet with a tilt a whirl backbreaker, then a running Shooting Star Press and a second rope Phoenix Splash all of which gets a near fall. Now Ricochet heads up top, Ospreay is up though and climbs up with him. Elbow from Ricochet but Ospreay jumps up with him and tries an avalanche Poisoned Rana but Ricochet lands on his feet then hits a German suplex. Rebound German suplex from Ospreay, then they trade Poisoned Ranas and both men are down. Not my favorite kind of sequence there. Both men start trading punches from their knees. They fight upright then Ospreay calls for a toe to toe exchange, Ricochet obliges and they take turns battering each other with elbows. Kicks from Ricochet now, then Ospreay with an enziguri. Stalling Blue Thunder Bomb from Ospreay but again just 2. Ospreay tries a Hidden Blade but Ricochet counters into a Backslide Driver then a Liger Bomb for a near fall.
Corner attack from Ricochet then he heads up top, and does a Shooting Star Pele kick as a Pac tribute, then follows with a gorgeous Shooting Star Press for yet another near fall. Ricochet wants a Spirit Gun, but Ospreay counters into a Styles Clash for another 2 count. Hidden Blade connects but Ospreay doesn’t go for the pin. Ospreay considers the corner, positions Ricochet, climbs up top and hits a Black Arrow to win.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Will Ospreay won in 16:13
Rating: 3.5 stars
Thoughts: The same lovely athleticism we’ve come to expect from these two, Ospreay hitting the Black Arrow was a surprise but a welcome one. They got a little too into their own style at times, which knocks this down a hair, but they included some wonderful Pac spots and this was a lovely tribute match.
Emotion immediately overcomes Ospreay after he hit that move. Ricochet and Ospreay embrace in the ring. As the replay of the Black Arrow hits Excalibur chokes up saying it was good but not as good as Pac’s.
Ospreay tribute next, he talks about backyard wrestling as a kid and one of the guys watching said he looked like Pac a bit. Once Ospreay realized it was the same Pac he saw against AJ Styles or in Japan was incredible. Seeing Pac’s legacy spreading and his style influencing people has been great. He just wanted to wrestle Pac, and he did in 2019 but more than Pac was the person behind the gimmick. He’s going to miss learning from Ben, and seeing the happiness he gave to everyone. He hopes he does justice to Pac tonight, and thank you for everything. That sends us to break.
Match #4 – Trios Match: Mercedes Mone, Persephone, and Britt Baker vs. Thunder Rosa, Hyan, and Marina Shafir w/ Jon Moxley
Hyan and Persephone start, they tie up then Persephone tries a headlock but Hyan counters and both women trade covers. Hyan with a running boot then tags in Rosa. Rosa and Hyan double team Persephone for a bit for a 1 count. Head scissors from Rosa then Persephone rolls through a Sunset Flip and hits a dropkick to take over. Baker tags in, and flubs a corner throw. Corner elbows from Britt then she tags Persephone again. Persephone tries a Splash Mountain, Hyan breaks that up then Marina tags in. Marina runs wild for a bit and does the 619 into a spike headscissors on the apron to send us to break.
We come back to Mone working over Rosa. Persephone tags in and keeps Rosa grounded. Mone tags back in but runs into a boot. Rosa fights out of the heel corner then she and Mone with a double clothesline spot so they’re both down. Mone tries to block the tag, Rosa kicks her away and tags Marina. Marina with kicks to Mone then a Tiger Facebreaker. Mone kicks Marina who just eggs her on. Rebound German suplex from Marina then a snap suplex. Mother’s Milk from Marina but Persephone breaks up the hold. Marina with a rebound German suplex to Persephone. Baker tags in and hits a Sling Blade, Hyan shows up and everyone gets a chance to get their stuff in. Ultimate Marina takes a Spear from Persephone, Baker follows with a Stomp. Britt pulls out the glove, goes for the Lockjaw, but Hyan and Rosa dispose of Persephone. Marina powers upright holding Baker and slings her down then grabs a Brutalizer to get the tap.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Marina Shafir, Hyan, and Thunder Rosa won in 10:57
Rating: 2.5 stars
Thoughts: A tad overlong and it felt as kind of thrown together as it likely was. Not bad but I’m not sure it really needed 11 minutes.
Post match Marina breaks down a bit and hugs Moxley as we head to break.
Swerve Strickland tribute, he first met Ben at a Dragon Gate show in Philly and he could only marvel at what he could do. He was a perfectionist, everything was calculated. In AEW he got to know Ben on a more personal level, Ben was quiet but whenever he did speak it was important and wound up being something you really needed to hear. He hopes Ben knows how much he was loved and cared for.
Darby Allin next. He always thinks of Ben when it comes to dedication. Wrestling for Ben was love, he loved wrestling and wasn’t here for money or fame. When he heard Ben passed he went back and watched old clips, on a golf course or throwing Darby through a flaming table. He worried Ben wouldn’t be down for the craziness of that golf course match but he was fully invested. He loves Ben and thanks him for the crazy moments. Maybe in the next life they’ll find another golf course, until then I love you.
Match #5 – 10 Man Tag Team Match: Death Riders (Gabe Kidd, Claudio Castagnoli, Daniel Garcia, Wheeler Yuta) and Bryan Danielson w/ Jon Moxley and Marina Shafirvs. Don Callis Family (Josh Alexander, Jake Doyle, Lance Archer, Mark Davis, and Wardlow) w/ Don Callis
Moxley joins commentary for this match, the Death Riders are down a man. The last man for the Riders is Bryan Danielson, and the fight is on. Everyone gets to brawling right away. Claudio and Wardlow wind up as the legal men while everyone else fights on the floor. Yuta and Jake fight in the ring, this is wild stuff all around. Yuta with a dropkick to Jake then a sliding kick. Bryan with kicks to Alexander on the floor. Garcia tags in and kicks at Jake in the corner. Scoop slam from Jake then he corners Garcia. Archer tags in and stomps away for a bit. Garcia avoids a corner attack and tags Kidd. Kidd and Garcia corner Archer then Kidd headbutts him. Punches from Kidd, Archer knees him to cut him off though and tags in Alexander. Alexander with corner chops and shoulder strikes. Chinlock from Alexander but Kidd with a jawbreaker then he tags Claudio. Claudio overpowers Alexander with a slow motion suplex position then hangs up Alexander on the ropes, Bryan follows with a diving knee to the head. Yuta tags in and Claudio with the Giant Swing then Yuta with the dropkick and the heels break up the pin. Things break down again briefly, Wardlow grabs Yuta for a Landslide to send us to our final break.
We come back to Yuta getting cornered by Davis and Archer. Yuta fights back with kicks and evasion, then a top rope dropkick to Davis and everyone’s down. Bryan gets the hot tag and he gets to running wild on Alexander. Running clothesline from Bryan, then the Yes kicks but Alexander avoids the Buzzsaw kick and grabs an Ankle Lock. Bryan counters into the LeBell Lock and Jake breaks up the pin. Everyone gets a chance to get their stuff in, the sequence culminates with Alexander getting the sequential Germans on Bryan, Bryan flips out of the third and lands a Buzzsaw kick. Garcia tags in now and attacks Jake with elbows and chops. Wardlow and Davis show up to attack Garcia from behind, Claudio and Kidd show up but get clotheslined out of the ring. Yuta and Bryan rally the crowd and we get stereo Busaiku knees to Davis and Wardlow. Archer with crossbodies to them. Marina grabs an armbar on Archer over the ropes, then Garcia tosses him out of the ring and Claudio with a corkscrew plancha to follow up. Jake wipes out Garcia, but Garcia harnesses the power of dance. Everyone gets corner attacks off on Jake for a while. Yuta and Bryan dive onto Davis and Wardlow, Kidd hits the ropes for a rebound lariat then Garcia locks in the Sharpshooter and Claudio adds a Stomp to let Garcia get the pin.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Death Riders won in 15:22
Rating: 3.5 stars
Thoughts: Another fun match, they got to pay tribute to Pac and we got a solid hard hitting affair out of it.
Post match the Death Riders all join in the ring to hug and let out the emotions as commentary add their tributes to Ben and remind us to hug out loved ones and tell them how much they mean.
We close with a highlight package for Pac, which ends with his words from the Butcher tribute show.
