The main event is set for AEW’s annual Beach Break TV special.
AEW World Champion Jon Moxley will defend his title against Samoa Joe on a May 14 Beach Break edition of Dynamite, as announced on Wednesday evening.
The matchup is the first of many set to go down at the NOW Arena in Chicago, Illinois, next month.
A meeting between Moxley and Joe was made following the opening segment of this week’s Dynamite, which saw Joe, The Opps, and many other babyfaces chase The Death Riders and Young Bucks out of the ring.
Joe addressed Moxley during a promo immediately afterward, announcing his intentions of taking his title.
"I'm gonna beat your ass, choke you out … and I'll be taking back MY AEW Championship!"
Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS & MAX@SamoaJoe | @SwerveConfident | @KennyOmegamanX | @TrueWillieHobbs | @K_Shibata2022 pic.twitter.com/6b8DHT8KJE
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) April 24, 2025
“Jon Moxley, you wanted me? Now you have me,” he said. “I’m going to beat your ass, choke you out, and ladies and gentlemen, I’ll be taking back my AEW Championship.”
If successful at Beach Break, Joe will become the third-ever multi-time AEW world champ. He previously had a run with the belt from late 2023 to April 2024, eventually dropping the title to Swerve Strickland.
Joe and Moxley have a long history together, although the upcoming matchup is the first time they will meet for a singles bout inside an AEW ring. Their previous one-on-one encounter dates back to a 2017 episode of WWE Monday Night Raw.
Moxley has held the AEW world title since last October. The upcoming fight will be his third time defending the title on TV in recent months.
