Final AEW Clockwork Carnage qualifying matches confirmed: The 10 stars who will compete for spots at WrestleDream 2026

AEW

A huge update has emerged on the Clockwork Carnage match scheduled for WrestleDream, with the final qualifying matches confirmed for the show.

Ahead of AEW Grand Slam France, AEW announced that the AEW World Championship will be defended in a Clockwork Carnage match will take place on October 17.

With eight stars set to compete for the title, three were recently confirmed, with Will Ospreay successfully defending his AEW World Title, and Samoa Joe and Mike Bailey winning their respective qualifying matches.

The remaining five competitors will be determined in qualifiers on the October 14 Dynamite/Collision three hour special, with five one-on-one matches announced with Clockwork Carnage spots on the line.

Clockwork Carnage rules

Put simply, the Clockwork Carnage match is essentially an elimination match with staggered entry, which turns into an Iron Man match once the final competitor has entered.

Two wrestlers will start in the ring, with new competitors entering every three minutes. Up until the eighth wrestler enters, wrestlers who are pinned or submitted during the bout are eliminated.

Once the final competitor joins the match, the remaining wrestlers will compete in a 15-minute scoring period, where pinfalls and submissions will score one fall each.

The wrestler with the most falls following the scoring period will leave WrestleDream with the AEW World Championship.

So, who will join Ospreay, Samoa Joe and Mike Bailey?

Darby Allin vs Hechicero

Following his recent title defense against Kyle Fletcher, Darby Allin will put the TNT Championship on the line this Wednesday against Hechicero.

Not only will the winner walk out of Cleveland, Ohio with the TNT Title, they will also earn a spot in the Clockwork Carnage match.

Darby Allin appears to be the favorite in this match, especially as Ospreay specifically named Allin as someone he wants to defend the AEW World Championship against.

Adam Copeland vs Josh Alexander

After losing the AEW World Tag Team Championship at All Out, Adam Copeland will return to the company’s singles division this Wednesday.

Copeland will face off against Josh Alexander during the three-hour special, with a Clockwork Carnage spot on the line.

While either competitor would be an exciting addition to the match, many are predicting that Copeland will qualify and challenge for the AEW World Title for the first time since March 2025.

Ricochet vs Ace Austin

A Clockwork Carnage spot will be awarded to the winner of Ricochet and Ace Austin’s match, also slated for October 14.

Ricochet and Ace Austin have both shared the ring with the current AEW World Champion this year, with Austin coming up short against Will Ospreay on the May 13 Dynamite episode.

Ospreay defeated Ricochet on the September 30 Dynamite: A Tribute to PAC show, with the Aerial Assassin hitting a Black Arrow to pay homage to the late star.

Brian Cage vs Konosuke Takeshita

Either Brian Cage or Konosuke Takeshita will be added to the Clockwork Carnage match, with the duo to face off in singles action ahead of WrestleDream.

Takeshita was notably Will Ospreay’s first opponent as an official AEW star, with Ospreay picking up the victory at Revolution 2024.

Cage has faced Ospreay in several singles matches across multiple promotions, most recently with the Aerial Assassin prevailing on the January 29, 2025 Dynamite episode.

Kazuchika Okada vs Myron Reed

During the three-hour Dynamite/Collision special, Kazuchika Okada will defend his International Championship against Myron Reed.

This match will also be for a spot in Clockwork Carnage, with the winner taking home all the spoils.

Okada was Will Ospreay’s most recent challenger, with the AEW World Champion defeating his former mentor at Dynamite: Grand Slam France.

To make sure you stay up to date with all the biggest wrestling and WrestleTalk news, follow us on Threads by clicking this link!

• AEW
• Dynamite
• clockwork carnage

Share this article with friends