SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
To help you add context, my “Hits” are ordered from best to worst. Each review includes a historical tidbit and a final grade. With that said, let’s move into the high points of this week’s episode, starting with the most significant moments.
HITS
DARBY ALLIN VS. SAMMY GUEVARA EMBRACED CHAOS THE RIGHT WAY
Darby Allin and Sammy Guevara have always had natural chemistry together because both wrestlers understand how to create danger without completely losing the structure of the match. This felt reckless in all the right ways while still maintaining escalation and purpose.
The early aggression from Sammy immediately gave the match urgency. Once the fight spilled outside the ring, the crowd fully bought into the idea that neither guy was interested in “winning pretty.” The ladder spot and missed 630 weren’t just there for shock value, either. The damage and exhaustion actually mattered and became part of the story.
Darby passing out while applying the hold was a tremendous visual and continued the identity of his title reign. He doesn’t feel dominant as much as he feels impossible to kill. That distinction continues making his matches feel different from almost anyone else in the company.
I also thought this was one of Sammy Guevara’s stronger performances in quite some time. The more AEW leans into Sammy as a chaotic and emotionally unstable risk-taker instead of trying to present him as a straightforward babyface, the more compelling he becomes.
RED VELVET CONTINUES TO FEEL MORE COMPLETE
This was a really strong overall weekend for Red Velvet. Between Supercard of Honor and Collision, she came across like someone finally settling comfortably into her role and presentation instead of still trying to figure herself out on national television.
More than anything, she just feels noticeably more confident and polished than she did even two years ago. The promos feel more natural, the in-ring pacing has improved, and AEW/ROH has done a better job presenting her like someone who belongs in the bigger picture of the Women’s Division rather than simply filling television time.
Her current character work also feels much more defined. There’s more edge, more personality, and a clearer understanding of who she is supposed to be on-screen.
My biggest hope coming out of this weekend is that this momentum eventually translates into more consistent AEW television appearances because this version of Red Velvet feels far more complete than earlier stages of her run.
WILL OSPREAY CONTINUES TO FEEL LIKE A CENTERPIECE STAR
AEW has done a strong job lately, making Will Ospreay feel important beyond simply having great matches. The larger dynamic surrounding Jon Moxley, Samoa Joe, and the overall power struggle around the top of the card has added layers to Ospreay’s presentation.
ARTICLE CONTINUED BELOW…
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MISSES
THE DIVINE DOMINION OPEN CHALLENGE NEVER FULLY CLICKED
The idea behind Divine Dominion issuing an open challenge isn’t bad on paper, but the segment never really reached the level of importance AEW likely wanted it to. Part of the issue is that the presentation still feels a little undefined compared to some of the stronger acts currently featured on Collision.
The match itself was perfectly fine, but it lacked the energy or stakes needed to truly stand out on a show that otherwise had several stronger character-driven moments. Open challenges work best when either the challenger feels meaningful or the act of issuing the challenge already carries significant weight.
There’s talent there, and the group still has upside, but this ultimately felt more like television filler than a meaningful progression point.
FINAL SCORE
- HITS: 3
- MISSES: 1
FINAL THOUGHTS: This was another solid episode of Collision that continued AEW’s recent momentum of making the weekly television product feel more focused and purposeful. Darby Allin’s title reign remains one of the most physically compelling acts in the company because every defense feels increasingly unsustainable.
WRESTLING HISTORY: On this day in 1999, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin retained the WWF Championship against The Undertaker and Triple H in an Anything Goes Triple Threat Match at WWF No Mercy, a UK-exclusive pay-per-view held in Manchester, England.
PODCAST PLUG
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