All Elite Wrestling is set to run WrestleDream, its eighth PPV of the year, this Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Addition Financial Arena in Orlando, FL. The eight-match card will be preceded by a free preshow that will feature FTR facing the Motor City Machine Guns in the first match of a best-of-five series, and Sisters of Sin against Divine Dominion. Here are my predictions:
Chris Jericho vs. Nick Wayne
We’ve seen these feuds with Jericho and a young talent where they trade victories and then Jericho wins the rubber match. This is the rubber match, so…Winner: Chris Jericho
The Young Bucks (C) vs. Kevin Knight and Kyle Fletcher: AEW World Tag Team Championship Match
This is a match that was never meant to happen, but when Steven Borden suffered a concussion at All Out, Knight and Fletcher were declared the winners. This should be a fun match, but AEW wants the Bucks to carry the titles against the Machine Guns, New Level, Borden and Darby Allin, and so on. Winners: The Young Bucks
Jon Moxley (C) vs. Mark Davis: AEW Continental Championship Match
There hasn’t been much build for WrestleDream, but Davis has gotten a pair of big wins the past couple of weeks, including over Moxley. I still don’t see him dethroning Moxley ahead of the Continental Classic, however. Winner: Jon Moxley
Andrade El Idolo (C) vs. Tommaso Ciampa: AEW National Championship Match
For a second straight PPV, Ciampa challenges for a title. He lost to Kazuchika Okada at All Out, and I expect he’ll lose to Andrade here. Remember that Andrade has the guaranteed title shot for Will Ospreay’s AEW World Championship, so AEW will keep him strong with a win over Ciampa. Winner: Andrade El Idolo
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Persephone (C) vs. Hyan vs. Dani Luna vs. Queen Aminata: AEW TBS Championship Match
I think AEW might have something with Persephone. Her pairing with Britt Baker is effective, and she has a presence both in and out of the ring. If AEW wanted to do a surprise switch, I think Aminata is the choice, but ultimately, I’m going with a retention. Winner: Persephone
Swerve Strickland and The New Level (C) vs. Adam Page and Brodido in a Two-out-of-Three Falls Match: AEW World Trios Championship Match
This is probably the most interesting match on the card in terms of where I can see two viable paths. One, you keep things going with New Level and Swerve. Or two, you take the belts off the current champs to free up Kofi and Austin Creed to go after the Bucks, and Strickland and Page to resume their forever feud. It still feels early for that, though, and I think there’s a way to set up the Bucks and Kenny Omega versus Swerve and New Level where both championships are on the line. Winners: Swerve Strickland and The New Level
Mercedes Mone (C) vs. Thekla: AEW Women’s World Championship Match
This match was originally set for All Out, but Mone wasn’t medically cleared. While Thekla has been a breakout talent for AEW this year, I can’t imagine Mone dropping the belt in her first pay-per-view title defense. Winner: Mercedes Mone
Will Ospreay (C) vs. Mike Bailey vs. Darby Allin vs. Konosuke Takeshita vs. Adam Copeland vs. Samoa Joe vs. Ricochet vs. Kazuchika Okada in a Clockwork Carnage Match: AEW World Championship Match
Basically, this is an eight-man match where two guys start, then a new wrestler enters every few minutes until everyone is in. Then it becomes a 15-minute iron man match with the caveat that anyone pinned/submitted before all wrestlers have entered is eliminated. It’s a concession to the abbreviated period between PPVs as there was no time to build a credible challenger for Ospreay. Big picture, Ospreay is retaining, but I’d imagine we’ll see two or three contenders—maybe Joe and Takeshita—get a fall on the champ to set up future one-on-one matches. Winner: Will Ospreay
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