AEW Dynamite Preview (2/12/25): AEW Trios Championship Defense

AEW Dynamite is bigger in Texas? We’ll see if Austin can replicate the loud and infectious energy of Houston. Of the four matches announced, there’s plenty to cheer for.

The Gunns are set for a breakout year. However, stepping up to face the new AEW World Tag Team champions The Hurt Syndicate is brave. Embracing that getting hurt is part of their job, along with their “a-- boys” moniker, their fiery offense, and elastic bumping are going to make this a dynamic match-up.

Speaking of breakouts, Max Caster is going to test someone against the best wrestler alive. Can they survive? After last week’s AEW Dynamite, I would not be shocked if a hangman came to collect.

And that’s without speculating on the final story beats for the Brisbane Brawl or AEW Continental, Women’s or TBS Championship matches.

AEW Dynamite Announced Card:

• AEW Trios Championship: Death Riders vs. The Undisputed Kingdom
• AEW World Tag Team Championship: The Hurt Syndicate vs. The Gunns
• Dustin Rhodes vs. MJF
• Max Caster Open Challenge

Gamble of the Night: AEW Trios Championship

Look at the combined quality and caliber of Death Riders and The Undisputed Kingdom, and the chances are that this could be a show-stealer of a match. Since their full reunion, the six-man performances of Adam Cole, Roderick Strong, and Kyle O’Reilly have been engaging on Collision.

PAC, Claudio Castagnoli, and Wheeler Yuta can deliver in-ring. The issue is do fans care enough about the trios championships?

On various social media platforms, fans have been mourning and moaning about the lack of trios presence in AEW. At this stage, it’s been nearly 100 days since the belts were defended, and with little mention of them. Saturday night was the first time the physical belts have been on TV in months.

Yes, it mimics Jon Moxley’s ideology of keeping the championships away from those who don’t deserve to see them. Yet, the wider lack of discussion of the belts has made the trios division feel insignificant.

It just takes one match, one storyline or a character tweak to relight a fire. This could be the start of something more long-term. Yet, that depends on the outcome and if there’s a repetition of shenanigans.

Dustin Rhodes vs. MJF

Last week’s sparring between Dustin Rhodes and MJF displayed the best in both men. If you don’t get emotional with Rhodes’ passion, fury, and determination, then you’re as sociopathic as MJF. Jeff Jarrett might be the Last Outlaw but Dustin Rhodes is truly the last of his breed.

Rhodes walked through hell and didn’t see MJF there. With a hometown crowd behind him, there are going to be close calls!

MJF has struggled with inconsistency as a character since his AEW World Championship reign. Although I predict that history will look kindlier on his reign, there are hints week after week that that “old” magic is coming back.

Verbally, the jabs are puncturing. The insecure tone suggests that his opponents are backing a snake into a corner.

Facing off against a white knight in Rhodes could allow MJF to unleash some biblical evil. To be absolutely vile and attempt to put Rhodes in his grave during or post-match.

Maybe doing enough to grab the attention of another cowboy to come to Rhodes’ rescue.