Back from Australia, this week’s Collision comes to us from Phoenix, AZ.
We start off with Mariah May jumping Toni Storm. With Timeless Toni’s spotlight on, Mariah May appears remorseful. She says she’s going to write the end of the champion’s story, offering a “Hollywood ending” at Revolution. Clearly not remorse, after all.
We’re off and running here! And it’s bound to be an exciting Saturday night for AEW fans!
Okada recaps his match against Buddy Matthews at Grand Slam, opening the door for any other challengers.
1. Hologram vs. The Beast Mortos
The Beast’s entrance theme gets the blood pumping unlike many other wrestlers’ entrances. LFI took out Hologram at WrestleDream last year so this one should be good.
It’s the Beast that gains control early, tossing Hologram around as the crowd chants for the smaller competitor. Deja Deja takes Beast out of the ring and hits a hurricanrana, stifling Mortos.
The Beast Mortos is so much more athletic and agile than anyone would expect. He’s unable to get the three-count after a beautiful move off the corner rope.
A crazy Crucifix Bomb on the stage gives Mortos another pinfall attempt. But Hologram gets the shoulders up again! He counters and is also only able to get two on the count.
“Fight Forever!” chants erupt periodically as these two are going after it.
Hologram gets another counter on a roll-up.
Winner: Hologram via pinfall.
Mortos is not happy. Komander comes out to make the save.
A major announcement as Speedball Mike Bailey has been signed to AEW!
Harley Cameron comes to the ring, fresh off her unsuccessful title shot last week in Brisbane. She reminds everyone of how she used to watch wrestling with her grandmother and say she’d one day go to America and wrestle. Mission accomplished?
Cameron says that little girl was her next door neighbor! But she took the dream and “ran with it!” She reminds everyone she won’t stop until everyone feels the wrath!
2. Gabe Kidd vs. The Butcher
As promised, Gabe Kidd makes his Collision debut. And what an opponent to debut against! Butcher’s knee-steps are so cool.
Kidd takes it to the Butcher immediately, talking a lot (A LOT) of smack while he backs it up. Don Callis watches the action backstage.
The Butcher gets the upper hand. This will thankfully not be a squash match as is common with debuts. Excalibur lets everyone know that Kidd trained with Katsuyori Shibata, about as good a trainer as any wrestler can hope for.
It turns out to be a quick match anyways.
Winner: Gabe Kidd via pinfall.
Lexy Nair is backstage with Callis and Kyle Fletcher. Fletcher interrupts Nair a few times when all she wants is an answer to the challenge laid out by Will Ospreay at Grand Slam, a challenge that involves a steel cage at Revolution.
Don Callis needs therapy after this interview. Fletcher accepts the challenge.
3. Julia Hart vs. Queen Aminata
This one’s going to be good! I think Hart’s entrance is objectively one of the best in the promotion. Talk about AURA.
The two stare down with smirks as the bell rings, taking some time before locking it up. A snap mare takeover to a spine kick. Aminata is not playing any games, showcasing her power.
Queen Aminata’s power and reach advantages are on display against the former TBS Champion but Hart isn’t going to break so easily.
A couple of German suplexes give Aminata an advantage but Hart counters with a submission.
Winner: Julia Hart via pinfall.
A quick video package airs in anticipation of Cope’s title shot vs. Jon Moxley at AEW Revolution March 9 in Los Angeles.
4. Brian Cage and Lance Archer vs. two wrestlers
I blinked and I don’t remember their opponents’ names being mentioned. After winning, they call out The Hurt Syndicate. Guess who come out next?
The crowd chants “We hurt people!” MVP calls out the lack of titles his opponents have, he also mentions that the Murder Machines took out jobbers, essentially. A challenge is laid out for next week.
A video promo for Lio Rush and Action Andretti airs before a quick recap of Megan Bayne vs. Kris Statlander from Wednesday.
5. Cool Hand Ang, Daddy Magic, and Daniel Garcia vs. the Death Riders (Wheeler Yuta, PAC, and Claudio Castagnoli)
Angelo Parker gets going against Wheeler Yuta, aiming for a quick win but an unsuccessful cover.
Time for a little dance break! The crowd makes their feelings for Yuta clear, chanting “We hate Yuta!” It doesn’t take long for all six men to get in the ring together. Who needs a ref? Angelo Parker gets singled out and withstands a number of moves from all three opponents.
Daddy Magic’s rib injury is a key story line as the Death Riders go after him. After a prolonged three-on-one, he’s able to kick out and the crowd chants his name.
The TNT Champion finally gets his turn to take on all three heels. He hands out suplexes “like happy hour”, according to Jim Ross.
PAC gets Angelo Parker to tap with the Brutalizer.
Winners: Death Riders retain via submission.
The Undisputed Kingdom enter the fracas to disrupt the post-match beatdown.
Jon Moxley and Marina Shafir enter as the Death Riders are running with their tails between their legs, a rare sight. As PAC is motionless in the middle of the ring and the rest of the Death Riders are halted from entering, out comes Cope with two chairs. True to his word, the Canadian takes out PAC with not one, but two concertos. Stone-faced as he stares through Moxley’s soul.
This is the Cope that fans want to see. Unhinged and unbothered by it.
Lexy Nair is backstage with The Vendetta. They’re not fooled by Harley’s wrestling ability. They tell her to go to the back of the line after her loss last week at Grand Slam.
6. Max Caster vs. Brody King
Caster comes out and says he was disrespected by “Hangperson” Adam Page. He says everyone’s afraid of him.
Caster plugs his ears as his opponent comes out. Who’s afraid now? Everyone’s afraid of the big dawg!
King shakes hands with Caster but doesn’t let go right away. “Brody’s gonna kill you!” chants ring out as King takes over quickly. The dogs bark!
Winner: Brody King via pinfall. Max Caster is now 0-3 in his open challenge.
Lexy Nair is backstage with The Outrunners after their big win at ROH Global Wars in Australia. The Hurt Syndicate approach them, giving them good and bad news. Both are the same news, good for The Hurt Syndicate, bad for The Outrunners.
7. Chris Jericho (c) vs. Bandido for the ROH World Championship
A refresher on the rule. It’s a 20-count if the wrestlers end up outside the ring. A handshake to signify the Honor. Jericho defeated Bandido in the latter’s AEW debut, back when Jericho was “El Ocho”.
A greatly-timed Codebreaker did not work for Jericho to gain the victory.
The crowd chants for Jericho to retire but he replies with “retire this” before getting some powerful offense on Bandido.
Both got laid out outside the ring and Aubrey leads the crowd in the count, en Espanol. Bandido gets put into the Walls of Jericho and the crowd powers him to the ropes to force the break.
I mean, there’s strength and then there’s whatever Bandido has.
Jericho argues with referee Aubrey Edwards. Bandido hits an ode to Eddie Guerrero, prompting the crowd to chant his name.
A mid-ring Lionsault doesn’t work for the Nueve. A counter on the pinfall does.
Winner: Jericho retains via pinfall.
Summary
Since the “new era” of AEW began in January, Collision has proved week after week to build stories and deliver exciting in-ring action. This week was no exception.
