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By Robert Alexander
AEW Dynamite delivered a loaded episode Wednesday night from the Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Virginia, with AEW All Out now only days away.
The September 16 show featured several major developments, including Jon Moxley battling Will Ospreay’s United Empire in the main event, Hangman Adam Page and Brodido earning a World Trios Championship opportunity, Chris Jericho defeating Nick Wayne, and The Demand launching a brutal attack on the World Trios Champions.
The biggest story of the night, however, was the escalating confrontation between Will Ospreay and Jon Moxley.
Moxley and Ospreay Steal the Show
The main event saw Will Ospreay, Andrade El Ídolo and Francesco Akira take on Jon Moxley, PAC and Gabe Kidd.
From the opening bell, the match felt less like a standard trios contest and more like a preview of the growing war between Ospreay and Moxley.
Akira took a tremendous amount of punishment as the Death Riders isolated him. Ospreay and Andrade eventually managed to turn the tide, leading to a frantic final stretch.
Moxley ultimately scored the victory for his team by hitting Akira with multiple finishing moves before applying the Bulldog Choke.
But the match didn’t end with the bell.
Moxley continued attacking Akira after the victory, and the situation became even more dangerous when a chair entered the picture.
Ospreay eventually came to Akira’s rescue, hitting Moxley and Gabe Kidd with Hidden Blades and clearing the ring.
The image of Ospreay and Andrade standing guard over the injured Akira provided the final statement of the night.
Verdict: The main event did exactly what it needed to do heading toward All Out. It made Moxley look dangerous while giving Ospreay a clear reason to escalate the rivalry.
Hangman Page and Brodido Earn a Trios Title Shot
Another major development came in the World Trios Championship series.
“Hangman” Adam Page, Bandido and Brody King defeated The Conglomeration — Orange Cassidy, Kyle O’Reilly and Roderick Strong — to earn a shot at the AEW World Trios Championship at All Out.
The match was filled with entertaining exchanges, particularly between Orange Cassidy and Brody King.
Page ultimately secured the victory with a Buckshot Lariat, punching his team’s ticket to Chicago.
That creates an interesting situation for the Trios Championship.
Swerve Strickland and The New Level are scheduled to defend the titles against The Demand on next week’s Dynamite. Whoever holds the championships after that match will then face Page, Bandido and Brody King at All Out.
The Demand Ambush the World Trios Champions
The World Trios Championship picture became even more chaotic later in the night.
Swerve Strickland and The New Level came to the ring to address their upcoming title defense, but they never got the opportunity to speak.
Ricochet, Toa Liona and Bishop Kaun attacked from behind.
The Demand dismantled the champions, with Ricochet hitting Swerve with the Spirit Gun before The Gates of Agony delivered a Double Crucifix Powerbomb.
The attackers then stood over the champions while holding the Trios titles.
It’s a strong visual heading into next week’s title match, and it established The Demand as a serious threat to Swerve and The New Level.
Chris Jericho Defeats Nick Wayne
The matchup between Chris Jericho and Nick Wayne provided one of the night’s most personal moments.
Wayne wasn’t intimidated by the veteran and repeatedly tried to embarrass Jericho during the match.
Jericho eventually found an opening when he pulled off Wayne’s puka-shell necklace.
Wayne became distracted by what happened to the necklace, allowing Jericho to capitalize and score the pinfall victory.
But the story didn’t end there.
Wayne refused Jericho’s offer of a handshake and attacked the veteran after the match.
He wrapped the necklace around his hand and struck Jericho before grabbing a steel chair and repeatedly hitting him with it.
The segment transformed what initially looked like a competitive match into something much more personal.
Verdict: One of the better character-driven segments of the night. The necklace gave the feud a personal hook, and Wayne’s post-match attack made it clear that this rivalry isn’t finished.
Mercedes Moné Will Miss All Out
AEW also provided an important update involving the Women’s World Championship.
Mercedes Moné will not be medically cleared to compete at All Out, but AEW announced that she is expected to be ready for WrestleDream in October.
Instead, Willow Nightingale and Thekla will meet at All Out with the winner earning a future Women’s World Championship opportunity against Moné.
Both women had plenty to say about the situation, with the rivalry becoming increasingly personal.
The change gives AEW another meaningful women’s match for All Out while keeping Moné’s championship involved in the storyline.
Tommaso Ciampa Wants Kazuchika Okada
Tommaso Ciampa also made his intentions clear.
Ciampa called out AEW International Champion Kazuchika Okada and demanded a championship match at All Out.
Okada responded by dismissing Ciampa, but things quickly became physical.
Ciampa attacked Okada and made it clear that he isn’t interested in simply challenging for the championship.
He wants “Psycho Killer” Ciampa against “The Rainmaker” Okada.
That could make for a particularly physical All Out encounter.
Steven Borden Continues to Impress
The opening eight-man tag team match featured Adam Copeland, Christian Cage, Darby Allin and Steven Borden against FTR, Kyle Fletcher and Kevin Knight.
Borden continued to receive a significant spotlight.
The young wrestler showed impressive athleticism during the match, including a series of dropkicks and a strong exchange with Dax Harwood.
The finish saw Borden score the deciding fall over Harwood after a chaotic sequence involving the rest of the teams.
The match also continued the complicated relationship between Darby Allin and Christian Cage.
Cage attempted to celebrate with the TNT Championship after the match, but Allin took the title away and made sure the moment remained about him.
Jamie Hayter Falls to Lena Kross
Lena Kross picked up a major victory over AEW Women’s World Tag Team Champion Jamie Hayter.
The match became increasingly physical, with both women surviving several big moves.
Hayter appeared close to victory before outside interference changed everything.
Megan Bayne distracted the referee, allowing Kross to use a hidden weapon on Hayter.
Kross then hit the Jackhammer to secure the win.
Alex Windsor subsequently came to Hayter’s aid.
The result gives Kross some momentum heading into All Out, where she and Megan Bayne are scheduled for a Chicago Street Fight against the Brawling Birds.
Jack Perry Calls Out Samoa Joe
Jack Perry also used the show to make a major challenge.
Perry said he has already faced former AEW World Champions and doesn’t intend to wait around for another opportunity.
His target?
Samoa Joe.
Perry directly challenged Joe and invited him to come after him.
The segment ended with the ominous message “JOE IS GONNA KILL YOU” appearing behind Perry.
That’s a pretty clear indication of where this story is heading.
Final Verdict
The September 16 edition of AEW Dynamite was a strong road-to-All Out episode.
The show didn’t simply promote the pay-per-view — it created several new reasons to watch.
Moxley’s post-match attack on Akira gave the Ospreay rivalry additional intensity. Hangman Page and Brodido earned their Trios Championship opportunity, while The Demand established themselves as a major threat to Swerve and The New Level.
Jericho and Nick Wayne also delivered one of the show’s most memorable personal confrontations, while Ciampa and Okada moved closer to what could be another standout All Out match.
Most importantly, the episode left viewers with several storylines that feel like they’re moving forward rather than simply filling television time.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Match of the Night: Will Ospreay, Andrade El Ídolo & Francesco Akira vs. Jon Moxley, PAC & Gabe Kidd
Moment of the Night: Ospreay saving Akira from the post-match attack
Biggest Surprise: The Demand destroying Swerve Strickland and The New Level
Best Story Development: Jon Moxley and Will Ospreay
Bottom Line: AEW Dynamite delivered a busy and effective final stretch toward All Out, with Moxley and Ospreay emerging as the central story while several championship programs gained momentum.
