wrestling / Columns
411’s AEW WrestleDream Preview (Roundtable Edition)
Image Credit: AEW
Well, hello there, Sickos! I am back outside the confines of my typical recap and review, so that can only mean one thing! Yes, indeed, we will be blessed with another PPV offering from AEW this Saturday Night, as the new October tradition for the company, WrestleDream, will take place in St. Louis, Missouri! And, as we look at the card, it shouldn’t be a surprise to see this show deliver from the ground up!
Before I give you the goods, though, I must confess to an air of confusion. Why, you ask? Well, because, even after the go-home episode of Dynamite/Collision, there are ONLY eight matches on the main show card. This is particularly odd to me, considering that, at least, there are nine matches on the main card and, in the case of All-Out, there were TEN matches. But, hey, if that means that the matches will get time to expand, flesh out, and thrive without the risk of hurrying them up to get from Point A to Point B in record time, then I am all for it!
It wouldn’t be a PPV show without title matches, and so we will start with our Men’s World Heavyweight Champion, Hangman Adam Page, as he will look to retain his title against the behemoth known as Samoa Joe, himself a former World Champion. The AEW Women’s World Title will be on the line, as Kris Statlander, who recently won the title at All-Out in Toronto, will defend it against the woman that lost it in said match, TIMELESS Toni Storm, who is looking to become a five-time Women’s Champion.
The TNT Title will be defended, as Kyle Fletcher (SAY HIS FULL NAME) will look to take the decisive win in what has become a highly contested best-of-five series from challenger Mark Briscoe. The World Tag Team Titles will be defended, as the best odd couple of all-time, Brodido, will try to dethrone AEW Unified Champion Kazuchika Okada and the NEW IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Konosuke Takeshita.
Well, this must be some kind of record, right? Because out of the eight matches on the card, only HALF of them will involve a title being defended. But just because the other matches will not feature a title on the line, that doesn’t make them any less important.
For instance, one month after participating in a brutal Coffin Match, Jon Moxley and Darby Allin will bash it up again, except this time, it will be in an I Quit Match. The war between the Hurt Syndicate and the Demand rages on, as all six men will meet in a Tornado tag 6-man match. After months of building up to this point, Jamie Hayter, and the Toxic Spider Thekla will finally throw down in a singles match. And only a month after reuniting after years of being apart, Jurassic Express will face the Young Bucks, with the winning team getting $500,000 dollars.
And Boy Howdy, if that isn’t enough AEW goodness for you, then the Zero Hour Tailgate will also feature four matches of various variety and interest. The name of the game is multi-person matches, as Eddie Kingston and HOOK will face a team to be announced. FTR will face off with Jet Speed, Harley Cameron and Willow Nightingale will go up against Megan Bayne and Penelope Ford, and the Conglomeration will oppose The Death Riders. Talk about maximizing talent to get on a PPV show!
Ordinarily, this is the part of the program where I would start my personal stroll down the card for the PPV show. However, you will glean from the title of this column that I, in fact, will not be the only one overseeing this civic duty. For the first time since All-In Texas back in July, we will be bringing back the Roundtable! This time around, though, I wanted to keep this one smaller, given how the last one felt out of control at times with the amount of people involved.
So, allow me to introduce the new member to the Roundtable:
And back for another round because they simply cannot get enough:
Zero Hour Tailgate Match
Eddie Kingston & HOOK vs. TBA
Ryan: To be completely honest, I think I would have more fun trying to figure out who the opponents for HOOK and his Kind-of-Uncle Kingston will face. I think it would be hilarious if the team turned out to be Hobbs and Shibata. I mean, think about it, Joe already has the World Title match in the main event, so the other guys have nothing to do on this card. Also, this can bridge the storyline with HOOK being replaced as Trios Champion by the other Opps, and Hobbs being in the match as his replacement.
Alas, this is a serious overthinking moment, and it will end up being the Work Horsemen instead.
WINNER: The Mad King and the Docile Munchies Eater
I8MyPants: I don’t like TBA’s chances.
WINNERS: Eddie and Taz’s kid
Zero Hour Tailgate Match
The Conglomeration vs. The Death Riders
Ryan: The common perception around making so many enemies is that, at some point in time, you will be overwhelmed and succumb to the onslaught coming your way. And yet, for the Death Riders, that simply has not been the case. Sure, they have had their moments of weakness and been in some losing battles, but when it comes to wars, they prevail. Getting PAC back from injury and adding stable staple Daniel Garcia has helped to strengthen their strong front in battle.
The Conglomeration are a fun and silly team but, let’s be honest, they shouldn’t be opposing a team like the Death Riders, given how much of a well-oiled machine the heel group has become. The power of Orange Cassidy might compel you, but it won’t get this hodgepodge group of friends to victory here.
WINNER: The Riders of Death
I8MyPants: is this really in question? Conglomeration are a fun group, but the Riders are willing to cheat to win…and they will cheat. the story of the DR potentially falling apart at the seams will only be put into motion if Mox says I Quit. but that war happens later, so despite that little shit usually taking the loss, I see this building up before the fall later down the road. Yuta and Garcia got a win on Dynamite for a reason, after all.
WINNERS: Death Riders
Zero Hour Tailgate Match
Willow Nightingale and Harley Cameron vs. Megan Bayne and Penlope Ford
Ryan: Forgive me for sounding like a broken record, but if I haven’t said it once, I know I have said it a million times, but I LOVE it when there are feuds in the women’s division that are not solely based around either the Women’s World Title, or the TBS Title. Case in point, this match here, which manages to continue Harley’s obsession with taking down both Megan and Penelope while managing to interpolate Willow into the battle.
Remember, Kris did tell Harley that she could get her in touch with someone who she would be able to tag up with ahead of the eventual debut of the Women’s Tag Team Titles Tourney, and Harley and Willow together might be more fun than the universe would allow for. And when it comes to this match, I feel like Ford being in it could be the fall person here, if we are setting up Nightingale and Cameron as a threat to win the tag team titles. This is a match that can go either way.
WINNER: Willow Nightingale and Harley Cameron
I8MyPants: after Bayne won the intergender trios match thanks to a Doomsday Device (with the help of Penelope) to Willow as the ref was distracted, the Megasus decided to assault Willow further after the match. this led to Harley Cameron making the save. it looks like Harley won’t be a tag team orphan after all.
Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean she’ll be at the winning end.
WINNERS: The Megasus Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford
Zero Hour Tailgate Match
FTR vs. Jet Speed
Ryan: Sometimes, things don’t make a lot of sense, and there is simply no justice in this world. Case in point, FTR and Jet Speed are having a match on the Zero Hour Tailgate. What’s more insulting is that both teams could be considered tag team title contenders (well, of course, FTR have already accomplished that).
So, the best that the teams can hope for is to go out and steal the Zero Hour Tailgate, and I suppose there is nothing wrong with that. FTR should win and depending upon who wins the World Tag Team Title Match, they should be pushed to the top of the title scene once again.
WINNER: FTR
I8MyPants: 1 of 2 matches to be created after the finish to a wild intergender match on Collision. Bailey and Knight teamed with Willow to take on FTR and Megan Bayne, but the Megasus was able to win for her team, leaving their issues with the top guys unresolved. as much as I like Jet Speed, FTR seem to be the nastier of the two and will show their opponents why.
WINNERS: FTR
Tornado Trios’ Match
The Hurt Syndicate vs. The Demand
Ryan: Ordinarily, I wouldn’t complain about a feud between wrestlers continuing in any state for so long as the feud introduces something new to keep it interesting and fresh. When it comes to The Hurt Syndicate and the recently named Demand, it already feels like the options have been exhausted, and turning this into a Tornado Trios Match doesn’t really make it any more interesting.
It seems like a century ago that, upon the arrival of the group, that the Hurt Syndicate had no one on their level, and no one could even put a dent in them. Then, the whole MJF saga happened, and suddenly, all the momentum the group had dropped like a boulder to the river bed. I would say that THS would benefit from winning this match, but the smart money is on the younger and more promising talent to win this match and finally move on. Also, with the Opps having retained their Trios Titles this past week in the Dynamite main event, moving Ricky and his guys on to potentially take said titles from the Opps would make a lot more sense.
WINNER: The Demand
Tyrsca: MVP ate the pin last time they met but I don’t think it will happen again. HB concentrates on one of the Demand taking them out of the picture and easily pins one of the two others, perhaps that person is Ricochet.
WINNER: The Hurt Syndicate
Hitman: I’m torn over this match, although it should be a good one. This is the rubber match between the teams, and I’m hoping that Demand wins this match. They need to win more because a Trios Titles reign would benefit them. Unfortunately, I just can’t see them winning here.
WINNER: The Hurt Syndicate
I8MyPants: this is the feud that never ends…yes, it goes on and on, my friend!
ever since Forbidden Door, Ricochet and his newfound partners in crime, The Gates of Agony, have been making life hard for MVP and the Hurt Syndicate. why? well, a while back, Ricochet tried joining the Hurt Syndicate. while MJF campaigned and got in for a spell (before effing it up as always) Dicochet was promptly denied and left embarrassed. he hasn’t forgotten and intends on making their life hell for the near future.
so how will this end? WILL this one end? who knows because I sure don’t! but given there won’t be a no disqualification stipulation that leaves Rick O’Shea to be triple teamed like he was in the street fight, I can see Trevor Doosh and his cronies eking out the win.
WINNERS: The Demand
DiabloPepe: Pepe will, of course, be rooting for The Demand and Heel-O-chet! This would be a big win for The Demand and put them on the map as a group to look out for in AEW. The Hurt Syndicate can manage a loss. They will still be over! Lol
WINNER: The Demand
Singles Match
Jamie Hayter vs. Thekla
Ryan: When you think of potential rivalries within the Women’s Division in AEW, you don’t think that Thekla and Jamie Hayter would rank highly on that list. And yet, here we are and, even better, this rivalry had its seeds planted as far back as June.
In a bit of long-term storytelling (yes, I know, AEW doesn’t do that at all), Thekla made her arrival four months ago, and made a statement by attacking and injuring Hayter. As the months rolled on, Thekla continued to make a name for herself, going undefeated within AEW, starting a rivalry with Queen Aminata, and forming the Triangle of Madness stable alongside Julia Hart and Skye Blue. Hayter, meanwhile, has returned, hit hard, and proclaimed that both her and the Queen want Blood and Guts. And, frankly, who am I to argue with the ladies being able to pull off such a feat next month in Greensboro?
Oh, this match? Right, well, I feel like, for the good girls to win at B&G, then the bad girl wins here. It’s feeling kind of toxic if you ask me.
WINNER: Thekla
Tyrsca: Another one that is dependent on what TK has in terms of plans for Thekla. Jamie wins here but without backup it’s by DQ. If both were turned loose it could be a hell of a match but lately Thekla hasn’t been doing anything alone, so she will be seconded and thirded to the point of losing this by DQ.
WINNER: Jamie Hayter by DQ
Hitman: Another match that I am looking forward to. Hayter looks to be finding her way again after returning from injury. This match is hard for me to pick a winner since both ladies have been doing well lately. Thekla, since debuting, looks to have found her spot in the Women’s Division, especially since joining the Triangle of Madness. In the end, I can see Thekla picking up the win due to the Triangle of Madness being a factor.
WINNER: Thekla
I8MyPants: a rivalry 5 months in the making. when Thekla made her AEW debut, she made a statement by attacking Jamie Hayter, who was promptly put out of action. as Hayter remained on the shelf, Thekla gathered wins and then made some dark friends in the Spooky Girls Sorority. (Julia Hart and Skye Blue) thus, the Triangle of Madness was born. And they’ve been dominant. but Hayter would heal up and start where so left off. at All Out, Jamie made sure Thekla didn’t win the Fatal Fourway, and the toxic spider returned the favor. from there, Hayter once again looked for her pound of flesh as she attacked Thekla backstage. now, we finally have a one-on-one confrontation.
if memory serves me, Thekla is undefeated and what better way to may a statement than by ending her winning streak? but does she have what it takes? Hayter hits hard, but so does Spider.
WINNER: The Toxic Spider, Thekla! (with Hayter getting her revenge at Blood & Guts)
DiabloPepe: Pepe hates to see either one of these Ladies lose this match. Pepe is going to go with Jamie Hayter to win because she needs it, but Thekla is doing well, so her win won’t be a surprise at all!
WINNER: Jamie Hayter because she needs it!
500K Challenge
The Young Bucks vs. Jurassic Express
Ryan: A boy and his dinosaur are back, Tarzan Boy is playing in the arena again, and the fans are waving their hands in the air like they just don’t care! All is right with the AEW world again!
(It’s just a shame that, you know, they have made some powerful enemies along the way).
So, we arrive at yet another money match. The Young Bucks are familiar to this concept, as they had won this match alongside the Death Riders a couple of weeks ago. In fact, Jon was so nice that he gave them the DR share of the purse, but between spending the money on their pyro, video, and then Nick’s impulsive gambling, they blew all the money and ended up with the enhancement treatment again.
I’m not sure what Jack Perry and, much less, Luchasaurus would do with half a million dollars. However, I do know that I am not really interested in seeing the same storyline get regurgitated, where the Young Bucks get the money only to lose it all again in the blink of an eye. Also, Perry and the former Killswitch just reunited after years of being apart, so it would be foolish for them to lose their return match to the guys who “turned their backs on Jack Perry.”
WINNER: Jurassic Express
Tyrsca: First real match back together SHOULD mean Jurassic Express gets a victory here (not counting the one squash on Title Tuesday) especially since the Young Bucks are on their “down and out” arc, but I think this might be the one Tony Khan switches up. I am not a Bucks fan, and I hope I am wrong.
WINNER: The Young Bucks
Hitman: I am torn over this match. I expect it to be a good match. Whether you love or hate the Young Bucks, they have delivering in PPV matches. Plus, they have been very entertaining for a while now. Since Jurassic Express got back together at the last PPV, they get the win here to get to the next level.
WINNER: Jurassic Express
I8MyPants: things have been hard for Rodd and Todd. after losing their EVP status thanks to Swerve and Ospreay, The Bucks have been down on their luck. everyone from the production team to the announcers have had a go at them. but things finally turned around. they won a big money match and were no longer presented as jobbers! well…for a week or so. the Broken Bucks ended up blowing all their money at the casino. (good job, dorks.) around this same time, a former Elite member ghosted by the Bucks (Jack Perry) had reunited with Luchasaurus and brought back Jurassic Express. it didn’t take long for Perry to go after the Young Bucks and give them a good thrashing. from there, the YB went to Tony Khan’s door and pounded, demanding a big money match because they were poor. but be careful what you wish for; Jungle Jack and his pet dinosaur don’t look to forgive or forget.
after this match concludes, I can see the Bucks go back to living a life of poverty for a bit longer as Jack begins his road to redemption.
WINNERS: Jurassic Express
DiabloPepe: So currently, Pepe is in the minority and isn’t that stoked about the Jurassic Express reunion. For Pepe it seems like a small step backwards for Jack Perry, but Pepe was a fan of Jack Perry’s initial heel run and was hoping for good things for him before things went off the rails and Jack was exiled. Pepe thinks that Jurassic Express need to win this match to establish themselves as a force in the Tag Team Division. Beating The Young Bucks will be a great way to tell the rest of the AEW Tag Tem Division that ‘Jurassic Express is back bitches!’
WINNER: Jurassic Express
I Quit Match
Darby Allin vs. Jon Moxley
Ryan: I know there is the expression that goes, “In order to keep someone down, they just might have to kill them.” It can also be used in jest, more times than not. However, when it comes to Darby Allin and Jon Moxley, it makes sense that, when all is said and done, one man or the other might BE dead.
After losing his signature Coffin Match to Moxley at All-Out (although he would get revenge on him later, when he escaped, stuck Moxley in a body bag, and drove off in a truck, dragging him behind), Allin has continued to apply the pressure to Moxley and the Death Riders. Now, Allin insists on an I Quit match, but again, who is going to say I Quit here? The storytelling has been near cinema, the intrigue runs high, and I simply cannot fathom what these two men are going to do to each other this Saturday. The better question becomes, how much of what they do to each other is going to be legal and not borderline criminal?
My head tells me to go with Darby, my heart says Jon, but my gut says they both end up dying when they fall off the Golden Arch.
WINNER: Darby Allin
Tyrsca: This one you can find reasons either one should win. Darby as payback for all the beat downs and such and Jon because that’s what Death Riders do, outnumber you and beat you down. Jon wins with help from at least two of the DR even though it is a “I quit” match, there will be DR shenanigans. Losing isn’t going to hurt Darby’s popularity at all. There is also a 100% chance of blood from both men.
WINNER: Jon Moxley
Hitman: This match will be bloody and violent, and who knows what they will end up doing to one another. Darby needs the win here. The Death Riders will interfere in this match, as we all know. But I can see someone interfering on Darby’s behalf that will ensure that he gets the win.
WINNER: Darby Allin
I8MyPants: both men have a long history with each other. what was once a silent respect for one another changed when Allin and friends tried to stop the Death Riders from hurting more people. then, last winter, Mox threw Darby down a flight of stairs. why? because Dictator Jon didn’t appreciate him fighting him every step of the way and he thought Darby of all people would understand what Mox was trying to do. for months, Allin was gone. Mox thought he had gotten rid of Darby and broke his spirits by assaulting him, but SURPRISE! All In: Texas, Darby Allin made his return by costing Mox the AEW Championship. as the numbers game was proving too much for the Cowboy and Moxley put the plastic bag over Hangman’s head, a vid of Darby atop Mount Everest played, where Darby proclaimed he would take everything from Jon. from there, he repelled from the ceiling and stared down Mox which let Hangman hit a Buckshot Lariat. with the help of Bryan in a mask, the Opps, and a Coffin Drop to the Death Riders, Jon’s reign of terror finally ended.
or so we thought. after getting choked out with a chain, Jon has been even nastier and on the war path. but Darby’s been there every step of the way. he first kidnapped Yuta (LOL) and then set Moxley on fire. not even a brutal casket match was enough to end this feud. it’s been escalating to a fever pitch where Darby’s lost his mind and tried using a Molotov cocktail on the Death Riders before AEW security did their job for once, tackling Allin to the pavement. Mox feels the only way to get rid of Darby Allin is to make him quit. and so, the match is set.
oh boy…how to predict this one? while Jon has had a nasty streak and doesn’t wish to quit after tapping at All In, Darby has shown that he is insane and willing to do anything to end Jon. make no mistake…this will be torturing porn, so be prepared. there will be stabbings, weaponry, and an abundance of brutality we have yet to see.
so how do you end an I Quit match when both refuse to quit? you go after the ones they care about. Darby and Danielson have built a friendship based on respect and that’s good enough for Jon. I expect to see blood, fire, and that dreaded plastic bag enter the fray, but it will only end with the Riders/Mox assaulting Bryan on commentary and threatening to set him on fire. that will be enough for Darby to say those two words.
WINNER: Dictator Jon (which will take us to Blood & Guts)
DiabloPepe: This should be Darby Allin’s big moment. Darby is a wrestler that Pepe can see as the AEW champion in the future and Pepe thinks that Darby deserves, at the least, a short AEW World Title reign, BUT first Darby Allin has to beat Big, Bad Jon Moxley. MOX is going to beat Darby until an inch of his life and Darby is going to gladly accept that beating for our entertainment. This should be a brutal and violent ascension for Darby Allin!
WINNER: Darby Allin
AEW TNT Title
Kyle Fletcher (C) vs. Mark Briscoe
Ryan: You wouldn’t think that a rivalry between Kyle Fletcher and Mark Briscoe would be interesting, let alone tied up at two wins a piece to this point. And yet, it is so very engrossing, and it is indeed tied up between both men, with the rubber match coming with the TNT Title on the line.
Many fans have clamored for the idea that Briscoe deserves a run with the title, much like Dustin Rhodes before him. And while I would love to see Mark get that win here, I don’t think taking the title from Fletcher, even if it were a quick hotshot from, say, here to Full Gear, is a good idea. In addition, Kyle “SAY MY FULL NAME” Fletcher has been doing incredible character work, has shown that he has thrived as a singles wrestler, and is the Protostar with all the potential to one day be AEW World Heavyweight Champion.
Like an unintentional gastric attack, it pains me to pick against Briscoe, but I must, for the Pink Star shall not fail here!
WINNER: Kyle Fletcher (Still Champion)
Tyrsca: Easy, you have someone you are building as unbeatable against someone that can take an L and still look good and not be hurt by a loss, hopefully Mark gets a pound of flesh out of it though.
WINNER: Kyle Fletcher
Hitman: Oh, man, what a treat we have here. All their previous matches have delivered, and I cannot see this one not delivering as well. Fletcher has been on such a great run lately, and that will continue here. What more can you say about Mark Briscoe, which hasn’t already been said. He, for sure, is a treasure for AEW. I would like to see Briscoe win here a get a title run, even if for a short run. I just can’t see it yet, and I hope I am wrong, but Kyle needs a big win here since he lost at All-In.
WINNER: Kyle Fletcher (Still Champion)
I8MyPants: oh, Mister Pink, what have you done? you got Briscoe riled up is what you’ve done! after the Conglomeration’s Orange Cassidy got attacked by Hologram’s clone (who then promptly joined the DCF), this lit a fire under Mark. what was supposed to be a fair fight between OC and Fletcher for the TNT title resulted in shenanigans and Mark won’t have any of that!
this is an interesting one. on one hand, Kyle’s been a dominant champion, but on the other, Briscoe just came off a huge win by beating MJF.
so how do you keep Mark strong and Kyle champion? you guessed it!
shenanigans!
WINNER: and STILL TNT Champion, Kyle “Pepto Bismol” Fletcher (say his full name!)
DiabloPepe: This match should be a banger. Pepe wants Mark Briscoe to win a title in AEW, BUT Kyle Fletcher has all the push rockets on his back now so Pepe just can’t bet against Kyle Fletcher!! Pepe will be pleasantly surprised if Chicken gets the victory!!
WINNER: Koil Fletcha (Pepe stole that from Mr. JH!)
AEW World Tag Team Titles
Brodido (C) vs. Kazuchika Okada and Konosuke Takeshita
Ryan: I’m not going to lie, if there is one match I am looking forward to the most on this card, it would be this match. The reason for that is, in my mind, there are a lot of ways that this match can go.
On the one hand, you have the unlikely duo of Brody King and Bandido, affectionately known as Brodido (clever, right?) who captured the World Tag Team Titles back at All-In Texas, and through hook and crook, through thick and thin, they have managed to turn away all challengers up to this point. Winning for two guys who are fairly pole opposite seems quite natural for them.
On the other hand, you have Kazuchika Okada and Konosuke Takeshita, two individually talented wrestlers who hold singles gold (Okada the AEW Unified Title, and Takeshita the IWGP World Heavyweight Title) and have seen a divisive rift form between them. And it shouldn’t be any surprise, since Takeshita did tell Okada back before All-In Texas when Don Callis brought him into the family that this alliance would be temporary. Having these guys win the Tag Team Titles and continue as the guys who argue and consistently fight only to end up winning the titles would be gold, no pun intended.
Plus, I have it on good authority that Buddy Matthews could be back very soon, and I often wondered what he thought of his Hounds of Hell teammate winning tag team gold with someone who is not him.
WINNER: Kazuchika Okada and Konosuke Takeshita (New Champions!)
Tyrsca: This is a hard call because I think Okada and Takeshita becoming Tag Champs would be fun to watch as they try and get along in the ring, but I think there will be some kind of interference from the Callis Family to give Brodido the win. They deserve to carry the belts a while longer anyway. Knowing AEW it would not shock me for Buddy Matthews to come back as a member of the Callis family and cost Brodido the match, but that is an extraordinarily long shot.
WINNER: Brodido (Still Champions)
Hitman: This match should be a banger, as their last match was a lot of fun. This was set-up by Okada and Takeshita defeating the champions a couple of weeks ago. The story here, for me, is the animosity between Okada and Takeshita, as I wonder if someone will turn on the other. In the end, I think Brodido will retain the tag titles, and after the match, Don Callis Family members will show up and will turn on Takeshita, as he is due for a huge push.
WINNER: Brodido (Still Champions)
I8MyPants: an unlikely duo in Bandido and Brody King has reinvigorated the tag division. their shocking win over the Hurt Syndicate at Forbidden Door has propelled them to the top of the tag team scene. with Trevor Doosh and The Gates keeping the Hurt Syndicate busy, this left the champions without challengers. enter Don Callis Family members Okada and Takeshita, who have been set up by the phallic one to get them on the same page…it didn’t work. well, sort of…
despite winning a Double Jeopardy tag team eliminator match on Title Tuesday (ensuring them a title shot at the PPV), the 2 Japanese stars are not friendly and haven’t been for a while. Takeshita started this months ago as he told Okada that he as part of the Family wasn’t long-term. from there, tensions have been boiling, and things come to a head as Takeshita breaks free from the DCF and begins a collision course to take Okada’s Unified Championship. while it won’t be easy pickings for the champions, I don’t think Brodido will lose the titles unless Bandido’s shoulder injury is more serious than he’s been letting on. though, Bandido felt he’s failed Brody as a partner after taking the loss in the Double Jeopardy match from Title Tuesday, it seems like the split between the Family members could be postponed. it could honestly go either way.
flips a coin.
WINNERS: NEW AEW Tag Team Champions, Don Pallus’ odd couple team of Konosuke Takeshita and the Rainmaker Kazuchika Okada
DiabloPepe: This should be a great match. Pepe is expecting Brodido to retain, BUT Pepe is really excited to see what is going to happen between Okada and Takeshita during the match. We are well on our way to that Ultimate confrontation between Okada and Takeshita!! Pepe can’t wait for it!!
WINNER: Brodido (Still Champions)
AEW Women’s World Title
Kris Statlander (C) vs. Timeless Toni Storm
Ryan: I’m just going to go ahead and put the cart in front of the horse when I tell you that I fully expect Kris Statlander to retain her AEW Women’s World Title over TIMELESS Toni Storm, the four-time holder of said title belt. Even if I feel like Storm loses in the rematch for the belt she lost back at All-Out last month, it doesn’t mean that this match will be bad or will be telegraphed, far from it in fact.
The love/hate dynamic between Statlander and Storm is something that I have found riveting, and Statlander prolapsing back into some form of her former alien character has been as nice a wrinkle for her as it has been for Storm to continue to slip through ever so slightly different renditions of her B&W character. The character work has been compelling, and I also find it so wild that Storm is not only coming into this match as the challenger, but also the underdog. I’m simply curious as to who the next challenger for Statlander is (Megan Bayne?) and if Storm does another spiral into the abyss, as if she is stuck in the old video game Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time.
WINNER: Kris Statlander (Still Champion)
Tyrsca: This is the easiest for me to pick, Kris is the new champion, wrestling someone that doesn’t need a belt around her waist for now, especially since she is expanding her current character now. Kris wins after an incredibly good match. Give Kris a month or three then move the belt on.
WINNER: Kris Statlander (Still Champion)
Hitman: I cannot wait for this match. Both ladies have been doing well lately, especially Statlander. However, this is the match that Statlander needs to win to establish her profile even more. In what will surely be a hard-fought match-up, I have Kris emerging victorious.
WINNER: Kris Statlander (Still Champion)
I8MyPants: at All Out, the once unthinkable happened as the Timeless One would sit in the ring shocked as she lost her title. in a fatal four way, Statlander climbed the top of the mountain by using the Seatbelt pin to dethrone Storm after Hayter and Thekla eliminated each other from the match. but Toni started spiraling…and spiraling hard. she HAD to know if she could beat Kris one-on-one. the silence she heard that night gobbled her up. the challenge was laid out, but it didn’t end there. after Statlander and Darby Allin won a hard-fought Tornado Tag against the Death Riders, Storm came out to brawl with Statlander. from there, we get a unique confrontation on Collision as both champion and challenger lie down in the ring, head-to-head. Toni admits her heart broke at All Out as the title is her life. Stat says she is a fighting champion and while this isn’t personal, she will happily knock Toni back into black and white. (bit late for that Kris, ha-ha!)
Toni says there’s nobody else she’d like to fight than Statlander and they shake hands. as they stand up, Kris says, “why wait until the PPV?” and the brawl is on! but then the Triangle of Madness interfere, and things are broken up. which leads us to Saturday. for the first time ever, Kris Statlander and Timeless Toni Storm will fight each other, with the title on the line.
this should be quite the match as Kris looks to show Storm her win wasn’t a fluke, while Toni needs her belt back since it’s in her veins. bad news for the Timeless One as Statlander just reached the top and has no intentions of losing what took her over 5 years to win. Toni is bulletproof now, so she doesn’t need the belt to be over, and Stat’s journey has just begun, so this is an easy one to call.
WINNER: and STILL AEW Women’s World Champion, Kris Statlander!
DiabloPepe: Now this should be an interesting match. Pepe is glad that Statlander got her big title win and that she is leaning towards becoming the BOOP ALIEN more and more lol. Pepe thinks that Statlander should retain because she needs a good solid title reign more than Timeless Toni needs another title reign currently.
WINNER: Kris Statlander (Still Champion)
AEW Men’s World Title
Hangman Adam Page (C) vs. Samoa Joe
Ryan: Much like the Women’s World Title Match, I do not see a great degree of drama heading into this bout, and none when it comes to who wins the match. In fact, if I am being completely honest, while I do like the choice to have Samoa Joe challenge Hangman Page for the World Title, it feels lackluster in its build and it doesn’t excite me nearly as much as, say, when Page defended the title against Fletcher last month at All-Out.
Defeating Joe, a former AEW World Heavyweight Champion in his own right, will strengthen the title pedigree that Page looks to carve out in his second title reign, now three months removed from saving the most gorgeous title belt in all of wrestling from its prison cell briefcase. And when you consider what other stones are being thrown around, Joe still has the Trios’ Titles and, hopefully, a new feud and challenger when it comes to those titles. Page will win, it should not lack hard hitting action, but I am not excited for this one.
WINNER: The Anxious Millennial Cowboy, Hangman Adam Page
Tyrsca: This one is a little bit up in the air for me because I don’t see exactly what the direction with OPPS is right now and they might be inclined to give Joe another run with the title just because his last one felt short (to me) and I think if Page had been holding it a bit longer that would be the way they go. However, he has held the belt for such a short time it stays with Page to not make the same mistake as him. It will be an outstanding BRUTAL match, but Page comes out on top, via a buckshot lariat.
WINNER: Hangman Page (Still Champion)
Hitman: We all know how I feel about Hangman Page, which is no secret. However, this should be an incredibly good match. I hope Samoa Joe gets to lay a beating on Hangman, at the very least. In the end, as much as I cannot wait to see Page lose the World Title, he doesn’t lose it here.
WINNER: Hangman Page (Still Champion)
I8MyPants: what started as a perceived slight by Hangman not tagging in Samoa Joe during a match quickly escalated into a near-brawl and then a war of words. (with Adam saying one more outburst and he’ll ruin Joe’s life) cooler heads prevailed as both agreed to no physicality during a face-to-face, but the barbs stung all the same. while Page appreciates Joe and the Opps having his back at All In to finish off Mox for the AEW Championship, he feels disrespected. in Joe’s mind, he doesn’t think the cowboy is a great champion and hasn’t been accurately assessed. had he not helped Page, he feels he wouldn’t be champion.
this match works because Joe won’t be any less of a badass if he loses to Hangman and Page will be legitimized by beating the surly Samoan. Joe is a former champion, so a win over him means something…but it’s not going to be an easy battle. expect a knock down drag out fight.
WINNER: and STILL Men’s World Heavyweight Champion, Hangman Adam Page!
DiabloPepe: Pepe has been less interested in Hangman and Joe back and forth on the mic, BUT Pepe is excited for the match. Both guys always deliver in big matches and Pepe expects this match to be no different. It should be a hard-hitting affair. Pepe is expecting Hangman to retain.
WINNER: Arilyn’s future Husband, Hangman Page
And thus concludes our roundtable preview for WrestleDream! I want to thank Tyrsca, Hitman, I8MyPants, and DiabloPepe for their interest and involvement in the roundtable, and I want to thank everyone who clicks on the article, reads it, and comments on it. It means a lot to me and, I am sure, to everyone who participated in this adventure.
WrestleDream takes place this Saturday at 8:00PM EST, with the Zero Hour Tailgate taking place at 7:00PM on both HBO Max and TNT. As always, you can find the show in all the usual and available places and platforms.
