AEW Dynamite Pays Tribute to Ted Turner, Darby Allin Retains Title Against Kevin Knight

All Elite Wrestling's double episode of Dynamite and Collision started with a tribute to Ted Turner, the billionaire media mogul who launched TBS and TNT, following his death at age 87.

AEW broadcaster Tony Schiavone and Sting spoke about Turner's influence on professional wrestling. Turner purchased World Championship Wrestling and built a promotion that competed with WWE in television ratings throughout the 1990s.

Matches followed later in the show. AEW TNT champion Kevin Knight challenged Darby Allin for the AEW World Championship. Allin had defended the title twice before, beating Tommaso Ciampa and Brody King in tough bouts.

Knight earned the TNT title in a casino gauntlet match at Dynasty and entered on a winning streak. The two traded wrestling holds like chokeholds and submissions at the start. A double clothesline sent both men to the mat.

Allin rallied with a Code Red and a dropkick that almost secured the pin. Knight rolled outside, prompting Allin to hit a suicide dive. Knight crashed backward into the announce table. Allin climbed for a Coffin Drop on the seated Knight.

Knight recovered, springing to the apron for a hurricanrana that sent Allin crashing outside. Knight set Allin on the announce table and connected with a springboard clothesline.

Inside the ring, Allin applied a Scorpion Death Lock. Knight reached the ropes to escape. Allin's next Coffin Drop met raised knees. Both wrestlers lay exhausted on the canvas.

Knight struck back. With Allin draped upside down on the ropes, Knight delivered a coast-to-coast dropkick from the opposite corner. He followed with a top-rope UFO, but Allin kicked out.

Allin locked in a guillotine choke to regain control. Two more Coffin Drops gave Allin the victory.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman interrupted Allin's celebration to demand a rematch to start Collision. Allin refused unless MJF risked something valuable. MJF offered his scarf, Dynamite diamond ring and $1 million. Allin rejected each.

"I want something you hold so dear in this life," Allin said. "Something you’re so desperate to keep that you’re willing to fly 15 hours to Turkey to get it sewed onto your skull. I’m talking about your hair."

Allin announced a contract signing for a championship versus hair match before Double or Nothing. If MJF skips it, he gets no more title shots.

Kazuchika Okada declared his pursuit of the AEW World Championship earlier. He aims beyond the AEW International title and will challenge Allin next week.

Will Ospreay trained with the Death Riders after competing in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. He helped United Empire capture the NEVER Openweight 6-man Tag Team Championship at Wrestling Dontaku.

Callum Newman taunted Ospreay into attacking Shingo Takagi after retaining the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. On Dynamite, Ospreay crouched as Yuta Wheeler did crunches using his neck for resistance. Ospreay worked on strengthening his injured neck.

"You just got off a 15-hour flight. You’re winning titles with your petty-little dramatic friends in Japan. We do not care," Death Rider Daniel Garcia said. "It’s us against the world, and if you want to be the best version of yourself, you’re gonna have to work for it."

Jon Moxley, taking kicks to the abdomen from Marina Shafir, addressed Ospreay.

"Have you ever heard of the concept of ‘death ground?’ Standing on ground from which you cannot leave. There is no escape. There are no other options, do or die. That’s where you’re at right now," Moxley said. "If we don’t get your neck right, if we don’t get this right (pointing to his head), it’s over. You’re done. Sure, you can still have a career at AEW. Get paid, hang out like the rest of these posers. But that’s not what you want. You’re not like all these people man. You’re different. It’s a privilege to be where you’re at – to come all the way, this far, up the mountain, and all you got is that last 1%. This is the hardest one 1%. You’re on death ground. It’s gonna be hard, but it’s the only good option. Nothing else exists except what’s right in front of you, right now, every second, every minute."

Samoa Joe later urged Ospreay that he was destined for greatness but questioned if he could endure as champion at AEW's top. Joe suggested Ospreay could hold gold a long time with The Opps.

An AEW doctor stated on Collision that Ospreay nears clearance to wrestle. Ospreay denied belonging to the Death Riders.

Chris Jericho called out Ricochet after The Demand ambushed him last week. Jericho said he was done talking and wanted to fight. Ricochet led the attack on Dynamite. Jericho told Renee Paquette he was more than p---ed off.

"I’m done with the three-on-one beatdowns and I’m done with the attacks from behind. I’m done with the bulls---," Jericho said in the ring, demanding Ricochet face him.

Ricochet said he did Jericho a favor by telling him to leave AEW and questioned fighting him again. Bishop Kaun proposed a stadium stampede match at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York, for Double or Nothing.

Ricochet dared Jericho to recruit four partners. Jericho promised to find them or fight The Demand alone. He punched Ricochet and cleared the group solo until Toa Liona stopped him. The Hurt Syndicate, Shelton Benjamin and Bobby Lashley, aided Jericho.

Swerve Strickland tore up Bandido's most wanted poster in a talk with Prince Nana. He seeks more power.

"From the most dangerous to the most violent all the way to the most wanted, more power means more fear and most control," Strickland said. "And there’s nothing more dangerous than a man that desires power. And I want it all."

Ring of Honor world champion Bandido agreed he was the most wanted and easy to find. Brody King warned Strickland of hell to pay if he targets Bandido.