AEW WrestleDream: when is it, final match card, Zero Hour matches and how to watch on ITV4 in the UK

AEW return to PPV this weekend, with AEW WrestleDream set to pay homage to the late Japanese wrestling great Antonio Inoki with a collection of ‘dream’ matches featuring AEW and New Japan Pro Wrestling talent. The event also happens to be held on the first anniversary of Inoki’s death, a big loss not only to Japanese wrestling but the wrestling world as a whole.

One of the matches on the card has changed since the September 27 2023 edition of 'AEW Dynamite' with the news that Adam Cole has broken his ankle in three places (legitimately), which has now led to a handicap match for the Ring of Honor World Tag Team Championship between holder Maxwell Jacob Friedman and RoH's Vinnie and Dutch, also known as The Righteous. We also saw the addition of Ricky Starks taking on Blackpool Combat Club's Wheeler Yuta, after a heated backstage confrontation also on 'AEW Dynamite.'

Perhaps the most anticipated match on the show is one that was originally meant to take place, however, injuries prevented what many describe as a ‘dream match’ between two of the best technical wrestlers in the industry today. Bryan Danielson (formerly Daniel Bryan during his time in the WWE) will take on New Japan’s British export, Zack Sabre Jr., after a year of anticipation of their proposed bout at AEW/NJPW’s crossover event, AEW Forbidden Door. 

The dream year for Eddie Kingston also continues - having not only competed in New Japan’s annual tournament, the G1 Climax, but also meeting his hero, Toshiaki Kawada, during his tour of Japan, the ‘Mad King’ is set to defend both the RoH World Championship and the NJPW Openweight Championship against NJPW hard hitter Katsuyori Shibata.

The undercard is also stacked, and we would be remiss not to mention the six-man tag between Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi and former WWE and WCW legend Chris Jericho taking on Konosuke Takeshita, Sammy Guevara and another BritWres export, Will Osprey, in what could be the match of the night. All three men have bad blood amongst one another, with recent developments seeing Sammy Guevara turn on Chris Jericho and join the Don Callis family, while Jericho recently announced he would be returning to Japan to face Takeshita on his home soil, Dramatic Dream Team Wrestling (DDT).

What matches have been announced so far for AEW WrestleDream?

As with many wrestling events, the card is subject to change, and with three more television shows taking place this week (AEW Dynamite, AEW Collision, AEW Rampage), more matches may be announced.

AEW WrestleDream Zero Hour (screening free on AEW's YouTube channel)

• AEW World Trios Championship: The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens and Max Caster) and Billy Gunn (c) vs. TMDK (Shane Haste, Mikey Nicholls, and Bad Dude Tito)
• Luchasaurus vs. Nick Wayne
• Josh Barnett vs. Claudio Castagnoli
• Shane Taylor, Lee Moriarty, Diamante, and Mercedes Martinez vs. Satoshi Kojima, Keith Lee, Athena, and Billie Starkz

AEW WrestleDream main card

• Bryan Danielson Vs. Zach Sabre Jr.
• Swerve Strickland Vs. Hangman
• AEW Tag Team Championship: FTR Vs. Aussie Open
• ROH Tag Team Championship: Handicap Match: MJF Vs. The Righteous
• Jericho / Omega / Ibushi Vs. Guevara / Ospreay / Takeshita
• ROH World Championship / NJPW Strong Championship: Eddie Kingston Vs. Shibata
• Ricky Starks Vs. Wheeler Yuta
• AEW TBS Championship: Kris Statlander (c) Vs. Julia Hart
• Young Bucks Vs. The Gunns Vs. Cassidy / Hook Vs. Lucha Bros.
• AEW TNT Championship (2/3 Falls Match): Christian Vs. Darby Allin

When is AEW WrestleDream taking place?

AEW WrestleDream will take place on October 1, 2023, at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington.

Where can I watch AEW WrestleDream in the United Kingdom?

Those with access to FITE will be able to order the PPV directly from their website to stream, but for those looking for the televised option, as of yet, there has been no confirmation if DAZN will pick up the event as they did with AEW All In London.

However, ITV4 will be screening an encore of the event, free of charge, on Thursday October 5 2023 at 10:30pm