In wrestling, there are nights when the matches are good, even great. And then there are nights when the presentation, the stories, and the drama align to create something unforgettable. AEW’s WrestleDream 2025 in St. Louis fell into the latter category — a show that wasn’t flawless, but one that sent fans home buzzing and planted seeds for the company’s future.
A Main Event That Delivered Everything AEW Promised
Darby Allin vs. Jon Moxley in an “I Quit” match was as violent as you would expect. Blood, grit, and defiance painted the canvas. Moxley, the man who has built his identity around never saying “quit,” was pushed to his absolute limit. Allin, battered but relentless, proved why he’s become one of AEW’s most beloved and maddening figures: reckless, resilient, and unwilling to die.
The twist came when Sting returned. His presence didn’t feel cheap or forced — it felt like the perfect punctuation. AEW leaned into nostalgia, but in a way that made sense. With Sting’s backing, Allin secured the win, and Moxley did the unthinkable: he said “I quit.” The moment was both shocking and strangely poetic. For Allin, it was a career-defining victory. For Moxley, it was a chapter-closing defeat that opens the door to fresh stories.
Mercedes Moné Adds More Gold — and Controversy
Mercedes Moné may be the most fascinating act in AEW today. Already draped in championships, she walked out of WrestleDream with an eleventh belt, beating Mina Shirakawa for the interim ROH Women’s Television Championship while also defending her TBS Title.
It wasn’t clean. With her feet on the ropes during the pin, Moné reminded fans that she’s not here to win hearts — she’s here to build a legacy on her own terms. That finish may frustrate those who wanted a definitive contest, but it’s good business. It keeps Moné polarizing, and it leaves the door open for Shirakawa — or anyone else — to demand payback.
Kris Statlander’s Validation
Kris Statlander’s defense against Toni Storm might not have grabbed as many headlines as the main event or Moné’s win, but it was crucial. AEW has often struggled to establish its women’s champions as consistent draws. Statlander’s victory was not just another defense — it was a statement. Against one of the company’s most decorated stars, she proved that her title reign matters. If AEW continues to give her the spotlight, this could be the beginning of a long and defining run.
Tag Team Wrestling That Told More Than One Story
Brodido (Brody King & Bandido) versus Okada & Takeshita was more than a tag title match. It was about alliances built on shaky ground, and it showcased AEW’s ability to intertwine match quality with narrative tension. Okada and Takeshita, uneasy partners, never felt like they were on the same page, and that friction ultimately told the story as much as the action did.
For Brodido, the win legitimizes them further as AEW’s standard-bearers in tag wrestling. For Okada and Takeshita, the split seems inevitable — and when it comes, it could be one of AEW’s most important rivalries of 2026.
The Balance of Spectacle and Substance
Not every match could carry the same weight. Some bouts on the undercard served more as palate cleansers than must-see contests. But AEW compensated with spectacle: Sting’s return, Moxley’s defeat, Moné’s controversy.
The risk is obvious: lean too heavily on moments, and the wrestling itself becomes secondary. But at WrestleDream 2025, the balance leaned just enough in favor of storytelling. The company gave fans the brutality they wanted, the star power they craved, and the narrative momentum it desperately needed heading into winter.
The Legacy of WrestleDream
AEW established WrestleDream last year as a tribute to Antonio Inoki. This year, the company expanded the homage by honoring Lou Thesz and St. Louis’ role in wrestling history. That choice gave the show weight beyond the matches. It wasn’t just a pay-per-view — it was a reminder of the lineage AEW is tapping into as it tries to carve its identity as wrestling’s alternative.
Final Thoughts
WrestleDream 2025 wasn’t perfect. A few matches fell short, and some outcomes may divide opinion. But that’s wrestling at its best — when people leave talking, debating, and anticipating what’s next.
Darby Allin’s career-defining win. Moxley’s shocking surrender. Mercedes Moné’s continued reign of dominance. Statlander’s validation. Brodido’s statement.
If AEW can build on these threads, WrestleDream 2025 will be remembered not just as a good show, but as a pivot point in the company’s storytelling.
Final Grade: B+
Spectacle, stakes, and stories all delivered. And in a wrestling landscape often bogged down by predictability, AEW proved once again that it can still surprise.
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