Live from the Toyota Center | Kennewick, WA | Crowd Size: 9,300
SEGMENT ONE
As Dynamite hits the air, we open with a tight shot on the AEW World Heavyweight Championship as the camera slowly pulls back, revealing two fancy glasses and a bottle of champagne on a desk. As the camera fully pulls back we see Megan Mouse-Zayn and Sami Zayn as Sami reaches for the bottle, pouring a glass of bubbly for his wife before filling his own.
Sami Zayn: [raising his glass] To last week’s impressive ratings victory, and to the future of BWM Inc.
Megan Mouse-Zayn: [clinking her glass with his] Cheers, Sami. I’m glad to be back. Japan was a whirlwind, but it was worth it. Will Ospreay is officially with us, and he’s ready to make history at Aftershock.
Sami Zayn: [smiling] I’m happy you’re back too. Ospreay is a game-changer. We can build this company around him. He’s a true superstar. I’ve got a couple of ideas of who he will debut against, but we can talk about that later.
Megan nods in agreement, her eyes gleaming with excitement. A knock at the door interrupts their celebration. Before Sami can respond, Liv Morgan saunters in, her demeanor seductive and confident.
Liv Morgan: [with a sly smile] Knock, knock. Hope I’m not interrupting anything.
Sami straightens up, slightly flustered, while Megan maintains her composed demeanor.
Sami Zayn: [clearing his throat] Liv, what brings you here?
Liv Morgan: [sauntering closer, her eyes locked on Sami] I wanted to thank you, Sami, for liberating me from the ULW. I was tired of being second fiddle to the favorites of the powers that be in PWI and ULW. I’m here to leave my mark. After all, you recognize that everything’s better with a little bit of Liv.
Sami Zayn: [smirking] We’re happy to have you here, Liv. Megan and I expect big things from you.
Liv grins as she pushes in closer, taking a seat on Sami’s desk as Megan’s eyes widen in disbelief.
Liv Morgan: Oh, I’m sure you do, Sami. You know all about big things, don’t you?
Megan lets out a muffled gasp, as she continues to watch Liv’s antics, neither Morgan nor Zayn paying her any attention.
Liv Morgan: I just wanted to thank you in person for making the trade, I know you went through great lengths to get me here. You’ve given me the opportunity to wrestle where the best wrestle. I promise you, you won’t regret it. I’m going to take the Knockouts Division by storm.
Liv winks at Sami as she gets off the desk and turns to the door. Before she leaves, she looks back at Sami and then glares towards Megan.
Liv Morgan: See ya around, Chairman.
As the door closes behind Liv, Megan turns to Sami, one eyebrow raised.
Megan Mouse-Zayn: Um… what was that all about?
Sami throws his hands up in defense and exasperation.
Sami Zayn: I swear, I truly have no idea…
The lights suddenly flicker momentarily. Before Megan or Sami can react, there’s another knock at the door.
Sami Zayn: [rolling his eyes] What did you forget, Liv?
He opens the door, but instead of Liv, Johnny Lawrence bursts in, tackling Sami through his desk! Papers and the champagne bottle fly everywhere as Megan screams in shock. Johnny pummels Sami as Megan calls for help.
Johnny Lawrence: This is for Diaz!
Security rushes in, but Lawrence fights them off with karate moves, taking several down before they finally overpower him. As they drag him out, he spits on Sami, glaring at Megan.
Johnny Lawrence: You tell that pussy this isn’t over!
The scene ends with Megan tending to Sami as the camera shows the wrecked office before fading to black.
As the opening video concludes and the pyro explodes, Kevin Kelly and Arn Anderson welcome us back, as we’re again beyond capacity as Dynamite continues to be the hottest ticket in wrestling everywhere we go. Kelly says we’ve got a great night of action in store, and runs down the card that includes Nia Jax defending the Knockouts Hardcore Championship against the controversial Lacey Evans, our main event with the American Dragon Bryan Danielson taking on Hangman Adam Page, The Outsiders squaring off against a mystery tag team, and our opening contest, Gunther taking on the Ultimate Warrior! Anderson says we’re also finally going to hear from the Gold Rush Ladder Match winner Dominik Mysterio!
Match #1 | Exhibition Match
Gunther vs. Ultimate Warrior
As Gunther makes his way to the ring, Anderson and Kelly discuss the heinous actions of the Ring General this past Friday night on Chaos, where he decimated Swerve Strickland. Anderson says Strickland is still hospitalized last he heard, and he’s gotten word that the two will finally settle things if Strickland is cleared two weeks from tonight at Dynamite 30: Cruel Summer!
The Ultimate Warrior receives a massive ovation as he steps through the curtains, and Kelly says AEW is happy to welcome the Warrior to the roster, but he’s in for a hell of a battle as he takes on Gunther. As the bell sounds, the two brutes immediately begin brawling as Anderson declares this will be a war, not a wrestling match.
The two trade forearms and right hand before Gunther takes Warrior down with a big boot. To Gunther’s shock, Warrior pops right back up and counters with a suplex. Gunther returns to his feet as Warrior sends him outside with a clothesline. He follows Gunther out of the ring, stalking his prey before sending Gunther into the steps.
Warrior sends Gunther back into the ring and ascends to the top rope from the outside. Anderson notes this is foreign territory for the powerhouse, as Warrior’s not known for taking high risks. Gunther quickly gets to his feet and meets Warrior on the top rope, as the two exchange strikes before Gunther unloads a series of chops that stun Warrior before following up with a huge vertical suplex!
Gunther grabs Warriors legs and turns him over, locking in the Boston Crab. Warrior struggles in pain before getting to the ropes, forcing the break. The two again exchange hard right hands before Warrior gains the momentum with a military press slam. Anderson notes it’s not common to see the Ring General tossed around like this, as he’s a big man. Warrior tries to follow it up with his signature splash, but Gunther’s ring awareness is evident as he rolls out of the way. Back to his feet, Gunther catches Warrior with a powerslam of his own before following it up with a big boot that sends Warrior to the outside.
Now Gunther is on the offensive as he follows Warrior outside, throwing him into the barricade. He charges at Warrior, but Warrior counters with a back body drop that sends Gunther into the first fews rows!
Arn Anderson: These two are just destroying one another in the opening contest of Dynamite!
The ref struggles to get control of things as Warrior tosses him back over the barricade and rolls him into the ring before the 10-count. Kelly says that this performance tonight by Warrior will definitely put him on the radar of a possible title shot, and a victory could see him leap Gunther in contention for the TV Title. Warrior drags Gunther towards the center of the ring with a front face lock, before Gunther pushes him off. Warrior locks on a front collar tie up before pushing Gunther to the mat as if he’s nothing and following it up with some quick elbow drops. Gunther gets back to his feet and Warrior bounces him to the ropes, catching him with a kitchen sink to the midsection. He goes for a short arm clothesline, but Gunther ducks it, locking on a sleeper hold from a standing position! Just as Warrior looks as if he’s about to fade, he counters with a variation of the White Noise and covers!
Gunther kicks out at 2, as Anderson notes that this is far exceeding his expectations. Gunther catches Warrior with a boot to the gut and folds him to the mat with a hellacious powerbomb for a near-fall of his own. As Gunther reacts in disbelief, the camera pans to reveal Hook in the third row, watching on. Kelly says we’ve seen Hook following the TV division closely since Starrcade, and apparently his scouting extends beyond Swerve Strickland.
Gunther lifts Warrior up and goes for another powerbomb, but Warrior slides out and counters with a variation on the Razor’s Edge, but Gunther also counters. Warrior dives into the ropes and then launches himself at Gunther for his patented shoulder tackle, but Gunther telegraphs it and catches him with a sickening big boot to the head! Gunther waits for Warrior to stumble to his feet, rocked from the boot, and charges at him with a devastating clothesline that turns Warrior inside out. Gunther scoops him up and folds him again with the powerbomb into a pinning combination as the referee has no choice but count the three!
Winner: Gunther
Match Time: 15:05
SEGMENT TWO
The scene opens in a dim room, a gray concrete wall visible behind a close up shot of Dominik Mysterio.
Dominik Mysterio: I wanted to make this address last Friday night on Chaos, but unfortunately, I spent the night in jail because Orange Cassidy decided to press charges on me for the assault I launched backstage last month at Starrcade.
The camera widens, revealing Rhea Ripley standing at Dominik’s side as he takes a beat, reflecting.
Dominik Mysterio: That night in the slammer gave me a lot of time to think. About my career, about my upbringing, and about my past. And I admit, I made a mistake in disbanding the Final Judgement.
Rhea Ripley places a supportive hand on his shoulder, her gaze fierce.
Dominik Mysterio: It’s no secret that I was raised by a deadbeat father, and honestly, I never got much attention from my mother. But none of that matters now, because I finally have a Mami.
Rhea smirks, nodding in agreement.
Dominik Mysterio: Winning the Gold Rush Ladder Match means I can challenge for any championship I want at any time. In the meantime, I’m walking around AEW as an uncrowned champion!
Rhea Ripley: I left AEW last spring to go to WWE specifically to recruit Dom and bring him back to All Elite Wrestling. Together, we will take over and dominate. Even in my side quest with Asuka in WWE, I never really took my eyes off the prize—the AEW Knockouts Championship.
Her eyes narrow as she looks directly into the camera.
Rhea Ripley: Athena Star, I know you’re on a bit of a retirement tour in 2024. But if you want to end it early, you know where to find me.
Dominik steps forward, his voice low and menacing.
Dominik Mysterio: We’re putting the roster on notice. You never know when Dirty Dom will strike. And as for you, Orange Cassidy, if you want to settle up, we can do so in two weeks at Cruel Summer.
The slight smirk on Dominik’s face vanishes, as he looks into the camera, his expression cold.
Dominik Mysterio: Prison changed me, and you won’t be getting the timid version of myself you saw in the WWE. I’m done playing sidekick. From here on out, Dirty Dom and Mami are here to dominate!
Back at ringside, Arn Anderson and Kevin Kelly discuss what we just saw with Dom and Rhea, as they transition to our next contest, in which High Minded’s The Outsiders are set to take on a mystery team.
Match #2 | Tag Team Exhibition
The Outsiders (Kevin Nash & Scott Hall) vs. ???
The Outsiders are out to a great reaction, and Arn Anderson notes that Midget Hogan isn’t here tonight because he’s planned a date night with his girlfriend Lady Love. Anderson also notes that Chaos is pre-empted this week, and will return next Friday.
As the audience anxiously awaits their opponents, the lights dim and suddenly Slammer and Rip are standing a top the stage as Jane Mouse introduces them as the Street Sharks! Kelly says the landscape of the tag division just changed dramatically with these two throwing their hats into the ring, as Anderson notes that this is the first time Slammer or Rip have worked in BWM Inc.
As the bell sounds, Nash and Rip start things off. Though Nash has the height advantage, Rip clearly has the edge on strength. Nash tries for a lock up but Rip just pummels his mid-section, bringing him down to size before bouncing off the ropes and nailing Nash with a clothesline. Rip makes the quick tag to Slammer, who comes in swinging his massive fist as Nash desperately flails to get away.
Nash is barely able to reach his corner and tag in Hall, who comes in like a house on fire. He stuns Slammer with a big boot and tries to lift him for the fallaway slam, but Slammer’s massive frame causes Hall to tumble backwards.
Slammer lifts Hall and plants him with a devastating spinebuster. Hall is clearly dazed, and Slammer tags Rip back in. Rip climbs to the top rope as Slammer hoists Hall onto his shoulders. Rip leaps off and delivers a spectacular diving clothesline, taking Hall down hard.
Nash comes in to try and help his partner, but Slammer is back in as well and drills him with a massive hammer fist to the face that sends him toppling to the outside. Rip lifts Hall up for the powerbomb as Slammer climbs to the top rope, a variation of his finisher as Rip simultaneously nails the powerbomb!
Arn Anderson: This has to be it, Hall is out cold!
Rip covers Hall for the pin. 1… 2… 3! The referee’s hand hits the mat for the final count, and the bell rings to signal the end of the match.
Kevin Kelly: What an impressive debut for The Street Sharks! They just annihilated The Outsiders!
Winners: The Street Sharks
Match Time: 8:08
SEGMENT THREE
Backstage, AEW Correspondent Renee Young is standing by with Cody Rhodes.
Renee Young: Good evening, everyone. I’m here with the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes. Cody, we haven’t heard much from you since you lost the Television Championship Memorial Day weekend at Retribution. What’s next for you?
Cody Rhodes: [nodding thoughtfully] Renee, I enjoyed my time as the Television Champion. And let’s not forget, I was never actually pinned in that triple threat match where I lost the title. That’s not an excuse, it’s just a fact.
Renee nods in agreement as Cody continues.
Cody Rhodes: I’ve considered exercising my rematch clause, but last week, the announcement of Will Ospreay’s debut caught my eye. I want to challenge Ospreay at Aftershock. And after I beat him, I’ll turn my attention to fulfilling my lifelong dream of becoming the world champion.
Suddenly, Bryan Danielson walks into the frame, a confident smirk on his face.
Bryan Danielson: [interrupting] Hold on a second, Cody. You’re too late. I’ve already laid claim to challenging Ospreay at Aftershock, and Sami Zayn has approved it.
Cody’s expression hardens as he steps closer to Danielson.
Cody Rhodes: Is that so? Well, maybe Sami didn’t get the memo. Because I’m not backing down from this challenge.
Bryan Danielson chuckles, shaking his head.
Bryan Danielson: [tauntingly] You always think you’re the center of the universe, don’t you, Cody? But this time, you’re out of luck.
The tension between them escalates quickly. Cody shoves Bryan, who shoves back, and the two start to brawl. Security rushes in, pulling them apart as they shout at each other.
Renee Young: Ladies and gentleman, it’s pandemonium here backstage. The American Nightmare and the American Dragon have both laid claim to challenging the Aerial Assassin at Aftershock. I’m going to try to get some clarity on this situation, but for now, I’ll send it back to ringside!
Instead of transitioning back to ringside, we instead see Paul Heyman looking disheveled and anxious, making his way hurriedly towards Roman Reigns’ locker room. His face is etched with worry, and his steps are quick and unsteady.
Heyman reaches the door and tries to open it, but it’s locked. He starts knocking frantically, his eyes darting around as if he fears being watched.
Paul Heyman: [pleading] Roman! Roman, please, open the door!
Heyman’s voice cracks with desperation as he continues to knock, his fists pounding against the door, louder and louder.
Paul Heyman: [hollering] Roman, I’m sorry! I’ve never been as sorry as I am for what happened last week. I tried to prove my loyalty, but I accidentally hit you with the chair! Please, we can still rebound! We can save our plans for your Empire!
Heyman’s pleas grow more frantic, his voice echoing down the empty hallway. He leans against the door, his forehead pressed to the cold wood, eyes closed in regret.
Paul Heyman: [voice breaking] Roman, please…
Heyman’s shoulders slump in defeat, and he begins to back away from the door, tears welling up in his eyes. Just as he’s about to turn around, the door creaks open slightly. Heyman’s eyes widen with relief, a hopeful smile beginning to form on his face.
Paul Heyman: [whispering] Thank you, Roman. Thank you.
But before Heyman can fully react, Roman Reigns’ arm shoots out from the darkness of the locker room, grabbing Heyman by the jacket and yanking him inside with a sudden, forceful motion. Heyman gasps, his feet scrambling as he’s pulled into the room.
Paul Heyman: [panicking] Roman, wait—!
The door slams shut behind them with a resounding thud, cutting off Heyman’s desperate cries. The camera lingers on the closed door for a moment, as muffled sounds of a heated confrontation can be faintly heard from within the room before the scene fades to black.
At ringside, Arn Anderson says he’s known Paul Heyman for decades, and he’s never seen him as panicked and disheveled as he seems to be tonight. Kelly says he has good reason to panic, as Roman Reigns is clearly not happy with his Wise Man these days.
Match # 3 | Knockouts Hardcore Championship
Nia Jax (C) vs. Lacey Evans
As the bell sounds, Lacey Evans charges at Nia Jax, but Jax sidesteps and sends Evans crashing into the turnbuckle. Jax follows up with a series of powerful forearm strikes, driving Evans to the mat. Jax tries to follow up with a splash, but Evans rolls out of the ring and Jax crashes to the mat.
Evans then reaches under the ring and pulls out a bag – she reaches into it and pulls out her old friend – a giant, phallic shaped vibrating foreign object! Jax rolls to the outside and Evans swings it at her, but she ducks the dick and kicks her in the mid-section. She grabs the object from her and begins pummeling her with it, screaming about how this is a disgrace to the business. She then tosses the object into the crowd as fans scramble to retrieve it. Kevin Kelly says he’s seen a lot of horrific things in wrestling, but this takes the cake.
Jax tosses Evans into the time keeper’s area, and Evans grabs a chair, swinging it and catching her in the midsection. Jax doubles over, and Evans slams the chair down on her back. Jax stumbles, but doesn’t go down. Instead, she grabs Evans by the throat and lifts her, slamming her onto the floor with a chokeslam.
Arn Anderson: What a chokeslam by Nia Jax! This match is going all over the place!
Jax drags Evans up the ramp, continuing to punish her with heavy strikes. They brawl backstage, crashing through equipment and into walls. Evans grabs a fire extinguisher and sprays Jax in the face, temporarily blinding her. Evans follows up with a DDT onto the concrete floor.
As they brawl through the backstage area, they pass Sasha Banks, who watches from the sidelines. Anderson notes the 24/7 stipulation for the division, but Banks makes no move to interfere, just observing the chaos.
Arn Anderson: Look at Sasha Banks, just watching on. You have to wonder what’s going through her mind.
They start to brawl back to ringside, and stop near a barricade. Nyla Rose suddenly appears, attempting to take advantage of the 24/7 stipulation. She blindsides Jax, throwing her into the barricade. Evans sees the opportunity and tries to pin Jax, but Jax kicks out at two.
Kevin Kelly: Nyla Rose trying to capitalize on the 24/7 rule, but Nia Jax isn’t going down that easily!
Rose and Evans start to double-team Jax, but Jax powers through, knocking both women down with a double clothesline. Jax then lifts Rose and throws her into the crowd, effectively taking her out of the match.
Arn Anderson: Nia Jax is clearing house! What a display of dominance!
Jax turns her attention back to Evans, who is crawling away. Jax picks her up and carries her back to the ring, tossing her over the ropes. Jax climbs in and sets up a table in the corner. She lifts Evans for a Samoan Drop and drives her through the table!
Kevin Kelly: That’s it! Nia Jax with the Samoan Drop through the table!
Jax covers Evans for the pin. 1… 2… 3! The referee’s hand hits the mat for the final count, and the bell rings.
Winner: Nia Jax
Match Time: 12:34
SEGMENT FOUR
The scene opens in a quiet, misty cemetery in Nashville. The Executioner, in his signature dark armor, sits solemnly by a headstone that reads, “Mickey Mouse: Beloved Icon, Leader, and Visionary. A hologram is projected, raising Mickey’s likeness above his gravestone. Executioner takes off his helmet, revealing a surprisingly tender face beneath his fierce exterior. He looks up to the hologram before placing his hand on the cold stone, sighing deeply.
Executioner: [voice cracking] Micke- Boss. I still can’t believe you’re gone. Seems like just yesterday you were bossing me around, making me guard your empire, and celebrating the good times with that cake. Sorry about the hooker… but now… your ungrateful daughter has started a new company with Ted Brown and Ted Dibiase. The Triad, they call themselves. Can you believe that? Triad! Sounds like a bad comic book villain team!
Executioner stands up, pacing back and forth, clearly agitated.
Executioner: And you know what’s worse? They traded me! Me! Your most loyal sidekick, to BWM Inc! Now I’m stuck working for your dementia-addled brother’s company – even if it’s being run by his daughter and idiot son in law!
He falls back to his knees, kneeling before the gravestone once more. Tears well up in his eyes as he places both hands on the tombstone.
Executioner: [crying softly] Mickey, I miss you more than I ever thought possible. I know you were technically my boss, and I was just a stooge… but being your stooge was the greatest achievement of my career, and of my life!
He takes a deep breath, wiping his eyes.
Executioner: But I promise you this, boss. I’m going to get in the best shape of my life. Then I’m going to take down BWM Inc. from the inside. And after I’ve done that, I’ll make the Triad regret thinking they could replace you, or trade me away like some sort of outdated action figure.
He returns to his feet, his face etched with determination.
Executioner: I might not be able to come visit for a while, but when I come back next, you’re going to be proud of me. Proud of what I’ve done. Proud that I’ve finished what you started, and destroyed this rotten industry from the inside out. I’m going to start with BWM Inc., and I’m going to topple their kingdom in your name. Rest easy, my old friend. I’ve got it from here.
With one final, sorrowful look at the gravestone and the hologram, he reaches for his helmet and places it back on his head. As he walks away, the mist closes in behind him and he disappears into the distance as the scene fades.
Match #4 | Exhibition Match
Hangman Adam Page vs. The American Dragon Bryan Danielson
As the introductions are made, Kelly notes that he feels sorry for Executioner, and wonders what he’s got planned for AEW. Anderson says everyone’s always threatening to kill the industry, and to him it’s just another Monday. He’s not too worried. They also discuss Hangman Adam Page’s recent fall from grace, and the history he has in AEW with the former World Heavyweight Champion Bryan Danielson. Kelly notes that we’ve got our third match set for Cruel Summer in two weeks, as Danielson and Cody Rhodes will compete for the right to challenge Will Ospreay at Aftershock. This is in addition to the match announced between Dominik Mysterio and Orange Cassidy, as well as the TV Title match between Swerve Strickland and Gunther if Strickland is cleared in time!
As the bell sounds, Danielson and Page circle each other before locking up in the center of the ring. Danielson quickly takes control with a side headlock. Page powers out, sending Danielson into the ropes. Danielson rebounds, hitting Page with a shoulder tackle that sends him to the mat.
Page gets back to his feet, and the two lock up again. Page takes control with a wristlock, but Danielson reverses into a hammerlock. Page reaches for the ropes, forcing a break. The crowd applauds the display of technical wrestling
Arn Anderson: Both men are feeling each other out here. This is a chess match in the ring.
Kevin Kelly: Absolutely, Arn. They know one mistake could cost them dearly.
They lock up once more, and Danielson transitions into a quick go-behind, taking Page down with a waistlock takedown. Danielson floats over into a front facelock, applying pressure. Page fights to his feet and powers out with body shots, breaking the hold.
Page hits the ropes and comes back with a big shoulder tackle, knocking Danielson down. Page follows up with a standing shooting star press, but Danielson rolls out of the way at the last second. Page crashes to the mat, clutching his midsection.
Kevin Kelly: Danielson’s ring awareness is incredible. He saw that coming.
Danielson quickly capitalizes, locking in a single-leg Boston crab. Page grimaces in pain, clawing his way to the ropes. He finally reaches them, and the referee forces Danielson to break the hold. Danielson backs off momentarily before pulling Page to his feet and unleashing a series of brutal kicks to the chest.
Arn Anderson: Incredible precision from the former AEW World Heavyweight Champion! Danielson is picking Page apart piece by piece!
Danielson whips Page into the corner and follows up with a running dropkick, but Page moves out of the way at the last second. Danielson crashes into the turnbuckles, and Page seizes the opportunity, hitting Danielson with a German suplex. Page goes for the cover.
Danielson kicks out at two! Page pulls Danielson to his feet and sets him up for a powerbomb, but Danielson counters with a hurricanrana, sending Page into the turnbuckles. Danielson quickly follows up with a Busaiku Knee to Page’s head and covers him.
Page kicks out at 2.99 as the crowd explodes, willing Hangman on! Danielson looks frustrated but remains focused. He lifts Page up and sets him up for the LeBell Lock, but Page fights it, rolling through and countering with a deadlift powerbomb. The crowd is on their feet as Page goes for the cover. Danieson kicks out just in the nick of time!
As Page signals the Buckshot Lariat, Kenny Omega is out and cheers his partner on from ringside. Page looks momentarily distracted by Omega’s presence, but springs himself off the ropes for the Buckshot Lariat! However, the slight moment of hesitation allows Danielson time to duck, as Omega watches on in horror as Danielson flies into the ropes, catching Page with a second Busaiku Knee!
Danielson covers, and the ref counts the three!
Arn Anderson: What a match, folks. Bryan Danielson proves once again why he’s one of the best in the world.
Kevin Kelly: And Adam Page has nothing to be ashamed of. He put up an incredible fight.
Winner: Bryan Danielson
Match Time: 22:14
As Danielson celebrates, Omega is in the ring trying to help Page to his feet. Page is furious that Omega got involved, and we can hear him shouting that he told him to leave him be. Anderson says we’ll be back next Monday with the final Dynamite before Cruel Summer as the show concludes.
World Of Wrestling: Murrey Universe 