AEW Dynasty 2025 airs tonight on pay per view at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
To find all AEW Dynasty 2025 PPVPreview’s Click Here.
To find AEW Dynasty 2024 Predictions and Preview Click Here.
Last year, Dynasty felt like a changing of the guard. The AEW Men’s World Championship went from Samoa Joe to Swerve Strickland. Willow Nightingale defeated Julia Hart for the TBS Championship. Will Ospreay beat Bryan Danielson in one of the best matches of the year. Kazuchika Okada made his first defence on an AEW pay per view as an AEW talent against PAC.
There were only two matches that felt like status quo. One was Chris Jericho defeating HOOK for the FTW Championship and the other was the Young Bucks beating FTR for the AEW World Tag Team Championship.
Jericho is once again holding a title in the undercard, this time the ROH Men’s World Championship, though hopefully this time he’s losing it instead of winning a belt. As for the tag team division? It’s missing the Young Bucks. And FTR. And being competitive.
Much like last year, we don’t see Maxwell Jacob Friedman or Hangman Adam Page in any matches, though unlike last year it wasn’t due to an injury or requested time off. Page however may get involved in the main event, if AEW Dynamite’s final segments said anything.
This year doesn’t need to be the same kind of changing of the guard. Some of the right people are currently champion, including Timeless Toni Storm (who was champion last year but as a heel) and Kenny Omega. The company has been moving in the right direction after being lost at the end of 2024, propped up only by a phenomenal Continental Classic. This is beginning to become a common occurrence for AEW, who keep stacking their summer that once they get to the fall and winter they lose momentum and steam.
This year hopefully won’t have the same issue. All In has been moved to July and Forbidden Door has been moved to August. There will be some breathing room now from Double or Nothing to WrestleDream. It won’t feel like one major show after another with no opportunity to let things truly grow and develop.
The big question on everyone’s minds of course is if AEW pivots from the Death Rider storyline to something else more positive and fan supported. A move for good vibes sake. The problem is nobody is specific enough on it. Is it an outright rejection of Death Riders entirely with no plan for what they do next? Is it simply to get the Men’s World Championship on another babyface? Is it to delay the inevitable? It’s tough to say what everyone really wants, which will make it harder for Tony Khan to commit to a pivot. It’ll also mean a lot of unhappy campers if he does pull the trigger and changes a nearly year long angle.
2024 never committed to the change, and preferred to look to the past instead of the present and future. 2025 is now moving back into the direction of change, a change that’s going to happen no matter who tries to get in the way. That includes Tony Khan. Even if he tries to stop this momentum? I think the fans are going to push the product where they want it to go, no matter what promises he makes. If it doesn’t happen tonight? It’s still going to happen soon.
“In the face of the fabulous new your only thought is to kill it? For fear of great change? You can’t hold the tide with a broom.”
– Luv, Blade Runner 2049
AEW Dynasty 2025 Zero Hour
Max Caster Open Challenge
I know there are a lot of people who enjoy the Max Caster Open Challenge. It’s basically a low card heel gimmick where a guy gets beat every time but you look forward to it because he’s such a putz. I’m personally not a fan of it. I don’t care for Max Caster as a performer and I see it as something taking TV time away from better performers just because it’s a guy agreeing to look stupid every week.
I know I’m in the minority of that opinion and that’s fine. I just don’t see the point of this. The day he wins a match and ends the gimmick people really are not going to care anymore. There’s no elevation potential here because it’s being done by Max Caster. At the same time it’s such a small part of the show, I’m not gonna let something like this bother me.
We haven’t seen Anthony Bowens in forever so maybe it’s tonight he makes his return. Having Bowens wreck Caster is something people are looking forward to, and maybe the only way you can make this gimmick mean something.
Winner: Not Max Caster
Trios Match
Nick Wayne and CRU versus AR Fox and Top Flight
AEW has had CRU and Top Flight feud for a while, and without AEW Rampage it’s hard to get them TV time. Both teams are near the bottom of the tag rankings which is unfortunate since both teams are very talented. I’m a big fan of CRU and seeing Lio Rush be consistent in AEW makes me hope he gets some kind of push along with Action Andretti out of it.
I am glad to see AR Fox getting on the Zero Hour because he’s put in some really good work over the past month or so. Being across the ring from Nick Wayne gives this a bit more heat with their history.
I think CRU needs this win more than Top Flight does, even if I would love to see AR Fox get a pinfall victory here.
Winners: Nick Wayne and CRU
AEW Dynasty 2025
Owen Hart Tournament Men’s Quarterfinal
Kyle Fletcher versus Mark Briscoe
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There isn’t much tonight in terms of upsets I see happening, so I decided to go with an upset here. Mark Briscoe getting a big win against Kyle Fletcher would be awesome to see, and be a great way to kickstart the pay per view.
It’s not sad for Fletcher since my hope for Kyle Fletcher is that with Daniel Garcia defending the TNT Championship later in the show, he finally makes his journey to go after that. He holds a pinfall victory on Garcia after the Continental Classic and cashing in for Double or Nothing would be one of the best midcard feuds AEW could do right now.
So even though it feels like Fletcher would win (and based on brackets I would love to see Hangman versus Fletcher in the semi final) I think this is a good spot for an upset by Mark Briscoe.
Winner: Mark Briscoe
Owen Hart Tournament Men’s Quarterfinal
Will Ospreay versus Kevin Knight
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While I could see an upset for Mark Briscoe, I don’t see an upset for Kevin Knight. He’s essentially filling in for Jay White, who beat him two weeks ago only to break his hand and have to step out of the Owen Hart Tournament. Kevin Knight is replacing him, and while it’s a great opportunity for him to get this Dynasty pay per view opportunity? I don’t see him pulling out the upset for the ages.
Will Ospreay is a heavy favourite to win the Owen Hart Men’s Tournament, and while I doubt this gets to the level of his match with Bryan Danielson last year in St. Louis, I do see Will making sure he does everything in his power to give Kevin Knight the best possible match to raise his stock.
Winner: Will Ospreay
Owen Hart Tournament Women’s Quarterfinal
Mercedes Moné versus Julia Hart
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Mercedes entering the Owen Hart Tournament makes her an easy favourite choice, and makes one wonder if AEW is planning to do title versus title at Y’All In Texas between her and Timeless Toni Storm. It’s literally the biggest match they could do in the women’s division on the biggest night of the year.
I just don’t see that happening with Moné still TBS Champion, so unless she’s dropping the title before that match? I don’t see her winning. I could see a situation where her feud with Athena ramps up to the point where they cost each other their spots in the tournament, allowing for someone else to win. I just don’t see it happening tonight.
As for Julia Hart, I know I’m pretty hard on her, but I’ve never suggested she needs to leave AEW based on her current development. I just think it would be best for her to take an excursion to Japan or Mexico to work new opponents and learn at a faster pace than the maybe one match a week that All Elite Wrestling provides. She’s still extremely young and has a big future ahead of her if she can get to that next level. I just don’t think AEW is going to provide it on their sparse schedule. Hopefully facing Mercedes is a learning experience.
Winner: Mercedes Moné
ROH Men’s World Championship
Mask versus Title
Bandido versus Chris Jericho (c)
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I think Chris Jericho has done a good job building the stakes of this feud and making it about the mask, since he did steal Gravity’s mask at one point and clearly wants Bandido’s next. Jericho has a career history of taking masks so it makes sense for him to continue it here, and for Bandido to put up his in order to get this title rematch.
According to the Wrestling Observer, there was a delay in announcing the match due to Bandido’s representatives, that was apparently “ridiculous” by sources, which kinda scares me that they try to unmask Bandido for this instead of just having him win. Then again, if it’s ridiculous? It’s probably ridiculous because Bandido is supposed to win and his representatives were dragging their feet to do it for some reason.
Not sure, but if Jericho walks out with the ROH Men’s World Championship tonight, I really don’t know why. He’s already teasing in the media he’s thinking of going back to WWE, which is either a negotiation tactic or he really wants his WWE Hall of Fame run. I’ve never questioned the loyalty of Jericho to AEW, only everything else, so this could be a last straw for me in how much patience I’ve had for the guy.
Bandido should be wearing gold at the end of tonight.
Winner and NEW ROH Men’s World Champion: Bandido
AEW World Tag Team Championship
Big Bill and Bryan Keith versus The Hurt Syndicate (c)
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They hurt people.
They hurt people.
They hurt people.
I’m not putting an effort if AEW doesn’t.
Winners: The Hurt Syndicate
TNT Championship
No Time Limit, No Interference
Adam Cole versus Daniel Garcia (c)
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I’ve been a big fan of this program, which has absolutely done everything they can to make you think Adam Cole is walking out with the TNT Championship. The first two matches ended without a victor due to the time limit draw and no contest due to interference. Adam Cole has talked up how this is basically his 17th anniversary being a pro wrestler and he started in Philadelphia. The emotional advantage is completely in Cole’s court.
All the better to make this the defining victory for Daniel Garcia’s run as TNT Champion, which I think ends at Double or Nothing if his next program is Kyle Fletcher like I am hoping. This big win against Adam Cole allows Cole to focus again on the trios division and shows he’s a team player putting Daniel Garcia over. It’ll be the biggest win of his career since Bryan Danielson in July of 2022.
Winner: Daniel Garcia
AEW Trios Championship
Rated FTR versus Death Riders (c)
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On AEW Collision, it looked like Rated FTR were finally on the same page despite Cash Wheeler’s loss to PAC. For me this feels like the calm before the storm.
It has been positioned as Dax being unhappy with Cash and Cope, but I think it’s very clear that the end result will be Cash and Dax back on the same page turning on Cope and leaving him for dead after a loss to the Death Riders.
You’ll notice that Christian Cage has been nowhere to be found in weeks, with Nick Wayne now hanging out with CRU. I think that’s due to the fact that once FTR is beating the ever living lights out of Cope, the man to run out and save him is going to end up being Christian Cage. It’s time for them to finally unite Cope and Cage as a tag team for that last run before they both go riding off into the sunset. A feud like Cope and Cage versus FTR would be a worthy tag title feud, and Cope/Cage is actually a team with enough clout that Hurt Syndicate would be fine losing to them.
Winners: Death Riders
AEW International Championship
Ricochet versus Speedball Mike Bailey versus Kenny Omega (c)
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There’s a big part of me that hopes Ricochet wins this.
I know there has been a lot of talk that Kenny Omega is going to face Kazuchika Okada and they will combine the championships. It’s likely the plan.
I would rather see the International Championship go to Ricochet to reward him for the hard work he has done as a top heel in the company, and allow Kenny to square off against Kazuchika Okada with only the Continental Championship on the line. Then AEW could start doing what I wanted them to do when the belt was first introduced, and give it a flavour.
A flavour? What I mean is that instead of having a cruiserweight division for example, you just ensure that the reign of Ricochet has him focused on fighting other high flyers. Basically make it like the AEW X-Division and focus on lucha wrestlers and high flyers like Ricochet. It’s kind of where I hoped Bandido would be instead of ROH World Champ.
However, I do think Kenny Omega walks out still International Champion. The reign is too fresh to take the title off of him already. I do hope we also see these matches one versus one later on, as I’d love to see Omega and Speedball without any distractions.
Winner: Kenny Omega
AEW Women’s World Championship
Megan Bayne versus Timeless Toni Storm (c)
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There’s only one outcome here that makes sense to me and that’s Toni Storm walking out as Women’s Champion.
Now she doesn’t have to walk out in one piece. Bayne could lose by disqualification, going too far in her plan to absolutely destroy the AEW Women’s World Champion. This could set up a rematch at Double or Nothing where we don’t know if Toni is 100% anymore.
But much like when Brian Cage faced Jon Moxley and only lost on a towel throw by Taz, I would want this match to both protect Megan Bayne as an absolute powerhouse and protect Toni Storm as the top woman in the company. I still stand by that she’s the top babyface in the entire company, and because of that? This is the wrong time for her to lose.
Winner: Timeless Toni Storm
AEW Men’s World Championship
Swerve Strickland versus Jon Moxley (c)
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There’s a big part of me that hopes the way this match finishes is Jon Moxley gets his Death Riders to help him win like he always does, only this time? The man who stops them is none other than Hangman Adam Page. Page doesn’t have a match tonight, but with his confrontation with Swerve on Dynamite, you have to wonder if he’s going to get involved in this.
AEW has done everything they could do with Swerve and Page… without the title on the line. They never did do Page versus Swerve for the title. The only new chapter you can write (aside from them being allies) is for them to face in the main event for the AEW Men’s World Championship.
Page finally heard Swerve admit he deserved what Page did to him, and it caused him to storm out. Is it enough for him to help his once greatest enemy become champion, the one thing he said he was going to do everything in his power to prevent?
If Page did help Swerve win the championship, he’d have to also be the man to win the Owen this year, unlike last year. All that would culminate in Hangman Adam Page and Swerve Strickland fighting for the AEW Men’s World Championship at Y’All In Texas. Sounds like the best possible main event you could do, and would follow the tradition of babyface versus babyface matchups in the main event.
This sounds completely logical. Or maybe my biased brain has it thinking that way.
That’s why I’m hesitant to see it be the actual result.
I don’t think AEW pivots. I think the reports that Darby Allin hasn’t started climbing Mt. Everest might not be entirely accurate, or rather, if there’s a pivot it’s not completely away from the Death Riders at the top.
If we do get a pivot, it’s more likely Jon Moxley still AEW Men’s World Champion all the way to Y’All In Texas, and the pivot is that Darby Allin isn’t facing him. It’ll either be Hangman Adam Page or, more likely, Will Ospreay.
So because of that? I don’t see this ending with Swerve raising the title, even if would be the best possible thing for AEW. I would rather see it. Trust me, I would love to see Swerve raise the championship and then look down and realize it was Hangman Adam Page of all people who ensured it happened. He has to now be in debt to the man who burned his house down.
I just don’t know if AEW is ready to make that much of a change to a near year long plan.
Winner: Jon Moxley
Coming out of Dynasty will be Double or Nothing on May 25 in Glendale, Arizona. This will be the last major AEW show before Y’All in Texas on July 12. Double or Nothing will be where a lot of the top programs need to be set up. We’ve heard the Okada versus Omega rumours. We thought it would be Darby versus Moxley for months. It’ll be interesting to see what changes and what stays the path.
AEW has been riding some strong positive vibes lately, from the report of their viewership on MAX being strong to some consistent walk up numbers on attendance lately. It probably doesn’t hurt that people are down on the WWE product as well, especially with the numbers on Raw’s ratings on Netflix being much lower than expected.
All Elite Wrestling has an opportunity to let those waves get larger and ride the tide to even greater momentum, though I question if this Dynasty show has been built well enough to allow that. The main event got delayed so Cope could get his rematch, and the Owen Hart Tournament has kept some big names off the card in matchups. They also have had some unfortunate injuries to Mark Davis, Orange Cassidy, and Jay White.
I don’t know if this is the right show to push that momentum to a higher level for All Elite Wrestling, and wonder if this is just a stop gap to the plans they really want to get into from Double or Nothing to Y’All In Texas. That said, AEW does have a great opportunity to go full positive vibes and end tonight with all of the babyface champions holding titles high. A new AEW Men’s World Champion could be the spark the company needs. It all depends if Tony Khan is willing to make some big names unhappy to get it done.
In the words of Ian Riccaboni? Happy Wrestling everyone.
