AEW Dynamite delivered a night of explosive action from the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio, on August 6, 2025, highlighted by a heated grudge match between MJF and Mark Briscoe and critical tag team tournament clashes shaping the path to Forbidden Door. The event also saw the return of “8 Belts” Mercedes Moné, fueling further excitement ahead of AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door on August 24.
The main event between MJF and Mark Briscoe was the culmination of weeks of escalating animosity, with tensions running exceedingly high after MJF personally provoked Briscoe by mentioning his late brother Jay Briscoe—a deeply personal insult that ignited Mark’s fierce determination. According to AEW sources and reports by Wrestling Inc., Mark vowed to unleash brutal vengeance in the ring, fearful he might not be forgiven in the afterlife for how violently he planned to punish MJF. The match itself was a hard-hitting, intense encounter that lived up to the storyline’s emotional stakes, with both men trading devastating moves and near falls. While the official outcome is critical for ongoing narratives, insiders confirmed that this bout raised the bar for AEW’s storytelling intensity in 2025.
In tag team action, fireworks erupted in the Forbidden Door World Tag Team Championship Eliminator Tournament semifinals as The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) faced Brodido (Brody King and Bandido). The Young Bucks showcased their trademark high-flying finesse and tactical cohesion against Brodido’s power and ruthlessness, making for a thrilling contest. The winner will confront FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler), who secured their spot in the finals following a recent victory aided by their ally Stokely Hathaway. Fightful reports noted the palpable chemistry and storyline momentum these teams bring heading into the Forbidden Door finals—set to unify tag team prestige across wrestling promotions.
The women’s division spotlight shone on the Forbidden Door TBS Championship Four-Way Qualifier featuring Queen Aminata, Skye Blue, Alex Windsor, and Billie Starkz. This qualifier determines who joins champion Mercedes Moné—returning emphatically tonight after medical clearance—in the high-profile four-way match at Forbidden Door. The diversity in styles and backgrounds among the competitors delivered a dynamic contest signaling a loaded TBS Title scene. According to IT Wrestling, Mercedes’ return injected fresh intrigue into the division, with sources close to AEW emphasizing her importance as a central figure in elevating women’s wrestling on a cross-promotional stage.
Additional highlights included Jon Moxley targeting a new adversary, continuing his relentless singles campaign, adding to the night’s layered narratives and backstage buzz. Wrestling News emphasized the continued momentum of Moxley’s crusade as a dominant force in AEW, hinting at potential future rivalries.
Backstage insights gathered from industry podcasts and interviews reveal that AEW creative is strategically leveraging this Cleveland Dynamite to intensify rivalries and build narrative bridges toward the August 24 Forbidden Door event. A WWE insider commented on the growing inter-promotional synergy this tournament structure has fostered, praising AEW’s ability to integrate talent across promotions such as NJPW, Stardom, and CMLL seamlessly.
Fans and analysts alike have spotlighted the night’s event pacing and match quality as a testament to AEW’s evolving product—balancing character-driven storytelling with in-ring excellence. As per RingSide News, the August 6 Dynamite edition has set a high standard not just for AEW but for pro wrestling’s summer calendar.
With the Forbidden Door event rapidly approaching, tonight’s Dynamite delivered decisive results and memorable moments that will ripple throughout AEW’s ongoing story arcs. The developments in the tag team eliminator, women’s qualifier, and marquee grudge match promisingly set the stage for one of the biggest cross-promotional wrestling events of the year.
For continuing coverage and updates on AEW Dynamite and all things wrestling, visit WWE.com, Wrestling Inc., Fightful, and official AEW channels.