AEW Collision
December 2, 2023 | Erie Insurance Arena, Erie, Pennsylvania
Brodie King wants to show why he’s the most dominant wrestler in the tournament. Claudio Castagnoli says the time for talking is over. CJ Perry says her client Andrade El Idolo will beat Garcia and take him the fat cheques. Idolo says everyone knows who he is and will see Garcia tonight. Garcia says he’s fighting tonight and wants to put Idolo in his place. Danielson says he doesn’t want the best version of Kingston in the match. Kingston says he sorts of respects Danielson. Kingston doesn’t care of Danielson’s injuries and only cares about winning.
Elton John let us know “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting” There was a firework display. Tony Schiavone, Kevin Kelly and Nigel McGuinness hyped the Blue League Continental Classic Tournament matches on the show.
Blue League Continental Classic Tournament Match: Brodie King vs. Claudio Castagnoli
King had a cast on his hand. Castagnoli and King began exchanged huge strikes with nobody going down. Castagnoli and King delivered a double clothesline as both went down. King rocked Castagnoli with a running boot. Castagnoli responded planting King with a scoop slam. Castagnoli rocked King with a European Uppercut on the floor. King responded rocking Castagnoli with a lariat. King connected with a running senton as they returned from break. Castagnoli responded rocking King with series of combination uppercuts. The crowd popped as Castagnoli went for the Giant Swing. Castagnoli caught King with a double stomp for a two count. Castagnoli caught King with a popup uppercut for a two count. Castagnoli delivered the Giant Swing to King in a great spot. Claudio applied the Sharpshooter but King grabbed the ropes. King moved as Claudio charged into the turnbuckle. King battled back hitting a German suplex. King connected with a cannonball but Castagnoli kicked out at one. Castagnoli responded catching King with a Death Valley Driver for a one count. Castagnoli went for a springboard European Uppercut but King caught him with a right hand. King connected with a piledriver for a two count. King rocked Castagnoli with a lariat using his cast for the win.
WINNER: Brodie King
Amin’s Thoughts: A really good back-and-forth hard hitting match as both Castagnoli and King worked great together. Really nice to see King keeping the momentum going after beating Kingston last week. This tournament could be a great way for King to breakout into a single’s wrestler.
Jon Moxley spoke about the last four years catching up to him. Moxley sick and tired about being pissed off. Moxley said he’s going to wrestle and fight his way out of it and use every ounce of energy to win the Continental Classic Tournament. Moxley said he’s going to show everyone what AEW can be. Moxley said he was the Ace of the World and mentioned nobody could hurt him worse than he hurts on a daily basis. Moxley mentioned if anyone thought he’s ripe for the pickings. He told them to take their best shot.
Kiera Hogan vs. Abadon
Hogan shined early catching Abadon with a Woo dropkick. Hogan connected with a running boot for a two count. Abadon took control catching Hogan with a Bossman Slam coming off the ropes. Abadon connected with a slingshot cutter for a two count. Abadon licked Hogan in the face. Hogan battled back catching Abadon with a neck breaker for a two count. Abadon responded rocking Hogan with a hook kick. Abadon delivered a Leg Lock DDT for the win.
WINNER: Abadon
Amin’s Thoughts: This was a short good match. A strong showing from Abadon as they are heating up for something on the horizon.
The light went off after the match. The light turned on. TBS Champion Julia Hart was standing inside the ring. The light went off. The lights turned back on. Hart was gone.
Alex Marvez interviewed Samoa Joe backstage. Roderick Strong appeared with The Kingdom. Strong said he’s willing to forgive Joe for almost breaking his neck twice. Strong claimed MJF is The Devil. Strong said Wednesday was just a setup. Joe laughed at Strong and walked away.
Blue League Continental Classic Tournament Match: Andrade El Idolo vs. Daniel Garcia
Matt Menard joined commentary for the match. Garcia caught Andrade with a quick rollup for a two count. Garcia launched Andrade who posed against the ropes. Andrade took control hitting a flying crossbody. Andrade followed with a plancha to the floor. Andrade rolled Garcia into the ring for a two count. Garcia responded catching Andrade with a pair of Dragon Screws. Garcia went to climb the ropes but Andrade shoved him to the floor. Garcia rocked Andrade with strikes as they returned from break. Garcia placed Andrade in the Tree of Woe. Garcia connected with a running dropkick. Garcia planted Andrade with a Twisting Brainbuster for a two count. Andrade responded catching Garcia with a flying forearm. Andrade went for the Three Amigos but Garcia countered with a sleeper. Andrade broke free carrying Garcia up the ropes. Andrade planted Garcia with a Superplex. Andrade maintained control hitting the Three Amigos for a two count. Andrade went for the Figure-8-Leg Lock. Garcia countered placing Andrade in a Sharpshooter. Garcia tried to transition into something else. This lead to Andrade breaking free of the hold. Andrade delivered a Hammerlock DDT for the win.
WINNER: Andrade El Idolo
Amin’s Thoughts: We’ve seen this match recently on Collision with the same result. Andrade and Garcia followed by having another very good wrestling match with the same result again. A strong showing from Andrade who looked great in the win. Garcia had another strong match showing he can wrestle with AEW’s best talent. My guess is Garcia will be the one to play spoiler and his first win will cost someone from winning the tournament. Right now, both Garcia and Jay Lethal are presented as the whipping boys who are there to have good matches but just take L’s.
Andrade and Garcia shook hands after the match.
They aired a highlight package showcasing the Continental Classic Tournament matches from Dynamite.
Willie Mack wasn’t happy taking issue with what Wardlow did to his friend AR Fox. Mack challenged Wardlow to a match next week.
The Kingdom (Mike Bennett & Matt Taven) (w/Roderick Strong) vs. Iron Savages (Bronson & Boulder) (w/Jacked Jameson)
Roderick Strong came out on his wheelchair. Strong claimed MJF was The Devil. Strong dedicated The Kingdom’s match to Adam Cole. A brawl broke out between both teams. Boulder delivered a running crossbody to both Bennett and Taven. Boulder planted Bennett with a Chokeslam onto the ring apron. Bronson planted Taven with a sit-out powerbomb for a two count. Boulder went for a flying moonsault but Taven moved. Bennett planted Bronson with a Death Valley Driver. Taven connected with a plancha to Boulder on the floor. Bennett and Taven delivered a spike piledriver to Bronson for the win.
WINNERS: Mike Bennett & Matt Taven
Amin’s Thoughts: A quick showcase match to give Bennett and Taven a strong win. Bennett and Taven should be the ones to take the ROH Tag Team Titles of MJF and Adam Cole.
Strong rocked Bronson with a flying knee strike after the match. Strong went back to his wheelchair.
Lexi Nair interviewed Ethan Page backstage. Page spoke about trying to regroup after losing to MJF in Canada. He spoke about raking up wins in ROH and being on a roll. Page challenged Kenny Omega to a match next week on Collision.
Amin’s Thoughts: That will be fun to see Omega wrestle a single’s match in Canada next week. I got a better suggestion. Next Saturday, will be three weeks since Chris Jericho and Omega defeated the Young Bucks at Full Gear to earn an AEW Tag Team Title match. How about you have Omega cut a promo calling out the current AEW Tag Team Champion Ricky Starks & Big Bill.
They aired a highlight package with Mercedes Martinez and Willow Nightingale speaking about their rivalry.
House of Black (Malakai Black & Buddy Matthews) vs. Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal
Sydal went for a flying crossbody but Matthews rolled through catching him on the landing. Sydal caught Matthews with a hook kick. Daniels followed catching Matthews with an STO. Sydal connected with a corkscrew splash to Buddy for a near fall. The crowd popped as Black tagged into the match. Black connected with a flying moonsault to Daniels on the floor. Daniels got Sydal the hot tag as they returned from break. Sydal caught Black with a guillotine leg drop for a near fall. Matthews and Sydal delivered stereo flying Meteora to Black and Daniels. Matthews and Sydal exchanged knee strikes. Daniels caught Black with a tope to the floor. Matthews showed Sydal off the ropes. Black held Daniels down with a leg sweep. Matthews followed with a Curb Stomp. Sydal flew off the ropes into a Black knee strike. Black rocked Daniels with Black Mass for the win.
WINNERS: Malakai Black & Buddy Matthews
Amin’s Thoughts: This was a good tag team match. Daniels and Sydal are a good team to have on the roster as they can be called to have good matches and make their opponents who are higher on the cards look strong. This was a great showing Black and Buddy who looked strong in the win.
FTR came out after the match. Black wondered if Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler are joining the House of Black? The crowd cheered this. Black said he told a lot of things but spoke no lies. House of Black chants from the crowd. Black dropped the mic. Harwood went to grab the mic. Black and Matthews attacked FTR. Matthews caught Wheeler with a Curb Stomp. Matthews held Harwood. Black rocked Wheeler with Black Mass. Black told Harwood nobody was coming to help them. Harwood gave Black the finger. Black laid out Harwood with Black Mass.
Renee interviewed AEW Women’s World Champion “Timeless” Toni Storm who was with Luther backstage. The screen was black and white. Storm spoke about Skye Blue interrupting her championship acceptance speech. Storm mentioned the only time someone says nice things about Blue is when they are taking pictures of “her bottom.” Storm told Blue she not afraid of her spooky act. Storm told Blue she can be the first challenger. Storm said until then “Chin up, Tits out.” She was going to mention her shoe but noticed she was bear foot. She tossed her shoe in Renee’s direction.
Skye Blue spoke about seeing all variations of Toni Storm phases. She said Toni hasn’t met this version of Blue. She told Storm to bring her butler, her blonde “bimbo” and whatever 1940’s crappy black and white she’s got up that robe. Blue said nothing is stopping her from taking the title. Blue said she will have her “Chin up, Tits out.” Blue said she will shove Storm’s shoe up her a**.
They aired a highlight package hyping the TNT Championship match between Christian Cage vs. Adam Copeland for Dynamite.
El Hijo Del Vikingo vs. Kip Sabian
Vikingo shined early catching Sabian with a hurricanrana. Vikingo went for a dive but Sabian caught him with a sliding boot. Sabian delivered a springboard moonsault to the floor. Vikingo rocked Sabian with a corkscrew kick as they returned from break. Vikingo delivered a springboard 360 Phoenix Splash for a two count. Sabian stopped Vikingo from climbing the ropes. Sabian connected with a springboard hurricanrana. Sabian followed with a Michinoku Driver for a two count. Vikingo responded delivering a rope walk corkscrew splash to the floor. This got a Holy S*it chant from the crowd. Vikingo rocked Sabian with a running Meteora. Vikingo crushed Sabian with a 630 Senton Splash for the win.
WINNER: El Hijo Del Vikingo
Amin’s Thoughts: I wouldn’t call this match. This was more like a spot fest with two guys getting a chance to deliver spot after spot after spot for time they got. This was fun to watch as the moves looked great.
Sabian refused a handshake from Vikingo after the match.
Lexi Nair interviewed Keith Lee backstage. Shane Taylor appeared and wondered if Lee is looking past him. Taylor challenged Lee to a match at ROH Final Battle. Lee accepted the match.
Lexi Nair interviewed CJ Perry backstage. Miro tried to storm into Andrade El Idolo’s locker room but Perry stopped him. Perry asked Miro to not put his hands on Andrade. Miro told Perry his God is gone. Miro mentioned if his God was with him. He would rip the spine off Andrade. Miro agreed he won’t attack Andrade.
Blue League Continental Classic Tournament Match: Bryan Danielson vs. Eddie Kingston
Danielson and Kingston both received great reactions from the crowd. Danielson was wearing an eye patch still recovering from his orbital bone surgery. Danielson delivered a huge chop but Kingston no-sold it. Kingston responded rocking Danielson with a huge chop. Danielson and Kingston exchanged strikes. Kingston caught Danielson with a mid kick. The referee held Kingston back. Danielson responded taking Kingston to the mat. Danielson sent Kingston flying with a German suplex. Kingston tried to no-sell it but Kingston fell back to the mat. Kingston avoided a baseball slide. Kingston planted Danielson with a backdrop suplex on the floor. Danielson knocked Kingston off the ropes as they returned from break. Danielson followed hitting a missile dropkick. Danielson went for the LeBell Lock but wasn’t fully locked on. Kingston broke free rocking Danielson with ground and pound. Danielson and Kingston exchanged big strikes. Danielson went for the Buizuke Knee but Kingston moved. Kingston planted Danielson with a backdrop suplex. Kingston followed with a spinning back fist for a two count. Kingston went for a piledriver but Danielson broke free. Danielson rocked Kingston with a roundhouse kick. Kingston responded rocking Danielson with huge palm strikes. Danielson fired up rocking Kingston with combination kicks. Kingston battled back hitting a half-and-half Suplex. Kingston went for a spinning back first but Danielson blocked. Danielson planted Kingston with a Regal-Plex. They announced five minutes remain. Danielson planted Kingston with a bridging Regal-Plex for two. Danielson stomped away on Kingston’s face. Kingston flipped Danielson off. Danielson delivered a Busaiku Knee for the win.
WINNER: Bryan Danielson
Amin’s Thoughts: Just a tremendous back-and-forth hard hitting match. You could see that Danielson and Kingston were working like they wanted to bring the best out of each other. Danielson is one of my favourites to win the tournament. Danielson needed the win since he was just coming back to action. This is now the second straight match that Kingston lost clean. Very curious see where they are going with Kingston who put both his titles at stake in the tournament. They could go the direction with Kingston battling from behind to make a comeback and make the finals. That could be a good story to tell with Kingston.
Danielson held up a sign after the match. The sign read “Eddie is a Bum!” Danielson placed the sign on Kingston as the show ended.
Overall Thoughts
One of AEW’s strength is having really good wrestling matches. The Continental Classic tournament matches has been displaying that. The rest of matches on the show were fine. Overall, a good episode of Collision. Between Dynamite and Collision, there was a lot of good wrestling matches on AEW TV this week.
