All Elite Wrestling rolled into Philadelphia for the highly anticipated AEW Dynasty 2025 on April 6, 2025, at the Liacouras Center, where fans were treated to an action-packed night featuring seven title matches and the return of several fan-favorite wrestlers. The atmosphere was electric as the crowd eagerly awaited the main event featuring Jon Moxley defending his AEW World Championship against the charismatic Swerve Strickland.
The event kicked off with a thrilling pre-show that set the tone for the night. In the opening match, Nick Wayne and CRU (Action Andretti and Lio Rush) faced off against AR Fox and Top Flight (Dante and Darius Martin). The match was filled with high-flying maneuvers and intense action. In a pivotal moment, Wayne hit Wayne’s World on Fox to secure the victory for his team, much to the delight of his mother, who was cheering at ringside.
The pre-show continued with Anthony Bowens making a triumphant return, defeating Max Caster in under a minute with a rolling elbow, showcasing his prowess after a long absence from the ring. The crowd erupted as Bowens celebrated his victory alongside Billy Gunn.
As the main card began, the excitement reached new heights. The first match featured Will Ospreay taking on Kevin Knight in the Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quarterfinals. Ospreay, known for his incredible aerial skills, managed to defeat Knight after a hard-fought battle that showcased both competitors' talents. The match ended with Ospreay hitting the Hidden Blade, earning a standing ovation from the fans.
In the AEW World Tag Team Championship match, The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin) defended their titles against The Learning Tree (Big Bill and Bryan Keith). The match was chaotic, with MJF interfering to help the champs secure a victory after Lashley hit a spear on Keith. The crowd was divided, with some cheering for The Hurt Syndicate while others were frustrated by MJF's interference.
The Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quarterfinal saw Mercedes Moné face Julia Hart. Moné displayed her technical prowess, ultimately defeating Hart after a back-and-forth contest filled with near-falls. The victory set Moné up for a potential showdown with Athena, the current ROH Women’s Champion.
Next up was the AEW World Trios Championship match, where Death Riders (Claudio Castagnoli, PAC, and Wheeler Yuta) faced Rated FTR (Cash Wheeler, Dax Harwood, and Adam Copeland). The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with high spots and dramatic near-falls. However, after a miscommunication between Cope and Dax, Yuta capitalized with a Busaiku Knee to secure the win for Death Riders. After the match, tensions flared as Dax turned on Cope, delivering a piledriver and a brutal conchairto, leaving the crowd in shock.
The AEW Women’s World Championship was on the line as Toni Storm defended her title against Megan Bayne. Storm, dressed in a tribute to Rocky Balboa, fought valiantly against Bayne's power moves. After a hard-hitting contest, Storm managed to retain her title by rolling up Bayne for the pin, much to the crowd's delight.
In another Owen Hart Foundation Tournament match, Kyle Fletcher faced Mark Briscoe. Fletcher emerged victorious in a match filled with innovative offense and dramatic moments, securing his spot in the semifinals.
The ROH World Championship was contested in a high-stakes match between Chris Jericho and Bandido. After a chaotic bout that saw interference and a controversial finish, Bandido capitalized on a restart to hit the 21 Plex, becoming the new champion. The crowd erupted as Bandido celebrated with his family, marking a significant moment in his career.
Adam Cole then faced Daniel Garcia for the AEW TNT Championship in a no-time-limit match. Cole, displaying resilience, fought through the pain of an injured ankle to defeat Garcia with a series of Panama Sunrises, finally capturing his first singles championship in AEW. Post-match, both competitors shook hands, showing mutual respect.
In the AEW International Championship match, Kenny Omega defended his title against Ricochet and Mike Bailey. The match was a fast-paced spectacle filled with near-falls and breathtaking spots. Omega ultimately retained his title after hitting Ricochet with the One-Winged Angel, but not before Kazuchika Okada made a surprise appearance, setting the stage for an intriguing future confrontation.
The main event of the evening saw Jon Moxley defend his AEW World Championship against Swerve Strickland. The match began with a slow build, escalating into a brutal encounter that showcased both men's toughness. Moxley utilized his experience, while Swerve displayed his agility and striking ability. The match took a turn when The Young Bucks interfered, delivering a BTE Trigger to Swerve, allowing Moxley to secure the victory and retain his title.
As the night concluded, AEW Dynasty 2025 left fans buzzing with excitement and questions for the future. With unexpected twists and turns, the event not only delivered high-quality wrestling but also set the stage for new rivalries and storylines leading into the next pay-per-view, Double or Nothing, scheduled for May 25, 2025. The future looks bright for AEW as they continue to push the boundaries of professional wrestling.
