AEW WrestleDream 2026 exceeded our expectations!

Tim and Dug break down a loaded WrestleDream card that earned an A from both hosts. From the debut of Clockwork Carnage to the arrival of Ilja Dragunov, AEW delivered an entertaining night that leaves some fascinating questions heading into Dynamite.

Will Ospreay survived Clockwork Carnage to retain the AEW World Championship, but is Adam Copeland about to turn heel and make a run at the title? We discuss what worked about AEW's newest match concept, what we'd change, and why it deserves another appearance.

Meanwhile, Tim picks the Young Bucks vs. ProtoJet as his Match of the Night, while Dug makes the case for Jon Moxley vs. Mark Davis and its powerful emotional storytelling.

Plus:

• Ilja Dragunov is All Elite! Could Tommaso Ciampa be his first rival?
• Hangman Page and Brodido shock New House to capture the Trios Championships.
• Mercedes Moné vs. Thekla delivers, even if Tim needed a nap.
• Motor City Machine Guns and FTR launch their best-of-five series.
• The TBS Championship four-way showcases AEW's emerging women's stars.
• Nick Wayne beats Chris Jericho, but where does the feud go from here?
• Andrade, Ciampa, and the pants.

And Tim's dog Kaia makes her presence known throughout the episode.

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• (00:00) - Cold Open: Is a Heel Turn Coming?
• (00:10) - AEW WrestleDream 2026: First Reactions
• (02:04) - WrestleDream Heat Check: The Hot List
• (09:10) - Mild List: Squash Matches and the 12-Man Tag
• (14:21) - HBO Max Streaming Problems
• (15:38) - Tailgate Brawl: Divine Dominion, Wardlow and Jay White
• (18:38) - Motor City Machine Guns vs. FTR
• (19:28) - Mercedes Moné vs. Thekla
• (22:20) - Chris Jericho vs. Nick Wayne
• (24:17) - Young Bucks vs. ProtoJet: Match of the Night?
• (27:57) - TBS Championship Four-Way
• (33:14) - Andrade vs. Tommaso Ciampa: The Pants Return
• (40:25) - Ilja Dragunov Debuts! What's Next?
• (43:56) - Trios Championship: Brohangdo vs. New House
• (50:04) - Jon Moxley vs. Mark Davis: An Emotional Story
• (54:14) - Clockwork Carnage: What Worked and What Didn't
• (01:00:08) - Is Adam Copeland Turning Heel?
• (01:02:38) - Who Challenges Will Ospreay Next?
• (01:06:40) - Final WrestleDream Grades and Match of the Night
• (01:10:06) - Final Thoughts and Outro