The September 16, 2026, episode of AEW Dynamite served as a crucial chapter in the buildup to the upcoming All Out pay-per-view event. Central to the show was the escalating rivalry between Will Ospreay and Jon Moxley, set to clash for the AEW World Championship. Both wrestlers occupied opposite ends of the night’s main event, punctuated by tense backstage segments where Moxley acknowledged Ospreay's resilience but challenged the notion that holding the title alone defines greatness. The narrative highlighted Moxley’s desire for Ospreay to carve his own path as their highly anticipated match nears.

Tag team dynamics were also emphasized, with Stokely Hathaway confident that FTR would retain the tag team titles at All Out. Meanwhile, Don Callis proposed expanding the ladder match by adding Kevin Knight and Kyle Fletcher after their victory over The Young Bucks. Adding to the stakes, Adam Page teamed with Brodido (Bandido and Brody King) to defeat The Conglomeration, earning a No. 1 contender’s spot for the AEW World Trios Championship at All Out, setting the stage for more intense faction clashes.

The episode included significant updates such as Mercedes Moné’s medical withdrawal from All Out, resulting in a substitute match between Willow Nightingale and Thekla to determine her challenger at WrestleDream for the AEW Women’s World Championship. Tommaso Ciampa issued a formal challenge to Kazuchika Okada for the AEW International Championship, intensifying their feud with Ciampa directly confronting and attacking Okada during the show. Other competitive outcomes featured Chris Jericho defeating Nick Wayne, followed by a post-match attack, and Lena Kross overcoming Jamie Hayter in a singles bout.

The Death Riders faction, consisting of Jon Moxley, Gabe Kidd, and Pac, prevailed in a submission victory against Will Ospreay, Andrade El Idolo, and Francesco Akira, with post-match chaos erupting as El Idolo and allies battled the faction’s continued aggression. The dramatic ending saw Moxley poised to assault Akira with a chair before Ospreay intervened, underscoring the layered rivalries and alliances that promise high drama at All Out, all contributing to a gripping episode that advances storylines and builds anticipation for the key event.