Grading each match from AEW Dynamite's 250th episode

A two-hour broadcast with only four matches? And it was spectacular. AEW marked their 250th episode of Dynamite on Wednesday, spanning back to October of 2019. The flagship program that drives the majority of their storylines and hosts their champions obviously exists in the commercial shadows of WWE, but prides themselves on focusing more on exciting wrestling matches than intricate storylines.

On Wednesday, they took that to the extreme with their match card featuring just three matches and two in-ring promos, but having four titles on the line. Here's a rundown of how the matches worked out.

AEW INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: Will Ospreay(c) vs. MJF

Probably AEW match of the year. The bout went 59:58 seconds, ending just before a time draw was announced. You really need to catch up on everything that happened here in this Twitter reaction thread. The match probably could've been done earlier, but AEW clearly wanted to send a message about being all-in on in-ring action. This felt like old-school, WCW action except Ospreay and MJF was high-flying and interacting with the crowd.  Definitely worth a second watch. MJF took the belt in the end.

Grade: A+

Mercedes Moné(c) vs. “The Native Beast” Nyla Rose

It's always fun to see Sasha, err, Mercedes and this match had a couple good moments. Overall nothing to extraordinary though and there was a clumsy botch on the top turnbuckle. The ending with Britt Baker in the crowd with a Sting mask on was a cool twist after she was banned from backstage. Mone retained her title.

Grade: C

AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland vs. AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada

Okada is one of wrestling's most creative move executioners and Swerve is clearly no slouch either. The match was interrupted as Strickland was attacked and while it robbed a finish to a great match, it furthered the Team Elite vs Team AEW feud that is leading into next week's Blood and Guts with Adam Page. It was mayhem and then went up another notch with Darby Allin descending from the rafters to join the ruckus.

Grade: C+