By Lance Reece | Wrestlezona | 88.7 The Pulse
All Elite Wrestling returned to Arizona with AEW Maximum Carnage Dynamite at the Arizona Financial Theatre in downtown Phoenix, and from the moment the doors opened it felt like something special. Representing Wrestlezona, which airs every Sunday at 8:00 AM local time on 88.7 The Pulse, I was in attendance as the Valley packed the venue and brought the kind of energy AEW thrives on.
Phoenix has quietly become one of AEW’s strongest markets, and Maximum Carnage felt like proof of that. The crowd was loud, engaged, and ready before the first bell even rang.
Darby Allin vs. PAC Sets the Tone
The night opened with Darby Allin defeating PAC in a match that immediately grabbed everyone’s attention. PAC came in sharp and aggressive, while Darby leaned into the chaos that has defined his career. Every hit felt heavy, and every near fall pulled a reaction out of the crowd. Darby’s ability to keep pushing forward, no matter how much punishment he took, carried him to a hard-earned win.
Hangman Page Brings the Edge
“Hangman” Adam Page defeated Bryan Keith (with Big Bill) in a match that showcased a more focused and intense version of Page. Bryan Keith brought a physical style, and Big Bill’s presence outside the ring kept things tense throughout. Hangman stayed locked in, and with an assist from an interfering Swerve Strickland he closed the match and reminded everyone why he continues to be one of AEW’s most dependable stars. After the bout, Kenny Omega returned to insert himself in a dominating field of stars amongst Swerve and Hangman who look to challenge MJF for his championship.
Brody King Leaves No Doubt
If there was ever a reminder of how dangerous Brody King can be, this was it. Brody King defeated Jonathan Cruz in just 37 seconds, wasting absolutely no time. The match was short, but the message was clear. Brody King is a problem, and anyone who steps in front of him should be prepared for that reality.
Tag Team Chaos Decides the Future
One of the standout moments of the night came in the Four Way Tag Team Match, where The Don Callis Family (Mark Davis and Jake Doyle) defeated The Demand (Toa Liona and Bishop Kaun), The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson), and JetSpeed (Kevin Knight and Mike Bailey) to become the number one contenders for the AEW World Tag Team Championship.
This match never slowed down. Bodies were flying and the crowd stayed guessing until the final moments. JetSpeed impressed with speed and creativity, The Demand brought raw power, and The Young Bucks drew strong reactions as always. In the end, The Don Callis Family found the opening they needed and capitalized, earning a major opportunity in a stacked tag division.
An Announcement Close to Home
During the madness of the event, a graphic and announcement were made to the crowd to continue the upward trend of pro wrestling in the Valley, as All Elite Wrestling heads to Southern Arizona for the first time ever with AEW Collision in Tucson at the Tucson Arena on March 7th!
Triangle of Madness Stands Tall
The women’s division took center stage next as Triangle of Madness (Thekla, Skye Blue, and Julia Hart) defeated Kris Statlander and The Babes of Wrath (Willow Nightingale and Harley Cameron) in a Six Woman Tag Team Match.
This match blended strength, teamwork, and personality. Statlander and Nightingale brought intensity, while Triangle of Madness worked seamlessly together and leaned into their darker edge. The win felt like another step forward for a group that continues to gain momentum within AEW.
MJF and Bandido Deliver a Main Event Worth the Trip
The night closed with a main event that made the trip to Phoenix more than worth it. MJF retained the AEW World Championship against Bandido in a match that balanced spectacle and storytelling.
Bandido’s athleticism had the crowd buzzing, with every nearly desperate move drawing gasps. MJF played the role of the calculating champion perfectly, slowing things down when needed and taking advantage of Bandido’s high-risk, high-reward momentum. When it was over, MJF left Phoenix still champion, while Bandido earned the respect of everyone in the building including MJF himself… who inevitably gave him a post-match beating.
Another Big Night for AEW in Arizona
AEW Maximum Carnage: Dynamite delivered exactly what Phoenix fans hoped for. From dominant performances to championship drama, the night felt complete from top to bottom.
Later that same night, the crew at AEW put on another great showing with a taping of Saturday’s AEW Maximum Carnage: Collision. Check back at 887thepulse.com on Sunday morning to read our coverage on that event.
For more coverage of AEW and professional wrestling as a whole, tune into Wrestlezona every Sunday at 8:00 AM local time on 88.7 The Pulse, where Arizona wrestling always has a voice.
