AEW Dynamite on TBS | August 20th, 2025 — The Episode Recap:

Bryan Danielson is making his way down to the ring, doing the “YES Chants!”. (Photo by AEW)

The August 20th Episode of AEW Dynamite — The Match Results:

The Opening Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi & JetSpeed (Kevin Knight & Mike Bailey) defeated Death Riders (Claudio Castagnoli, Jon Moxley & Wheeler Yuta) (with Marnia Shafir) in a Six-Man Tag Team Match | via Pin-Fall — (11:34)

The 2nd Match: Brodido (Bandido & Brody King) vs. FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Hardwood) (with Stokely) | via Time Limit — (30:00)

The Main Event Match: Athena & Mercedes Moné defeated Alex Windsor & Toni Storm in a Tag Team Match | via Pin-Fall — (16:02)

My Thoughts on the August 20th Episode of AEW Dynamite:

My Thoughts: Three matches, but all delivered a very fun episode of AEW Dynamite, despite only having three matches on the show. They were quite enjoyable, and I liked what this episode brought. AEW has been hitting all its marks because the segments and the final build-up before Forbidden Door have been well done. The Six-Man Tag Team Match was very enjoyable, with Hiroshi Tanahashi and JetSpeed taking on the Death Riders and coming out on top. The final match of the AEW World Tag Team Title Eliminator Tournament was excellent, the best match in the tournament. We saw a time-limit finish, which was the right call, and this match is in my top three most anticipated matches for AEW Forbidden Door. In the main event, four women fought hard, with Athena and Mercedes Moné defeating Alex Windsor and Toni Storm. This episode was good, and even with only three matches, the overall quality was top-notch. Now, I look forward to Forbidden Door, as I'm excited for AEW's third biggest pay-per-view. Lastly, I want to send best wishes to Will Ospreay regarding his real-life injury. It's tough, and I pray he recovers well from the Lights Out Match and that his surgery goes smoothly afterward.

The August 20th Episode of AEW Dynamite — The Match Ratings:

The Opening Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi & JetSpeed (Kevin Knight & Mike Bailey) vs. Death Riders (Claudio Castagnoli, Jon Moxley & Wheeler Yuta) (with Marnia Shafir) in a Six-Man Tag Team Match | The Match Rating: **.75 — Mr. Tanahashi being in this match was nice. I know he's on his last hurrah before he retires. It's crazy that two of the best to ever do it are retiring this year, with Hiroshi Tanahashi and John Cena. I'm enjoying the last time these men grace us in the square circle. But like I said, this match was nice. I did like this face vs. heel Six-Man Tag team match. JetSpeed tagging with Tanahashi was a nice call because they meshed really well with each other. The Death Riders were really good in this match, and since June, they turned a corner for me because they became enjoyable for me as a unit now. They aren't a joke, but this was a very nice opening match in Scotland.

The 2nd Match: Brodido (Bandido & Brody King) vs. FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Hardwood) (with Stokely) | The Match Rating: ****.25 — This was the Match of the Night, and this was a great way to insert both teams into the AEW World Tag Team Title Match at Forbidden Door. I really enjoyed this match so much. Bandido is the AEW Wrestler of the Year, and in my voting for the 2025 Wrestler of the Year because that man has been amazing in 2026. Make sure this man is in the AEW World Title photo, or give him the AEW Unified Title or the AEW TNT Title, because he has been great. FTR, as usual, were delivering one of the best tag teams in the 2010s and 2020s. They consistently show why they have been one of the greatest tag teams in recent memory. The time limit draw didn't make me mad at all. I understood it, and with reports of The Hurt Business, didn't want to put over FTR because AEW wants FTR as the champions to face Adam Copeland and Christian Cage at ALL OUT in Toronto, Canada. So I expect Brodido to take the job at Forbidden Door. But I do hope Brodido can win the AEW World Tag Team Titles. They have been one of my favorite teams as of late in wrestling. I wouldn't mind them winning, but it all leans towards FTR getting the major win and going on to defend the titles at ALL OUT in Canada against the Rated R Superstar and Captain Charamisa.

The Main Event Match: Athena & Mercedes Moné vs. Alex Windsor & Toni Storm in a Tag Team Match | The Match Rating: ***.75 — A very solid women's main event, which I would like more of, because women's wrestling in 2025 has been amazing and one of the key highlights for wrestling in 2025. Athena and Mercedes Moné on a team is like putting LeBron James and Stephen Curry together; you'll get something great out of this. Alex Windsor and Toni Storm worked together once again and took the loss against Athena and Mercedes Moné, as Alex Windsor is in the AEW TBS Title Match, and Mercedes Moné will be defending it against three other women in a Fatal-Four Way Title Match. Athena submitted her Casino Gauntlet contract to get the match at Forbidden Door, as she's the current Ring of Honor Women's World Champion, so she wants to dominate the AEW and Ring of Honor Women's Side of things. I did enjoy the technical aspect of this match as we saw a lot of it. Overall, solid main event, and all four women did a great job, and I'm quite excited for the women's matches at Forbidden Door.

The August 20th Episode of AEW Dynamite — The Match of the Night: Brodido (Bandido & Brody King) vs. FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Hardwood) (with Stokely) | The Match Rating: ****.25

The August 20th Edition of AEW Dynamite — The Episode Grade: 7.25/10 (B) — Despite just three matches, AEW Dynamite delivered an enjoyable episode. The segments and build-up to Forbidden Door were well-executed. The Six-Man Tag Team Match featuring Hiroshi Tanahashi and JetSpeed against the Death Riders was entertaining. The final match of the AEW World Tag Team Title Eliminator Tournament was excellent, with a time-limit finish that felt appropriate, ranking among my top three anticipated matches for Forbidden Door. In the main event, Athena and Mercedes Moné triumphed over Alex Windsor and Toni Storm. Overall, the episode was high-quality, and I’m excited for Forbidden Door. Best wishes to Will Ospreay for a smooth recovery after his injury.