Posted on 7/20/125 by Bob Magee
Dustin Rhodes Speaks … as TNT Champion
Live from the Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, newly
crowned TNT Champion Dustin Rhodes kicked off AEW Collision
with an emotional message to the AEW faithful — and a
reminder of the journey it took to get to this moment.
Flanked by chants and applause, the veteran bared his soul,
first saying how much he wished his dad, the legendary Dusty
Rhodes, could be there. Rhodes then recalled how, as a young
boy, he would fall down often and his father would tell him,
“Get your ass up,” and then say, “Keep stepping.” Rhodes
explained, “It is not just a motto — it’s something I live
with every single day. Because my dad said that to me. It
sticks. It means hope.”
Reflecting on his 37-year career, Rhodes declared, “Thirty-
seven years of falling down, picking myself up, keep
stepping, ripping, tearing, clawing my way through this
business, all for the love and the passion of it.” And then,
with visible pride, he stated, “For the first time in 30
years, I’ve been waiting to say this: I am now the face of
TNT. I am your new TNT Champion.”
But the celebration was short-lived. Don Callis and Kyle
Fletcher interrupted, with Fletcher — one of Rhodes’
opponents in the 4-Way Match at All In: Texas — immediately
dismissing the feel-good moment. “You know, Dustin, it’s a
really, really touching story,” Fletcher began, “The only
issue I have with it is that it’s a gigantic load of crap.”
Fletcher insisted that the celebration should have been his,
saying, “This past Saturday was handcrafted for me. I earned
a one-on-one opportunity for that championship. And
congratulations, you weaseled your way in and took advantage
of an opportunity. So for that, I congratulate you.” But the
tone quickly shifted. “All you’ve done, Dustin, is signed
your own death certificate. You might have that right now,
but there is no doubt about it — that TNT Championship still
belongs to me.”
Rhodes didn’t flinch. Acknowledging Fletcher’s talent, he
said, “You’re impressive. You are a machine, so all the
respect goes to you.” But Rhodes quickly turned the mirror
back. “Failure after failure has come to me. I’ve lost more
chances at this TNT Title… first with Lance Archer, then
Sammy Guevara. I fell short with Christian, and most
importantly, I fell short against the late great Brodie
Lee.” He added, “Last weekend, I worked three times in less
than 24 hours. You worked once. And the fact of the matter
is: I pulled it off. And you didn’t.”
Callis stepped between them, asking Fletcher to stand aside
before addressing Rhodes directly. “Dustin, you and I have
known each other since 1997,” he began. “You are a great
wrestler. You are an even better man in my opinion… because
Kyle, all the stuff he overcame — that takes a man. And you
are a man.” Then came the turn. “But of all the demons you
slayed, Dustin, the one high that you’re still chasing… I
see it in your face when you talk about winning that title.”
Callis then extended an unexpected offer. “Because of our
history and the respect I have for you, I am gonna hold a
place in the Don Callis Family. For you.” He urged Rhodes to
think carefully, adding, “When you lose that belt — and
let’s face it — a place in the Don Callis Family for you is
much better than being the third wheel in that dysfunctional
****hole Rhodes family you got.”
That was the final straw. Rhodes snapped, putting his hands
on Callis as the arena erupted. Fletcher lunged, and the TNT
Champion responded with fists, sending the segment into
chaos. Security scrambled, and Callis pulled his protégé
away — but the challenge had been made clear: Kyle Fletcher
isn’t finished with Dustin Rhodes. And the TNT Champion
isn’t backing down.
The Conglomeration Regroups and Re-Conglomerates
Backstage on AEW Collision, Mark Briscoe and Willow
Nightingale of the Conglomeration, alongside Tomohiro ishii,
offered their thoughts on coming up short at All In: Texas —
and, true to form, they brought a blend of intensity,
resolve, and undeniable charisma.
“You know, the more things change, the more they stay the
same,” said Briscoe. “'Cause here we are, conglomerating
hard like always.”
He didn’t mince words when praising his tag partner either,
motioning to Willow and declaring, “My main man, big time
here is beloved. Ain’t nothing she can’t do.”
Willow responded with fiery energy and unfinished business
on her mind. “I know we have all these finished problems
floating around,” she said, alluding to her recent disputes
with Kris Statlander, before mimicking a three-count: “Babe
with the bomb. One, two, three, middle of the ring. And you
pull the ref?”
Briscoe nodded emphatically. “Yes. She don’t want none of it
because you’re the baddest woman in the company. The baddest
woman in the world.”
And then came the promise — direct, determined, and
signature Briscoe: “MJF? Next time I see you, I’mma hurt
you, son.”
AR Fox vs. Ricochet
In a grudge match weeks in the making, Ricochet took on AR
Fox one-on-one — but this battle was far from even. AR Fox
was looking for revenge after being blindsided by the Gates
of Agony at Ricochet’s behest, and those same enforcers were
posted at ringside once again, looming large over every
moment of the match.
Fox came out aggressive, firing a knee into Ricochet’s
midsection and opting for punishment over finesse in the
early goings. “Usually we see such fine, fancy moves from AR
Fox,” said Colt Cabana, “but he was pure aggression right
there.”
Ricochet tried to bait Fox into following him into the
crowd, but Fox stayed focused, sticking to the ring and
delivering a creative leg sweep followed by a spinning
suplex that got a two-count. Fox had to keep one eye on the
action and one on the outside, as Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona
of the Gates of Agony prowled ringside like predators.
Midway through the match, Toa Liona made his presence felt
with a cheap shot to Fox’s lower back while the referee was
distracted — and the damage gave Ricochet control. “That’s
exactly what happens when you’ve got a three-on-one,” Tony
Schiavone noted. “That’s what it’s like when you mess with
Ricochet.”
Still, Fox rallied, stunning Ricochet with a beautiful
slingshot dive, then hitting a big senton from the top rope
for a close near fall. A thrust kick and a spinning
enzuigiri to the back of Ricochet’s head nearly ended it,
but the resilient high-flyer somehow kicked out. “How did
Ricochet get out of that?” marveled Schiavone. “To be able
to kick out of that, you have to be a supreme pro wrestler.”
With momentum building, Fox scaled the ropes again, but this
time, Bishop Kaun once again got involved, distracting the
referee. That allowed Ricochet to regroup. As Fox leapt off
the top rope, Ricochet countered perfectly, blasting him
mid-air with his devastating Spirit Gun — a flying knee
strike to the face — and covered for the pin.
Jon Moxley Continues the Violence … on Colt Cabana
As AEW Collision continued, viewers were met with a
highlight package recapping Hangman Adam Page’s emotional
and hard-fought victory over Jon Moxley to become AEW World
Champion at All In: Texas.
“I walked into a war to win this championship,” Page said in
the voiceover. “Top of the world… come down and take
everything from me. If I’m gonna be the champion that I say
I am, then I do have to say this… thank you.” With footage
of the post-match bloodshed still fresh, Page's words
echoed: “If you want to know what kind of man I am, you can
look at me tonight. When you’re a world champion, you find
ways to win.”
But before the commentary team could further reflect on the
new champion’s reign, the chaos erupted live at ringside.
Without warning, the Death Riders — led by a seething Jon
Moxley — stormed the announce desk. Nigel McGuinness
shouted, “What the—what the—Sit down! Get out of the way!
Don’t get involved!”
Marina Shafir struck first, blindsiding guest commentator
Colt Cabana and wrapping a steel chain around his neck. Tony
Schiavone called it in real-time: “We need security. We need
referees. Get someone out here… There’s blood everywhere!”
The camera panned to Moxley, who leaned into the chaos with
a chilling glare. “Wait a minute,” Moxley snarled. “What’s
the matter? I thought this was your favorite stuff. Hey, we
just give the people what they want.”
Shafir continued choking Cabana with the chain, drawing
gasps from the crowd as Cabana struggled to breathe. Nigel
McGuinness said what everyone was thinking: “Colt Cabana is
a longtime friend of Hangman Adam Page… and unfortunately, I
think Moxley is sending Adam Page a message.”
But the message wasn’t just for Hangman — it was for the
entire AEW locker room, and for AEW’s hometown faithful. As
Schiavone said gravely, “They are choking the man with a
chain. Come on now.” Moxley yanked the chain upward, hanging
Colt Cabana over the ring rope, the Chicago crowd watching
in horror.
Finally, referees and medical staff rushed to ringside to
tend to Cabana, but the damage had been done.
Kris Statlander is Going to Bounce Back
Backstage on AEW Collision, Lexy Nair told viewers she would
attempt to get an update on the condition of Colt Cabana
following the heinous attack by the Death Riders. But the
broadcast quickly pivoted to another competitor who’s faced
recent adversity: Kris Statlander.
“Kris Statlander, you’ve had some big opportunities as of
late,” Lexy began. “You were in the Casino Gauntlet at All
In, you were in the $100K Four-Way on Dynamite.
Unfortunately, you were not successful in either of those…
and you still seem to be consumed with Willow Nightingale.”
Statlander fired back.
“Well, Lexy, if you were watching, Willow was my opponent in
those matches,” she said. “And yes, we were former friends.
But are you saying you want her to hit me and then I don’t
hit her back? Because that seems a little unfair.”
She continued, brushing off the past and refocusing on her
own identity. “But none of that matters. Because I am a
wrestler, and that is what I do. I am strong. I am tough.
I’m athletic. I—yeah.”
Before she could finish, Wheeler Yuta stepped into frame
with an offhanded comment: “Hey, tough week Kris, but…
champions bounce back.”
He barely had time to smirk before Marina Shafir appeared
from nowhere and promptly dragged Yuta out of the shot by
force.
Statlander, unfazed, finished the segment with one final,
focused line: “I’m gonna bounce back.”
Megan Bayne vs. Tay Melo: Everyone Banned From Ringside
With all allies barred from ringside, Megan Bayne and Tay
Melo were left to settle their differences one-on-one in a
high-stakes battle on AEW Collision — and it was the
“Megasus” who proved once again why she remains undefeated
on Saturday nights.
From the opening bell, Melo attempted to gain the early
advantage, backing Bayne into the corner and unleashing a
barrage of clubbing blows. “Nothing jiu-jitsu about that,”
said Tony Schiavone. “Just slugs to the head.”
Melo, a decorated judoka and Brazilian jiu-jitsu
practitioner, wasn’t backing down. She countered a slam
attempt into a Fujiwara armbar in the center of the ring.
“She’s dead in the center of the ring here,” Nigel
McGuinness noted. “And you can look — driving with her hips,
trying to get the foot extension. But Bayne is so strong.”
Bayne powered out with a one-armed lift, breaking the hold
and reminding everyone that strength was on her side.
Melo didn’t relent. She stunned Bayne with a flurry of
offense — including a running PK, a jawbreaker, and a trio
of pump kicks that each rocked Bayne flush in the jaw. But
the Megasus stayed on her feet, showing her grit and
absorbing the damage.
In a chaotic back-and-forth sequence, Melo countered with a
guillotine choke that nearly sapped Bayne’s oxygen. While
the submission wasn’t fully locked in, it slowed Bayne down
— and weakened her just enough for Melo to follow up with an
improvised Canadian Destroyer-style spike. “An ad hoc
Canadian Destroyer… bang, that landed!” McGuinness
exclaimed. But Bayne had the presence of mind to fall close
enough to the ropes to survive the pin attempt.
Looking for the finish, Tay Melo went for her signature Tay-
KO but couldn’t lift Bayne, who countered with a fallaway
slam. And then came the end.
Bayne leveled Melo with a flying lariat, then hoisted her
high and dropped her in the center of the ring with the
Megasus Bomb — a thunderous sit-out powerbomb — for the win.
“She almost took her head off!” McGuinness shouted.
Sky Flight Meets the Don Callis Family
Backstage on AEW Collision, Sky Flight — Scorpio Sky, Dante
Martin, Darius Martin, Leila Grey and Christopher Daniels —
made their presence felt, continuing their search for
competition.
“I came back two weeks ago,” said Scorpio Sky, “and since
then Sky Flight has been looking for a fight. Any kind of
challenge — one-on-one...”
Before Sky could issue a full callout, he was interrupted by
none other than Don Callis, grinning as always.
“So happy to see you back too,” Callis told Sky. “You’re
always one of my favorites. I mean, Scorpio Sky, man — what
a pleasure. It’s a real pleasure to meet you.” Then, getting
to the point, he added, “You know, we’ve got this faction.
We’re growing.”
But before Callis could continue his pitch, Christopher
Daniels stepped in to cut him off.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Excuse me, Don. I’m sorry,” Daniels said.
“I appreciate your candor in the matter, but I gotta be
honest — none of Sky Flight is looking for extra
representation. But what we are looking for is a challenge.”
Daniels delivered the message clearly: “If you ever want to
give those boys in your Family a real fight, you know where
to find me.”
Callis nodded, amused. “You got this all covered? I think
that’s great. You know what? Maybe one day I’ll take you up
on it. I love it. Good stuff. Yeah. Scorpio, good to see
you, buddy.”
As Callis exited, Daniels turned back to his crew. “Boys —
if that’s our first fight, we’re in for one. But I know
we’re ready.”
Alex Windsor vs. Taya Valkyrie
U.K. standout Alex Windsor made her AEW Collision debut in a
high-profile matchup against veteran Taya Valkyrie — and
walked away with a statement-making submission victory.
Accompanied by Johnny TV and the MXM Collection, Valkyrie
entered the match with swagger, but Windsor was all
business. “When I faced Athena at Global Wars Australia, I
pushed her to the limit,” Windsor said in a pre-match promo.
“And because of that, Tony Khan made the call. I became All
Elite… and soon after that, the name on everyone’s lips will
be Alex Windsor.”
The match began with even back-and-forth action, each
competitor testing the other’s timing and technique. Windsor
scored early with a deep arm drag and a dropkick, then
followed with a quick cover for a one-count. Nigel
McGuinness noted that the women’s division is “at an all-
time high,” and Windsor was clearly aiming to climb that
ladder from day one.
Windsor stayed aggressive, ducking a lariat and firing back
with a driving clothesline that dropped Valkyrie hard. She
followed with another near-fall off a headbutt, her offense
beginning to wear down her more experienced opponent.
Late in the match, Valkyrie tried to regain momentum with a
step-over toe hold and a brief tease of the Figure Four
Leglock, but Windsor reversed and escaped to the ropes. Taya
responded by stomping Windsor’s back and slamming her to the
mat — but couldn’t capitalize.
That’s when Windsor struck. She nailed Valkyrie with a big
discus lariat, followed by a stunning headbutt. She then
caught Valkyrie off-balance and locked in a sharpshooter —
her second attempt at the hold in the match. This time, she
sat deep and wrenched back on Valkyrie’s legs, forcing her
to tap out.
Athena Does Her “Timeless” Impersonation, Toni Storm
Responds
Moments after Alex Windsor scored a win over Taya Valkyrie
in her AEW Collision debut, the spotlight shifted to the
balcony of the Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom — where ROH
Women’s World Champion Athena made her presence known.
“Okay, we get it. No, no, no, no, no, no,” Athena scoffed,
silencing the crowd and Windsor. “Just for clarification —
you took no one to their limit. You got beat just like the
rest. So get your ass to the back. This is my time.”
Athena declared that it was time for “a new star to be born”
as “Athena Elite Wrestling takes center stage.”
Sarcastically referencing Toni Storm, she mocked, “So this
is what I have to do for you people to like me, huh? Just
like little Toni Storm. You want me to come out here, flail,
throw out a sexual innuendo? Oh, maybe it’s my London accent
you all like, is that it?”
Then came the punchline: “I know what you guys like about
Toni. It’s that idiotic, mediocre pose.”
But before Athena could keep running her mouth, the AEW
Women’s World Champion had heard enough.
“Timeless” Toni Storm interrupted from the arena floor,
waving off her rival: “No, no, no, darling. Get down from
there. I’m the only balcony bitch in this business,
darling.”
Storm issued a challenge on the spot: “Why don’t you sign
that contract and come to this ring and fight me — right
bloody now, darling.”
Athena refused. “You would like that. These people would
love for me to sign this contract right now, huh?” she
teased. “No. You know what? Maybe if Toni Storm gets down on
her knees and begs me like the dirty disease-ridden horse
she is — maybe, just maybe…”
Storm didn’t flinch. “All right, fine. Don’t sign the bloody
contract. But why don’t you still come down here so I can
shine my shoe on your sphincter? How about that?”
Athena fired back with a warning, referencing the
opportunity at the AEW Women’s World Championship she won in
the Casino Gauntlet: “We’re not playing that game. Because
this Wednesday on Dynamite, you have to go through my
minion, Billie Starkz — and when she dog-walks you, just
know I will be ringside with this, circling you like a
shark.”
Toni laughed off the threat: “Ah yes, Billie. I love Billie.
And when she reaches puberty, she’s going to be an excellent
wrestler, darling.”
Then Storm raised the stakes: “I tell you what — next week,
if Billie beats me, then she can have a title shot as well.”
Athena, stunned, blurted, “Wait, what? Hold on, hold on.
That wasn’t part of my plan!”
With that, Storm moved to head toward the balcony, prompting
Athena to flee, yelling, “Catch me if you can, bitch!” as
she dashed from her perch.
Nigel McGuinness called it “theatrical,” and Tony Schiavone
summed it up best: “Listen to the fans. They love ‘Timeless’
Toni Storm.”
Anthony Bowens and Billy Gunn Get on the Same Page
Backstage on AEW Collision, Lexy Nair caught up with Anthony
Bowens, still reeling from his elimination in the Casino
Gauntlet Match at All In: Texas.
“Anthony Bowens, unfortunately things did not go your way in
the Casino Gauntlet this past Saturday at All In,” Lexy
began. “I know you mentioned you wanted to talk to Billy.
Did you get a chance to speak with him?”
Bowens shook his head. “No, Lexy. No, I have not. And that’s
—” he began, but was cut off by a familiar voice.
Billy Gunn entered the frame. “Well, today’s your lucky day.
Start talking.”
Bowens didn’t hesitate. “I’d like to. Because you and I have
not been on the same page at all, and it’s really, really
starting to affect my career.”
But Billy didn’t let that stand unchallenged. “You know
what’s affecting your career? This right here — this
obsession over Max. What do you say we stop? You’re the
five-tool player. You’re the pride of professional
wrestling. We just need to get on the same page again.”
Bowens’ frustration boiled over. “That’s where you’re
mistaken. Because I’m not obsessed with Max — I’m obsessed
with the fact that you are not in this picture.”
He pressed the point. “Where were you? You are supposed to
be by my side, taking me to the top of this company. And
you’re starting to feel more like an absent father.”
Billy, clearly taken aback, shot back. “You know what? I
don’t know where your head is half the time. Half the time,
you want me there. Half the time, you want to do it on your
own.”
“Billy, that’s such—” Bowens tried to retort, but Billy cut
him off again.
“Hold on, hold on. Yes it is. But I’m gonna fix this. Next
week, I got a slump buster for you. I got a match that’s
gonna put you right back on track. Do you trust me?”
Bowens didn’t hesitate: “I always have.”
“That’s what I’m talking about,” Billy smiled. “We’re back.”
Bowens nodded. “Yes we are.”
$200,000 4-Way Tag Match: Gates of Agony (Bishop Kaun and
Toa Liona) vs. The Gunns (Austin & Colten Gunn) vs. CRU (Lio
Rush & Action Andretti) vs. Big Bill & Bryan Keith.
With $200,000 on the line, four of AEW’s most dangerous duos
collided in a high-stakes, high-impact match on AEW
Collision.
The match began with rapid tags and flurries of offense from
all four teams, including a sequence where CRU showcased
their speed with tandem offense that dropped Austin Gunn
early. “You’ve seen some of the offense there — that crazy
speed — that makes CRU think they’re the favorites,” said
Nigel McGuinness.
The Gunns used clever double-team tactics and ring awareness
to stay in the mix, but as the match broke down, chaos
erupted. Bodies flew across the ring and ringside area, with
Big Bill drawing huge reactions for his raw power. “Big
Bill… too much man,” exclaimed Schiavone. “He’s smoking
everyone!”
Lio Rush connected with a diving axe handle and nearly
toppled Bill, but the powerhouse responded moments later by
flooring both members of CRU and flattening Austin Gunn with
a monstrous shoulder tackle.
Austin Gunn attempted the Fame-Asser, but Ricochet then
appeared briefly at ringside, providing a distraction that
allowed Gates of Agony to re-enter the ring and take
control. With Action Andretti isolated, Bishop Kaun and Toa
Liona delivered a devastating double-team powerbomb, “Open
the Gates,” for the pin.
Max Caster Open Challenge Answered by Kyle O’Reilly
Max Caster issued another Platinum Max Open Challenge —
promising to test if anyone could “survive five with the
Best Wrestler Alive™.”
“Chicago, you are looking live at the Best Wrestler Alive™,”
Caster proclaimed. “Lucky for all you Max maniacs in the
Windy City, Platinum Max is bringing some excitement.” But
his smug grin disappeared when the music hit for Kyle
O’Reilly.
Caster’s reaction was immediate panic. O’Reilly marched
toward the ring as the timer started — and Max immediately
rolled out of the ring to stall for time. He began literally
running laps around the ring, shouting back, “Kyle, stop!
Okay? Hey Kyle — stop! Kyle, stop!” as O’Reilly chased him
at full speed.
With Caster trying to run out the clock, it was clear he
wanted no part of a technical fight. But his strategy failed
when Roderick Strong, accompanying O’Reilly at ringside,
prompted Max to trip and stumble as he glanced nervously at
Strong. And O’Reilly took full advantage.
Back in the ring, O’Reilly began dissecting Caster with his
trademark strikes and takedowns, eventually catching him
clean with a knee to the face. “Boom — kicked in the face!”
exclaimed Nigel McGuinness as the tide turned for good.
Caster briefly attempted to mount offense, but was quickly
overwhelmed. O’Reilly caught him flush and transitioned
effortlessly into a straight armbar — torquing the elbow and
forcing Caster to tap out with 2:42 still remaining on the
five-minute clock.
Juice Robinson and Big Bill Brawl
Backstage on AEW Collision, Juice Robinson was fuming over
the outcome of the $200,000 Four-Way Tag Match — and had a
very specific target for his anger: Ricochet.
“You know, here’s the thing with that Four-Way Tag Match,”
Robinson began. “It wasn’t just a normal four-way tag match.
The winner got $200,000. So the way I look at it, Ricochet,
you cost the Bang Bang Gang $200,000.”
Juice didn’t mince words about the stakes. “You know, it’s
not that hard. I’m not that hard to find, Ricochet. If you
wanna stick your nose in the Bang Bang Gang—”
But before he could finish, Big Bill stormed into frame and
got right in his face.
“You’ve got the nerve talking about Ricochet?” Bill snapped.
“What are you? Stickin’ your nose in my business, huh? Why
don’t you stick your nose right there?”
The verbal confrontation immediately escalated into a
physical one as Bill lunged at Robinson, the two men
brawling as officials rushed in to break it up. “Tempers
flaring backstage,” Tony Schiavone exclaimed. “Juice
Robinson wants Ricochet — Big Bill wants Juice Robinson”.
Two men, two grudges, and one collision course set in
motion.
RUSH vs. Katsuyori Shibata
In a collision between two of wrestling’s most feared
strikers, RUSH, accompanied by The Beast Mortos and
Dralístico, went one-on-one with AEW World Trios Champion
Katsuyori Shibata in a violent, unrelenting main event — and
walked away with a controversial victory, thanks in part to
interference from the rest of La Facción Ingobernable.
From the moment the bell rang, the match exploded into a
slugfest. “Both men swinging for the proverbial fences
here,” said Nigel McGuinness, as RUSH and Shibata exchanged
open-hand strikes and brutal forearms without hesitation.
“Neither man backing down. A battle of will. A battle of
egos. A battle of strength.”
Shibata briefly seized control with a pump kick and a
basement dropkick in the corner, but RUSH rebounded with a
series of vertical suplexes then a German suplex, followed
immediately by a thunderous response from Shibata in kind.
“My God, look at what we are watching!” exclaimed Tony
Schiavone, as the two warriors mirrored suplexes and traded
chops that left their chests shredded.
Both men pulled out technical offense to complement the
violence. Shibata locked in a figure-four leglock, then
transitioned into a sleeper hold in the center of the ring.
As RUSH began to fade, Shibata went to drive the finish
home, but that’s when things unraveled.
With the referee distracted, members of LFI—The Beast Mortos
and Dralístico—interfered at ringside. The interference gave
RUSH enough time to recover and reverse Shibata into the
ropes. Then, with brutal precision, RUSH struck.
After a snapmare by Shibata to set up the PK, RUSH countered
with a big forearm, then stomped Shibata down into the
corner. Finally, he charged in with his signature The Bull’s
Horns — a diving running dropkick that crushed Shibata
against the turnbuckles. He followed up with a cover and
scored the three-count. After the bell, the rest of La
Facción Ingobernable continued to lay into Shibata.
Before more damage could be done, Powerhouse Hobbs stormed
the ring with a steel chair in hand, forcing LFI to retreat
— although they made their intentions unmistakably clear:
they pointed directly at Shibata’s AEW World Trios
Championship belt, signaling their intent to challenge for
the gold. “If they want those titles,” Schiavone warned,
“they’ll have to face this guy — and they’re gonna get more
than they bargained for.”
All-Star 8-Man Tag: Bandido, Máscara Dorada & JetSpeed
(Kevin Knight and “Speedball” Mike Bailey) vs. Don Callis
Family’s Hechicero, Lance Archer, Rocky Romero & Josh
Alexander
In a high-octane main event on AEW Collision, the quartet of
ROH World Champion Bandido, Máscara Dorada, and JetSpeed
(Kevin Knight & “Speedball” Mike Bailey) joined forces to
take on the Don Callis Family’s Hechicero, Lance Archer,
Rocky Romero, and Josh Alexander in an explosive 8-man tag
team showcase.
Things started at a breakneck pace with Bandido and
Hechicero reigniting their growing rivalry. After a tense
lockup and some mask-grabbing mind games, Bandido nearly
caught Hechicero in a submission early — mirroring the end
of their previous encounter — but Hechicero escaped and
tagged out.
From there, the match spiraled into beautiful chaos. Dorada
dazzled with a springboard drop step into a spin wheel kick,
and JetSpeed lit up the crowd with rapid tags and stereo
dropkicks. But the Don Callis Family wouldn’t back down.
“Dorada is in major trouble,” said Tony Schiavone as Lance
Archer muscled him across the ring. “He threw him across the
ring by the head!”
Archer tried to impose his will with a double chokeslam
attempt, but a triple dropkick from Bailey, Knight, and
Bandido staggered the Murderhawk Monster and brought the
crowd to its feet. The action spilled all over ringside,
including Bailey flooring Josh Alexander with a flatliner
followed by a PK to Rocky Romero.
Back in the ring, Bandido showed off his freakish strength
with a delayed vertical suplex on Josh Alexander, while
Dorada took out Archer with an elevated moonsault off the
middle rope, assisted by Knight and Bailey.
Rocky Romero nearly stole the match late with a double
flatliner to Dorada and Knight, but Kevin Knight broke up
the pin just in time. From there, the match devolved into
total chaos. Lance Archer tagged back in but took too long
setting up for the Blackout, allowing Knight to counter with
a missile dropkick, sending Archer crashing to the floor.
With the field cleared, Bandido nailed a 21-Plex, as Dorada
scaled the top rope and landed a picture-perfect shooting
star press onto Rocky Romero for the pin.
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