AEW Dynamite Preview (8/13/25) – Adam Page and MJF Meet

This week, AEW Dynamite promises a big development in the AEW Men’s World Championship picture when Hangman Adam Page and MJF go face-to-face again. However, things never go simply with these historic rivals.

Plus, there is the question of what about Mark Briscoe? MJF might have won the match, but Briscoe’s foot was on the rope. Don’t forget, MJF is out of The Hurt Syndicate.

I go away for one week, I miss another Don Callis Family painting that makes me re-evaluate what I understand about fine art, an attempted hit-and-run, and The Young Bucks losing. Plus, a week of big announcements for Forbidden Door and some teases of big dream matches to come.

To echo another fan’s sentiment, I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the presence of Speedball Mike Bailey and Kevin Knight has helped improve the quality of AEW. With Moxley taking on Knight this week, expect to see more of the Death Riders leader’s best. Expect more guerrilla tactics from Darby Allin as he looks to ascend a different peak after conquering Everest.

Moxley wanted war.

AEW Dynamite Announced Card

Matches Announced

• Cope vs. Big Stoke
• Kevin Knight vs. Jon Moxley

Segments Announced

• Hangman Adam Page and MJF face-to-face

Cope vs. Big Stoke

I don’t think I’m delusional when I write that Cope vs. Big Stoke could be a show-stealer of a match. Sure, Stokely is short and bald, receives nothing but hate at family reunions, and has the temperament of a chihuahua. It might not be a technical classic or a strong-style classic.

Big Stoke in the ring is likely to be exposed like a former WWE wrestler unprepared for the AEW house style.  Cope has created (apparently) a monster. On Collision, Stoke scored a big pinfall trios win.

Stoke can’t get no hoes, so he’ll make one out of Cope. However, without FTR legally controlling the tempo and offense, allowing Stoke to pick from the bones, we know this is a lot of hot air.

Don’t forget, the last time Stoke competed in AEW, he hit an impressive spinebuster on Tomohiro Ishi at All In 2024. I was there. I witnessed a young girl join in with the chants of “you F###ed up” as Stoke slowly released that The Stone Pitbull was prepared to bite.

In terms of comedy, characterization, and fun, this potential squash match that could turn into an angle might be hilarious. Whatever happens before or after the match will add an extra layer to the next part of the Cope/FTR/Hurt Syndicate story.

Old Rivals Go Face-to-Face

Since AEW’s formation, Hangman Adam Page and MJF have been enemies. Seeming opposites, they deep down share a commonality: self-doubt and fear. In many ways, their roles have reversed.

Page has gained self-assurance and overcome his darkness. On the other hand, MJF is plagued with insecurity after Page defeated The Salt of the Earth at Revolution.

MJF did not forget and cannot move on, like Page could not after losing to Swerve Strickland. Circling for months, now with a contract in hand that can be executed at any time, clarity is coming.

Will the match be held at Forbidden Door? Is this just another milestone moment? A swerve of some kind in the works for either man?

MJF has enemies everywhere. From Briscoe to Mistico and perhaps The Hurt Syndicate. Could Friedman be about to use his money to procure an opponent from CMLL or NJPW to face Page, hoping to soften up the cowboy so he could execute that contract?

Speculating about their words is pointless given both men’s form. Expect the earth to shake. Something has got to give.