By Jake Barnett, ProWrestling.net Co-Senior Staffer (@jakebarnett)
AEW Collision (Episode 102)
Taped July 17, 2025, in Chicago, Illinois at Aragon Ballroom
Simulcast July 19, 2025, on TNT and Max
Tony Schiavone stood in the ring and brought the new TNT Champion Dustin Rhodes out to the ring. Nigel McGuinness and Colt Cabana were on commentary while Tony was in the ring. Footage was shown of Dustin claiming the TNT Championship at All In. Dustin soaked in some chants and looked up to the sky. He wished his Dad was there to see him. Dustin recalled his father telling him to “keep stepping” in response to adversity in life. He gave examples of being frustrated with your boss or being a little short on rent.
Dustin said he’s always had hope because of the lessons his Dad instilled in him, and it has helped him claw and tear his way through life as a wrestler for 37 years, including hitting rock bottom. He said one thing he’s never done is tell himself he’s not good enough, even when he’s failed or fallen down. He said he’s been waiting 37 years to say he’s the new face of TNA, and he promised to give everything he had week in and week out. He told his parents he kept stepping just for them, and then he was interrupted by Don Callis and Kyle Fletcher.
Callis said Fletcher had something important to say. Fletcher said Dustin told a touching story, but it’s a gigantic load of crap. He whined about the moment at All In was hand crafted for him, but Dustin managed to weasel his way into it. Fletcher said all Dustin had done was sign his own death certificate, and he wouldn’t rest until he had taken everything from him. He then said that title was still meant for him.
Dustin said he respected Fletcher and the kind of athlete he is. He then said he had fallen short challenging for the TNT Title in the past, and he had wrestled 3 matches last weekend to Fletcher’s one, and he had pulled it off where Fletcher had failed. Fletcher started to get heated, but Callis calmed him down and wanted a chance to talk to Dustin. Callis then called Dustin a great man, and recalled riding the highways with him at some point. He gave him credit for overcoming his demons, but questioned what happens when Kyle takes the belt from him. Who would mop up the tears?
He then said he would hold open a place in the Don Callis family for him, and he didn’t take it lightly, he wanted him to seriously consider. He said being in the Don Callis family is far better than the dumpster fire he calls the Rhodes family. Dustin fired up and pie faced Callis, and then sent Fletcher from the ring with a lariat.
After the promo, we got a video package for The Conglomeration. It focused on Briscoe and Willow getting their revenge on MJF and Kris Statlander. Back in the arena, Ricochet made his ring entrance for the opening match. He was followed by AR Fox.
1. Ricochet vs. AR Fox: Ricochet wanted nothing to do with Fox out of the gate and bailed from the ring. He quickly circled and entered the ring again, and then landed an arm drag when Fox returned. Ricochet gloated to the crowd, and Fox took over with a double leg take down and some punches. Ricochet bailed to the outside again, and Fox dove through the ropes to splash onto him. Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona walked out onto the stage, but Fox didn’t lose his cool and landed a double stomp. He then followed up with a spinning vertical suplex and covered for a two count.
Fox landed a diving lariat in the corner, but Liona grabbed him through the ropes and slammed him into the ring apron. Ricochet made that possible with ref distraction…[c]
My Take: We should suggest a promo challenge for Dustin and Cody where they have to go through an entire feud without relating their current situation to some wisdom passed down from Dusty.
Ricochet attempted a Death Valley Driver on the apron, but Fox escaped. Fox then delivered some 12 to 6 elbows to Ricochet’s shoulder, and then delivered a springboard moonsault. He then splashed Ricochet on the floor, and followed up with a dropkick. Back in the ring, Fox landed a Swanton for a close near fall. Ricochet fired back and delivered a series of strikes and a suplex for a close near fall of his own. Ricochet backed into the corner for the Spirit Gun, but Fox ducked and fired back with a kick. He then setup Ricochet in the ropes and performed an impressive springboard sunset flip powerbomb for another close near fall.
Fox went back up to the top rope, and Bishop Kaun distracted the referee. Fox managed to set back up for a 450, but nobody was home. Ricochet followed up with the spirit gun and got the win.
Ricochet defeated AR Fox at 11:15
After the match, the Gates of Agony celebrated with Ricochet. We then got a video package that highlighted Hangman Page’s recent title win and promo from Dynamite. At the announce table, Marina Shafir approached from behind and choked Colt Cabana with a chain. He was then assaulted by Wheeler Yuta and Jon Moxley. Colt was bleeding next time he appeared on screen and was thrown into the ring steps. Moxley threw Colt into the ring and then Yuta began choking him with a much bigger chain. Moxley then hung Colt over the top rope with the chain, and he tapped out frantically. The Death Riders then left for the back. Megan Bayne and Tay Melo are up next.
My Take: I was hoping that the Death Riders would take a much needed vacation after All In. Apparently Tony Khan thinks differently, and I think it’s an unforced error. Fox and Ricochet had a solid match with the expected outcome.
Lexi Nair spoke to Kris Statlander backstage. Statlander spoke briefly about her ongoing grudge with Willow Nightingale and falling short in her recent matches before the Death Riders walked by. Yuta told her she’s had a tough week, but Champions bounce back. In the arena, Megan Bayne made her entrance, and she was followed by Tay Melo. Neither woman entered with their respective tag partners.
2. Tay Melo vs. Megan Bayne: Tay got off to a hot start with some rapid fire strikes, but Bayne slowed things down with a scoop slam. Tay managed to apply a Fujiwara Armbar, but Bayne was able to perform an escape. They transitioned into a head triangle, but Bayne used her power advantage to slam Melo to the ground and escape. They then tumbled to the floor, where Bayne performed a fallway slam…[c]
Tay landed a jawbreaker to escape a headlock and then delivered a series of kicks in the corner. Bayne quickly recovered, but Tay caught her with a German Suplex. Bayne stuffed a kick attempt and then landed an overhead suplex. She then attempted a haircut, but Tay turned it into a guillotine choke. Bayne managed to reverse into the falcon arrow and got a two count. Both women traded some reversals, and then Tay delivered a big running knee. She then followed up with a destroyer for a near fall.
Melo went for a TayKO, but Bayne avoided it and landed a Fallaway Slam and a flying lariat. Bayne then delivered a running Liger Bomb and got the victory.
Megan Bayne defeated Tay Melo at 9:25
Afterward, Skyflight was shown backstage. Scorpio Sky said they were looking for a challenge, and suddenly Don Callis walked up and tried to recruit them. Christopher Daniels quickly stepped in and rejected him, and said they weren’t looking for additional representation. He then told his crew that if that’s their first fight, they were in for one.
My Take: Bayne and Melo was good, but I think Bayne has more upside than working 50/50 matches on Collision. She needs more character development than TV matches at this point.
Taya Valkyrie made her entrance accompanied by Mason Madden, Mansoor, and Johnny TV. We then got a backstage pre-taped promo from Alex Windsor, who said she would soon be the topic of conversation on the Women’s Division.
3. Alex Windsor vs. Taya Valkyrie: Taya started out hot and threw down Windsor. She then stomped her in the corner and delivered a series of lariats. Taya then landed double knees in the corner. Winter fired back with a couple of arm drags and a dropkick for a one count cover. Windsor then applied a Sharpshooter, but Valkyrie pulled her hair to escape and reversed into a submission of her own. Windsor quickly grabbed the ropes. Valkyrie hit the ropes but ran into a pop up powerbomb for a near fall. She then delivered a big lariat for another near fall.
Windsor went back to the sharpshooter in the middle of the ring and secured the tap out victory.
Alex Windsor defeated Taya Valkyrie by submission at 3:48
Athena appeared on the balcony and told Winter to get her ass to the back, because she took no one to the limit. She addressed the crowd as her minions and wondered if she had to make sexual innuendo to get their attention. Athena wondered if they liked her for her mediocre pose. Toni Storm walked out and said she was the only balcony bitch in this business, and told her to sign her contract and get down to the ring and they can have their match right now. Athena told her to get on her knees and beg like the diseased whore she is.
Toni considered it but refused. She told her she doesn’t have to sign her contract, but she should come down to the ring and so she can shine her boots with her sphincter. Athena told her she would have a match with Billy Starkz on Dynamite, and when her minion beats her down, she will be right there with her contract to swoop in and take her title. Toni said she likes Billy Starkz, and she’ll be a great wrestler after she hits puberty. She then said since Athena wasn’t coming down there, she’d go find her. Athena told her she’d have to find her and bailed. Toni played to the crowd from the balcony.
Backstage, Billy Gunn and Anthony Bowens had a backstage promo. They argued about not being on the same page. Gunn accused Bowens of being obsessed with Max Caster, and Bowens said Gunn is like an absent father who isn’t there when he needs him. Gunn said he had a slumpbuster for Bowens on Dynamite, and they tentatively agreed to get on the same page.
In the arena, Bryan Keith and Big Bill made their entrance, followed by The Gates of Agony, Action Andretti and Lio Rush, and The Gunns with Juice Robinson.
4. The Gunns vs. Big Bill and Bryan Keith vs. The Gates of Agony vs. Action Andretti and Lio Rush: Austin Gunn got doubled up by Andretti and Rush early on. He quickly bailed to tag in Colten, who made some quick offense. Toa Liona tagged himself in and worked over Colten for a moment. Bryan Keith tagged himself in a moment later, and was quickly double teamed by The Gunns.
Big Bill then entered the match and got a chant as he stepped over the ropes. Bill hit the ropes, and was tagged by Bishop Kaun on one side of the ring and Andretti on the other. The match broke down as no one could agree who tagged in and a brawl broke out between all four teams…[c]
My Take: That was a long commercial free stretch of the show. Winter and Valkyrie was fun for the short time it was on screen. I couldn’t care less about Billy Gunn and Anthony Bowens at this point. Caster and Bowens could reunite and send Billy off to a farm upstate and I would cheer from my living room.
Lio Rush landed some high flying offense, but made the mistake of taking a cheap shot at Big Bill on the apron, which tagged him into the match. He proceeded to enter the ring and clean house, landing a nice Boss Man Slam on Lio Rush at the tail end of the flourish. Colten Gunn tagged the back of Big Bill, but he continued his rampage on the floor and delivered a big boot to Austin Gunn. He started to take a run at Action Andretti, but Toa Liona landed a pounce that sent Bill over the announce table.
In the ring, Austin Gunn landed a Fameasser, but Ricochet appeared to pull him out of the ring. The Gates of Agony landed a double team powerbomb on Action Andretti and got the win.
The Gates of Agony won 200k fake dollars at 10:12
After the match, a video package showing The Patriarchy turning on Christian was shown. Back in the arena, Max Caster was in the ring for his open challenge. He led the crowd through his awkward chant, and despite his best efforts, they managed to chant along with him. Max mocked them anyway, and said he’d rather see Angel Reese struggle to make a basket than listen to them. He then put 5 minutes on the clock, and Kyle O’Reilly made his ring entrance with Roderick Strong.
5. Max Caster vs. Kyle O’Reilly: Caster bailed to the outside to avoid a kick, and got on the mic to bet Kyle to stop chasing him. Roderick Strong tripped Caster on the floor, and Kyle tossed him into the ring steps. He then delivered some kicks and tossed Caster back in the ring. The ref got distracted by Max grabbing at his clipboard, and Max raked Kyle’s eyes. Kyle quickly recovered and applied an armbar to get the tap out win.
Kyle O’Reilly defeated Max Caster at 2:28
After the match, Tomohiro Ishii was shown observing the match from the back…[c]
My Take: I get a kick out of Caster, but they have to move onto the next stage of whatever this gimmick is supposed to be. The tag match finish was heavily foreshadowed but the match itself was decent for what it was. Big Bill is over and should be in line for a singles push.
Juice Robinson complained backstage about Ricochet costing The Gunns $200k dollars. He told him he’s not hard to find and they could settle this anytime. Big Bill then walked up and told Juice to stay out of his business, and shoved him into the lockers behind him. Juice returned fire and ran Bill into some lockers on the other side of the room. Referees ran in to break them up.
Rush made his entrance for the next match. He was followed by Katsuyori Shibata.
6. Rush vs. Katsuyori Shibata: Both men traded heavy chops to start the match. Rush finally got the better of it with a closed fist that sent Shibata to the floor. Rush sent Shibata into the barricade multiple times and performed the tranquilo pose in the ring. Rush then played to the crowd, and Shibata fired back at him with a big boot. He then ran Rush into the barricade at several points around the ringside area…[c]
Shibata landed a basement dropkick in the corner and threw up the horns to Rush. He then delivered a suplex and covered for a two count. Both men traded suplexes back and forth, both vertical and German varieties. They then traded more big punches until Dralistico and Mortos showed up and distracted Shibata. For some reason, the ref didn’t throw it out despite some contact.
Rush landed the horns in the corner and got the win.
Rush defeated Katsuyori Shibata at 9:58
Dralistico and Mortos continued to attack Shibata after the bell, and Rush held up Shibata’s trios title. Powerhouse Hobbs showed up and cleared out LFI with a chair. The main event is next…[c]
My Take: The interference from Dralistico and Mortos should have caused a DQ, so I assume they made a mistake making contact with Shibata. Those two beat the crap out of each other, and Rush actually sold some of it, so that was a nice change of pace.
Lance Archer, Josh Alexander, Rocky Romero, and Hechicero made their entrance for the main event. They were followed by Kevin Knight, Mike Bailey, Mascara Dorada, and Bandido.
7. Lance Archer, Josh Alexander, Rocky Romero, and Hechiceo vs. Kevin Knight, Speedball Mike Bailey, Mascara Dorada, and Bandido: Hechicero and Bandido started the match. They attempted to remove each other’s masks to no avail. Hechicero gained the advantage with a trip, but Bandido fired back with a kick to the chest. Dorada tagged in and landed a head scissors takedown as he entered the ring. Archer then tagged in and tossed Dorada across the ring by his head.
Josh Alexander tagged into the match, but Dorada quickly collected himself and landed kicks on both Alexander and Rocky Romero. Jet Speed and Dorada then sent Archer from the ring with a triple dropkick. Bandido then tossed Hechicero to the floor, and the babyfaces all dove on the heels from the ring to the floor. A brawl commenced on the outside. Alexander and Bailey were the legal men in the ring. Alexander delivered a backbreaker and a reverse suplex for a near fall…[c]
Mike Bailey delivered a dropkick out of the corner on Alexander. He then scrambled for a tag to Bandido, who landed a press slam on Alexander and fired up the crowd. Hechicero tagged in and ripped the kinesio tape off of Bandido’s back. Bandido fired back with a dropkick, and then escaped a powerbomb out of the back door with a sunset flip bomb of his own.
Dorada and Archer tagged into the match, and Dorada landed a head scissors takedown. Archer set up for Blackout, but Dorada escaped. Things broke down a bit as everyone was suddenly in the ring. Bandido landed some impressive power offense on Hechicero and Alexander. Archer tried to splash Jet Speed in the corner, but they avoided it. He was able to put down Bandido and Bailey with a double chokeslam a moment later. Knight sent Archer to the floor, and then dove on him with a big springboard moonsault from the middle rope.
Rocky Romero performed a sliced bread on Dorada and got a two count. The heels tried to isolate Dorada, but Jet Speed and Bandido quickly made the save. Bandido delivered a 21plex on Romero, and then Dorada delivered a shooting star press for the win.
Jet Speed, Bandido, and Mascara Dorada defeated Lance Archer, Hechicero, Josh Alexander and Rocky Romero at 12:59
After the match, Bandido celebrated on the ropes with the ROH Title.
My Take: This show was 2 hours long, but if you told me it was 3 I would have believed you. The highlight of the show for me was the interaction between Toni Storm and Athena, which set up both Toni Storm vs. Billy Starkz for Dynamite and Alex Windsor vs. Athena for the ROH Women’s Championship next week on Collision. Everything else was mechanically sound, albeit low stakes matches with predictable outcomes. That has become the defining characteristic of Collision, and I think it goes a long way to explain why the viewership lags behind Dynamite.
“…He said he’s been waiting 37 years to say he’s the new face of TNA.” May want to change that sentence.
I like your idea for the Rhodes family “don’t mention Dusty” challenge, and would also like to suggest a challenge to the whole roster of every wrestler to go whole year without ‘paying tribute to’ Eddie Guerrero for a cheap pop.
Yeah let Dusty and Eddie rest in peace!