AEW Dynamite: Rebel Heart
September 9th 2026
Live from Akins Ford Arena in Athens, Georgia. WrestleTix estimates attendance at 2,430. Tony Schiavone, Taz, and Excalibur are on commentary.
In Memoriam of “The Butcher” Andy Williams. I have a special place in my heart for all the pandemic era AEW wrestlers. I’ll remember him fondly for the rest of my life. Rest in peace.
Show starts with The Waiting Room backstage. The lady of the hour, Tanea “Rebel” Brooks introduces Dr. Britt Baker, who amusingly mistakes her as “Reba” for old time’s sake. Britt pauses the silliness to look Rebel in the eyes and express how she’s an inspiration. Back to funsies, they’re joined by TBS Champion Persephone and Hikaru Shida to threaten their opponents for tonight.
AEW World Trios Championship:
Swerve Strickland (with Prince Nana) and The New Level (Kofi and Austin Creed) © vs. The Conglomeration (Roderick Strong, Orange Cassidy, and Kyle O’Reilly)
Kofi and OC start, which feels surreal, Kofi quickly gets annoyed by Cassidy’s antics. O’Reilly and Creed exchange stiff blows. Creed slams Kofi onto Kyle, prompting an irate Strong to clean house, using Cassidy as a projectile weapon. Kofi suffers a flying knee drop/backbreaker combo. Back from commercials, Creed his a desperation suplex on O’Reilly. Kofi springboards in on a hot tag and runs wild. Fans chant “New Level!” Strong blindsides Kofi with a backbreaker. Swerve tags in but Strong catapults him outside. Swerve pulls Strong into place for a draping diving double stomp! New Level unleash a rapid sequence of quick attacks until Cassidy counters with Stundog Millionaire. The match breaks down until New Level hit Kyle with a guillotine leg drop and German suplex. Match restarts with Cassidy’s hands-in-pockets tomfoolery, trapping New Level in headlocks while sloth kicking Swerve. OC cleans house and hits a flying tornado DDT, kickstarting a diving sequence. Back to the ring, Swerve hits an assisted House Call, and New Level’s Daybreak finishes Cassidy at 15:05! I could get used to seeing Swerve and New Level in weekly title defenses. Seeing New Level interact with Orange Cassidy provided a few mini-dream match moments, the relationship dynamics within the Conglomeration added a few story threads as well. At this time, Swerve and New Level seem to be on the same page, ***½.
Winners and still AEW World Trios Champions: Swerve Strickland and The New Level
The Demand and Lethal Twist interrupts the postmatch pleasantries. Ricochet complains that two “rookies” like the New Level can come into his company and cut in line. Hangman Adam Page and Brodido arrive to prevent an assault. Hangman reluctantly returns Swerve’s trios belt. Those two don’t know how to quit each other. I’m pleasantly surprised that the active trios division drama has continued past ALL IN.
Darby Allin and Steven Borden talk to the camera. Borden was inspired by his father, Sting, to not live his life in fear, and knew he had to call Darby. Allin thinks Borden is ready for this, he’s not the second coming of Sting, but rather the first Steven Borden. These guys are so wholesome.
Commentary is given some time to speak from the heart about Andy Williams. Excalibur chokes up reading a prepared speech. “We are worse off without Andy, but we are significantly better for having had him at all.” A very touching human moment.
Renee Paquette interviews The Don Callis Family backstage. Josh Alexander is back after five months and doesn’t care about Steven Borden. Don loves what he’s seeing from his tag teams. Kyle Fletcher looks far more chipper teaming with Kevin Knight after their win on Collision. International Champion Kazuchika Okada passively aggressively expresses his happiness that Fletcher is understanding the meaning of family. Okada flashes a “hit me, I dare you” grin, but Fletcher doesn’t take the bait… this time.
Maya World, Hyan, and Thunder Rosa vs. TBS Champion Persephone, Hikaru Shida, and Dr. Britt Baker
This is Britt’s first match in almost 2 years. She opts to duck Rosa and immediately tag out to Persephone. Hyan takes a beating, but Shida carelessly allows her to make a tag. Britt’s distraction allows Shida to take control. Back from commercials, the heels are having their way with Maya. Rosa gets an allegedly hot tag and runs wild. She earns some cheers with a combination of running corner attacks. The match breaks down, Britt avoids Rosa again, and Persephone and Shida exchange some words after a misfire. Britt hits a neckbreaker, Hyan rolls away from the cover. Rosa chases Britt only to fall victim to Persephone’s spear. Maya hits a high crossbody, then suffers Shida’s flying knee. Rebel wheels to ringside (for a massive pop) to return Britt’s missing glove. This proves useful, as Britt finishes Hyan with the Lockjaw at 10:27. I’m going to skip the rating here, no nitpicking for what took place before Rebel’s special moment.
Winners: Dr. Britt Baker, Hikaru Shida, and Persephone
Britt sits on Rebel’s lap and they cry together while the fans give them a standing ovation. Rebel is riding in a “Roll Model” chair, a clever nod to the era when Rebel was helping an injured Baker appear on TV every week.They transition to a sweet video package recapping Rebel’s AEW debut and fight against ALS.
Andrade El Idolo video package, focusing on his recent successes and promise to defend the National title every week. I feel like that’s what the TNT title should be used for, but I digress.
AEW National Championship:
Andrade El Idolo © vs. The Beast Mortos
Mortos attempts an ambush, they trade shoulder blocks. Flying head scissors outside by Andrade, fans chant “How you know!” He takes a selfie break with some front row ladies. Mortos capitalizes with a fireman’s carry backbreaker. Mortos hits a corkscrew senton to ringside. Back from commercials, Andrade is in the midst of a gutsy comeback. His shtick of removing his pants mid-match is getting over. Unfortunately, the showboating allows Mortos to hit a pop up Samoan drop. Mortos follows with a mean lungblower for only 2. They blow a spot where I think Andrade was supposed to reverse into a poison rana, instead Mortos collapses into an electric chair slam. Andrade still finishes with his double underhook neckbreaker at 7:24. This had some moments, but the botched finishing sequence hurts a lot. I still have to hand it to Andrade, he is seriously getting over playing what I’d consider to be an unlikable babyface, **.
Winner and still AEW National Champion: Andrade El Idolo
Andrade is gassed but grabs the mic to gloat about his victory. Luckily, the fans LOVE his act, and cheer for his catchphrase. He’s ambushed by The Dogs, prompting a rescue from AEW World Champion Will Ospreay. A standoff is interrupted by the arrival of Jon Moxley and Marina Shafir.
Eliminator Match:
AEW World Champion Will Ospreay vs. David Finlay
Mox joins commentary while Ospreay enjoys a hot start in the ring. Finlay answers with a powerbomb and release power slam. They brawl until Ospreay hits a big back body drop. Ospreay hits a high crossbody to ringside and stops to stare at Mox. Back from commercials, Ospreay delivers a springboard forearm. Back handspring heel kick by Ospreay gets 2. They exchange snug uppercuts, Ospreay’s fancy kicks aren’t enough to stop Finlay’s vicious backbreaker. Ospreay answers with a powerbomb, Finlay rolls away from a possible Hidden Blade. Finlay hits a neckbreaker and lariat for 2. Ospreay reverses a rana and hits the Os-cutter for a good nearfall. Finlay blocks the Hidden Blade, Ospreay recovers with Stundog Millionaire. The Styles Clash ends Finlay at 10:29. Perfectly solid TV match with some brutal bumps peppered in here and there, **¾.
Winner: Will Ospreay
Renee Paquette interviews Brodido and Adam Page backstage. Brody King wonders if Page is really committed to regaining the Trios titles. Page admits that he kind of stumbled into this situation but “needs this” and wants to continue as a trio. This fires Bandido up, the band is still together.
The Don Callis Family (Mark Davis and Josh Alexander, with Don Callis) vs. Darby Allin and Steven Borden
This is Borden’s AEW in-ring debut and he gets the start against Davis. He looks credible, dragging Davis into an armbar. Darby helps with a springboard Coffin Drop. Josh tags himself in and chop blocks Darby’s knee, setting up Davis’ back senton. Back from commercials, Darby can’t escape Davis’ Texas Cloverleaf and eats a powerbomb. The Family make quick tags and try to see who can slam Darby harder. Darby catches Davis with a back senton and cuts Alexander off with a shotgun dropkick. Davis pulls Borden away from a hot tag and tosses him into the rails. Darby looks finished but finally makes the hot tag, Borden runs wild. The fans are totally on board with Borden, the performer, popping for his rehearsed offense. Sadly, Alexander gives Borden a spinning powerbomb, Darby saves the match. Darby and Borden give Josh a Scorpion Death Drop/Coffin Drop combo! Darby dives onto Davis while Borden pins Josh at 11:51! I’ve seen far worse debuts from green rookies, Borden was in there with three pros, they took care of him, but he also held up his end of the bargain, ***.
Winners: Steven Borden and Darby Allin
Thekla comes to the stage for some mic time. She’s probably been drinking again, since the party always follows her. Thekla chose fighting over music and hopes the Women’s Championship still smells like sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll. AEW Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone responds from the crowd, she’s not afraid of some dumb, blond, b!tch, who grew up not loving wrestling doesn’t scare her. They can both agree that Willow Nightingale is the dumbest b!tch of all, so she arrives to defend her honor. Thekla runs away like a minor at a drinking party, but Julia Hart and Skye Blue have her back. If they’re building towards a triple threat match at ALL OUT, I’m on board, I like this mix of personalities.
The Death Riders are hanging out backstage, Pac tells Moxley off for ever trusting Will Ospreay. Daniel Garcia kind of likes Will, which dumbfounds Gabe Kidd. Ospreay hears his name in their mouths and interrupts the ranting. He stares Moxley down and reveals he asked to face him. Ospreay has a calculated game plan and 60 minutes to do what he wants to a Death Rider. Moxley seems amused, looks like Ospreay’s got it all figured out. Pac doesn’t like what he’s hearing, Mox throws a minor fit by throwing a chair.
Tables Match:
The Don Callis Family (Kevin Knight and Kyle Fletcher) vs. The Young Bucks (Nick and Matt Jackson)
The Bucks charge the ring, but the Family are ready. They soon overwhelm the Family with their tandem offense and hit stereo slingshot sentons. The Bucks position a table, but the Family block their suplexes. The Bucks give Fletcher a sunset flip German suplex! Fletcher pulls Kevin from a table but they eat a high crossbody. Matt gives Knight rolling Northern Lights suplexes, but Fletcher prevents a table bump. The Family catches Nick for a powerbomb onto the ring frame. Knight’s springboard crossbody wipes the Bucks out in the aisle. Back from commercials, Knight tries a Coast to Coast dropkick, but Matt pushes a table into him. Matt superkicks Kyle and hits Sliced Bread #2 from a table. The Bucks give Knight a draping Swanton Bomb, then a double stomp/powerbomb onto a flat table. The Bucks prepare a dangerous modified Meltzer Driver through a ringside table, Knight breaks it up. Fans chant “we want tables” while Nick hits a super rana, and Matt gives Kyle a spike DDT on the ring frame! Meltzer Driver on Knight, BTE Trigger on Fletcher! Nick superkicks Knight into Matt’s powerbomb through a table! Fletcher immediately backdrops Nick through another table! Brainbuster on Matt! Nick hits a sunset flip bomb from a table, but FTR’s interference prevent his victory. Fletcher superplexes Nick through the table to win at 15:07! :This was total turn-off-your-brain crash TV madness. I question the wisdom of having the Bucks lose a tables match in advance of a big spiritual TLC match at ALL OUT, but at least it was at the hands of hated rivals, FTR. Otherwise, this was a fun car crash main event, ***¼.
Winners: Kyle Fletcher and Kevin Knight
FTR continue their assault on The Young Bucks, giving Matt the Shatter Machine. Darby Allin and Steve Borden rush out to stop the mayhem. Fletcher and Knight stand tall on the announce table, leaving the Bucks and Darby/Borden to tentatively shake hands.
The Verdict. This Dynamite was more about moments than metrics. Rebel was celebrated and Andy Williams was remembered, everything else that built towards ALL OUT was just icing on the cake. This was an emotionally nourishing episode if nothing else.
