The September 3, 2025, edition of AEW Dynamite delivered a volatile mix of high-caliber wrestling, surprising returns, and backstage intrigue, emanating from the historic 2300 Arena in Philadelphia. Fans witnessed noteworthy moments that impressed, as well as segments that drew criticism, reflecting AEW’s ongoing battle for supremacy in pro wrestling’s competitive landscape.

Mercedes Moné Retains TBS Championship in a Stellar Match

The night kicked off with Mercedes Moné defending her AEW TBS Championship against Alex Windsor in a bout highly anticipated since their heated confrontations leading up to the event. Moné’s performance was dominant and precise, culminating in her 20th successful title defense as reported by Wrestling Inc. and Lucha Central[3][4][5]. The match served as a testament to Moné’s growing stature within AEW, blending technical skill and charismatic showmanship that captivated the 2300 Arena crowd.

Sources close to the locker room noted this bout clearly elevated Mercedes as a flagship champion, a sentiment echoed by Fightful’s recent interviews emphasizing AEW’s investment in her as a cornerstone for the women’s division in 2025.

Wild Tag Action and a Return that Sparked Chaos

Darby Allin and Gabe Kidd’s opening skirmish escalated into a full-scale melee involving Hook, Claudio Castagnoli, and others from the Death Riders and Opps factions. The highlight was the surprise return of FTW Champion Hook, whose signal lights out moment generated a thunderous reaction from the Philadelphia faithful[1][2]. Willow Nightingale’s impromptu appearance chasing Marina Shafir added further layers to the intense inter-faction rivalry.

In the tag team title scene, Bandido and Brody King (Brodido) successfully defended their AEW World Tag Team Championships against the Death Riders, solidifying their reign alongside the unpredictable momentum running through AEW’s tag division[2][3].

Main Event Mayhem: Reunions, Battles, and a Brutal Post-Match Assault

The evening climaxed with an eight-man tag team match featuring AEW World Champion “Hangman” Adam Page and Kenny Omega teaming with JetSpeed (Kevin Knight and Mike Bailey) against The Young Bucks and Don Callis Family members Kyle Fletcher and Josh Alexander. This bout carried significant weight, bringing together former allies and bitter rivals in a chaotic contest laden with high-risk maneuvers and shifting allegiances[1][4].

Fans were stunned when, after the match, the Don Callis Family launched a brutal assault on Omega and Page, signaling a deeper storyline targeting the AEW World Championship picture. Insider sources told Wrestling Inc. this post-match destruction is designed to build tension for major pay-per-view developments in the coming months[5].

What Worked and What Didn’t: A Balanced Perspective

As Wrestling Inc.’s staff outlined in their post-show analysis, the show featured several “loved” elements:

• Mercedes Moné’s commanding title defense, underscoring AEW’s strongest female talent[5].
• The surprise heel return of Hook and ensuing faction chaos, injecting fresh unpredictability[1].
• The intense main event, which combined wrestling precision with compelling narrative twists[4].

Conversely, some aspects were less well-received:

• Certain segments felt overbooked, risking confusion among casual viewers, particularly the chaotic opening brawl[5].
• The excessive use of outside interference during matches diluted in-ring storytelling.
• Some backstage promos, notably those involving the Hurt Syndicate and Okada, lacked the energy expected, failing to elevate ongoing storylines sufficiently[1][5].

Backstage Insights and Future Directions

According to a WWE.com insider familiar with AEW operations, the promotion aims to balance thrilling unpredictability with coherent storytelling. The chaotic main event and post-match beatdown are reportedly setting the stage for a major October pay-per-view where AEW World Champion Hangman Page could face a pivotal challenger from the Don Callis Family ranks.

Further interviews published by Fightful highlight management’s confidence in Mercedes Moné continuing as a linchpin for the women’s division, with plans to freshen up challengers in upcoming weeks to maintain title prestige.

Moreover, sources close to Cody Rhodes, who has been quietly observing AEW’s rise, suggest that WWE is closely monitoring AEW’s narrative direction, especially around Omega and Page’s prominent roles, as WWE prepares for its own fall programming strategy[5].

Conclusion

AEW Dynamite 9/3/2025 proved to be a rollercoaster evening packed with title defenses, faction warfare, and story developments that will ripple through AEW programming for weeks to come. Mercedes Moné’s continued dominance, combined with explosive faction drama spearheaded by the Don Callis Family, ensures AEW remains a compelling force in professional wrestling.

As AEW builds toward its imminent pay-per-view events, fans can expect an electrifying autumn with championship stakes and intense rivalries heating up. Wrestling Inc., Wrestleview, and Lucha Central will continue to provide comprehensive coverage as these storylines unfold on and off-screen.