AEW is gearing up for All Out 2026, with only a few episodes of Dynamite and Collision left to set the stage. Wednesday’s show was packed with intense moments, laying the groundwork for the big event next Saturday. For detailed recaps, you can check the AEW Dynamite 9/16/2026 Results Page. The Wrestling Inc. team experienced a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the broadcast. Highlights included Steve Borden’s ongoing rise in AEW and the exhilarating opening and closing matches. However, concerns were raised about the lack of diversity in the women’s division. The comment section remains open for fans eager to discuss further. Now, let’s dive into what we disliked and what we enjoyed, starting with the negatives.
Disliked: Seriously, a Pooka Shell Necklace?
Professional wrestling often features feuds over absurd reasons, but Jericho and Nick Wayne clashing over a pooka shell necklace feels particularly silly. Since these necklaces are quite common in 2026 with no sentimental significance attached, replacing Wayne’s lost necklace online would have been simple. More meaningful motives for their rivalry—like Wayne’s ambition to prove himself against a veteran—would have made more sense than focusing on this trivial item. While the pair tried something different with Jericho forcibly removing the necklace during their match, the ending felt abrupt and awkward rather than impactful.
— Olivia Quinlan
Liked: Baby Sting Shows Promise
Wrestling dynasties come with high expectations, and Steven Borden, known as Baby Sting, seems poised to meet them. Despite only debuting on AEW television last week, his performances suggest he’s ready for the spotlight. Visually, he resembles his legendary father, which works well given wrestling’s emphasis on appearance. Unlike other second-generation wrestlers who failed to live up to their lineage, Borden displays potential. Pairing him with Darby Allin allows Borden to shine without exposing his inexperience. Recently teaming with Adam Copeland and Christian Cage, Borden wasn’t overshadowed but rather highlighted during the match. With a big pay-per-view match official for next weekend, AEW might have found a rising star in Baby Sting who’s already connecting with fans.
— Max Everett
Disliked: Ciampa’s Undercooked Squash
Squash matches can be thrilling when done well, but Tommaso Ciampa’s quick victory over Myles Hawkins felt unnecessary. Ciampa has been hinting at challenging a major star at All Out 2026, and backstage segments revealed his intent to face Kazuchika Okada for the AEW International Championship. The squash, lasting only seconds, didn’t add much beyond giving Hawkins a payday and letting local fans hear Ciampa’s entrance. It would have been more effective to tease the challenge, execute the squash, then have Ciampa confront Okada live in the ring to maximize fan reaction. Doing key developments backstage, especially via pre-taped segments, lacks the energy of a live crowd and some of the gravitas is lost. Overall, this squash was neither bad nor exciting — just filler.
— Sam Palmer
Liked: Brodido & Hangman Earn World Trios Title Shot
It was great to see Brody King, Bandido, and “Hangman” Adam Page secure a shot at the AEW World Trios Championships against New Level and Swerve Strickland at All Out. Although The Demand could feasibly win their Collision match, it seems likely AEW will keep the spotlight on Page and Strickland’s fresh rivalry while also setting up Kofi Kingston and Austin Creed against Bandido for future excitement. The number one contendership bout was fast-paced and entertaining, with moments like Orange Cassidy’s cheeky counter to King’s chops and impressive teamwork highlights. The trios division is feeling revitalized thanks to these dynamic performers and new additions like Kofi and Creed. A face-to-face promo showdown between challengers and champions next week would only add to the buzz.
— Daisy Ruth
Disliked: Women’s Division Disrupted by Injuries
The AEW women’s division’s booking often receives criticism, and injuries are currently exacerbating those issues. The only women’s match featured Lena Kross defeating Jamie Hayter—both already booked for a street fight at All Out—leaving little room to showcase other female talent or rising stars. Maya World’s injury and AEW Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone’s absence noticeably affected the scene, with Nightingale vs. Thekla’s number one contender match being a rare highlight. While these circumstances are somewhat excusable, AEW needs to better develop women’s storylines beyond title rivalries and high-profile matches to keep the division engaging. Repeating Hayter vs. Kross and likely Bayne vs. Windsor next week feels stagnant.
— Daisy Ruth
Liked: Exciting Main Event Delivers
The September 16 main event was a compelling multi-man contest showcasing AEW’s talent and storytelling at its best. Jon Moxley, Gabe Kidd, and PAC, representing the Death Riders, faced off against the western faction of the United Empire: Will Ospreay, Andrade El Idolo, and Francesco Akira. Though multi-man matches can become overused or predictable, this one was entertaining and served its purpose well by spotlighting key players. Francesco Akira stood out as a scrappy underdog, and Jon Moxley was dominant, especially in the closing moments. The match effectively laid the groundwork for Moxley vs. Ospreay at All Out and added tension given Andrade’s guaranteed title shot. It was a well-structured bout that kept fans engaged and excited for upcoming storylines.
— Sam Palmer
Fan Take:
This episode of AEW Dynamite shows the continual evolution and dynamic storytelling in wrestling, blending legacy, rising stars, and high-stakes rivalries. For fight fans, it highlights how narrative and in-ring action combine to build excitement for major events, keeping the sport fresh and compelling month after month.
Source: www.wrestlinginc.com
