It’s Wednesday, and you know what that means—it’s time for AEW Dynamite!
I had the opportunity to attend AEW’s flagship show last week at the Arizona Financial Theatre in Phoenix, AZ. While this venue is smaller compared to AEW’s usual arenas, I don’t believe it took away from the show at all. In fact, I’d argue the intimate setting added to the experience.
This style of booking reminded me of the early days of ECW, when Paul Heyman intentionally used smaller venues to enhance crowd energy and make the show feel electric. AEW pulled off a similar effect, and the production quality was excellent—from the lighting and sound to the ease of access at the concession stands.
I sat towards the back, to the left of the entrance and ring, and I honestly don’t think there was a bad seat in the house.
Before the show started, Justin Roberts came out to hype up the crowd, keeping things fun and engaging—then it was time for Dynamite!
Highlights from AEW Dynamite
Rather than recapping the entire show, I want to focus on the moments that stood out the most and generated the biggest crowd reactions.
MJF Kicks Off Dynamite
MJF opened the show to a strong pop. He’s always entertaining, engaging with the audience like no other. However, he spitting a loogie at Hangman Page felt unnecessary and over the top. Aside from that, it was a great segment.
Samoa Joe’s Presence
Samoa Joe is a huge fan favorite, and the crowd erupted with “Joe! Joe! Joe!” chants—even though he entered with the trios tag team The Opps instead of his usual solo entrance.
Toni Storm Steals the Show
Without a doubt, Toni Storm got the loudest reaction of the night. She came out and spoke about winning the AEW Women’s Championship at Grand Slam in Australia, then issued an open challenge to the women’s division. The crowd was fully behind her.
The Death Riders Confrontation
This segment was pure chaos and fun. Jon Moxley cut a promo about being challenged by Cope (Adam Copeland), which brought out Jay White. The Death Riders surrounded White, but then Cope stormed in from the crowd, and a brawl broke out. The wildest part? Mox ran right past me!
Kris Statlander vs. Megan Bayne – Match of the Night
For me, Statlander vs. Bayne was the best match on the card. The crowd was fully into it, and both women delivered a back-and-forth battle. Megan Bayne picked up the win after interference from Penelope Ford, but the action didn’t stop there—Thunder Rosa stormed out with a chair to back up Kris, possibly setting up a future storyline.
Main Event – Roderick Strong vs. Orange Cassidy
The night ended with Roderick Strong vs. Orange Cassidy, and they kept the crowd engaged from bell to bell. The false finishes and backbreakers in the final moments had the audience on edge.
Final Thoughts
Overall, AEW put on a fantastic show that truly represented the brand. Renee Paquette also deserves a shoutout for her excellent backstage interviews throughout the night.
I already bought my ticket for Double or Nothing in May, and I highly recommend attending if you have the chance.
Rob
