By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
AEW Collision (Episode 70)
Taped November 14, 2024 in Albany, New York at MVPArena
Aired November 16, 2024 on TNT
[Hour One] Tony Schiavone checked in on commentary and was joined by Nigel McGuinness. Anna Jay was shown arriving at the building. “No DQ, no problem,” Jay said. A shot aired of the arrival of Mariah May. “This one’s for me,” May said…
Powell’s POV: More of this, please. I don’t need to see the arrivals of all the top wrestlers like they do on Raw some weeks, but the shot of the champion and the challenger established the AEW Women’s Championship match as the most important thing on this show.
Arkady Aura delivered the introductions for the opening match and both entrances were televised…
1. Mina Shirakawa vs. Harley Cameron. There was early breast shaking from both wrestlers. Cameron got the better of Shirakawa, who came back with a figure four that Cameron broke by reaching the ropes. Cameron executed a Backstabber.
A short time later, Cameron performed a belly-to-back suplex for a near fall. Cameron rolled up Shirakawa and tried to use the ropes for leverage, but the referee caught her. Cameron bickered with the ref and then ate a rolling elbow strike.
Shirakawa hit a Disaster Kick. Shirakawa hit a sling blade clothesline from the ropes for a near fall. Cameron came back and got a two count, but Shirakawa popped up and hitting a spinning back fist. Shirakawa hit her Glamorous Driver finisher and got the three count…
Mina Shirakawa defeated Harley Cameron in 8:00.
Powell’s POV: A full hour of Rampage dedicated to Shirakawa and Cameron having a breast shake-off would surely pop a rating, among other things. Bad jokes aside, this was a longer and more competitive match than I anticipated. No complaints. Cameron is improving in the ring and already has the big personality. It will be interesting to see if she can put it all together over the next year or two. Meanwhile, Shirakawa is charismatic and good in the ring. The fans like her and hopefully she’ll end up being an AEW regular.
Jack Perry was shown arriving in his bus. Perry exited the bus and smiled…
Daniel Garcia made his entrance and wore an AEW t-shirt. Johnny TV’s entrance followed and he was joined by MxM Collection…
2. Daniel Garcia vs. Johnny TV (w/Mansoor, Mason Madden). Matt Menard sat in on commentary. Mansoor distracted the referee while Madden chokeslammed Garcia. Madden laid down on the apron, looked into the camera, and said: “What? I didn’t do anything. I just look good.” TV covered Garcia for a two count heading into a picture-in-picture break. [C]
Jack Perry hopped the barricade and attacked Menard while TV had Garcia down on the other side of the ring. Perry tossed Menard over the barricade and followed. No cameras followed them.
In the ring, Garcia came back and hit a spinning neckbreaker for a near fall. TV took advantage of some chaos involving Mansoor and Madden. TV went for a top rope move that Garcia avoided. Garcia hit a shotgun dropkick and then put TV in a Cobra Clutch and got the submission win.
Daniel Garcia beat Johnny TV in 9:15.
After the match, Garcia celebrated his win and then noticed that Menard wasn’t at the broadcast table. Schiavone told Garcia what happened. Footage aired on the big screen of Perry working over Menard in a backstage area, which caused Garcia to run to the back.
The broadcast team spoke briefly and they cut to footage of Perry beating up Menard in the parking area in front of his bus. Perry told Menard that he’s holding Garcia back. Perry said he would fix that.
Perry pulled a chain out of his bus with a hook on it. Perry tied the chain around the neck and chest of Menard and then hooked the other end to his truck. “We all sacrifice,” Perry said.
Daniel Garcia showed up and attacked Perry before he could get back in the bus. Menard blocked the camera shot while Garcia roughed up Perry heading into a break… [C]
Powell’s POV: Perry beating up Menard is a babyface turn, right? Seriously, I have no idea why Menard is back playing the role of Garcia’s personal color commentator. Garcia should have had a clause in his new contract that put an end to that shit. The angle was solid, though I seriously question how many viewers care about Menard’s babyface character. For the record, I’m not a Menard hater by any means. I just don’t think he helps Garcia’s act in any way, and it’s hard to get excited about Menard eventually turning on Garcia and starting a feud.
A Lio Rush video package aired. He said it’s hard to know exactly who you are when you lose the matches that mean the most. He said he’s the Man of the Hour and he came to AEW to collect titles. He said he prays that the people he calls his friends get on the same page because it’s only a matter of time before he’s rushing to the top…
Back in the parking lot, Garcia had Perry chained and tied to the hood of his own bus. Menard climbed in the driver’s seat and drove the bus while Perry was on the hood…
Powell’s POV: Perry’s character was horrified by what Darby Allin probably does for fun on a lazy Monday night.
3. Shelton Benjamin (w/MVP) vs. Komander (w/Alex Abrahantes). Both entrances were televised. Benjamin toyed with Komander early and blew off his offensive move attempts. Komander eventually caught Benjamin with a kick and then performed a springboard armdrag.
Komander held Benjamin’s arm and then jumped back and forth between the middle and top rope before going for a huracanrana that Benjamin stuffed. Benjamin powerbombed Komander before a PIP break. [C]
Komander sent Benjamin to ringside and then went up top and ran the ropes before performing a dive onto him. Komander followed up with a 619 back inside the ring.
Komander went up top and walked the ropes before going for a move that Benjamin avoided. Benjamin performed a couple of suplexes and a running knee, then followed up with a superkick. Benjamin powerslammed Komander and pinned him.
Shelton Benjamin defeated Komander in 9:30.
After the match, MVP had Benjamin go for the mask of Komander. Abrahantes tried to intervene. Benjamin released Komander. MVP grabbed Abrahantes and drilled him with a clothesline…
Powell’s POV: An entertaining match. I think the idea is that Komander is coming close to getting a breakthrough win, but it’s tough to say for sure when so many AEW television matches are needlessly competitive.
Renee Paquette interviewed Kris Statlander about her match with Mercedes Mone at Full Gear. Statlander said she’s still standing despite Mone’s attempts to take her out and she’ll be the one standing at Full Gear.
Hikaru Shida walked onto the set and applauded Statlander. Shida said it’s about time someone beats Mercedes Mone’s bony ass. Shida said she wants to be Statlander’s first challenger. Statlander said they should have a match on Wednesday’s Dynamite. Shida agreed and shook Statlander’s hand… [C]
Lexi Nair interviewed “The Acclaimed” Max Caster and Anthony Bowens and asked where Billy Gun was. Caster boasted about being the best wrestler alive. Bowens said Gunn wouldn’t be there and the did his usual Acclaimed catchphrase.
MVP and Shelton Benjamin showed up. MVP wished Caster good luck tonight. MVP said he and Benjamin handled their business, and now Caster should handle his. MVP told him to use his size and strength, and told him it was a great opportunity…
4. Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Bulk Bronson (w/Jacked Jameson, Beefcake Boulder). Both entrances were television unfortunately, as Jameson did his usual mic work, including the Titty City bit.
Hobbs lowered the straps on his gear a few minutes into the match. Hobbs knocked Jameson off the apron. Boulder ran in and took a spinebuster. Hobbs put Bronson in a Torture Rack and got the submission win. Schiavone said it was Hobbs’ first singles win in 206 days…
Powerhouse Hobbs defeated Bulk Bronson in 3:45.
Powell’s POV: Quick and it would have been painless had they not televised the Iron Savages’ entrance. Hobbs really needs some promo time.
[Hour Two] Lexi Nair interviewed Roderick Strong, Matt Taven, and Mike Bennett on a backstage set. Strong said he had a lot to say about facing MJF at Full Gear and would say it all on Wednesday. Strong said he’s the Messiah of the Backbreaker. He also said he’s better than MJF and MJF knows it…
Entrances for the tag team match took place. Billy Gunn came out with The Acclaimed. Max Caster rapped and included a line about losing bigger than Kamala Harris…
Powell’s POV: I must have misunderstood Bowens when he spoke about Gunn’s status earlier. Or maybe I heard what I wanted to hear.
5. “The Acclaimed” Max Caster and Anthony Bowens (w/Billy Gunn) vs. Rush and The Beast Mortos (w/Jake Roberts) in a qualifying match for a spot in the four-way match for the AEW Tag Team Titles at Full Gear. AEW Tag Team Champions Private Party” Marq Quen and Isiah Kassidy watched the match from behind a velvet rope on the stage. Rush stood at ringside and tossed Caster from the apron to the floor going into a PIP break. [C]
Late in the match, Caster avoided a cannonball from Mortos in the corner. Bowens tagged in and hit The Arrival. Caster followed up with the Mic Drop and then Bowens covered Mortos and got the three count…
“The Acclaimed” Max Caster and Anthony Bowens beat Rush and The Beast Mortos in 11:15 to qualify for the four-way match for the AEW Tag Team Titles at Full Gear.
Private Party watched from stage. Quen raised a glass to The Acclaimed. Quen and Caster walked down the entrance aisle and raised their title belts while Caster and Bowens barked at them from the ring…
Powell’s POV: The match was fine, but I was hoping for a little new blood in the tag team title match. Caster’s pre-match line about Kamala Harris won’t be popular with some viewers. I don’t think it’s worth pissing off viewers on either side of the fence, but it is worth noting that he has taken jabs at both sides over the years.
Lexi Nair interviewed Mina Shirakawa in the backstage area. Nair asked if she had any goals. Shirakawa said she’s excited about her next match and then shook her breasts again…
An MxM Collection video package aired for their “Fall Line” available on the AEW website… [C]
Schiavone and a graphic hyped the start of the Continental Classic tournament on the Thanksgiving Eve edition of Dynamite. Schiavone said a number of the participants will be announced after Full Gear…
Lexi Nair interviewed Tomohiro Ishii, Mark Briscoe, and Rocky Romero. Nair asked Ishii about challenging Chris Jericho for the ROH Title, but Ishii didn’t say a word. Briscoe “translated” for him and spoke about how Ishii would win the title. Romero asked for the word of the day. Briscoe threw out a bunch of words and then said Ishii would bring the ROH Title back to The Conglomeration…
The broadcast team ran through the Full Gear lineup…
“FTR” Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler were interviewed by Nair on the backstage interview set about failing to qualify for the AEW Tag Team Title match. Wheeler said they may need to reevaluate. Harwood said the best team won on that one night. Harwood said they would rebuild. Harwood said it’s The Outrunners time and said he hopes that they can challenge them for the AEW Tag Team Titles…
An Outrunners video aired…
Anna Jay made her entrance and brought a bag with her name on it to the ring with her. Mariah May made her entrance carrying a baseball bat and a trashcan…
6. Mariah May vs. Anna Jay in a No DQ match for the AEW Women’s Championship. May left the bat at ringside and tossed the trashcan in the ring. Jay dropkicked May off the apron and for some reason the referee thought that was the right time to call for the opening bell.
Jay grabbed a computer monitor and slammed it over the back of May, who fell into the arms of Schiavone behind the broadcast table. “Get your hands off of her,” McGuinness said.
A short time later, May took control and slid a ladder inside the ring. Jay put May in the Queen Slayer while on May’s back. May backed into the ladder that was leaning in a corner of the ring to break the hold heading into another PIP break. [C]
Jay performed a Gory Special that sent May crashing into the ladder in the corner again. Jay covered May for a two count. Deonna Purrazzo and Taya Valkyrie were shown watching the match in a backstage area.
Jay pulled a table out from underneath the ring and then slid it inside the ring. Jay set up one side the table. Schiavone noted that it was like a ramp. Jay put May on the top turnbuckle and then joined her on the ropes.
Jay went for a superplex, but May fought out of it and slipped under Jay before powerbombing her through the table. May covered Jay for a good near fall. May pulled a pice of a ringside barricade out from underneath the ring. Schiavone ran through upcoming Dynamite lineups.
Jay hit May with a Backstabber. Jay positioned the piece of the guardrail on top of four chairs. May fought back and put Jay on the guardrail. May went up top, but Jay sat up and cut her off. Jay superplexed May onto the barricade in the ring, which led to “holy shit” chants.
Jay rolled to ringside while the fans chanted “this is awesome.” Jay pulled out a piece of barbwire and wrapped it around her right arm. Jay put May in the Queenslayer with barbwire. May spayed an aerosol can in Jay’s face to break the hold. May hit Storm Zero and then pinned Jay.
Mariah May defeated Anna Jay in 14:30 in a No DQ match for the AEW Women’s Championship.
After the match, Purrazzo and Valkyrie were shown looking unhappy with the outcome. Mina Shirakawa ran out and celebrated with the champion. May kicked Jay. Shirakawa tried to talk Jay down.
Schiavone announced that May and Shirakawa will host a Champagne Championship Celebration at Full Gear… [C]
Powell’s POV: A good garbage match with hard work from both wrestlers. I could do without the obviously fake barbwire. I’m not suggesting they use real barbwire. Rather, come up with something else that doesn’t take away from the match when the fans notice that there’s not a mark on either woman despite the use of barbwire. Again, though, they worked hard and have put together a nice feud.
Jon Moxley spoke from what appeared to be a parking ramp while Marina Shafir stood by. Moxley said Orange Cassidy is a coldblooded snake. He asked if Cassidy will strike with venomous intent or keep it clean when he faces his former student Wheeler Yuta.
Moxley said he wished he was coldblooded, but he feels everything. Moxley said he feels the weight of the AEW World Championship, the last five years, the aspirations of every wrestler who walks through the door, and of the fans who give their hard earned money.
Moxley said he will smear Cassidy’s blood on their flag at Full Gear. Moxley said if you want to ride in his AEW, you ride into battle every single day. He said you better be ready to grab pro wrestling by the balls. He said if you’re ready for that, then get out or be taken out…
The broadcast team seat up a video montage set to Guns N’ Roses’ “November Rain”. The video included footage and dialogue from some of the top storylines heading into Full Gear…
Powell’s POV: I’m a huge GNR fan, so I appreciate this ECW callback for that reason. I’m now waiting for Tony Khan to start pimping VHS tapes of “the night Mina Shirakawa danced atop Daily’s Place, uncensored.” The production team did a fine job, particularly when it came to the Jon Moxley and Orange Cassidy footage included in the video.
Overall, this was a better than usual edition of Collision with plenty of pay-per-view hype and an enjoyable main event. Will Pruett will be by late tonight or on Sunday morning with his weekly AEW Collision audio review for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of the show by grading it below.
Be the first to comment