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Join 411’s Live AEW Collision Coverage
Image Credit: AEW
Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to tonight’s live coverage of AEW Collision, right here on 411mania! I am your Saturday night host Theo Sambus, and I’ll be here alllll night to take you through the ins and outs of Collision. It’s a high-stakes event tonight as we finalize the advantages for next week’s Men’s and Women’s Blood & Guts matches. On the women’s side, we have Jamie Hayter vs Skye Blue, which depending on the outcome could lead to a tiebreaker with Harley Cameron taking on Thekla. On the men’s side, the teams are 1-1 after Dynamite, leading to the tiebreaker tonight between Jon Moxley and Roderick Strong. With Blood & Guts just 4 days away, there could be a ton of ramifications from tonight’s proceedings.
More to the point, we’re in Houston, Texas this evening…can we get through a show in Houston without someone making a ‘we have a problem’ quip? No, it’s physically impossible in the wrestling world.
Location: Houston, TX
Venue: Bayou Music Center
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness & Tony Schiavone
*We are LIVE from Houston with Elton John opening credits, and Tony and Nigel run down the card as well as hyping up Blood & Guts this coming Wednesday. FTR make their way to the ring for our opening contest.
FTR (w/ Stokely) vs Bang Bang Gang
Austin Gunn and Dax Harwood are the legal men as this one begins. Austin is backed into the corner, allowing for a blind tag but he arm drags Cash upon entering. Tag to Juice, he goes up top but Cash rolls away to the other side of the ring. Dax in again, shoulder block and an arm drag, Juice comes back with a scoop slam. They trade armdrags, Juice gains control. We see Big Bill & Bryan Keith watching backstage. Juice unloads with chops in the corner as the fans come alive, sounds like a great crowd tonight. Gunn in, both Cash and Dax get back body-dropped, and sent to the outside. Manhattan drop by Juice, mid-move Dax makes the blind tag and Cash comes in with a chop block from behind, working over the leg. Leg drop to the bad leg, and an Indian deathlock applied. Dax in, cuts off Austin to prevent a tag, scoop slam and elbow drop attempts but Juice rolls out of the way. Sunset flip, 1, 2, no.
FTR try to stop a tag, Juice with a double DDT! That creates an opening and Juice makes the tag. Gunn with a slingblade to Dax, leg trip to Cash. Small package! 1, 2, no. Backslide connects, 1, 2, no. Gunn looks for the Fameasser, can’t get it, and Cash low bridges the rope to send him to the floor.
Once Gunn makes it back into the ring, FTR try to double team, Dax is sent to the floor and both Cash and Gunn hit stereo clotheslines, both men go down. Back body drop to Dax, tag to Juice! Atomic drops to both Cash and Dax, meeting of the minds, and Cash is clotheslined to the floor. Leg lariat from Juice, Dax down in the corner…canonball! Springboard crossbody to the floor! Juice back up top, crossbody to Dax but Dax rolls through! 1, 2, no. DDT attempt from Juice is reversed, Dax tries to apply the Sharpshooter by Juice counters. Powerslam by Cash…Gunn dives on Cash and both men tumble from the ring to the floor!
Bandido and Gravity have appeared at ringside and they run off Stokely to the back, but here comes JetSpeed to block the way. Stokely gets punched! Fameasser to Dax on the apron, flatliner by Juice! 1, 2, 3!
Winners: Bang Bang Gang
Time: 14:18
Rating: ***1/4 – The kind of traditional tag that FTR can have in their sleep, and they are simply so good in this setting. It didn’t quite kick into higher gear down the stretch as you might have expected but this was a good opener. Surprising to see a clean loss for FTR two weeks from them challenging for the titles.
*The Bang Bang Gang, JetSpeed, Bandido and Gravity all celebrate in the ring post-match.
*Renee Paquette is with Kyle Fletcher backstage after Dynamite. Renee asks why Kyle was so quick to take the No DQ match at Full Gear. Fletcher thinks the deck is stacked against him, and even if Briscoe loses, he still wins as he gets to join the Don Callis Family. Okada shows up and apologizes for Takeshita not being here to support him…but Okada IS. Okada and Fletcher are basically the captains of the Don Callis Family. After Full Gear, both guys will still be champions…they will be ProtOkada!! Fantastic.
[AEW TNT Championship] Kyle Fletcher (c) vs Ace Austin
Fletcher backs Austin into the ropes and breaks cleanly. He wrings the arm, Austin tries to flip out of it but Fletcher grounds him. Fletcher with a show of strength, mat return to Ace and he flexes. Shoulder block, misses a clothesline, side headlock takedown from Austin and crucifix pin gives Austin a 2 count. Fletcher rolls to the outside and takes a breather by the barricade, slowing the pace back down. Back in the ring, a BIG boot from Fletcher knocks Austin flat on his back. Austin with a drop toe hold, mahistral cradle gets 2. Sprigboard crossbody is caught by Fletcher, backbreaker, holds on and delivers a sidewalk slam. Nicely done.
Scoop slam from Fletcher and he mocks the crowd. Running back elbow cuts off an Austin comeback, ground and pound keeps the champ in control. Knees to the midsection. Austin tries a rope assisted kick, Fletcher avoids it but can’t avoid the Russian legsweep. Guillotine legdrop connects, Fletcher rolls to the outside. Fosbury Flop by Austin, almost over shot!! Bsck in the ring, high knee from Austin, arm-trap suplex with a bridge, 1, 2, no. Duelling chants from the crowd now. Austin handsprings on the apron to avoid a clothesline but receives an apron powerbomb! Leg lariat to the back from Fletcher. Last Ride powerbomb, 1, 2, NO! Running big boot in the corner, looks for the brainbuster but Austin escapes. Running lariat from Ace, repeated clotheslines now. He sits Fletcher on the buckles, enziguri connects. Ace tries to tijeras Fletcher back into the ring but Kyle holds on, looking for a tombstone! But no, Ace hits a hurracanrana! Stomp! 1, 2, no. Ace looks for the Fold, Fletcher dodges. Fletcher muscles him up, lawn dart! Ace dodges a kick, springboard kick from the middle rope. Austin goes for the Fold, Fletcher catches him in midair with a BRAINBUSTER! 1, 2, NOOOO! Good Lord. Another brainbuster attempt, Ace reverses, 1, 2, no. Nice prawn hold from Austin, 1, 2, no. Thrust kick from Fletcher, kicks from Austin in response. Huge lariat! Running kick in the corner, Fletcher sets Austin up…TURNBUCKLE BRAINBUSTAHHHH, connects on the top rope! 1, 2, 3.
Winner and STILL AEW TNT Champion: Kyle Fletcher
Time: 14:39
Rating: ***3/4 – I liked Fletcher taking a slower and more methodical approach in the first half, and it gave some great structure to the match, highlighting the bigger spots down the stretch. Cracking stuff, built to a really strong climax and this was another good Collision showing from Ace Austin who is building himself a solid catalog of matches here in AEW so far.
*We recap Megan Bayne forming her team with Marina Shafir.
*Kris Statlander backstage says that Mercedes Mone has more than she has, more legacy than any woman in wrestling history. But there is one thing, maybe two that Kris has and she doesn’t. Focus. Complete focus on being the AEW Women’s champion. This isn’t some sidepiece. Mone was eliminated from the tag tournament because she wasn’t focused on Statlander. Kris will do whatever she has to until Mone is solely focused on her. One year after they fought for the first time, it’s a completely different world now. But it still won’t make a difference.
*After Dynamite, Jon Moxley speaks to the Death Riders. He thinks this is already in the bag. Don Callis rocks up with Kyle Fletcher, saying they have stayed out of each other’s business. Kyle has a big match against Briscoe coming up, so he looks forward to seeing the Death Riders rough him up in the cage. Pac says he couldn’t give a piss what Fletcher does with the scraps of Briscoe once they’re done with him. Callis offers a favor in return, and Moxley asks if they look like they need a favor from anybody. The Death Riders walk off…except Claudio Castagnoli, who stays to lock eyes with Fletcher for a moment.
TayJay vs Maya World & Hyan
Melo and Maya begin, with Melo hitting a German from the off. Big right hand, tag to Anna. Snapmare, Melo in with a knee, running snapmare connects and Hyan breaks up the cover. Booty bumps! Jawbreaker from World, Hyan in, running back elbow from Anna. Tay in, pump kick. Anna back in, crescent kick connects. Gory Special into the kick, 1, 2, 3.
Winners: TayJay
Time: 1:50
Rating: N/R – Simple victory for TayJay to rack up some momentum before the tag tournament continues.
*Lexy Nair is with Athena backstage. Athena asks her Minion if she remembers who she is. Athena questions why she doesn’t feel like a Forever champion. It hurts because it was Harley who pinned her. Harley may feel special but she’s not. If Mone had had her back, Athena wouldn’t be in this position, doubting herself. If Harley Cameron somehow survives Blood & Guts, Athena will beat what’s left of her, and she will do it for herself. She’ll make Harley a puppet for the MIT.
[Women’s Blood & Guts Advantage Match] Jamie Hayter vs Skye Blue
Hayter goes for a rollup straight away, just a one count. Blue gets a rollup for 2. Backslide, 1 count. Jamie misses a lariat and Blue rolls to the floor to recuperate. Hayter chases her around ringside, catches her and looks for a suplex but Blue shoves Hayter into the steel steps. Back in the ring, chops to the chest from Hayter and she delivers a spinebuster. 10 count punches in the corner. Handspring back elbow attempt from Blue is blocked. Blue turns the tables and smacks Jamie head-first into the buckles before delivering her own 10 count punches…until Hayter shoves her away. Boot in the throat from Skye Blue before they roll to the outside. Snap suplex by Hayter! Blue tries to whip Hayter into the barricade, doesn’t get it, rolls Jamie into the ring for a quick cover. Blue looks for a clothesline, misses and Hayter hits a German! Missile dropkick connects. Running clothesline in the corner, Exploder suplex, 1, 2, kickout.
Big boot from Jamie, 1, 2, no. Another German attempt, Blue counters into a pinning combo, reversals from both women for 2 counts. Thrust kick from Blue, enziguri by Hayter. Blue gets Jamie on her shoulders, Jamie slips off and they start trading rights while connected at the wrist. They both collapse, Jamie on top of Blue, cover! 1, 2, no. Both women to the second buckle, trading blows. Blue hits Jamie with a Cheeky Nandos and hits a Liger Bomb for 2! CODE BLUE, nooo Jamie reverses and sits out in a cover for 2. HAYTERADE! 1, 2, 3.
Winner: Jamie Hayter
Time: 10:06
Rating: ***1/4 – Perfectly fine for the most part but the last couple of minutes were really cooking; good stuff from these two.
*Thekla and Julia Hart attack Jamie Hayter immediately after the bell. But here come the Babes of Wrath! Willow targets Julia, as we get a pull apart brawl! Thekla and Harley pulled apart on opposite corners as their advantage battle is up next!
[Women’s Blood & Guts Advantage Match] Harley Cameron vs Thekla
HOT START as these two are champing at the bit for the bell to the ring, and Nigel gives us the “Houston we have a problem” deal, TOLD YOU! Shotgun dropkick from Cameron to send Thekla to the floor. Harley whips Thekla into the barricade and follows up with a side Russian legsweep. Back in the ring, shoulder thrusts into the midsection from Harley and she climbs the buckles for 10 count punches…until Thekla rakes the eyes. Running boot sends Cameron to the floor, and Thekla continues the assault with a suplex.
Back inside the ring, Thekla drives her knee across the throat, snapmare and a thrust kick to the side of the head gets a 2 count. Snap suplex, another 2 count, and Thekla locks in a crossface. Thekla shoves her fingers in the mouth and wrenches the jaw for added insult. Jawbreaker by Harley, Thekla catches her in the corner and locks in the Tarantula. Cameron builds up a head of steam, faceplant to Thekla to give her some breathing room. Feet up in the corner to kick Thekla away. Kicks to the midsection now, running splash, running back elbow, and a slingblade connects! 1, 2, no. Cameron dodges a move in the corner, gamengiri, but Thekla catches her in the corner with a palm strike. They sit on the top turnbuckle, Cameron knocks Thekla backwards but she rises back up…and Harley bites the head of Thekla! Sunset flip attempt, Harley drops Thekla into a tree of woe and hits a sliding dropkick. 1, 2, no. Cameron positions Thekla on the mat, climbs the buckles…swanton but it misses! Thekla with the spider pose, SPEAR!! 1, 2, 3. Thekla’s team get the advantage in Blood & Guts.
Winner: Thekla
Time: 12:01
Rating: *** – I’ve said before how much of a fan I am of Thekla’s presence, and Harley certainly met her there with the intensity which was great to see. Slower pace here with Thekla in control for the most part, giving Harley some nice hope spots peppered throughout.
*Lexy Nair is with JetSpeed, who have an announcement. Bailey says firstly it’s not over between them and FTR, but they’ll happily let Brodido do their thing at Full Gear. They’re not the kind of guys to sit on the sidelines though. As such, they want to throw their names into the hat for the Casino Gauntlet Battle Royal. If it comes down to just the two of them, may the best man win.
*Max Caster and Anthony Bowens speak to Lexy Nair. Bowens wants to say something to Caster…the Acclaimed are never coming back. He’s over it. His first step forward will be at the Tailgate Brawl. Caster will also be there, Bowens asks what he’s doing as he’s not booked. Lexy says according to Tony Khan, they’re worth more when they’re together, the numbers don’t lie. STEINER NAIR OVER HERE! She says if they plan to appear, it better be as a team. Caster and Bowens talk to the camera, addressing Tony Khan, and Caster says he’ll regret treating them like this.
*Boom & Doom (Big Boom AJ & QT Marshall) vs RPG Vice is official for the Full Gear Tailgate Brawl.
*Next, we recap the Hangman Adam Page vs Samoa Joe feud so far.
*Ricky ‘the Dragon’ Steamboat and Nature Boy Ric Flair will be on Dynamite this Wednesday as they are in the Greensboro Coliseum. Nice.
[Men’s Blood & Guts Advantage Match] Roderick Strong vs Jon Moxley (w/ Marina Shafir)
Little bit of graps to start with a feeling out process. Front facelock from Moxley, cover but Strong rolls straight out of it. Mox shoves Roddy, Roddy shoves back, and Moxley spills to the floor. Strong with chops and a flurry of offense in the corner. Moxley with mounted corner punches and a thumb to the eye, really driving it in there. Wristlock grounds Strong, he bends the arm back and Moxley stomps on it. Body blows in the corner, shoulder to the midsection and Strong is knocked to the floor. Mox wrenches apart the fingers of Strong with some Regal-esque joint manipulation. Whip into the steel steps but Strong reverses and it’s Moxley that crashes into the steps. Backbreaker right into the safety rail! And again on the opposite side. He goes for one on the steel steps, Moxley fights out of it though and shoves Roddy back into the steps. Full nelson applied by Moxley, before he bounces Strong’s head off the steps. Strong unleashes some chops, chopping Mox down to the floor. Strong gets in the face of Marina and she spits in his face! Thumb to the eye from Moxley.
Back in the ring, Moxley wraps Strong’s leg over the middle rope, shotgun dropkick to the knee. Dragon screw legwhip, figure four leglock applied. Strong hits his way out of it, Moxley with a dropkick to the knee again, and now locks in a single leg crab. Strong claws to the ropes and reaches them to break the hold. Moxley rakes the back of Strong on the top turnbuckle, and then twists the ear! Butterfly suplex off the top!! 1, 2, NO.
Sick kick from Roddy, gets Mox on his shoulders but can’t deliver as Mox slips out. Mat return. Tiger driver by Strong, 1, 2, NO! Strong goes straight into the Stronghold!! Mox rolls him up somehow, 1, 2, no. Moxley looks for the choke, Strong elbows out of it. Slugfest ensues. Dropkick to the FACE pretty much from Strong. He sits Moxley on the buckles, heads up top and delivers a superplex. Choke attempt, gutbuster from Strong and he runs the ropes, only to be tripped by Shafir! Implant DDT, 1, 2 no. Kyle O’Reilly runs out to get in the face of Marina Shafir, and Wheeler Yuta shows up to take him out from behind.
Strong tossed to the floor, Yuta has a chair now but the ref sees him and ejects both Yuta and Shafir! But Pac is here! Big boot to Strong while the ref is distracted. Moxley is happy to wait while Strong gets counted out. Strong to his feet at 8, makes it back into the ring but gets stomped! 1, 2, no! Forearms from Moxley, now looking for an armbreaker but Strong locks the hands together, no Moxley breaks the grip and locks it in! But Strong makes it to the ropes. Moxley takes issue with the ref, meanwhile Pac goes under the ring and pulls out a table. The ref sees him as Pac sets up the table, and now Moxley takes Strong to the apron. O’Reilly is back to take out Pac. Strong with a kick to Moxley. Garcia is here and he gets sent through the table with a release backbreaker off the apron!
Moxley grabs Strong on the outside, looking for a Paradigm Shift on the steps, Strong counters. Backbreaker on the steps!! Moxley is down for the count, he gets to his feet at 8 and is about to get back into the ring but someone from under the ring has grabbed his leg. He is prevented from getting back in the ring – Moxley gets counted out! Strong’s team have the Blood & Guts advantage!
Winner: Jon Moxley
Time: 18:10
Rating: ***3/4 – Two veterans of the ring going to war, and while it was very ‘sports-entertainmenty’ (the official term, sure), it worked perfectly in this setting. The finish itself might leave something to be desired, but again it worked with Darby being Moxley’s foil, and you can make a safe bet that Darby has painted a big target on his own back as Moxley will be looking to exact revenge in that cage.
*Post-match, Pac tries to go under the ring but gets tasered! IT’S DARBY ALLIN! Darby threatens everyone with the taser and Moxley looks panicked as we go off the air. Good night everybody – enjoy Blood & Guts on Wednesday!
