As the countdown to AEW WrestleDream 2025 reaches its final hours, All Elite Wrestling has officially locked in the complete lineup for what promises to be one of the most dynamic pay-per-views of the year. The October 18th event, airing live from Seattle at 8 p.m. Eastern, now includes a new tornado tag stipulation, a special appearance by Mercedes Moné, and several high-stakes title bouts that could reshape AEW’s championship landscape heading into winter.
Wednesday night’s AEW Dynamite provided the final build-up to the pay-per-view, with two major announcements that instantly set social media ablaze. First, the Hurt Syndicate vs. The Demand trios match will now be contested under tornado tag team rules — meaning all six competitors will be legal in the ring simultaneously, with no tags required. Second, TBS Champion Mercedes Moné will make a live appearance to celebrate becoming the longest-reigning TBS Champion in AEW history, surpassing the previous record held by Jade Cargill.
A High-Stakes Night for Champions
The main event is set to be a heavyweight showdown as AEW World Champion “Hangman” Adam Page defends his title against Samoa Joe in what many are calling a dream clash of styles. Page, whose reign has been marked by fiery promos and brutal defenses, will look to fend off Joe’s unrelenting power and submission expertise.
While Page has been riding a wave of fan momentum since reclaiming the title earlier this year, Samoa Joe’s resurgence in AEW has been nothing short of intimidating. The Samoan Submission Machine has torn through the competition, vowing to “choke out the cowboy” and reclaim the AEW World Championship he held briefly two years ago. With both men known for their unyielding physicality, this bout promises to be as personal as it is punishing.
The Women’s World Championship will also be on the line as Kris Statlander defends her title against Toni Storm. Statlander has been an unstoppable force since her return from injury, but Storm, now fully embracing her "Timeless" persona, has turned her theatrical flair into a psychological weapon. Their contrasting styles—Statlander’s athleticism versus Storm’s cunning ring IQ—make this a can’t-miss encounter.
Meanwhile, TNT Champion Kyle Fletcher faces Mark Briscoe in a match that could steal the show. Fletcher, representing the next generation of AEW stars, has embraced his role as a defiant young champion, while Briscoe’s gritty, emotional journey back to singles gold has captivated long-time fans. Their title match embodies the spirit of AEW: youth versus experience, ego versus heart.
The “I Quit” Match: Moxley vs. Allin
Perhaps no match carries the raw intensity of Jon Moxley vs. Darby Allin in an I Quit bout. This stipulation guarantees a violent, emotionally charged confrontation where one man must utter the two words that symbolize defeat.
Both men have histories steeped in ultraviolence, but this feud has been especially personal. Moxley, the self-proclaimed “de facto gatekeeper” of AEW, sees Allin’s daredevil recklessness as a liability to the company’s legacy. Allin, ever defiant, has vowed to push Moxley to his breaking point — physically and psychologically.
Expect blood, chaos, and a masterclass in storytelling from two of AEW’s most fearless performers.
Tag Team Chaos and Tornado Mayhem
AEW has also confirmed a $500,000 tag team match between The Young Bucks (Matthew and Nicholas Jackson) and Jurassic Express (Jack Perry and Luchasaurus). The bout, featuring one of AEW’s most dramatic storylines of betrayal and redemption, carries both massive financial and emotional stakes. After months of mind games, Jack Perry looks to reestablish himself as a legitimate singles and tag competitor, while the Bucks aim to prove that AEW’s original elite still rule the tag division.
Adding to the chaos, the newly announced Tornado Trios Match pits The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, and MVP) against The Demand (Ricochet, Bishop Kaun, and Toa Liona). Under tornado rules, all six athletes will be legal competitors at once, ensuring nonstop action and a near-guarantee of ringside bedlam.
Fans have been buzzing about this clash since Lashley and Ricochet first crossed paths on Collision, with MVP vowing to prove his faction is “the most dominant force in professional wrestling.” For Ricochet, the match represents a chance to showcase his signature aerial style against three of the most physically imposing veterans in the business.
Mercedes Moné Makes History
While the ring will be full of chaos, one of the most talked-about moments of WrestleDream may not involve a match at all. AEW confirmed that Mercedes Moné, the reigning TBS Champion, will appear on the pay-per-view to commemorate surpassing Jade Cargill’s record as the longest-reigning champion in the title’s history.
Moné’s reign has elevated the TBS Championship to new prominence, as she’s defended it across major AEW events and pay-per-views with a mix of charisma, technical mastery, and unmatched star power. Whether she’ll address future challengers or be confronted by one remains to be seen, but given AEW’s track record, fans can expect fireworks.
Backstage segments on Dynamite hinted that Willow Nightingale and Penelope Ford may make their presence felt during Moné’s celebration — a potential foreshadowing of her next major feud.
AEW Saturday Tailgate Brawl — The Perfect Warm-Up
Before the main card, fans can tune into the AEW Saturday Tailgate Brawl at 7 p.m. Eastern. This pre-show features several explosive tag and trios matches, including:
- FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) vs. JetSpeed (Kevin Knight & Mike Bailey)
- Willow Nightingale & Harley Cameron vs. Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford
- The Conglomeration (Orange Cassidy, Tomohiro Ishii, Kyle O’Reilly, Roderick Strong) vs. The Death Riders (Claudio Castagnoli, PAC, Wheeler Yuta, Daniel Garcia)
- Eddie Kingston & Hook vs. TBD (opponents to be announced during the broadcast)
These bouts will set the tone for the evening, giving AEW’s deep roster a platform to shine before the main spectacle begins.
Final Thoughts
AEW WrestleDream 2025 is shaping up to be a night of emotion, endurance, and evolution. From monumental title defenses to grudge matches steeped in violence, AEW continues to demonstrate why it remains the most creatively charged wrestling promotion in the world.
As Dynamite commentator Excalibur put it on Wednesday night:
“If you think AEW’s done breaking new ground, think again — WrestleDream is where dreams either come true or die trying.”
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