The energy inside the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul, Minnesota, was palpable as the professional wrestling world descended upon the Twin Cities for a historic edition of AEW Dynamite on March 25, 2026. With the fallout of Revolution still fresh in the minds of the roster and the road to Dynasty becoming increasingly clear, the stakes had never been higher. The evening promised a collision of generations, a defense of world-class gold, and a high-stakes gamble that could alter the corporate structure of All Elite Wrestling forever. As the cameras began to roll, the atmosphere was thick with anticipation, centered largely on the return of a legend to the championship hunt and the ongoing dominance of a world champion who believes he has finally purged his greatest rivals from the title picture.
The night ignited with a high-stakes opening contest that featured two of the most gifted athletes to ever step foot inside a squared circle. Kenny Omega, often referred to as the Best Bout Machine, walked into the arena with his very executive status on the line. Across from him stood the formidable Swerve Strickland, a man whose meteoric rise had earned him the top contender’s spot for the AEW World Championship. The stipulation was simple yet career-defining: if Omega won, he would seize the number one contendership, but if Strickland emerged victorious, Omega would be forced to relinquish his EVP position within the company. Accompanied by Prince Nana, Strickland attempted to use the numbers game early, utilizing a timely distraction from his manager to catch Omega off guard. The opening moments saw Strickland punishing the veteran against the ropes, following up with a stiff boot to the face that sent a clear message of intent.
However, the resilience of Omega is the stuff of legend. After catching Strickland with a well-timed hurricanrana that sent the challenger tumbling to the floor, Omega took flight, crashing into his opponent with a high-risk dive. The battle quickly spilled into the ringside area, where the barricades and the announce desk became weapons of opportunity. Omega’s signature chops echoed through the auditorium, and he even managed to trap Strickland in a chair for a thunderous running knee strike. Despite the early momentum for the EVP, Strickland found his opening, countering the assault and dragging the action back into the ring to focus on Omega’s jaw. The two warriors traded strikes in a grueling back-and-forth exchange that saw Omega land a moonsault for a near fall, only for Strickland to narrowly avoid a V-Trigger. The intensity reached a fever pitch when the action moved to the top turnbuckle. Strickland managed to halt an avalanche One-Winged Angel attempt, instead driving Omega into the canvas with a massive avalanche back suplex that left both men gasping for air.
As the match neared its conclusion, the tactics became more desperate. Strickland utilized a low blow while the referee’s attention was diverted, leading to a brutal piledriver on the floor over the barricade. Inside the ring, Strickland connected with his House Call and followed up with two devastating Swerve Stomps, but the heart of the Best Bout Machine refused to stop beating. Omega kicked out at the last possible millisecond, shocking the St. Paul crowd. Finding a second wind, Omega unleashed a flurry of elbow strikes and a series of Snap Dragon suplexes. After a final exchange of heavy hits, including a Vertebreaker from Strickland that nearly ended the night, Omega found the opening he needed. A definitive V-Trigger dazed the challenger, allowing Omega to hoist him up for the One-Winged Angel. The impact was final, and as the referee’s hand hit the mat for the three-count, Kenny Omega not only secured his future as an executive but also solidified his place as the next challenger for the AEW World Championship.
The focus then shifted to the emotional journey of Darby Allin, as a poignant video package chronicled his evolution within the company, setting the stage for his main event encounter later in the evening. This was followed by a chilling message from Will Ospreay. The Aerial Assassin addressed the physical and emotional toll of his recent injury, specifically mentioning the fear he saw in his son’s eyes and the reaction of his family after witnessing his neck being snapped in the ring. Ospreay’s words were directed squarely at Jon Moxley, the man he blames for his "time out." After issuing a challenge to PAC for a future bout in Winnipeg, Ospreay made his intentions for Dynasty crystal clear: he wants a piece of Moxley in a grudge match that transcends championships.
The violence continued as the Death Riders made their presence known. AEW Continental Champion Jon Moxley, Daniel Garcia, and Marina Shafir entered the ring for a mixed trios match against the high-flying SkyFlight, consisting of Dante Martin, Darius Martin, and Zayda Steel. The match was a chaotic brawl from the outset, with the Death Riders blindsiding their opponents before the bell could even ring. While Steel showed incredible heart by taking the fight to Shafir with a series of headscissors and a DDT, the sheer brutality of the Death Riders eventually overwhelmed the younger trio. Moxley and Garcia dismantled the Martin brothers with a series of stomps and power moves, including a crushing superplex from Moxley to Dante. Despite a spirited comeback that saw SkyFlight execute a triple dive to the outside, the veteran savvy of the Death Riders prevailed. After Wheeler Yuta interfered at ringside to neutralize Christopher Daniels, Garcia applied the Dragon Tamer on Darius Martin while Moxley added a final stomp for good measure, securing the victory for their faction.
Following the win, Moxley took to the microphone to respond to Ospreay’s earlier comments. In a display of cold confidence, Moxley warned Ospreay about the dangers of speaking his name on television. While acknowledging that their issues might not be personal in the traditional sense, Moxley officially accepted the challenge for Dynasty, promising a grudge match that would leave a lasting mark. The tension in the building was thick as the match was officially confirmed, setting the stage for one of the most anticipated encounters of the year.
The broadcast then took a moment to look at the legendary Young Bucks, who reflected on their recent ups and downs. Despite a setback at Revolution, the brothers emphasized their resilience and their victory on the previous week’s Dynamite, boldly declaring that 2026 would be the definitive year of the Young Bucks. Their confidence remained unshaken as they looked to climb back to the top of the tag team mountain. This was followed by a swift and technical display from "Speedball" Mike Bailey. Representing JetSpeed, Bailey went toe-to-toe with the Don Callis Family’s Rocky Romero. The match was a showcase of Bailey’s incredible striking ability. After a series of rapid-fire exchanges, Bailey connected with two pinpoint spin kicks and a knee strike to the back, ending the contest quickly and adding another impressive win to his 2026 record.
The emotional core of the show arrived when the AEW World Champion, MJF, made his grand entrance. Still basking in the glow of his Texas Death Match victory over "Hangman" Adam Page at Revolution, MJF was in a vitriolic mood. He reminded the audience in Minnesota that he had not only retained his title but had effectively ended Page’s chances of ever challenging for the gold again. MJF’s arrogance was on full display as he claimed to be at the mountaintop, asserting that no one on the planet was on his level. However, his celebration was cut short by the familiar music of Kenny Omega. The newly crowned number one contender wasted no time in confronting the champion. Omega challenged MJF’s "Devil" persona, claiming that if MJF was the devil, then he was the God of professional wrestling. The verbal sparring was intense, with Omega asserting that he was finally back to 100% health and ready to take back the title. MJF, visibly rattled but maintaining his mask of indifference, accepted the challenge for Dynasty but refused to shake Omega’s hand, leaving the ring as Omega bid the crowd a signature "goodnight and goodbye."
Backstage, the legendary duo of Christian Cage and Adam Copeland addressed their ongoing and increasingly personal feud with FTR. Cage expressed his disdain for FTR’s recent actions, particularly their use of a spike piledriver. Copeland took things a step further, reflecting on his long history with Dax Harwood, which dated back to a meeting at a Gold’s Gym years ago. Copeland’s voice shook with anger as he addressed the attack on his wife, Beth, stating that while he understands being an "ultimate opportunist," targeting family is a line that should never be crossed. He vowed that while taking the tag team titles from FTR was a goal, his true mission was to end their careers.
FTR, accompanied by Stokely Hathaway, didn’t wait long to respond. Entering the arena to a chorus of boos, Cash Wheeler dismissed Copeland as "dead weight" and claimed that FTR had surpassed their former mentor. Wheeler and Harwood asserted that they were the living legends of the modern era and that Copeland was merely a "nostalgia act." Harwood’s comments were particularly biting, as he questioned if Copeland even had an answer for the violence they were willing to inflict. Their segment was interrupted by Orange Cassidy and Roderick Strong of The Conglomeration, leading to a brief physical confrontation on the ramp before FTR retreated.
This led directly into a tag team clash between The Conglomeration and The Dogs, represented by David Finlay and Clark Connors. The match was a grueling affair that highlighted the chemistry of both teams. Cassidy and Strong used their unique blend of speed and technical prowess to keep the Dogs off balance, but Finlay’s ruthless tactics eventually turned the tide. After a series of near falls and a double dropkick from Cassidy, the Dogs managed to isolate Strong. A well-executed double-team maneuver on Cassidy allowed Finlay and Connors to steal the win, further establishing their dominance in the tag team division.
As the night progressed, the AEW Women’s World Tag Team Champions, Divine Dominion, sent a stern warning to the rest of the roster, citing their destruction of Willow Nightingale and Harley Cameron as proof that they offer no second chances. Meanwhile, Kyle Fletcher of the Don Callis Family discussed his upcoming title defense on Collision against Robbie Eagles. Fletcher’s ambition was evident as he expressed his desire to bring the AEW World Title to his faction, a sentiment that was supported by the arrival of Konosuke Takeshita.
The penultimate match of the evening saw "The Toxic Spider" Thekla defend her AEW Women’s World Championship against the spirited Mina Shirakawa. The match was a study in contrasts, with Thekla’s psychological games clashing with Shirakawa’s focused athleticism. The action moved to the floor early, where Shirakawa landed a devastating DDT. Inside the ring, the challenger applied a single-leg crab, nearly forcing the champion to tap out. However, Thekla’s "madness" proved to be the deciding factor. After a failed attempt to use her belt as a weapon, Thekla managed to strike Shirakawa with brass knuckles while the referee was distracted. The illegal strike allowed Thekla to secure the pinfall and retain her championship, continuing her reign of terror over the women’s division.
Backstage, Kenny Omega’s preparation for Dynasty was interrupted by Mike Bailey, who showed respect to the new number one contender. The two shared a handshake, with Bailey hinting at a future title shot should Omega defeat MJF. Elsewhere, Ricochet voiced his frustrations, claiming he was never truly defeated for the National Championship and questioning why Omega was granted a title shot so quickly. His "demand" for respect signaled that the high-flyer is far from finished with the title picture.
The main event was a brutal No Countout Match between Darby Allin and RUSH. From the opening bell, RUSH lived up to his "El Toro Blanco" moniker, hurling Allin into the steel steps and the barricades with reckless abandon. Allin was quickly busted open, his face a crimson mask as he struggled to find an opening. The match was a spectacle of violence, featuring a Coffin Drop over the ropes and a missile dropkick that sent RUSH crashing through a chair and into the barricade. Despite the physical punishment, Allin managed to counter RUSH’s power with a lightning-fast Jackknife cover to secure a hard-fought victory.
The celebration was short-lived, however, as the Don Callis Family launched a post-match assault. Mark Davis led the charge, but the most intriguing moment occurred when Andrade El Idolo began to argue with Don Callis. Andrade seemed more concerned with focusing on championships than continuing the senseless beatdown on Allin. As the show faded to black, the internal friction within the Don Callis Family stood in stark contrast to the broken body of Darby Allin, leaving the fans in St. Paul with more questions than answers heading into the next chapter of AEW.
