AEW Dynamite Spring Breakthrough Review. 16.4.2026.

Written By Patrick O'malley.

Now This Is How You Start An Episode Of Weekly TV.

As the broadcast started off. MJF was seen showing up to the arena, whilst April Jones, aka. Renee Paquette, tried to get a word with him, and as it turns out, he's got no idea that Darby wants his title shot tonight. Don Callis then stepped and told Max that Andrade failed to do the job. Max didn't see the Match on Sunday, because he was getting ready to face Kenny Omega. This led to a tease, I thought that we were kicking off the broadcast with the AEW Heavyweight Championship, but what we got was a segment between MJF, and. Darby Allin. Max stopped the proceedings, and tried to protest to having to defend his Championship. This was a promo tour de force, and a fantastic dual from both men. Bryan Danielson then got the word from Tony Khan, and he said that Tony agrees with Max, and he needs time to prepare, so this is why he made this the main event. I loved this segment. Darby's passion was on full display and it was great to see.

Kenny Omega Moment.

The cameras caught up with Kenny Omega after Dynasty this past Sunday, and he was sitting in the trainers room, next to Will Osperay. DON'T TOY WITH ME TONY.

Tommaso Ciampa vs Dazmond Xavier.

This was a solid outing for both men, that delivered on good Pro Wrestling in ring work. Ciampa got the win, and guess what he wants Gold.

FTR Segment. 

I loved this. I couldn't stop laughing when watching as. Dax Harwood said that Cope And Cage have no chance in getting their hands on their Championships. Stokeley Hathaway took shots at other promotions Tag Teams, as the fans asked, has he had any ladies of the night, and Cash Wheeler led the fans into a 10 second pose, as a way of paying tribute to Cope And Cage. 13 year old Patrick O'malley had a massive laugh, and a smile on his face, when watching this. 38 Year old me also had a laugh when watching this before he went to his day job.

Claudio Castagnoli vs Kevin Knight AEW TNT Championship.

This was a great balance of styles, as european stiff work, mixed well with the American high flying. Both men showed that they were perfect foils for each other. Kevin Knight got the win, and then took to the mic in the aftermath, and guess what? He wants Gold aswell. This is how you line up contenders.

Chris Jericho Segment.

None of this lasted with me. I'm not the biggest fan of Chris Jericho these days, and his interaction with Ricochet was woefully unfunny. Can we please stop doing bald jokes. This didn't work.

Okada And Takeshita Segment.

Am I the only person who had the song why can't we be friends, as this played out. Their Match at Double Or Nothing should bang.

Will Osperay vs Hechicero.

I loved this. The Match looked like the main centre of a Mexico vs Britain indy Match, and it was glorious. This leant into how the Match played. Wills selling was once again the main focus, as he sold over multiple body parts. Whilst I watched this. I got shades of watching Will in 2017-18 NJPW, and online working the UK Indy's during this period, because this was great. Will got the win, as Marina Shafir watched on. Jon Moxley had plenty to say about this Match.

Thekla Segment.

Thekla and Alex WINDSOR had a fantastic promo dual, and then The Sisters Of Sin attacked The Brawling Bird. I would like to see Jamie Hayter crowned as Womens Champion at All In. The pair will meet on Collision tonight.

AEW TBS Championship Willow Nightingale vs Kamille.

This didn't land with me. The in ring work was good, I just felt that something just was off. Willow retained. This is nothing against the workers, because I like both ladies. 

MJF vs Darby Allin AEW World Heavyweight Championship.

This has split fans down the middle online. My thoughts. The Match lasted for just over two minutes, and the teases were fairly obvious from the word go, and when you look at how the Match ended, this plays into their lore, dating back to their first meetings in late September of 2021, all the way through to their Match at Full Gear from that same year. Having the belt go from MJF like this, also plays into the MJF character, because this shows that he's getting his just deserts. I get why some fans don't like this, but it's not the first time that this has happened in the Pro Wrestling industry. WWE have done this with Brock Lesnar on multiple occassions, and AEW have done this with Cm Punk. It's all about were you go next, and who Darby faces in the coming weeks, he might end up being a transitional champion, we just don't know how this is going to play out. The Match, happened at the top of the hour. Darby got the win by playing into their history, and beat Max with reverse headlock, after giving him 4 Coffin drops. I personally liked this, but I do get why some fans might feel differant.

Overview Of AEW Dynamite Spring Breakthrough.

This was a news worthy edition of weekly TV, and a strong follow up to one of AEW's best PPV's of the year so far. I get that how MJF's title reign ended has left some divided, so with that said all I have to say is this. Pro Wrestling is very subjective, and we all have differant tastes, so please be respectful to those who are differant to you. In my opinion This was one of the best episodes of Dynamite this year, and a good swerve, and talking point, as we head into one of the biggest weekends in the Pro Wrestling Calender.

AEW Dynamite Spring Breakthrough is another solid 8/10.