This week’s AEW Dynamite was Summer Blockbuster as Will Osprey faced Swerve Strickland, and a Kenny Omega-Kazuchika Okada contract signing.

It was the second straight week where AEW presented a 4-hour show. It was Dynamite and Collision back to back for four hours of content. I was watching the NBA Finals on Wednesday.

I’m only going to review the Dynamite portion because that’s what I review every week. I don’t review Collision, but I’ll put the results in at the bottom of the review. The shows aired on TSN2 here in Canada.

For this review, I’ll go summary style for most of the show and play-by-play for one or two matches.

This was AEW Dynamite episode #297 from the Moda Center’s Theater of the Clouds in Portland, Oregon. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

There was some backstage pre-show walking of Toni Storm arriving with Luther. “Hangman” Adam Page talked to Christopher Daniels, who told Page that Page has friends in the locker room and Daniels encouraged Page despite their history. As Page walked in, Jon Moxley and the Death Riders were shown keeping an eye on him.

It’s Wednesday night, and you know what that means. The commentary team was Excalibur, Ian Riccaboni, and Taz.

The big match is starting the show with Will Ospreay up first, followed by Swerve Strickland, with Prince Nana. The fans love both guys and they are two of my favorites as well. The NBA Finals Game 3 on ABC started at 8:30 p.m. ET, so putting this match on before the game started was a smart move.

Will Ospreay vs. Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana)

The reason the graphic at the top of this review says “2” is that they had a great match at Forbidden Door in June 2024 that Swerve won, so this is their second match.

They shook hands at the start of the match. They started out doing some moves like headscissors, but both guys landed on their feet and they had a staredown after that. Swerve decked Will with an elbow to the jaw. Will was bleeding from the mouth or nose early on. Will hit a hurricanrana, body slam and a standing Sky Twister Press. Will chopped Swerve a few times, Swerve no sold it and Swerve decked Will with an elbow smash. Swerve hit an uppercut to Will’s back. Swerve hit a jumping flatliner and a suplex for two. Taz said that hooking the leg on a pin is overrated. Yeah, but Taz, it’s a pro wrestling commentator cliché to put over how important it is to do that. Just saying we’ve been hearing it our whole lives. Swerve hit a backbreaker for two. Will hit a chop to the throat and a corkscrew kick. Will jumped off the top rope with a springboard elbow. Will did a handspring dive over the top onto Swerve on the floor. Good job by Swerve to step up and catch Will because otherwise it would have missed. They went to a picture-in-picture break.

(Commercial)

Will was in control after jumping off the top with a forearm to the back. Will went for an Oscutter off the ropes, but Swerve avoided it and hit a Cutter. Swerve hit a neckbreaker. Will got a backslide pin for two. Swerve kicked Will against the ropes and hit a neckbreaker on the floor. Swerve put Will across the top rope and Swerve jumped off the top with a double foot stomp to the back for two. Will and Swerve avoided big moves. Swerve did an up kick to Will, but Will came back with an elbow smash to the jaw. Swerve avoided a slam and hit a powerslam. Will countered Swerve and hit a Stundog Millionaire. Will jumped off the ropes, but Swerve caught him and applied a short arm scissors on the left arm. Will managed to get back up to his feet and slammed Swerve hard into the turnbuckle. Will trapped Swerve against the turnbuckle and hit a superkick. Will hit a Reverse Rana to spike Swerve on his head. Swerve hit a forearm, but Will came back with a Spanish Fly for two. Will jumped off the ropes and hit an Oscutter for two, as usual, with that move. Swerve did a back body drop that sent Will over the top to the floor. Swerve tried a leap to the floor, but Swerve was selling a left knee injury. Will hit Swerve with the Hidden Blade on the floor. The fans were chanting “Holy s**t” for that. Both guys were down on the floor, which led to a PIP break.

(Commercial)

The two men were standing as Will hit two superkicks to the jaw that didn’t knock Swerve down. Will hit two more kicks to knock Swerve down to his knees. Will went for the Hidden Blade elbow, but Swerve ducked and Will hit the turnbuckle. Swerve got a hold of Will’s left arm and did an arm drag off the top rope. Swerve applied the short arm scissors on the left arm again. Will got out of it, went for a Styles Clash and Swerve hit the Deadeye that Hangman Page does. That move always looks more painful for the guy doing the move. Swerve went for the Swerve Stomp, but Will avoided it and Will hit a Hidden Blade for a two count while doing a cover where he was laying with his back on Swerve. The fans were chanting, “This is awesome,” as the wrestlers had a staredown. Excalibur noted it was about 25 minutes into the 30-minute time limit. Will and Swerve exchanged elbow strikes, Will kicked Swerve in the leg and Swerve did an arm-wringer takedown followed by a House Call kick. Swerve went up top and hit a Swerve Stomp on Will for a two count. Swerve stomped on Will’s left arm as well. Swerve charged, but Will was back up with an elbow smash. Will hit the Stormbreaker for just a two count. Taz noted they had about two minutes left in the time limit. Will teased a Tiger Driver, Swerve avoided it and Swerve hit a Vertebreaker, which is a cool looking move. Swerve hit a House Call kick to the head as well went to the apron and Swerve was too tired to make a cover. Will was seated on the apron while Swerve went up top and the bell rang to end the match. The fans booed that. It was a 30-minute time limit draw.

I feel bad for the fans in the arena because they never announced that they were close to the 30-minute time limit. With two minutes left, the ring announcer should say that they are 28 minutes into the match. It would get the fans more into the match.

Match Result: 30-Minute Time Limit Draw

Analysis: ****1/2 Awesome match as expected by Swerve and Will, who are two of the best wrestlers in AEW. The draw finish was done to show how even these guys are and prevent them from taking a fall, so it keeps them both strong. It will also likely set up a rematch between them, which will be highly anticipated because of how talented Will and Swerve are. There was some incredible counter wrestling throughout the match. Will hit his Hidden Blade and Swerve hit his Swerve Stomp, but they weren’t able to win with them. Will also hit a Stormbreaker that was only good for a two count. A lot of big moves were hit, but they kicked out of everything until they got to the 30-minute mark for the draw. I’m not a huge fan of time-limit draw finish endings, but I get why it’s done not to have either guy lose.

Swerve Strickland did a promo saying that he’s in so much pain, right? Swerve said that they just showed they are the best because AEW is where the best wrestle. Swerve said the only way to prove you’re the best is to win matches. Swerve talked about how they are both messed up, but he knows that Will wants to try to beat Swerve. That led to Swerve saying, “Sudden death.” Swerve wanted overtime, but it wasn’t happening.

The Death Riders music hit as AEW World Champion Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta and Marina Shafir made their entrance from the back part of the arena. The Young Bucks went into the ring and attacked Swerve from behind. The Bucks hit the BTE Trigger double knee attack to the head. Nicholas Jackson superkicked Prince Nana to knock him off the apron to the floor. The Bucks handcuffed both of Swerve’s wrists to the middle ropes. The Bucks hit multiple superkicks on Swerve while nobody tried to help Swerve. The Bucks put on shoes that had thumbtacks on the bottom of them. Will stepped in front of Swerve and the Bucks superkicked Swerve as he took the superkicks with the tacks in them. The kick that Nick did looked better than the kick that Matt did. Will sold it great while Dr. Samsson checked on Will. The fans were chanting “F**k the Bucks” at the EVPs. Will was getting checked on by the doctor and referees.

Analysis: A good angle showing Will respected Swerve because he stepped in front of him to take the bullet, so to speak. I thought the angle was well done. It feels like All In Texas is going to have The Young Bucks against Swerve and Ospreay. There isn’t another obvious match for Swerve or Ospreay, so doing a tag team match makes sense. They could make it a Street Fight kind of match to allow them to be more violent during the match.

The AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada was interviewed by Renee Paquette, who mentioned his All In Texas match against Kenny Omega. Don Callis interrupted before Okada could speak. Callis wondered why Okada was in this match instead of Kyle Fletcher or Konosuke Takeshita. Callis said that makes him sick. Okada grabbed Don’s finger and twisted it, so Don’s “family” Lance Archer, Kyle Fletcher and Konosuke Takeshita showed up. Okada called Callis a “bitch” and left.

(Commercial)

The Hurt Syndicate’s MVP was backstage. The Hurt Syndicate was shown beating up Komander, and MJF had Komander’s mask, so Komander was taken out of the match. That clip was from earlier today.

Mistico vs. Blake Christian (w/Lee Johnson)

Mistico is from CMLL, with the announcers putting him over as a big deal since AEW is in Mexico City next week. The announcers were putting over Mistico a lot. Blake pulled Mistico off the top rope with an armdrag to take control. Mistico hit a hurricanrana and an armdrag off the top that Blake sold well. Mistico hit a suicide dive headbutt onto Blake on the floor. Johnson grabbed Mistico’s leg, so Blake knocked Mistico down and Blake hit an impressive dive onto Mistico on the floor. Blake hit a springboard 450 Splash for two. Mistico got back up with a Spanish Fly slam off the top for the pinfall win. It went about four minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Mistico

Analysis: **1/2 Easy win to put over Mistico. Blake is talented, but he’s not being showcased on AEW TV, despite Ian mentioning that he wins matches in ROH. It’s strange how a 450 Splash is just a regular move in a four-minute match, rather than a finish.

The Hurt Syndicate’s MVP, MJF and Tag Team Champions Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin made their entrance. MVP said that MJF has a message for Mistico. MJF said that was very impressive, while also stating that he is the most complete wrestler in the sport today. MJF said he’ll give Mistico a match at Grand Slam Mexico and he’ll rip that stupid mask off his face. MJF said one night only, he’s dusting off the red, white and blue for Mistico. MJF said God Bless USA and your American hero, MJF. The fans booed. A giant USA flag, streamers and a patriotic song played.

MJF got in the ring with Mistico, who took the microphone. Mistico said he’ll see him next week in Mistico’s home, Arena Mexico. Mistico spoke in Spanish. MJF said that you’re not Mistico, you’re just sloppy Sin Cara. MJF tried to attack, Mistico fought back and Bobby & Shelton beat up Mistico. MJF teased taking off Mistico’s mask, but that led to The Hurt Syndicate’s opponents making their entrance. The trio of Dorada, Knight and Bailey hit cross body blocks on the THS guys.

Analysis: A simple angle to build up the MJF-Mistico match for next week. MJF will be hated in Mexico next week, I’m sure. Nice Sin Cara failure reference to recall the early 2010s character that Mistico played in WWE, and it failed miserably. He did a lot better as Mistico.

The Hurt Syndicate – Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin & Maxwell Jacob Friedman (w/MVP) vs. Jet Speed – Kevin Night & “Speedball” Mike Bailey, and Mascara Dorada

MJF had an MVP-like vest on. MJF hit Dorada with a body slam. Knight and Bailey hit some tag team moves on MJF, including Bailey hitting a standing moonsault. Lashley grabbed legal man Dorada and tossed him over the top to the floor. MJF distracted the referee while Lashley did that.

(Commercial)

The match returned with Knight getting the tag and hitting a dropkick. Lashley and Shelton both went in the ring against Jet Speed’s Bailey and Knight. Shelton clotheslined Bailey while Lashley hit a Dominator slam on Knight. Lashley spiked Bailey with a spinebuster. MJF hit a Made In Japan slam for a two count. Bailey kicked MJF and Dorada hit a springboard dropkick. Lashley hit a Spear on Dorada. Bailey hit Lashley with rapid-fire kicks, and Knight hit a DDT on Lashley. Jet Speed did a double dropkick to knock Shelton out of the ring. The babyface trio all hit dives onto the heels on the floor, which included Dorada doing an SSP off the middle rope onto MJF. MJF distracted the referee, so MVP hit Bailey with the cane to the body. MJF hit a hammerlock DDT on Bailey for the pinfall win. It went about 11 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: The Hurt Syndicate – Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin & Maxwell Jacob Friedman

Analysis: ***1/4 A good match to put over The Hurt Syndicate since MJF is against Mistico next week, so of course, MJF got the win here. I like the Jet Speed team a lot and I think they could be built up to be title contenders.

After the match, The Hurt Syndicate group beat up Knight, Bailey and Dorada. MJF pulled Dorada’s mask off, so Dorada covered his face and turned around so he was facing forward. Dorada rolled out of the ring. Mistico went into the ring and Mistico hit the La Mistica armbar on MJF while Shelton and Bobby were on the floor. Mistico left.

Analysis: MJF taking off Dorada’s mask shows he could do it to Mistico next week, but it probably won’t happen.

(Commercial)

The Death Riders Attack “Hangman” Adam Page

There was supposed to “Hangman” Adam Page promo, but he was attacked by Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta of the Death Riders. They had page’s mouth taped and his hands tied behind his back. Marina Shafir had the AEW World Title briefcase, while Jon Moxley joined them in the ring. Nobody tried to help Hangman, of course.

Jon Moxley said that he’s terribly sorry about this. Moxley said that they needed to have a real conversation. Moxley said that these fans need him focused because this is your time – All In for the AEW World Championship. Moxley said this is do or die. Moxley said he’s been watching Hangman for a long time and said he is complicated. Moxley said Page is the “Millennial Cowboy” searching for something. Moxley told Page he had four weeks to find it and to step up so he could become the man to be the man everybody wanted him to become. Moxley said if you’re not ready to do that, then pack your shit and get out. Page headbutted Moxley, but then the Death Riders trapped Hangman. Claudio wanted to step on a chair that was on Page’s neck, but Moxley stopped him. The Opps trio of Samoa Joe, Powerhouse Hobbs and Katsuyori Shibata showed up for the save, so Moxley and friends ran away.

Analysis: It took a while for the save to happen because they were nice enough to let Jon Moxley do his promo first. Moxley is skilled at playing the cheap heel with his group backing him up.

Page did a promo saying he has come so far and would run through death itself to take that World Championship. Page said if he finds any of them tonight, he will take their heads. That was it.

Analysis: The good news for Page is this show is really long, so he has plenty of time to find them.

(Commercial)

Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford vs. Anna Jay & Tay Melo

Tay is back after two years. She had a baby with her husband, Sammy Guevera, and now she’s back in action. Ford pulled Tay out of the ring and sent her into the steel steps while Bayne hit Jay with a body slam. Jay got some offense going with forearms and spin kicks on Ford. Bayne hit a pump kick to take control going into the PIP break.

(Commercial)

The match continued with Tay hitting a German Suplex and running knee on Ford. Bayne was back in with a big elbow smash on Tay, but Tay came back with three pump kicks to Bayne’s face. Tay sent Bayne out of the ring, she hit a senton and Jay jumped off the turnbuckle with a cross body block on Bayne. Tay and Jay had to wait for about ten seconds while Ford set up and hit a moonsault on both women on the floor. Bayne hit a double fallaway slam. Ford insisted on a tag, Jay choked out Bayne and Tay hit a knee smash to the face of Ford for the pinfall win. It went about 11 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Anna Jay & Tay Melo

Analysis: *** A solid tag team match to give Tay a win in her return to action. There are rumors that AEW will introduce Women’s Tag Team Titles soon, which makes sense, given their large roster of women and a decent number of teams. No surprise that Ford lost for her team since Bayne is more of a dominant heel wrestler who is protected a lot.

A video package featured the Kazuchika Okada-Kenny Omega rivalry, referencing their rich history of four epic matches together. I thought it was an excellent video that showed a lot of highlights of their outstanding matches. I’m not a regular NJPW watcher, but I watched their matches when they got a lot of attention last decade, and those matches were spectacular.

(Commercial)

Contract Signing: Kenny Omega and Kazuchika Okada

There was a table in the ring, along with the titles belonging to the wrestlers. AEW’s Tony Schiavone hosted the segment. The AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada made his entrance first. Kenny Omega made his entrance as the International Champion. It’s Okada against Omega at All In Texas on July 12th.

Tony said that the winner of the match at All In Texas would be the winner of the brand-new AEW Unified Title. In other words, the Intercontinental Championship and the Continental Championship will be merged into a new title.

Analysis: I have never understood why the Continental Championship was created in the first place. I know they did the Continental Classic tournament, but creating that title was unnecessary. They already had the AEW World, TNT, and International Titles. AEW has finally realized they have too many titles in the men’s division, so they are merging them into one.

Okada signed the contract first. Omega said it had been seven years since their last match. Omega said he barely recognized himself in the video package. Omega said let’s leave it all in the ring one final time…for everything. Omega signed the contract. Omega offered his hand for a handshake, so Okada shook it.

Don Callis walked out for a promo as the fans booed him as usual. There was quickly a “F**k Don Callis” chant while other fans booed him a lot. Callis claimed that this match should not be between Omega and Okada, but rather with Kyle or Takeshita. Omega said that he’s beaten them. Omega said Callis wasn’t going to ruin this match. Omega said for this match, it’s Kenny against Okada. Omega said he knows all of Don’s tricks. Callis said Omega didn’t know this trick as Okada hit Omega in the back of the head with a belt shot. Okada beat up Omega with punches. Callis gave Okada a “steel” baton, and Okada hit Omega in the stomach, while Excalibur mentioned that Omega had diverticulitis. Okada hit Omega in the back as well. The fans were chanting, “You Sold Out” at Okada. The AEW medical team checked on Omega and put him on a stretcher. The copyright graphic went on the screen to end Dynamite.

Okada went up top and hit an elbow drop to the stomach while Omega was on the stretcher board. Ouch. Nice cheap shot. Christoper Daniels went into the ring to try to stop Okada from doing more damage. Okada knocked Daniels down in the ring. Okada hit another elbow drop from the apron onto Omega on the floor. Omega was spitting up blood. Good use of the blood capsule to make it look worse. Okada left with Callis through the crowd.

Don Callis and Kazuchika Okada were backstage where Alex Marvez tried to talk to them, but Don said they’re not talking now. Callis and Okada left in a car that was waiting for them.

Analysis: Poor Kenny. I thought it was very effective as a cheap attack by Okada to get some heat on him and make the match with Omega even more personal. The thing with a “steel” baton is you barely have to touch the guy during the attack and it’s all about the sell by Omega, which was great. I don’t know if this means Okada will be joining the Don Callis Family or be managed by Callis for just one match. Okada was part of The Elite with The Young Bucks (and the absent Jack Perry), but that group hasn’t been together for a long time.

Here are the match results from the Collision portion of Summer Blockbuster.

* Kyle Fletcher (w/Lance Archer) defeated Anthony Bowens (w/Billy Gunn)

* Toni Storm (w/Luther) defeated Julia Hart (w/Skye Blue)

* Mark Briscoe, Tomohiro Ishii & Willow Nightingale defeated The MxM Collection and Taya Valkyrie (w/Johnny TV)

* Bandido defeated The Beast Mortos

* Thekla defeated Queen Aminata

* The Don Callis Family – Konosuke Takeshita, Lance Archer, Josh Alexander & Hechichero defeated Paragon – Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong, and Daniel Garcia

Analysis: I think all of those match results were obvious. The main event could have gone either way, but I’m not surprised by The Don Callis Family getting the win. I’m sure the announcers said every match was amazing, every wrestler is in the best shape of their careers and AEW is the best.

That was the end of the four-hour Summer Blockbuster.

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Three Stars of the Show

1. Will Ospreay
2. Swerve Strickland
3. Kenny Omega and Kazuchika Okada

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The Scoreboard

This Week: 7.5 out of 10

Last Week: 7.5

2025 Average: 7.37

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Final Thoughts on AEW Dynamite

I enjoyed the show for the most part. There was one amazing match between Ospreay and Strickland that was one of the best TV matches of the year. Most of the other matches were good or just okay, but they didn’t really touch Will-Swerve in terms of greatness. Will and Swerve were featured in the first 40 minutes of the show, so they received a lot of screen time. That angle with The Young Bucks will likely lead to a match between the Bucks and Will and Swerve at All In Texas.

The Kenny Omega-Kazuchika Okada angle was very effective in making it feel like a personal rivalry. If it was just a match where two guys shook hands and had respect, that would be fine, but I think it was smart to make Okada very heelish with that cheap attack.

The rest of the show was pretty good. Once again, the match between Ospreay and Strickland carried the show this week.

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Thanks for reading. Go Toronto Blue Jays. You can contact me using any of the methods below.

John Canton

Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com

Twitter/X: @johnreport