Live AEW Dynamite Updates, Results, & Reactions

AEW Dynamite got off to a shocking start this evening when the booked match of Juice Robinson vs. Ricky Starks was interrupted by former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Jay White. White assisted his Bullet Club teammate Juice Robinson in beating Ricky Starks to the point where he couldn’t participate in his scheduled match.

After the moment passed, Tony Khan took to Twitter and revealed that AEW fans will see a lot more of Jay going forward. White has officially signed with the company! Stay tuned for updates.

Switchblade @JayWhiteNZ is ALL ELITE!

Tune in now to Wednesday Night #AEWDynamite LIVE on @TBSNetwork! pic.twitter.com/GIHAyN2cLo

— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) April 6, 2023

That’s another AEW Dynamite in the books, folks! We now know that FTR will remain in AEW as the World Tag Team Champions, and we also have our first AEW stadium show to look forward to this August when AEW goes to London, England.

The action is just getting started for AEW this week, as a new episode of Rampage and the Battle of the Belts VI special is slated for this weekend. You can see the current cards for those shows below:

AEW Rampage:

• Anna Jay vs. Julia Hart
• Hook vs. Ethan Page
• The Acclaimed & The Jericho Appreciation Society team up
• Darby Allin vs. Lee Moriarty

Battle of the Belts VI:

• International Championship match: Orange Cassidy (c) Vs. Dralistico
• TBS Championship match: Jade Cargill (c) vs. Billy Starks
• ROH Tag Team Championship match: Lucha Bros. (c) vs. Powerhouse Hobbs & QT Marshall

During the picture-in-picture break, Cash tries to make it back over to Dax but Austin and Colten keep him down with regular tags, kicks, and submission holds. Cash is stuck in a headlock from Colten , but he eventually makes it to a standing position. Cash kicks away at Colten (kinda botchy). He’s still being kept away from his side of the ring, just barely missing the tag as Austin comes back into the match.

Dax finally gets the tag as we get back to fullscreen! Dax going to work, hitting mounting punches on Colten in the corner and then giving Austin a crossbody. Short-arm lariat takes out Colten to the outside of the ring. Austin and Dax struggle until FTR pulls him into a tight inside cradle for a close two count. Austin tries to give a body slam to Cash, but he gets taken out for his troubles.

FTR uses a double DDT on Colten to send him back out of the ring. FTR gets reversed by Austin and he and Cash trade shots in the corner. Dax with a blind tag. FTR with a teamed-up spike piledriver for another close, close two count. How will this one end?! They go for the Big Rig on Austin but Colten forces them out of it. FTR reverses The Gunns’ finisher. No, FTR gets the Big Rig. But it’s only a two count because Colten yanked the ref’s foot out of the ring. The Gunns want the DQ but the ref refuses. Following a distraction from Colten, Austin hits his dad’s signature famouser for another 2 7/8 count. Austin tries for a pedigree but gets caught in a backslide for another two. Inside cradles and jackknifes still aren’t enough. Austin with an absolutely blatant low blow to get the DQ.

The Gunns use the 3:10 to Yuma on Cash and then set Dax up on the top turnbuckle. Dax punches Austin off. Colten tries to slide the tag titles over to Austin but the ref stops it. But no, they have the other title belt involved now. Austin uses the title belt as Dax goes for a diving headbutt. It’s still only a two! How?! The fans are going crazy as we’re nearing the outcome of this one. The Gunns pick up Dax, getting spit in their faces in the process. FTR wilthe the double roll-up for the 3 count. They did it! FTR won the belts!

The match gets going with Cash Wheeler and Colten Gunn locking up. The crowd is chanting “Ass Boys” as loud as they can. Nobody gets a clear strength advantage, but Cash gives him a right hand instead. Colten with a running shoulder tackle, then another. Cash meets him at the ropes and gives him an audible chop before tagging in his partner. Tandem drop toe hold and elbow drop from FTR. Cash comes right back in, getting an assisted leg drop on Colten for another two.

Austin pulls Colten out of the ring, but Cash meets them outside with a baseball slide into Colten. But once he climbs on the apron, The Gunns distract Cash and dropkick him off. Austin and Colten trade tags to inflict some teamed offense. Austin chokes Cash in the corner while the refs back is turned. Cash attempts to fight back and get a tag, but it isn’t happening quite yet. We’re headed into a picture-in-picture break, folks!

Hangman immediately gets jumped by the BCC. Not sure what he expected to happen there going 4 vs. 1.

Bryan says Claudio is a professional, Mox is a pro, Wheeler is a pro, and that’s why he loves these men. For Hangman, he has nobody that loves him.  Bryan says that while he’s been home, he’s been teaching his kids things about fixing up the house. So he wants to do the same here – he wants to fix the amateurs that are ruining the house of AEW.

Bryan is gouging Hangman’s eye with the screwdriver! Bryan tells the crowd that Hangman is an amateur, and like he’s emphasized over and over, the BCC are the only actual pro wrestlers in America right now.

I didn’t catch the names of these fellas, with the commentators even skipping over their names. Mox, Claudio, and Wheeler absolutely dominate the trio, with Claudio even hitting a spike piledriver on the entrance ramps. Wheeler uses a single-leg crab on one of the guys (looks like Leon Ruff from WWE NXT). Wheeler with several brutal shots and a submission victory in the short-lived match. Claudio also puts a crossface on the poor guy before, soon after, Bryan Danielson comes out.

Bryan says he loves Jon Moxley and Claudio, and Wheeler, especially when they destroy people. Bryan calls Wheeler a “s***head,” too. He says he loves professional wrestling, and the guys they faced tonight look like amateurs the EVPs probably hired. Looking around the building tonight, Bryan thinks they’re the final pro wrestlers in the building.

Cue Hangman Page!

Backstage, we see Nigel McGuinness and Tony Khan speaking on micophones. Nigel says that there were moments in his career that he never could imagine, including this one.

Tony Khan says they’re making the AEW debut in London, England on August 27 to present their AEW All In pay-per-view event. Adam Cole appears to continue the information, saying they are coming to London Wembley Stadium! The first AEW stadium show!

This one is short-lived. Hook dominates, using a signature T-Bone suplex right away. Page throws him into the steel steps and the ring post. Back inside the ring, Page goes for a Twist of Fate for Matt Hardy, but Hook actually does one of his own! Isaiah Kassidy is distracting the referee as Matt Hardy and Page struggle over the FTW Belt. Matt betrays Page and wacks him with the belt! Hook with the red rum for the submission victory. Hook retains!

Tony Schiavone interviews Guevara, who tells Tony that he’s doing something MJF never does – wrestle. He says this isn’t American Idol. Guevara recalls their match back in 2021; he says he had MJF beat, but it was Shawn Spears and a steel chair that took his win away.

Sammy says that if they’re the four pillars of AEW, then his side wasn’t built up by MJF. He cheated and used people until he got to the top. Sammy says he did the one thing that Guevara would never do because he sold his soul to get where he was. Guevara says he built AEW brick by brick, which the crowd doesn’t like. He tells them to boo or cheer, but it doesn’t matter. He isn’t going to use AEW to get anywhere else. He says screw the other three pillars because he deserves to be the World Champion.

Up next is Hook vs. Ethan Page!

During the picture-in-picture break, Guevara was the one dealing out most of the offense. With MJF’s hometown crowd so vocally against him, Sammy is also playing up his taunts toward them. Guevara connects with a hard punch to Komander’s face, then picking him up and chopping him on the ropes. Back in fullscreen, Guevara has Komander in a seated headlock right now. The luchador makes it back to his feet but is kneed in that abdomen.

Komander with a couple of knees to escape a vertical suplex. Wow! A springboard reverse hurricanrana from Komander for a two count! He’s not done on the top rope, either; Komander runs across and floats over into a corkscrew splash on Guevara. The crowd is in awe, and rightfully so! Komander tries to do another rope walk shooting star press but it’s avoided.

Komander nails a springboard phoenix splash for another close 2 count. With the momentum, the luchador climbs to the top yet again. Rope walk shooting star press is thwarted again with knees from Sammy. Guevara is perched on one top rope, while Komander is on the opposite side of the ring. They collide in the middle, with Guevara hitting a avalanche cutter. GTH and it’s over! Sammy wins this one.

As expected, they waste no time getting this started. Guevara knees Komander out of the ring. Guevara with a springboard moonsault off the top rope, landing on Komander on the floor. Back inside the ring, Guevara comes off the top rope but is hit with a superkick for his effort. Komander walks along the top rope for a picture-perfect shooting star press. He then travels to the opposite side of the ring, runs across the top rope, and tries to jump on Guevara on the floor but is met with a superkick. We’re off to a commercial!

The crowd was actually super into MJF’s live musical number. They love their hometown boy! Max finishes up and is praised by the crowd. The town supervisor shows up, getting booed by the crowd. MJF tells the crowd to chill out and be nice cause the supervisor is cool. “Be cool! Don’t ruin this for me,” he said as the crowd laughed.

MJF is presented with a giant version of the key to Long Island, and the supervisor announces that today will forever be known as MJF Day. MJF tells the crowd to give it up for Joe, and they all give defeaning boos. MJF gets a much better reception, guiding the crowd into a “you deserve it!” chant. He says losers like Darby Allin, Sammy Guevara, and Jungle Boy don’t deserve it. And JB has a girlfriend with a wandering eye and a small penis (dang!).

MJF talks about growing up in the city and tells the crowd he’s had ADD his life. This inspires an ADD chant 😂 He says that, in grade 8, he had a teacher named Mrs. Benedict that would pounce on him when he would lose concentration. MJF says when he didn’t know the answers, Benedict would laugh at him and tell the class not to be like Mr. Friedman. On the last day of school, Mrs. Benedict pulled him to the side and asked MJF where his brain went when he couldn’t pay attention. It was because he was daydreaming about pro wrestling. She told him it was a slim to none chance that he would ever make it as a wrestler. He says her math was a bit off then because he just got the key to the city, and he is the reigning AEW World Champion.

He says don’t be Mrs. Benedict, meaning don’t be a “stupid b****.” MJF tells the crowd that he’s only saying this to Long Island kids, not the poor kids. He tells them they can be anything they want to be, but not him. MJF grabs his World Title belt and starts walking up the ramp, still carrying a microphone along with way. He stops at the band and asks if they want to hear an encore. One of the band members is Jungle Boy dressed up. He pummels MJF with mounted punches, but then they exchange control as security runs out to break them up.

Sammy Guevara’s music hits and he’s coming out, standing right in the middle of MJF and Jungle Boy. He sees the World Title and picks it up as MJF boils with rage. Next up, Komander vs. Guevara!

We see a replay of Jay White appearing during AEW Dynamite’s opening before heading into the MJF Day segment.

A pre-recorded segment is shown that shows MJF getting the key to the city and the proclamation that it’s officially MJF day on April 5. A live band is introduced, and as they play some lively jazz music, Justin Roberts introduces MJF. His hometown crowd goes wild! MJF welcomes the crowd and introduces himself, even calling himself The Devil. He says there’s no better place to celebrate this day than Long Island.

MJF is singing Pennies From Heaven by Frank Sinatra with the live band!

The Acclaimed come out to the arena and, through their lyrics, it sounds like they don’t think they can trust Chris Jericho with his history. They also make jokes about Matt Menard hanging with cocaine bear, and how they’re excited to be back in Long Island.

It seems the JAS wasn’t sure what that meant, so they tell The Acclaimed that they have booked a match all together for this Friday on Rampage. It doesn’t seem the group is official quite yet, but the story isn’t over here.

MJF Day is next!!

The Outcasts Ruby Soho, Saraya, and Toni Storm sarcastically applaud Jamie for her win over Soho. But they also say that she shouldn’t get used to the belt because one of them will be winning it soon enough. Renee Paquette says only one person can be champion, which Saraya tells Renee not to stir the pot.

During the picture-in-picture break, the women continued exchanging who was in control. Jamie uses a snap suplex and a body slam on Riho for another two count. She tosses Riho face-first into the middle turnbuckle. Jamie traps her there in the corner with clubby blows. Riho is on the ropes, trying to fight back. Riho with leg scissors and a tiger fade kick on Hayter. Another huge crossbody for a close two count!

Riho stays on the attack, trying to get a northern lights suplex. Hayter wards it off, but Riho pivots to a German suplex and a snap Tiger suplex instead. It’s time for that diving foot stomp. It’s avoided, and Hayter hits a running seated lariat for another close 2! This one is close right now.

In the corner, Hayter props Riho up on the top rope. She utilizes a superplex and then attempts a rollthrough brain buster, but a sudden DDT slams Hayter straight into the mat face-first. They’re weary getting back to their feet. Jamie puts Riho back on the top rope and tries to give her a super cutter. Riho won’t let it happen, though. They’re battling for supremacy on the top rope, but Riho slides off and gets a jumping uppercut to stagger her. Riho with a hurricanrana from the top, followed by a meteora for another two count.

Hayter is trying to keep Riho away by holding onto the ropes. Ripcord Hayterade is reversed once but she eventually spins into it. Wow! Still only a two count. She seals the deal with a ripcord Hayterade to get the official 3 count. Jamie retains!

The bell rings, and the women waste no time. They shake hands, and then Hayter immediately goes for her finishing lariat. Riho with a leg scissor and a hurricanrana for a two count. They trade several pinning attempts, but they’re all unsuccessful. Hayter with several shoulder tackles. Riho bridges out of a cover and connects with a running dropkick to Jamie’s face. Riho catches her on the outside with a soaring crossbody off the top rope. Jamie is tossed back inside the ring, and as Riho tries to go for a crossbody again, Jamie catches her and throws her on her knee with a gutbuster.

Hayter uses forearms on the back of Riho’s neck, then applying a submission hold as Riho struggles. Standing switch leads them to the apron. Hayter with a stiff kick to Riho’s head. Jamie with a uranage on the apron to Riho as we head to another break!

Jamie Hayter vs. Riho is on the horizon, ladies and gents!

Backstage, we see Christian Cage walking towards a door with bright red lighting. He’s bringing back Luchasaurus with a sick new gear setup!

During the picture-in-picture break, House of Black continued reigning supreme, using consistent holds from Malakai to ground Trent. A seated abdominal stretch is slowly reversed by Trent, who eventually manages to roll out. But Malakai comes back with a axe handle to his face! Brody tags in briefly to inflict some pain of his own, but then Malakai is back, staying on the attack. Finally, Trent gets an enziguri and Orange Cassidy gets a hot tag.

Orange sends the entire House of Black outside of the ring. This gives The Best Friends an idea! Trent and Chuckie uses a launching boost to send Orange over the top rope with a swanton splash. They hugged! The people got what they want! Buddy Matthews with a knee on Orange, meanwhile Brody with a spin-out slam on Chuck. Trent is hit with a brainbuster from Malakai. That’s when Orange comes back in and gets face-to-face with Malakai. The crowd gasps as Orange does his lackadaisical kicks to Malakai’s legs. Stundog Millionaire lets Orange get the tag to Trent!

Trent nails a hard Lariat and a spike piledriver on Malakai, followed by another spike piledriver for Buddy. He tries to hit Brody with one but it doesn’t happen quite yet. Chuck with a knee strike to Brody, followed by an Orange Punch. Trent gets him up for the piledriver, but no, it’s only a two count right now! An orange punch hits Malakai but then Brody retaliates. Buddy gets reversed into several covers from Chuckie T, but Buddy gets a finishing stomp out of nowhere for the pin. House of Black retains!

Trent and Malakai start out trading headlocks and strikes as the battle for the advantage. Black with a knee to Baretta, but he comes back with a kick to Black’s abdomen. Black with a reversal victory roll for a quick 2 count. Baretta with the meteora knee strikes, followed by a tag to Chuckie T. Baretta gets Irish whipped in the corner for a tandem attack, but Malakai reverses and manages to tag in Brody.

Brody hits some chops and a clothesline on Chuckie. He misses the senton and eats an enziguri, tagging in Matthews to escape. Orange is tagged in! It’s the redheads now – Buddy vs. Orange. Cassidy tosses his shades at Buddy, and then the speedy battle begins. Orange tries for a tornado DDT, but he’s reversed and spiked face-first into the turnbuckles.

Brody is tagged in a smacks Orange with a chop. Everyone starts entering the ring and brawling, with no clear advantage given to either group as the fight in and around the ring. Orange hurricanranas Buddy to the floor and tags in Trent. As Orange tries to come off the top, he’s caught, and his face is slammed into the apron. Baretta then comes over the ropes, trying for a swanton splash on House of Black. They catch him too! Brody nails him with a hard forearm as we head to a commercial.

Trent Baretta’s mom, Sue, drove the classic white mini van up to the entrance ramp! That was a great throwback!

Malakai Black, Brody King, and Buddy Matthews defending against Trent Baretta, Chuckie T, and Orange Cassidy is up next!

The commentators go over the top matches for this evening, also mentioning Tony Khan’s major announcement. We then see a video showing the return of Adam Cole to the ring.

Chris Jericho is shown backstage getting interviewed by Tony Schiavone. Jericho says he has no issues with Cole – it’s great to see an AEW guy come back. But seeing him with the win, and the girl, and the streamers while making Garcia look like trash. He needed to stop that disrespect and take him to the back.

Keith Lee interrupts! He tells Jericho he’s the poster child of disrespect, and after a few wars with Adam Cole, he has respect for him. Lee challenges Jericho to a one-on-one match for next week’s Dynamite.

The match never got underway. Instead, Juice and Jay beatdown Starks, finishing him off with the Blade Runner before they pose on the ropes. The commentators referred to Jay as the hottest free agent in wrestling, so perhaps he isn’t officially a part of AEW yet.

Jay White is joining with Juice Robinson to jump Ricky Starks! Bullet Clubs is here in AEW! Has Jay White signed??

AEW Dynamite is getting started! Get hyped!!!

First up, it’s Ricky Starks vs. Juice Robinson!

Andrade El Idolo hasn’t been as prominent in the news since last Fall when a reported physical altercation between him and Sammy Guevara got Andrade pulled from AEW Dynamite and Rampage tapings. It was believed that Andrade’s outburst was an attempt to get fired so that he could return to WWE, where his wife, Charlotte Flair, works.

In a new interview, Andrade notes that he is still with AEW, but his contract’s expiration will be coming up in the near future.

“First of all, I still work for AEW. I want to clarify that, because I am still with AEW. My contract will expire very soon, but I still belong to AEW. I tore my chest, so I am still in recovery. I had an operation in November, about 4 months off, but am close to being back & to feel at 100%.

You can read more about this story here.

July 2022 was a month of rebuilding for Ring of Honor following its purchase by Tony Khan. And with the new era, Khan decided that a new ROH World Champion would be crowned, with the champion at the time, Jonathan Gresham dropping the title to Claudio Castagnoli at that year’s Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view.

Drama followed as it was reported Gresham got into a heated argument with Khan backstage, ultimately asking to be released from the company. In a new interview, Gresham goes on the record admitting that he handled the situation poorly, while also commenting on why things unfolded exactly the way they did.

“I can admit that I was acting very unprofessionally while trying and failing to convey the message to my former employer. After weeks of feeling like I wasn’t being heard or blown off, I was frustrated, to be honest. All I wanted was to be heard and for the communication to be had. If they had agreed and liked my ideas and what I wanted to say, great; if not, I would have appreciated the time and just accepted the outcome … I shouldn’t have yelled or cursed in a professional environment, and I deeply regret my behavior. Since then, I’ve gained some introspection through therapy, like I was saying before, and self-reflection, and I just want to set the record straight. “

You can read more about this story here.

Rhea Ripley is on the top of WWE right now as the SmackDown Women’s Champion, dethroning Charlotte Flair in a breathtaking match at WrestleMania 39 last weekend. But she’s not the only Australian-born WWE star that’s seeing her hard work pay off. Other standout NXT talents like the new NXT Women’s Champion Indi Hartwell and Grayson Waller are also making a legacy for themselves in NXT.

“I go back in time, and like, I was a fan of Duke Hudson before I started wrestling, and it’s so wild to know that we both ended up here in the WWE. And then I remember the first time I met Grayson Waller, he was just the shy new kid sitting on the ground outside of a live event, waiting to set up the ring. And Indi, as well. I met her at the airport, waiting for WWE wrestlers, and we were just two little kids so excited to see all the stars. And to know that all of us have put in such time and effort and made our dreams become a reality, it’s really special to see and I hope more Australians make it over here because they’re working so hard.

.@RheaRipley_WWE talks about her fellow Australian Superstars, @GraysonWWE and @indi_hartwell, and how proud she is of them and their successes in #WWENXT! #WWETheBump pic.twitter.com/YVRaeuSwjO

— WWE (@WWE) April 5, 2023

Earlier today, our Twitter account @Inside_TheRopes stirred up some interesting responses when asking the question, “What do you think Tony Khan’s major announcement will be?” Many fans expect it to be some kind of UK tour or major event overseas, while other answers include a deal with a streaming service, a new AEW TV show, or a two-night pay-per-view event.

Of course, a portion of fans that have been disappointed with Tony’s announcements in the past believe something similar will happen tonight.

Perhaps the most hilarious response was from @KatStates:

I hope that [Tony Khan’s announcement is] just that he’s having a good week, maybe that he had a really nice lunch the other day!

You can see some of the tweets below:

I hope it’s a streaming services

— The Wrestling Matt (@WrestlingMatt22) April 5, 2023

A new show, on TBS, at 605pm on Saturdays. Ala WCW Saturday night

— Ultimate Twins Fan (@Devlin_clark84) April 5, 2023

Probably announcing a 2 night pay-per-view event

— Socky the Sock Puppet! 🧦 (@PlatinumSocky) April 5, 2023

Hopefully something to do with the UK tour they announced last year.

— Thomas E. Leslie (Clarke) (@ThomasLC94) April 5, 2023

Probably something that isn't a major announcement and could have just been announced on social media but I hope I'm incorrect.

— jerry earles jr (@jerryearlesjr) April 5, 2023

I hope that it's just that he's having a good week, maybe that he had a really nice lunch the other day!

— |Kat⟩ (@KatStates) April 5, 2023

Since arriving in WWE, Gunther has been presented as an unparalleled force of power. He dominated NXT UK, had an impressive showing in the traditional NXT, and since coming to SmackDown, he’s left nothing but destruction in his wake. Better yet, he’s given us fans some 5-star classic matches along the way.

In a new interview on WWE’s The Bump, Gunther reflected on his near-300 days as Champion.

“I think, in general, in life, that’s something I can support – that quality over quantity. As nice as that list is that I just saw, it also shows me that there’s a good amount of time to go to come near the top, and I think I’ll worry about that more when I get closer … ‘Til then, yeah, I’m going to be focused and keep doing what I’ve been doing the last year.”

Gunther put on a highly acclaimed match against Sheamus and Drew McIntyre this past weekend at WrestleMania 39, emerging victorious and continuing his reign as Intercontinental Champion.

.@Gunther_AUT is the 5th longest reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time, what does he think about this achievement? #WWETheBump pic.twitter.com/0Ge76zB8a9

— WWE (@WWE) April 5, 2023

It’s been one hell of a week for WWE. Not only did they put on their annual extravaganza, WrestleMania, but one day later, on April 3, it was announced that Endeavor entertainment group purchased WWE to be merged with UFC. Endeavor will now be the majority owner with 51% control of the company.

Law firm Ademi LLP is now investigating Endeavor’s purchase of WWE and the surrounding circumstances, with the intent being to discover if Vince McMahon and the WWE Board of Directors are still fulfilling their duties to shareholders.

You can read more about this story here.

There have been some eyebrow-raising interviews in pro wrestling lately; for example, AEW’s Bryan Danielson recently stated that he has never “f***** a vegetable” while also alluding to the fact that there’s more to be said on the subject.

One of his former rivals in WWE, The Miz, isn’t shying away from the sexual discussions, either. After his run-in with rap legend Snoop Dogg at WrestleMania 39 that left Miz on the receiving end of a People’s Elbow, Miz is swearing off anything doggy-related. That includes sexual positions related to the term, as well.

“I’m not drinking gin and juice. I will no longer doggystyle anymore, my apologies to my wife. I can’t even look at my dog. Anything between dogs, I’m out on.”

You can read more about this story here.

Earlier today, WWE released a near-9 minute video on their Twitter account that documents some of the backstage happenings that occurred during WrestleMania 39 weekend. One scene shows John Cena and Snoop Dogg backstage, joking around about Snoop’s moves in the ring and how he may be bound for Hollywood next. Meanwhile, stars that weren’t featured on the show like Big E were still present and met the celebrity guests like The San Fransisco 49ers George Kittle.

Other moments include Becky G and Zelina Vega posing for pictures together, Logan Paul rehearsing his zipline entrance for the first time, Tamina delivering special leis to The Usos for the show, and Raquel Rodriguez getting emotional over her WrestleMania debut.

You can see the full video below:

Go behind the scenes at #WrestleMania 39! pic.twitter.com/BoLnb6EHzi

— WWE (@WWE) April 5, 2023

We’re just hours away from another action-packed episode of AEW Dynamite, and from the looks of tonight’s match card, it’s going to be one for the books. We may very well see the last night FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) are in AEW; they will challenge The Gunns for the AEW Tag Team Championships, and if FTR loses, they will leave the company for good.

Tony Khan has also promised that a major announcement will be made during tonight’s episode. Speculation points towards some sort of International show, or another weekly installment of AEW television that will reportedly air on Saturdays.

You can see the current lineup for AEW Dynamite below:

•  Tony Khan will make an important announcement
•  AEW World Trios Championships: The House of Black’s Malakai Black, Brody King, and Buddy Matthews (c) vs. Best Friends’ Trent Barretta, Chuckie T, and AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy
•  FTW Championship: Hook (c) vs. Ethan Page
•  Komander vs. Sammy Guevara
•  The Acclaimed choose if they want to join The Jericho Appreciation Society
•  AEW World Champion MJF celebrates MJF Day
• The Blackpool Combat Club speaks
• Juice Robinson vs. Ricky Starks
• AEW Women’s World Championship: Jamie Hayter (c) vs. Riho
• Careers vs. Titles – AEW World Tag Team Championships: The Gunns (c) vs. FTR

TONIGHT! A huge episode of #AEWDynamite is set, with four titles on the line and a huge announcement from #AEW CEO & GM Tony Khan!
Tune in at 8pm ET/7pm CT LIVE on @TBSNetwork! pic.twitter.com/oU55Vgqbf6

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) April 5, 2023

As entertaining as WrestleMania 39 was this past weekend, several fans left Night Two heartbroken as Cody Rhodes just barely came up short in his attempt to dethrone Roman Reigns as the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. Though it may seem like this would be detrimental to Rhodes’ momentum going forward, Reigns’ “wise man,” Paul Heyman, thinks it has done the opposite.

“We took [the win] away from Cody Rhodes. Roman Reigns took that away from Cody Rhodes and the audience. They blame Roman Reigns for it and they appreciate how close Cody came, and they know, now, they know the next time Cody Rhodes steps in the ring with Roman Reigns, this will be the one. That’s the business, that’s the business at it’s very best. That’s promotion at its very best, that’s storytelling at its very best.

Heyman compares it to another legendary pro wrestling streak that fans thought would never be broken.

“I like the fact that everyone walks in now thinking this is the last title defense. And I experienced this before with something I had a hand in ending, which was the Undertaker’s undefeated streak at WrestleMania. And every year, you sat there and you said, ‘Oh no, this is it’ and during the match, the audience is actually anticipating and salivating for this to be the moment that they get to witness the historical three count on the Undertaker to which the streak would finally end.”

You can read more about this story here.

It’s been revealed via PWInsider that Adam Hopkins, the former WWE Vice President of Communications, has been picked up by AEW. His working title is unclear at the moment, but one can assume he’ll likely be involved with AEW’s PR department.

Adding Hopkins to the team happened within the past few weeks, as he was already traveling with the company last Wednesday, March 29.

You can read more about this story here.

Following his surprise appearance on commentary during this past weekend’s ROH Supercard of Honor pay-per-view, Nigel McGuinness has officially signed a contract with All Elite Wrestling! McGuinness had his own dominant run on the independent pro wrestling scene before arriving in WWE in December 2016 to become a color commentator.

In a recent interview with Hannibal TV, the in-ring veteran noted how he saw his release from WWE coming when the company was pivoting away from the NXT UK brand he was such an integral part of.

“It wasn’t a huge shock to me, I don’t think so. I think with the NXT UK brand being put on hiatus and moving a lot of the guys over to NXT, I kind of wasn’t being used as much as I might be and so I understood that certainly, you know, I’m not sure how much longer that role was going to be there.

You can read more about this story here.

We’re back for another week of AEW Dynamite, and tonight’s show is a significant one because we will discover the fate of FTR’s Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler when they put their AEW contracts on the line to challenge Austin and Colten Gunn for the AEW Tag Team Titles. Tony Khan is also set to make a major announcement this evening, so definitely stay tuned for that!

In the news, a lot of focus remains on the WWE – UFC merger that happened this week. AEW’s World Champion, MJF, has even commented on the situation, saying “it’s exciting” to be in the industry during this phase of growth. WWE stock has also reflected the changes, reaching a four-year high following the acquisition.