AEW Dynamite’s August 20, 2025, episode at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland, served as a thrilling go-home show for the highly anticipated AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door event. While the live crowd was electrified by high-profile matches and star appearances, the broadcast offered both memorable moments and some setbacks that fans and insiders noted.

3 Things We Loved

1. Bryan Danielson’s Return to Commentary and Fan Connection
   Opening the show, Bryan Danielson—fresh off recent major storylines—joined Excalibur and Tony Schiavone at commentary. His entrance in Glasgow was met with thunderous YES! chants, highlighting his enduring popularity. Danielson’s insightful commentary and genuine reaction to the crowd created an engaging atmosphere from the outset. According to sources close to WWE and AEW production, Danielson’s return to commentary is part of a broader plan to keep him involved as he prepares for future in-ring storytelling[1][5].

2. High-Profile Trios Match Sets the Tone for Forbidden Door
   The trios match pitting Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, and Wheeler Yuta (Death Riders) against Hiroshi Tanahashi and JetSpeed’s Kevin Knight and Mike Bailey showcased AEW’s collaboration with NJPW ahead of Forbidden Door. Tanahashi and JetSpeed emerged victorious, which many insiders say helps build momentum for the multi-company steel cage clash scheduled for Sunday. Wrestling analysts praised the match’s fast pace and crisp team psychology, with multiple sources from Fightful and Wrestling Inc. noting it as a standout contest[2][4].

3. Women’s Tag Team Action Delivers Excitement and Storytelling
   The AEW Women’s Tag Team Championship Eliminator final featured Toni Storm defending her faction alongside Alexa Windsor against Mercedes Mone and Athena. The match mixed hard strikes and clever tag dynamics, culminating in a clean victory for Athena and Mone. Despite some confusion late in the bout regarding legal tags—which some fans discussed at length on podcasts like Talk is Jericho—the match succeeded in spotlighting AEW’s growing women’s division depth[3].

3 Things We Hated

1. Time-Limit Draw Clouds Tag Team Title Eliminator Final
   FTR’s high-stakes clash against Brody King and Bandido, known as BroDido, ended in a frustrating time-limit draw. While both teams displayed impressive teamwork and near falls, the inconclusive finish left many wanting a clearer resolution before Forbidden Door’s tag title match. Multiple insiders revealed backstage that the draw was intentional to protect both teams’ momentum, but effusive fans expressed disappointment across social media channels like Twitter and Reddit[4][5].

2. Some Overbooked Spots and Interference Dulling Match Flow
   The show featured moments where excessive interference and repetitive run-ins, especially in the Women’s Tag eliminator match, disrupted the flow. Athena’s surprise attack on Alexa Windsor while not being the legal competitor confused viewers and slightly undermined the in-ring storytelling’s impact. Critics from Wrestling Inc. and WrestlingAttitude have pointed out that such booking choices could alienate fans who prefer cleaner finishes and more straightforward narratives[3][2].

3. Underwhelming Crowd Reaction During Some Key Moments
   Though the Glasgow crowd was largely passionate, some key plot developments did not receive the expected reactions. For example, the main event segment involving Toni Storm and Athena’s brutal assault on Mercedes Mone drew mixed responses, with portions of the audience seemingly subdued. According to backstage sources, the fatigue of travel and the long show duration may have contributed to uneven crowd engagement late in the event[3][1].

Looking Ahead to AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door

With Forbidden Door just days away, AEW Dynamite Glasgow effectively set the stage while hinting at areas to improve. The focus on blending AEW and NJPW talent continues to attract global attention. Sources close to Cody Rhodes and AEW management emphasized that storylines are deliberately layered, ensuring Forbidden Door will crown definitive champions and escalate rivalries significantly[2][4].

Fans should expect a fast-paced, hard-hitting Forbidden Door weekend, bolstered by the energy from AEW’s Scottish fans and the momentum gained in several matches on August 20. However, creative teams face the challenge of balancing surprise elements with coherent booking to maximize fan satisfaction.

Insider Note:
“AEW’s Glasgow show was a must-see for hardcore fans, but there’s consensus backstage that some creative tweaks are needed for Forbidden Door to maximize the payoff,” a WWE insider familiar with AEW’s production told WWE.com. “The talent and atmosphere are undoubtedly top tier, but finishes and crowd chemistry will be key factors going forward.”

AEW Dynamite’s return to Scotland reaffirmed its growing international footprint while highlighting the ongoing evolution of its storytelling approach heading toward one of 2025’s biggest wrestling weekends.

For the latest AEW and wrestling news, stay tuned to WrestlingInc.com, Fightful, and official WWE.com updates.