AEW Dynamite Rebel Heart Results: New Level & Strickland defend trios gold, Steven Borden makes in-ring debut – POST Wrestling
Results
- Swerve Strickland, Austin Creed & Kofi def. Orange Cassidy, Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong (AEW World Trios Championships) (15:02) (Recommended)
- Persephone, Dr. Britt Baker DMD & Hikaru Shida def. Maya World, Hyan & Thunder Rosa (10:24)
- Andrade El Idolo def. The Beast Mortos (AEW National Championship) (7:18)
- Will Ospreay def. David Finlay (AEW World Championship Eliminator) (10:30)
- Darby Allin & Steven Borden def. Mark Davis & Josh Alexander (11:51)
- Kyle Fletcher & Kevin Knight def. Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson (Tables Match) (15:22)
The Waiting Room returns
This week’s episode of AEW Dynamite, live from the Akins Ford Arena in Athens, Georgia, was a special “Rebel Heart” edition of the show. Along with the usual AEW action, this evening’s show was raising awareness for ALS and honoring company original Rebel, who is currently battling the disease.
Before the show started, we got an “In Memory Of” graphic for “The Butcher’ Andy Williams, who passed away at 48 last weekend. Tony Schiavone mentioned that it’s been a hard week for the AEW family and that they’ll touch on the former AEW star later in the show as well.
We went backstage for the opening segment, where Rebel and Dr. Britt Baker DMD co-hosted The Waiting Room, a series making its return after years away. Baker started by crediting “Reba” for her strength while battling ALS. “You know it’s Rebel, right?” she replied. Rebel is fighting ALS and it has taken its toll on her, but to see her in good spirits here was nothing short of inspiring.
In the first Waiting Room episode in ages, the guests were Baker’s tag partners later tonight, Persephone and Hikaru Shida. They both quickly spoke about how much they wanted to beat up their opponents tonight, Maya World, Thunder Rosa and Hyan. The trio left the set before Rebel could tell Baker that she accidentally left her famous glove behind.
Great to see Rebel to start the show. It sounded like we’re going to see more of her later as well.
New Level & Strickland defend trios gold in wild opener
The team of New Level and Swerve Strickland defended their AEW World Trios Championship for the second week in a row, battling The Conglomeration’s Orange Cassidy, Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly in the first match of the night. Strickland was seen wearing an “AW” armband during this match.
Austin Creed was isolated through a commercial break, but was able to give Kofi a hot tag after hitting O’Reilly with a deadlift suplex. Kofi went on a fun run of moves against Strong, including a crossbody out of the corner for a two-count. He scored a Boom Drop (Have we learned the new name?) but had a Trouble in Paradise countered into a backbreaker from Strong – This was a really fun sequence.
New Level put Strong in a crafty triple-team backbreaker at ringside, getting them back into the contest. New Level both came off the top rope with frogsplashes, but had their pin attempt broken.
There was a wild sequence involving all six men in the ring, including a slick leg drop into German Suplex combination from New Level. Another fast-paced sequence, this time at ringside, included Kofi diving over the ring post and onto two members of The Conglomeration.
Back in the ring, Strickland stopped a sequence from Cassidy by catching him with a running head kick. This set up for a DayBreak double-stomp finisher from the New Level for the pinfall win in 15 minutes. No shock here that New Level and Strickland retained, but this was one hell of an opening match. This one kicked up a gear after commercials, then didn’t let up until the end. Tons of hectic sequences here where everybody played an important role, plus a creative finish.
After the match, Ricochet and the rest of The Demand (which now includes The Lethal Swirl) showed up on stage. Ricochet asked why rookies like the New Level can just walk into AEW and be handed opportunities. Just as the group was about to get jumped, Hangman & Brodido came to even the odds. After clearing the heels out of the ring, Page and Brodido started to eye the trios titles, making it clear that they’re still interested in regaining the gold.
Commentary booth remembers The Butcher
We saw a solid promo from Steven Borden, who said his debut in wrestling came from his want to no longer live in his father’s huge shadow. Darby Allin said he wasn’t meant to be the next Sting, but instead the first Steven Borden.
Before the show went to a break, the AEW commentary team took some time to remember Andy “The Butcher” Williams.
“Andy was a friend to all of us,” Tony Schiavone remarked.
“Just loved everywhere … Not just here from AEW,” Taz said.
Excalibur, who became choked up, talked about how Williams was “the most thoughtful, creative, warm person.”
“He was someone who could’ve deservedly had a massive ego but instead used his energy to boost those around him and make the world a better place,” Excalibur said.
Before the show went to a break, it was mentioned that Saturday’s episode of Collision will feature a tribute to Williams.
Rebel helps Britt Baker score tag win
Trios action was next, as Britt Baker, Hikaru Shida and Persephone took on Maya World, Hyan and Thunder Rosa. This was Baker’s first formal in-ring appearance since November 2024. Baker was wearing a Rebel shirt over her gear during this match.
Shida scored a huge top-rope meteora to Hyan, then Baker sent her out of the ring with a backbreaker. The fight went to ringside, where Baker’s team took out World and Rosa.
Baker forgot her glove backstage, as we saw earlier in the night. But Rebel wasn’t going to let her compete without it! At the 10-minute match in this one, Rebel came down to the ring in a wheelchair to deliver the glove to Baker. With the glove in hand, Baker came into the ring and delivered a Lockjaw to Hyan for the submission win in 10 minutes. Really touching way to have Rebel do a segment with Baker here. This match was short but was worthwhile for that moment alone.
This match had quite the emotional end. Baker got on Rebel’s wheelchair as they went to the stage. Both visibly emotional, they hugged as the segment came to an end.
We saw a video package telling Rebel’s story and how she has been advocating and fighting for those with ALS ever since she was diagnosed earlier this year. You can watch below:
We love you, @RebelTanea!
Watch Rebel Heart #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS & HBO Max pic.twitter.com/ug5BdgrVE2
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) September 10, 2026
Andrade retains over The Beast Mortos, suffers post-match attack
Andrade El Idolo promised recently that he will defend his AEW National Championship on a weekly basis. Maybe he will finally be the person to give the National title some meaning? Anyway, to fulfill that promise this week, he put the belt up against The Beast Mortos.
Mortos tried to get the jump on Andrade before the bell, but the champ got out of the way of his attack. This caused Mortos to go full force into the turnbuckles before the match got started. Mortos was sent out of the ring, then Andrade came off the ring apron with a hurricanrana in the opening minute of the contest.
Mortos regained control back in the ring, then knocked Andrade back out with a discus lariat. Mortos came through the ropes with a beautiful torneo as the show went into a break.
Andrade took off his long pants as the show returned (the crowd had been demanding for him to do this for minutes on end). Mortos escaped a meteora in the corner from Andrade, instead popping up the champ for a Samoan Drop. Mortos got a two-count from the reversal.
Andrade tried another move out of the corner, but Mortos caught him again and this time scored a lungblower for a two-count. There was a bit of a blunder, as Mortos put Andrade on his shoulders and connected with a slam of sorts. Except, once they came down, it became clear that Mortos was the one who was supposed to have taken the damage here. Was this meant to be a Poisonrana that was just never hit? Who knows.
Anyway, Andrade finished up his match with a spinning back elbow then a DM for the win in seven minutes. Apart from that confusing little spot late, this was a solid one.
A post-match promo from Andrade was cut off by The Dogs, who jumped Andrade from behind. For those who don’t catch Collision, we were reminded that Andrade scored a pin over Gabe Kidd on Saturday.
Will Ospreay, who was conveniently booked to face David Finlay in the next segment, came in for the save. Clark Connors and Andrade brawled to the back as this match got underway. Jon Moxley, who is scheduled to face Ospreay at All Out, also showed up as a guest commentator for this match.
With All Out opponent Moxley looking on, Ospreay takes down Finlay
Will Ospreay’s one-on-one match against David Finlay next was listed as a title eliminator. I mean, every time a champ is in a non-title match that could pretty much always be considered an eliminator of sorts, but I digress.
Ospreay took out Finlay with a crossbody at ringside then glared at All Out opponent Jon Moxley as the show went into a break. Ospreay got a near fall after catching Finlay with a powerbomb as the show returned.
Ospreay started to set up for a Hidden Blade, but Finlay wisely rolled out of the ring to avoid the move. Ospreay tried to grab Finlay off the ring apron, but instead had his head snapped into the ropes. After a back-and-forth sequence, Ospreay caught Finlay with an Os-Cutter for another near fall.
Another Hidden Blade attempt was dodged by Finlay, but a pair of reversals ended with Ospreay scoring a Stundog Millionaire. The champ followed up with a Styles Clash for the win in 10 minutes. A tight but solid showing from Ospreay.
Aware that he’s not a career tag wrestler, Brodido asked Hangman Adam Page if he still has aspirations to go after the AEW World Trios Championships. “I still need this … If it’s cool with you, hell yeah, I think we’re still a trio,” Page replied. They’re all still good.
Steven Borden wins Dynamite debut
The co-main event saw Darby Allin and Steven Borden take on Josh Alexander and Mark Davis. This was the TV in-ring debut for Borden, son of wrestling legend Sting. This was, also importantly the in-ring return for Alexander, who had been away for six months due to injury.
Allin took quite the beating early in this match, getting isolated by the Don Callis Family. This led to a huge hot tag for Borden, who wiped out Alexander and Davis with a long run of moves as the match approached the 10-minute mark.
Borden showed off his vertical ability in this one, leaping up for a huge dropkick to Davis while he was propped in the corner. Alexander prevented Borden from giving Davis a superplex, instead picking him up and scoring a Blue Thunder Bomb. Allin got back into the ring to help Borden take on Alexander.
Borden scored an impressive combination Scorpion Death Drop and Coffin Drop with Allin to Alexander. Allin took out Davis with a wild tope suicida to the ringside area as Borden picked up the pinfall win in 12 minutes. A nice glimpse of Borden, who looks to have a really strong base as a wrestler despite only being around for a year and some change. I’m looking forward to what comes next for him.
Willow makes TV return, drives away Thekla
Thekla, eyeing a shot against AEW Women Champion Mercedes Moné, appeared on stage for a promo. She said that, unlike Moné, she didn’t grow up as a wrestling fangirl. Instead, she grew up playing in rock bands in Austria.
Thekla said she discovered wrestling when she saw a man getting beaten with a “raw chicken carcass” in the basement off a bar. “S***, I can do that!” she thought to herself.
Just as Thekla was asking Moné whether the title still smells like “sex, drugs, and rock and roll,” the champ herself showed up via the crowd. Moné said that, no matter how much Thekla tries to intimidate her, it won’t work as she has dealt with far bigger personalities before.
Trash talk between Thekla and Moné cooled down after they started to bond over their hate for Willow Nightingale. They both expected that Nightingale wasn’t in the house, but they were wrong. In her first in-arena appearance since dropping the women’s title, Nightingale was able to chase Thekla out of the ring as the segment came to an end.
Thekla’s charisma is one of one right now in wrestling. I’m big on this feud with Moné, and how they can figure Nightingale into it.
Will Ospreay asked for All Out match
Will Ospreay ran into Jon Moxley backstage. The champ explained what many have been wondering: Why Ospreay vs. Moxley got booked for All Out.
“Are you surprised? I’m not,” Ospreay said. “I’m the one that asked for this match, ’cause I owe you … 2026, I’ve only been pinned by one man and it’s you. So, you’re the number one contender in my mind.”
Ospreay said that Moxley can have the Death Riders at ringside, as he has a gameplan to beat him. “Well,” a calm Moxley replied. “Looks like you’ve got it all figured out.”
After Ospreay left the shot, Moxley’s frustrations started to show. He tossed a chair across the backstage area. PAC said “F***.”
Young Bucks lose tables match due to All Out opponents FTR
The final match of the night saw Kyle Fletcher and Kevin Knight of the Don Callis Family try and take down The Young Bucks in a tables match. To win this match, both members of a team have to be put through a table.
Matt Jackson wiped out both opponents with a huge crossbody off the top rope and to the floor early. Matt threatened to end the match early, trying to deliver a double Northern Lights Suplex to both Fletcher and Knight. The Don Callis team avoided the move and kept the match alive.
Fletcher and Knight caught a dive from Nick to the outside. They had the chance to put him through a table but instead decided to double-team powerbomb him onto the ring apron. Ouch! Knight wiped out the Bucks with a big springboard splash to the floor as the show went into its final break.
Knight tried for a Coast-to-Coast dropkick through a table as the show returned, but the Bucks countered the move by instead throwing the table into Knight’s head as he travelled mid-air. Matt used a table for a Sliced Bread on Fletcher, a crafty spot. Knight was draped in the ropes for a springboard Swanton Bomb moments later.
Knight helped Fletcher avoid a TK Driver onto the ring apron. Matt gave Fletcher a DDT onto the apron as Nick delivered a brutal hurricanrana to Knight out of the corner.
The first elimination came when The Bucks scored a combination Superkick and Sunset Flip Powerbomb to put Knight through a table. One down, one to go. Fletcher was able to back bodydrop Matt out of the ring, sending him through a table at ringside. It was down to just Fletcher and Nick to decide this one.
The remaining members of the match brawled around a set-up table in the ring. Nick jumped off the table for a Canadian Destroyer, which looked great. A superkick set Fletcher up on the table. Nick climbed to the top and was about to put an end to the match with a dive, but was attacked by FTR!
Nick was able to fend off Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler, knocking them to the floor. He started to climb again, but then was held back from jumping by the third member of FTR, Stokely Hathaway! This lengthy delay allowed Fletcher to give Nick a brainbuster out of the corner and through a table, ending this match in 15 minutes. I really enjoyed this main event. It felt like the crowd was quite quiet throughout the entire thing, which seems puzzling to me.
FTR attempted to continue a beatdown after the match, but were chased off by Darby Allin and Steve Borden! A bit of a random duo to join this segment; I was expecting Cope & Cage to get in here since they’re involved in the All Out title bout. We got a bit of a callback to Sting’s last match, with Borden and Allin shaking the Bucks’ hands here, though. But anyway, the heels and the faces stared eachother down to end the show.
Final thoughts
Storylines took somewhat of a backseat this week, but it still felt like a very important episode of Dynamite. AEW did a great job honoring Rebel and telling her story, while also shedding some light on the loss of Andy Williams. They presented a solid lineup of matches top to bottom, including a stellar six-man tag opener and a fun main event. Everything else was enjoyable at worst. Overall, a strong Wednesday night show, and one that felt a little more meaningful because of the purpose it served.
Here’s what was announced for upcoming shows:
9/12/26 Collision
- A tribute to Andy Williams
9/16/26 Dynamite
- Jericho vs. Nick Wayne
- Will Ospreay, Francesco Akira & Andrade El Idolo vs. Jon Moxley, Gabe Kidd & PAC
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