By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
AEW Collision (Episode 27)
Garland, Texas at Curtis Culwell Center
Aired live December 16, 2023 on TNT
[Hour One] The Winter is Coming graphic appeared for a moment and then they cut to soundbite promos from Eddie Kingston, Daniel Garcia, Claudio Castagnoli, Andrade El Idolo, Brody King, Bryan Danielson, and Orange Cassidy. While the tournament entrants spoke briefly about their matches, Cassidy simply said he didn’t know what to say… The Collision opening aired…
Tony Schiavone, Kevin Kelly, and Nigel McGuinness were on commentary, and Dasha was the ring announcer. The broadcast team read through the tournament rules and looked at the leaderboard for the gold and blue leagues… Entrances for the opening match took place Alvaro Riojas and Thunder Rosa checked in from the Spanish broadcast table…
1. Andrade El Idolo vs. Claudio Castagnoli in a Continental Classic tournament blue league match. Kelly noted that Andrade beat Mistico in a trios match in CMLL at Arena Mexico one night earlier. Andrade targeted Castagnoli’s right knee with dragon screw leg whips. Castagnoli came back with a popup uppercut that led to a two count before the first picture-in-picture break. [C]
Castagnoli performed a giant swing. Andrade came back with a figure four, but Castagnoli reached the ropes to break it. A short time later, Andrade performed a sunset bomb from the middle rope, which led to a near fall. Castagnoli rallied and executed a superplex. Andrade shrugged it off and performed two suplexes. Castagnoli blocked a third.
Andrade caught Castagnoli with a back elbow and covered him for a near fall. Both men ended up on the ropes. Andrade set up for his finisher on the turnbuckle, but Castagnoli avoided and dumped him on the top turnbuckle. The referee picked up the turnbuckle cover that had come off. Meanwhile, Castagnoli picked up Andrade and drove his knee into his balls. Castagnoli performed the Neutralizer and scored the pin…
Claudio Castagnoli defeated Andrade El Idolo in 15:35 to gain three points in the Continental Classic tournament.
The updated leaderboard showed Castagnoli now with six points through four matches, while Andrade remained at nine points through four matches. Bryan Danielson and Brody King each have six points through three matches, Eddie Kingston has three points through three matches, and Daniel Garcia has no points through three matches…
Powell’s POV: A strong back and forth match in front of a lively crowd. They got the show off to a strong start. The majority of the crowd was behind Andrade and seemed surprised by Castagnoli resorting to a low blow to steal the win.
A brief video package recapped the Continental Classic gold league matches from Wednesday’s Dynamite…
2. Abadon vs. Jazmin Allure. Allure’s entrance was not televised. Abadon no-sold an early kick. Abadon dropped Allure with a kick and followed up with a running knee to the head. Abadon performed a DDT and scored the pin.
Abadon defeated Jazmin Allure in 1:05.
The lights went out after the match and then TBS Champion Julia Hart was in the ring once they returned on. Hart placed the title belt between her and Abadon. The crowd chanted for Julia, and then Abadon speared her. Hart fought back, but Abadon got the better of it and hit Hart with a running knee strike. Abadon picked up the TBS Title.
Skye Blue entered the ring in non-wrestling attire and then traded a look with Abadon before they both turned and looked at Hart. Suddenly, Blue hit Abadon from behind. Hart and Blue worked over Abadon.
Thunder Rosa hopped the barricade and helped Abadon clear Hart and Skye from the ring. Rosa and Abadon backed into one another. A “welcome back” chant broke out. Rosa offered a handshake, which Abadon accepted… [C]
Powell’s POV: A quick squash win for Abadon, who is obviously still being positioned for a title shot against Hart. It’s great to see Rosa back after all this time. I hope the pairing with Abadon is temporary, because I can’t say that I’d be excited about watching them form a regular alliance.
Renee Paquette interviewed AEW Trios Champions Billy Gunn and “The Acclaimed” Max Caster and Anthony Bowens. Gunn said they were knocked back down and the got back up and now they are pissed off. Caster said they were coming for whoever is under The Devil mask. Caster said he was friends with MJF, but he wants nothing to do with him because he put them in danger. Bowens said they would beat their “Scooby Doo asses” and then get back to being the best trio in AEW history.
Dante Martin, Darius Martin, and Action Andretti walked onto the interview set. Dante said they didn’t attack The Acclaimed. They and spoke about their recent victories and said they would like a title shot. Caster said they were in the wrong place at the wrong time and granted them the title match for next week’s AEW Collision in San Antonio…
Schiavone said the match was made official by Tony Khan (that was quick) and then entrances for the AEW International Championship match took place…
Powell’s POV: The promo segment was solid and sets up a nice match for next week. That said, I expected something a little hotter for the return of The Acclaimed.
3. Orange Cassidy vs. Bryan Keith for the AEW International Championship. Schiavone spoke about Keith gaining respect by lasting as long as he did in the Survival of the Fittest match at ROH Final Battle. Schiavone touted that over 10,000 tickets were sold on the first day of sales to the general public for AEW Revolution in Greensboro. Keith put Cassidy down with a big boot to the head before a PIP break. [C]
Late in the match, Cassidy countered a gut-wrench attempt with a Beach Break for a near fall. Cassidy threw light kicks at Keith and then started throwing hard kicks. Keith stood up and took a kick to the face and then responded with one of his own. Keith connected with another kick in the corner and then performed a cutter from the middle rope that led to a near fall. Cassidy countered out of another move and hooked Keith into a pin for the win.
Orange Cassidy defeated Bryan Keith in roughly 9:30 to retain the AEW International Championship.
After the match, Cassidy offered Keith a handshake. Keith slapped his hand away, but then bowed and tipped his cap to Cassidy, who returned the favor by bowing while tipping his shades down. Meanwhile, Schiavone acknowledged that Brodie Lee would have turned 44 today and offered best wishes to his widow Amanda and their children…
A Miro video package aired. He spoke of being tired of avoiding people to please his wife. He said he wants to fight Andrade because he’s an asshole (censored). He said he’s ready to kill everyone to please himself… [C]
Powell’s POV: I’ll be surprised if we don’t see a “Bryan Keith is All Elite” or whatever the ROH equivalent is these days. He’s made a name for himself on the independent scene and had back to back strong matches on Final Battle and now Collision. By the way, it’s interesting that the censoring that occurred on Dynamite was followed up with another word being censoring on Collision.
Lexi Nair interviewed Komander on the backstage interview set and touted his impressive performance in the Survival of the Fittest match. “Komander!!!” Roderick Strong yelled offscreen. Strong walked onto the set with Matt Taven and Mike Bennett. Strong and Bennett boasted about being former ROH TV Champions. Strong told his allies that he’d found his next victim and then pointed at Komander and yelled his name again…
“FTR” Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler made their entrance while Schiavone touted Final Battle and the HonorClub streaming service. Once in the ring, Wheeler told House of Black to meet them face to face if they have a problem. Wheeler spoke about all of the titles they have won since they came to AEW.
Wheeler said Malakai Black and Buddy Matthews are still just unrealized potential. Wheeler said they were just jealous of the success that Brody King and Julia Hart are having. Harwood spoke about not having the best physiques and said he’s heard they are hard to do business with, but they don’t back down from a fight. Harwood said he has a problem being hit from behind. Harwood said he was going to issue a challenge. He said “House of Black” and then his mic cut out.
Malakai Black and Buddy Matthews appeared on the big screen. Matthews said FTR misunderstands in that they are not trying to hurt them, they are trying to point out that no one has their back. Matthews said the people love Dax and then questioned who loves Wheeler. Matthews said they love him and would welcome both of them being in their family.
Black said it’s not personal, it’s what happens when they have to prove a point. Black said it’s so aggressive that it hurts them because it’s love. Black pointed out that no one saved FTR when they attacked them.
[Hour Two] Black said he wanted to make it personal, he would have a picture of Harwood with his wife and daughter. FTR stormed out of the ring. Matthews produced a photo. “And I would do this to it,” Black said before setting it on fire. Black said it was symbolic and whether FTR likes it or not, they are their family now…
The broadcast team spoke at ringside and set up a video package on Keith Lee…
Kris Statlander and Willow Nightingale made their entrance dressed in schoolgirl attire. Their opponents Mercedes Martinez and Diamante came out with baseball bats…
4. Kris Statlander and Willow Nightingale vs. Mercedes Martinez and Diamante in a Texas Street Fight. There were street signs leaning against the ropes. The teams brawled immediately. Willow had a bottle slammed over her head at ringside. Statlander DDT’d Diamante onto a barbwire bat.
Statlander fought off Martinez, who was working over a bloody Willow at ringside. Statlander and Willow moved the ring steps. A blood Diamante ran up the steps and dove at Statlander and Willow, who caught her. Back in the ring, Martinez slammed a tire iron over Willow’s back.
Statlander placed three chairs on the mat. Martinez put Statlander on the ropes and then suplexed her onto the chairs. Diamante covered Statlander, but Willow broke up the pin heading into a PIP break. [C] Diamante slapped Willow and flipped her off.
Willow speared Diamante into a board that was set up in the corner. It didn’t break, so Willow tried to slam Diamante through it, but the damn thing didn’t break again. Statlander covered Martinez, but Diamante slammed a briefcase over Statlander’s back to break up the pin.
Diamante opened the briecase and poured thumbtacks and glass onto the mat. Martinez drove Statlander’s head into the pile. Diamante performed a Destroyer on Statlander onto the pile and went for the pin, but Willow broke it up. Moments later, Martinez powerbombed Willow through a table on the floor. Statlander wrapped a chain around her arm and then clotheslined Martinez before pinning her.
Kris Statlander and Willow Nightingale beat Mercedes Martinez and Diamante in roughly 10:30 in a Texas Street Fight.
Afterward, Statlander celebrated the win and then went to ringside and checked on Willow…
Powell’s POV: An over the top brawl that got a big rise out of the live crowd. It’s not my style, but everyone involved worked hard and will be feeling this one in the morning. I just wish the build to the match was stronger so that this would have felt more meaningful.
Backstage, Renee Paquette spoke with AEW Women’s Champion and Mariah May. Paquette said that the winner of Riho vs. Saraya will challenge Storm for the title at the Worlds End pay-per-view. Paquette asked Storm if she had a preference. Storm said not really.
Paquette spoke with May, who said Tony Khan helped her apply for her American wrestling license. She said she will have her first match soon and asked Storm to be on commentary for it. Storm said she’s very busy. May said it was okay and hoped that Storm would check it out and give her some pointers, but Storm said she’s really busy. Storm said May would be the first to know when she holds another seminar. Storm spoke briefly about Riho and Saraya tearing each other’s eyes out…
The broadcast team said the Riho vs. Saraya match will be held on Dynamite…
A video package on Adam Copeland and Christian Cage aired. Copeland said he should have been prepared for all scenarios. He said he wanted Cage in a No DQ match at Worlds End. He said he would beat Cage and become the new TNT Champion…
5. Brian Cage (w/Prince Nana) vs. Kari Wright. Wright’s entrance was not televised. Cage took all of the offense and finished him off after a Drill Claw… [C]
Brian Cage beat Kari Wright in 1:20.
Lexi Nair interviewed Brian Cage, Toa Liona, Bishop Kaun, and Prince Nana on the backstage interview set. Nana said Swerve would win the Continental Classic and spoke about the others. He started to sing “we’re in the money.” Keith Lee showed up and said they would tell “him” that his patience is running out…
6. Eddie Kingston vs. Daniel Garcia in a Continental Classic tournament blue league match. Both entrances were televised. Matt Menard sat in on commentary. Schiavone said Tony Khan(!) told him that Julia Hart and Skye Blue will face Thunder Rosa and Abadon next week on Collision. Kingston put Garcia down with a DDT heading into a PIP break. [C]
Kingston threw a series of chops in the corner. Garcia motioned for more, so Kingston obliged. Garcia did a tired version of his dance. Kingston hit him with more chops until he sat down in the corner. Garcia did the dance while seated to taunt Kingston.
Kingston charged Garcia, who moved. Garcia worked over Kingston in the corner and hit him with a running boot to the head. Garcia performed a dragon screw leg whip and then applied a kneebar, which Kingston broke by reaching the ropes.
Garcia rolled Kingston into an ankle lock and grapevined, but Kingston reached the bottom rope. Kingston came back with an exploder suplex and then dropped Garcia with a spinning back fist, which led to a near fall. A “this is awesome” chant broke out.
Garcia suplexed Kingston twice and got a near fall. Garcia went for his Dragon Slayer finisher, but Kingston avoided it. Both men traded slaps and then Garcia dropkicked Kingston’s knee. Kingston came right back with a suplex and a back fist and scored the pin…
Eddie Kingston defeated Daniel Garcia in 12:15 to earn three points in the Continental Classic tournament.
Menard was shown looking frustrated by Garcia’s loss. The updated blue league standings were shown briefly and then the broadcast team hyped the main event… [C]
Powell’s POV: A crowd pleaser. As popular as Kingston is, it seemed like the fans were just as into Garcia by the end of the match.
Bryan Danielson made his entrance was wearing his eye patch. Schiavone said they would stick with the match if it ran past the top of the hour. Brody King made his entrance…
7. Bryan Danielson vs. Brody King in a Continental Classic tournament blue league match. Danielson threw several kicks at the left leg of King. Graphics listed the finals for the gold and blue leagues for the December 27 edition of Dynamite, along with the Continental Classic overall final for the Worlds End pay-per-view.
King drilled Danielson with a cannonball in the corner. Danielson sold eye pain and rolled to ringside. Referee Paul Turner checked on Danielson. Schiavone said Danielson told Turner he was okay. “You know Danielson would say that,” Schiavone said. Danielson ditched the patch, but he had his eye bandaged.
King slammed Danielson head on the side of the broadcast table twice and then ran him into the barricade. King seated Danielson on a chair against the barricade and then performed a running crossbody block heading into the last PIP break. [C]
Danielson, who bled above his eye, hit King with a flying knee off the apron. Back in the ring, Danielson went up top and executed a missile dropkick, but King backed into the corner and stayed on his feet. Danielson hit him with a big dropkick in the corner. Danielson threw leg kicks.
Danielson placed King in a seated position on the top rope and went up, but King crotched him on the top rope and then clotheslined him back inside the ring before covering him for a two count. Danielson came back by catching King in a half crab. Schiavone ran through the Dynamite lineup and added a Samoa Joe promo and Roderick Strong vs. Komander.
Danielson threw elbows at the side of King’s head. King stood up and performed a Death Valley Driver for a near fall. Danielson rallied and hit his Busaiku Knee and covered King, who kicked out at one. Danielson threw kicks at a kneeling King. When Danielson went for the finale kick, King shot up and turned him inside out with a clothesline. King covered Danielson for a two count. A “this is awesome” chant broke out.
King tried to powerbomb Danielson, who caught him in an inside cradle for a two count. Danielson hit a pair of Busaiku Knee strikes. When King got to his knees, Danielson hit him with another Busaiku Knee to the back of the head and then pinned him…
Bryan Danielson defeated Brody King in 15:15 to earn three points in the Continental Classic tournament.
[Overrun] The updated blue league standings through four matches for each wrestler were Danielson and Andrade with nine points, King, Castagnoli, and Kingston with six points, and Garcia with no points. They also showed the gold league standings.
Schiavone hyped Danielson vs. Castagnoli, King vs. Garcia, and Andrade vs. Kingston in the final blue league matches for next week’s Collision. Danielson sold the damage he took during the match and then Schiavone closed out the show on commentary…
Powell’s POV: A hell of a main event. All three tournament matches delivered in a big way and made this a strong episode. As much as I am enjoying the tournament, I am very curious to see what the company does to give Collision its own identity in the new year. Will Pruett will be by with his weekly Collision audio review for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of the show by grading it below.
Having the women bleeding and rolling around in glass and thumbtacks is exactly the reason they’re going to get kicked off the network. Do you think the sponsors like this crap? Why do this on free tv for an audience of 400000 viewers?
You complaining for no damn reason, let the networks worry about that and it’s no different than Moxley bleeding in a match. Sponsors should know better that they’ll bleed it’s a contact sport. Sponsors need to stop being pussies.
Typical AEW moron. Get a job. Get a life. Move out of your mom’s basement
Calm down, man. Are you on the same meds are Jim Cornette or something? It’s a wrestling show. Not a reason to riot at the capital.
But they’re not bleeding because “it’s a contact sport”. They’re bleeding cause they’re cutting themselves with razor blades(caught on camera multiple times thanks to to the combined incompetence of Bleedin’ Jon and the camera crew) and using barbed wire and thumb tacks.