AEW WrestleDream Date, Time, and Location
AEW, the wrestling juggernaut that has been capturing the hearts of fans globally, has announced an exciting addition to its pay-per-view lineup this year – WrestleDream. This prestigious event is scheduled to electrify the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle on Sunday, October 1. AEW’s decision to hold WrestleDream carries significant emotional weight. The pay-per-view aims to pay tribute to Antonio Inoki on the first anniversary of his passing. AEW President Tony Khan’s reverence for Inoki is evident. At the All Out 2023 press conference, Khan fondly remembered Inoki as “wrestling’s greatest dreamer.”
Despite the anticipation surrounding WrestleDream, as of now, only a few matches have been officially declared. This limited match announcement strategy by AEW may be intentional to keep Grand Slam, happening on September 20, at the center of attention. Among the confirmed bouts, Bryan Danielson’s challenge to Zack Sabre Jr. stands out prominently.
Danielson’s recent comments on the September 9 episode of Collision stirred the wrestling community. Declaring that he might be nearing the end of his illustrious career, Danielson expressed his wish to conclude on a remarkable note. This sentiment led him to challenge Zack Sabre Jr. for a face-off at WrestleDream. An interesting tidbit is that this duel was initially slated for Forbidden Door 2022. However, an untimely injury to Danielson led to its postponement. Fans are looking forward to this contest especially after Danielson’s triumphant return from a broken arm. He recently bested Ricky Starks at All Out in a fiercely contested Strap match. With speculations about Danielson’s potential retirement, matches like the one against Sabre Jr. become even more precious for wrestling aficionados.
Post the Grand Slam event, more matches for WrestleDream are expected to be announced. High on the list of speculations is the AEW World Championship match. MJF, the current titleholder, will lock horns either with Samoa Joe or Roderick Strong at the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium. The victor of that bout will likely headline WrestleDream. Additionally, challenges for other esteemed AEW titles are anticipated to be announced in the coming weeks. Wrestling experts and fans are speculating potential matches – Christian Cage or Luchasaurus taking on Darby Allin for the TNT Championship, Kris Statlander squaring off against Jade Cargill for the TBS Championship, and a match involving the coveted International Championship.
Another marquee match for the event pits Swerve Strickland against “Hangman” Adam Page. This rivalry gained steam when Strickland brazenly interrupted Hangman Page during an interview on AEW Dynamite’s September 6 episode. Strickland not only reminded everyone of his reign as World Champion in 2022 but also provocatively suggested that Page has lost his edge in recent times. Page’s initial indifference to Strickland’s taunts took a sharp turn when his family was brought into the fray. This led to a skirmish that saw Brian Cage blindsiding Page. The subsequent face-off between Page and Cage on the September 13 episode ended with Page’s victory, following which Strickland announced their impending clash in Seattle for WrestleDream 2023.
AEW’s decision to dedicate WrestleDream 2023 to Antonio Inoki adds layers of significance to the event. Tony Khan, during the All In 2023 post-show media scrum, reaffirmed his respect for the Japanese Wrestling Legend, who passed away on October 1, 2022. Wrestling enthusiasts are excited about the partnership with NJPW, which will send some of its finest talents to grace WrestleDream.
Tickets for the event have been selling like hotcakes. They went live on September 7, and in just two days, over 3000 tickets were snapped up.
In the world of professional wrestling, few events carry as much excitement and reverence as WrestleDream promises to. With a blend of nostalgia, tribute, and high-octane matchups, October 1 is marked on every wrestling fan’s calendar. As the date approaches and more bouts get confirmed, the wrestling universe remains poised for what promises to be an unforgettable night.
