AEW Collision: November 17, 2023 (& Rampage)

November 18, 2023 4:52 PM - Season 1, Episode 23

Collision moved a day up to make room for the Full Gear PPV on Saturday, effectively forming a three-hour block with Rampage. It's the go-home show, what surprises are in store?

(Some post-match commentary from the Wrestling Observer, here and here.)

COLLISION

Christian Cage promo

"Cage said that Adam Copeland only came to AEW to steal the spotlight. While Copeland was coddled and protected, Cage fought for everything he got in his career. Cage told Copeland’s wife to keep his kids awake, because Cage was going to break Copeland’s neck."

Christian specifically called out Ric Flair, who'll be ringside with Sting et al. Flair has to be turning on Sting tomorrow, right? Sting must be betrayed by one more friend before retirement!

Miro defeated Daniel Garcia

"A hard-hitting opener. Garcia’s technique and Miro’s brute force made for an interesting style clash and a good match. As for the Garcia & Menard story, it’s time to get to the next phase of it."

Kings of the Black Throne (Brody King & Malachi Black) defeated The Boys (Brandon & Brent)

For cryin' out loud, what are the Boys doing here without Dalton Castle getting hype at ringside?

TNT Title #1 Contender’s 4-Way Match: Trent Beretta defeated Penta El Zero Miedo, Brian Cage (w/ Prince Nana), & Komander

This was exactly what you would expect from these four men. Fast-paced, high-flying, and a lot of fun. Beretta has made himself a highlight of Friday nights lately... The winner of this match will challenge Christian Cage for the TNT Championship later tonight on Rampage.

Wardlow defeated Evan Daniels

Rush (w/ La Faccion Ingobernable) vs. Dax Harwood ended in a no-contest

"What a fight this was. A gritty, nasty brawl between these two, ending in a brawl that sold me on the ladder match at Full Gear. A great piece of business. Ricky Starks & Big Bill joined commentary, with Starks doing the talking. Dax was announced as Dax The Axe, which is new to me.

Rush got in Starks’ face, shoving him and spitting on him before getting back in the ring and setting up the Bull’s Horns. Rush went for it, but Starks speared him to end the match. Big Bill attacked Harwood as Schiavone announced this match as a no-contest. All of the participants in the ladder match came out and brawled, with Big Bill and Brody King staring each other down. They pulled out a ladder, but Dralistico and Wheeler cut them off. Security and referees came down to break things up."

Buddy Matthews defeated Wheeler Yuta

"Another damn good match here. Two fresh talents having a chance to showcase themselves on the big stage. This is what made AEW so exciting at the start, and it worked again in this match. Matthews vs. Castagnoli is a welcome addition to the Full Gear card."

Hikaru Shida & Kris Statlander defeated The Outcasts (Ruby Soho & Saraya)

This romance angle between Ruby Soho and Angelo Parker is moving forward, and causes Ruby to not be available to make the tag, so Saraya takes the pins. The crowd has never taken to the Outcasts as heels, is Saraya the one to blame? Toni is (sort of) a face again with her movie star gimmick. Are we turning each of them face separately?

RAMPAGE

TNT Championship Match: Christian Cage (c) (w/ Luchasaurus & Nick Wayne) defeated Trent Beretta

“Timeless” Toni Storm (w/ Luther) v. Emi Sakura

"Storm tried to give Sakura the “script” for the match, which she tore in half. Well, scripts have never worked in wrestling, anyway... It would be a mistake not to put the belt on Storm tomorrow night."

Toni actually bringing a script to the ring is a pretty high-level meta joke, more of a Danhausen or Bucks thing to me.

Roderick Strong (w/ Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) defeated Action Andretti

Strong’s entrance is just perfect. The whole wheeling his chair to the ring stairs and Roddy willing himself out of the chair is peak delusional heel stuff. Remember "Inspirational" Bo Dallas in NXT?) Roddy also took a bad neck bump that I think the production crew treated as legit, because the cameras deliberately refocused far away -- which is what you do when there's a legit injury at a live wrestling show. Turns out he's OK!

MJF attempted to crash Rene Paquette's interview with Jay White.

"MJF chased White, and they made it into the arena and eventually the ring. The Gunns followed, but MJF quickly disposed of them. MJF laid out White, and MJF finally got the belt back… until the Gunns recovered and jumped MJF from behind. After a struggle, White got the belt back. The Gunns held MJF open for a belt shot, but Samoa Joe ran in and chased off Bullet Club. Joe extended his hand to MJF, and after thinking it over, MJF shook it. Thus, Max accepted Joe’s help for Zero Hour, and will give him an AEW World title shot."

posted by The Pluto Gangsta (1 comment total)

A separate FF post for Full Gear has been added.
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 1:02 PM on November 19, 2023