Last night’s special three-hour edition of AEW Dynamite and Collision from the Liacouras Center felt exactly like a post-pay-per-view show should feel: unpredictable, emotional, storyline-heavy, and loaded with momentum heading toward Forbidden Door.
Philadelphia has always been one of AEW’s strongest wrestling cities, and the crowd brought that ECW-style energy all night long. Between the violent women’s main event, the fallout from Double or Nothing, MJF’s latest ego trip, and the continued evolution of younger stars, AEW delivered one of its more layered television episodes in recent memory.
Full Results
- Chris Jericho defeated Ricochet in an Everyone Barred From Ringside match
- Rush defeated Orange Cassidy, Lio Rush, and Brian Cage in a four-way match
- Brody King defeated Claudio Castagnoli in the Owen Hart Cup Tournament
- Anna Jay & Tay Melo defeated Allie Katch & Ava Everett
- Mark Davis defeated Jack Perry in the Owen Hart Cup Tournament
- Jon Moxley, PAC, and Will Ospreay defeated The Rascalz
- Andrade El Idolo defeated Ace Austin
- Kris Statlander defeated Hikaru Shida in a Lights Out Philly Street Fight
MJF Continues to Be AEW’s Centerpiece
Whether fans love him or hate him, MJF once again proved he is one of the best talkers in wrestling. His championship celebration felt obnoxious, arrogant, and completely fitting for the character. AEW smartly positioned multiple challengers around him immediately after Double or Nothing, giving the world title picture direction instead of letting it drift.
The interesting thing right now is that MJF feels less like the underdog heel from early AEW and more like the final boss of the company. That’s a different presentation, and honestly, it works.
The crowd reaction in Philadelphia showed just how invested people still are in him. Every segment involving MJF feels important because fans know something significant is going to happen when he’s on screen.
Kevin Knight’s Heel Turn Was Needed
One of the biggest talking points coming out of the show was TNT Champion Kevin Knight embracing the darker side of his personality and attacking Mike Bailey.
This was the right move.
Knight is ridiculously athletic, but sometimes pure athleticism alone only gets you so far on national television. Last night, he suddenly felt more complete as a character. The edge was there. The confidence was there. The aggression was there.
It also officially ends the Jetspeed pairing with Bailey, which had become one of the more entertaining undercard teams in AEW. The breakup gives both guys opportunities to grow individually, especially Bailey, who continues to gain fan sympathy every week.
Brody King Continues His Rise
AEW has quietly done a phenomenal job rebuilding Brody King into a serious singles threat.
His win over Claudio Castagnoli wasn’t just another tournament advancement. It felt like a statement. Brody wrestles with a level of physical intensity that makes every match feel dangerous, and Philadelphia reacted to him like a monster star.
The Owen Hart Tournament now suddenly feels unpredictable, which is exactly what you want from a tournament setting.
Kyle Fletcher Keeps Getting Better
One of AEW’s strongest long-term developments continues to be Kyle Fletcher evolving from “future prospect” into legitimate featured player.
The Don Callis Family tension continues adding layers to his presentation, and every week Fletcher looks more comfortable carrying major promo and television segments. AEW has been searching for younger stars who can eventually become pillars of the company again, and Fletcher absolutely feels like one of those guys.
The Women Stole the Show
The Lights Out Philly Street Fight between Kris Statlander and Hikaru Shida was brutal in the best possible way.
Philadelphia crowds appreciate violence when it means something, and these two delivered exactly that. The match had intensity, creativity, physicality, and emotion. It felt like two wrestlers trying to end a rivalry instead of simply putting together spots.
Statlander especially continues to feel like one of the most complete women in the company. She has credibility, presence, athleticism, and now a growing edge to her character.
With injuries affecting parts of the women’s roster, performances like this become even more important because they help establish who can carry the division moving forward.
Will Ospreay, Moxley, and the Death Riders Storyline
AEW continues walking an interesting line with Will Ospreay interacting alongside Jon Moxley and the Death Riders.
There’s tension there. There’s respect there. There’s uncertainty there.
That’s good storytelling.
Rather than rushing to a payoff, AEW is letting the audience slowly question whether Ospreay truly belongs beside Moxley or whether this is eventually heading toward collision.
Final Thoughts
This felt like the kind of AEW television that originally made fans fall in love with the company back in 2019 and 2020.
The show had:
- Strong wrestling
- Character progression
- Multiple interconnected stories
- Young stars being elevated
- Emotional crowd reactions
- Consequences from the pay-per-view
Most importantly, the roster felt alive again.
Philadelphia gave AEW the perfect atmosphere to reset after Double or Nothing and begin building toward Forbidden Door. Between MJF’s reign, Kevin Knight’s heel turn, Brody King’s momentum, Kyle Fletcher’s rise, and the women’s division delivering in the main event, AEW suddenly feels like it has direction again.
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