All Elite Wrestling’s latest iteration of Dynamite, broadcast live on January 14, 2026, from the Arizona Financial Theatre in Phoenix, proved to be an evening teeming with both visceral in-ring combat and intricate plot development, setting the stage for significant chapters in the company’s evolving narrative landscape. What unfolded was a masterclass in wrestling storytelling, a fusion of high-stakes championship defenses, brutal personal vendettas, and the unexpected formation of alliances that promise to reshape the competitive hierarchy of the promotion as the road to the Revolution pay-per-view truly begins to intensify. From the cerebral strategic play of a reigning world champion to the sheer, unbridled chaos of a multi-team war, the desert air crackled with anticipation and the echoes of impact.
The centerpiece of the evening, and arguably the most anticipated bout, saw the reigning AEW World Champion, Maxwell Jacob Friedman, put his coveted title on the line against the formidable luchador, Bandido. Friedman, ever the calculating strategist, entered the contest with a clear objective: dismantle his opponent limb by limb, thereby neutralizing Bandido’s renowned acrobatic prowess. The champion focused his assault primarily on Bandido’s left arm, a relentless and intelligent game plan designed to restrict the challenger’s high-flying offense and the explosive power behind his signature moves. Bandido, however, brought his customary electrifying energy to the championship encounter, thrilling the Phoenix crowd with breathtaking maneuvers. A particular highlight involved a daring ascent of the corner turnbuckle, culminating in a spectacular dive over the arena barricade to crash down upon Friedman, eliciting a thunderous reaction from the appreciative audience.
Despite Friedman’s methodical approach, Bandido showcased his immense resilience and nearly seized the gold. He repeatedly attempted his devastating 21-Plex, a move that has felled many opponents. Following a forceful X Knee, Bandido finally connected with his signature finisher, yet the prior damage inflicted upon his arm by Friedman’s targeted attacks proved critical. The agony in his limb prevented him from maintaining the crucial bridge necessary for a tight pinfall, forcing him to release the suplex and slowly crawl for a cover. Seizing this fleeting moment of vulnerability, the cunning Friedman expertly transitioned into an armbar. As Bandido struggled, inching towards the ropes for a break, Friedman swiftly adapted, shifting his grip into the excruciating LeBell Lock. The pressure was too immense, and with no avenue for escape, Bandido heroically resisted until he ultimately faded into unconsciousness, resulting in a referee stoppage and Friedman retaining his championship.
The post-match segment was a textbook display of Friedman’s multifaceted villainy. In a surprising turn, the champion, known for his caustic remarks, offered an uncharacteristic endorsement of Bandido, proclaiming him a future AEW World Champion. Yet, this rare moment of apparent respect quickly dissolved into typical Friedman malevolence, as he launched a vicious post-match assault on the fallen challenger. This act, dripping with Friedman’s characteristic sardonic wit, appeared to be a deliberate provocation, aimed at drawing out his next adversary. Indeed, the monstrous Brody King soon emerged, storming the ring to intervene, seemingly positioned as the next formidable threat to Friedman’s reign. The entire championship encounter, while perhaps not Friedman’s most offensively flashy performance, was a masterclass in psychological warfare and strategic wrestling, effectively establishing Bandido as a legitimate main event player while further cementing Friedman’s status as a dominant, albeit detestable, world champion.
Shifting from the main event, another intensely personal rivalry reached a fever pitch as Darby Allin clashed with PAC in a contest that perfectly encapsulated the "Maximum Carnage" theme. Allin, seemingly intent on drawing a definitive close to his long-running saga with The Death Riders, faced PAC, who had opted to confront Allin alone, signifying a potential splintering within his faction. The animosity between the two was palpable even before the opening bell, with Allin launching himself into a cheap shot suicide dive. The action immediately spilled into the crowd, where Allin executed a breathtaking Coffin Drop from an elevated section of the arena, an audacious maneuver that underscored his reputation for death-defying risks. PAC, never one to be outdone in brutality, swiftly regained control, delivering a brutal German suplex onto the unforgiving arena floor, followed by a gut-wrenching belly-to-belly suplex directly onto the steel steps, eliciting wincing reactions from viewers.
Once the competitors finally entered the ring, the official match began, largely dominated by PAC’s incredible strength and aggressive style. He effortlessly tossed Allin around the squared circle, including an impactful avalanche belly-to-belly suplex from the top rope and a terrifying powerbomb that sent Allin hurtling over the ropes and crashing onto the stage. The finish, while a point of contention for some, added a layer of complexity to the already heated contest. With PAC firmly in command, a slight misstep saw him appear to twist his ankle upon descending from the turnbuckles. Allin, ever the opportunist, seized this opening, unleashing a relentless barrage of offense, including multiple Coffin Drops and corner splashes. As Allin built momentum, PAC resorted to a desperate tactic, pulling the referee into his path, causing a collision and leaving the official incapacitated.
Undeterred, Allin applied a Scorpion Deathlock, and PAC quickly submitted, but with no referee to acknowledge the tap. This momentary lapse allowed Wheeler Yuta to rush to the ring with a steel chair, attempting to interfere on PAC’s behalf. However, Allin was prepared, intercepting Yuta and delivering a Scorpion Death Drop to the despised faction member. He then replicated the maneuver on PAC before escalating the violence. Allin positioned PAC’s ankle within a steel chair and delivered a crushing Coffin Drop onto it, a vicious act designed to mirror the physical and emotional toll of their rivalry. PAC, writhing in pain, finally applied the Scorpion Deathlock once more, and this time, the recovered referee was there to call the submission, granting Allin a hard-earned victory. The match, despite the controversial ankle injury angle, was a thrilling display of grit and brutality, firmly positioning Allin for potential future championship pursuits while potentially sidelining PAC for a period of recovery.
The ongoing saga involving "Hangman" Adam Page, Samoa Joe, and the looming presence of Swerve Strickland continued its intricate dance. Page faced Bryan Keith in a showcase bout that served as a proxy battle in his feud with the reigning TNT Champion, Samoa Joe. Joe, preoccupied with an upcoming AEW World Trios Championship defense on Collision, had placed a bounty on Page, aiming to keep him out of The Opps’ collective business. The "Bounty Hunter" Keith, eager to collect, found an ally in the towering Big Bill, who lurked at ringside, providing distractions and interference to make the contest more competitive. The finish was punctuated by a stunning, unexpected appearance from Swerve Strickland, who materialized seemingly from nowhere. As Big Bill had Page in a menacing goozle, Swerve intervened, wrapping a steel chain around the seven-footer’s throat, choking him into submission and freeing Page to secure the victory with a decisive Buckshot Lariat.
This segment was far from over. Following his triumph, Page took the microphone, issuing a direct and fiery vow to "take everything" from Samoa Joe. The narrative then quickly shifted to the overarching AEW World Title picture. Swerve Strickland asserted his intentions to challenge Friedman for the top prize, a sentiment echoed by Page. This created a fascinating dynamic: three top contenders – Swerve, Page, and the returning Kenny Omega – all without an immediate, clear path to a world title opportunity. Omega’s entrance sparked a respectful, if brief, moment with Page, as they acknowledged their shared past and wished each other luck should their championship aspirations eventually converge. Swerve, ever the enigma, merely offered Omega a cold, scrutinizing stare.
The arrival of the villainous Callis Family, led by Don Callis himself, interrupted this tense standoff. Josh Alexander and Omega seemed poised for an immediate confrontation, but Callis shrewdly deferred the clash until the following week’s broadcast. This intricate web of interconnected narratives, with Revolution just two months away, cleverly sets the stage for a compelling championship scramble. The segment also solidified a surprising, albeit temporary, alliance. It was later revealed that "Hangman" Adam Page would team with the high-flying duo of JetSpeed (Mike Bailey and Kevin Knight) to challenge The Opps for the AEW World Trios Championship on Collision. Page’s blunt, yet amusing, invitation to Bailey and Knight, whom Swerve had praised earlier, created an unconventional, yet intriguing, team formation. The blend of respectful rivalries among babyfaces and the clear competitive drive underscores a narrative focused purely on determining the best, with the added personal animosity of Callis’s family targeting Omega, particularly given the recent injury to Kota Ibushi.
In a brief but impactful showcase, Brody King made quick work of Jon Cruz. The match was initiated backstage, where Cruz had made a desperate plea to Bandido to keep his hands off him. King, ever the imposing figure, agreed, but declared that it was his turn to inflict pain on Cruz. True to his word, King swiftly dispatched Cruz in the ring, intercepting him mid-air with a powerful punch before ending the contest with his devastating Gonzo Bomb. This segment, while short, effectively highlighted King’s destructive power, establishing him as a credible threat and demonstrating his ability to maximize his limited on-screen minutes. The comedic element of Cruz’s brief, unfortunate turn as a "lackey" was short-lived, as Maxwell Jacob Friedman, in his typical callous fashion, seemingly fired him shortly after.
The evening also featured a chaotic, high-octane Tornado Tag Team #1 Contender match, pitting Mark Davis and Jake Doyle against the Young Bucks, JetSpeed, and the Gates of Agony. The prize: a shot at the AEW World Tag Team Championship, currently held by FTR. This bout was a whirlwind of frantic action and incredible athleticism, characterized by tentative alliances that formed and dissolved throughout the contest. The "big men" of the match, such as Toa Liona and Mark Davis, showcased their immense power, while the "smaller", more agile competitors like Mike Bailey and Kevin Knight dazzled with their high-flying maneuvers. Liona, in particular, stunned the audience with an unbelievable moonsault off the apron, a testament to his athleticism. In a moment of sheer madness, Liona found himself stacking multiple opponents on his shoulders, only for Mike Bailey to capitalize with a breathtaking Ultima Weapon onto the pile, followed by Kevin Knight’s UFO splash on Liona, a pin that was ultimately broken up by Kaun.
The Young Bucks, ever competitive, seemed on the verge of victory after delivering their signature BTE Trigger. However, their triumph was cruelly snatched away by the "grubby hands" of Ricochet, who sprinted from the commentary desk to pull the referee out of the ring. This interference immediately drew the ire of Jack Perry, who rushed in to chase Ricochet away, reigniting their personal feud. The distraction proved costly for the Young Bucks, as The Callis Family, lurking ringside, capitalized on the chaos. Doyle delivered a thunderous powerbomb to Bailey, sending him crashing over the ropes onto the pile of humanity outside the ring. Davis then secured the victory for his team with a brutal piledriver on Knight. The aftermath saw FTR, the current champions, emerge to confront their new challengers, Davis and Doyle, leading to an immediate, intense brawl that underscored the simmering tensions in the tag team division. This high-energy match delivered on the promise of "AEW style excitement," with Davis and Doyle emerging as intriguing, if unexpected, challengers, setting up a compelling heel-versus-heel championship encounter. The Young Bucks were effectively protected in defeat by the outside interference, and the ongoing Ricochet-Perry rivalry gained another chapter.
In the women’s division, a compelling narrative continued to unfold during the Triangle of Madness versus Cosmic Babes of Wrath trios match. The finish was particularly significant, advancing the storyline involving AEW Women’s World Champion Kris Statlander, her friend Willow Nightingale, and the determined challenger, Thekla. As Thekla prepared to unleash her signature spider spear on Willow, Statlander, without hesitation, selflessly pushed her friend out of harm’s way, taking the devastating blow herself. Thekla then added a brutal curb stomp before pinning the champion, securing a crucial victory for her team. This outcome not only propelled Thekla closer to a coveted title shot against Statlander but also served to reaffirm and strengthen the bond of friendship between Statlander and Nightingale, demonstrating a renewed sense of trust and camaraderie through Statlander’s selfless act.
Beyond the main matches, several additional notes and announcements added to the overall tapestry of the broadcast. AEW formally announced the impending arrival of The Rascalz, a talented faction comprising Trey Miguel, Zachary Wentz, Dezmond Xaiver, and Myron Reed, formerly of TNA, promising a fresh influx of high-flying and innovative talent to the roster. Furthermore, the SkyFlight team issued a series of challenges. Zayda Steel expressed her desire to confront Marina Shafir, while the high-flying duo of Top Flight, alongside Scorpio Sky, set their sights on the formidable Callis Family, specifically the trio of El Clon, Josh Alexander, and Kyle Fletcher. These challenges hint at exciting future matchups and further intricate storylines for the coming weeks.
In summation, this particular edition of AEW Dynamite from Phoenix was a resounding success, earning its strong critical reception. The program expertly blended intense, high-impact in-ring action with sophisticated, multi-layered storytelling. Key feuds were either brought to a decisive, albeit brutal, conclusion or injected with fresh intrigue and new participants. The AEW World Championship picture gained significant clarity and complexity, the tag team division saw a new, formidable contender emerge, and the women’s division continued its compelling narrative progression towards a future title clash. Overall, the broadcast effectively closed certain narrative chapters while simultaneously igniting the engines for numerous others, building significant momentum as All Elite Wrestling hurtles towards its next major pay-per-view spectacle, Revolution, promising an even more electrifying and unpredictable journey ahead for its passionate fanbase.
