AEW Dynamite: New Level Defend Trios Titles, Ospreay Unites Empire, and Moxley Challenges World Champion

Key points

• Swerve Strickland and The New Level (Kofi and Austin Creed) defeated The Rascalz to retain the AEW World Trios Championship in their Dynamite debut.
• Will Ospreay, the new AEW World Champion, announced the formation of a five-member United Empire faction, adding Andrade El Idolo to the group.
• Jon Moxley was booked to challenge Will Ospreay for the AEW World Championship at All Out in Chicago.
• Adam Copeland and Christian Cage announced a TLC-style match for the AEW World Tag Team Championship at All Out.
• Mercedes Moné held a championship celebration, which was interrupted by former champion Thekla.
• Darby Allin retained the TNT Championship against Mark Davis, with post-match interference from RPG Vice and Steven Borden.

Background

This episode followed the historic All In event in Wembley, where Will Ospreay won the AEW World Championship and The New Level debuted. The New Level, formerly of WWE, joined AEW in May 2026, citing the promotion’s tag-team division as a key draw. The show also built on recent storylines involving MJF’s Casino Gauntlet loss and the ongoing tension between Don Callis’s family and Steven Borden.

How outlets are covering it

Cageside Seats emphasized Tony Khan’s message that AEW has the best tag teams in the world, highlighting the presence of five elite teams. Fightful and F4W/WON provided detailed match results, noting the fast-paced nature of the Trios title defense and the post-match confrontation involving The Young Bucks, FTR, and Cope & Cage. Wrestling Inc. focused on the in-ring action of the Trios match, praising the chemistry between Strickland and The New Level. All sources agreed on the major booking decisions, including Moxley’s title challenge and the formation of the United Empire faction.

Why it matters

The episode sets the stage for All Out, with major title matches and faction dynamics. The New Level’s success in AEW underscores the promotion’s tag-team strength, while Ospreay’s new faction and Moxley’s challenge signal a shift in the AEW World Championship landscape. The show also advances storylines involving Mercedes Moné, Darby Allin, and MJF, ensuring continued viewer engagement.

What to watch

All Out in Chicago on September 26 will feature Jon Moxley vs. Will Ospreay for the AEW World Championship, a TLC-style match for the AEW World Tag Team Championship, and a TBS title defense by Persephone. The New Level may face The Young Bucks or other teams for the Trios titles. Mercedes Moné and Thekla’s feud will likely continue, and MJF may pursue a rematch for the AEW World Championship.