On October 29, 2025, AEW Dynamite: Fright Night turned the Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg, Texas into a haunted battleground — not just for costumes, but for championships. In a night packed with brutal finishes, shocking reveals, and the debut of a new women’s tag team tournament, Samoa Joe emerged as the man who could dethrone Hangman Adam Page for the AEW World Championship at Full Gear in November. The twist? Page wasn’t just watching — he was waiting in the shadows, dressed as the Phantom of the Opera.

Joe’s Vengeance, Page’s Revenge

It started with chaos. In a brutal four-way elimination match, Samoa Joe outlasted Bobby Lashley, Ricochet, and Hook — the latter tapping out after 12 minutes under the Coquina Clutch. This wasn’t just a title shot; it was payback. Weeks earlier at WrestleDream, Page had defeated Joe to retain his title, only for Joe to ambush him post-match with a steel chair. Now, Joe had his shot. He signed the contract on stage, smirking, declaring, “I will be the new champion.” But as the lights dimmed, the Phantom appeared — and it wasn’t a prop. It was Hangman Adam Page, in full costume, hurling beer bottles at Joe before vanishing into the smoke. The crowd roared. This wasn’t just a rivalry anymore — it was personal.

Blood & Guts: The Death Riders vs. The Rebellion

While Joe and Page’s feud boiled over, another war was brewing. In the Trick or Treat Tornado Tag Team Match, Darby Allin and Orange Cassidy defeated Daniel Garcia and Wheeler Yuta of The Death Riders after Allin locked in the Scorpion Deathlock. But post-match, things got ugly. Marina Shafir attacked referee Aubrey Edwards, sparking a multi-person brawl. Claudio Castagnoli took on Kyle O’Reilly, only for Roderick Strong to intervene. Then came the moment that changed everything: Mark Briscoe stepped into the ring, looked at the chaos, and said, “The Death Riders run when it’s time to throw down.” He turned to Cassidy. “Mark says they have a solution.” Cassidy, reluctantly, muttered: “Blood & Guts.”

That’s right. The first-ever AEW Blood & Guts match involving The Death Riders was officially announced. The stipulation? A steel cage with blood, guts, and no disqualifications. The stakes? Pride. And possibly careers.

FTR vs. The Young Bucks: The Tag Team War Continues

In a 14-minute classic, FTR (Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood) defeated The Young Bucks, JetSpeed, and Jurassic Express to earn a shot at the AEW World Tag Team Championship held by Brodie Lee and Bandido. The match featured a stunning UFO splash from Knight on Perry, but FTR’s signature Shatter Machine ended it. This sets up a rematch for Full Gear — one that could redefine tag team wrestling in AEW.

Women’s Tag Team Tournament Begins — and a Devastating Injury

The night’s most emotional moment came not in the ring, but backstage. Penelope Ford, who had been positioned as the frontrunner for the inaugural AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championship, announced on camera she’d torn her UCL and would be out indefinitely. “I said those tag titles were my destiny,” she said, voice trembling. “And I’m going to make every woman feel the pain I am now — because that’s what they all deserve.”

Her absence forced a reshuffle. Marina Shafir was paired with Megan Bayne for the tournament’s next round. In the quarterfinals, Sisters of Sin (Julia Hart and Skye Blue) defeated Jamie Hayter and Queen Aminata in 10 minutes to advance. The tournament’s bracket, now with 16 teams, is set to crown the first-ever champions by December.

Backstage Mayhem and the Conglomeration’s Shadow

The chaos didn’t stop in the ring. Mercedes Martinez and Kris Statlander traded blows backstage, until Athena intervened with her O-Face and a crossface submission. Willow Nightingale and Harley Cameron rushed in to save Statlander. Meanwhile, The Conglomeration — Don Callis’s heel faction — made a brief, ominous appearance, reinforcing their role as the dark undercurrent of AEW’s narrative. A video package honoring Bandido and his mother added emotional depth to his title defense.

What’s Next for AEW?

With Full Gear just weeks away, the card is taking shape like a horror movie climax. Joe vs. Page is the main event — but who will be in the ring with him? Page’s attack suggests he’s not just defending his title — he’s preparing for war. The Blood & Guts match between The Death Riders and the rebellion led by Allin, Cassidy, and Briscoe could be the most violent match of the year. FTR’s rise threatens the tag team division’s status quo. And the women’s tournament? It’s no longer a sideshow — it’s the future.