The 2025 edition of AEW WrestleDream wasn’t packed with news, but it was loaded with strong wrestling.
Top to bottom, WrestleDream was a fun watch with every match delivering in it’s own way. Yes, it was too long and these always are, but I certainly have been more tired after AEW PPV’s throughout the years.
Here are my Brass Ring Ratings for the event and here’s how they work … I call it like I see it and grade accordingly. Period.
FTR vs. Jet Speed
This was a match that started the PPV in progress because it overran it’s time on the AEW WrestleDream tailgate pre-show. A cool idea that AEW pulled off well. The broadcast started not only with an electric match, but an electric crowd. It gave the show a fun energy right out of the gate. As for the match, FTR needed the victory and got it the right way with heelish outside interference.
Heydorn’s Brass Ring Rating - OOO 3/4
Jaime Hayter vs. Thekla
Going into this match, I was worried it wouldn’t get the time it needed, but it very much did. Both women had plenty of time to tell an effective grudge story and the action included wrestling in front of — and Thekla taunting — Lou Thesz’s widow. Hayter got the win, which was surprising. With Kris Statlander staying babyface as champion, Thekla would be a good heel opponent for her down the road.
Heydorn’s Brass Ring Rating - OOO
The Young Bucks vs. Jurassic Express - $500,000 Fight
If you like Young Bucks style tag matches, this was right up your alley. I’m over them. Yes, it was packed with action and unique spots — the crowd reacted to a lot of it too, but it lacked story and you know … actual tags.
Heydorn’s Brass Ring Rating - OO 3/4
The Hurt Syndicate vs. The Demand
Fine, but really not needed on the PPV. There was no way The Hurt Syndicate was losing this match after doing the job on Wednesday and they were victorious. The Hurt Syndicate continues to be a regular and important part of AEW programming, so them winning this match and the feud is the right call.
Heydorn’s Brass Ring Rating - OO 1/2
Kyle Fletcher vs. Mark Briscoe - TNT Championship
Fantastic. Briscoe and Fletcher always have good chemistry together and it was on display here. It’s important for Fletcher to stay unlikable even as he has top tier matches like this one, which fans love. He does that when he uses low kicks like he did here to not necessarily get the win directly, but lead to the win. Really good stuff.
Heydorn’s Brass Ring Rating - OOOO
Kris Statlander vs. Toni Storm - AEW Women’s World Championship
Not only did this have strong action, but it had very effective storytelling too. The match was about Toni Storm’s desperation, but inability to beat Kris Statlander. They captured that with the submission at the end, which was expertly sold by Storm. Screaming “just fucking kill me” at the end was a cherry on top.
Heydorn’s Brass Ring Rating - OOOO 1/4
Mercedes Mone vs. Mina Shirakawa - TBS Championship and ROH Women’s Television Championship
Another match that the PPV didn’t need. It was a good little match, but it was too long and the crowd seemed tired throughout most of it. Mone won another belt, so it’s 11 now. I’d like to think that Tony Khan has something big planned when it comes to Mone losing all these titles, but I’m not confident in that.
Heydorn’s Brass Ring Rating - OO 1/2
Brodido vs. Kazuchika Okada and Konosuke Takeshita - AEW World Tag Team Championships
Really good action, but far too long. Because the match inevitably was going to end thanks to a miscommunication between Okada and Takeshita, it didn’t need to take as long as it did to get to it. That being said, Okada smiling after decking Takeshita with a Rainmaker was a nice touch and added to the drama of what was obvious booking.
Heydorn’s Brass Ring Rating - OOOO
Adam Page vs. Samoa Joe - AEW Men’s World Championship
Fun match. Page getting the victory was always the way this was going to go. Limited drama because of that reality, but they told the story of Page proving himself to Joe effectively enough. Joe turning heel is out of left field, but it gives Tony Khan a chance to run the match back again. I don’t think fans will willingly boo Joe all that much.
Heydorn’s Brass Ring Rating - OOO 3/4
Jon Moxley vs. Darby Allin - “I Quit” Match
Insanely violent, but it needed to be. This delivered in that regard. The hype was big for the violence and they brought it. Jon Moxley was tremendous out there. Panically asking the referee to get Allin to quit was a smart touch and it made the weak looking finish at the end very strong. Moxley knew that he couldn’t get the words out, so quit himself. A fulfilling end that fortunately didn’t have to include Renee Paquette.
Heydorn’s Brass Ring Rating - OOOO 1/2
What did you think of AEW WrestleDream 2025? Let us know in the comments!
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