“Timeless” Toni Storm’s absence from AEW may finally be moving toward a resolution, as mysterious cassette tapes containing recordings of the former AEW Women’s World Champion surfaced around WrestleDream 2026.
Storm has been away from AEW for seven months. Her last major appearance came at Revolution, where she defeated Marina Shafir before coming face-to-face with Ronda Rousey. However, just days later, Storm was found laid out backstage at AEW Dynamite, and she has remained missing ever since, with no clear explanation for her disappearance or a confirmed return date.
That changed at WrestleDream, where wrestling fan and podcaster Astrid Pizarro revealed she had received a cassette tape featuring recordings of Storm.
Renee Paquette Explains the Mysterious Package
Pizarro later shared transcripts of the recordings before posting the audio to YouTube on Sunday. The audio began with an introduction from AEW’s Renee Paquette, who explained that a mysterious brown paper package had arrived at AEW headquarters the previous week.
The package was tied together with string and had no return address. Inside were five analog cassette tapes, with the recording sent to Pizarro titled “Mundanities.”
The first four tracks offered different glimpses into Storm’s life and personality. “Morning Mantra” featured Storm beginning her day, while “Talking to Chauncy” captured a vulgar conversation with her dog.
The short track “Seminar” saw Storm offering advice to aspiring wrestlers. Meanwhile, “Cinema” featured Storm performing in her unreleased film Toni Toni Toni alongside an unidentified actor.
A Fifth Track Called ‘Death’ Remains Unheard
Although Paquette confirmed that “Mundanities” contained a fifth track titled “Death,” the recording itself was not played. Instead, Paquette described it as “fantastical, mysterious, it’s undeniably timeless.”
Four additional cassette tapes have yet to be released, leaving plenty of unanswered questions about the recordings and what they might mean for Storm’s ongoing AEW storyline.
The tapes appear to be a deliberate clue toward Storm’s eventual return, although AEW has not announced a date for her comeback.
Tony Khan Confirms Toni Storm Will Return
There was another notable development following WrestleDream, as AEW president Tony Khan was asked about Storm during the event’s post-show media scrum.
Khan firmly stated that Storm would return to AEW, marking his first comments about her status in several months.
While Khan did not provide a specific timetable, his comments combined with the mysterious cassette tapes have given fans their strongest indication yet that Storm’s absence may be approaching its next chapter.
With four recordings still unreleased and the meaning behind the “Death” track left unexplained, AEW appears to have more of Storm’s story waiting to be revealed.
The cause of death for former AEW and WWE wrestler Pac has been confirmed by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
According to findings shared Friday with California Post reporter Edward Lewis, the medical examiner determined that Pac, whose real name was Benjamin Satterley, died from bronchial asthma. His death was classified as natural.
Pac was found unconscious inside a rental car in the parking lot of a restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois, on September 27. He was later pronounced dead.
The news came just one day after Pac competed at AEW’s All Out event, which was held at the Now Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.
The medical examiner’s findings provide an official determination regarding the circumstances of the former wrestling star’s death.
AEW WrestleDream 2026 featured multiple championship matches, a new arrival, and a dramatic Clockwork Carnage main event. Will Ospreay survived a field of seven challengers to retain the AEW Men’s World Championship, while Brodido defeated Shane Strickland and New Level to capture the AEW World Trios Championship.
The Young Bucks also retained the AEW Men’s World Tag Team Championship, Mercedes Moné successfully defended the AEW Women’s World Championship against Thekla, and Jon Moxley kept the AEW Continental Championship after a brutal battle with Mark Davis. Ilja Dragunov also made his AEW debut.
AEW WrestleDream 2026 Match Results
Tailgate Brawl Pre-Show
Six-Woman Tag Team Match: Divine Dominion (Lena Kross and Megan Bayne) def. Sisters of Sin (Julia Hart and Skye Blue).
Six-Man Tag Team Match: Don Callis Family (Jake Doyle, Josh Alexander and Wardlow) def. Alex Breeze, Papi D and Rhys Maddox.
Ten-Man Tag Team Match: Death Riders (Claudio Castagnoli, Daniel Garcia, Gabe Kidd and Wheeler YUTA) and The Dogs (Clark Connors and David Finlay) def. Bang Bang Gang (Austin Gunn, Colten Gunn and Jay White) and The Conglomeration (Kyle O’Reilly, Orange Cassidy and Roderick Strong).
Best-of-Five Series — Match 1: Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) def. FTR (Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood) to take a 1-0 lead in the series. The match began during the pre-show and concluded on the main card.
Main Card
AEW Women’s World Championship: Mercedes Moné (c) def. Thekla via pinfall with the Money Maker to retain the title.
Singles Match: Nick Wayne def. Chris Jericho via pinfall with a small package.
AEW Men’s World Tag Team Championship: The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) (c) def. Don Callis Family (Kevin Knight and Kyle Fletcher) via pinfall to retain the titles.
AEW TBS Championship — Four-Way Match: Persephone (c) def. Dani Luna, Hyan and Queen Aminata via pinfall with a diving moonsault to retain the title.
AEW National Championship: Andrade el Idolo (c) def. Tommaso Ciampa via pinfall with the DM to retain the title.
AEW World Trios Championship — Two-out-of-Three Falls Match: The Good, the Bad, and el Guapo (Adam Page, Bandido and Brody King) def. Shane Strickland and New Level (Austin Creed and Kofi) 2-1 to win the titles.
AEW Continental Championship: Jon Moxley (c) def. Mark Davis via referee stoppage with a bodyscissors sleeper hold to retain the title.
AEW Men’s World Championship — Clockwork Carnage Match: Will Ospreay (c) def. Adam Copeland, Darby Allin, Kazuchika Okada, Konosuke Takeshita, Mike Bailey, Ricochet and Samoa Joe to retain the title.
Mercedes Moné Retains Against Thekla
Mercedes Moné successfully defended the AEW Women’s World Championship against Thekla in a hard-fought opening contest.
Thekla pushed the champion throughout the match, using her agility and striking ability to create several opportunities. She connected with a Spider Suplex, a diving double stomp and a spear, but Moné continued to survive.
The challenger came close to victory after hitting a sunset flip powerbomb into the turnbuckles and later applying a grounded octopus hold. Moné escaped and used her protective facemask to gain an opening before Thekla nearly caught her with a bridging pin.
Moné ultimately countered Thekla’s Blackout attempt and connected with the Money Maker to secure the pinfall and retain her championship.
Nick Wayne Defeats Chris Jericho
Nick Wayne picked up another victory over Chris Jericho, winning their match with a small package.
The two traded strikes and high-impact offense throughout the contest. Wayne hit an Orihara moonsault on the outside and later connected with a 450 splash, but Jericho continued fighting.
Jericho answered with a Codebreaker and locked in the Walls of Jericho, only for Wayne to reach the ropes. The match became increasingly chaotic as both men attempted to gain an advantage through underhanded tactics.
After Jericho shrugged off a low blow, Wayne found an opening and rolled him up for the three-count.
Following the match, Wayne grabbed a microphone and pointed out that he had now beaten Jericho twice, correcting Justin Roberts’ introduction before celebrating as pyro went off.
The Young Bucks Retain the Tag Team Championship
The Young Bucks successfully defended the AEW Men’s World Tag Team Championship against Kevin Knight and Kyle Fletcher of the Don Callis Family.
Knight and Fletcher isolated Nick Jackson for stretches of the match, using double-team offense to keep the champions from building momentum. The Bucks eventually rallied, with Matt Jackson taking control after a hot tag and hitting a series of signature moves.
The challengers came close to winning after Fletcher connected with a turnbuckle brainbuster and Knight followed with the UFO Splash, but Nick broke up the pin.
Late in the match, Fletcher accidentally took Knight out with a dive. The Bucks capitalized, hitting the BTE Trigger on Knight before turning their attention back to Fletcher. They then connected with the BTE Trigger on Knight once more to secure the victory and retain the titles.
Persephone Retains the TBS Championship
Persephone successfully defended the AEW TBS Championship in a four-way match against Dani Luna, Hyan and Queen Aminata.
The contest featured fast-paced action and several near-falls as all four competitors fought for an opportunity to win the title. Luna used her power to overwhelm her opponents, while Aminata and Hyan each came close to securing the victory.
Aminata connected with Off With Her Head on Persephone, but Hyan broke up the pin. Hyan then nearly finished the match with a Falcon Arrow, only for Persephone to intervene again.
In the closing moments, Persephone climbed to the top rope and connected with a diving moonsault on Hyan to score the pinfall and retain her championship.
Andrade Retains the National Championship Against Tommaso Ciampa
Andrade el Idolo retained the AEW National Championship after defeating Tommaso Ciampa in a competitive singles match.
Both men traded counters and heavy strikes throughout the contest, with Andrade using his agility to stay ahead of Ciampa’s power offense. The champion connected with a Three Amigos sequence on the floor and a split-legged moonsault, while Ciampa responded with a series of knees and suplexes.
Ciampa came close to victory with a running knee, but Andrade kicked out. The challenger later attempted to use the championship belt and a steel chair, but referee Aubrey Edwards prevented him from bringing either weapon into play.
Andrade took advantage of the distraction, hitting a DDT on the title belt before finishing Ciampa with the DM to retain the championship.
The Good, the Bad, and el Guapo Wins the World Trios Championship
Adam Page, Bandido and Brody King, collectively known as The Good, the Bad, and el Guapo, defeated Shane Strickland and New Level’s Austin Creed and Kofi in a two-out-of-three falls match to win the AEW World Trios Championship.
The champions took the opening fall after Kofi pinned Bandido. Page and his teammates responded in the second fall, with Brodido combining for a monkey flip splash on Creed to even the match at one fall apiece.
The deciding fall featured a chaotic series of high-impact moves, with all six wrestlers trading offense around the ring and at ringside. King used his power to take the champions out, while Page and Bandido continued to create openings for their team.
Late in the match, Bandido hit a 21-Plex on Strickland, but the champion landed on his feet. Strickland attempted to capitalize with Big Pressure, only for Bandido to counter into a victory roll and secure the decisive pinfall.
Brodido and Page celebrated their championship win after the match. Strickland initially refused to hand over the title belts, but Creed and Kofi ultimately gave the championships to the new titleholders.
Jon Moxley Retains the Continental Championship
Jon Moxley retained the AEW Continental Championship after a brutal encounter with Mark Davis ended in referee stoppage.
Davis targeted Moxley’s head and repeatedly struck the champion, opening a wound above his eye. Moxley continued fighting despite the blood loss, answering with heavy elbows, chops and strikes of his own.
Davis came close to victory with a Karelin lift and several powerful elbows. He also trapped Moxley in a sleeper hold with bodyscissors, but the champion managed to escape and turn the hold around.
Both men continued trading offense, with Davis surviving Moxley’s attempts to finish the match. In the closing sequence, Moxley secured a bodyscissors sleeper hold and tightened his grip as Davis struggled to escape.
Davis eventually faded, forcing referee Paul Turner to stop the match and award Moxley the victory.
Ilja Dragunov Joins AEW
AEW introduced Ilja Dragunov as the company’s newest signing during WrestleDream.
Renee Paquette welcomed Dragunov to the stage, with a metronome ticking before his entrance music played. The former WWE star then made his way to the ring, conducting his music from the turnbuckles as pyro went off.
The appearance marked a major addition to AEW’s roster, although no match was announced for Dragunov during the event.
Will Ospreay Retains the AEW Men’s World Championship
Will Ospreay retained the AEW Men’s World Championship in the Clockwork Carnage main event, defeating Adam Copeland, Darby Allin, Kazuchika Okada, Konosuke Takeshita, Mike Bailey, Ricochet and Samoa Joe.
The match began with Ospreay and Takeshita before additional competitors entered at timed intervals. Mike Bailey was the first wrestler eliminated after Takeshita hit Raging Fire. Takeshita was later eliminated by Okada’s Rainmaker.
Once the match reached its Iron Man phase, the competitors began scoring points through pinfalls and submissions. Joe scored two points with a Muscle Buster on Allin and a Coquina Clutch submission over Ospreay. Ricochet and Okada also scored points, while Allin and Copeland picked up multiple falls during the chaotic contest.
Copeland gained momentum late with spears on Joe and Ricochet, putting himself in contention as the clock wound down. Ospreay answered by hitting a Hidden Blade on Copeland to earn a crucial point.
With only seconds remaining, Okada attempted to stop Ospreay, but the champion survived the exchange and connected with another Hidden Blade on Copeland. The pinfall gave Ospreay a total of three points, enough to win the match and retain the AEW Men’s World Championship.
After the bell, Copeland initially shoved Ospreay before composing himself and offering the champion a handshake. Ospreay accepted, and Copeland left the ring to allow the champion to celebrate.
WrestleDream ended with Ospreay still holding the AEW Men’s World Championship after surviving one of the most demanding title defenses of his reign.
AEW WrestleDream – Saturday, October 17, 2026 – Addition Financial Arena in Orlando, Florida on October 17th – PPV, HBO Max in the US, and MyAEW internationally
Main Card:
Clockwork Carnage AEW World Championship Match: Will Ospreay (c) vs. Samoa Joe vs. Mike Bailey vs. Adam Copeland vs. Konosuke Takeshita vs. Kazuchika Okada vs. Ricochet vs. Darby Allin
AEW Women’s World Championship Match: Mercedes Mone (c) vs. Thekla
AEW World Tag Team Championship Match: The Young Bucks (c) vs. Kevin Knight and Kyle Fletcher
AEW Continental Championship Match: Jon Moxley (c) vs. Mark Davis
AEW TBS Championship Match: Persephone (c) vs. Hyan vs. Dani Luna vs. Queen Aminata
AEW National Championship Match: Andrade El Idolo (c) vs. Tommaso Ciampa
AEW World Trios Championship Two Out Of Three Falls Match: Swerve Strickland and The New Level (c) vs. Hangman Page and Brodido
Best Of Five Match One: FTR vs. Motor City Machine Guns
AEW WrestleDream 2026 has lost one of its scheduled championship matches after Jamie Hayter was ruled medically unfit to compete.
AEW President Tony Khan announced that The Brawling Birds’ AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championship defense against Wrathlander has been postponed due to Hayter’s ongoing injury. The match had been scheduled for this Saturday’s pay-per-view.
Khan shared the news on X, explaining that Hayter has yet to recover from injuries sustained during the Chicago Street Fight at AEW All Out 2026.
“I was hoping The Brawling Birds would be able to defend the tag team championships but Jamie Hayter, from that Chicago Street Fight [at AEW All Out 2026] is still out injured. Hopefully Jamie Hayter will be back in a couple of weeks,” Khan wrote.
Jamie Hayter Still Recovering From All Out Injury
Hayter suffered the injury during the AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championship defense she contested alongside Alex Windsor against Divine Dominion at All Out.
Although Hayter has appeared on AEW television since the event, including during Wednesday’s episode of AEW Dynamite, she has not competed in the ring since the injury.
Khan’s latest update suggests AEW is hopeful that Hayter could return within the next few weeks, although no definitive return date has been announced.
Wrathlander Match Postponed
Kris Statlander and Harley Cameron earned the opportunity to challenge The Brawling Birds after defeating Divine Dominion and The Sisters of Sin in a three-way match to determine the number one contenders.
However, with Hayter not medically cleared, the championship bout will now take place at a later date. AEW has not announced a rescheduled date for the match.
The postponement leaves WrestleDream without the planned women’s tag team title defense, while Hayter continues to recover from the injuries she sustained at All Out.
Adam Copeland has announced that 2027 will be his final year as an in-ring competitor. The AEW star revealed his retirement plans during Wednesday’s episode of AEW Dynamite after defeating Josh Alexander to qualify for the Clockwork Carnage match at AEW WrestleDream.
Copeland’s announcement came as he reflected on the serious injuries suffered by his longtime friend and tag team partner, Christian Cage, during their recent match at All Out.
Christian Cage Suffered Collapsed Lung and Broken Ribs at All Out
During his promo, Copeland revealed that Cage suffered a collapsed lung and multiple broken ribs during the three-way ladder match for the AEW World Tag Team Championships at All Out.
According to Copeland, Cage sustained the injuries just five minutes into the match after being thrown into a ladder. Despite the severity of his condition, Cage continued competing, with Copeland crediting his partner’s work ethic and desire to perform for the fans.
Seeing his best friend push through such a serious situation prompted Copeland to take a step back and reflect on his own future in wrestling.
Copeland Plans to Retire After 2027
Copeland explained that the experience led him to do some soul-searching and reconsider how much time he has left in the ring. He confirmed that 2027 will be his final year as an active wrestler and revealed that winning the AEW World Championship is one of his remaining goals.
The soon-to-be 53-year-old acknowledged that he understands his place in the industry is changing as he gets older. Copeland admitted that he is no longer the wrestler whose posters adorn teenagers’ bedroom walls, but said he has come to terms with aging out of the business.
Despite his impending retirement, Copeland made it clear that he still has ambitions to pursue before stepping away from competition, with the AEW World Championship standing out as a major target.
Don Callis Family Attacks Copeland on Dynamite
Copeland’s emotional announcement was interrupted by Don Callis, who mocked the veteran’s speech as a “pity party” before turning his attention to the upcoming Dynamite main event and the Don Callis Family.
Callis questioned whether Copeland would even make it to 2027, adding that he might not survive long enough to compete at Saturday’s AEW WrestleDream.
The threat quickly turned physical when members of the Don Callis Family, including Kevin Knight and Lance Archer, attacked Copeland from behind.
Copeland had just returned to singles action for the first time since the All Out ladder match, defeating Josh Alexander to earn his place in the Clockwork Carnage match. However, the post-match confrontation left him with another challenge ahead of WrestleDream.
With his retirement now on the horizon, Copeland appears determined to make the most of his remaining time in the ring while pursuing the AEW World Championship.
AEW Dynamite and Collision 3-hour special live tonight at 8 ET on TBS and HBO Max from the Wolstein Center at CSU in Cleveland, Ohio. Go-home show for Saturday’s WrestleDream pay-per-view.
AEW World Champion Will Ospreay and AEW National Champion Andrade El Idolo vs. Samoa Joe and Tommaso Ciampa
Mercedes Mone and Divine Dominion vs. Triangle of Madness (Skye Blue, Julia Hart and Thekla)
Death Riders (Jon Moxley, Gabe Kidd and Daniel Garcia) vs. Don Callis Family’s Mark Davis, Jake Doyle, and Wardlow
Clockwork Carnage Qualifying Match and for the TNT Championship: Darby Allin (c) vs. Hechicero
Clockwork Carnage Qualifying Match and for the AEW International Championship: Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Myron Reed
Clockwork Carnage Qualifying Match: Adam Copeland vs. Josh Alexander
Clockwork Carnage Qualifying Match: Konosuke Takeshita vs. Brian Cage
Clockwork Carnage Qualifying Match: Ricochet vs. Ace Austin
TBS Champion Persephone and Dr. Britt Baker, DMD vs. Dani Luna and Hyan
AEW Collision Grand Slam France tonight at 8/7c on TNT and HBO Max, taped from Paris France.
AEW Continental Championship Eliminator Match: Jon Moxley (c) vs. Jake Doyle
AEW World Tag Team Championship Match: The Young Bucks (c) vs. The Dogs
Clockwork Carnage Qualifying Match: Mike Bailey vs. Lee Moriarty
AEW National Championship Match: Andrade El Ídolo (c) vs Michael Oku
Nick Wayne vs. Chris Jericho
3-Way #1 Contenders Match: Sisters of Sin vs. Divine Dominion vs. Wrathlander (Kris Statlander & Harley Cameron) – AEW Women’s World Tag Team Champions the Brawling Birds on commentary
The Conglomeration (Orange Cassidy, Kyle O’Reilly, Roderick Strong & Willow Nightingale) vs. Death Riders (Daniel Garcia, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta & Marina Shafir)
AEW commentator and WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has announced that he will undergo another brain surgery this week following complications related to a previous procedure.
Ross shared the news on social media, revealing that doctors will perform surgery on Wednesday to address an issue involving a shunt that was placed in his brain earlier this year.
“Getting another brain surgery Wednesday morning to address an issue with my shunt. Positive thoughts appreciated. Thanks,” Ross wrote.
Getting another brain surgery Wednesday morning to address an issue with my shunt. Positive thoughts appreciated. Thanks
The legendary broadcaster previously underwent surgery in August 2026, forcing him to miss AEW All In London. However, recent complications have reportedly led to the need for additional medical treatment.
Ross recently discussed the situation on his Grilling JR podcast, explaining that he has been dealing with severe headaches that have significantly impacted his quality of life. According to Ross, the pain has been intense enough to interfere with his sleep, and he compared the symptoms to what someone suffering from extreme migraines might experience.
In addition to his current brain-related issues, Ross revealed that doctors have discovered a spot on his kidney that could potentially be cancerous. He is scheduled to travel to Oklahoma City to meet with a specialist and determine what further testing or treatment may be necessary.
The longtime wrestling voice has battled numerous health challenges in recent years. Since 2021, Ross has undergone treatment for skin, hip, and colon cancer, as well as several other medical procedures. Despite those setbacks, he announced in 2025 that he was cancer-free for the third time and later returned to call the final two matches at AEW All In Texas.
At this time, there is no word on when Ross may return to AEW programming. Everyone at WrestlingNewsBlog.com joins wrestling fans around the world in wishing JR a successful surgery and a speedy recovery.
