AEW Dynamite 9/3/2025 Recap: 3 Highlights and 3 Lowlights from a Chaotic Night in Philadelphia

pranithkumarkanna@gmail.com|Modified on Sep 04, 2025, 15:21 GMT

The September 3, 2025, edition of AEW Dynamite broadcast live from the historic 2300 Arena in Philadelphia delivered a rollercoaster ride of thrilling wrestling action, surprising returns, and dramatic backstage moments. While the night showcased explosive matches and storyline progressions, it also fell short in some areas, sparking mixed reactions among fans and insiders alike. Here is a detailed breakdown of the three things fans loved and three elements that missed the mark during AEW’s much-anticipated Wednesday episode.

3 Things We Loved on AEW Dynamite 9/3/25

1. Mercedes Moné’s Dominant TBS Championship Defense
The show opened with “The CEO” Mercedes Moné defending her AEW TBS Championship against the tenacious Alex Windsor. Moné proved why she is a top-tier talent by retaining her title through a hard-fought match filled with technical prowess and high-impact moves. According to WWE.com and Fightful sources, Mercedes continues to cement her status as the gold standard on AEW’s women’s division, delivering consistent star-caliber performances[2][3].

2. Main Event Chaos Featuring Hangman Page, Kenny Omega, and the Don Callis Family
The main event featured a high-octane six-man tag with Hangman Page, Kenny Omega, and JetSpeed taking on Kyle Fletcher, Josh Alexander, and The Young Bucks. The match was an intense blend of fast-paced wrestling and psychological storytelling, climaxing in a shocking post-match beatdown by the Don Callis Family that left Omega and Page battered and vulnerable. WrestlingInc noted how this segment seamlessly mixed in surprise betrayals and set the stage for future explosive storylines[1][3].

3. The Return of Riho and The Hook FTW Showdown
Fans were thrilled with the surprise return of Riho, adding star power and nostalgia to Wednesday’s chapter. Meanwhile, the chaotic interplay between Hook, Claudio Castagnoli, and the Death Riders sparked by Darby Allin’s wild antics, which included the use of thumbtacks and skateboard weapons, added an unpredictable hardcore element to the night. Gerweck.net highlighted how these intertwined storylines heightened anticipation around the FTW Championship and AEW’s tag scene[1][4].

3 Things We Hated on AEW Dynamite 9/3/25

1. FTR vs. Christian Cage and Adam Copeland Segment Fell Flat
One of the more puzzling moments on Dynamite was the backstage brawl segment involving FTR, former WWE stars Adam Copeland and Christian Cage. Rather than advancing any clear storyline, this segment felt disjointed and confusing for viewers. Sources close to WWE and AEW insiders suggest this might be an early-stage angle, but many fans and reviewers on WrestlingInc criticized the unclear motivations and lack of payoff in the segment[3][5].

2. Mark Briscoe’s Unbelievably Tough Match Felt Overdone
Mark Briscoe’s gritty win over Lance Archer was memorable for its hard-hitting physicality, but gerweck.net and Wrestling Headlines pointed out Briscoe’s resilience appeared implausibly high, stretching suspension of disbelief for some viewers. The methodical brutality was appreciated, but the match sometimes felt overextended and repetitive in its pace[2][4].

3. Over-Saturated All-Star Matches Bleed Energy from the Show
The abundance of star-studded matches, while exciting, led to what some reviewers called “all-star fatigue.” The opening bouts, including the tag matches and multi-man encounters, stacked heavily with established names, risked tiring fans craving fresh storytelling angles or emerging talent spotlighting. Wrestling Headlines editorializes that AEW may need to dial back star overload to keep the weekly product feeling fresh and spontaneous[5][3].

Additional Insights and Backstage Notes

According to a WWE insider, AEW’s booking team is deeply invested in blending high-stakes title defenses with chaotic faction warfare, particularly involving the Don Callis Family, who played a pivotal role in Wednesday’s main event fallout. The insider revealed that backstage discussions are ongoing about how to balance veteran star power with homegrown talent like Adam Priest, who finally got some freelance spotlight this episode.

A notable backstage moment included Toni Storm’s intense promo where she declared herself a “woman in search of her murder” — underlining her determination to reclaim dominance in AEW’s women’s division, as Gerweck.net detailed. Storm’s cutting remarks aim to shake up the roster with a bold challenge to all contenders[4].

Meanwhile, the tag team division remained a highlight, with Brodido (Bandido and Brody King) successfully defending the AEW World Tag Team Titles against the Death Riders (Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta), a match rated highly by wrestling pundits for its fluid teamwork and high-impact sequences[5].

What’s Next for AEW?

Looking ahead, AEW must navigate the fallout from the Don Callis Family’s aggressive assault, which promises a heated rivalry with Omega and Hangman heading into the fall. The women’s division continues to build around Mercedes Moné’s reign, Toni Storm’s bold challenge, and the return of veterans like Riho. Fans can also expect more hardcore unpredictability as the Death Riders and FTW Championship storyline intensifies.

Sources close to the AEW locker room indicate there is careful planning underway to integrate emerging stars like Adam Priest more consistently, which could help mitigate concerns about repeated star battles overshadowing diverse narratives.

Final Thoughts

AEW Dynamite’s September 3, 2025 episode successfully delivered memorable championship moments and electrifying main event chaos while struggling with pacing and some lackluster segments. Fans and critics alike will be watching closely as AEW refines its weekly show structure to maintain momentum and develop fresh, engaging storylines heading into the fall wrestling schedule.

For ongoing AEW and WWE news, official results, and insider analysis, continue following WWE.com, Fightful, WrestlingInc, and podcast updates from top wrestling journalists.

Keywords: AEW Dynamite 9/3/2025, Mercedes Moné TBS Championship, Hangman Page Kenny Omega, Don Callis Family AEW, AEW Tag Team Titles, Toni Storm AEW promo, AEW backstage news, WWE vs AEW updates

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