Maximum Carnage - AEW Dynamite Results Jan 14 2026 : MJF Survives Bandido, Omega Returns
Maximum Carnage – AEW Dynamite Results Jan 14 2026 : MJF Survives Bandido, Omega Returns. Welcome to our comprehensive AEW Dynamite Maximum Carnage review. This week, All Elite Wrestling descended upon the Arizona Financial Theatre in Phoenix for a themed special that promised high stakes and intense violence. With a card stacked featuring an AEW World Championship defense, a massive four-way tag team eliminator, and the in-ring return of “The Cleaner” Kenny Omega to the microphone, expectations were sky-high. The “Maximum Carnage” branding wasn’t just a catchy title; it set the tone for a night where blood feuds were settled, and new rivalries began to boil over.
In this AEW Dynamite Maximum Carnage review, we will break down every segment, match, and promo that took place on this pivotal night. From Darby Allin’s brutal war with PAC to the intricate storytelling involving Hangman Page, Swerve Strickland, and the returning Kenny Omega, this episode shifted the landscape of AEW heading into the spring. Whether you missed the show or just want a deep dive into the psychology and fallout of the matches, we have you covered. Let’s get into the carnage.
Samoa Joe Sets the Bounty
The night kicked off not with a match, but with a statement of intent from the “Samoan Submission Machine,” Samoa Joe. Joe, focused on his upcoming Trios title defense, wasted no time addressing the “Hangman” Adam Page situation. He spoke with a cold, calculated cadence, comparing the AEW landscape to the Old West—a lawless place where only the violent survive. Joe announced that he had placed a “bounty” on Hangman Page, a thematic perfect fit for the Arizona setting. This wasn’t just bluster; it was a tactical move to wear down his challenger before their eventual clash.
Enter “The Bounty Hunter” Bryan Keith. The collaboration between Joe and Keith makes perfect narrative sense, blending Joe’s mob-boss persona with Keith’s mercenary gimmick. Keith, looking intense and ready for a fight, accepted the contract. The segment did an excellent job of establishing the stakes for the night immediately: Hangman Page wasn’t just fighting a match later; he was fighting for his survival against a man paid to take him out. It was a concise, effective way to thread a narrative hook through the entire episode.
Darby Allin vs. PAC
This match was the definition of “Maximum Carnage” before the bell even rang. Darby Allin, never one to wait for a traditional start, launched a preemptive strike that took the fight into the crowd immediately. The Phoenix audience was electric as Allin threw his body around with reckless abandon, utilizing the arena’s architecture to gain an advantage over “The Bastard.” However, PAC’s vicious streak quickly turned the tide. Once the action spilled back to ringside, PAC took control with a sickening belly-to-belly suplex into the steel steps, a spot that elicited a collective gasp from the crowd.
The official match portion was a masterclass in selling and resilience. PAC dominated the majority of the bout, dissecting Allin with brutal kicks and power moves that looked like they would end the match at any second. Allin’s hope spots were frantic and desperate, perfectly fitting his character. The finish was sudden and technical, a brilliant contrast to the brawling nature of the start. After countering a high-risk move, Allin managed to trap PAC in the Scorpion Deathlock. The submission victory was a massive statement, proving Allin can win via wrestling prowess, not just high spots.
Winner: Darby Allin
With this victory, Darby Allin has now defeated every member of the Death Riders faction. The commentary team heavily emphasized this statistic, signaling that Allin has cleared the obstacles in his path and is likely pivoting back toward the AEW World Championship picture.
Hangman Adam Page vs. Bryan Keith
Following up on the opening segment, “Hangman” Adam Page came to the ring with a target on his back. Bryan Keith, motivated by Samoa Joe’s bounty, attacked with a ferocity that caught Page off guard initially. Keith targeted Page’s legs, a smart strategy to neutralize the Buckshot Lariat. The storytelling here was excellent, with Keith working like a true professional hunter trying to dismantle his prey piece by piece rather than just beating him up.
Page’s comeback was fueled by the crowd’s “Cowboy Sh*t” chants. He fought through the leg work, showing the grit that has defined his recent character arc. The involvement of Big Bill at ringside added a layer of danger, threatening to screw Page out of the win. However, the chaos allowed for a frantic closing sequence. Page managed to overcome the interference, finding a window to connect with a devastating Buckshot Lariat that turned Keith inside out for the three count.
Winner: Hangman Adam Page
The match was only the beginning. Post-match, Swerve Strickland appeared, continuing his uneasy alliance/rivalry with Page by helping fend off Big Bill. This led directly into the next massive segment.
The World Title Picture: Omega, Swerve, and Hangman
This was arguably the most important non-wrestling segment of the year so far. With Hangman Page and Swerve Strickland in the ring, the atmosphere was already tense. Then, the music hit, and “The Cleaner” Kenny Omega made his return to the microphone. Omega, looking healthier and more focused than he has in months, cut a promo that stripped away the EVP persona and focused on his desire to be the best wrestler in the world again. He acknowledged his history with both men, creating a palpable tension in the ring.
The dynamic between the three former champions was fascinating. You had Swerve, the arrogant but undeniable force; Hangman, the anxious but violent redemption seeker; and Omega, the returning god of pro wrestling. They didn’t come to blows, but they didn’t need to. The verbal sparring set the stage for a three-way race to MJF’s title. Page’s line, “May the best man win,” served as a temporary truce, but the lingering stares suggested that this peace is incredibly fragile.
Brody King vs. Jonathan Cruz
This was exactly what it needed to be: a showcase of dominance. Brody King, representing the House of Black (and loosely allied with Bandido for the night), obliterated Jonathan Cruz. There was no back-and-forth here, no 50/50 booking. King hit a lariat that nearly took Cruz’s head off, followed immediately by the Gonzo Bomb.
The match lasted less than a minute, but it was effective. It served as a palate cleanser after the heavy drama of the previous segment and reminded the audience of Brody King’s monster status. It also kept King fresh for his potential involvement in the main event later in the evening.
Winner: Brody King
Brody King took the mic briefly to wish his partner Bandido luck, foreshadowing his role as an equalizer against MJF’s potential cheating later in the night.
4-Way Tag Team Eliminator: Don Callis Family vs. Young Bucks vs. GOA vs. JetSpeed
Controlled chaos is the best way to describe this encounter. With a future AEW World Tag Team Championship shot on the line, all four teams went full throttle. The Young Bucks brought their signature superkick parties and tandem offense, while JetSpeed (Mike Bailey and Kevin Knight) provided the aerial highlights that dropped jaws. The inclusion of the Gates of Ag (GOA) added a necessary power element, as Toa Liona and Bishop Kaun tossed the smaller competitors around like ragdolls.
The narrative spine of the match, however, was the Don Callis Family (Mark Davis and Jake Doyle). They worked with a mean streak that separated them from the pack. While the Bucks and JetSpeed were focused on stealing the show, Davis and Doyle were focused on winning. The finish saw a breakdown of order, with bodies flying everywhere, allowing the Callis Family to isolate their opponents and hit a devastating combination finisher to secure the pinfall.
Winner: Davis & Doyle (The Don Callis Family)
Davis and Doyle are now the number one contenders for FTR’s AEW World Tag Team Championships. The stare-down with the champions (who were watching from backstage) promises a clash of styles: FTR’s classic grappling vs. the Callis Family’s modern power-strong style.
Triangle of Madness vs. Kris Statlander & The Babes of Wrath
The women’s division got a significant spotlight in this Trios match. The Triangle of Madness (Thekla, Julia Hart, and Skye Blue) displayed incredible chemistry, utilizing quick tags and blindside attacks to cut the ring in half. Their “toxic” persona is fully formed now, and they move like a singular unit. On the other side, the team of Statlander, Willow Nightingale, and Harley Cameron relied on power and charisma. Willow’s pounce on Skye Blue was a highlight reel moment of the night.
The turning point came when Kris Statlander, ever the hero, sacrificed herself to save Willow from a spear by Thekla. This selfless act, while noble, proved fatal for her team’s chances. Thekla, capitalizing on the chaos and utilizing her “Toxic Spider” persona, caught Statlander with her finisher. Pinning the AEW Women’s World Champion is a massive rub for Thekla and instantly positions her as the next credible threat to the title.
Winner: Triangle of Madness (Thekla pinned Kris Statlander)
Thekla pinning the champion clean in a tag match guarantees a future title shot. The post-match celebration by the Triangle of Madness highlighted their dominance and signaled a dark cloud forming over Statlander’s reign.
AEW World Championship: MJF (c) vs. Bandido
The main event of our AEW Dynamite Maximum Carnage review was a spectacular clash of styles. Bandido, the ROH World Champion, brought his high-flying lucha libre expertise, while MJF brought his grounded, old-school heel psychology. MJF spent the early portion of the match mocking Bandido, trying to unmask him and disrespecting the lucha tradition. This hubris nearly cost him, as Bandido exploded with a flurry of offense, including his signature 21-Plex and a stalling vertical suplex that lasted nearly a minute.
The storytelling centered on MJF’s desperate need to survive. Every time Bandido went for a high-risk move, MJF had a counter ready, often resorting to pulling the referee or raking the eyes. The climax was breathless, with Bandido locking in a submission that looked like it might actually tap the champion out. However, MJF’s ring IQ is unmatched. He manipulated the positioning, forced a break, and transitioned into his own Salt of the Earth armbar. He wrenched back with sickening torque, forcing the valiant challenger to tap out to save his arm.
Winner: MJF (And STILL AEW World Champion)
MJF, never a gracious winner, attacked Bandido after the bell, looking to cause permanent injury. This summoned Brody King, who stormed the ring to save his friend. The show ended with MJF retreating up the ramp, clutching his title, while King stood tall in the ring—a visual metaphor that while MJF escaped the carnage tonight, the monsters are still chasing him.
Conclusion
This episode lived up to the “Maximum Carnage” moniker, delivering hard-hitting action and advancing every major storyline. From Darby Allin clearing his plate of the Death Riders to the three-way deadlock for the World Title, AEW is firing on all cylinders. The in-ring quality was exceptional, particularly the main event and the opener, making this a must-watch episode for any wrestling fan.
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