Tony Khan announced a few hours ago that the next few weeks of AEW programming will see an eight-man tournament to determine who will face Kenny Omega for his newly won International Championship at Dynasty. Typically, this announcement came right after our Dynamite preview came out.
The #AEWDynasty International Eliminator starts TOMORROW on Wednesday Night #AEWDynamite!
4 first round matches on
Dynamite + Collision!
The winners will fight next Wednesday Night in a 4-Way Eliminator, with the winner earning a title shot vs @KennyOmegamanX on PPV at Dynasty! pic.twitter.com/1axjK4YNy9— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) March 12, 2025
AEW Dynasty International Championship Eliminator Tournament Brackets and Match Dates
- AEW Dynamite 12th March, round 1- Orange Cassidy vs. Hechicero.
- AEW Dynamite 12th March, round 1- Wild Card vs. The Beast Mortos.
- AEW Collision 15th March, round 1- Katsuyori Shibata vs. Ricochet.
- AEW Collision 15th March, round 1- Mark Briscoe vs. Mark Davis.
- AEW Dynamite 19th March, both semi-finals- Orange Cassidy/Hechicero vs Wild Card/The Beast Mortos and Katsuyori Shibata/Ricochet vs Mark Briscoe/Mark Davis.
Speculations and Predictions
AEW’s history with Eliminator tournaments is rich. At their best, they are used as a structure to build credible contenders and characters, drive personal story arcs and deliver bangers.
At their worst, they can sometimes be predictable, and the follow-up can risk fumbling a wrestler temporarily. However, for a company that historically likes tournaments, AEW showed restraint in 2024 compared to 2023, which was a year of tournaments.
This will help fan excitement for this eliminator, along with the current positive changes in AEW creative. There’s room for more than a few banger matches.
Starting with Dynamite, many are expecting the Wild Card to represent Canada. We know “Speedball” Mike Bailey is AEW bound. There are also rumours about Josh Alexander becoming All-Elite. Expect one of these men to make their debut tonight.
Orange Cassidy vs. Hechicero could be the match of the TV week. The Mad Scientist’s technical wizardry against Cassidy’s intellectual games screams hard to predict.
Cassidy seems to be the foreshadowed tournament winner, given how a few weeks ago Omega stood opposite Cassidy while holding the AEW International Championship. What an incredible match that could be.
Yet…
As discussed in AEW’s New Year Resolutions, AEW needs to revamp their darlings and give characters purpose. Cassidy is such an incredible performer he could get away with his current reset without mentioning his prior dark attire and mood.
However, doing so misses an interesting opportunity. AEW often does its best characterization not from big wins but losses. Losing two opportunities at the International Championship could push/force Cassidy’s character towards growth.
Doing so would open an opportunity for someone else to face Omega. Perhaps helping to establish the Wild Card, or having Ricochet bounce back after his loss at Revolution. At their best, AEW tournaments help multiple competitors.
More From LWOS Pro Wrestling
Header photo – AEW – Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on AEW Dynamite and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world. As well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can catch AEW Dynamite on Wednesday nights at 8 PM ET on TBS. AEW Collision airs Saturday at 8pm Eastern on TNT. More AEW content available on their YouTube
