AEW WrestleDream Pre-Show Results: Powell’s live review of Atlantis Jr. vs. Brian Cage for the ROH TV Title, Anna Jay vs. Harley Cameron, The Acclaimed vs. MxM Collection

By Jason PowellProWrestling.net Publisher (@prowrestlingnet)

AEW WrestleDream Zero Hour Pre-Show
Live broadcast on October 12, 2024 on social media
Tacoma, Washington at the Tacoma Dome

-The pre-show was hosted by Renee Paquette, Jeff Jarrett and RJ City from a desk set up downstairs. Paquette said there are 13 games (only 12 are listed).

-Chuck Taylor joined the panel briefly to break down a few games.

-Nyla Rose joined the panel and also dropped out a few matches.

-Darby Allin delivered a promo from a backstage set. Allin said he’s had many nice nights at the Tacoma Dome, but tonight won’t be as nice. He mentioned his match with Brody King and then said he doesn’t know where or when, but he will eventually face Bryan Danielson for the AEW World Championship. “It’s showtime,” Allin said.

-The 13th match will be a pre-show match pitting Orange Cassidy, Kyle O’Reilly and “The Outrunners” Turbo Floyd and Truth Magnum against Alex Reynolds, John Silver, Ariya Daivari and Tony Nese in an eight-man match day.

-Excalibur, Tony Schiavone and Nigel McGuinness were there as commentators. Ring announcer Arkady Aura gave the introduction for the opening match.

1. Atlantis Jr. vs. Brian Cage for the ROH TV title. The wrestlers adhered to the code of honor. Atlantis had heavily taped his neck. Excalibur said he was released from Arena Mexico on a stretcher last weekend. A few minutes later, Atlantis put Cage in torture position and then launched him into a sit-out powerbomb, nearly causing him to fall. Atlantis superkicked Cage to the floor and then hit a frog splash for another nearfall.

Cage came back with an Avalanche Liger Bomb. Cage attempted the Drill Claw, but Atlantis countered into an inside cradle for a two count. Atlantis superkicked Cage, who then knocked him down with a lariat. Cage hit the Drill Claw and scored the pin.

Brian Cage defeated Atlantis Jr. in 11:00 to win the ROH TV title.

Powell’s point of view: Cage won a meaningful singles match? I’ll be damned. Is this the first time since he left TNA?

-Alicia Atout interviewed “MxM Collection” Mason Madden and Mansoor and played with the mysterious third man in her corner. “How do we look, Rico?” asked Mansoor. Rico Constantino came to set and said something about them looking good (the subtitles don’t work for some reason).

2. Anna Jay vs. Harley Cameron. Cameron bit Jay’s hand and then executed an early crossbody block from the middle rope for a one count. Jay led the Queen Slayer over the ropes and was clotheslined over the top rope. Jay kicked Cameron through the ropes, then went to the ring and suplexed her on the floor.

Jay yanked Cameron’s back around the ring post. Jay grabbed Cameron’s legs, but Cameron used them to pull Jay into the ring post. Later, Cameron performed a step-up enzuigiri and then delivered a knee strike for a two count. After back and forth pin attempts, Cameron beat Sole Food for a two count. Jay tripped Cameron on the ropes and then hit a Gory Bomb. Jay tucked Cameron in, but her shoulder wasn’t lowered at first. As soon as the time came, the referee counted the three…

Anna Jay defeated Harley Cameron in 8:20.

Powell’s point of view: It looked like the referee actually helped place Cameron’s shoulder on the mat before counting. Anyway, the match was solid and I have a clear advantage over both wrestlers. Jay has really improved in the ring and on the mic.

The committee spoke briefly and then the mood for the next game took place…

3. “The Acclaimed” Max Caster and Anthony Bowens (with Billy Gunn) vs. “MxM Collection” Mason Madden and Mansoor (with Rico). Caster knocked on the way to the ring. On the microphone, Billy Gunn mentioned that Rico almost convinced him to marry another man. “No offense, Effy,” Gunn said.

MxM performed a double-team sequence that ended with Madden Caster getting his ass slapped in the face. MxM insulated caster. While the referee was distracted, Rico hit Caster from ringside. Caster ended up having a hot day.

Bowens had a series of attacks and then MxM overwhelmed him. Caster tuned in himself and the broadcast team called it a questionable move on his part. MxM hit a double team move on Caster for a near fall. MxM went for Scissor Me Timbers on Caster, but Bowens hit Mansoor on the top turnbuckle. Caster put Madden down and then Bowens threw Mansoor onto his partner. Caster and Bowens meet at Scissor Me Timbers.

Moments later, Bowens performed a diving dive on both opponents at ringside. Rico entered the ring and tried to drag Mansoor back inside. Gunn entered the ring behind Rico, who was begging. Rico threw a kick that Gunn blocked. Gunn gives Rico the Fameasser. Bowens hit The Arrival on Mansoor and then Caster hit the mic drop and got the three count…

“The Acclaimed” Max Caster and Anthony Bowens defeated “MxM Collection” Mason Madden and Mansoor in 11:25.

Powell’s point of view: Mansoor and Madden work well together, but I just can’t get over the fact that they’re bringing Vince McMahon’s latest sports entertainment gimmick to AEW. While the gimmick may make some fans laugh, it feels out of place in AEW. The Acclaimed were done with the crowds and yet their popularity was well below its peak. On the bright side, it was fun seeing Rico again.

-Mercedes Mone and Kamille came backstage. Mone asked a crew member where her dressing room was. Queen Aminata told Mone that she didn’t have to be rude.

-Tony Schiavone took the stage and introduced Tony Khan as a tribute to Antoni Inoki. Khan introduced Inoki’s sons and then led the crowd in a chant of “Ichi Ni San Da”…

– A video aired in which Adam Copeland and Dax Harwood discuss the damage done to their hometown of Asheville, North Carolina. They have affiliated ashevillepolicefoundation.org and the Brother Wolf animal rescue bwar.org along with other organizations helping with the hurricane relief effort.

-Entries for the final pre-show match have taken place.

4. Orange Cassidy, Kyle O’Reilly and “The Outrunners” Turbo Floyd and Truth Magnum (with Rocky Romero) vs. Alex Reynolds, John Silver, Ariya Daivari and Tony Nese (with Mark Sterling, Evil Uno, Josh Wald). Woods hit Cassidy with a cheap shot at ringside while the referee was distracted. The heel extras at ringside caused distress to Cassidy, who was then isolated.

Floyd took a hot day and performed a series of body slams on his opponents, delighting the crowd. The Outrunners did their handshake and elbow drop spot. Woods tried to take Magnum down from the floor. Romero attacked Woods, but Uno ran Romero into the ring steps. Daivari performed a frog splash for a near fall.

Floyd threw punches at Daivari and then clotheslined him to the ground. Cassidy hit Daivari with the Orange Punch and pinned him, but Sterling put Daivari’s foot over the bottom rope. The Outrunners threw Sterling into the ring, where he was dropkicked by Cassidy. The Outunners performed a double-team move on Daivari and then one of them pinned him…

Orange Cassidy, Kyle O’Reilly and “The Outrunners” Turbo Floyd and Truth Magnum defeated Alex Reynolds, John Silver, Ariya Daivari and Tony Nese in 11:30.

Powell’s point of view: The mission was accomplished to attract more people to the show. The audience had a lot of fun with The Outrunners and Cassidy. This pre-show was unnecessarily long and, like all AEW pre-shows, overstuffed with matches. It was fine for those who saw it, but I wouldn’t encourage anyone who missed it to go back and watch any of the games.

– The broadcast team spoke at ringside and gave a final push for the pay-per-view.

-Backstage, Paquette interviewed Kazuchika Okada and noted that he didn’t have a match on the show. Kyle O’Reilly approached Okada and challenged him to a match. Okada told him to let him think about it. “Hmm, hell no,” Okada said before walking away. Okada turned around and called O’Reilly a bitch. O’Reilly said he might try a different approach next time. O’Reilly beat Okada. They exchanged blows until security intervened. Christopher Daniels showed up and had both men evicted from the building. The pre-show ended a few moments later.