AEW set to spotlight Kansas City as emerging hotbed for pro wrestling
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- AEW stages three-hour “Dynamite” and “Collision” combined show in Kansas City.
- Local crowd supports top stars; Page and Hobbs use KC to amplify profiles, build momentum.
- Kansas City emerges as recurring AEW hub, hosting top stars and title matches.
Kansas City is officially All Elite.
On Wednesday, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) will return to Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence for its final stop on the road to Saturday’s pay-per-view event “AEW: WrestleDream.”
Fans will be treated to a special three-hour show. AEW will present both episodic television shows “Dynamite” and “Collision” on Wednesday. It will be the final event ahead of “AEW: WrestleDream.”
“You know, I saw it on the lineup, so I was excited to come back,” AEW world champion “Hangman” Adam Page told The Star. “It’s a wonderful city and glad to be back there.”
Page will be a part of the main event at “AEW: WrestleDream.” He is scheduled to defend his title against top challenger Samoa Joe at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis. It will be one of his biggest title defenses since winning the championship against Jon Moxley at “AEW All In: Texas” pay-per-view event in July.
It will be a full-circle moment for Page. He returns to Kansas City as one of the top stars of the company — and a beloved fan favorite.
“I think we do have a great fan base in Kansas City,” Page said. “And every time we have been there, the crowd has been great. … So it’s kind of a doubleheader. You’ll get plenty of wrestling this Wednesday, so I’m excited.”
Kansas City is quickly becoming a hotbed for pro wrestling. AEW has held regular shows at Cable Dahmer Arena in recent years. The venue has welcomed the likes of top stars including Page, Darby Allin, “Timeless” Toni Storm and AEW women’s champion Kris Statlander among others.
AEW has multiple matches in store for Wednesday night. The star-studded wrestling card includes big matches and a face-to-face meeting between Moxley and Allin. The AEW stars will battle at “AEW: WrestleDream” in an “I Quit” match.
AEW star “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs will also be in action Wednesday. He will team with both Joe and Katsuyori Shibata — the trio is known as “The Opps” — in an AEW world trios title match against LFI (La Faccion Ingobernable).
“The Opps” have held the AEW world trios titles for over 180 days.
“The last time I was in KC I didn’t have a title,” Hobbs said. “It’s definitely rewarding. Coming back somewhere I didn’t have a championship gold, now it shows I’m progressing and I’m getting better.”
Hobbs is a staple of AEW programming. In 2020, Hobbs made his AEW debut and is a former AEW TNT Champion. He joined the “The Opps” and has crossed paths with Page and others in recent weeks.
His personal story has inspired many fans. He had a tough upbringing but has persevered to pursue his dream of becoming a professional wrestler. On Wednesday, he will get a chance to step into the spotlight and share his talent on the biggest stage.
“I know there is someone out there who’s been in my position, or is in my position, that will look up to me,” Hobbs said. “And hopefully, I can help them out. You know, that’s my duty.”
Page will be on commentary during the AEW world trios match. Wednesday’s show will give both Page and Hobbs a chance to perform in front of an electric KC audience.
“For me, it’s about paving the way for others,” Hobbs said. “You know, what can I add? It’s almost like looking at it like the yellow brick road. What bricks can I lay down so someone else can step on it?”
Fans interested in attending both AEW’s “Dynamite” and “Collision” on Wednesday, Oct. 15 can find tickets at allelitewrestling.com.
Cable Dahmer Arena pre-paid parking is available at ticketmaster.com. Parking is also available the day of the event — both online and in-person.
Featured AEW match card
“AEW Dynamite” will begin at 6:30 p.m. Central at Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence. Doors will open an hour before and the event will also be telecast live on TBS or HBO Max.
Here is a look at the matches for the three-hour show:
AEW world trios championship: “The Opps” vs. LFI (La Faccion Ingobernable)
Tag match: Orange Cassidy and Kyle O’Reilly vs. Death Riders
Trios match: Kenny Omega and Jurassic Express vs. Mark Davis, Hechicero, Josh Alexander
Singles match: Claudio Castagnoli vs. Roderick Strong
Singles match: Skye Blue vs. Jamie Hayter
Tag match: The Hurt Syndicate vs. Gates of Agony (GOA)
Special face to face: Jon Moxley and Darby Allin before “AEW: WrestleDream”
Famous last words: AEW women’s world champion Kris Statlander and “Timeless” Toni Storm
