By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
AEW Collision (Episode 10)
Lexington, Kentucky at Rupp Arena
Aired live August 19, 2023 on TNT
[Hour One] Collision opened with brief promos from Christian Cage, Darby Allin, Bullet Club Gold, Dalton Castle, and Samoa Joe… The Collision opening aired… Kevin Kelly and Nigel McGuinness checked in on commentary after pyro shot off on the stage.
Ring announcer Dasha introduced Samoa Joe for the opening match. His opponent “The Golden Vampire” was in the ring. The Golden Vampire attacked Joe at ringside and took out a referee. Once in the ring, the Vampire hit Joe with a high knee in the corner and then put him down with a GTS.
The Golden Vampire removed his mask and revealed himself to be CM Punk. He picked up the mic and stood over Joe while saying, “I accept, bitch.” Punk’s theme song played while he exited the ring. Joe came to and clutched his jaw, then started seething while he and Punk had a long distance staredown. Joe headed toward the back…
Powell’s POV: The Golden Vampire gear worked really well in that Punk was covered head to toe. A fun angle to open the show.
Kelly said Tony Khan (drink) made Joe vs. Punk for the Real World Championship official for AEW All In… A brief video package aired on All In… Entrances for the new opening match took place…
1. Jay White (w/Juice Robinson, Austin Gunn, Colten Gunn) vs. Dalton Castle (w/The Boys). The Bullet Club Gold crew brought the life sized White cutout to ringside. Kelly announced that proceeds from the Fight For The Fallen shows were going to help with the Maui wildfire relief effort. A graphic listed text info on how to donate to the cause (text HAWAII to 707070).
Castle charged White in the corner and tumbled over the top rope to ringside after White moved out of the way. White went to ringside and dumped Castle on the ring apron. White grabbed his own cutout and posed with it while standing over White heading into a picture-in-picture break. [C]
Castle rallied and executed a few suplexes and then played to a receptive crowd. Castle charged at White, who held down the top rope, causing Castle to tumble to ringside again. White chopped Castle in front of the broadcast table. Castle came back with a head-scissors takedown on the floor and then threw White back in the ring.
The Gunns and Robinson surrounded Castle at ringside. The Boys performed dives onto the trio. Castle returned to the ring and stuffed White’s finisher, but White was still able to put him down. White applied a choke. Robinson stomped White’s foot and eventually elbowed his way free. White put Castle down with a dragon suplex and then hit the Bladerunner for the win…
Jay White beat Juice Robinson in 12:10.
The broadcast team hyped that Bullet Club Gold would speak after the break. McGuinness was beyond happy with this development… [C]
Powell’s POV: A quality television win for White. He’s in a better place than he was early in his AEW run, but I hope they get him into a meaningful program or the title picture soon.
Tony Schiavone stood in the ring with White, Robinson, and the Gunns. White said they talk about what they want to talk about and took the mic away. White said he got a message from his old friend Kenny Omega from a hospital bed. White said that Omega should stay in the hospital bed if he doesn’t want to be exposed at All In.
White said The Elite have deceived fans by convincing them that they are the peak of Bullet Club. White said Bullet Club Gold has shown that they are a cut above The Elite. White said they’ve beaten them before and would do it again.
Robinson spoke about hospitalizing Omega after only a two-minute beatdown. He asked Omega what he thought they would do to him at the biggest pro wrestling show in history.
The Gunns took their turn. Colten said The Elite may have started the company, but now they run it. The Gunns called for Tony Khan (drink) to send out competition so they could get ready for Fyter Fest.
Jacked Jameson, Beefcake Boulder, and Bear Bronson came out. Once in the ring, Jameson introduced them and they all said they are the Iron Savages…
2. Austin Gunn, Colten Gunn, and Juice Robinson vs. Jacked Jameson, Beefcake Boulder, and Bear Bronson. As his team took control, White sat down at the broadcast table with his cutout. “I’ve got two words for you,” White said. “Guns up.” [C]
Powell’s POV: I’ll let you insert your own Cash Wheeler joke here, folks.
Boulder took a hot tag from Bronson, which got a rise out of the live crowd. Boulder put both Gunns down. Robinson dove from the ropes at Boulder, who caught him and slammed him on the Gunns. Boulder ran the ropes and splashed Robinson and Colten and got a two count.
A short time later, the Gunns comically went for their finsiher, but they couldn’t get Boulder off his feet. They did manage to clear him from the ring. The Gunns took out Bronson with a 3:10 To Yuma. Robinson pinned Jameson moments later…
Austin Gunn, Colten Gunn, and Juice Robinson beat Jacked Jameson, Beefcake Boulder, and Bear Bronson in 8:35.
Powell’s POV: The crowd really reacted to big man Boulder, but viewers need a real introduction to him and his partners. The in-ring introduction by Jameson wasn’t enough. The match was a solid showcase for the Bullet Club Gold trio heading into their Dynamite match against The Elite.
The broadcast team recapped Billy Gunn leaving his boots in the ring and footage aired of The Acclaimed duo talking about how much they love Gunn and will miss him. They also showed footage of the House of Black attacking The Acclaimed on Dynamite…
A House of Black video aired and showed them putting Billy Gunn’s boots in a trash compactor while Malakai Black provided a narration.
Kevin Kelly said the House of Black has taken it to another level, then shifted the focus to hyping Christian Cage vs. Darby Allin as the main event, followed by McGuinness saying Ricky Starks would speak after the break… [C]
Powell’s POV: My God. Billy Gunn might need to wear another pair of boots.
Jose the Assistant asked if the camera was rolling. He said the boss wanted him to document the call. Jose called Rush, who said he needs a factions of bad asses and real killers. He siad he wants the whole group in Mexico, including Jose, who told the cameraman to turn off the camera.
They cut to a video of Jose, Preston Vance, and Dralistico partying in Mexico. A van showed up and men covered in black put hoods over the heads of Vance and Dralistico and then threw them in the back of the van. Jose tapped the back of the van, indicating to the driver that he could drive away…
Ricky Starks was interviewed by Schiavone. Schiavone said he misspoke last week when he said Starks was suspended for 30 days. He said it was actually a four-week suspension, meaning 28 days. Starks said he’d already served half of that.
Starks said he feels like AEW is a nonprofit because people like Schiavone are making mistakes left and right an he has to suffer for it. Starks said he meant it when he said he was going to bring war to AEW. Starks said he would bring chaos tonight. The camera pulled back and showed Big Bill standing beside them…
Powell’s POV: I guess this means Starks will be eligible to return in time for for the AEW All Out pay-per-view. It seems like they changed plans and the suspension feels like a joke, but I’m all for Starks wrestling on All Out, so no complaints.
A Starks video package aired. He said people took his kindness for weakness. He spoke about bringing chaos and said this is who he was all along. Starks said he is absolute…
Big Bill and Ricky Starks made their entrance while Bill’s opponent was already inside the ring…
3. Big Bill vs. Derek Neal. Bill dominated the match before chokeslamming and pinning Neal…
Big Bill defeated Derek Neal in 1:05.
After the match, Starks used the same belt he whipped Ricky Steamboat with to whip Neal. Bill tossed Neal to ringside…
Powell’s POV: A simple squash win for Bill. He really needs a new name, but he can definitely benefit from being showcased in this manner.
Footage aired of Darby Allin showing up at Thursday’s WWA4 independent wrestling show in the Atlanta area event that AR Fox was at. When Fox was distracted by Allin, Sting showed up in the ring behind him and put his baseball bat around his neck, and then Allin was shown hitting Fox with a Coffin Drop. Allin spoke about how it would have been easy it would have been to end Fox that night, but he has bigger plans for him in front of 80,000 people. Nick Wayne asked if he had to do what Fox and Swerve Strickland did to him to make a name for himself or stick with the morals he was taught growing up…
McGuinness hyped Swerve and Fox vs. Allin and Wayne for Wednesday’s Dynamite…
Powell’s POV: I love that they followed up on Swerve and Fox beating down Fox in his father’s garage wrestling school by having Sting and Allin show up at one of Fox’s show.
[Hour Two] Entrances for the next match started at the end of the previous hour and concluded at the top of the second hour.
4. Willow Nightingale vs. Diamante. Both entrances were televised. Nightingale was in offensive control when Mercedes Martinez walked out to ringside. A short time later, Diamante clipped the back of Willow’s leg and was in offensive control heading into a PIP break. [C]
Kris Statlander ran out and took out Martinez at ringside. Willow went to ringside and performed a Pounce on Diamante. Willow threw her back inside the ring and hit the Doctor Bomb for the win…
Willow Nightingale defeated Diamante in 11:00.
Powell’s POV: Willow continues to be one of the most popular wrestlers in the women’s division. Diamante took that Pounce on the floor like a champ.
A video package aired on FTR and The Young Bucks. Cash Wheeler spoke about how he respects everything the Bucks have done, but he thinks he and Dax Harwood are better. Harwood spoke of having the greatest tag team match of all-time and FTR coming out of it as the AEW Tag Team Champions… [C]
Toni Storm was interviewed by Lexi Nair on the backstage interview set. Storm said she didn’t know who Nair was. She said the last girl who interviewed her was very rude. Nair asked if Saraya would have her back in the four-way match for the AEW Women’s Title at All In.
Storm told her Nair not to question the friendship of The Outcasts. Storm said they are a sisterhood. Storm said she will become the first-ever three-time AEW Women’s Champion. She told Nair to be more prepared next time and wipe the look off her face. Storm walked away and then tossed something back at Nair while she was wrapping things up…
5. Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Kevin Ku. Ku’s entrance was not televised, but the live crowd gave him a nice ovation once he was introduced. Kelly labeled Ku a tag team specialist. Hobbs dominated the match eventually turned Ku inside out with a clothesline. Hobs lowered the straps on his singlet and performed a spinebuster that led the three count.
Powerhouse Hobbs defeated Kevin Ku in 2:00.
Afterward, Hobbs asked where Miro was, then put Garrini in the Game Over submission hold. Miro appeared on the big screen and said that like Hobbs, he used to rely on a book for guidance and surrounded himself with distractions. Miro said he now walks alone. He said he’s not there to feud with his god, he’s there to replace him. Miro spoke of redemption and said that he is godless, but Hobbs is not because he prays to him now…
Powell’s POV: Ku teams with Dominic Garrini as Violence is Forever. They were aligned with Tom Lawlor as Team Filthy in MLW. It was nice to see Ku get a good reaction from the live crowd even if he was only in for a squash match.
The broadcast team ran through the previously advertised matches and segments for Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite, which carries the Fyter Fest theme… A brief video package aired on MJF and Adam Cole… The broadcast team ran through the All In lineup…
Kelly announced that Tony Khan (drink) made Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Miro official for AEW All Out on September 3. Luchasaurus vs. Darby Allin for the TNT Title is the only other match advertised for All Out… Kelly hyped the Cage vs. Allin main event… [C]
Darby Allin was introduced by Dasha for the main event. Kelly said they had a special guest on commentary. Jim Ross chimed in and said he’s not a guest anymore, he’s full-time. Ross laughed. Allin skateboarded down the ramp. Christian Cage’s entrance followed and he was accompanied by Luchasaurus. Cage wore the TNT Title belt around his waist. Funny…
6. Darby Allin vs. Christian Cage (w/Luchasaurus). Cage kissed the belt and held it in the air before handing it off to referee Paul Turner. Cage targeted Allin’s left arm and tossed him aggressively into a corner of the ring before flexing. Swerve Strickland and AR Fox were shown watching on a backstage monitor as the show went to a PIP break. [C]
Cage remained in control. He went to ringside and grabbed the TNT Title, then asked Allin if he wanted it. Cage told Allin to come get it. Allin crawled toward the corner and then Cage punched him and returned to the ring. “What is there not to love about Christian Cage,” McGuinness asked.
Allin rallied and performed a Code Red for a near fall. Allin pulled Cage’s turtleneck over his head for a moment, which got a rise out of the crowd. Cage and Allin butted heads and were down heading into the final PIP break. [C]
Allin had Cage down when he went up top. Allin opted to go for a Coffin Drop on Luchasaurus, who caught him at ringside. Cage went to the floor and caught Allin with a clothesline. Cage charged at Allin, who moved and sent Cage’s face into a chair against the barricade.
Allin seated Cage in a chair on the floor. Allin went up top and then hit the seated Cage with a missile dropkick, which drew some “holy shit” chants from the crowd. Cool spot. Back in the ring, Cage went up top for his finisher, but Cage rolled under the bottom rope to the apron.
Allin went for the Coffin Drop, but Luchsaurus pulled Cage out of the way, causing Allin to crash and burn on the apron. Damn. The referee ejected Luchasaurus from ringside. Luchasaurus was so upset that he hit the ring post with a really weak chair shot (meh).
While the referee was distracted, Cage hit Allin with the TNT Title belt. Cage went for the pin, but Allin got his foot on the bottom rope. A “this is awesome” chant broke out. Cage wait for Allin to stand up and then charged at him, but Allin sidestepped him. Allin dropkicked Cage into the corner.
Allin placed Cage on the top turnbuckle and bit him. Cage fought back and slammed Allin’s head on the turnbuckle pad, then performed a Destroyer. Cage blasted Allin with a clothesline and covered him for a good near fall. Cage went for his Killswitch finisher, but Allin rolled him up and then rolled into a bridge and got the three count.
Darby Allin defeated Christian Cage in 20:30.
After the match, Schiavone entered the ring and spoke to Allin, who was kneeling on the mat. Schiavone spoke about how Allin earned his title shot and would get it in two weeks. Schiavone and Allin spotted Luchasaurus, who had returned to ringside.
Cage hit Allin from behind. Luchasaurus entered the ring and chokeslammed Allin. Cage covered Allin and ordered Schiavone to make a three count. Cage also ordered Schiavone to announce that he was still the TNT Champion. Cage celebrated with the title belt. Luchasaurus put Cage on his shoulders, and then Cage held up the TNT Title belt. Swerve and Fox were shown watching on the backstage monitor. Cage laid on Allin and slapped his face in a condescending manner before exiting the ring…
Powell’s POV: A hot main event. That was fun. Cage’s near falls down the stretch were believable, and Allin looked as resilient as ever. The post match angle was really fun with Cage getting his heat back and hilariously celebrating with the championship. This made for a nice push for the TNT Title match at All Out.
Overall, it wasn’t the most memorable or exciting edition of Collision, but it was a solid show. Much like last week, the bookend segments were strong with the Punk angle and then the strong main event. There were some good promos and video packages in between this week, which helped keep things more interesting. I’m surprised we didn’t at least get an angry promo from Samoa Joe.
I am looking forward to hearing what Will Pruett thought of Collision when he checks in with his weekly audio review for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons) on Sunday. We’ll get another perspective on Collision next week when John Moore fills in for me while I’m at a fantasy football draft. Let me know what you thought of the show by grading it below.
Fantasy Football draft season is here! If you need a great website to host your league, search no further than MyFantasyLeague.com.
That’s a hell of a hot start to a show.
I’m not looking forward to the broken down version of Darby Allin in a few years. It feels like Dynamite Kid happening all over again.
I am looking forward to delusional “movie star” Toni Storm every week and I’m really hoping that she takes the belt back and eventually gets into a program with contagiously upbeat Willow Nightingale.
Rampage and Collision were both definitely way better than Dynamite this week.
Main event match was really good tonight as I love the heel character that Christian plays and I do agree with the previous poster, I’m a bit worried about Darby Allin’s future in the ring since he’s beaten his body up so much at a young age like Dynamite Kid.
Willow’s energy and connection with the crowd is contagious. This was a tough crowd too because they had low energy, unlike last week’s Collision crowd from North Carolina. Willow probably even more than Skye Blue and Britt Baker has become the most popular female wrestler with the crowd. I’d build her properly into becoming a champion.
If you play your cards right you could have her take down Saraya or Toni. I think either way, I would have Saraya win next week because it’s in her home country and Toni take it off of her by Grand Slam or Full Gear at the latest. Then Willow takes it from Toni at Revolution. Toni has been on a role with her movie star character lately as she’s giving me classic blonde beauty vibes as she looked like 80s/90s Madonna tonight and she looks like Marilyn Monroe at times. Toni has the ‘IT’ factor outside of pro wrestling.