wrestling / TV Reports
Hunter’s Collision Review 06.27.26
Image Credit: AEW
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It’s the last stop before FORBIDDEN DOOR tomorrow night. That means it’s time for the:
COLLISION
CLASSIC
CARD
of ONE-SIDED MATCHES!
We are live TAPED from after Dynamite last Wednesday night in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. MyAEW is airing the show on a one-hour delay, so I am forced to use HBO MAX and suffer through commercials.
WEIRD RAVE MUSIC COLLISION INTRO!
Nigel McGuinness, Tony Schiavone, and Excalibur are on the call tonight.
Backpacks in two, here comes THE CONGLOMERATION! Pops me that Roddy does have a backpack, but is the only one to wear the belt to the ring properly. LOL
And their opponents… The Opps make their way down to the ring. Commentary notes that Shibata and Hook don’t seem entirely on board with Bowens in the Opps
WORLD TRIOS CHAMPIONSHIP: The Conglomeration (Orange Cassidy, Roderick Strong, Kyle O’Reilly) (c) v The Opps (Hook, Katsuyora Shibata, Anthony Bowens)
The One-True Kyle has a snazzy new haircut. Roddy and Shibata lock up. Someone in the comments, have they ever wrestled singles? Tag into O’Reilly, Shibata tags Hook. Fans give Hook some jeers. Hook is actually looking quite ripped. This is a good match-up, O’Reilly and Hook trading some graps! Helps that Hook is not outsized when against guys like O’Reilly and Roddy.
Conglomerating on Hook in the corner! Backbreaker by Strong, OC up to the top… down to the second… down to the third… down to the canvas… DROPS the elbow, all while still wearing his sunglasses. OC with a cover, Hook gets one. Nigel: “Sometimes less ISN’T more.” Cassidy’s lackadaisical pace lets Hook catch him with a suplex. Bowens gets tagged in and plays to the crowd.
HANDS IN THE POCKETS!
Anthony pulls the hands out and forces Cassidy to clap? Sure. OC goes back in the pockets! OFF THE ROPES! DUCK! DIVE! DROPKICK! KIPUP! ALL WITH HANDS IN THE POCKETS! Unfortunately for Orange, Shibata tags in. THE WRESTLER challenges OC to chop him. Lazy chops… OC with a rollup! Off the ropes, HOOK WITH A KNEE TO THE BACK! Shibata with OC on the apron, SUPLEX ON THE APRON! Rolls outside? SUPLEX ON THE FLOOR! Hook gets a two count, and we head to commercial break.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
We’re back with Cassidy still in trouble. Shibata with a BIG boot that knocks Roderick Strong off the apron. Shibata gets caught with a Stundog Millionaire, and Cassidy makes the HOT TAG O’REILLY! Bowens in as well, O’Reilly unloads! ANKLE LOCK! … Hook comes in from behind and locks a choke on O’Reilly! Finally the ankle lock is released, O’Reilly with a suplex on Hook! Bowens nails O’Reilly with the forearm (notably we’re no longer calling it the Molly Whop), O’Reilly with the MCGUINESS REBOUND LARIAT. Everyone down and in come Roddy and Shibata! CHOPS! CHOPS! CHOPS! Shibata staggers Strong with a European Uppercut, off the ropes, Cassidy grabs the leg! Roddy with a backbreaker! Backbreaker to Hook! OC tagged in… Roddy gorilla presses his own partner! THROWN INTO SHIBATA! TOSSED INTO HOOK!
SHIBATA WITH AN ORANGE PUNCH!!!
Shibata hooks Roddy, tags in Bowens. Bowens off the ropes, Roddy gets a boot up. Shibata with an STO on Roddy. Kyle and Shibata exchanging stiff forearms! CROWD LOVES IT! O’Reilly gets the better of Shibata. Hook runs in, Kyle flusters him, but Hook gets a T-Bone. OC in! Nails Hook. Bowens in, OC gets a rollup for two! Bowens now on fire! It’s breaking down! FAMOUSER ON O’REILLY! Bowens with a sequence on OC out of the corner for two! Hard to describe, a twisting DDT pulling Orange from the second rope.
Shibata comes back in and pulls Cassidy up. Bowens with a superkick — ORANGE DUCKS! BOWENS NAILS SHIBATA! Hook yells but Orange takes him off the apron! Back and forth, Bowens rolls OC up for two. O’Reilly saves! O’Reilly nails Bowens! Roddy with a shot! OC staggering… Roddy throws him on top of Bowens for the three-count!
WINNERS: (and still World Trios Champions) The Conglomeration
TIME: 14:11
RATING: *** 3/4
THOUGHTS: Slow start but after the commercial break, the match kicked into gear. Super fun action and the fan-favourites get a win heading into the big cage match tomorrow night at Forbidden Door.
The Opps without Samoa Joe don’t really have any spark. Hook really has lost all of his aura from a few years ago, even though I don’t think he’s terrible. I like Bowens and this is better than completely being lost singles after the Max Caster reunion was unceremoniously dropped. So where is this going? Will Hook and Shibata turn on Bowens soon? Will this drag out until Joe returns? *shrug*
The Conglomeration celebrate!
* Backstage to THE DEMAND. All three wearing vests with no shirts. Ricochet gets to chatting … the Lethal Twist come down the stairs. Ricochet praises Jay Lethal. They compliment each other’s haircuts (BALD!). “Maybe we should go talk a little bit.” All six exit scene — Toa Leoni screams at the camera.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
We’re back to the Deathriders from after Dynamite. Garcia is lying prone on the ground, Marina holding her hand on his forehead. Moxley: “WILL is gonna pull the trigger, and he’s gonna put it where it hurts the most.” Ospreay talks about Swerve, disappointed in what ten years of friendship have led to. “The most dangerous man in AEW? You’re about to see how dangerous I can be, bruv. This isn’t your house anymore, mate, you’re a SQUATTER, and you’re occupying space on my road to Wembley.”
TNT CHAMPIONSHIP: Kevin Knight (c) v Desmond Xavier
Crowd chants “YOU SOLD OUT” at Knight to start. Knight defending against another member of the Rascalz after an excellent match vs Myron Reed on a previous Collision. Dez gets an early cover from a la majistral as Knight tries to slow things down. Knight with a rollup, FEET ON THE ROPES! Rick Knox catches Knight trying for an early cheap win.
Knight gets taken out of the ring. Xavier hits the ropes… Knight runs away, removing the target. Xavier gestures for Knight to get back in the ring. Knight slides in, right back out. He’s getting the boos! Knight manages to grab Dez by the ankle. Pulls him out, rams the lower back into the ring apron. Into the ring steps, Knight follows up with a leaping strike off the steps!
Commercial Break
We’re back with Knight in control. Desmond reverses and sends Knight into the corner. Flying DDT from Desmond Xavier! One, two, kickout. Crowd is rallying behind Xavier. The group is definitely over, hopefully their time comes sooner than later. Meteora attempt, Knight ducks. Knight takes advantage. Tilt-a-whirl backbreaker! Pinfall gets two. The TNT Champion, Kevin Knight, heads to the top rope! Taking his time… Desmond rolls towards the corner! Knight drops down, only to eat a double-boot to the face. Knight shoves Xavier away, springboard forearm is ducked! Knight rolls Xavier up a couple times for two. Dez off the ropes gets OBLITERATED by a Kevin Knight dropkick! Pickup by Knight, reversed by Xavier! Huracanrana! Both men down as Knox starts a standing ten count.
Both men on knees, slugging it out. Firing forearms, showing the wear they’ve taken. Knight takes over with repeated forearms. He trash talks the crowd. Mistake! Xavier lays Knight out! Spinning bulldog! METEORA! Knight kicks out of the pinfall, rolls outside. Suicide Dive from Desmond Xavier! Excalibur, late in the match, “commends Tony Khan” for banning everyone from ringside. Oooookay. Might have mentioned that 12 minutes ago.
Xavier rolls Knight in and heads to the top. Looks for a sky twister press, EATS KNEES! Knight with a dropkick to the back of the head! SPINNING URANAGA, called by Schiavone as the “Crash Landing!” Hey, we have a name! The three count is academic.
WINNER: (and still TNT Champion) Kevin Knight
TIME: 13:00
RATING: *** 1/2
THOUGHTS: Not on the same level as Reed/Knight from a couple episodes ago, but nonetheless a very solid TNT title defense for Kevin Knight. Xavier doesn’t have the same charisma as Myron Reed but the Rascalz have been a very solid addition to AEW, and hopefully they get tag or trios gold sooner than later. Knight continues putting together his heel turn. Striking the balance between slowing it down to be more heelish while still using his athleticism.
* Steel cage match vignette. Looks like it’s going to be like last year’s, a cage surrounding the ringside area, not traditional.
* THE TRIANGLE OF MADNESS IS HERE!
The AEW WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPION, THE TOXIC SPIDER, THEKLA, HAS THE MIC!
Thekla cant’s stand all the “nicey-nice” of companies working together. She wants to burn the Forbidden Door DOWN. Julia says the Triangle are with her. Skye Blue talks shit about her opponent tomorrow night on the Buy-In, MAIKA from STARDOM. They’re wrestling for the final spot in the TBS Title Survival of the Fittest match (takes place July 1).
THEKLA “You all built the Forbidden Door… and now… YOU’RE GONNA WATCH IT BURN!”
Pyro goes off as Thekla poses!
Despite the pyro talk, Thekla simply gets cooler and cooler every week. The crowd is getting behind her as much as they’re booing her. How long before the crowd forces an organic badass face turn? Thekla rules.
Commercial Break
We’re back! JD Drake of the Workhorsemen is in the ring.
I’M BECOME, I’M BECOME, I’M BECOMING
JUDAS IN
JUDAS IN
JUDAS IN MY MIND
Chris Jericho v JD Drake
I’ve got a soft spot for JD Drake. Shame the Workhorsemen have been injury plagued. In fairness, Drake doesn’t look in his best shape here, even for his large self. Anyways. Drake gets some offense to start. Drake… goes up top for some reason? Sitting on the top. Jericho climbs to chants! TEN PUNCH COUNTALONG!!
FRANKENSTEINER OFF THE TOP! Running enziguri! Drake heads outside. Jericho says EH-EH! Jericho climbs… FLYING CROSS BODY! Jericho slaps hands with the fans as Drake is dazed. “Y2J” chants break out as Jericho sends Drake into the STEEL steps.
Back in the ring, gut kick to Drake. Jericho maintains control. Irish whip, reversed, Jericho with a toekick. Off the ropes again — caught by a Bossman Slam! “YOU’RE A BIG NASTY BASTARD, BIG SHOW!” Ah, good times, good times. Drake shoves Jericho in the corner and unloads with some HARD chops. Corner splash and Jericho sags. Drake charges… CANNONBALL SPLASH!!!
Drake is ON TOP… MOONSAULT! JERICHO MOVES BUT HOLY SHIT! Beautiful by JD Drake! Crowd rallies Jericho! Chop war! CHOP WARRRRR! Okay this match has picked the FUCK up! Jericho rolls Drake up for two! CODEBREAKER! Drake on his hands and knees… Jericho uses the RUNNING KNEE favoured by his current rival, Tommaso Ciampa! Jericho looks for the Walls… and he gets it! Drake taps!
WINNER: The Ayatollah of Rock – and – Rolla
TIME: 5:10
RATING: ** 1/2
THOUGHTS: Jericho isn’t on the PPV tomorrow, so here’s his appearance to keep building to the match v Ciampa at Beach Break. Was a bit rough, but they picked up the last couple minutes for some fun shit. Workhorsemen always seem to do great work in short timeframes, and Drake busted out that nice moonsault. The post-match served to build towards July 8th.
Jericho wants Schiavone to get into the ring. He puts the Walls back on Drake! “I won’t let go until you say Chris Jericho is better than Tommaso Ciampa!”
Tony: “Gladly!”
Jericho gets the mic after releasing the hold.”Thank you for leaving me beaten and bloody, because I needed it. So I thank you. But trust me; you’re not gonna want to THANK ME for what happens to you now! See you at Beach Break, CIAMPA.”
* DIVINE DOMINION and THUNDER ROSA are backstage with Lexi Nair. No physicality allowed. Thunder says she isn’t afraid of the Tag Team Champions. Lena Kross and Megan Bayne mock her facepaint. “My facepaint means HERITAGE. We’re not gonna back down!”
Thunder takes off her Mexico soccer jersey and wants a piece NOW! The tag champs decided to walk off.
* Billie Starkz heads to the ring for our next match!
And here comes the CMLL Women’s World Champion!
CMLL Women’s World Championship: Persephone (c) v Billie Starkz
Tony Khan is the ring to respect CMLL tradition, as the wrestlers, ref, and promoter pose for a pre-match photo.
Tie-up to start. Billie with some insulting jumping jacks. I dunno about that move, Billie girl. Persephone with a flying headscissors. Dropkick to Starkz, and Persephone does her own jumping jacks. A furious Starkz hits the ropes, CAUGHT! Persephone with the ol’ sack of shit fallaway slam. Starkz rolls out. She catches the CMLL champ in the ropes. On the apron, Billie Starkz with a DDT on the edge of the ring.
Starkz pulls the cover off the commentary table! The brawl continues as we head to commercial break.
Commercial Break
We return to Starkz hitting a kick that… just makes Persephone angry. The champion takes control. Starkz tries a clothesline, Matrix dodge by the champ!
There is one VERY VERY loud fan… sigh.
Persephone sends Billie into the corner, reversed, Billie goes for something, reversed, WILD pinning predicament! Persephone was nearly bent in half to get Billie’s shoulders on the mat. Billie up top, Persephone stops that. SUPERPLEX by Persephone! Persephone hangs on… in-ring suplex, Billie breaks. Neckbreaker!
Jesus, that fan is SCREECHING.
Sorry, but I hated it when Davey Richards rolled a superplex into another move, I hate it when Rollins does it, I can’t stand it. Don’t roll a superplex.
Anyway, Billie kicks, but gets caught with a Northern Lights suplex! That gets two. Billie looks a bit stunned. Persephone to the ropes, Billie catches her. Billie looks for her senton — MISSES! Persephone hits a spear! Now she has Billie Starkz — CRUCIFIX BOMB! And that’s it!
WINNER: (and still CMLL Women’s World Champion) Persephone
TIME: 9:23
RATING: ***
THOUGHTS: Pretty good match. I hate to say it, but Billie looked good but seemed a bit “off.” A few exchanges weren’t as smooth as you would like. Good match, though, and Persephone is excellent. She has some natural charisma and damn, she’s strong. Love that we’re seeing more and more of her in AEW.
Persephone celebrates… and gets BLASTED from behind by HIKARU SHIDA with the kendo stick! Shida using a wild submission hold on the CMLL Women’s champ… STATLANDER’S MUSIC HITS! Stat, Harley Cameron, and Queen Aminata all run out for the save! Five of the six competitors for Wednesday’s Survival of the Fittest match are around. The four in the ring have a tense stand-off…
Shida backs off as the remaining four point and stare to sell the upcoming bout.
Commercial Break
MISTICO IS HERE! And he is teaming with Speedball Mike Bailey! Fans sing along to his theme song. Schiavone mentions that Mistico and Mascara Dorada won the ROH Tag Team Titles last night at Arena Mexico! They face the Young Bucks, and the team of SHINGO and TITAN, tomorrow night at Forbidden Door. That should be bananas!
And their opponents… the Premier Athletes. Oh, yay.
Mistico & Speedball v Tony Nese and Ariya Daivari
Really? Really? I have to suffer through Daivari? Nese is pretty good, at least, but man. Anyways. Stuff is happening. Leads to the babyfaces getting stereo flying headscissors on the heels. Speedball and Mistico look for baseball slides — the Premier Athletes get outta the way. Daivari nails a DDT to Speedball on the floor.
LOL at Schiavone trying to pump up Daivari.
On the outside, Nese nails a forearm to Mistico. In the ring, the Athletes nail a double-team on Bailey! Mistico breaks up the pinfall. Athletes double-teaming Mistico, Mistico springs off the ropes and nails both! He grabs Daivari’s hand, on the ropes, off and takes down both Premier Athletes! Speedball back, and now 2/3 of the former Trios champs nail the opponents on the floor! Crowd is ALIVE for Mistico! Daivari rolled into the ring. Speedball officially tags in Mistico — but Nese grabs Mistico’s ankle! Daivari nails Bailey! Tags in Nese, but Speedball is not the legal man. Double-team countered. Speedball with the KICKS! He runs the ropes and moonsaults from INSIDE TO OUT onto Daivari! Mistico outta nowhere with a crossbody on Nese! LA MISTICA CONNECTS AND NESE TAPS!
WINNERS: Mistico & Speedball
TIME: 4:14
RATING: **
THOUGHTS: Another quick win for someone wrestling tomorrow night, with Mistico part of the big three-way tag. It was what it was, a few great dives to pop the crowd, and a chance to see MISTICO live in action.
* Gabe Kidd vignette. Siiiiiiiiiiiggggghhhhhh. Interesting. Kidd is wearing a Deathriders hoodie. Personally I think it would be best if he separates from Clark Connors and David Finlay, who seem to be finding their stride as a tag team. Anyway, Kidd wants Shota Umino. Shota faces PAC tomorrow night at Forbidden Door!
* Here comes JAKE DOYLE!
* Out comes Adam Priest, who after a comment last week, I can only see as brunette Crash Holly. I mean, it’s that, or 100% CAW in look, gear, music.
Jake Doyle v Adam Priest
Just a LITTLE size difference here, lol. Doyle easily tosses Priest around the ring a couple of times. Priest does push-ups for some reason and tries to hype the crowd. Priest tries a single-leg takedown. Doyle easily blocks and takes over. CORNER shoulder thrusts. Crowd gives Don Callis the HEAT. Doyle with a scoop, Priest counters! Adam Priest working over Doyle’s arm until Jake stops that.
Crowd is chanting “BALD” at Callis.
Priest with a dropkick! A second and Doyle is staggered! Charge and… well, basically DICK ATTACK! Doyle with a big “body block”… and we have a commercial break.
Commercial Break
Back in and Priest is making a comeback! Working the arm again, trying to take some of the (much) bigger man’s power advantage away. Priest tries to hit the ropes… Doyle just steps on his foot to stop that. BIG STRIKE! Doyle tries something but loses Priest. I think Priest was trying a counter. He looks for a cross armbreaker and gets it! But Doyle rolls over and just POWERS Priest up. Powerbomb! Not sure why this is so even when Doyle is on the PPV tomorrow and Priest decidely is not.
Doyle is first up, but Priest gets his feet up. Priest gets a German Suplex on Doyle! Whoa! DDT, one, two, kickout. With Doyle down, Adam Priest heads up top. Priest dives — INTO A FOREARM SHOT. Priest is OUT on his feet, slumping at Doyle’s feet. Jake picks up, PRIEST WITH A CRADLE FOR TWO! Priest off the ropes, Doyle catches him INTO THE VOID (bossman slam). That’s that.
WINNER: Jake Doyle
TIME: 9:08
RATING: ***
THOUGHTS: Decent little match. Priest did good work on the arm to have a chance against the much, much bigger and stronger Jake Doyle. Wasn’t enough. Not sure that Doyle should be needing nine minutes to put away Adam Priest here. Doyle is the one on the PPV tomorrow. Bit of mixed priorities. Fine match, though.
* Video package for the Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Finals tomorrow night – “The CEO” Mercedes Mone v the underdog Maya World! Great vignette. This match could absolutely steal the show.
Commercial Break
* Willow Nightingale comeback training vignette! Willow is in the gym. “But I guess I just got comfortable.” Ohhhh. Interesting.
* And here we go! Hyan and Maya World make their entrance! Maya stops to look at the Owen Hart trophy… don’t touch it! That’s bad juju!
* Athena’s new (and lesser) entrance music hits. Here comes the Ring of Honor FOREVER champ!
* And finally… the “defending” Owen Hart winner, and Maya’s opponent TOMORROW NIGHT in the finals… Mercedes Mone! Excalibur makes a point of noting that the title belt Mercedes carries is “ceremonial.”
Hyan & Maya World v Athena & Mercedes Mone
Athen is still furious at her loss last week to Maya. The heels charge, ref calls the bell! The ladies pair off in the corners! Hyan catches Athena and tosses her into Maya’s knees! Double irish-whip sends Mone INTO Athena! Hyan & Maya taking it to both heels in the corner! Senton thing! WHATTA MANEUVER! Athena and Mone powder to the outside to stall the momentum, but the babyfaces do stereo suicide dives!
Could Maya win tomorrow night? Mercedes challenging at ALL IN seems like the clear choice, but man, sometimes pro wrestling needs to go with big surprises.
Maya takes Athena down, follows up with a leg lariat. Nice move in the corner. Athena complaining to the ref… and behind the official’s back, Mercedes grabs Maya by the hair. Athena sends Maya to the floor. Mone attacks on the outside. The CEO talks to the camera and gloats before rolling Maya World back in. Tag to Athena, and they hit a double suplex on Maya. Cover for two. Mercedes and Athena should go for the tag titles.
Athena nails Maya and tags Mone back in. Snapmare by Mercedes into a chinlock.
Excalibur says Survival of the Fittest is “essentially” an elimination match. Well, yes, it *literally* is an elimination match.
Another double suplex, but Maya this time lands on her feet! Tag into Hyan! She clotheslines both opponents! Back elbow! Hyan with a cover on Mone for two. Charge meets boot. Athena makes a blind tag. Hyan nails Mone. Athena catches Hyan on the apron… POWERBOMB on the ring apron! Maya World eats a Meteora off the apron!
Commercial Break
Mone hits the backstabber on Hyan! Cover gets two. Mone smacks the mat in frustration. REMEMBER YOUR BREATHING MERCEDES. Mone SLAPS Hyan, tags in Athena. Double whip, double elbows send Hyan down. Senton from Athena for two. Crowd trying to rally the babyfaces! Mone back in. Suplex… and here come the Three Amigos! “Eddie, Eddie, Eddie!” Mone flips off Maya. Goes for the third, HYAN COUNTERS INTO A CRADLE! Gets two. Hyan into the buckle. Meteora — misses! Hyan dodged, and Mone’s knees eat buckle! Hyan crawling to the ropes, Mone grabs her… kicked off! HOT TAG MAYA!
DROPKICK TO ATHENA! KICK! KICK! RUNNING EURO IN THE CORNER! Rollup… into a double stomp! One, two, kickout! Great sequence by Maya World, FIRED UP! She positions Athena on the canvas and goes up. But Mone gets in the way! Athena yanks Maya off the buckle, then sends Hyan back to the floor!
LUNGBLOWER!
BACKSTABBER!
Jaysus.
Cover, Hyan blocked, Hyan SHOVES her opponent to break the fall up! Crowd chants This Is Awesome for the third time tonight – and first time it is deserved.
Maya and Mone trading shots. Maya firing up! Mercedes tries the backstabber, eats a back elbow! Mone on the apron. Maya charges in — Athena with a blind tag — Maya nails Mone with a cutter. Athena in… GUNTWRENCH GERMAN SUPLEX. Athena roars — KNEE FROM HYAN! Everybody is down!
“Fight Forever” chants. Hyan hoists up Athena, but Mercedes grabs Maya! Athena almost gets two. Hyan and Athena trade counters. Hyan sends Athena to the corner — Athena NAILS THE O-FACE ON THE REBOUND! Outside, Mercedes has the Statement Maker applied to Maya World! Athena covers for three!
WINNER: Mercedes Mone & Athena
TIME: 15:12
RATING: ****
THOUGHTS: Absolutely was going to deliver, and absolutely did deliver. Athena and Mone are both on another level compared to most in AEW/ROH. Hyan is quite good and Maya really has something special. This was a fantastic match that gave us a great preview of the Owen Hart Cup Final.
Post-match, Athena and Mone continue the assault, beating on Hyan. Mone locks the crossface onto Hyan. Athena grabs a single-leg crab as well! Maya with a superkick to Athena! One to Mone! The heels bail. Maya with a springboard moonsault to the outside on both women! She’s in to check on Hyan. Mercedes recovers near the Owen Hart trophy stand… WHO WILL WIN TOMORROW NIGHT AT FORBIDDEN DOOR?
Oh man. We’re shifting into the Countdown to Forbidden Door, and we have Mick Foley reminiscing about Owen Hart. That’s all for me, but check out the Countdown!
