The Big Picture

AEW Dynamite on June 24, 2026, delivered a wild mix of high-stakes brawls, shocking tournament qualifiers, and corporate headphone tie-ins. With the Forbidden Door pay-per-view just days away, the promotion leaned heavily on raw physicality and chaotic multi-man confrontations to finalize their card. This ranking separates the breakout athletic triumphs from the contrived booking choices that defined a crowded night in New Mexico.

The Top Ten Moments Ranked

10. AEW Partnering with Heavys for Branded Headphones Crossover

AEW partnered with Heavys to launch three custom headphone designs. Each pair costs a hefty $289 on ShopAEW, featuring Swerve Strickland and Sickos branding. Prince Nana wore the Swerve version to the ring during the show. This ranks tenth as a major commercial crossover with zero storyline impact. It sits below Ospreay's victory because gear does not produce quality matches.

9. Will Ospreay Secures a Showcase Victory over El Phantasmo

Will Ospreay defeated New Japan standout El Phantasmo in a fast-paced singles exhibition. Phantasmo pushed Ospreay hard, hitting an asai moonsault and a diving DDT. Ospreay rebounded with a standing Spanish Fly and a final Hidden Blade for the pin. This ranks ninth as a high-quality showcase that displayed Ospreay's elite athleticism. It sits below the TBS qualifiers because it was a predictable match with zero tournament stakes.

8. Queen Aminata Outlasts Red Velvet to Qualify for the TBS Title Tournament

Queen Aminata qualified for the TBS Championship tournament by defeating Ring of Honor Women's Champion Red Velvet. Velvet hit a scissors kick and a frog splash, but Aminata proved too resilient. Aminata pinned Velvet after landing a vicious kick to her face on the ropes. This ranks eighth because it positions Aminata as a major threat in the tournament. It sits above Ospreay's exhibition due to the tournament stakes, but falls below Harley Cameron's win because Velvet's defeat was not a historic shock.

7. Harley Cameron Pulls Off a Shocking Backslide Upset over Marina Shafir

Harley Cameron shocked the crowd by defeating Marina Shafir to qualify for the TBS Championship tournament. Shafir dominated with kicks before trying to lock in her signature Mother's Milk submission. Cameron reversed the hold into a backslide pin to steal the win as Ringside News confirmed in their results. This ranks seventh because it was a massive booking surprise, though critics complained that Shafir was buried for a comedy act. It ranks above Aminata's win due to the sheer shock value, but sits below Sabre's victory because it lacked technical quality.

6. Zack Sabre Jr. Out-Wrestles Jack Perry in a Submission Masterclass

New Japan Pro-Wrestling star Zack Sabre Jr submitted Jack Perry in a masterclass of technical wrestling. Perry hit a sit-out powerbomb and locked in the Snare Trap, but Sabre's joint manipulation proved superior. Sabre targeted Perry's left hand and arm before forcing a submission with an armbar. This ranks sixth because it established Sabre as a lethal submission specialist. It sits below the backstage brawl because the match felt rushed and lacked intense personal hatred.

5. Adam Copeland and Christian Cage Spark a Brutal Stairwell Brawl

Adam Copeland and Christian Cage ignited a wild stairwell brawl with David Finlay and Clark Connors. The teams fought down the stairs, where Copeland and Cage launched Finlay headfirst into a wall using a wheelchair. Connors retaliated by using a makeup artist as a shield and choking Cage with a cable. This ranks fifth because it was a violent brawl that built real heat for their upcoming match. It sits below the main event because a locker room fight lacks championship stakes.

4. Konosuke Takeshita Retains His Title Against Ricochet in a Main Event Classic

International Champion Konosuke Takeshita retained his title against Ricochet in a spectacular main event. Ricochet dominated early with a moonsault to the outside and a springboard 450 splash. Takeshita rebounded with a blue thunder bomb, eventually hitting Raging Fire to secure the pin. This ranks fourth because it was the most athletic match of the night. It ranks above the backstage brawl due to the championship stakes, but falls behind the Omega confrontation because it lacked a surprise return.

3. Kenny Omega Surprises Zack Sabre Jr. to Hype Forbidden Door Clash

Kenny Omega made a surprise post-match appearance to save the Young Bucks from a beatdown by Zack Sabre Jr and TMDK. Omega stormed the ring, hitting Sabre with a snap dragon suplex before a tense microphone exchange. Sabre left the ring after telling Omega to stay out of the hospital. This ranks third because it brought immense star power to the show. It falls below the Swerve match because it was a promo segment rather than an active match.

2. Swerve Strickland Overcomes Daniel Garcia Despite Pre-Match Leg Injury

Swerve Strickland defeated Daniel Garcia in a competitive match that left the champion limping. Garcia targeted Swerve's knee, trapping his leg in the ring skirt for a dragon screw and hitting a Neutralizer for a close two-count. Strickland barely survived, hitting a flatliner, a House Call, and a final Hidden Blade to win. This ranks second because it established a critical injury storyline for Forbidden Door, though critics argued Garcia looked too competitive. It sits below the main event because the final brawl carried the ultimate stakes of the show.

1. Mark Briscoe Delivers a J-Driller to MJF to Close Go-Home Show

Mark Briscoe closed the show by hitting a J-Driller on AEW World Champion MJF during a wild twelve-man brawl. The go-home segment was chaotic, featuring Okada's Rainmaker, Kyle O'Reilly's ankle lock, and Orange Cassidy's Orange Punches. Briscoe stood tall while holding the AEW World Championship belt as the broadcast ended. This is the number-one moment because it established Briscoe as a credible title contender if his team wins the steel cage match. It ranks above Swerve's match because it delivered a perfect final image to sell the pay-per-view.

Honorable Mentions

Several other moments on the broadcast deserved recognition despite failing to make the final top ten ranking. These highlights showed the depth of the roster as they navigated the final hurdles before the pay-per-view. They remind us that even the minor segments carried important details for the summer.

  • Will Ospreay fell over into an ice tub at the start of the show, providing a hilarious moment of physical comedy.
  • MJF and Don Callis unveiled a highly revealing, oiled-up Team DCMJF t-shirt backstage that left Kyle Fletcher looking miserable.
  • Don Callis interrupted Mark Briscoe's promo on the ramp to distract him before MJF launched a sneak attack.

AEW succeeded in generating immense buzz for Forbidden Door by delivering a show packed with physical drama and storyline progression. While some of the go-home brawls felt formulaic, the high-quality main event and shocking tournament qualifiers proved the roster's depth. The promotion now heads into Sunday with clear momentum and multiple high-stakes matches ready to deliver.