AEW DYNAMITE REVIEWS AND GRADES
AEW DYNAMITE REVIEWS AND GRADES
AEW Dynamite 4/15/26 Quick Grades
-Logan Rogers (photos property of All Elite Wrestling)
MJF/Darby Segment
Grade: A-
This new emotional side of Darby is a fresh take on his character. Surely they aren't burning through this story in one night, are they?
Will/Ospreay Segment
Grade: B+
A great look at two veterans who both came up short at Dynasty.
Tomasso Ciampa defeated Desmond Xavier
Grade B-
A fun little match, but it was a bit short on time.
FTR Segment
Grade: C-
What was the purpose of that segment? Nothing advanced...
Kevin Knight defeated Claudio Castagnoli
Grade: B+
The sky is the limit with Knight. I liked how aggressive he was out of the gate. Claudio sold his ass off, but he is so adaptable.
Chris Jericho/The Demand Segment
Grade: B-
I guess this is going to be a longer term feud. It looked like they were HEAVILY hinting that Jericho needed two people to back him up. I was almost expecting Big Bill and Bryan Keith to walk out. They aren't going back to that, are they?
Will Ospreay defeated Hechicero
Grade: A-
Listen, I love watching Ospreay do Ospreay things, but it was great to see him doing some serious storytelling in this one. He won, but at great cost to himself. Keep this angle going, AEW.
Thekla/Alex Windsor Segment
Grade: B+
This was a fun little bit with Thekla in the crowd and showing some humor. Thekla can be a fan favorite in three seconds if she wants to. It looks like this was a long set up for match tomorrow on Collision.
Willow Nightingale defeated Kamille to retain the TBS Championship
Grade: C+
Kamille still felt a bit clunky. It's been a long layoff, but I'm still not seeing the person people praised in NWA.
Darby Allin defeated MJF to win the AEW World Championship
Grade: A
How do you grade this? A super low grade or a super high grade? How is it that Darby was able to do what no one else is ever able to do and in under a minute?
Darby deserves it, no doubt, but why now? Just due to hometown? Why so quick after Kenny Omega's match? Sting shows up out of nowhere (and I'll never complain about that).
I mean, it's absolutely insane, and I think due to shock value alone, this gets an A.
Final Grade: A
The show was good all around, but if we're going to double down on liking the Darby decision, we have to go all the way on this one. Incredible.
All Elite Award: Kris Statlander...just kidding. DARBY FREAKIN' ALLIN
Unreal. What happens next? Wow!
AEW Dynamite 4/8/26 Quick Grades
-Logan Rogers (photos property of All Elite Wrestling)
The Don Callis Family (Takeshita, Davis, and El Idolo) defeated Darby Allin, Bandido, and Jack Perry
Grade: B+
Willow Nightingale defeated Queen Aminata
Grade: B-
Tommaso Ciampa defeated Mascara Dorada to get the #1 spot in the Casino Gauntlet Match
Grade: B+
United Empire (Ospreay, Newman, Akira, and Henare) defeated the Death Riders (Moxley, Castagnoli, Garcia, and Pac)
Grade: B
Final Grade: B+
While we had less matches than normal, they used most of this show with interviews, segments, promos, and videos to promote Dynasty this weekend. We'll probably get more wrestling on Saturday. Lots of interesting angles tonight and directions for Dynasty and beyond. The matches we did get were fantastic as well tonight.
All Elite Award: Will Ospreay
To be honest, the show was solid all around and it was hard to pick just one person tonight. Darby had a few segments, but lost. Moxley and Ospreay was the featured feud to open the show and the final match. But Ospreay got the win in the main event. MJF and Kenny Omega got to close the show, but it felt like less for the night, despite some truly fantastic video packages.
AEW Dynamite 3/25/26 Review and Grades
-Logan Rogers (photos property of All Elite Wrestling)
Kenny Omega defeats Swerve Strickland for #1 Contender Spot and EVP Status
Grade: A-
Absolutely fantastic match between two AEW legends. Kenny gets the win this time. Is he going to start the next program with MJF or will it be Darby Allin?
The Death Riders (Moxley, Shafir, and Garcia) defeated Top Flight and Zayda Steel
Grade: B
If I'm taking one thing from this match, it's that Zayda Steel may indeed by the real deal Zayda Steel. She looked so much better in this match than anything else we have seen from her so far in AEW. Solid effort by the Minnesota boys as well, but Moxley and Co. just keep on winning. Afterwards, Moxley answers Ospreay's challenge.
Mike Bailey defeated Rocky Romero
Grade: C
A solid, if insignificant bout between two capable wrestlers. Rocky has NO credibility in AEW, though.
MJF and Kenny Omega Segment
Grade: B
These two are good on the mic in entirely different ways. Kenny Omega is never a totally serious promo, but he knows enough jokes, jabs, and shots to rattle MJF. MJF on the other hand is always presented as the insecure asshole who only puts people down. MJF just beat Adam Page and Kenny Omega just beat Swerve Strickland. Strong booking for this eventually showdown.
David Finley and Clark Connors defeated Orange Cassidy and Roderick Strong
Grade: B
The Dogs really needed a win here. Darby has been kicking their ass all over. Even Orange and Roddy have beaten them. It was necessary that they win here, and they did. How long does this go on between the two sides before they go in different directions?
Thekla defeated Mina Shirakawa to retain the AEW World Championship
Grade: A-
This was one of the better women's matches in 2026. Mina did no joking around and got down to business. Both ladies threw some absolute wallops on each other. The spinning backfists and headbutts were nasty in this one. Great job, ladies! Especially good match for Mina Shirakawa who needs stronger performances and should get more time to shine with Toni Storm out.
Darby Allin defeated Rush
Grade: B-
There was no chance these--of all people--weren't going to at less than full steam. Rush looked good, but it was Darby that snuck out a victory in the end. The announcers put him over as having won seven in a row. Afterwards The Don Callis Family beat down Darby while Andrade protested the group taking MJF's money.
Final Grade: B
A solid effort tonight by both the men and women. The segments were good both in the arena, backstage, and pre-recorded. Matches were very good with both the Swerve v. Kenny and Thekla v. Mina matches standing out.
All Elite Award: Kenny Omega
If Mina had won the title, this would have went to her for her great match. Thekla also deserves praise for how great she has been as champion. But it's hard to vote against the guy the show was built around. Kenny Omega beat Swerve in the opening contest to keep his EVP status and become number one contender. Then he faced off on the microphone against MJF. And still later he was interviewed by Renee Paquette backstage and met Mike Bailey. An all around good effort. If they are trying to give us hope Kenny could win, they did a great job of selling that tonight by plastering his face all over everything they could. And Omega hasn't been shoved down our throat since he has returned, so it still feels fresh.
AEW Dynamite 3/18/26 Review and Grades
-Logan Rogers (photos property of All Elite Wrestling)
Will Ospreay defeated Blake Christian
Grade: C
Christian focused on Ospreay's neck for most of the match, but a hidden blade later and it was Will Ospreay who emerged victorious. Probably the worst grade for an Ospreay match we'll ever give, but it was his return to the ring. Play it safe and see how the body holds up. Afterward Ospreay called out Jon Moxley who was more than happy to come out with Wheeler Yuta before the tag match they were scheduled to participate in. Moxley and Ospreay went at it. Ospreay took out Yuta before Pac arrived and attacked him. Pac and Ospready battled to the back.
The Death Riders (Moxley and Yuta) defeated The Bang Bang Gang (Robinson and Austin)
Grade: B-
A decent tag match between the two teams, though this was mostly about how Moxley was hurt by Ospreay and Moxley wanting revenge afterwards.
Darby Allin defeated Gabe Kidd in a coffin match
Grade: B-
I wasn't a big fan of this match. The section in the parking lot with the obvious camera cuts and then the long bit with the straight jacket essentially meant that there wasn't much of an actual contest. This was just Darby murdering a guy. Also, is this who The Dogs are going to bed? Can they get a win?
Mike Bailey defeated Mark Davis
Grade: A-
Don't kid yourself, this was a great match. Bailey has been carrying and Davis has, too. Together it was a match of power v. speed and technique.
Mina Shirakawa defeated Marina Shafir
Grade: B
Toni Storm was taken out in the locker room. The announcers later said that it seemed like someone other than Marina Shafir took out Toni Storm, which only hints at Ronda Rousey. So Mina stepped up to take Toni's place in this match. Mina fought valiantly and managed to get out of the Mother's Milk by gouging Marina's eyes. She managed to do what Toni could not at Revolution and beat Marina Shafir!
The Young Bucks and Jack Perry defeated The Don Callis Family (Takeshita, RPG Vice)
Grade: B
I don't know that RPG Vice has any credibility in AEW, even being part of the DCF. When is the last time they entered the ring and you thought, "Oh, they might win!" Okada is Okada, of course, but against a fresh champion Jack Perry and the Founding Fathers? I mean... At least we got the segment with Cope and Christian facing the Young Bucks. How exactly did C+C get a title shot already?
Final Grade: C+
Tonight didn't have the full energy that the AEW shows have had recently. On the plus side, we have Will Ospreay returning, Mike Bailey and Mark Davis doing their great work, and Mina picking up a much-needed win. On the other hand, we had a lackluster coffin match, and a few matches that didn't seem like the outcome was undecided. In a string of good shows, this may have broken the streak. Additionally we had Swerve cut an entire promo that completely ignored an earlier match stipulation. What are we doing here?
All Elite Award: MIna Shirakawa?
Oh, hell. We have to pick someone. We can't just start giving them to Will Ospreay because he's back. Jack Perry had a segment and a win tonight, but I think tonight we honor Mina Shirakawa who finally gets a win, in a decent match, while subbing for Toni Storm at the last second of all scenarios.
AEW Dynamite 3/11/26 Review and Grades
-Logan Rogers (photos property of All Elite Wrestling)
The Death Riders (Moxley and Castagnoli) defeated The Don Callis Family (Hechicero and Takeshita)
Grade: B
This was really a showcase to further the match with Moxley and Takeshita. Afterwards The Don Callis Family tried to get Takeshita to use a chair on Moxley, but Takeshita refused.
Kyle Fletcher defeated Mike Bailey to retain the AEW TNT Championship
Grade: A+
Has anyone else noticed a recent trend in great AEW matches? Kyle Fletcher, Mike Bailey, and Kevin Knight have established themselves as the wave of AEW workhorses in the vein of Jon Moxley, Orange Cassidy, and Darby Allin throughout the years. Simply amazing move, reversal, reversal combos. The announcers sold a great story of Bailey being to fast for Fletcher. Okada provided a distraction and Mark Davis slid a belt under the ropes for Fletcher to use on Bailey.
Brody King defeated Enhancement Talent
Grade: B
No match to grade here, but Swerve Strickland attacked and the two made Brody look like a total badass by him snapping Swerve's chain. Could Brody actually win? Hmm...
The Dogs (Kidd and Finley) defeated Darby Allin and Orange Cassidy
Grade: B
A good tag team bout as this war continues. We have expanded from Gabe Kidd v. Darby Allin up to now six men as the post match teased Roderick Strong joining The Dogs, but instead finally showing Orange Cassidy some love! Roddy getting the big pops!
Willow Nightingale defeated Persephone to retain the AEW TBS Championship
Grade: B-
An alright match between two heavy hitters. Persephone can be a force if she stays around AEW long enough to make an impact. I believe she is dually-signed now like many others stars from Mexico and Japan.
Tommaso Ciampa and FTR defeated Mark Briscoe and the Young Bucks
Grade: A-
A very car crash match to finish the wrestling action tonight. FTR killed Matt Jackson with a spiked piledriver on the announce table. Ciampa blasted Briscoe with a sick crash off the turnbuckle through two chairs after the match. I still don't think turning Ciampa so soon was a good idea. They really could have built up a long-term friendship with Briscoe before having Ciampa stab him in the back.
MJF and Adam Page had a Press Conference for the Main Event at AEW Revolution
Grade: D
This felt incredibly clumsy and was NOT a good way to go off the air. I didn't like that the press conference was not in the arena, which felt even weirder with fans chanting "bullshit" and then spilling into the arena for what felt like a weak blowoff to the segment.
Final Grade: B
Man, this show had some incredible matches and incredible moments, but that final segment was a total turd. Still, you couldn't beat the action in some of contests tonight.
All Elite Award: Mike Bailey
The best match of the night, and while he didn't win, Bailey did more of the heavy lifting tonight. I wavered in my belief in Bailey about a month after he arrived, but he has proven me wrong in spades. He is a workhorse, can tell a match story, and is an interesting character with the right amount of charm. I would be very surprised if he wins the AEW Trios Championship at Revolution, unless it is a way for Tony to pay back CMLL by having Mistico win a belt. It just feels like too much of a random team.
AEW Dynamite 3/4/26 Review and Grades
-Logan Rogers (photos property of All Elite Wrestling)
MJF defeated Kevin Knight to retain the AEW World Championship
Grade: A-
Very impressed by this one. Kevin Knight has really won me over ever since he arrived in AEW. Tony Khan has a huge roster and clearly sees the future in this man. A wonderful match against MJF where Knight had him beat, but the ref was unable to recover in time. I wouldn't mind this being run back again.
Orange Cassidy and Darby Allin defeated Gabe Kidd and Clark Connors
Grade: B-
Cassidy and Allin may have won the battle, but they lost the war. David Finley appeared with his shillelagh and beat down the heroes.
The Brawling Birds defeated The Iinspiration
Grade: D-
Pfft. Is this what The Iinspiration are going to be used for? I didn't watch them in TNA or the WWE, and I hear they are more of a comedy act, but I hope Tony Khan didn't sign them to an expensive contract. I like the women's division. I like comedy act. Why would you get absolutely destroyed on your TV debut, regardless of making the Birds look good?
Adam Page defeated Enhancement Talent
Grade: N/A
MJF came out after Page called him, but it was a trap and Fletcher, Okada, and Davis showed up and beat down Page before Jet Speed made the save. And we are getting a rare match signed for the SAME NIGHT. Poor Kevin Knight.
Jon Moxley defeated Hechicero to retain the AEW Continental Championship
Grade: B
I'm never NOT going to watch to see Moxley versus Hechicero. These two have fought a few times and have good chemistry. A good clash of styles, although Hechi is a bit more of a bruiser than your typical luchador.
Brody King calls out Swerve Strickland
Grade: B
Brody called out Swerve who used Prince Nana as the fake out for his attacking Brody from behind and then savagely hanging him with a chain over the ropes. A short but effective segment. I don't think anyone believes Brody is winning, but it is still good to see him getting some single pushes.
Thekla defeated Thunder Rosa to retain the AEW World Championship
Grade: B
A fine match between Thekla and what was her freshest competitor. Where does Thekla go from here? Back to Statlander? Is she holding it until Mone comes back? Does tonight's match mean Thekla is NOT fighting at Revolution? That would be a mistake for the division. Is Nightingale defending the TBS Championship? The tag titles on hold? Hmm...
The Don Callis Family (Okada, Fletcher, and Davis) defeated Jet Set Rodeo (Bailey, Knight, and Page) to win the AEW Trios Championships
Grade: A-
With the six performers in this one, it wasn't going to disappoint, and it sure didn't. Knight sold his taped ribs from the opening match. Bailey looked INCREDIBLE flipping and kicking everything in sight. Page looked strong. Okada was crisp. Fletcher was brutal. Davis has solidified his new image in the company. MJF appeared and used a cheapshot to take out Page, which led to Bailey being triple teamed and losing. New champions! Wah!
Final Grade: B+
This was a show that had many solid matches, though the opener and closer were even above that. Kevin Knight was trusted by Tony Khan to run with the ball tonight, and he lived up to it. We continued a lot of good storylines for Revolution in 11 days and also set up some intriguing new leads such as Ciampa and FTR interacting. I'm not sure what match we are getting for the women at Revolution, but Toni v. Shafir seems to be the last one they haven't settled.
All Elite Award: Kevin Knight
Though his teammate Mike Bailey looked even more on point tonight, you have to respect a man who fought MJF, Okada, Fletcher, and Davis in one TV show and looked competitive the entire night. Hats off to you, Sir. Hats off.
AEW Dynamite 2/25/26 Review and Grades
-Logan Rogers (photos property of All Elite Wrestling)
Jon Moxley defeats El Clone
Grade: B
I gotta tell you, El Clon continues to impress me more every time I see him. They kept him out of the ring for a long time waiting to see if Hologram could come back. Once they finally let him wrestle...this guy is talented. I didn't think Moxley would lose, but there goes Clon's streak against the Death Riders!
Gabb Kidd defeats Orange Cassidy
Grade: B-
This was maybe the best Gabe Kidd has looked since he did the large multi-man match with the Death Riders while he was still under contract with New Japan. Afterward Clark Connors comes out and they beat down Orange Cassidy until Darby Allin makes the save. Looks like we are going to get the AEW Originals versus the The Former War Dogs.
Kevin Knight defeats Mansoor
Grade: D
What the hell is Mansoor doing on AEW Dynamite as a solo act? What are we doing here? Kevin Knight uses his post-match promo to say he wants the first match after "Hangman" Adam Page defeats MJF.
Extended Match Stipulation Segment w/MJF and Adam Page
Grade: A-
This was played out perfectly between Adam Page and MJF. I still don't understand why Adam Page is making this stipulation. It seemingly puts AEW in a lose-lose situation, unless they have a creative solution to either not have Page lose or have MJF be such a short-reigning champion. MJF attempted to use a two-headed coin, but his exit was blocked by Jet Speed and Brodido. Tony Khan made the match a Texas Death Match in response to Max being deceptive.
Babes of Wrath defeated Megabad by disqualification when Lena Kross intervened
Grade: B+
It was a pretty good match until the ending, which is so, so rare in AEW. I did wonder why this wasn't the PPV match, but I guess we got our answer there! Lena Kross is actually bigger than Megan Bayne. Wowsa. I couldn't tell if Penelope Ford was injured or just outside of the ring for too long at the end of the match.
Brody King defeats Mark Davis
Grade: B
A great hard-hitting match between two of the biggest and baddest men in AEW. Afterward, Brody challenged Swerve Strickland for a match at AEW Revolution to see who the real baddest man in AEW is.
The Young Bucks, Jack Perry, and the Rascalz (Wentz and Xavier) defeat The Demand and FTR
Grade: A+
DEAR GOD. I saw a couple things I've never seen before in some of the things that happened in that match. The audience was SO HOT in this one and the wrestlers fed them each time they asked for something. That was a PPV mayhem match that was on free TV. All of the wrestlers on the face team impressed me and Toa and Ricochet stood out on the heel side.
Final Grade: B+
Just as Collision did Saturday, Dynamite impressed tonight. The action was top-notch and almost all the non-match segments landed as well. Still not sure what to make the Brawling Birds. And are the Iiconics coming to TV?
All Elite Award: Jack Perry Picking anyone from tonight's show is a challenge, but Jack Perry had a few huge moves and a few wink at the camera moments that made him stand out in a match that had ten of the best in AEW. Well played!