AEW WrestleDream Review 13.10. 2024

Intro

As the final months of the year start to draw in, this normally spells a time of creative lows within Wrestling Companies, sparks that shone throughout the year, start to fade, but. This year feels differant. Case and point. WWE is starting to ramp up its creativity, as the move for one of it flagship shows to Netflix, has started to create a buzz, that the industry has never seen, and as for Tony Khan's little promotion that can, well  they've just signed a mega rights deal with Warner Bros discovery, that's worth an estimated 180 million per year, to stretched out over a three year span. I think it's safe to say, that the industry is going to be eating well, as the years roll on.

Jay White vs Hangman Adam Page

The face ,vs heel dynamic, was put out on full display here, fans were split down the middle, as this show was taking place in Swerve Strickland hometown. The physicality resembled a slugfest. Hangman planted White on the steel steps, allowing. White to show his potential, when he hit a knee breakker on the ramp to Hangman, the exchanges were superb, and White got the win with a hidden blade. This. Was. A great way to start the show.

Marieh May vs Willow AEW Womens Championship

This needed more time to breathe. Yes, the match was good, it just felt way to compact in my opinion. May retained in a solid outing.

AEW TNT Championship Jack Perry vs Katsuyouri Shibata

I liked this, the ending however was a bit of a farce. Perry retained by a chin joke going wrong, and pinning Shibatas shoulders to the mat. Daniel Garcia came out, and stopped a beatdown. MJF then made his return, and cut a scathing promo on Garcia, this was cut short when the ghost expression was written all over his face, when Adam Cole returned. MJF is a deadman according to Cole. I love this, because it has left me feeling excited for the rest of the year. Even if it was a bit convoluted.

AEW International Championship Ricochet vs Konosuke Takeshista vs Will Osperay.

I loved this match, from the out pouring of class, shown by each man, their chemistry and physicality, blending in together perfectly. To the solid fluidity, allowing the match to have plenty of time to breathe. The matches within the match, and the near falls, became a fascinating sight to be seen, and added a thick layer of drama to proceedings. Fighting spirit oozed out of every corner of this match, as the story unfolded, this is arguably the best triple threat match since. Samoa Joe vs Christopher Daniels vs AJ Styles, from TNA Turning Point 2005. This. Is, yet another match of the year contender from Osperay, his ability to connect with the fans is something special. Don Callis tried to cause some trouble, but was stopped by Osperay, this led to Kyle Fletcher coming out, and screwing over his best friend, by hitting him with that same screwdriver, and putting Takeshista's body over his for the win, crowning a new AEW International Champion. The act of betrayal added a sense of unpredictability. I loved this. Kyle Fletcher adopted the Tiger Driver 96, and used it to send a message to Will.

Orange Cassidy Segment

Jerry Lynn, and. Hook gave Orange Cassidy his flowers, this is a clear sign for the future.

Swerve Strickland Segment

From Prince Nana, guffing up his lines, to his boss, confirming that he's medically cleared. Swerve wanted to address the fans, but he was interrupted by MVP, and. Shelton Benjamin. Swerve, and. MVP, had a great promo dual, that delt with their history. Swerve then said that he wasn't going to turn his back on his manager, this part of the promo, went down the line of negative stereotypes that I could've done without. Shelton Benjamin, then got in the face of Swerve, and a seperation brawl took place. I liked this.

Hologram vs The Beast Mortos 2 Out Of 3 Falls Match

I liked this. Hologram remains unbeaten in AEW, by beating. The Beast Mortos, in a fun 2 Out Of 3 falls match. This. Was excellent. 

Darby Allin vs Brody King

From the skateboarding video, that welcomed Darby out, that took shade, from one of my favourite films. Back To The Future. The size differences made the story of the match, as the violence took the centre, and at this point I thought to myself. Darby has no back, due to the coffin drops that he gave King, on the steel steps, and in the ring, for the win. I had a good time watching this at 10am in the morning.

The Young Bucks vs Private Party AEW Tag Team Championship

This. Was, a lofi burner, that turned into an awesome spectacle. From Private getting the video treatment, hosted by the man that trained them. Amazing Red. Matt Jackson cut a promo on them, but was swiftly shut up, and the match got under way. From fighting in on the ramp, that led to an excellent spot, when Mark Qwen cleared out everyone, after leaping from the top of some staging equipment, the match entered the grounds of great, and as time went on. I found myself becoming even more invested. The physicality, and the near falls, added some tension to proceedings, but, this is were the Young Bucks shine, tension, isn't something that Private Party have ever had to deal with, until now. This wasn't to be their night, because the champs put them away, after three TK Drivers. The sight of Isiah Cassidy crying in the aftermath, wasn't an easy to be seen, this won't be the end for this team, because after this showing, the Tag Team Title picture is going to look better with them in it. This was excellent.

Mark Briscoe vs Chris Jericho ROH Championship Match

I know this is going to be a hot take, but. I didn't like this. I felt that the shenanigans in the early going, were a mask for Jerichos short comings, and what didn't help, is the fact that Mark looked like he was carrying Chris through the early part of the match. The match did get better, but for me it was too little too late. Mark retained his belt. In a moment that his late brother would be proud of.

Bryan Danielson vs Jon Moxley AEW World Heavyweight Championship

Ok guys. I'm going to get emotional, because this was a beatiful way to start the rise of a heel faction. With the early part of this match being soundtracked by. The Final Countdown, this gave the chaos that unfolded a voice, and a score. The 40 minute duration of this encounter, was an unforgettable mental game of chess, that was amplified when the physicality, pulled the match, kicking and screaming into the final stages, that saw an exchange, that would see the unthinkable happen. Moxley choked out Danielson, ending his full time run, as a wrestler. And then it happened. Betrayal act 2. Claudio, and his goons take to the ring. Danielson is left in the corner realing, as Mox stands over him, with a bag in hand, this prompted Darby Allin, and. Wheeler Yuta to come out. Darby tried to fend them off with a chair, but was taken out, and gaffa raped to the ring post, as. Yuta took the bag from Claudio, and tried to suffocate his friend, realigning himself, with his heel faction. The Commentary teams emotion, and selling throughout this, was impecable, with Excalibur being brought to tears, as you could hear the lump in his throat, start to swell. This. Was, an excellent way to end the broadcast.

Overview Of AEW WrestleDream 2024.

This. Was, an excellent show piece of great in ring work, meshing with great storytelling, with an emotional core. I have no other words, except thank you Bryan. Yes. Yes. Yes. Indeed.

AEW WrestleDream 2024 is solid 10/10