WWE is heading back to Japan in October with two shows set for October 17 and 18. The news was issued via press release on Tuesday, July 29. Fans online immediately pointed out this is set to run on the same day as AEW WrestleDream.
"WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings, today announced a return to Japan this October for back-to-back rights at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Friday, October 17 and Saturday, October 18," WWE shared in the press release. "These will mark the only WWE events taking place in Japan in 2025."
WWE was last in Japan during its Super Show Summer Tour back in 2024. That showcase took place over three days, July 25 through July 27, 2024. Some of the big matches that happened during that run icluded Liv Morgan defending the WWE Women's World Championship against IYO Sky. Sami Zayn defeating Dominick Mysterio for the WWE Intercontinental Championship, and GUNTHER defeating Rey Mysterio.
As of this writing, no match announcements have been revealed for the October excursion.
WWE Japan tour runs counter to AEW WrestleDream
Fans immediately pointed out that this showcase happens at hte same time of AEW WrestleDream. That event is scheduled for Saturday, October 18 from the Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, Missouri. WrestleDream is a showcase meant to honor one of the most important names in professional wrestling history, Japanese star, Antonio Inoki. The card typically features stars from AEW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, and expectations are that this show will also feature performers from other companies like CMLL and STARDOM.
WWE planning a show in Japan the same weekend as AEW hosts a major PPV that is meant to honor a famous Japanese performer isn't just a coincidence. The AEW event was announced on July 21, and nine days later WWE releases its news.
This follows the trend of WWE counterprogramming AEW's biggest shows. AEW All In 2025 was met with three WWE events that weekend. While Evolution 2025 was a strong show and the women did their thing, that was in spite of the terrible booking that set the stage for the show. Much of the praise from that weekend was favoring AEW, as their weekend closed out with "Hangman" Adam Page winning the AEW World Championship for the second time.
WWE continues to program against major AEW shows. Going to Japan the same weekend AEW sets to honor Japan's greatest professional wrestler should not be ignored.