AEW Collision: September 30, 2023

October 1, 2023 12:33 PM - Season 1, Episode 16

The AEW roster settles into Seattle to get the PNW ready for WrestleDream, and that means: (1) an all-star 8-man tag match, (2) Jericho and Omega teaming up, and (3) several guest spots for local DEFY Wrestling talent.

Highlights and some commentary from the Wrestling Observer:

Andrade El Idolo def. Juice Robinson (w/ The Gunns)

"This was such a simple, effective, fun opener with two world-class talents. Robinson’s charisma has gotten him over with AEW crowds, and Andrade has been a cornerstone of Collision since its inception. A great start to the show."

We got part two of Toni Storm: Portrait of a Star.

The Kingdom (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) def. Best Friends (Chuck Taylor & Trent Beretta)

"The Kingdom have been very cartoony with the Strong story, but they’re still a great team. This match outperformed my expectations for a mid-show tag team match...

After the match, Taven took the mic and told Bennett that they had to catch their red-eye flight to get back to Roderick Strong. Taven had a message for Adam Cole. He said that Cole delayed his surgery to have meetings with doctors, but if their friendship ever meant anything to them, he would meet them all at Strong’s home. Or, he could go get surgery like the "selfish prick" he was."

Julia Hart (w/ Brody King) def. Vertvixen

"We got chants for DEFY, the promotion Vertvixen is a regular in around the Seattle area...

After the match, Hart took the mic and called out Kris Statlander. Statlander came out but brought the Best Friends with her to neutralize Brody King. Statlander called herself the “defeater of the undefeated” and said that Hart’s time was up tomorrow night."

Claudio Castagnoli accepted a challenge from Josh Barnett, and the match was signed for the WrestleDream Zero Hour.

Chris Jericho & Kenny Omega def. Gates Of Agony (Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona)

"Jericho and Omega worked very well toppling the power team in their first match as a team. It was a different dynamic than I was used to seeing them work, as underdogs against more physically imposing opponents."

We got a video package for the Darby Allin/Christian Cage TNT Title match at WrestleDream. Allin said that he’s waited a long time to main event a PPV and that the TNT Title is the only thing that gives him validation. Cage said that he asked for this best-of-three falls match to expose Allin in his hometown.

The Righteous (Vincent & Dutch) def. Travis Williams & Judas Icarus

"Vincent came out on crutches before throwing them away. Another DEFY chant for the locals, who got a quick advantage on Vincent. Vincent dropped Icarus with a back elbow before tagging in Dutch, who fought through Icarus’ strikes to drop him with a chop. Dutch and Vincent worked together to clobber the two men before hitting the Autumn Sunshine on Icarus for the win.

After the match, Vincent took to the microphone and told Dutch to look at the paper people in the crowd. They say that MJF is the devil, who pulls the strings on that liar Adam Cole. They’re going to win the titles and leave the Devil with one hoof, just like Cole. Dutch pulled out a wooden board and a chair. Vincent stuck the board between Icarus’ feet and smashed his foot with a chair before leaving. I see that they're big fans of Kathy Bates."

(OP here: I have personally seen Icarus wrestle and get his bare feet slammed on thumbtacks, so this is a day at the office for him)

Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis), Big Bill & Ricky Starks def. Blackpool Combat Club (Bryan Danielson & Wheeler Yuta) & FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood)

"The traditional Collision multi-man main event was a lively affair. The finish seemed mistimed, but they got the crowd back in time for the important staredown with Sabre and Danielson. This was an excellent go-home show for WrestleDream, as the Seattle crowd brought the energy and kicked off the big weekend with a bang."

posted by The Pluto Gangsta