Welcome to Bleacher Report’s live coverage and recap of AEW WrestleDream 2023, which took place in Seattle, Washington. This monumental event paid tribute to the legendary Antonio Inoki, who left an indelible mark on the wrestling world. The card was stacked with dream matches and unforgettable moments, making it a night to remember.
Match Card Overview:
- Bryan Danielson vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
- The long-awaited dream match finally became a reality, showcasing technical prowess and wrestling excellence.
- Swerve Strickland vs. “Hangman” Adam Page
- A clash of styles between two talented competitors.
- FTR vs. Aussie Open (AEW Tag Team Championship)
- High-stakes tag team action with championship implications.
- MJF vs. The Righteous (ROH Tag Team Championship, handicap)
- MJF faced a handicap challenge for the ROH Tag Team Championship.
- Chris Jericho, Kenny Omega, and Kota Ibushi vs. Konosuke Takeshita, Sammy Guevara, and Will Ospreay
- A star-studded six-man tag team match that promised excitement.
- Christian Cage vs. Darby Allin (TNT Championship)
- The TNT Championship was on the line in a match of contrasting styles.
- Kris Statlander vs. Julia Hart (TBS Championship)
- A battle for the TBS Championship.
- Eddie Kingston vs. Katsuyori Shibata (Strong Openweight and ROH World Championships)
- A championship showdown featuring two fierce competitors.
- Ricky Starks vs. Wheeler Yuta
- A singles match with personal stakes.
- The Young Bucks vs. Lucha Bros vs. Hook and Orange Cassidy vs. The Gunns (winners get future AEW tag team title shot)
- A high-flying, action-packed tag team match.
- Luchasaurus vs. Nick Wayne (Zero Hour)
- A showcase of athleticism and power.
- The Acclaimed and Daddy Ass vs. TDMK (Trios titles, Zero Hour)
- Trios championship action.
- Josh Barnett vs. Claudio Castagnoli (Zero Hour)
- A technical masterpiece in the Zero Hour pre-show.
- Shayne Taylor, Lee Moriarty, Mercedes Martinez, and Diamante vs. Satoshi Kojima, Keith Lee, Athena, and Billie Starkz (Zero Hour)
- An exciting eight-person mixed tag team match.
Zero Hour Pre-Show Recap:
The Zero Hour pre-show, available on YouTube, featured several exciting matches and heartfelt tributes to Antonio Inoki.
- Katsuyori Shibata, Rocky Romero, and Inoki’s grandsons joined Tony Khan in a touching tribute.
- Jon Moxley provided insightful commentary during the technical match between Claudio Castagnoli and Josh Barnett.
- Luchasaurus dominated Nick Wayne in an impressive display of power.
- The Acclaimed and Daddy Ass successfully defended their trios titles against TMDK.
- The mixed eight-person tag match saw Satoshi Kojima’s team emerge victorious, with Kojima hitting a spinning forearm for the win.
Conclusion:
AEW WrestleDream 2023 delivered on its promise of thrilling wrestling action and emotional tributes to Antonio Inoki. From dream matches to championship clashes, this event left fans with unforgettable memories. Stay tuned for detailed match results, reactions, and highlights as we delve deeper into the remarkable moments from this historic night in professional wrestling.
