Swerve vs Omega
Sacremento, CA
AEW Dynamite
February 18, 2026 | Lee South for All Elite Wrestling
AEW’s momentum isn’t slowing down on the road to Revolution. Dynamite (Feb. 18, 2026) closed with a bang as Swerve Strickland turned heel. The broadcast also featured world title stipulations in play for MJF and Hangman Page, Jon Moxley not being finished with Konosuke Takeshita, and the Young Bucks superkicking a man in a wheelchair as storylines for the PPV.
Swerve Strickland is the most dangerous man
Animosity fired up quickly between Swerve Strickland and Kenny Omega, and that led to the main event singles battle. This match delivered entertainment with two of the best in the game today. The wrestling was a violent affair without getting hardcore. Swerve had plans for a vertebreaker on the apron, however, Omega countered for a snap dragon suplex.
A short while later, Swerve flipped out of Omega’s German suplex off the apron. Omega crashed on the floor, and Swerve added a suplex for more pain. The vibe from these clips feels like danger. The hand fighting for position on the snap dragon sequence and Swerve’s transition out of the German are so smooth. It demonstrates that world championship caliber of strategy.
The match was an aggressive fight up to that point, then things took a turn when Omega blasted referee Aubrey Edwards with the V-Trigger. Commentary debated whether Swerve pulled her in front on purpose. With the benefit of replay, I’d say the answer is a clear yes. Swerve’s eyes were focused on what was coming down the shoot.
The drama kicked into overdrive. Swerve connected on the House Call kick. The crowd chanted three, but the ref was still down. Swerve added a flying stomp on the apron. He removed the turnbuckle pad to catapult Omega’s face into the exposed steel. The backup referee was in place to count on a flying stomp pin, and Omega shockingly kicked out.
Swerve survived a rally from Omega, then he regained control to finish with the Big Pressure driver for victory.
To leave no doubt about Swerve’s heel status, he snapped after the match to continue assaulting Omega. The final blow was a vertebreaker through the commentary table.
This result is an interesting way to move forward. I assume Omega will miss a little time. Swerve’s offense implied that Omega might suffer a broken jaw. At the least, that Vertebreaker should put Omega on the sideline for a few weeks. Omega can give the crowd another return pop when it is time for vengeance. Swerve was diabolical in pursuit to take Omega out of the world title picture. Even Prince Nana didn’t expect Swerve to take things this far, like choking Omega with the steel chain. The pressure is getting to him to regain the world title. Hints have been there all along, and now the turn played out for the most dangerous man in AEW. This result and heel turn for Swerve definitely has me curious to see what’s next.
Let’s jam through the rest of Dynamite from Sacramento Memorial Auditorium in Sacramento, CA. Catch up on all the details with excellent play-by-play from Claire Elizabeth.
AEW Continental Championship eliminator: Jon Moxley (c) defeated Mark Davis. Moxley doesn’t normally get roughhoused in the ring, however, that’s exactly what Davis did. Moxley gained an edge when Davis injured his hand punching the ring post. Mox went to work on that weakness. Davis still hossed through. The finish came after collisions of lariats. Davis lifted Moxley for a suplex, but the champ countered into the bulldog choke to win.
Rugged fight. Davis is a guilty pleasure in AEW. He doesn’t have the push to win the big matches yet, but he will put his opponent through a fight. The bloody hand was an interesting visual for the match. That’s type of damage is rare, and it fit the story of the match for increased intensity. The finish was slick on that bulldog transition. Moxley earns a strong win, and Davis looked strong in defeat. Also, this gutwrench piledriver was cool.
In other Moxley business, he challenged Konosuke Takeshita to continue their rivalry over the continental title with no time limit at Revolution. The Death Riders also want a fight with the Callis Family.
Both requests were granted. Josh Alexander will lead the team against the Death Riders, and Don Callis accepted Moxley’s challenge on behalf of Takeshita. The Callis Family also have eyes on Claudio Castagnoli’s CMLL world title. This scene is amusing with so much chaos. Alexander’s crazy eyes, violence in the background, Okada interacting with Andrade, and more. Arriba, the Don Callis Family!
TBS Championship: Willow Nightingale (c) defeated Megan Bayne, Marina Shafir, and Mina Shirakawa to retain the title. Four-way action. Willow was the star of the match with spinebusters for all. Bayne and Shafir worked together for the most part, however, it is every woman for herself. Competitive juices flowed between them, and fisticuffs broke out. Bayne powerbombed Shafir onto the timekeeper table.
Willow took down Bayne on an avalanche German suplex.
Mina unleashed a flurry of strikes on Willow. As Mina set up the figure-four, Willow countered for a roll-up to pin her for the win.
Satisfying bout. Everyone had a chance to shine like a badass. Mina’s surge at the end caught me in the moment wondering if a surprise title change might occur. There were a couple smaller things that I questioned. Why didn’t Penelope Ford (and Lena Kross?) try to help Bayne in a match with no disqualifications? It’s not a good look for Bayne to lose another title match, in particular one that was put together randomly. Even though Bayne didn’t eat the pin, a loss is still a loss. She has aura that needs to be protected. Willow needed to sell better after the match. Mina emptied her barrage of strikes on the finish, and Willow was perfectly fine in celebration. That kind of devalues Mina’s striking power.
World title stipulations. MJF and Hangman Page met for a promo battle. No physical contact permitted. The gist was that they both hate each other. MJF can’t stand that Hangman has two wins over him, and he can’t stand that fans choose the cowboy as the ‘main character’ of AEW. In addition to the hate, Hangman acknowledged that they are similar in their desire for love and acceptance. They are also loyal to AEW. Hangman wants to settle this feud for good at Revolution. He proposed stipulations. To sweeten the pot for MJF to accept, Hangman won’t challenge for the world title again if he loses. The cowboy wants Texas Death, and MJF will think a week for his stipulation.
The promo aspect was pretty good here. It’s simple enough with old-fashioned hate, and the character psychology adds layers. Communication of the stipulation bit was confusing. Is this going to be two stipulations at the same time (which sounds weird on paper)? Or is this a three stages type of match? The extra stipulation from Hangman feels desperate from AEW. In character, I understand the sweetener to entice MJF. I would prefer one tweak. No more challenging as long as MJF is the champ, rather than never again.
Orange Cassidy & Tomohiro Ishii defeated War Dogs. Notable in absence is Roderick Strong (after ditching OC), who was supposed to be Cassidy’s partner. Thankfully, the Conglomeration runs deep, and Big Tom was there to take Roddy’s place. Darby Allin influenced the finish by attacking Gabe Kidd with a skateboard. Ishii pinned Clark Connors off a brainbuster.
I’m loving the physicality of the War Dogs. Kidd shows his unhinged attitude well as part of his character. Connors is great at using his body as a battering ram. His shoulder tackles pop. Allin’s presence continues his revenge story. Also of note, it appeared that Ishii suffered a real injury to his leg. Hopefully he’s okay.
Brawling Birds defeated Becca & Viva Van. Jamie Hayter and Alex Windsor handled business. The finish came on a sandwich of lariats and the Hart Attack on Becca. Solid televised debut as a tag team. The match was quick, and they demonstrated chemistry to feel the brawling vibe.
Kevin Knight defeated Beast Mortos. Knight was feeling generous. A win from Mortos would have granted LFI a trios title shot. Don’t spend time on imagining that scenario yet, because Knight won with the UFO splash. Knight strut his stuff in victory, and Mortos showed enough flash to excite in defeat.
The Demand are stepping up instead of LFI to take that trios title shot. There was also a tease for Jack Perry still hunting Ricochet. The national champ found a knife on the locker room door.
Notes: FTR flapped their gums about the Young Bucks, so the Jacksons ambushed them with superkicks. It was a funny moment to also superkick Stokely Hathaway in his wheelchair. Got to give the people what they want, especially since the fans were chanting for superkicks. The Bucks are #1 contenders, and they want the tag title shot at Revolution.
Brody King has a taste for the world title. He wants the baddest opponent to fight next week to get back in the hunt.
The Opps are expanding under Hook’s leadership. Hook will recruit domestically, and Shibata will recruit internationally.
Kris Statlander isn’t cleared to compete. Thunder Rosa is stepping up with a desire to fight Thekla.
Will Ospreay is coming back to take what is his. The hint is the world title.
Commentary honored the death of former WWE director Kerwin Silfies.
Studs of the Show: War Dogs
The physicality from Gabe Kidd and Clark Connors leaves me wanting more.
Match of the Night: Swerve Strickland vs. Kenny Omega
Where the best wrestle.
Grade: B
Hard-hitting episode.
Share your thoughts about AEW Dynamite. How do you rate it? What were your favorite moments from the show? Who impressed you the most?
