AEW Reportedly Considered Elimination Chamber-Style Match

AEW reportedly considered a six-person match with rules similar to WWE’s Elimination Chamber before deciding on the inaugural eight-man Clockwork Carnage match for WrestleDream on October 17.

The match will determine the next challenger for the AEW World Championship currently held by Will Ospreay. Eight wrestlers will compete under a two-stage format. Two randomly selected competitors start the match, with another wrestler entering every three minutes. Before all eight participants enter, a pinfall or submission eliminates a wrestler.

Once everyone has entered, the remaining wrestlers compete for 15 minutes. Pinfalls and submissions during this scoring period count as one fall, not eliminations. The wrestler with the most falls when the clock expires wins.

According to Ibou of the Self Made Sessions podcast, an earlier concept was discussed internally but was shelved after Ospreay came up with Clockwork Carnage. The proposed match reportedly raised questions about its structure and layout, “likened to that of the Elimination Chamber featuring six competitors.” He also said AEW could make Clockwork Carnage an annual WrestleDream match if it succeeds.

The first Clockwork Carnage qualifier is Jack Perry versus Samoa Joe at Grand Slam France. Ospreay himself would put the AEW World Championship against Kazuchika Okada at the October 6 event.

🚨 JUST ANNOUNCED! Clockwork Carnage, for the AEW World Championship, is coming to #AEWWrestleDream on Saturday, October 17 LIVE on PPV!

Watch #AEWCollision LIVE COAST-TO-COAST on TNT & HBO Max pic.twitter.com/WAnlodg6oC

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) October 4, 2026