By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
AEW Collision “Maximum Carnage” (Episode 77)
Taped January 16, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio at Brady Music Center
Simulcast January 18, 2025 on TNT and Max
[Hour One] Collision opened with the Powerhouse Hobbs, Cope, FTR, and The Outrunners delivering a backstage promo about the 12-man tag team match. Cope said he’s coming for Jon Moxley and will take the AEW World Championship and it all starts tonight.
AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada delivered a backstage promo. He said he used to look up to Tomohiro Ishii, but now he’ll put him down like the dog that he is (bitch). Christopher Daniels and Hangman Page also delivered backstage promos about their Texas Death match…
Tony Schiavone, Nigel McGuinness, and Matt Menard checked in on commentary while the Collision theme song played. Ring announcer Arkady Aura delivered the introductions for the Texas Death match while the entrances took place…
1. Hangman Page vs. Christopher Daniels in a Texas Death match. Daniels wore a protective sleeve over his left arm. There were dueling “Cowboy Shit” and “Fallen Angel” chants. The match spilled over to ringside where Page ran a chair into the head of Daniels, who then bled from the forehead.
Page pulled out some barbwire and used it on the forehead of Daniels and then whipped him with it. Page put the barbwire in Daniels’ mouth and then pulled back on it. Page wrapped the barbwire around his arm and then clotheslined Daniels heading into a commercial break. [C]
A short time later, Daniels got Page in a submission hold, but Page used the barbwire on Daniels’ head to break the hold. Daniels battled back and hit the Best Moonsault Ever. Daniels placed a piece of the broken table on top of Page and then hit another BME (wouldn’t that be more painful for the person performing the move?). The referee counted, but Page stood up at nine.
Page fired up and clotheslined Daniels before following up with a tombstone piledriver on a chair. A “one more time” chant broke out. Daniels hit a Deadeye onto a chair. Page hit a Buckshot Lariat to the back of Daniels’ neck.
Hangman Page defeated Christopher Daniels in 16:40 in a Texas Death match.
After the match, Page teased leaving, but then came back to the ring and performed another move on Daniels. Trainers and referees checked on Daniels when Page headed to the back… [C]
Powell’s POV: As ridiculous as it is to start a feud with a Texas Death match, the wrestlers did a nice job. Daniels is 54, rarely wrestles, and hasn’t been established as a legendary force like Undertaker was even late in his career, so they wisely didn’t make this a 50/50 match. Daniels got a brief run of offense, but it was mostly Page battering him throughout the match. I’m not really sure what the purpose of this match was, but I guess we’ll see what comes next.
Tony Schiavone stood in the ring and introduced Toni Storm for an in-ring interview. Schiavone put over Storm for winning the Casino Gauntlet and earning an AEW Women’s Championship match at Grand Slam Australia. Storm said her dreams are finally coming true. She said she’ll be going to the building where she saw her first wrestling show.
Storm spoke about her mom taking her to the match and making her first costume. Storm said she can call her mom and tell her that she’s coming home. Storm said AEW Women’s Champion Mariah May is the best in the business and is killing it.
Storm said she hasn’t had a chance to introduce herself to May, but she thinks it’s time to do that next week when AEW Collision will be held in Jacksonville. Schiavone bring up the obvious, but Storm cut him off and said he’s a Tony and she’s a Toni, so it’s Tony/Toni Time…
Highlights aired of “The Hurt Syndicate” Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, and MVP beating Mark Briscoe and “Private Party” Marq Quen and Isiah Kassidy. Footage aired of a backstage promo from The Syndicate. MVP did all of the talking and called for Private Party to defend the AEW Tag Team Titles against Lashley and Benjamin on Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite in Knoxville, Tennessee…
Adam Cole, Roderick Strong, and Kyle O’Reilly made their entrance to Cole’s theme. Their opponents from Shane Taylor Promotions followed…
2. Adam Cole, Roderick Strong, and Kyle O’Reilly vs. Lee Moriarty and “The Infantry” Carlie Bravo and Shawn Dean (w/Shane Taylor). The STP trio were in offensive control heading into a break just a couple minutes into the match,. [C]
Dean avoided a Panama Sunrise, but Cole followed up with a superkick and then hit him with a neckbreaker across his knee. Cole covered Dean for a two count and then tagged out. Cole hit the Panama Sunrise Moriarty. O’Reilly and Strong hit a leg sweep and clothesline combo move on Dean and then O’Reilly pinned him.
Adam Cole, Roderick Strong, and Kyle O’Reilly beat Lee Moriarty and “The Infantry” Carlie Bravo and Shawn Dean in 6:55.
After the match, Shayne Taylor attacked Cole, Strong, and O’Reilly from behind. Taylor hit O’Reilly and then drilled Cole with a knee strike and headbutted Strong. Taylor barked at the crowd and apparently Matt Menard, who stood up and yelled back at him. Menard removed his headset and stood up at ringside.
TNT Champion Daniel Garcia came out and fought with Taylor. Cole, Strong, and O’Reilly helped Garcia, who put Taylor down with a suplex. Menard joined Garcia and the others in the ring. Garcia held up his title belt while Cole, Strong, and O’Reilly stared him down…
Powell’s POV: Wow, this segment actually managed to combine the two acts that I would like to see go their separate ways. Is there a stranger on-air relationship in all of pro wrestling than Garcia and Menard? The Undisputed Kingdom’s alliance is three companies deep and it just won’t end.
Highlights aired from Dynamite of Kenny Omega’s return, and Will Ospreay helping him fight off the Don Callis Family…
Footage aired of alleged call girl Alicia Atout interviewing Ospreay after Dynamite. Ospreay said what’s happening with the Callis Family is bigger than his and Omega’s ego. Ospreay said he would call out Omega for a chat on Dynamite…
Brian Cage and Lance Archer made their entrance. Their opponents were already in the ring…
3. Brian Cage and Lance Archer vs. “Top Flight” Dante Martin and Darius Martin (w/Leila Grey). Cage and Archer took most of the offense. They hit a double powerbomb on Dante and then Cage pinned him.
Brian Cage and Lance Archer defeated “Top Flight” Dante Martin and Darius Martin in 3:50.
After the match, Action Andretti walked out wearing his pointy jacket. Andretti was confronted by Darius when he was about to enter the ring, but Lio Rush, who wore his own pointy jacket, hit Dante from behind. Rush removed his pointy jacket and frog splashed Darius…
Powell’s POV: Wow, Top Flight got the enhancement wrestler treatment by not getting a televised entrance. Leila Grey should really consider jumping ship to the Rush and Andretti team.
Lexi Nair interviewed “The Learning Tree” Chris Jericho, Big Bill, and Bryan Keith in the backstage area. Nair recalled Jericho saying they would be on the same page with The Death Riders and that Jon Moxley could trust him. She pointed out that Moxley wasn’t with them. Jericho said Moxley isn’t the type to show up for interviews and they weren’t going to put up with her muckraking.
Jericho said he and Moxley have beaten the hell out of each other, but they have common enemies. Jericho said if Moxley is as smart as he thinks he is, then Moxley will trust the Learning Tree. Jericho said they might even prove that Moxley can trust them before the match… [C]
Backstage, Nair spoke with Daniel Garcia, Matt Menard, and “The Undisputed Kingdom” Adam Cole, Roderick Strong, and Kyle O’Reilly. Cole said it was a shame that Garcia and Menard don’t have a third person so they could have a trios match. Menard fired up and spoke about Angelo Parker returning and accepted the match challenge…
Max Caster stood in the ring and had a bag in his hand. He said there’s been a lot of rumors about The Acclaimed. He said he wanted to clear the air and then called out his partner Anthony Bowens. Once Bowens was in the ring, Caster said they are a great team and great friends.
Caster said the biggest issue between them is that Bowens won’t admit that Caster is the best wrestler alive. Bowens said it’s time for Caster to listen. Bowens said he’s done everything he could over the last five years to protect Caster in the ring, in the locker room, and in the media.
Bowens said Caster made him a liar because he had to lie about who Caster is as a person. Bowens said the truth is that Caster is an arrogant, cocky, selfish, edgelord piece of shit. Bowens said Caster wants everyone to believe he’s the best wrestler alive, but the fans in the crowd think he sucks. Caster pulled out a trademark for his “best wrestler” name.
[Hour Two] Bowens said he possesses every tool necessary to be a world champion. Bowens said he has proudly represented AEW since he put pen to paper and is the pride of AEW. He said he’s pro wrestling’s five tool player and he doesn’t need a piece of paper to prove it. Bowens approached Cater, who told Bowens not to touch him.
Billy Gunn made his entrance. “What is wrong with you two?” Gunn asked. He said they were tag team champions and the three of them were trios champions and they got everyone to scissors just because it was cool. Caster said Gunn attached himself to a couple of young and hungry wrestlers just so he could hear the fans chant his name.
Caster said Gunn made it about himself when it should have been about the best wrestler alive. Caster said Bowens is his best friend. He said they were a couple of guys who didn’t know each other and were put together and then became the most successful team in AEW history.
Caster told Gunn that his own sons want nothing to do with him Gunn got upset. Caster told Bowens that he had to choose between him and “a washed-up Billy Gunn.” The fans chanted “Billy.” Bowens looked at both men and then made a scissors sign with his hands in front of Caster, who was about to scissor him when Bowens flipped him off.
Bowens walked over and stood by Gunn. Caster said it was another bad decision by “Bad Decision” Bowens. As he was leaving the ring, Caster said he’s the best wrestler alive and added that Bowens, Gunn, and the fans suck without him.
Bowens told Caster to get out of his life. Bowens called for the fans and Gunn for put their scissors in the air “one last time.” Bowens and Gunn scissored while Caster watched from the stage and then headed to the back…
Powell’s POV: Here’s hoping that Bowens was shooting straight when he said “one last time” before scissoring Gunn. I’m looking forward to seeing how Bowens and Caster do as singles wrestlers, but they don’t need Gunn to be involved in whatever they do going forward.
Footage aired of Swerve Strickland taking part in Reggie Jackson’s celebrity golf event. Photos were shown of Swerve with Travis Scott, Emmitt Smith, DJ Khaled, and 50 Cent…
Lexi Nair tried to interview Swerve Strickland, who was accompanied by Prince Nana, in the backstage area. Swerve cut her off and said the cat and mouse games are now lion versus rodent. Swerve said he’s been cursed with the ability that everything he touches dies and he can’t wait to get his hands around Ricochet’s throat…
Entrances for the AEW Continental Championship match took place…
4. Kazuchika Okada vs. Tomohiro Ishii for the AEW Continental Championship. A “both these guys” chant broke out as the match started. Ishii got the better of Okada heading into a break during the first two minutes of the match. [C]
Okada did the Rainmaker tease and then flipped off the camera. Ishii returned the favor before going on the offensive. Ishii dropped Okada with a Rainmaker style clothesline. Okada came back with a dropkick. Okada set up for a Rainmaker, but Ishii headbutted him twice.
A short time later, Okada grabbed the ring bell and brought it into the ring. The referee took it away and then cleared it from the ring and missed Okada kicking Ishii in the balls. Okada followed up with a Rainmaker and scored the pin…
Kazuchika Okada defeated Tomohiro Ishii in 8:15 to retain the AEW Continental Championship.
Powell’s POV: Why does Tony Khan continue to book so many of these terrible finishes that make the AEW referees look like morons?
“Gates of Agony” Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona were featured in a promo video. They said they are coming home to Daily’s Place and will start the run of a lifetime next week…
Dustin Rhodes made his entrance while his opponent was already in the ring…
5. Dustin Rhodes vs. Adam Priest. Schiavone credited Tony Khan with booking Gates of Agony against Brody King and Buddy Matthews for next week on Collision. In the end, hit CrossRhodes and the Final Cut before pinning Priest…
Dustin Rhodes beat Adam Priest in 2:15.
Powell’s POV: This was just a quick spotlight win for Dustin Rhodes. Given the usual formula, this left me assuming that Dustin is being set up to lose to someone soon. It was good to see Gates of Agony get a promo video, but I fear they’re just going to be fed to King and Matthews next week.
A brief video package aired on Brody King and Buddy Matthews… Entrances for the women’s match took place…
6. Julia Hart vs. Harley Cameron. Cameron wore shades to the ring. She took them off and acted like the light bothered her. She also had paint around her eyes. All of this was done to sell the black mist that Hart sprayed her with.
Schiavone announced Hart vs. Jamie Hayter for Wednesday’s Dynamite. Hart targeted Cameron’s eyes and was in offensive control heading into a break. [C] Cameron picked up a couple of near falls, but Hart came back and put her down with a DDT for a near fall of her own. Cameron hooked Hart into a pin for another two count.
Hart set up for her Hartless finisher, but Cameron put her foot on the ropes before Hart could apply the hold. Cameron used a jawbreaker and then hit Sole Food. Cameron charged Hart, who elevated her into the top turnbuckle. Hart hit Cameron with a lariat from behind and then applied Hartless for the win…
Julia Hart defeated Harley Cameron in 7:25.
Powell’s POV: I hope the black mist of doom doesn’t kill the fun of Cameron by turning her into another spooky weirdo character.
McGuinness narrated highlights of Samoa Joe saving Hook and Katsuyori Shibata from an attack by The Patriarchy. Schiavone announced Samoa Joe vs. Nick Wayne for Dynamite…
Backstage, the Learning Tree stood over Powerhouse Hobbs, who was laid out and holding his knee. Chris Jericho, who had his bat, turned around, looked into the camera, and said, “Hi, guys.” A crew member checked on Hobbs while a graphic hyped the main event as coming up next… [C]
Entrances for the main event took place. The babyface team came out first and were not accompanied by Powerhouse Hobbs. The Learning Tree entrance followed. The Death Riders made their entrance through the crowd…
7. Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Chris Jericho, Big Bill, and Bryan Keith (w/Marina Shafir) vs. Powerhouse Hobbs, Cope, Dax Harwood, Cash Wheeler, Turbo Floyd, and Truth Magnum. Powerhouse Hobbs did not start the match with his team. Bill placed Hobbs’s knee brace on the ring post in the heel corner. The babyface team was on the offensive heading into a break roughly four minutes into the match. [C]
Jericho stared at Moxley and held his hand out for a tag, which Moxley accepted. They had a moment and then Moxley performed a piledriver on Harwood. Later, Floyd and Magnum did their bro handshake and elbow drop spot on Keith and Jericho before Moxley hit them from behind.
Cope clotheslined Moxley over the top rope. Bill hit Cope with a big boot. Harwood and Wheeler hit Shatter Machine on Bill. Cope put Moxley down with a DDT on the stage. Cope backed up and charged Moxley, but Pac came out and hit Cope with a boot to the face.
Castagnoli put a black hood over the head of Cope while on the stage. The Death Riders took Cope to ringside for some reason and then the other babyfaces intervened. Most of the wrestlers fought into the crowd. In the ring, Floyd avoided a Lionsault.
Powerhouse Hobbs’ entrance music played and he limped out and stood in the babyface corner. Floyd tagged Hobbs, who continued to limp while working over Jericho and Keith. Bill returned to the apron and had a staredown with Hobbs before entering the ring.
Hobbs and Bill traded punches in the middle of the ring. Hobbs got the better of it. Bill grabbed him by the throat. Hobbs powered his way out of Bill’s grip. Jericho jumped from the ropes and hit Hobbs from behind. The Outrunners hit Total Recall on Jericho.
Keith tried to hit Hobbs with the Ring of Honor Title belt, but Hobbs blocked it and put Keith down with a clothesline. Hobbs followed up with a spinebuster and then pinned Keith.
Powerhouse Hobbs, Cope, Dax Harwood, Cash Wheeler, Turbo Floyd, and Truth Magnum defeated Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Chris Jericho, Big Bill, and Bryan Keith in 17:45 in a 12-man tag match.
Schiavone hyped previously advertised matches for Dynamite while Hobbs and the Outrunners celebrated to close the show (without an overrun)…
Powell’s POV: The vast majority of eight-man, ten-man, and now 12-man tag team matches do nothing for me because they feel like trivial time filler. Although this main event fit that description, everyone worked hard and they gave Hobbs a bounce back win coming out of his loss to Moxley on Dynamite. It’s good that they showed tension between Moxley and Jericho, but I still don’t like the idea of the Death Riders teaming with the type of wrestlers that their characters supposedly despise.
Overall, this was a missable episode from a storytelling standpoint, yet mostly inoffensive if you really need a wrestling fix (you know, because the other 12 hours that aired this week just weren’t enough). Will Pruett’s weekly AEW Collision audio reviews are available exclusively for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let us know what you thought of the show by grading it below.
Join me on Sunday night for my live review of TNA Genesis.
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