AEW Collision tonight comes to us from the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Kentucky, OH.  After last week drawing 345,000 & 0.11 in the 18-49 demo.  Both of those are record lows.  Certainly that’s not all Punk, guess we’ll find out how much of it is as we go.  This lineup doesn’t scream that things’ll improve much.

*****

All of the semi-finalists vowed to win tonight.  Roddy to target Allin’s (legit) injured back.  Lotta new faces in the intro video; a prominent one gone.

Jon Moxley vs Action Andretti (International Title open challenge)

Backstory: After AR Fox got his 8^th AEW title shot Wednesday despite only ever winning once, Andretti looked like Goldberg

Collision started almost exactly the same way Dynamite did as Wild Thing brought Senor Moxley to the ring.  Kelly tried to put over the title’s importance – it main evented a ppv Sunday.

They tried to justify another open challenge by having an inset promo from Mox saying the BCC mean it when they say anytime, anyplace.  And by reminding us Andretti beat Jericho.  (The year is 2033 and Andretti is still getting title shots because he beat Jericho 11 years ago.)

Mox got a hammerlock, Andretti reversed it, Mox reversed it back, to the corner, big chop, Andretti bailed outside.  Test of strength, Mox winning it, Andretti flipping and moving to try and escape but kipping up into a big right then being sent to the corner, he avoided Mox, fired chops, Mox ignored them, hit a big boot, Andretti ended up outside again, Mox in pursuit.

As they we re-entering, Andretti landed a tope suicida after knocking Mox off the apron.  The champ came right back with a right and headbutts.  To the top, he missed, selling his knee, Andretti decided not to target it for some reason, ducking and dodging while running the ropes into a tilt-a-whirl headscissors, dropkick (barely brushed him), spinning springboard splash, count of two.

Mox headed outside for a breather, Andretti launched a springboard moonsault that would’ve missed badly if the champ hadn’t moved in the way to catch him (the announcers had to cover for it).  Mox was flung into the steps, selling his arm now too.

Ads.

Crowd chanting for Mox, who had to wait to be clotheslined over the top, Andretti missed on a dive, Moxley launched a tope, crowd chanting for him as he sold his leg again (he’s favoring it so much without it being part of the match that it makes you wonder…).  Ten in the corner, the usual bite to the head, Andretti reversed a whip, went to the apron, enziguri, caught out of a springboard into a cutter for two.  Crowd liked that counter.

Andretti landed on his feet out of Mox’s suplex bomb, caught in the choke out of a handspring, Mox went for the KKL, Andretti landed a pop-up dropkick instead, booed by the Cleveland fans, missed his running shooting star, came back with a low lariat, Falcon Arrow, two.

Andretti went upstairs, caught and flung via avalanche German, landing on his feet, uppercut, enziguri, running shotgun, Mox responded with one of his own, the youngster down in the corner, avoiding a charge, to the top for a tornillo which again missed badly (Moxley had to try and run underneath it).

The champ down, Andretti captured the wrists, launching stomps to the face, booed, Mox got his feet into Andretti’s gut, kicked him up and span him into the Bulldog Choke, nighty night.  As with Fox the other day, really liked the finish.

Otherwise, these two weren’t on the same page on many of Andretti’s aerials.  Really hope Moxley’s knee is okay.

Winner: Jon Moxley

Roderick Strong video, the Kingdom by his side again, highlighting his long friendship with Adam Cole – lots of photos going back years.  Cole was a loving friend, Strong loves him.  They’ve always said they’re not just friends they’re brothers.  He’s not the one that’s changed and when Strong needed him the most, Cole let him down.  Cole knows what being alone does to Strong.  But it’s fine cause he’s going to win the tourney and become champ.  But still wont be happy – ‘cause I just want my friend back’.

The video Wednesday was amusing since I assumed it was deliberately exaggerating Strong’s past.  It seems not.  Strange to try to engender sympathy for a heel like this.  And while this character is entertaining, Strong’s far too wooden for them to have gone to the well again three days later.

*****

Recap of the MJF/Joe segment from Weds.

Kris Statlander vs Robyn Renegade (TBS Title open challenge)

Backstory: That’s two open challenges in three days

So yeh, this is very déjà vu: the first two matches are Mox and Stat defending their titles against nobodies.  Renegade didn’t even get an entrance.

Stat took her down, working the shoulder, whipped her in, big shoulder block, Robyn hit the deck.  Then ate a running dropkick, was caught charging into the corner, fought free, missed an enziguri, deadlift German from Statlander, Charlette Renegade grabbed her leg (cameras missed it), Statlander stood still for a while without even really seeming annoyed at Charlette and was clubbed with a pump kick.

Then dropped face-first to the mat for one.  Charlette then choked her in the ropes while the ref wrote a long letter home.  Headlock on the mat, Stat fighting up, kicked back down, landed a big lariat out of the corner, back elbow, spinning kick to the face, charging elbow in the corner, knee following, blue thunder bomb, 1, 2… Charlette poked her head through the ropes and this caused the champ to break the cover for some reason.  Though didn’t seem to bother the ref.

Statlander then fell prey to the most devastating move of the 2010s, the Distraction Rollup, but somehow kicked out at one, ate another face-first slam but kicked out at two.  Avoided a kick in the corner, slammed Robyn off her shoulders, a standing switch saw her roll-up Robyn with a bridge to win.

The Renegades then attacked the champ until Jade Cargill’s music interrupted.  The crowd chanted welcome back as if she were some stalwart so I guess they’re happy.  They even cheered when Jade suckered Statlander into a handshake only to hook her into Jaded.  Though some booed afterward because this was confusing.  Yep, another character who performs babyface and heel actions in the same sequence.

Jade grabbed the belt and held it over Statlander’s face.  They can’t possibly have Saraya and Jade hold their women’s titles at the same time can they?  Good god the matches.

Hated everything about this match, infuriating booking.

If you don’t think a challenger is sufficiently believable without constant interference, probably shouldn’t book the match.  If you want a challenger to be remotely believable without resorting to that particular crutch, maybe just give her an entrance?  And if they’re out there simply to lose and not part of a storyline, have them lose convincingly to the champ’s finish.  In short, make your minds up.

Winner: Kris Statlander

On the subject of Saraya, she and Ruby were with Renee.  Who asked about Toni Storm.  Ruby took the emotion level straight to 12 and was ranting about not forgetting Storm costing her the TBS title when Saraya cut her off.  Starting with ‘babygirl’ – of course – she calmly explained Toni was ‘nuts’ and they’d have to smack some sense into her.

Renee asked Saraya about defending her belt at Grand Slam.  Saraya said Renee was much better than Lexi.  Then said she’d be making her ‘re-debut’ since Grand Slam was where she debuted last year (not how that works but sure…).  She’d walk in the champ and walk out the champ.

Very much babyface Renee and very much heel Saraya then exchanged very genuine ‘I love you(s)’ as the champ left.

Well, they advertised this as ‘Saraya & Ruby speak’ and did strictly fulfill that promise.

*****

Finally something that didn’t feel like it was just filling time – Schiavone sat down with Claudio and Eddie Kingston.  Schiavone asked Claudio what had happened between them, they used to be close.  Claudio said he didn’t know and Schiavone should ask Eddie.  Kingston was irritated – ‘You know what you did, you left the independents without doing business with me when I considered you a friend…’.  Castagnoli said sometimes the right choice isn’t the easy one.

Kingston said they used to live together – ‘You know what I go through’ – Claudio even met his parents.  Schiavone tried to calm things but gave up when Claudio asked Eddie who his parents ‘wish he would be like?’.  Eddie said if he wants to play games then why doesn’t Castagnoli try and embarrass him in front of his mum and dad in New York for the ROH title?

He’ll even put his NJPW Strong title on the line.  Claudio accepted under one condition – ‘you still owe me a handshake and you still owe me respect’.  ‘So you do remember!’ Eddie interrupted – Kingston hadn’t shaken his hand 15 years ago when they split.

Claudio repeated what he wanted then said if he loses his title it’ll be to a better man, ‘and that has never been you, and that will never be you’.  He left first, Tony told Eddie he had his match, Kingston told him to tell Tony Khan to start selling tickets (which is kind of a shoot, they aren’t selling well).

This was a god damn oasis.  Forgetting the ‘doing business’ part, it felt serious, it had a backstory and stakes.  Each man had a reason to want the match.  Claudio’s facials were great, he just sneered dismissively for the entire segment.

Bullet Club Gold vs Gravity, Aerostar & Dios Del Inframundo

Backstory: None

Back to yet more filler, BCG were out next to Jay White’s music, even though he was present only in cutout form.  Juice proudly handed the cutout and his ‘Collision Cowboy of the Month’ award – a ‘perennial’ one no less to the announcers so they could show it.  He’d won it partly for ‘overall hardness’.  I enjoy any kind of creative heel shenanigans so this was fun.

Bit naughty advertising ‘Bullet Club Gold in action’ then White not being there.  Is he injured?  Because this was advertised as an eight-man including Metalik.  Either way this should’ve been clarified to ticket buyers.  (Apparently he missed the show for personal reasons so fair enough.)

The faces came out together.

Gravity and Austin Gunn to start.  The Luchador landed an armdrag but was tripped and driven face-first to the mat.  Colten in, hit with an enziguri, tag to Dios (they never bothered saying his name, had to process-of-elimination this ish) and immediately ran in to a right hand then took a splash in the corner.  Dios fired back with low thrust kicks but was blitzed by a lariat.

Juice in to chants of ‘Juiiiiiiice’.  He aimed snapping rights then a big left, as Andrade was shown watching backstage.  Dios slipped behind out of a suplex, the other two faces came in to launch a flurry of kicks.  The crowd booed.  Chops followed, the crowd didn’t care because they have no reason to like or care about the babyfaces.

Juice took Gravity down and launched shots from the mount.  For some reason this is going through a break.

Fighting out of a chinlock, Gravity blocked a reverse suplex into a stunner but was cut off from tagging by the Gunns.  But fought them off to tag Aerostar who came in from the top via dropkick, shotgun to Juice, rolling cutter for two.  God came back in but was dropped by Austin, Aerostarr was sent to the buckle and nailed with a nice full nelson slam by Colten.

Bringing Gravity in to take 3:10 to Yuma.  Robinson then hit a leg lariat and Juice is Loose to win.  At least Gravity didn’t do his goofy walking during the match.  Backstage, Andrade smiled.

Winner: Bullet Club Gold

The announcers talked about Hobbs/Miro Sunday.  And the ‘mystery woman’ who turned up.  A package played so we could ‘learn more’.  The former Lana said Miro lost himself when he lost his title.  All she wanted to do was prove she had his back and would help him reclaim his belt.  He really has forsaken both his god and his ‘hot, flexible wife’.  She ‘respect(s)’ that he’s chosen his path but ‘I’m going to have to go down mine’.

She then said she was ‘torn’ three times.  She’s spent two years asking if she still has what it takes and everything in her is screaming that she can’t leave until she finds out.  ‘I once was the coldest manager in all of wrestling, and I wanna do it again’.

They replayed Miro screaming ‘You’re not real!’ as she stared at the camera with an evil grin then walked off.

I’m no expert but often when places introduce brand new characters, they give them this thing called a name.  Also, it’s weird hearing her speak with her normal accent.  I’d stopped watching WWE by the time she dropped her ‘Russian’ one.

Tony Khan had said she wasn’t signed long-term so maybe that’s changed?  Fairly interesting anyway and at least Miro’s in a storyline.

*****

A Dark Order ‘commercial’ played.  While in a merch store, they cheesily told us we mean something to them and shouldn’t be supporting the bad guys so should be good like them.  Silver finished by saying ‘We’re waiting for you’.

This came across – as was intended – like a cheap local infomercial for a corny law firm.  No idea whether they’re supposed to be heels or babyfaces.  A continuing theme.

*****

An Acclaimed and Billy Gunn video – they announced the start of their world tour.  Which started in London, went to Chicago and is headed to New York City then a bunch of other places.  Much like Saraya and Ruby, this fulfilled the bare-minimum requirements for ‘the Acclaimed speak’.

*****

They replayed the BCC’s vicious attack on babyface Rey Fenix two weeks ago.  The heel McGuinness said ‘BCC cannot be trusted’.  I’m getting a headache wondering who’s supposed to be what.

Alex Abrahantes and Fenix said they were out for revenge on Moxley.

Rey Fenix vs Angelico

Backstory: None

Crowd up for Fenix.  Angelico was already in the ring.

Rey hit a spin kick to the stomach and a dropkick before firing himself at Angelico via tope.  It took Serpentico less than a minute to interfere as he stood in Fenix’ way, Angelico hit a knee to the gut but was smacked with a spin kick off the apron.  Open-hands to the chest followed but he was crotched on the ropes then snapped across Angelico’s knee out of a tilt-a-whirl.

Angelico began working Rey’s arm on the mat, Fenix kipped up, avoided a splash in the corner, springboard armdrag smoothly into a leaping stomp.  Back up top to get froggy, two only.  Thrust kick and snapmare to Angelico, kick to the spine, Angelico rolled Fenix up in a wacky Luchador pin locking Fenix’ legs with his own for two.

The crowd silent whenever Angelico’s on offense.

After taking a punch, Rey kipped up into a thrust kick, rope-walk punted Serpentico off the apron, rolling cutter to Angelico.  Even Kelly assumed that was that but Angelico kicked out.  Fenix then hit the Fenix Driver to win.  Kelly said he’d love to see more of Angelico.

I’d like to see more of Rey.  He’s awesome.

Winner: Rey Fenix

Schiavone with FTR.  Cash listed all the teams they’ve beaten, including the Bucks in front of 81,000 people.  Dax said they didn’t like being off Collision and should be main eventing.  But there aren’t enough contenders.  So he proposed the ‘FTR World Tag Team Challenge’.  Anyone can challenge for the tag titles.

Please be a joke.

Darby Allin vs Roderick Strong (Eliminator Tourn SF)

Backstory: Winner faces Joe/Penta in final

The Kingdom gave Strong a pep talk as he walked backstage.  Strong looked like he wasn’t listening.  Allin was skating his way through backstage – which they never show – so you knew something was coming.  Luchasaurus snatched him up, Cage asked if Allin was in the world title tournament since he couldn’t win the TNT title (It does seem easier to get a shot at at that based on who’s in this tournament).  As long as Cage is in AEW, Allin will never win any title.

Luchasaurus then lawn-darted him into a garage door, Rey Mysterio-style.  Strong was smiling in the ring.  Kelly said it ‘eats away’ at Cage that he’ll never by loved like Darby is.  Then pronounced Strong would win by default.  Of course, Allin was shown stumbling down the ramp.  Nick Wayne appeared beside him, encouraging Allin to the ring.

Strong immediately swarmed him, straight to a backbreaker, Allin threw some open-palms then got two via sunset flip.  Before bridging Strong outside and firing himself via tope.

Break.

Still outside, Allin flung himself at Roddy, firing punches until being caught and rammed back-first against the ringpost then dumped against the barricade.  An ‘Adam left you’ chant started, Strong sold it a bit, allowing Allin to snatch a guillotine using the middle rope, then a rollup for two, a crucifix after countering a suplex and a code red, both with the same result.

But was snatched into an STF until getting the rope break.  Then placed atop the buckle.  Strong thinking superplex.  Allin raked the back, Strong fell, Darby was readying a Coffin Drop when Roddy shoved him.  Then Rock Bottomed Allin across the top buckle, he crumpled all the way down to ringside, bumping against the apron on the way.

Another break.

Strong had Allin on his shoulders on the apron, Allin countered into his stunner then launched a Coffin Splash down to ringside.  The Kingdom were circling, bringing AR Fox to ringside, he’s the one guy in AEW Wayne will stand-up to so they argued.

Back inside, Allin was blasted with the Sick Kick, but countered End of Heartache into a Scorpion Death Drop.  Though remained down selling his back.  About to head up for a Coffin Drop, Matt Taven decided to enter the ‘Be the 1000^th heel tonight on the apron’ contest and was dragged off by Wayne.  Fox went for his off-the-post moonsault but the heels shoved Wayne in the way (looked like Fox legit cracked the kid in the head with his knees).

All of which allowed Strong to get his knees up on the Coffin Drop then hit EoH to win.  Strong celebrated with his neck brace back on.  Wayne shove Fox away from checking on Darby and told him to leave.

Winner: Roderick Strong

After hearing from ‘that woman from Miro’s past’ (catchy, I like it), it was Will Hobbs’ turn.  He said he took Miro to the limit.  We saw who the real winner was but this chapter’s still unwritten and everyone will fall to the Book of Hobbs.

Also known as ‘Speak generically about the Book of Hobbs since we don’t know what you’re doing next’.  The same thing poor Will’s been stuck with now for a year.

*****

Speaking of stuck in place for a year, Keith Lee with Lexi.  Lee said he is the collision.  ‘My advice to you (prospective opponents), run’.

Seriously, did the entire run sheet say ‘fill time’?

*****

Video package for three new guys called The Righteous who look like the Wyatt Family in white yet had the temerity to say ‘We’re brand new, everything we do is brand new’.  They warned people to ‘get off our road’ then clicked their fingers.

*****

Schiavone called Bryan Danielson to the ring.  Danielson told his daughter that once she turned seven he’d start finishing up his career.  She’s six right now.  And he’s a man who keeps his promises.  ‘So time is runnin’ out.’  The crowd yelled ‘No!’.

But he’s damn sure not going out easily, he’s Odysseus returning from Troy and going to ‘kick everybody’s head in’.  If this is to be his last year, he promised it’d be the most epic.  So he’s calling his shot.  At WrestleDream, he wants to fight the guy who calls himself the best technical wrestler in the world, Zack Sabre Jr (a ton of the NJPW guys are already working that night in Japan.  Seemingly Sabre’s not one of them.  Nor is Will Ospreay btw).

Ricky Starks interrupted along with Big Bill.  A total heel again this week except for thanking a fan for clapping for him.  He whined again about being left in catering while Danielson got time in front of the fans.  On Sunday, he ‘immortalized myself as the man, as the face of Collision’ (they remember he lost right?).

Since he didn’t tap Sunday he’s graduated from being hungry to being greedy and is going to take and take and take and take.  Because it’s in his nature.  Danielson said he wasn’t done yet.  He saw the fight Starks had and ‘I approve’.  He was about to offer Starks a place in the BCC when Bill attacked.

Starks pulled him off but it was a SWERVE BRO!  He attacked Danielson himself until Moxley hit the ring, climbing Bill’s back but being thrown off and booted.  The announcers explained Moxley had already wrestled.  Starks choked Danielson out with the BCC shirt in an homage to what got Danielson fired from WWE.

Starks mocked Danielson’s Yes! pose then left.

Effective angle.  Starks’ facials, delivery and charisma are great, the content needs to catch-up.  I get he’s a heel so acting as if he won Sunday would be fine if anyone bothered to call him on it.

His air-guitar playing is also effectively obnoxious.  He lastly ran to either side of the crowd to fire the ‘up yours’ symbol.  Nice touch.

*****

Big Bill with Schiavone.  Bill sarcastically called Moxley tough since he’d just ‘beat his ass’.  On Wednesday he’ll ‘beat his ass’ again.  This was good – short and to the point.  Until Fenix, Penta and Abrahantes interrupted.

The latter said Bill didn’t get to skip the line (he very clearly does since he just did) after Fenix said Moxley ‘est mio’.  Bill told him to go to the back of the line and worry about his brother getting his ass beat by Joe.

Samoa Joe vs Penta (Eliminator Tourn SF)

Backstory: Winner faces Strong in final

JR joined on comms.  They’ve gone away from the usual Collision formula here.  This has about fifteen minutes, accounting for ads.

Lockup, Joe flung Penta away.  And again.  Penta gave him the ‘Zero Miedo’ treatment; Joe gave him a headbutt.  Penta struck back with a thrust kick but was absolutely run over, as Strong was shown watching backstage.

Snapping jabs in the corner, Penta crumpled.  Joe telegraphed a back body drop, took a punt, landed outside, tried to walk away from a Penta dive but the Mexican was ready, slid under the ropes then snapped Joe’s head via slingblade.

Penta posed, the crowd roared.  They went back and forth with knife edge and overhand chops.  Joe broke the count then ran Penta to the buckle.  Before posing for the crowd himself.  They cheered him too and chanted his name.  The pair then took turns chopping each other against the ringpost until Joe poked Penta’s eye.

Penta back to his feet, he fired a kick to the quad then ran Joe into the barricade.  Alex then helped him stack a table against it, as the ads arrived.  Why anyone would risk being DQ’d from a world title opportunity by willingly bringing a table out wasn’t explained.

Back in the ring, Joe was in control until Penta landed a series of enziguris.  He headed upstairs, took far too long, missed off the top and took a running back elbow strike as Joe got two.  Then applied a head vice.  Elbowing his way free, Penta chopped Joe back to the corner, tried to leapfrog a charging Joe but was caught and driven face-first into the buckle.

Slowing things down again, Joe snapmared him then applied a knee to the back with the arms captured.  For a long time.  Penta fought free but was quickly snapmared back down, chopped in the back, kicked in the face then had an elbow dropped on him for another two count.

Joe crushed him in the corner, hit his turn around enziguri then posed.  The crowd were largely quiet by now, a few chanted for him.  He sat Penta atop the buckle, the Mexican fought free, cross body from the top, leapfrog into a backstabber, two only.

Joe sent Penta to the buckle, took a thrust kick but hit a snap powerslam for two and was frustrated at not getting the win.  Penta hit another enziguri, lariat in the corner, ‘nother enziguri, running thrust kick, Joe slumped in the corner, Penta hooked the leg nonchalantly for two.  Then fired a kick to the head, another to the spine, another two.  Before looking for the cross armbreaker.

Joe shook him free: inverted atomic drop, big boot, senton splash, two.  But spilled outside as Penta avoided a charge, hit a thrust kick from the apron after Joe again tried to walk away, and a plancha.  But Joe did finally succeeded in walking away from a second, Penta just happening to crash through the table he’d setup earlier.  Ridiculously contrived.

Penta kicked out at nearly three, Joe countered Fear Factor into the Kokina Clutch, Penta tapped.

My mind is mush after this show so can’t really give a fair review.  Seemed a little slow.  Not as good as might be expected.

Winner: Samoa Joe

This was about thirty-minutes-worth of wrestling show stretched to two hours.  More Collisions like this and they’re going to be in big trouble

 ________________________________________________________________

Next Dynamite:

• Toni Storm vs Britt Baker vs Nyla Rose vs Hikaru Shida
• Don Callis reveals his masterpiece (ie Takeshita’s next target)
• Hangman Page vs Brian Cage
• Roderick Strong vs Samoa Joe (Eliminator Tournament Final)
• Jon Moxley vs Big Bill (International Title – Tony Khan ‘made this official’ right after that angle)

Next Collision:

• FTR vs Iron Savages (Tag Titles)

Grand Slam Dynamite:

• Chris Jericho vs Sammy Guevara
• Saraya defends women’s title
• MJF defends AEW title

WrestleDream:

• Bryan Danielson vs Zack Sabre Jr

Thumbs Up/Down

• Kingston/Claudio segment
• Starks/Danielson segment continued Starks’ association with the big boys and he was very clearly a heel

 *****

• It felt like they cut and pasted Wednesday’s lineup except wrote ‘semi’ r/t quarter final
• An awful lot of generic filler – matches and promos
• Doing these ‘open challenges’ once a week was bad enough. And now the well-rehabbed tag titles are joining the party.  It’s a crutch used by people either completely out of ideas or completely burned out.  Was really hoping they’d decide to feature the top tag teams on the show now that Collision needs a new identity

Appreciate you reading.  Enjoy the rest of the weekend.