AEW Dynasty 2025: Stellar Wrestling, Predictable Outcomes

Dynasty 2025, like every other AEW PPV, was way too long, especially with the pre-show matches. Most of the in-ring action was excellent. The wrestlers gave strong performances, but the outcomes were all predictable. No big “ah!” moments. Everything played out as expected, including all the interruptions and the heel turns. That kind of booking doesn’t just hurt the title, but the AEW’s standing. Because as a fan, Tony Khan’s predictable booking is offending me.

The issue with AEW's World Championship

The main event especially fell flat for me. Once, Moxley’s aggressive style was thrilling, the current version feels lethargic and uninspired. There is perpetual bloodshed, and later, the Death Riders invariably intervene. For a supposed single's match, the constant interferences made it feel more like a chaotic tag bout. I’d rather see Moxley wrestle with some stakes and structure than watch yet another interference-laden brawl.

And that’s my main issue: The match, like the whole Death Riders storyline, felt tired and uninspired. It started hot, with them claiming to take over the company, but that angle fizzled out. The Bucks vanished from Dynamite for weeks, only to return suddenly and interfere on behalf of Moxley. It’s ridiculous. I don’t care about the justification.

At AEW Double or Nothing, I’d expect to see some variation of the Death Riders and Young Bucks vs. “Hangman” Adam Page, Swerve Strickland, and the OPPS (Samoa Joe, HOOK, & Katsuyori Shibata). Maybe even all together in “Blood & Guts”. If Moxley is involved, it’ll keep the title in his case until Darby Allin returns from climbing Mount Everest, and gets his chance. He’s likely to win and become AEW’s savior, much like his former tag team partner Sting did for WCW against the nWo.

Don’t get me wrong, I respect Allin’s personal achievement. But if climbing mountains is more important to him than his actual job, then maybe he shouldn't be the face of the company. Many others consistently show up to entertain the fans (despite lackluster storylines), yet receive less attention (and chance) from management (aka Tony Khan).

The issue with AEW's storytelling

The rest of the card's stories also sucked. For instance, MJF’s interference in the Hurt Syndicate’s match was as predictable as Mercedes Moné’s win over Julia Hart. I’m not sure what to make of a possible Lashley–MJF feud, either. Will it elevate either man or just waste their time–and that of the fans?

Another letdown: Rated FTR’s split. You didn’t need to read dirt sheets to see it coming. I predicted it the moment Adam Copeland returned from his latest injury weeks ago. They may be friends in real life, but their team lacked any real on-screen build-up. And FTR’s heel turn was just ticking a box. They’ll probably claim that Copeland tried to steal their spotlight or something along the line.

I figured FTR would’ve joined the Death Riders after the latter attacked them months ago. Or…did they? AEW showed Death Riders attacking people, but you never saw their attack on FTR. Or did I miss it? Their aggressive styles are a good match, but it doesn’t look like it will happen.

I bet this sets up an Edge and Christian reunion. Probably something sentimental, like Christian having a change of heart after seeing Copeland hurt. Honestly, it would fit Christian Cage’s current uninspired and inconsistent storylines.

I wonder what happened there. AEW had built him up strong for years. He won the Impact World Championship when AEW collaborated with TNA (then Impact Wrestling). His feuds with Jack Perry and Darby Allin, the forming of The Patriarchy—for months he played an important role. He even won the Casino Gauntlet, which guaranteed him a championship match. But lately? Nothing. I touched on this in my AEW Revolution review, but now I wonder: did something happen backstage? Or did Tony Khan just run out of ideas for Christian Cage until his reunion with Cope (Edge)?

Finishing move

The wrestlers brought their A-game, no doubt about it. But great wrestling can’t carry weak storytelling forever. Between stale narratives, overbooked finishes, and predictable outcomes, AEW Dynasty 2025 ended up being an average PPV that left me more frustrated than entertained.

And one final gripe: why was there a ROH Championship Match on this card? Unless AEW is struggling to fill its PPV lineups (ha, ha), they should have saved that match for next month’s Supercard of Honor. Ring of Honor deserves its own spotlight.

AEW Dynasty's Results

“The Aerial Assassin” Will Ospreay def. “The Jet” Kevin Knight

The Hurt Syndicate—Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin (with MVP) def. The Learning Tree (“The Red Wood” Big Bill & “The Bad Apple” Bryan Keith)

TBS Champion “The CEO” Mercedes Moné def. Hounds of Hell’s Julia Hart

AEW World Trios Championship: The Death Riders (Claudio Castagnoli, PAC & Wheeler Yuta) vs. Rated FTR (Cash Wheeler, Dax Harwood & Cope)

AEW Women’s World Championship: “Timeless” Toni Storm (c.) (with Luther the Butler)
def. Megan Bayne (with Penelope Ford)!

“The Protostar” Kyle Fletcher (with Don Callis) def. Mark Briscoe

ROH World Championship vs. Mask Match: Bandido def. “The Nueve” Chris Jericho (c.)

TNT Championship: Undisputed Kingdom’s Adam Cole def. Daniel Garcia (c.)

AEW International Championship: Kenny Omega (c.) def. Ricochet vs. Speedball Mike Bailey

AEW World Championship: The Death Riders’ Jon Moxley (c.) (with Marina Shafir) def. Swerve Strickland (with Prince Nana)