SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
KELLER’S AEW COLLISION REPORT
SEPTEMBER 9, 2023
CLEVELAND, OHIO AT THE FIELDHOUSE
AIRED LIVE ON TNT
Commentators: Kevin Kelly, Nigel McGuinness
[HOUR ONE]
-The show opened with soundbites from the wrestlers involved in the tournament matches tonight – Penta, Roderick Strong, and Darby Allin.
-The Collision theme played to Elton John’s “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting.”
-Pyro blasted as they showed the entrance stage and then a shot of the lower bowl and ringside area from above.
(1) JON MOXLEY vs. ACTION ANDRETTI – AEW International Title match
As Moxley made his way through the crowd, a soundbite aired with Moxley saying that when the BCC says they’ll take on anyone, anywhere, anytime, they mean it. He wished luck to Action Andretti. “You might as well be facing Superman on the surface of the sun,” he said. “Good luck.” A camera crane in the audience gave some cool new angles to the filming of the ring before the opening bell.
The bell rang five minutes into the hour. Mox chopped Andretti’s chest and sent him retreating to ringside seconds into the match. Andretti grazed Moxley with a dropkick and then landed a springboard twisting splash for a two count. Mox rolled to ringside and favored his left leg. Andretti springboarded off the middle rope so off target that Mox had to move into his path to just get grazed. When Mox charged seconds later, Andretti side-stepped him and threw him hard into the ringside steps. They cut to a split-screen break. [c/ss]
Andretti remained on offense and focused on Mox’s leg during the break. Back from the break, Mox side-stepped a diving Andretti and then Mox dove through the ropes and tackled him at ringside. Mox clutched his leg leg again. The crowd loudly chanted “Moxley! Moxley!” for their hometown favorite. Nigel pointed out this was the third match of the week for Moxley.
Back in the ring, Mox mounted and punched away at Andretti, then hit his forehead. Mox caught Andretti flying at him with a cutter for a two count. Mox put Andretti in a sleeper mid-ring at 9:00. Andretti broke free and took Mox down with a dropkick. When he kipped up and yelled to the crowd, they booed him. Mox avoided a shooting star press, but Andretti followed up with a clothesline and a Michinoku Driver for a near fall.
Mox back suplexed Andretti off the ropes, but Andretti landed on his feet and then landed an enzuigiri. Mox fired back with a shotgun dropkick. Andretti avoided a charging Moxley who went shoulder-first into the ringpost. Andretti followed with a tornado corkscrew dive which again was off target and Mox had to bump early for him and he landed on Mox’s legs. It worked out for the story of the match, though, since Mox was selling that leg most of the match.
Andretti held Mox’s arms and stomped on him. Mox countered and put him in a Bulldog Choke for the tapout win.
WINNER: Moxley in 11:00 to retain the AEW International Title.
-A video package aired with Roderick Strong talking about becoming friends with Adam Cole early in Cole’s career. They aired vintage footage from ROH. He said it tears him apart to hear Cole talk about his friendship with MJF. He said he’s always been there for him, but Cole has let him down time and time again. He said Cole knows how being alone makes him feel. He said it’s totally fine, though, because he’s going to go on to win the Grand Slam Tournament and beat Max and become AEW Champion. He said he still won’t be happy because he wants his friend back.
(Keller’s Analysis: Strong is the totally unlikely breakout character in AEW for me right now. The melodramatic music in the background and his deadpan, matter-of-fact pathetic unabashed clinginess is just so pitch-perfect for this story.)
(2) KRIS STATLANDER vs. ROBYN RENEGADE (w/Charlotte Renegade) – TBS Title match
As Statlander entered the ring, they went to a split-screen with a soundbite by Statlander mentioning Orange Cassidy’s title defenses and saying she’s going to be a fighting champion. The bell rang 21 minutes into the hour. Charlotte interfered with a choke early in the match as Robyn distracted the ref. Charlotte distracted Statlander a minute later leading to a Robyn roll-up for a two count. Statlander ducked a running boot in the corner and then lifted her onto her shoulders and slammed her down. Statlander knocked Charlotte off the ring apron and then rolled up and bridged Robyn for a three count.
WINNER: Statlander in 4:00.
-Afterward, Charlotte and Robyn attacked Statlander. Jade Cargill suddenly showed up, making her first AEW appearance since losing the TBS Title. Statlander went after Charlotte and Robyn and then helped Statlander up. Fans chanted “Welcome back!” Jade then drove Statlander into the mat with Jaded. “Smart” Mark Sterling joined Jade as Jade dropped the TBS belt onto Statlander before leaving the ring.
-Renee Paquette interviewed Ruby Soho and Saraya backstage. Soho was enraged over Toni Storm. Saraya said she’s lost it and they need to smack some sense into her. “She’s nuts,” Saraya said. Renee asked Saraya about defending her title at Grand Slam. Saraya said that’s where she officially joined the AEW family and she’ll walk in and walk out as champion this time. She told Renee she likes her a lot more than Lexi Nair. [c]
-Tony Schiavone conducted a sitdown interview with Claudio Castagnoli and Eddie Kingston. Schiavone asked Claudio what went wrong with him and Kingston. Kingston said that’s just like Claudio to deny he knows what he did. Kingston said he left the independents without doing business with him and went “to the land of make-believe.” Kingston said Claudio lived with him and met his parents and knows what he went through. Claudio asked if he became what his parents wanted. Kingston said he’ll put his New Japan Open Weight Championship on the line against him. He said he’d die for that title because it means so much to him. Claudio said Kingston still owes him a handshake. Eddie said that proves he remembers what happened 15 years ago. Claudio said he will shake his hand at Grand Slam and say he respects him. Claudio said he’ll lose his title to a better man some day, but it won’t be Eddie.
(3) AUSTIN & COLTEN GUNN & JUICE ROBINSON vs. DIOS DEL INFRAMUNDO & AEROSTAR & GRAVITY
The bell rang 37 minutes into the show. Inframundo wrestled previously as Drago. They showed Andrade watching the match backstage on a monitor. They cut to a partial split-screen break at 3:00. [c/pss]
The Gunns gave Gravity their 3:10 to Yuma finisher, then delivered Inframundo to Juice who hit his finisher for the win.
WINNERS: Juice & The Gunns in 7:00.
-A promo aired with Miro’s wife C.J. Perry (not mentioned by name here) who said last week she wanted to show Miro she had his back and would help him become a champion again, but he was stubborn. She said if he wants to go down this path, she can accept that, but she’s got her own ideas in mind. She said every fabric in her being has been yelling at herself to find out if she has what it takes. She said she wants to be the hottest manager in wrestling again. [c]
-A video aired with Dark Order who did a spoof of an inspirational commercial. They told fans to be good like them. They wore cheesy smiles and the camera zoomed in on them.
-The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn bragged about being Trios Champions for 13 days. Billy talked about the start of their world tour, which started in London and then went to Chicago where they hung out with Dennis Rodman. Anthony Bowens said their next stop if New York City. He said they are bringing the biggest scissors party to NYC. They talked about the next series of cities they’re visiting as a map showed their path around the country.
(4) REY FENIX (w/Alex Abrahantes) vs. ANGELICO (w/Serpentico)
The bell rang 53 minutes into the hour. Fenix kicked Serpentico off the ring apron by running the top rope first. He then finished Angelico with an inverted piledriver.
WINNER: Fenix in 5:00.
-Schiavone interviewed FTR backstage. Cash Wheeler talked about all the teams they’ve beaten. “Now the question is who is the next team to step up?” he said. Dax said they want to be in the main event of Collision because they’re the greatest tag team. He said they want more challengers. He issued an open challenge to any young team to step up and try to prove their worth and they’ll put their tag titles on the line.
[HOUR TWO]
-Roderick Strong made his ring entrance first with Matt Taven and Mike Bennett. They cut backstage to Darby skateboarding when Luchasaurus intercepted him and lifted him onto his shoulders. Christian Cage walked up to Darby said he’ll never be the TNT Champion or any kind of champion as long as he’s in AEW. Luchasaurus then threw Darby into the garage door. Officials checked on Darby. Taven and Bennett were all smiles. Kelly said Christian is jealous because he’ll never be as loved as Darby. Kelly said Strong was about to win by forfeit when Darby crawled out with Nick Wayne.
(5) RODERICK STRONG (w/Matt Taven, Mike Bennett) vs. DARBY ALLIN – Grand Slam Tournament semi-final match
The bell rang four minutes into the hour as soon as Darby rolled into the ring. Strong went on the attack. At 2:00 Darby began to fight back. He scored a two count with a sunset flip. He then dove through the ropes at Strong. They cut to a split-screen break. [c/ss]
Strong took over again during the break. Darby fought back at ringside after the break and hit Strong with a flying clothesline. Strong rammed Darby back-first into the ringpost and then threw him into the barricade. Strong went on sustained offense for several minutes in the ring.
When Darby began a comeback and climbed to the top rope, Strong chokeslammed him onto the top turnbuckle and then Darby bounced onto the ring apron back-first and then dropped to the floor. Fans chanted “Holy shit!” Strong threw Darby back into the ring. They cut to another partial split-screen break. [c/pss]
Back from the second break at 12:00, Darby leaped off the top rope with a Coffin Drop onto Strong. Both were down and slow to get up as Nick Wayne checked on Darby. Bennett and Taven approached Wayne. A.R. Fox showed up to even the odds. Wayne didn’t want him there, but Fox tried to make his case he could be trusted now.
Back in the ring, Strong caught Darby with a nasty boot to the face, but Darby immediately followed up with a Scorpion Death Drop style move. Both were slow to get up. At ringside, Fox went for a leap off the top rope onto Taven, but Bennett shoved Wayne into Fox’s path. Meanwhile, Darby went for a top rope coffin drop, but Strong lifted his knees. Strong then finished Darby with a suplex into a backstabber for a three count.
WINNER: Strong in 15:00 to advance to the tournament final.
-Kelly commented on the brackets of the tournament.
-Back to the ring, Wayne shoved Fox in frustration and then checked on Darby.
-A vignette aired with Powerhouse Hobbs who talked about taking Miro to the limit at All Out. He said he prays to no man, but he uses the Book of Hobbs for guidance. He said everyone will fall to the Book of Hobbs.
-Lexi interviewed Keith Lee backstage. She asked if his plan on Collision now is to do things solo after having tag team success in the past. He said certain individuals are avoiding him now, he’s shifting his focus. He said he is the focus of Collision and his advice to everyone is to “run.” (That sounded a bit like Bray Wyatt.)
-A vignette aired with Stu Grayson, Vincent, and Dutch of “The Righteous.”
(Keller’s Analysis: They didn’t say who they are anywhere in that video. No graphics, no mention by the announcers. AEW has to be better about making sure in front of their larger audiences they aren’t assuming knowledge with such a deep roster.)
-Schiavone introduced Bryan Danielson. As he made his entrance, they aired clips of his strap match last Sunday at All Out against Ricky Starks. Schiavone asked what was next. Danielson said he told his daughter that once she turned seven, he’d start finishing his career. He said she’s six now. He said he keeps his promises, especially to the people he loves. “So time is running out,” he said. Fans booed and then chanted, “No!” (Did Danielson just turn his daughter heel?)
He said he will not go gently into that good night. He got worked up and said he’s going to kick everyone’s head in. He said if this is his last year, this will be the most epic year of his career. He said he’s calling his shots. He said on Oct. 1 in Seattle, Washington at WrestleDream, he wants to fight the wrestler who calls himself the best technical wrestler in the world, Zack Sabre Jr.
Starks and Big Bill walked out. He said it’s pretty fitting that Danielson is on Collision while he has to sit in catering once again. He said he had to whip Steamboat to get people’s attention and after Sunday he believes he earned everyone’s attention and put everybody on notice. He said he immortalized himself as the face of Collision. He said he’s going to accomplish things Danielson didn’t in his entire career. He said he talked a lot about how he was given bread crumbs, but he wanted a full course meal. He said he didn’t tapout, but after passing out, he woke up and realized he has graduated from being hungry to being greedy. He said he’s going to take and take and take.
Danielson said he wishes Starks was more patient because he wasn’t done talking. He said he earned his respect at All Out. He offered him a slot in the BCC. “If you want to be with us, you have to bleed with us,” he said. Big Bill attacked Danielson. Starks looked at Bill with a hint of potential disapproval, but then he attacked Danielson. Mox made the save and leaped onto Bill’s back. Bill threw him off and punched away at him. Starks then choked Danielson with his shirt until Danielson passed out.
(Keller’s Analysis: Danielson potentially putting a clock on his career makes every match feel more important. Glad to see Starks lean hard into being a heel this week after whatever that was he did last week that messed up everything they seemed to be trying to do with Ricky Steamboat. Most of all it appears Danielson and Mox are babyfaces here. That leaves Claudio and Wheeler Yuta to be shifted also so fans’ cheers line up with how they conduct themselves on TV.)
-Nigel plugged the Dynamite line-up which includes Moxley vs. Big Bill for the International Title. Kelly said Tony Khan just made that match official. They also plugged Grand Slam and WrestleDream. [c]
-Schiavone interviewed Big Bill backstage to get his reaction to getting a title match against Moxley. Bill mockingly said, “Ohh, Jon Moxley is the toughest guy we’ve got.” He said he just beat his ass and he’ll beat his ass again next week in Cincinnati. Rey Fenix and Alex walked in and said Bill skipped ahead in line. (Isn’t that TK’s fault, not Bill;s?)
(6) SAMOA JOE vs. PENTA (w/Alex Abrahantes) – Grand Slam Tournament semi-final match
Jim Ross joined in on commentary. The bell rang 45 minutes into the hour. Ross said he’s betting his money and black hat on Joe. Joe dominated early. They met mid-ring and shoved each other. Joe headbutted Penta. Penta superkicked Joe and eventually dropkicked him out of the ring. When he went for a slidekick, Joe just stepped aside casually to avoid him when he saw him coming.
They chopped away at each other. Joe got the better of him and then raised his arms and walked around ringside. He rammed Penta into a ringpost, but Penta chopped back. They exchanged chops until Joe poked him in the eyes. Penta recovered and threw Joe into the ringside barricade. Penta and Alex pulled out a table as they cut to a split-screen break. [c/ss]
They showed Strong, Bennett, and Taven watching on a monitor backstage. Ross expressed skepticism that Strong’s neck is all that hurt. Nigel told Ross that Strong watches the show back. Ross said it was just his opinion. Joe methodically beat up Penta for a while and dropped him face-first over the top turnbuckle. At 10:00 Ross said this is Joe’s tournament to win. Penta made a brief comeback, but when he leaped at Joe, Joe caught him and powerslammed him for a two count.
Penta made a comeback with some sustained offense with kicks and scored a two count. He grounded Joe and punched away at his back. Joe came back with a reverse atomic drop, a boot to the face, and a senton splash for a two count. Penta flip dove onto Joe a minute later.
Nigel said Tony Khan told him they’d stay on the air until the match ended. Kelly inexplicably responded to that by saying, “Boy oh boy, it is TV time remaining.” (Huh?) Ross said, “Let ’em fight! Let ’em fight!” When Penta went for a flip splash again, Joe simply stepped aside and Penta crashed through the table. He then threw Penta back into the ring and scored a near fall. Joe applied the Coquina Clutch mid-ring and Penta tapped out. They showed Strong watching again backstage as Joe celebrated his win.
WINNER: Joe in 16:00 to advance to the tournament final.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.