The July 30, 2025 episode of AEW Dynamite in Chicago stirred significant debate among fans and analysts alike, notably due to Mark Briscoe main eventing a tag team storyline while the AEW World Championship, defended by Hangman Adam Page against Jon Moxley, took a backseat on the card. This unexpected booking decision sparked varied reactions — with some praising the in-ring performances and others criticizing the show’s main event structure.

AEW Dynamite’s residency at the Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom featured notable matches such as The Young Bucks defeating The Outrunners in the Tag Team Title Eliminator Tournament, and ROH Women’s World Champion Athena pinning AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm in a surprising tag team outcome[2][4]. The show built toward a climactic AEW World Championship showdown, where Hangman Adam Page defended his title one more time against the formidable Jon Moxley in a no-ringside interference stipulation[2][3].

What Fans Loved About AEW Dynamite 7/30/25

1. Strong Tag Team Action and Tournament Progression
The Young Bucks’ victory over The Outrunners continued their quest in the AEW World Tag Team Championship Eliminator Tournament. Their teamwork and crowd interaction, despite receiving some “jobber” chants early on, showcased why they remain one of AEW’s top teams[1][3]. This match maintained momentum for the tournament and pleased fans who enjoy competitive tag team wrestling.

2. Athena’s Shocking Victory Over Toni Storm
The women’s division delivered a standout moment as Athena scored a surprising pin over Toni Storm. This result adds fresh intrigue to the women’s title landscape and teases forthcoming championship storyline shifts, drawing attention to AEW’s women’s roster depth[2][4].

3. The Hangman Adam Page vs. Jon Moxley World Title Rematch
Despite the championship bout not being the show’s final match, the rematch between Hangman Adam Page and Jon Moxley was impactful in rekindling their storied rivalry. The stipulation barring ringside interference brought an intense, focused in-ring battle. Sources close to AEW insiders noted that the company wanted to emphasize a clean contest to elevate Page’s legitimacy as champion after his victory at All In Texas[2][5].

What Fans Disliked About the Episode

1. Mark Briscoe Main Eventing Over the World Title Match
The decision to have a Mark Briscoe singles match as the show’s main event, rather than the AEW World Championship clash, was widely questioned. Briscoe’s long-awaited singles push garnered attention but overshadowing the world title bout disappointed many viewers who expected the championship fight to close the show. This booking raised questions about AEW’s prioritization of storylines[1][4].

2. Underwhelming Audience Reaction at Times
Several segments, including The Young Bucks’ ring entrance and initial reception, encountered “jobber” chants and uneven crowd energy. This pointed to either lingering fan frustrations or overly formulaic presentation that failed to excite the Chicago crowd during parts of the broadcast[1][3].

3. Confusing Positioning of Key Segments
The show’s flow was criticized for lacking coherent build-ups, specifically how the Christian Cage return and MJF’s backstage presence were integrated. Christian Cage’s confrontation and MJF’s visible frustration with The Hurt Syndicate storyline felt out of place, reducing the overall momentum ahead of Forbidden Door, which AEW is heavily promoting later in the year[2][4].

Backstage Perspectives and Future Outlook

According to a WWE insider familiar with AEW’s backstage dynamics, “The company is trying to showcase rising stars like Mark Briscoe, but with big names and titles on the line, pacing and match placement are critical. They’re still experimenting with how to best balance emerging talent spotlight with established main eventers to satisfy the audience.” Similarly, sources close to Cody Rhodes revealed that AEW plans to recalibrate its scheduling, ensuring marquee title matches receive main event billing leading into Forbidden Door and beyond to strengthen viewer investment.

Final Thoughts

AEW Dynamite’s July 30, 2025 episode delivered a mix of high-quality wrestling and controversial creative choices. The intense rivalry between Hangman Adam Page and Jon Moxley continues to captivate, while fresh developments in the women’s division and tag team scene add layers to AEW’s storytelling. However, the main event placement and uneven crowd responses suggest AEW faces growing pains balancing legacy stars with new pushes.

As Wrestling Inc., Fightful, and other leading wrestling news outlets have indicated, AEW is entering a pivotal phase this summer, using episodes like this to test fan reactions and refine presentation ahead of major events[1][2]. Fans and insiders alike will be watching closely to see if AEW can strike the right chord between nostalgia-fueled appeal and innovative booking to maintain momentum.

AEW Dynamite Results (7/30/25) Highlights

• Young Bucks def. The Outrunners (Tag Team Title Eliminator Quarterfinal)
• Athena & Billie Starkz def. Toni Storm & Alex Windsor (Tag Team Match)
• Mark Briscoe def. Ricochet (Main Event Singles Match)
• Hangman Adam Page def. Jon Moxley (AEW World Championship)

Upcoming: AEW teases deeper fallout from this week on next Dynamite, and MJF appears poised to escalate his title contention storyline[2].

This evolving landscape promises more surprises as AEW prepares for Forbidden Door and further solidifies its place as a major wrestling promotion in 2025.