By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
AEW Collision (Episode 14)
State College, Pennsylvania at Bryce Jordan Center
Aired live September 16, 2023 on TNT
[Hour One] Collision opened with brief promos from Bryan Danielson and Claudio Castagnoli, Ricky Starks and Big Bill, Kris Statlander, Britt Baker, and The Acclaimed… The Collision opening aired… Kevin Kelly and Nigel McGuinness were on commentary…
Ring announcer Bobby Cruise delivered the introductions for the opening match with the team of Ricky Starks and Big Bill made the initial entrance. Bryan Danielson and Claudio Castagnoli followed…
1. Bryan Danielson and Claudio Castagnoli vs. Ricky Starks and Big Bill. Kelly pointed out that Bill still had Jon Moxley’s blood on hits boots from their match at AEW Dynamite. Nigel said it was Big Bill and “Little Brittle Bryan” starting the match. The heel duo isolated Danielson and were dominating him heading into a picture-in-picture break. [C]
Castagnoli eventually tagged in and hit Bill with twenty uppercuts in the corner. Castagnoli followed up with a clothesline and then hoisted up Bill and executed a TKO for a near fall. Bill came right back with a chokeslam for a near fall of his own.
Starks checked in and ended up taking The Swing, which led to another two count. Castagnoli put Starks in the Sharpshooter. Bill broke it up. Danielson returned and sent Bill to ringside before hitting him with a suicide dive. Starks came back with a DDT on Castagnoli for a close near fall.
Danielson threw a series of kicks at Starks, who ducked the finale kick and rolled Danielson into a pin for a two count. Danielson immediately went for the LeBell Lock, but Starks escaped and then catapulted Danielson into the ropes. Bill hit Danielson from ringside. Starks speared Danielson and covered him for a two count.
Danielson rallied and went up top, but Bill crotched him from the floor. Castagnoli hit Bill with a running uppercut, but then Bill sent him over the barricade. In the ring, Danielson crotched Starks on the top rope and then went for a suplex, but Starks countered in mid-air and landed on Danielson for a two count. While the referee was paying attention to what was happening at ringside, Starks low-blowed Danielson and then hit him with the Roshambo for the win.
Ricky Starks and Big Bill defeated Bryan Danielson and Claudio Castagnoli in 16:30.
After the match, Castagnoli chased off the heels with a chair and then checked on Danielson…
Powell’s POV: A good tag match with the right finish. Starks needed to get his win back on Danielson after putting him over in the strap match. I’m still a little surprised that AEW didn’t flip Starks babyface once CM Punk was fired, but he is a good heel and I like his alliance with Big Bill.
Footage aired of Swerve Strickland issuing a challenge on behalf of Mogul Embassy to The Young Bucks and Hangman Page for the Grand Slam event…
The Bucks and Page stood on the Collision set and called for Mogul Embassy to put their ROH Six-Man Tag Team Titles on the line…
The broadcast team announced Brian Cage, Toa Liona, and Bishop Kaun vs. The Young Bucks and Hangman Page for the ROH Six-Man Tag Titles for Friday’s Grand Slam edition of AEW Rampage. They also hyped the AEW Tag Title for later in this episode… [C]
A Powerhouse Hobbs video aired. He said the next title of The Book of Hobbs is destruction and no one is safe. He said he was talking about inflicting physical and mental pain…
A Miro video package aired. He referred to Hobbs as a son of a bitch. He said he broke Hobbs’ back in their match and yet it didn’t make him humble, so they will have to meet up somewhere down the line. Miro turned his focus to his wife and said she delivered temptation when he was at his weakest. Miro said every time he tries to step away from her, she pulls him back. He said it’s not his fault that her absence from the world left all the people godless. Miro said they pray to him now and if one of them doesn’t want to be redeemed, he will pack them in pine boxes…
The Iron Savages and Jacked Jameson made their entrance. Jameson spoke on his way to the ring and then FTR’s entrance followed. Jameson taunted Harwood about being flabby and pinched his belly. FTR hit the Shatter Machine on Jameson, and then they were attacked by the challengers to start the match…
2. “FTR” Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler vs. “Iron Savages” Bronson and Boulder (w/Jacked Jameson) for the AEW Tag Titles. The Iron Savages were dominant to start. Harwood avoided a second rope moonsault from Boulder. FTR hit the Shatter Machine on Bronson. Harwood superplexed Boulder and then Wheeler splashed and pinned him…
“FTR” Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler defeated “Iron Savages” Bronson and Boulder in 3:25 to retain the AEW Tag Titles.
After the match, “The Workhorsemen” JD Drake and Anthony Henry entered the ring and were mentioned by name by Kelly. “Who?” McGuinness asked. It appeared that the Workhorsemen made sure they are next in line for an open challenge title match, and “Aussie Open” Kyle Fletcher and Mark Davis were shown watching it all play out on a backstage monitor…
Powell’s POV: The crowd clearly didn’t buy the Iron Savages as a threat given how flat they were while they were getting the early offense. The Savages and Jameson have been on Rampage, but they really haven’t been given a proper introduction. I assume I’ll be writing something similar about The Workhorsemen, who spend most of their time working on ROH.
Backstage, a production worker stepped in front of the camera and said “Take 22” and clapped his hands, and then someone else counted down Lexi Nair, who then interviewed Keith Lee. They were quickly interrupted by Shane Taylor and Lee Moriarty. Taylor said Moriarty is the best technical wrestler in the world and the newest member of Shane Taylor Promotions. Taylor recalled Lee saying anyone who faces him in singles competition should run. Taylor said he doesn’t run and Lee knows that. Lee said he also knows about Taylor’s mistakes and said that not running would soon be one…
Powell’s POV: Take 22? That was embarrassing. Anyway, if they are going to play on the history between Lee and Taylor, then hopefully they will take the time to dig into the ROH archives and tell the story properly. No, a 30-40 second video package isn’t enough.
The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn made their entrance. Max Caster rapped and worked in a line about Penn State winning in football. John Silver informed the trio that the contract they signed read that Caster and Gunn were banned from ringside…
3. John Silver vs. Anthony Bowens. As Bowens was sending off his partners, Silver jumped him from behind to start the match. Silver had the advantage heading into a PIP break. [C]
Bowens turned Silver inside out with a clothesline. Silver came right back with a suplex and a series of moves that resulted in a near fall. Bowens avoided a kick and executed a Ushigoroshi followed by a running knee strike. Silver rolled out of the ring.
Bowens went to the floor and threw Silver back in the ring and then played to the crowd. While the referee was tending to Silver, Evil Uno showed up and ran Bowens into the ring post and then tossed him back inside the ring. Silver followed up with a punt kick on Bowens and then pinned him…
John Silver beat Anthony Bowens in 9:20.
Powell’s POV: Two of the three match finishes have made the referees look foolish. I believe Silver winning means Dark Order will be challenging The Acclaimed and Gunn for the AEW Trios Titles at Grand Slam.
Eddie Kingston delivered a backstage promo. He asked what he was supposed to say. He said he thought there was a YouTube video that explains the history between him and Claudio Castagnoli. He recalled becoming friends with Castagnoli and they lived together, but then Castagnoli started judging him. He said Castagnoli decided not to do business and didn’t respect him.
“He left potholes in the road that many of us had to clean up,” Kingston said. He said that no matter what happens, this is it. Kingston noted that New York is home and said all of New York will have his back. Kingston dared Castagnoli to try to beat him in New York. He said New Yorkers are built on misery and questioned whether Castagnoli could say the same. Kingston said Castagnoli isn’t ready for misery…
Powell’s POV: No matter how many times they try to explain it, the idea of Castagnoli not doing business with Kingston before he left the independent scene comes off way too insider. Fortunately, Kingston is such a good promo that his intensity in this promo left me looking forward to his match with Castagnoli.
Backstage, Renee Paquette stood between Orange Cassidy and Hook. She said they both asked her to be there and asked what was up. Hook shared some of his chips with Cassidy, who said they should “do a tag match or something.” Hook agreed. Cassidy said Grand Slam, and then Hook said “let’s do it.” A confused Paquette said “cool” to close it out…
[Hour Two] Aussie Open made their entrance. Their opponents were already in the ring…
4. “Aussie Open” Kyle Fletcher and Mark Davis vs. two local wrestlers. Aussie Open dominated both men and used their finisher to get the win.
“Aussie Open” Kyle Fletcher and Mark Davis defeated two local wrestlers in 0:45.
After the match, Fletcher said they won their Dynamite match quickly and assumed they won even quicker tonight. Fletcher noted that FTR won the ROH and IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Titles, and said they did the same. Fletcher challenged FTR to face them at WrestleDream for the AEW Tag Titles…
A video aired called “Toni Storm: Portrait of a Star”. RJ City interviewed Storm in a home. She immediately complained about the lighting. Citi said people have noticed a change in Storm, who said she hasn’t changed and is still the same lovable girl. She mocked the idea of listening to the fans and signing every little girl with a sob story. Storm said she thought it was a company, not a charity. She said people wouldn’t know talent if it slapped their tits off. She said if that makes her the odd woman out, then so be it. Storm took issue with a lamp behind her. A “top be continued” graphic appeared…
A brief Scorpio Sky video aired. He said this time he wasn’t coming back, he was here. Sky made his entrance. Andrade El Idolo made his entrance wearing his mask, which he removed once he got to the ring…
5. Andrade El Idolo vs. Scorpio Sky. Early in the match, Sky was down on the floor when Andrade went up top. Sky got up and shoved Andrade from the top rope to the floor heading into a PIP break. [C]
Sky caught Andrade in an inside cradle for a two count. Andrade came right back by kicking Sky’s knee. Andrade applied the Figure Four and then bridged into the Figure Eight for the win.
Andrade El Idolo beat Scorpio Sky in roughly 9:00.
After the match, Andrade was on the verge of helping Sky to his feet when he was interrupted by the entrance music of Bullet Club Gold. Jay White, Juice Robinson, Colten Gunn, and Austin Gunn walked out with the White cardboard cut-out. White recalled Andrade watching his allies during their match last week. White said they are his boys and Andrade can’t have them.
White said he would give Andrade the opportunity of a lifetime by meeting him in a match next week. Austin did the “we got two words for ya'” bit. Colten said the words are “Gunns up.” White said he and Andrade could do the match now. Andrade exited the ring and was cut off by security and referees. Kelly indicated that the match would take place next Saturday…
A video package aired on the history between Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi, and also noted that Ibushi is the next target of Don Callis and Konosuke Takeshita… [C]
Tony Schiavone stood on the backstage interview set with Katsuyori Shibata. Schiavone noted that Shibata will defend the ROH Pure Championship against Nick Wayne on ROH on HonorClub next week. Shibata held up his phone and the dictation device said something about him and WrestleDream. McGuinness followed that up with a “wow” and something about a “great match”…
Powell’s POV: Shibata’s phone promo bit clearly needs to be pre-taped so that they can make sure viewers can actually hear what’s being said.
Entrances for the next tag team match took place…
6. Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy vs. “The Righteous” Vincent and Dutch. The heels had Matt isolated heading into an early break. [C] Late in the match, Dutch took out Matt at ringside. Vincent and Dutch hit their finisher and Jeff and then Vincent pinned him.
“The Righteous” Vincent and Dutch beat Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy in 7:20.
After the match, Dutch introduced himself and Vincent. He said they are two believers who seek the truth in the liar’s eyes. Vincent took the mic and said they just beat one of the greatest tag teams in the world. The fans booed. Vincent said people are just prisons to false icons and are fooled by the conmen and listen to the devil on their shoulder. He spoke about fake friendship and said it’s kinda like MJF and Adam Cole’s friendship…
Powell’s POV: There was a time when beating the Hardys would have packed a major punch. They lose so frequently these days that it just doesn’t mean as much as it once did. It came off like the crowd was more annoyed than shocked by the outcome.
An Eddie Kingston and Claudio Castagnoli video package aired and included footage from them working in Chikara as well as more modern footage. Castagnoli said this will be the last time he beats Kingston because he’s sick of it…
Kelly ran though the lineup for the Grand Slam Dynamite and Rampage shows. They did add the ROH Six-Man Tag Title and the AEW Trios Title matches to the lineup…
Kelly listed the following matches and segments for next Saturday’s Collision: Andrade El Idolo vs. Jay White, Rob Van Dam returns to the ring, FTR vs. The Workhorsemen for the AEW Tag Team Titles…
Schiavone interviewed FTR on the backstage set. Wheeler spoke about facing the Workhorsemen and said that’s what the open challenge is all about. He and Harwood also spoke about facing Aussie Open if they get past the Workhorsemen…
The broadcast team ran through the updated WrestleDream pay-per-view lineup…
A video package aired on Bryan Danielson vs. Zack Sabre Jr. The video featured Danielson talking about the promise he made to his daughter while images of his kids were shown. The video also included some comments from Sabre, who said he would end Danielson’s career in 2023…
Kelly hyped the main event for after the break… [C]
The director’s board appeared in front of the camera before Tony Schiavone interviewed Ricky Starks and Big Bill. It was by design, as Bill told the person holding the board to get out. Starks vented about Danielson facing a guy who isn’t even on the AEW roster at WrestleDream. Starks challenged Danielson to face him in a Texas Death Match on next week’s Collision and said he could put an end “to this whole fiasco” that is Danielson…
Entrances for the main event took place…
7. Kris Statlander vs. Britt Baker for the TBS Championship. Jim Ross joined the broadcast team for the main event. Statlander was on the offensive heading into a PIP break. [C] Statlander missed a top rope moonsault when Baker rolled out of the way. McGuinness told viewers he was just told by Tony Khan (drink twice, they mentioned him during the matchapalooza listing segment) informed him that they would stick with the match as long as they needed to.
A short time later, Baker performed a Stomp on Statlander for a near fall. Baker took her glove out and played to the crowd before putting it on. She did the DMD bit and was rolled up for a two count. Baker came right back and took Statlander down, pointed at the camera, and then went for the Lockjaw, but Statlander blocked it.
Statlander and Baker traded forearm shots with the fans cheering for home state gal Baker. Statlander caught Baker with a high kick, but then ran into a superkick. Statlander ducked a discus clothesline and then ran into another superkick. Statlander fired back with a clothesline that left both wrestlers down.
[Overrun] Baker went for a Panama Sunrise, but Statlander stuffed it. Baker countered into a pin for a two count. Baker performed a Destroyer and then followed up with Angel’s Wings and a Stomp. Baker covered Statlander for a good near fall. The crowd booed.
Baker went to the ropes and did her DMD bit again, and was once again cut off by Statlander, who got Baker on her back. Baker countered into a submission hold. Statlander powered up, but Baker applied the Lockjaw. Statlander rolled Baker over and pinned her while Baker still had the Lockjaw applied…
Kris Statlander defeated Britt Baker in 12:00 to retain the TBS Championship.
After the match, Julia Hart was shown watching. Statlander pulled Baker to her feet and raised her arm. Baker exited the ring and then Statlander stuck around and held up her title belt while the show went off the air…
Powell’s POV: Good drama down the stretch. I could have done without Baker showboating repeatedly and looking silly for doing it because it kept leading to Statlander cutting her off. But the live crowd was hot for Baker, who went to school at Penn State, so there was a good atmosphere. And while the crowd booed Statlander during the match, they seemed to be cheering her after the post match showing of respect from her and Baker.
Overall, the show had more of a Dynamite pacing than usual, which is a negative in my book. The announcement of Rob Van Dam wrestling in his hometown on next week’s Collision should help move some tickets. I will have more to say when I fill in for Will Pruett tonight in our weekly audio review of Collision for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of the show by grading it below.
Hey Jason
How many “takes” do you get when writing for your site?
Sorry for the bad joke.
I love bloopers. I am not watching live. I wonder if it’s as cool as the Christian/Lita/Trish blooper on RAW 2 decades ago.
If Nigel is talking shit about Danielson on commentary you’ve gotta figure they’re confident they can get one last match out of them.
“Take 22” was a joke.
Not too bad of an episode, but man, although I really enjoy AEW, they prove a little storyline really makes the show much more interesting. They have a few going, so hopefully they continue this trend.
Stat is the real deal. Glad they are pushing her.