The House Always Wins
Date: April 9, 2021
Location: Daily’s Place, Jacksonville, Florida
Attendance: 1,300
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Eddie Kingston

So this is a show that has been known about for a long time but never shown until now as far as I can remember. The idea here is rather simple, as it’s a rather rare AEW house show but we’re seeing it because it features both the Butcher who passed away earlier this month and Rebel, who is battling ALS. It’s a shame that it took such a bad reason to see it but it’s a rather interesting subject from almost forever ago in AEW. Let’s get to it.

Battle Royal

Stu Grayson, Evil Uno, Alan Angels, 10, Alex Reynolds, Colt Cabana, Butcher, Blade, Colten Gunn, Austin Gunn, Ethan Page, Scorpio Sky, Lance Archer, Ricky Starks, Powerhouse Hobbs

For a TNT Title shot against Darby Allin in the main event. I don’t think we had an opening bell so we’ll hope for the best on the time. Colten tries the Shake Rattle and Roll on Archer and actually stays alive, which even has commentary surprised. Grayson almost loses his trunks as he stays inside and it’s time for the Dark Order to face the Gunn Club. It’s not overly interesting but it does in fact happen.

The Gunns actually take over and Austin gets in that still awesome Quick Draw on Grayson. Colten gets thrown out and Angels makes the mistake of trying a springboard earning an elimination of his own. Austin is tossed and Archer gets rid of Reynolds without much trouble. There goes Grayson and Saints goes after Archer, which goes as well as you would expect with Archer eliminating him as well.

Uno is tossed over the top and Page sends him from the apron to the ramp and he’s out as well. Then Uno pulls Page out and Cabana is tossed as well as the ring is rapidly clearing out. 10 gets rid of Sky and there goes Blade, leaving 10, Archer, Hobbs and Butcher. Hobbs eliminates 10 and Hobbs gives Butcher a spinebuster. Butcher bails to the floor without being eliminated as Archer gets rid of Hobbs. The distracted Archer is almost thrown out by Butcher but Bunny offers a distraction, allowing Butcher to really put him out for the win at 8:40.

Rating: C+. The match wasn’t much to see but it was fascinating to look at all the names who have left AEW and gone on to WWE. Having a battle royal for a title shot later in the show has been done for years in wrestling and there is nothing wrong with following a trend that has worked. Butcher getting the win is not exactly something expected, which makes it more fun than doing the norm in something like this.

Post match Matt Hardy (manager of the Hardy Family Office, including Butcher and Blade) says this guarantees a TNT Title win because Butcher will either win the title and give it to him (in exchange for monetary value) or Hardy will beat up a destroyed Allin to win the title. Butcher does not seem pleased.

Pinnacle vs. Christopher Daniels/Luchasaurus/Jungle Boy/Dante Martin

In case you don’t remember, the Pinnacle is MJF, FTR and Shawn Spears, with Wardlow and Tully Blanchard. Before the match, MJF promises to take out the Inner Circle at Blood & Guts on May 5 before insulting the women in the audience. Harwood brags about the team some more so the fans cheer for Chris Jericho, who Harwood insists isn’t here. Daniels and Wheeler start things off with Daniels quickly taking him down, meaning it’s off to the already laughing MJF.

That means Daniels has to escape a wristlock and score with an armdrag, sending a frustrated MJF out to the floor. Jungle Boy comes in and gets to face Spears, who has some taped up ribs. A rather springboardy armdrag takes Spears down and Jungle Boy gets smart by going to the ribs. Martin comes in and goes after the ribs as well so we’ll try Luchasaurus vs…well hang on as Harwood goes to the floor to grab a microphone and tell the fans to STOP CHANTING FOR LUCHASAURUS.

That’s fine with Luchasaurus, who beats up FTR and MJF (must not like letters) but Harwood gives Martin a brainbuster to take over. As Kingston won’t say what he did at 20 years old, the villains take turns beating on Martin in the corner. Martin goes between the legs though and it’s off to Jungle Boy to pick up the pace.

The German suplexes about until Harwood takes Jungle Boy down. That’s broken up and Daniels comes back in for the STO as everything breaks down. Martin hits a heck of a dive onto Spears and Daniels gets Angel’s Wings, with a save having to be made. MJF is right back with the Salt Of The Earth to make Daniels tap at 14:26.

Rating: B-. This worked, with the Pinnacle being out there to get a win against a makeshift team of villains. The Pinnacle was a good team while they lasted, but there were so many evil teams floating around at this point that it was hard to get them to stand out. The talent was certainly there though, with MJF rapidly climbing the ladder to becoming one of the biggest stars around.

Jade Cargill vs. Reke Tehaka

Tehaka busts out the Haka to start and is quickly knocked down. Cargill talks some trash but gets caught by the arm, only to break up Old School. A belly to back suplex drops Tehaka again and Cargill hits a pump kick but stops for some pushups. Tehaka gets in some shots of her own and a middle rope ax handle connects for two. Cargill has had it though and grabs the yet to be named Jaded for the pin at 3:24.

Rating: C. Cargill was showing some inexperience here, but you could see the raw power and athleticism shining through. AEW would have been nuts to not try something with someone who looked like her and they were smart to keep it short. This definitely wasn’t a squash, but Cargill wasn’t about to lose to anyone anytime soon.

Here is Britt Baker for a chat, but first she would like the fans to cheer for her. She’s not happy with the lack of volume but she’s hopeful that this is the last time they have a show in Jacksonville. Title shots should be based on merchandise sales, TV demographic ratings and the length of the meet and greet lines. Tonight, it’s time for the women ranked higher than her to get a taste of the Doctor.

Cody Rhodes vs. Aaron Solo

Street fight and the chase is on at the bell, with Solo trying to get away, which Kingston refers to as “head games”. Back in and Rhodes hammers away, setting up a rather delayed gordbuster. The Cactus Clothesline puts them on the floor again and it’s time to go into the crowd (which is sparse, partially due to Covid), where Solo takes a drink to the face.

A fan gets to hold Solo so Rhodes can punch him and it’s time for the weapons, with Rhodes needing a few attempts to get the trashcan into the ring. Solo is dropped onto the trashcan but cuts off a suicide dive with a trashcan lid. Back in and some chair shots have Rhodes in more trouble, with Solo wedging the chair into the corner.

Believe it or not, Rhodes actually goes into the chair to leave it dented, which doesn’t seem to do much damage. They hit stereo crossbodies and here is QT Marshall with a kendo stick. Billy Gunn runs in to take care of Marshall so Rhodes kicks Solo low. Some kendo stick shots have Solo in more trouble and it’s time for a dog collar on a chain, with fans chanting for Brodie Lee.

Solo gets rocked again and Rhodes his a pair of Cross Rhodes…but stops the count at two. Instead Rhodes busts out a table, but Solo gets in a few kendo stick shots to cut him off. Solo goes up and takes WAY too long, meaning it’s a reverse superplex through the table to give Rhodes the pin at 15:46.

Rating: C+. This went rather long but the idea was just to get Rhodes out there. That’s all it needed to be as it’s not like Solo was a big star here. This was part of the Rhodes vs. the Factory feud and…well there’s a reason that’s not exactly on his highlight reel. When your big star is QT Marshall, how great do you think your stable is going to be?

Post match Anthony Ogogo comes in to drop Rhodes with a single shot to the ribs.

Ricky Starks and Colt Cabana replace Eddie Kingston on commentary.

Orange Cassidy/Chuck Taylor/Trent vs. Max Caster/Hybrid 2

Caster’s rap is about wanting to get Trent’s mom in the back of a fan. Kris Statlander and Anthony Bowens are here too and it’s Trent knocking Caster down to start. Taylor comes in for a double elbow but gets taken into the corner, which doesn’t last long either. Caster accidentally hits Evans so the Hybrid 2 take Caster out. With that out of the way, it’s time for the big six or so man chain submission, with Cassidy breaking it up.

Hold on though as Evans wants a dance off with Cassidy. Before Cassidy can go, Bowens says no one wants to see this so let’s have Caster and Cassidy in a battle rap. Caster raps about Cassidy being rather stoic so Cassidy kicks him in the legs, with the Hybrid 2 jumping Cassidy and taking him into the corner.

Cassidy gets in an exchange of standing switches with Angelico and escapes to get over to Taylor for the tag. Everything breaks down and Evans gets a flipping jackknife rollup for two, followed by a 450 for the same. Cassidy is back in with the falling splash but the referee actually points out that he isn’t legal. Statlander boops Caster and Cassidy fires off the Orange Punches before Strong Zero can finish Evans at 10:45.

Rating: B-. This was the fun match that it needed to be as the fans loved Cassidy and he was still more goofy than anything resembling serious. Evans was one of those people who could get on anyone’s nerves at any time and he was a good choice for a foil here. The fans were into this and that’s why it was put out there, as AEW knew what they had with these guys.

Post match the winners and Statlander all hug.

Eddie Kingston vs. Cezar Bononi

Kingston is coming in with a bad leg/ankle. Kingston grinds away on a headlock to start but gets kicked in the chest. That lets Bononi choke on the rope a bit and get two off a slam as the fans are right behind Kingston. Bononi’s running powerslam gets two and he grabs the chinlock, which has Kingston in even more trouble.

Kingston fights back and tries the exploder but the ankle is too banged up. Instead Bononi gets in a pumphandle suplex and a sitout powerbomb for two but Kingston says bring it. Back up and Bononi tries a torture rack but gets enziguried for his efforts. The Stretch Plumb gives Kingston the win at 9:20.

Rating: C. There wasn’t much to this one as it was mainly Bononi beating Kingston up until the fast comeback at the end. That being said, Kingston has never one to focus on what he was doing in the ring. He was going to get over just by talking and having personal issues with someone and that is the focus of his ankle issue. Kingston being on the card is fine though, as the fans love him.

Post match Kingston talks about how bad things were a year ago but then he ran his mouth at an independent show. That got him a match on Dynamite and he got beat up by Cody Rhodes. He started watching AEW and was so glad to have something back for the wrestlers. This gives them a place to be themselves so please support the young guys and the stars in this company. As usual, Kingston can play the emotions like few others.

Vickie Guerrero cuts off Justin Roberts’ introduction…but then lets him do it.

The Bunny/Rebel/Britt Baker/Nyla Rose vs. Hikaru Shida/Red Velvet/Tay Conti/Ryo Mizumani

Velvet spins out of a wristlock to start but Baker takes her down into a hammerlock. Back up and Velvet faceplants Baker but mostly misses a standing moonsault. Conti (Melo) comes in to fire off the kicks to Bunny but charges into the corner. Shida comes in to go after Rebel, who fakes a knee injury to kick Shida in the head (even Rebel was surprised she pulled that off).

Rose runs Mizumani over but she’s right back with a spear, sending Cabana and Starks into an argument over spearing ability. Mizumani can’t get in a suplex so let’s have the rest of her partners come in for a quadrupleplex instead. Everything breaks down and we get a Shida vs. Rebel kendo stick vs. crutch match. Back in and Bunny knees Velvet to the mat and rubs Velvet’s face into it, allowing Baker to cheap shot Velvet.

A hair faceplant gives Velvet a breather and it’s back to Shida as everything breaks down into a quadruple submission. Those are all broken up and Rose backsplashes Shida for two. Shida reverses Baker’s suplex attempt into a Falcon Arrow for two and Mizumani uses Shida as a launchpad for a legdrop. Conti and Rebel get the double tag with Conti going after the leg and the DDTay finishes at 13:57.

Rating: C+. The early days of the women’s division were a bit messy for AEW but you could see some of the talent starting to come together. If nothing else, it’s kind of fascinating that Velvet has been around this long. Some of the better names were starting to come together and you could see Baker turning into a star right before your eyes. Throw in Shida as her solid self and the base was there.

Death Triangle/Matt Sydal/Mike Sydal vs. Kenny Omega/Konosuke Takeshita/Michael Nakazawa/Young Bucks

Nick and Fenix start things off with Fenix flipping away early. Pac and Matt come in as well so all four can block a superkick. Pac stays in and gets caught in the wrong corner but flips away from Takeshita. It’s off to Matt, who beats on Nakazawa (in his polo and khakis), allowing the Triangle to come in for a triple dropkick. Nakazawa grabs Mike’s nipples and the Bucks come in, only to get kicked to the floor.

That means the Lucha Bros can get in their own dives but Omega (reigning World Champion) gets to take over on Mike. This includes a backbreaker over the knee and Nakamura gets to come in for some offense of his own. Takeshita (who looks very young here) comes in for a chinlock and the Bucks get to send Mike into FOUR boots in the corner. Omega wants EIGHT boots up in the corner, which of course goes badly for him, allowing Matt to get the tag.

Everything breaks down and the Bros get to wheelbarrow splash Omega for two. Fenix gets caught in the wrong corner for the rapid fire clotheslines though, with Takeshita’s being one too many. Instead Fenix is back with a cutter for two but Pac’s Black Arrow is broken up. We hit the parade of strikes to the face and Takeshita’s Blue Thunder Bomb gets two.

Matt is held in the ropes for a Swanton from Nick and a double Meltzer Driver gets two as Penta makes a save. Omega gets to fire off some snapdragons…but tags in Nakazawa. With Omega not there for the save, it’s a suplex into the spike package piledriver and the Brutalizer makes Nakazawa tap at 17:22.

Rating: B-. This was something of a main event level match, with the World Champion and the Bucks involved, though the Sydals and Nakazawa being involved was a bit odd. Then again, that’s the point of having Nakazawa, with those snappy khakis, there to take the fall. Fenix and Penta were awesome out there and Pac looked like he could have beaten up a concrete wall. The match was big and the good guys won so that’s a logical inclusion here.

Post match Pac says the Death Triangle is coming for Omega and the Bucks. Omega teases a brawl here but then run from a fight.

TNT Title: Darby Allin vs. The Butcher

Butcher is challenging and has the Hardy Family Office with him. Allin starts fast with a dropkick to the floor and a suicide dive. Matt Hardy offers a distraction though and Butcher takes over on the floor, with a snap suplex getting two. Allin’s comeback is cut off with a boot to the face and a powerbomb gives Butcher two more.

For some reason Allin slaps him in the face and is slapped right back down for his efforts. Some slaps actually work for Allin and he dropkicks Butcher into the corner, earning himself a Texas Cloverleaf. That’s broken up and they head outside with Butcher chopping the post by mistake, allowing Allin to send the bad arm into the barricade. Back in and Butcher knocks him into the corner but Allin fights off the top. A Code Red sets up a quick Coffin Drop to retain the title at 8:15.

Rating: C+. This felt like they were running out of time, even though the title was obviously never in anything close to danger. The good thing is that Allin, the popular star, got out there to close the show and send the fans home happy. It’s another tried and true ending to a house show and it’s hard to complain much here, even if the match was just ok.

Post match the Hardy Family Office jumps in to go after Butcher but Colt Cabana, after decking Ricky Starks, leads the Dark Order in for the save. Matt Hardy promises to win the TNT Title and begin the reign of Big Money Matt, which of course didn’t happen. Allin is ready and seems to challenge for a falls count anywhere match. As a bonus, he gives a fan his skateboard, a kid who gets to come up and get it in a nice touch. More celebrating ends the show.

Overall Rating: B-. Well it’s a house show, featuring the stars of AEW in some perfectly acceptable matches. Is it some kind of hidden gem? Not really no, but it’s a fun look back at a different era of AEW and a nice tribute to the Butcher in a rare moment of him wrestling on his own. The point of this was to give the fans a good time and AEW made that happen. If you’re an AEW fan, you’ll have a good time with this and there are far worse ways to spend an afternoon/evening.

Results
The Butcher won a battle royal last eliminating Lance Archer
The Pinnacle b. Dante Martin/Jungle Boy/Luchasaurus/Christopher Daniels – Salt Of The Earth to Daniels
Jade Cargill b. Reke Tehaka – Jaded
Orange Cassidy/Trent/Chuck Taylor b. Max Caster/Hybrid 2 – Strong Zero to Evans
Eddie Kingston b. Cezar Bononi – Stretch Plumb
Hikaru Shida/Red Velvet/Tay Conti/Ryo Mizumani b. The Bunny/Rebel/Britt Baker/Nyla Rose – DDTay to Rebel
Death Triangle/Matt Sydal/Mike Sydal b. Kenny Omega/Young Bucks/Michael Nakazawa/Konosuke Takeshita – Brutalizer to Nakazawa
Darby Allin b. The Butcher – Coffin Drop

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Collision
Date: September 12, 2026
Location: MassMutual Center, Springfield, Massachusetts
Commentators: Paul Wight, Nigel McGuinness, Tony Schiavone

So this is a different kind of show as the whole thing is a tribute to the Butcher, who passed away earlier this month at the far too early age of 48. While Butcher hadn’t wrestled here in a bit, he was certainly a part of the AEW family and deserves such an honor. I’m not sure what this is going to be but it should be emotional, so let’s get to it.

Here is Dynamite if you need a recap.

In Memory Of Andy Williams.

There is a wreath and guitar in the ring. Tony Schiavone has the fans stand for a ten bell salute.

Various wrestlers and AEW personalities, including Brody King, Colt Cabana, Justin Roberts, Penelope Ford, Jeff Jarrett and Kip Sabian pay tribute to Butcher.

Commentary pays tribute as well and runs down the card.

Jon Moxley vs. Mike Bailey

Non-title Eliminator Match. They go with the grappling to start and it’s an early standoff. Bailey trips him down into a front facelock so Moxley gets in a takedown of his own to work on the arm. Bailey gets up and snaps off a hurricanrana to the floor, with Moxley already looking frustrated.

Back in and Moxley easily takes him down for a reverse chinlock and it’s time to work on Bailey’s fingers. That earns Moxley a missile dropkick but he sends Bailey flying out to the floor. Bailey is fine enough to start in on the leg, with some kicks setting up a dragon screw legwhip. A corkscrew Asai moonsault drops Moxley and we take a break.

We come back with Moxley getting in a butterfly superplex but Bailey scores with another kick. The standing moonsault knees give Bailey two and he sends Moxley to the apron to do it again. Back in and the Ultimate Weapon misses so Bailey kicks away, only for Moxley to pop up with a cutter. Moxley misses a boot in the corner and gets kicked in the back, with a shooting star giving Bailey two. Bailey gets a kneebar, with Moxley escaping and hitting a Stomp. The Death Rider finishes Bailey at 18:09.

Rating: B. This was your usual Moxley match, as he popped up after everything Bailey threw at him and survived in the end, which is hardly a surprise. At the same time, it was hard to believe that Bailey had much of a chance here as even the time limit almost expiring didn’t really build up much drama. Other than that, Paul Wight praising the continental wrestling with its lack of interference and weapons made me shake my head, as I remember that just being called a wrestling match.

Nick Wayne says youth is what matters and Chris Jericho is worried about him. If Jericho is so sure about himself, come prove it on Dynamite.

Rascalz vs. Aaron Solo/Griff Garrison/Nick Comoroto

Reed throws Garrison down to start and a double slingshot belly to back suplex does it again. Comoroto comes in and gets triple teamed to the floor and Reed cutters Solo. Reed hits a dive and the Hot Fire Flame finishes Solo at 2:01. Total squash.

Daniel Garcia, Willow Nightingale and Pac pay tribute to the Butcher.

Mina Shirakawa vs. Queen Aminata

Mercedes Mone is on commentary. Aminata grabs a quickly broken headlock to start and is taken down, allowing Shirakawa to dance. Back up and Aminata gets in a running shoulder block and we get the required Chocolate Kisses. Shirakawa knocks her down for the slingshot corkscrew dive and the big dive to the floor as we take a break. We come back with Aminata knocking her down and grabbing a snap suplex. Shirakawa grabs a quick Glamorous Driver for two so she puts on the Figure Four, with Aminata having to roll to the rope. A quick small package gives Aminata the pin at 10:19.

Rating: C+. So I guess Aminata is going to be the next victim for Mone and that’s perfectly fine for a quick Collision main event in a few weeks. That’s a weird way to go as Thekla and Willow Nightingale are already likely to come after the title, probably even at All Out. Other than that, Shirakawa loses again, because that’s all she does most of the time.

Post match respect is shown.

Pac says tonight is business as usual for the Death Riders but here are the Dogs to complain about the team stopping them from attacking Will Ospreay. Jon Moxley threatens them because he doesn’t do any favors for anyone. Tonight, the Dogs better go take care of the Bang Bang Gang.

Jay White vs. Adam Priest

They grapple to a standoff to start and White takes him down into a headlock. That’s broken up so Priest strikes away until White drops him again. A Muta Lock sends Priest over to the rope and he’s right back up with a dragon screw legwhip. Priest’s swinging neckbreaker gets two but an attempt at the half crab is reversed into the Blade Runner to give White the pin at 5:19.

Rating: C+. I was expecting this to get more time and it was nice to see White take him down with his finisher instead of going too long. White is someone who can be rather smooth in the ring and look good out there when he is given the chance. Now just let him win some matches that actually matter.

Post match White says the Bang Bang Gang is ready for the Death Riders.

Dogs/Pac vs. Bang Bang Gang

Jay White and Jon Moxley are on commentary. It’s a big brawl to start and the Gang is cleared out with Austin getting caught in the wrong corner for the running clotheslines. The Gang is right back in to do the same to Finlay and Austin loads him up in the fireman’s carry for the squats. We take a break and come back with Robinson fighting out of trouble with a side kick to Pac.

The Gunns come in to clean house with Austin’s full nelson slam getting two on Connors. Austin is in with a double missile dropkick and we get the parade of knockdowns. A German suplex/clothesline combination puts Austin down and Moxley approves. Everyone gets back up and slug it out until Austin hits a big flip dive to the floor. 3:10 To Yuma drops Connors with Finlay diving in for the save (Moxley is thrilled). Pac trips Austin and Connors hits a spear for the pin at 10:51.

Rating: B-. Gah I was getting into this and hoping to see the Gang get a bigger win but why do that when you can have the freaking Dogs get a win? For the life of me I do not get the Dogs and they just keep going with one push after another. They do nothing for me and Kidd is the weakest of them all, so of course he gets the most attention.

Chuck Taylor, Darius Martin, Roderick Strong, Christopher Daniels, Lee Moriarty and Kyle O’Reilly pay tribute to the Butcher.

The Blade has sent in a statement on Butcher’s passing.

Tommaso Ciampa wants a title and is coming to All Out.

Lethal Twist vs. Conglomeration

New Level is on commentary and the Twist’s ROH Six Man Tag Team Titles aren’t on the line. Lethal and Cassidy start things off with Williams taking him up against the rope for a quick finger spin. Cassidy backs him to the floor where Lethal argues with New Level, earning himself a chop from Strong. Everything breaks down, including a barrage of chops, plus a backbreaker/middle rope knee combination to Lethal.

We take a break and come back with Cassidy fighting out of trouble and getting in a Stundog Millionaire. O’Reilly comes in to clean house and Strong throws Cassidy around as a weapon. Strong gets caught in a reverse DDT/high crossbody combination for two and Cassidy gets superkicked. He doesn’t actually fall down though as Strong shoves him back, with a double clothesline dropping the villains. O’Reilly and Cassidy hit a dive apiece, leaving Strong to hit the Sick Kick into the End Of Heartache to pin Lethal at 9:54.

Rating: B-. Yep, you knew how the match was going to go as soon as Ring Of Honor champions were involved. They were there to make the AEW stars look good and somehow this just keeps happening. I have no idea why that’s the case but for some reason Ring Of Honor is just used for jobbing. Just find someone else for this spot. It can’t be that hard with this roster.

Post match Conglomeration and New Level have a staredown.

Lena Kross and Megan Bayne are ticked off and promise to hurt the Brawling Birds.

All Out rundown.

Butcher Battle Royal

Lance Archer, Eddie Kingston, Ortiz, Claudio Castagnoli, Josh Alexander, Daniel Garcia, The Beast Mortos, Jake Doyle, Dante Martin, Darius Martin, AR Fox, Wheeler Yuta

For $100,000 to be donated to the charity of the winner’s choice in Butcher’s name. The brawl starts on the floor and the bell rings with no one actually in the ring. The Martins and Doyle come in to brawl, with Fox coming in to join the festivities. Ortiz gets tossed into a cutter and Mortos is back in to wreck various people.

Fox tries a tornado DDT but gets sent outside for the first elimination. The Death Riders get inside and Kingston and Ortiz are back in to take them out. Well down, not out, as in an elimination. A series of clotheslines against the ropes gets rid of Ortiz but Kingston backdrops Garcia out. The Martins backdrop Mortos out and we take a break.

We come back with the Martins cleaning house again and clotheslining Doyle out. Dante gets knocked out as well and Archer gets rid of Darius. Archer and Castagnoli trade clotheslines until Archer hits a crossbody. Castagnoli escapes the chokeslam and Swings Archer, setting up a clothesline for the elimination. Kingston and Castagnoli chop it out until Kingston gets the Swing as well.

Back up and Kingston is fine enough to spinning backfist Castagnoli out but gets dumped by Alexander. So I think that leaves Alexander and Garcia, with Garcia hitting a bunch of clotheslines but not being able to knock him out. A package piledriver plants Garcia, who holds onto the top rope for the save. Garcia pulls him over the top rope to the apron and gets back inside for a running dropkick and the win at 16:23.

Rating: B-. The quality of the match means absolutely nothing here as this was all about the special feelings. Garcia winning is fine as the actual result is pretty unimportant. It was a bunch of people who were friends with Butcher having a special match. Nothing wrong with that and it was nice to see.

Post match Garcia gets to hold up a Butcher sign and the guitar. The Death Riders have one more big hug.

We get a special tribute video to the Butcher and as usual, this was incredibly well done.

The roster comes to the stage/ramp for one more tribute to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This was a show where the wrestling itself was just kind of background noise. Instead it was about paying tribute to someone who seemed to be pretty awesome and passed away way too young. The show was perfectly fine and the opener was good, but this was all about the Butcher and that is perfectly fine. Good, emotional show here and something that needed to happen.

Results
Jon Moxley b. Mike Bailey – Death Rider
Rascalz b. Aaron Solo/Griff Garrison/Nick Comoroto – Hot Fire Flame to Solo
Queen Aminata b. Mina Shirakawa – Small package
Jay White b. Adam Priest – Blade Runner
Dogs/Pac b. Bang Bang Gang – Spear to Austin
Conglomeration b. Lethal Twist – End Of Heartache to Lethal
Daniel Garcia won the Butcher Battle Royal last eliminating Josh Alexander

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Dynamite
Date: September 9, 2026
Location: Akins Ford Arena, Athens, Georgia
Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Taz

So this is a special show called Rebel Heart, with a focus on Rebel, the AEW performer who was diagnosed with ALS earlier this year. That could make for a rather special show, but we also have the recent passing of the Butcher Andy Williams, who tragically passed away last week. This could be a heavy show and we’re also less than three weeks away from All Out. Let’s get to it.

Here is Collision if you need a recap.

In memory of Andy Williams.

Commentary is a bit more subdued this week, which is rather appropriate. They run down the card as usual.

And now, we have the return of the Waiting Room, with Rebel welcoming the dancing Britt Baker. That means a rather nice moment as Baker tells “Reba” how much of an inspiration she is but now let’s bring in Persephone. She is rather pleased with saving the TBS Title and isn’t happy with Maya World. Baker brings in Hikaru Shida, who is teaming with the two of them in a six woman tag tonight. The three of them leave, with Rebel saying Baker forgot her glove. Rebel getting to be in this segment was outstanding and rather emotional.

Trios Titles: Conglomeration vs. Swerve Strickland/New Level

Strickland and the New Level, with Prince Nana, are defending. Kofi and Cassidy start things off and they trade legsweeps, though Cassidy just walks away from Kofi’s attempt in a funny bit. O’Reilly and Creed come in with Creed actually winning a strike off so Strong runs inside to clean house.

Kofi gets taken into the wrong corner and we take a break. We come back with Creed fighting out of trouble but getting struck back down by O’Reilly. A suplex doesn’t work though and it’s off to Kofi to clean house. It’s back to Strickland, who holds Strong up for an apron double stomp from Kofi to the floor. Back in and a top rope splash to the back and Creed’s top rope elbow combine for two on Strong.

Cassidy gives Strickland a Stundog Millionaire but O’Reilly gets caught in a Fameasser/wheelbarrow combination to put him down as well. Cassidy is back up with his hands in his pockets to kick away at Strickland, followed by a double DDT to New Level. Creed is sent into the barricade but Kofi is up with the big dive to the floor. Back in and the Day Break to Cassidy retains the titles at 15:03.

Rating: B. And we have a party match as the titles are successfully defended again. Strickland and New Level are working together well enough so far, though they’ve only been doing this for a few weeks yet. If nothing else, New Level can be fine as a regular tag team if that’s where they need to go. Rather energized opener here.

Post match respect is shown but the Demand, with the Swirl, comes out to say that Toa Liona’s shoulder wasn’t down for the three count. The brawl is teased but Hangman Page/Brodido run in for the save. The villains leave and Page/Brodido have a staredown with the champs but peace holds.

Darby Allin and Steven Borden are ready for their debut tonight, with Borden talking about wanting to get out of his father’s shadow. Tonight he wants to run right at what scares him the most and that is why he wants to team with Allin.

Commentary praises Andy Williams, with Excalibur breaking down. That was a rough one as 48 is an insane age to lose anyone. Apparently he’s getting a bigger tribute on Collision.

The Don Callis Family are ready for their tag matches tonight. Kazuchika comes in for a staredown with Kyle Fletcher but the mics seem to have been turned off.

Hyan/Maya World/Thunder Rosa vs. Britt Baker/Persephone/Hikaru Shida

Baker runs away from Rosa to start and it’s off to Persephone, who hammers away in the corner. World comes in for a basement dropkick and a leg lariat gives Hyan a fast two. That’s cut off with a powerslam so Shida comes in, where she is quickly dropped into the corner. Baker offers a distraction though and Shida gets in a kick to the head as we take a break.

We come back with World getting elbowed in the corner but flipping away for the tag off to Rosa. The running dropkicks in the corner hit Persephone and Shida, who almost take each other out. Hyan crossbodies both of them but Baker’s fisherman’s neckbreakers her down. Rosa comes back in to chase Baker off, only to run into Persephone’s spear on the floor. Cue Rebel in a wheelchair to give Baker her glove, meaning Lockjaw can finish Hyan at 10:24.

Rating: B-. The ending was the big important part here and that’s the best thing imaginable. Rebel got to go out there and get the spotlight one more time. The period with Baker was the highlight of Rebel’s career and she got to relive it on her special night. The rest of the match should keep the TBS Title picture going but we can worry about that later.

Baker gets a ride to the back with Rebel, dubbed the Roll Model.

We get a video on Rebel’s time in AEW, with Rebel and various people talking about the seriousness of ALS and the importance of funding for research and treatment. This includes various AEW names taking the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. If you have an issue with any of this being on the show, go outside and play in the traffic.

Video on Andrade El Idolo.

National Title: Andrade El Idolo vs. The Beast Mortos

Andrade is defending and avoids a cheap shot to start, meaning it’s an anklescissors to take Mortos down early. That means Andrade can get his picture out of the way early on but Mortos uses the distraction to get in a backbreaker. Mortos gets in a dive and Andrade is in trouble as we take a break.

We come back with Andrade nipping up and taking off his pants, with the latter drawing quite the reaction. Mortos cuts off the running knees with a pop up Samoan drop and a gutbuster for two. A pop up electric chair drop of all things is countered into a rollup to give Andrade two of his own. Back up and the Dia de los Muertos sets up the DM to retain the title at 7:19.

Rating: C+. That was rather quick with the break eating up a lot of the time. I’m thinking that electric chair deal didn’t go as planned, as they went home almost immediately. Either way, this was Andrade getting out there to keep his momentum going as he waits for the big challenger to come up. And it wasn’t even an open challenge!

Post match Andrade hits the catchphrase but the Dogs run in for the beatdown. Will Ospreay (facing David Finlay tonight) runs in for the save. Andrade and Ospreay clear the ring but here are Jon Moxley and Marina Shafir to interrupt.

Will Ospreay vs. David Finlay

Non-title. Andrade gets rid of the Dogs as Moxley sits in on commentary. Finlay hits a running elbow in the corner and sends Ospreay flying, only for Ospreay to come back with some right hands. They switch places and Finlay hammers away as well but gets sent outside. Ospreay scores with a dive and we take a break.

We come back with Ospreay fighting out of a chinlock and hitting a top rope forearm. Ospreay’s handspring kick to the head and some Kawada kicks wake Finlay up for some reason and he grabs a Rock Bottom backbreaker for two. A pop up powerbomb gives Ospreay two and Finlay rolls to the apron before the Hidden Blade can become unhidden. An Oscutter gives Ospreay two and it’s a Stundog Millionaire into a Styles Clash to pin Finlay at 10:32.

Rating: B-. You don’t see Ospreay getting to have that kind of a match and it was nice to get this kind of thing out there on occasion. Ospreay got in some of his big moves and won in the end, all with Moxley out there to scout him. I’m sure we’ll get more on this tonight, as they only have so much time before the title match.

Hangman Page and Brodido agree that they’re still a trio, even if this wasn’t what Page had in mind when he came back.

Darby Allin/Steven Borden vs. Don Callis Family

Borden and Davis start things off with Davis grabbing a running armdrag. Allin comes in and helps catch Davis between some forearms. That earns Allin a backsplash and we take a break. We come back with Davis holding Allin in a Texas Cloverleaf, with Allin breaking out rather quickly. Davis isn’t about to let the tag go through though and it’s Alexander coming in for a slam.

Allin gets in a knockdown but Davis sends Borden into the barricade to cut the tag off again. A belly to back suplex is broken up though and NOW the tag brings Borden in to clean house. Borden gets in the big jumping elbow but Davis breaks up a superplex attempt. Instead it’s a torture rack bomb to send Borden crashing again with Allin having to make the save. That means a Scorpion Death Drop/Coffin Drop combination can finish 11:51.

Rating: B-. The point here was to get Borden in the ring for his first televised match and it makes all the sense in the world to have it be with Allin. I’m not sure if he’s ready to be a full time AEW star but at some point you have to get in the ring for some time and that’s what he’s been doing for months now. Borden definitely has a long way to go and he’s still very green, but he has the athleticism to get him through a lot of his issues. Now just get some more ring time and develop, as he seems to understand.

Video on the not-TLC TLC match at All Out.

Here is Thekla to mock Mercedes Mone’s comments about making moments last week. She was playing guitar in a bar in Vienna when she saw some wrestling and knew she could do it better than anyone. Mone pops up in the crowd to suggest that the title dangling between her legs is something rather large. They both mock Willow Nightingale, who runs in to chase Thekla off. The Sisters Of Sin pop up and it’s a big staredown. The only thing I learned from this: Mone isn’t a great talker, which is hardly new information.

The Death Riders yell at Jon Moxley for trusting Will Ospreay but here is Ospreay to say he’s not surprised. He owes Moxley for training him to help win that title and that makes Moxley the #1 contender. The match will NOT be under Continental Rules and Ospreay is coming in with a plan. They’ll be ready for each other in Chicago. Pac isn’t convinced and Moxley is rather annoyed.

Young Bucks vs. Don Callis Family

Tables match and both members have to be put through a table with an offensive maneuver for the win. The Bucks run in and the fight is on fast with the Family being cleared out to the floor. Back in and a sunset flip/German suplex combination puts Fletcher down but he’s back up to pull Knight off the table. The table is set up in the corner but the Family breaks up a double northern lights suplex.

Instead they’re sent outside, where Matt’s running flip dive is pulled out of the air for a double powerbomb onto the apron. Nick gets dropkicked and Knight hits a big dive to drop both Bucks and we take a break. We come back with Matt hitting a Sliced Bread off the table in the corner, plus a DDT. Fletcher gets faceplanted and the top rope double stomp flips him into a powerbomb onto the table.

The Meltzer Driver onto the apron is broken up with a super hurricanrana as the fans want tables. The tables are already in play so do they just want the show to end? Back up and they slug it out, with the Bucks giving Fletcher the BTE Trigger. A superkick into a powerbomb off the apron puts Knight through a table but Matt gets backdropped through a table of his own. Nick uses a table for a running Canadian Destroyer to Fletcher before superkicking him onto the table. Cue FTR for a distraction, allowing Fletcher to hit a brainbuster through the table for the win at 15:13.

Rating: B. FTR interfering to cost the Bucks in the end made perfect sense as they have the title match coming up in a few weeks. Fletcher and Knight are definitely some of the bigger names in the Family so the result is hardly some ridiculous choice. I’m assuming we’ll be seeing a chairs match and a ladder match in the near future, which is quite the way to set up a title match.

Post match FTR and Knight go after the Bucks but Steven Borden and Darby Allin run in for the save. The Bucks shake Borden and Allin’s hands to end the show. I was expecting Adam Copeland and Christian Cage here so that was kind of a surprise finish.

Overall Rating: B. I know I have a reputation of complaining about AEW a lot, but I can’t bring myself to do it with this show. This week was about paying tribute to Rebel and saying goodbye to the Butcher (with more to come). That stuff was incredibly emotional and that’s more than enough to make this show special. We got enough of a build towards the two big All Out matches but that was just a bonus. AEW did a good job here and it felt like a different kind of show here, as it should have been.

Results
Swerve Strickland/New Level b. Conglomeration – Day Break to Cassidy
Britt Baker/Persephone/Hikaru Shida b. Hyan/Maya World/Thunder Rosa – Lockjaw to Hyan
Andrade El Idolo b. The Beast Mortos – DM
Will Ospreay b. David Finlay – Styles Clash
Steven Borden/Darby Allin b. Don Callis Family – Coffin Drop/Scorpion Death Drop combination to Davis
Don Callis Family b. Young Bucks – Brainbuster to Nick through a table

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Collision
Date: September 5, 2026
Location: Credit Union Of Texas Event Center, Allen, Texas
Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Walker Stewart

We’re rapidly on the road to All Out and the main event is already set, even if it seemed to be a surprise to the participants. New AEW World Champion Will Ospreay is set to defend against Jon Moxley, who helped train him to win the title. Throw in the (unofficial) TLC for the Tag Team Titles and we’re mostly set. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Don Callis Family vs. Young Bucks

The Family jumps them from behind to start and sends them outside. Back in and Doyle chokes Matt in the corner but Matt slips through the legs and dives over for the tag to Nick. Everything quickly breaks down and a double dropkick has the villains on the apron for the running flip dive. Cage is fine enough to grab an apron superplex and Matt is knocked down as we take an early break.

We come back with Nick being pulled out of the air but coming out with a Canadian Destroyer. Matt comes back in and everything breaks down again, with a Swanton and top rope elbow combining for a double near fall. The Bucks fire off the superkicks until Cage counters the Meltzer Driver into the F5. Cage and Doyle are sent into each other though and the BTE Trigger finishes Doyle at 11:51.

Rating: B-. This was the usual match from the Bucks and any members of the Family. You could pretty much guess what this was going to be from the second the teams were announced and shockingly enough, the match was completely acceptable. The Bucks weren’t going to lose to the random Family members at any time, especially after the All Out match was announced but it worked for a Collision opener.

Video on Thekla coming after Mercedes Mone, though Willow Nightingale isn’t happy.

Hangman Page/Brodido vs. Braddah Kaimi/LVJ/Vin Parker

Parker chops King to start and…yeah it goes as well as you would expect. The non-stars are stacked up in the corner for a running Cannonball. The Deadeye into King’s big lariat into Bandido’s frog splash finishes Parker at 1:43.

The Bang Bang Gang doesn’t think much of Swerve Strickland and New Level but they’re ready for the Don Callis Family tonight.

The Brawling Birds aren’t done with Megan Bayne/Lena Kross so let’s do it again in a street fight at All Out.

Nick Wayne vs. Komander

Wayne backs him into the corner to start and hits the pose but Komander flips over him without much trouble. Komander sends him outside without much trouble and then does it again with a headscissors. Wayne pulls him down by the mask though and grabs a suplex into the corner as we take a break.

We come back with Komander fighting out of a chinlock but getting forearmed in the back. Komander gets up for a springboard Canadian Destroyer but Cielito Lindo hits raised knees. Wayne’s World is broken up as well so Komander goes up, only to dive into a cutter. The ProdigyPlex finishes Komander at 10:29.

Rating: B-. Wayne certainly seems to be getting more of a push in recent weeks and that’s not the worst thing. If nothing else, having him rack up some wins is better than having him just randomly get a title shot in Ring Of Honor. Let him show what he can do and why we should be impressed. That was what we saw here as Wayne looked good.

Post match Chris Jericho comes in to give Wayne a Judas Effect.

The Conglomeration (minus Roderick Strong) wants some more gold and Konosuke Takeshita seems to have similar goals.

TBS Title: Vertvixen vs. Persephone

Persephone, with Britt Baker (on commentary), is defending and fires off some knees to the ribs to start. Vertvixen gets in a trip for a quick near fall but gets caught in a fall away slam to send us to a break. We come back with Vertvixen fighting out of a rear naked choke and kicking her in the head. Back up and Persephone rolls into a basement dropkick to put Vertvixen down, setting up the Razor’s Edge to retain the title at 7:23.

Rating: C. This was just a way to get Persephone in the ring shortly after winning the title, with Baker being there to sing her praises. Vertvixen is little more than one of the bigger named jobbers and she’s good in the role, but there wasn’t much to be seen here. Persephone and Baker are an interesting combination and I could go for seeing where it goes, but we’re still really early in their story.

Post match the double beatdown is on but Maya World and Thunder Rosa make the save.

We recap Andrade El Idolo and Gabe Kidd’s rivalry in New Japan.

The Swirl vs. Motor City Machine Guns

Shelley and Johnson trade wristlocks to start and it’s off to Christian, who gets chopped into the corner. Sabin snaps off an armdrag into an armbar and everything breaks down, with the Guns taking over again. Sabin’s suicide dive takes both of them down and we take a break. We come back with Shelley making a diving tag to Sabin so house can be cleaned again.

Shelley works on Christian’s arm but Christian takes over, setting up an assisted top rope splash for two. Everything breaks down again and Sabin cutters Christian, setting up the Dream Sequence. The Dirt Bomb (kind of a double Death Valley Driver) finishes Johnson at 12:28.

Rating: B. The Swirl is a good pair of hands and it’s nice to see them being used in the right way. The point here was to establish the Guns in AEW and while the fans know them, we have to see what they can do. They beat a team who is established enough and looked good doing it. That’s a perfectly fine way to start and as usual, the Guns did their part.

Jack Perry still wants the World Title and will face the best to become the best.

The Demand wants the Trios Titles.

National Title: Gabe Kidd vs. Andrade El Idolo

Andrade is defending and Kidd jumps him from behind to start, setting up a brainbuster for two. They go outside with Kidd going for some toys but getting sent into the barricade. Back in and Andrade grabs Three Amigos and they head outside again, with Kidd going into the steps. That lets Andrade take off his pants but his frog splash hits knees as we take a break.

We come back with Andrade taking his usual picture and busting out the double moonsault for two. The running knees in the corner miss though and Kidd gets in a sitout powerbomb for two of his own. Andrade sends him into the corner again and now the running knees connect. Kidd slugs away until he charges into Dia de los Muertos for two and, since that’s a secondary finisher, Andrade grabs the DM for the pin seconds later at 11:44.

Rating: C+. I still do not see the appeal in Kidd most of the time and this was a match where the story was “well they’ve feuded in Japan”. Somehow that’s more than you get for a lot of title defenses around this show, and it’s fine for Andrade to get a title defense. I’m not sure why he needs to be the National Champion if he has the version of the Money In The Bank but Andrade is hot right now and the fans like him enough.

Post match Andrade talks about how he’s hoping to become the best National Champion of all time. Given that he’s the fourth champion, the title hasn’t been around for a year yet and he is already over a third of the way to the longest reign ever, that shouldn’t be hard. Anyway he’s going to defend the title every week.

Tommaso Ciampa wants some new gold.

Isla Dawn vs. Athena

Non-title Proving Ground match. Dawn gets kicked out to the floor to start and it’s time to trade forearms, with Athena getting the better of things. That means Athena can send her into the barricade but gets small packaged for two back inside. Dawn’s running knee gets two but Athena is back up with some rolling German suplexes. The O Face finishes for Athena at 5:00.

Rating: C. If you’ve been watching Ring Of Honor for any time in the last few years, this was nothing new for you. Athena has run through so many people that there are very few wrestlers left who can reasonably challenge her for the title. Dawn was little more than a human for Athena to beat here, in what will probably be another one off AEW match before she goes back to doing the same thing on Ring Of Honor for whatever reason.

Bang Bang Gang vs. Don Callis Family

That would be Ace Austin/Juice Robinson vs. Kevin Knight/Kyle Fletcher in this case. Austin and Fletcher start things off with Austin taking over with an armbar. Knight tags himself in and walks into a clothesline, allowing Robinson to hit a splash for two. Fletcher comes in for a save and Knight isn’t happy, meaning it’s time for an argument as we take a break.

We come back with Austin getting the tag to Robinson to clean house. The big jabs set up a DDT on Fletcher and Robinson dives on Knight on the floor. A running faceplant gives Austin two and he kicks Fletcher in the face. Fletcher hits a quick Michinoku Driver for two more but Austin has to go after Knight, allowing Fletcher to catch him with a superkick. Fletcher hits his brainbuster and Knight tags himself in to hit the UFO Splash for the pin at 12:15.

Rating: B-. Yeah of course this is how it went. I’m sure this was just thee way to set up this version of the Family to go after a bigger team, because if there is one thing AEW loves, it’s more of the Don Callis Family. And of course Austin looks like a star and then loses, which is the case way too often with him.

Post match The Family vs. the Young Bucks in a tables match is set for Dynamite. There it is.

Overall Rating: B-. This was a very typical Collision, as it was absolutely an acceptable wrestling show. The matches were good, there was some star power involved and it set up some things for Dynamite. At the same time, nothing on here felt overly important. It was a bunch of matches with people being thrown out there with little reason other than to get them on a show. It comes off like a cross between Dark and Ring Of Honor, albeit with some bigger names. I understand that you don’t want to burn stuff off on a Saturday night when fewer people are watching, but adding something of value to this show would be great.

Results
Young Bucks b. Don Callis Family – BTE Trigger to Doyle
Hangman Page/Brodido b. Braddah Kaimi/LVJ/Vin Parker – Frog splash to Parker
Nick Wayne b. Komander – ProdigyPlex
Persephone b. Vertvixen – Razor’s Edge
Motor City Machine Guns b. The Swirl – Dirt Bomb to Johnson
Andrade El Idolo b. Gabe Kidd – DM
Athena b. Isla Dawn – O Face
Don Callis Family b. Bang Bang Gang – UFO Splash to Austin

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Dynamite
Date: September 2, 2026
Location: Credit Union Of Texas Event Center, Allen, Texas
Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone

Well we’re finally done with All In and to put it mildly, a lot of things happened. The biggest story is that Will Ospreay finally broke through and won the World Title, defeating Kenny Omega in a heck of a match. We also have a new Women’s Champion in Mercedes Mone and a new TNT Champion in Darby Allin, among others. Let’s get to it.

Here is All In if you need a recap.

Quick card rundown.

All In recap.

Here is new World Champion Will Ospreay for a chat and yeah the fans like him. Ospreay apologizes for looking a bit rough but gets cut off with the YOU DESERVE IT chants. He’s cried a lot this week and doesn’t want to do it anymore, but does seem touched by what he’s hearing. Sunday was amazing and if you were there from the beginning thank you, or if you’ve just gotten on, thank you as well.

As for Kenny Omega, Ospreay admits that Omega is better than him 364 days of the year, but Ospreay only had to be better one day. They’re 2-2 and Ospreay is happy with that because all he wanted to be was seen as Omega’s equal. Ospreay: “But…..”. And the fans like that one. If Omega isn’t cool with the two of them being equal, name the time and the place.

As for now though, Ospreay likes how the belt looks on himself because the previous champions are his heroes. Now his idols are his rivals (good line) and he is the new standard so if you want to take it from him, be prepared to walk through the same fire. He also thanks the United Empire, who were the only people he wanted in his corner at All In. There is a United Empire in Japan but now there is going to be a version in AEW. Ospreay goes to leave but here is the Demand to interrupt.

Ricochet isn’t here to rain on Ospreay’s parade, as the two of them are forever intertwined in this crazy sport. They have known each other for a long time and Ospreay wouldn’t be here without Ricochet. As a result, Ricochet should get the first title shot but here are the Dogs to interrupt. Gabe Kidd is ready to take everything from Ospreay but Ricochet cuts that off, saying it’s his shot. Everyone comes to the ring but here is the United Empire to make things a lot more even. Ospreay is ready for the big tag team main event.

We look at the New Level (Day) debuting at All In and teaming with Swerve Strickland to win the Trios Titles.

Trios Titles: New Level/Swerve Strickland vs. The Rascalz

The Rascalz are challenging. Strickland and Reed start things off with Strickland snapping off an early anklescissors. Reed is sent into the corner and it’s quickly off to Xavier to face Creed. They quickly go to the mat for an exchange of near falls until Creed hits a backsplash. Kofi comes in and the fans certainly approve, including as he moonsaults off of Creed’s shoulders for two.

It’s back to Strickland, is triple teamed out to the floor, where Creed and Strickland hit moonsaults off the apron. Kofi’s dive off the top takes the Rascalz down and we take a break. We come back with Creed chopping Wentz down so Kofi and Reed can come back in. Kofi hits his bottom rope DDT and Strickland is back in with the rolling suplex. Wentz makes the save but dives into a Downward Spiral,, only to get hurricanranaed to give Xavier two.

Everything breaks down and we get a series of knockdowns, with Kofi giving Xavier the SOS (a legsweep to flip Xavier back first onto the floor) outside. That leaves Reed to hit his diving cutter on Creed off the apron, but he manages to hurricanrana Kofi at the same time. Well that was awesome. Back in and Kofi gives Reed Trouble In Paradise (spinning kick to the head) but gets kicked in the head by Xavier. Back up and Xavier tries a handspring but gets House Called out of the air. A top rope double stomp/powerslam combination plants Xavier and another House Call retains the titles at 12:58.

Rating: B+. This was a wild match and that’s exactly what it should have been, as New Level gets to show the fans what they can do on Dynamite for the first time. It was nothing but action throughout and Swerve more than held up his side. You know the Rascalz are going to be right there for all of the high flying stuff and it all worked well.

Post match the Young Bucks come out for the staredown with the New Level, with Swerve looking interested too.

We look at Mercedes Mone winning the Women’s Title at All In.

Here are the Young Bucks for a chat. They’re not going to complain about their loss but they don’t like how they lost to Adam Copeland and Christian Cage. So why not get out here right now and tell them why it had to go that way? Instead they get FTR, with Stokely Hathaway saying FTR are the only two people in the ring who matter. How are the Bucks thinking they deserve yet another title match?

They both bring up their success against the other but here are Copeland and Cage to interrupt. Cage points out that they’re the old guys and beat both teams in the ring. He’s surprised the Bucks and FTR didn’t take a 50% pay cut and go somewhere else. Copeland says it’s time to be the voice of reason so let’s do the three way rematch at All Out, involving tables, ladders and chairs. Oh joy could we really do that? With FTR and the Bucks? It’s all my dreams come true.

The United Empire has a fifth member of the team for tonight: Andrade El Idolo. Will Ospreay isn’t so sure but he goes with it.

TNT Title: Darby Allin vs. Mark Davis

Davis is challenging and cuts off the skateboarding Allin on the way to the ring in a smart move. Davis throws him into the timekeeper’s area and we take a break before the bell rings. We come back with Allin climbing a balcony and diving off with the Coffin Drop onto Davis. A running crossbody sends both of them back to ringside, where Davis gets in a heck of a forearm.

We actually get the opening bell as they get inside, with Allin being launched into the corner. A huge running clothesline gives Davis two and we take another break. We come back again with Allin using the tag rope to tie Davis into the corner. That’s broken up and Davis hits a running forearm for two as the fans are still behind Allin.

Davis misses an enziguri but almost flip Allin onto his face off a backdrop. Back up and Allin reverses a gutwrench into a Code Red for two and they’re both down. They head outside with Allin hitting a missile dropkick as Schiavone thinks this is for the National Title. Davis barely beats the count back in and is quickly Coffin Dropped to retain the title (whichever one Tony thinks it is this week) at 9:23.

Rating: B. Now this is more what I like from Allin. It’s so annoying seeing him have to go so nuts because he absolutely does not need to go there. He can wrestle a high flying style and get the fans behind him every time. That was the case again here, with Davis being a great midcard monster to be slain. Good stuff here.

Post match RPG Vice runs in to jump Allin, with Steven Borden making the save. Josh Alexander returns to jump Borden though and the good guys are beaten down.

We look at Andrade El Idolo winning the Casino Gauntlet Match.

MJF is ticked off at losing the Casino Gauntlet Match because he’s the real World Champion. If anyone got cheated the way he did, it would be the talk of the wrestling world. Of course he was cheated though because no one is on his level. It makes people mad that he is the biggest star in the world, including Will Ospreay. Payback is coming and you won’t see it coming. This was unhinged from MJF.

Megan Bayne vs. Alex Windsor

Lena Kross and Jamie Hayter are here too. Bayne runs her over a few times to start and fires off the shoulders in the corner. Windsor is back up with some corner clotheslines but is quickly sent flying with a fall away slam. Bayne gets low bridged to the floor though and the running flip dive off the apron connects. We come back with Windsor hitting a running dropkick into a hanging DDT for two.

A nice middle rope clothesline gets two more but Bayne German suplexes her out of the corner. The running clothesline gives Bayne two, as does a Falcon Arrow. Windsor grabs a not so smooth Blue Thunder Bomb and it’s time to slug it out on the apron. Bayne is tripped face first down and they clothesline each other down on the floor. Kross and Hayter get in a brawl of their own and Bayne belts Windsor in the head. Back in and a Liger Bomb finishes Windsor at 10:47.

Rating: B-. This seems to be a way to set up a rematch between the two teams at All Out, likely in a street fight. I’m not sure I’d have the new champions lose so soon but we only have a few weeks before the likely rematch. Bayne winning a singles match certainly makes sense as she’s a monster, though seeing a champion lose never quite feels right.

Post match the beatdown is on until Hayter makes the save.

We look at Chris Jericho not quite winning the Casino Gauntlet Match.

Jericho is interrupted by Nick Wayne, who brags about having ten years of experience. Jericho points out that he had fifteen years experience the day Wayne was born, earning a slap to the face. The brawl is on, with Wayne kicking him low and leaving.

Here is new Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone for her big championship celebration. She hasn’t stopped smiling since All In but she needed to win to be here. Mone bet on herself and this is what happened when you give yourself permission to be great. We pause for a CEO chant before Mone says she had to leave Willow Nightingale behind because Nightingale is a stupid b****.

Look what she did to Mone’s face, and we see quite the black eye. What she wants for this title doesn’t even exist yet but here is Thekla (yes she has a drink) to interrupt. Mone is a legendary icon but she’s never been TOXIC. Nightingale deserved to be humiliated but Mone has been calling people “dumb b****”. If there’s one thing Thekla hates, it’s a dumb b**** calling another dumb b**** a dumb b****. Thekla “You dumb b****.” Thekla is ready to fight whenever, which allows Schiavone to tell us how great Mone is (again).

New TBS Champion Persephone and the returning Britt Baker are ready to take the title to a place it has never been before.

Jon Moxley vs. AR Fox

Non-title. They fight over a standing switch to start and Fox takes him down for a quick two off a crucifix. Moxley is sent outside for the step up moonsault and they’re right back inside. Fox gets taken down with a running dropkick and we take a break. We come back with Fox nailing a rolling cutter but Moxley gets fired up as Fox gives him clotheslines. A basement cutter puts Moxley down again but he gets his knees up to block a Swanton. Fox is right back with a swinging suplex into a 450 for two, only for Moxley to pull him into a sleeper. That and the Death Rider finish Fox off at 8:22.

Rating: C+. It had some moments, as Fox’s matches tend to do, but ultimately this was another case of Moxley getting to beat someone else. He did it throughout the tournament and he did it again here. In theory it should be followed by another challenger for the title and that could be anyone. Moxley could use someone new to destroy.

Kevin Knight and Kyle Fletcher argue after losing their individual titles but Don Callis has them team up on Collision. Kazuchika Okada comes in to remind Fletcher about family.

Andrade El Idolo/United Empire/Will Ospreay vs. The Dogs/The Demand

Ricochet rolls away from Ospreay to start and it’s off to Liona vs. Henare. They trade the forearms with Henare absorbing the shots and taking over. Liona runs him right back over and everything breaks down with Connors getting crushed off an elevated backsplash. Idolo hits a big dive to the floor and we get a group picture with the ringside woman. Ricochet powerbombs Akira onto the pile though and we take a break.

We come back with Akira grabbing a slingshot cutter to Connors, allowing the tag off to Newman. A running boot drops Kaun and Henare adds a spinning Samoan drop. Kidd clotheslines Andrade down and a corner dropkick into a cutter gets two. Akira tries to chop at the Gates, who growl at him, earning themselves more chops.

The Gates easily pick him up but he fires off a suicide dive. Ospreay and Ricochet chop it out until Ricochet scores with the handspring elbow. Everything breaks down again for an exchange of strikes and Akira moonsaults onto the Gates on the floor. Connors runs into Dia de los Muertos and the Hidden Blade finishes him off at 13:53.

Rating: B. It was another wild match, though I’m still trying to get myself to care about the United Empire. Their entire deal is “we’re Ospreay’s friends from Japan” which isn’t the greatest appeal. You also have the Dogs, who could be dropped from the roster without missing much. It’s kind of a weird choice for a main event, though at least Ospreay stood tall in the end.

Post match the villains jump the winners with Gabe grabbing a chair to go after Ospreay. Cue the Death Riders but Jon Moxley takes the chair away. Andrade is back in to brawl off with Kidd and Moxley hands Ospreay the title. They stare at each other….and a graphic comes up announcing the two of them are facing each other for the title at All Out. Moxley looks stunned and leaves in peace to end the show. So you have what feels like one of the biggest matches AEW could run after months of build and it’s just announced with a quick graphic? That’s certainly a way to go.

Overall Rating: B+. This show was entirely about taking the momentum that they had from All In and transitioning that to All Out. With so little time before the pay per view, they had to rush through things, which explains the rushed World Title setup. The action was very good and you can probably figure out a lot of the All Out card from here. They were flying through things here but managed to land the thing, which is quite the feat after their biggest show of the year. Good, and necessary show here.

Results
Swerve Strickland/New Level b. The Rascalz – House Call to Xavier
Darby Allin b. Mark Davis – Coffin Drop
Megan Bayne b. Alex Windsor – Liger Bomb
Jon Moxley b. AR Fox – Death Rider
Andrade El Idolo/United Empire/Will Ospreay b. The Demand/The Dogs – Hidden Blade to Connors

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

All In 2026
Date: August 30, 2026
Location: Wembley Stadium, London, England
Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Taz

We have finally arrived at the biggest show of the year and that means we should be in for some major happenings. The show has a special two hour Buy In and the usual huge card, which should make for a pretty awesome night. There are a lot of British wrestlers challenging for titles, including Will Ospreay going after Kenny Omega’s World Title. Let’s get to it.

Zero Hour: The Opps vs. Lio Rush/The Rascalz

Rush is now in a rainbow poncho and runs around on all fours, as is his custom. The suicide dive connects on the floor but Andretti takes Rush down back inside. A double backbreaker and running shooting star from Andretti gives Bowens two and it’s off to Shibata. That means Rush can get over to Xavier to come in and take over. Everything breaks down and Reed breaks up a double whip, only to get dropkicked into a suplex.

Reed kicks and Stunners his way out of trouble, setting up the running diving cutter to send Andretti out to the floor. Back in and we hit the parade of knockdowns, via a selection of strikes and throws. Bowens gives Xavier the running Fameasser, followed by a wind up hanging DDT. Rush gives Bowens the springboard Stunner into the Final Hour for the pin at 9:06.

Rating: B-. This was basically a way for Rush to get his momentum back after he lost the ROH TV Title last week. It’s a match with a bunch of people flying around and getting in a spot here or there, which is about all you can do in a match like this. Rush continues to be so weird that it’s hard to not pay attention to him so this went well enough.

Zero Hour: Sisters Of Sin vs. Kris Statlander/Harley Cameron

Cameron and Blue shove each other around to start until it’s off to Statlander. That means Cameron can be dropped onto Blue for two but Hart gets in a middle rope hurricanrana. Statlander shrugs that off and Cameron is back in to catch Hart on the apron. Back up and Hart grabs Cameron from the ropes and snaps the arm across the top, allowing Blue to get in a running knee for two.

Statlander is back up and strikes away, with a double cover getting two. Hart gets in a quickly broken Black Widow and it’s back to Cameron, who is taken down with a swinging neckbreaker. A crucifix driver gets Cameron out of trouble and everything breaks down, with all four being knocked down. Back up and Statlander gets in a quick Staturday Night Fever to pin Hart at 9:54.

Rating: C. This match was thrown onto the card last night after an attack on Collision and that didn’t give them much time to really make it work. Cameron can have a weird partner of the week and make it work with anyone as she’s more than charismatic to pull the idea off. It’s another match that belongs on Collision, but if everyone has to get on the show (because reasons), it makes as much sense as anything else.

Zero Hour: Shane Taylor Promotions vs. Boom & Doom/Hurt Syndicate

The rest of the Promotions and Big Justice are here too. Benjamin and Moriarty go face to face to start and it’s Benjamin glaring at Moriarty for daring a chop. Benjamin slams him down and it’s off to Boom & Doom to do the same. That just earns Marshall a trip to the apron for a string of shots to the back.

Moriarty slaps on an assisted Abdominal stretch until the cheating chain falls apart. Marshall flips over for the tag to AJ, who is dropkicked down for two. Dean gets in the Bronco Buster but AJ clotheslines his way out of trouble. That means it’s off to Lashley for the running clotheslines, followed by a spear to Taylor on the floor.

A running powerslam gets two on Dean, with Bravo making a questionable save. Bravo and Dean get in a belly to back neckbreaker combination but Benjamin is back in with an ankle lock. That’s broke up so it’s time to go after Taylor, with an assisted Powerboom planting him hard. The good guys are up with the string of strikes and Justice even gets in for a spear. The Dominator finishes Bravo at 11:24.

Rating: C+. This went about as well as it could have as, again, there were so many people involved in a single match. That’s been a problem for a long time around here and it’s continuing on the Kickoff Show, which already has twenty wrestlers in three matches. There is only so much you can do to get attention in that span and it only kind of worked here, even with the Syndicate getting to dominate.

Post match the Syndicate gets a $50,000 check from the Rizzler, which seems to work for them.

Bryan Danielson joins commentary.

Zero Hour: Maya World vs. Persephone

World is defending as Persephone’s CMLL Women’s Title isn’t on the line. World’s headscissors takes Persephone down to start and a springboard version does it again. Persephone is back with a corner clothesline and some stomping but gets knocked outside. The dive off the apron gives World two back inside but Persephone ties her up with a leglock.

With that broken up, Persephone grabs a Samoan driver for two and a fall away slam sends World flying again. World pops up with a springboard Stunner though and they’re both down. They go up top for a fall away slam and the tabletop suplex gets two on Persephone, who has to grab the rope. Cue a masked woman to shove World off the top though and the Razor’s Edge gives Persephone the pin and the title at 11:09.

Rating: C+. That’s a surprise title change as World didn’t feel like she was ready to drop the thing, but at the same time Persephone does seem to be a project for AEW. I’m curious about the interference as it could be just about anyone (Ted Arcidi is always an option) and that gives World another option of something to do. It wasn’t a great match, but it opens some doors and that’s always nice to see.

Post match the masked person is….back inside to give World the Lockjaw, as it’s Britt Baker. Well dang that’s a big surprise.

Thekla climbs onto the Zero Hour desk and confirms that she is back. She’s here to drink and watch the show closely because she’s coming for Willow Nightingale no matter what.

Persephone is glad to have a good doctor watching her back. Britt Baker comes in to say she’s glad to be back because she has some new perspective. They don’t seem to like Thunder Rosa either.

Trios Titles: Roulette Royal

Hangman Page/Brodido are defending and this is a Royal Rumble, with timed (intervals not listed) entrances and all three members having to be tossed. The Bang Bang Gang (Jay White/Colten Gunn/Austin Gunn) are in at #1 (of seven total teams) and the Dogs (Clark Connors/David Finlay/Gabe Kidd) are in at #2. They start with the exchange of right hands but the Gang spends too much time posing and get punched down. The Gang gets beaten down and the Demand (Ricochet/Bishop Kaun/Toa Liona) are in at #3.

The Dogs and the Demand get in an argument though and the Gang fight back up. Colten is sent to the apron though and a spear gets rid of him for the first elimination. The Conglomeration is in at #4 as the ring is starting to get full. Cassidy of course takes his time to get in as his partners beat various people up, only to get caught by Liona. Austin is launched into a cutter and knocked out, leaving White alone for his team. We slow down a bit and the Death Riders (Claudio Castagnoli/Wheeler Yuta/Pac) are in at #5.

After the bouncing circle, they get inside with Marina Shafir joining them for a showdown with Roderick Strong, who gives her a backbreaker. Oh he’ll be hearing about that later. The Conglomeration strikes at Pac and it’s Page/Brodido (Brody King/Bandido) in at #6. The three of them get in as Cassidy is holding onto the post to stay out of the way in a smart move. Nine people get stacked up in three corner and the champions fire off cannonballs. A bunch of people get together to toss King but it’s Page getting caught in the corner or running shots from just about everyone else.

O’Reilly and Strong seem to have been tossed at some point in there, leaving Cassidy alone. White is almost thrown out but hangs on and grabs the rope in a smart move. Cassidy is brought back in and splashed but he fights out of the corner. White is still alive with a sleeper suplex as the Cages send Cassidy…well beyond the apron actually but he gets back inside. Kidd bashes his own head into the buckle because reasons and Cassidy is back up with a string of Orange Punches.

Cassidy is the only one standing and falls down as we go off the air with about thirty seconds left in the Zero Hour. We come back to the regular show with Swerve Strickland and….the new Level (Kofi/Austin Creed in a less than stunning yet still cool enough surprise) are in at #7.

The Level and Strickland take over on Yuta but get jumped by the Demand. A springboard Doomsday Device hits Kofi but the Level is back up to strike away at Liona. That means the Gates are knocked out and Cassidy sends Yuta to the apron, where Yuta grabs him with a choke. That’s broken up and another Orange Punch gets rid of Yuta, only for Ricochet to dump Cassidy and clear some of the ring out. Strickland cuts off Bandido’s 21 Plex to Castagnoli and there’s the required Page vs. Strickland showdown.

A Buckshot Lariat off the back of Strickland hits Ricochet but the Dogs spear both of them down. Bandido gets piledriven and tossed, as does Connors. White and Finlay go over the top and to the apron, with White eliminating him but getting pulled out by Finlay to eliminate the Gang. Page gives Castagnoli the Deadeye but gets sent to the apron and is dropkicked out by Ricochet, meaning the champions are gone.

Strickland flips Ricochet out to eliminate the Demand and we’re down to Strickland, Kofi, Creed, Kidd, Castagnoli and Pac. Kofi is sent out but hangs on by his feet, with Prince Nana helping him hand walk back inside. What used to be known as Daybreak hits Kidd and he’s gone and a double clothesline eliminates the Riders to give Strickland and the Level the titles at 40:07.

Rating: B-. You know what you’re getting with a 21 man Royal Rumble and it’s not like Creed/Kofi were big surprises. Once it was confirmed that they would be involved, there was no reason to think anyone else was leaving. It’s not like these titles have any kind of a lasting legacy and losing them pretty quickly is hardly some terrible thing. Fun match, though stretching it out to be on the start of the main show was a bit tedious.

Quick note now that the show has started: it might only be about half full (which is still a ton of people) but the stadium looks great. This feels like a major show on a big stage and that’s what they’re going for by running the venue.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Brawling Birds vs. Lena Kross/Megan Bayne

Kross and Bayne are defending. Bayne shoulders Hayter down to start but a double shoulder drops Bayne as well. Everything breaks down and they go to the floor, with the Birds actually losing the brawl. Back in and Hayter gets caught in the corner, with Bayne standing on her throat.

Kross gets the sliding German suplex for two but Hayter clotheslines her way out of trouble. Windsor chops away at Bayne and Blue Thunder Bombs Kross for two. That earns Windsor some running shots in the corner and Bayne sends her flying with a release German suplex. Everything breaks down again and the Birds grab stereo German suplexes.

They all knock each other down again and it’s Bayne up to German suplex both Birds at once. Hayter gets in a double DDT but it’s a running boot into a German suplex to drop her again. Divine Intervention gets two with Windsor breaking the cover and another German suplex drops Bayne. The Haytebreaker sets up Two Birds One Stone to finish Kross for the titles at 11:40.

Rating: B-. This was the result I had the most confidence in all night as there was no reason to believe that the Birds were losing. Kross and Bayne had held the titles long enough and the Birds winning would be the feel good moment. They didn’t overthink it (save for spamming the German suplexes) and it was pretty much exactly what it should have been.

Continental Title: Jon Moxley vs. Nigel McGuinness

Moxley is defending and this is the finals of a tournament where the champion was involved because that’s a thing we spent most of a month doing. McGuinness is coming in with a bad ankle as well so Moxley already has a target. They go with the wrist battle to start and McGuinness backs him up against the ropes for the break. Moxley gets smart by going for the leg and McGuinness uppercuts him out to the floor.

Back in and McGuinness starts in on the arm, setting up quite the arm stretch. With that broken up, Moxley goes after the leg and McGuinness gets creative by offering his back to protect his own ankle. Moxley works on the leg and hammers away in the corner before unwrapping the tape on McGuinness’ ankle. McGuinness gets smart again by grabbing the tape and wrapping it around Moxley’s face to escape.

A missed charge in the corner lets McGuinness grab the Tower Of London for two but Moxley is right back with the LeBell Lock. That’s reversed into the same thing from McGuinness, with Danielson making sure to compare their grips. Moxley escapes again and stomps on the ankle, which just wakes McGuinness up for the exchange of forearms. A pair of lariats put Moxley down but McGuinness can’t follow up.

Moxley’s rebound lariat is cut off with a lariat from McGuinness, which of course has Moxley popping up for the bulldog choke. McGuinness drives his chin into the arm to escape and the London Dungeon goes on but Moxley rolls out into an ankle lock. McGuinness escapes again so Moxley grabs the same hold, followed by a running Stomp. Another ankle lock makes McGuinness tap at 17:13.

Rating: B. Forgive me for not getting excited about Moxley getting to be the tough submission star, again, and retain his title, again, after we had a tournament for the sake of a wrestler getting to show how awesome Moxley is, again. I know McGuinness winning here was the longest of long shots and they shouldn’t have changed the title, but dang I’m over Moxley. He’s presented as the ultimate fighter in every aspect and it gets more than a bit tiresome. Just do something else with him already. Like send him on vacation.

As for the match itself, this was McGuinness trying to think his way through the injury and survive until he could find an opening but he made the mistake of trying to brawl with Moxley. Throw in the submission game and Moxley was too much for him. Some of the stuff McGuinness was doing out there was brilliant but it just wasn’t enough in the end.

International Title: Konosuke Takeshita vs. Kazuchika Okada vs. Kyle Fletcher

Fletcher is defending and this is the Don Callis Family match, as Takeshita has been thrown out of the team while the other two are still in but don’t get along a lot of the time. Fletcher knocks Okada outside and Takeshita looks stunned in a funny opening. Okada is back up and pulls both of them outside for a double hanging DDT, followed by the running dive. Back in and Okada knocks Takeshita down and flips off the crowd, only for Fletcher to come in and flip him off from behind.

Fletcher knocks Takeshita down and then Okada gives Fletcher a brainbuster, only to walk into a Rainmaker from Takeshita. Fletcher’s Raging Fire drops Takeshita and all three are down off the stolen finishers. The screwdriver is brought in and Takeshita German suplexes Fletcher while rolling Okada up at the same time. Now Takeshita grabs the screwdriver but can’t commit a bad case of murder.

Instead he knees Fletcher for two with Okada getting up to kick at both of them. Okada gets double teamed to the floor so Takeshita and Fletcher can slug it out, only to get rid of Okada again. Fletcher hits the turnbuckle brainbuster on Takeshita….but gets Rainmakered by Okada for the pin and the title at 13:12.

Rating: B. Good enough here and I liked that it didn’t run as long. They had told their story and Okada stole the pin at the right time. Hopefully this is it for the multiway feud (it won’t be, at least not entirely) as they all need to just find something else to do. It’s a solid match and didn’t overstay its welcome, which is a perfectly acceptable result here.

Post match Fletcher reluctantly raises Okada’s hand.

Casino Gauntlet Match

There are an unknown number of entrants at unspecified intervals with the winner of the first fall getting a future World Title shot. Andrade El Idolo is in at #1 and MJF is in at #2 and since they hate each other, the brawl is on in a hurry. MJF fights up and struts a bit, setting up a crotch to the face. Andrade is back up, takes his pants off, and hits his own thrust to the face. We pause for the photo with the woman and here is Nick Wayne to poisonrana Andrade on the floor as he’s the #3 entrant.

MJF wants an alliance with Wayne but here is Mike Bailey in at #4 to start firing off the kicks. Bailey kicks Wayne down and MJF is sent outside, leaving Bailey and Andrade to hit big dives. They’re all down on the floor and it’s Tommaso Ciampa in at #5…but he takes so long posing that Chris Jericho is in at #6 to jump Ciampa on the way to the ring. Jericho fires off a bunch of right hands to clear the ring so MJF comes in to mock him. That earns him the Walls, with Mark Davis coming in at #7 to break it up.

Davis starts snapping off the piledrivers, including one to MJF, with commentary being surprised at the kickout. Komander (or Mistico according to Justin Roberts) is in at #8 for his rope walk flip dive. NOW Roberts gets the name right and Komander hits the Cielito Lindo for two on Ciampa. Mistico is in at #9 (Roberts: “You guessed it!”) but Daniel Garcia is in at #10 to jump Mistico on the ramp.

Mistico is back up and gets to clean house before staring it down with Komander. A quick La Mistica has Komander in trouble but MJF makes the save. MJF blocks Garcia’s piledriver and Bailey is back in for the save. Ciampa knees Bailey for two and Jack Perry is in at #11. Perry gets to clean house and Snare Traps Ciampa until Wayne makes a save of his own.

Davis is back in and Perry actually gives him a piledriver before Jericho is back in with the Judas Effect to MJF. Wayne’s Phoenix splash lands on Davis’ face so MJF shakes Wayne’s hand…and then kicks him low. The Heatseeker plants Wayne but Andrade is back in with Dia de los Muertos to MJF and pins Wayne at 21:07.

Rating: B. On one hand, it was a lot of the same people you would have expected in this match with pretty much nothing in the way of surprises. At the same time, the right person won and that should make things more interesting for whomever leaves as World Champion. Andrade is on a roll right now and putting him in a title match is a good idea. Just don’t have him have to defend the shot or something as that’s rarely interesting.

Tag Team Titles: Young Bucks vs. Adam Copeland/Christian Cage

Copeland and Cage are defending in what is a battle of the best teams of their generations (that uh, might be up for debate). Cage and Nick start things off and everything breaks down in a hurry, with Nick getting stomped down in the corner. The Bucks are right back up with the running bulldogs, completely with high fives. That means Cage gets caught in the wrong corner with the Bucks starting in on the arm.

That doesn’t last long as it’s already back to Copeland, who is superkicked down just as fast. Copeland is fine enough to piledrive Matt on the apron (Taz: “That’s a game changer.” Not in AEW it isn’t.). Cage neckbreakers Nick for two and chokes on the ropes but misses the right hand. That’s enough for Matt to get in a kick from the apron and Copeland’s spear is sent into the buckle. Matt gives Copeland a jumping stomp to the back and Backstabbers Cage out of the corner, setting up Risky Business for two.

Copeland is right back up with a half crab but Matt gets out and heads to the apron. Another spear is loaded up but Nick flips away and grabs a Stunner on Cage on the floor in a slick counter. Back in and Matt suplexes both of them at once but Nick’s leg gives out on the Meltzer Driver. Cage is back up with a Twist Of Fate to Matt, setting up a 3D for two more. A double superplex drops Matt but Nick 450s onto both of them for the big crash. The Bucks try the BTE Trigger but Copeland spears Cage by mistake for the failed save attempt.

Now the BTE Trigger hits Cage for two, with the kickout freaking Matt out. Another Meltzer Driver is speared out of the air and the Killswitch into a pop up spear gets two more on Nick. Cage: “F***!” The belt is brought in but the referee takes it away, allowing Cage to pull out what looks like a wrench. A shot to the leg keeps Nick in trouble but Matt rolls Cage up for two. The wrist brace to the head knocks Matt silly and another spear retains the titles at 20:07.

Rating: B+. This was another rather great match and I’ll take the Bucks losing another shot at the titles. I’m not sure how much of a dream match this was (though that term is horribly overused) but it did wind up being pay per view worthy with Cage and Copeland still having incredible chemistry. Rather good match here and I’m not sure who is next for the champions. Just not a ladder rematch. Please.

Post match the Motor City Machine Guns come out for the staredown. Yeah that works. Then FTR comes out to join everyone. Yeah that’s not as interesting. Then it’s New Level, because only having a belt each isn’t enough.

TNT Title: Kevin Knight vs. Darby Allin

Knight is defending in a falls count anywhere match after attacking Allin after he lost the World Title and then attempting to murder Allin (a few times). After skateboarding down to the ring, Allin dropkicks Knight into the corner but gets choked back down. Knight takes too long loading up a table (of course) and is knocked down with a suicide dive. Allin has to dive over the steps but gets taken down, allowing Knight to put him on the announcers’ table.

There’s the springboard dive onto Allin onto the table for two and it’s time to throw in some chairs. That takes too long as well though and Allin sunset bombs him onto the chairs for the crash. Cue the Don Callis Family to take Allin out though and load up a ladder. Knight is dropped onto the chairs and let’s tape his hands together. Steven Borden runs in for the save with a good dropkick but gets powerbombed through the table. Allin is back up with a top rope hurricanrana, even with his hands still taped back.

Cage superplexes him though and ties him in the Tree Of Woe…and the lights go out. The fans go nuts as Sting is back for the save and Allin bats Knight into the Scorpion Death Drop. Borden loads up a ladder and climbs at the same time as Sting, with Borden telling his dad that he has this. Borden’s big dive takes the Family out and then brawls to the back, with Sting joining them. Allin and Knight go to the stage and Allin climbs the set for a huge Coffin Drop through Knight and through the floor. Knight is put on a stretcher but gets crushed with another Coffin Drop to give Allin the title at 15:47.

Rating: B-. Ok so this was a weird one, as the people who weren’t involved were the stars. The deal with Borden doing the dive so his father didn’t have to was a great moment and it’s cool to see Sting getting to do that with his son rather than Allin. At the same time, I am so utterly over Allin trying to find another way to do his insane dives or whatever ideas he has that day. He does them so often and it is just not interesting for me anymore but he got his revenge here and can move on to get blown up another day.

We recap Willow Nightingale defending the Women’s Title against Mercedes Mone. Basically Mone seems to blame Nightingale for all of the bad things that have happened in her career so it’s time for her to get revenge and the title.

Women’s Title: Mercedes Mone vs. Willow Nightingale

Nightingale, with a broken hand, is defending and Mone comes out with a bunch of ballet dancers. On the other hand, Nightingale has a storybook theme of a knight who kept getting knocked down but kept getting up and smiling. As a bonus, Nightingale has chest cannons (exactly what they sound like) which are likely a Dolly Parton reference. Mone is sat on the top to start and gets slapped out to the floor, with Nightingale taking her out with a dive.

Nightingale is getting a bit confident so Mone goes after the hand, only to be sent crashing into the barricade. Back in and Mone pulls a turnbuckle pad off and sends Nightingale into the steel for two as things slow down. Mone takes her down by the arm and cranks away a bit, setting up a camel clutch. That’s broken up so Mone grabs the Three Amigos, with the third seeing them to go the apron.

Nightingale suplexes her down to the floor for the big crash though and they both have to beat the count. The slugout goes to Nightingale as Mone seems to have a broken nose. A missile dropkick gives Nightingale two and Mone’s Backstabber gets the same. Mone grabs a wristlock to really crank up the pain but Nightingale takes her up top for a super Spanish Fly. The Cannonball misses though and Mone powerbombs her into the corner. The Meteora is broken up as well and Nightingale forearms her down.

A moonsault gives Nightingale two more but she gets caught in the Mone Maker, with Mone driving her into the exposed buckle before slamming her down. Nightingale kicks out again and Mone’s face is just covered in blood. Back up and Nightingale knocks her into the referee so Mone sends the bad wrist into the announcers’ table. Mone takes the glove off and bends the fingers back but stops to pick up the belt.

That’s enough for Nightingale to send her into the steps and get in a belt shot of her own. The Babe With The Powerbomb connects for a rather delayed near fall so Nightingale hits an (exposed) buckle bomb. A superbomb is countered into a hurricanrana but Mone reverses another Babe With The Powerbomb into a Statement Maker, with the arm trapped, for the tap and the title at 21:53.

Rating: B. Yeah of course Mone won. I’m not sure why I thought she was ever in danger because Mone has to win because otherwise we might forget that she is a million times better than everyone else. As usual, Mone is the biggest star in the division and we have to remember it, no matter how popular Nightingale was getting. Thank goodness Mone got another big accomplishment, as she just doesn’t have enough to get the point across.

We recap Will Ospreay challenging Kenny Omega for the World Title. Ospreay is back from a broken neck and wants to win the big one in his home country. The idea was that they were fighting to see who was best but then Omega started messing with Ospreay’s mind by bringing up their past and Ospreay’s family, which sent Ospreay over the edge. Omega went a bit nuts as well and feels like a villain coming into this.

AEW World Title: Will Ospreay vs. Kenny Omega

Ospreay is challenging with a video narrated by his mother, talking about how far Ospreay has come and never gave up. Ospreay walks through the back and finds Henare, Akira Francesca and Callum Newman, but stops to get the Union Jack from Jon Moxley. On the other hand, Omega has a video about his career, plus the Young Bucks, Brandon Cutler and Michael Nakazawa with him, which goes nicely with the Assassins Creed (or so I’m told) entrance.

They take their time staring at each other before locking up and trading chops against the ropes. Ospreay pops up from a shoulder and grabs a hurricanrana, followed by a running knee out to the floor. The required dive puts Omega down again and the fans rather approve of Ospreay. Back in and a Phenomenal Forearm is countered into a gorilla press slam, allowing Omega to crank on the neck.

Omega chokes in the corner and hits a backbreaker to move on to the other end of the spine. A nasty neckbreaker lets Omega take the pad off of the turnbuckle bar, with the neck being crushed against the steel again. Ospreay is fine enough to hit the Phenomenal Forearm and a pair of enziguris gets two. The standing corkscrew moonsault hits raised knees but Omega is sent outside for a dive. They fight out to ringside and Omega loads up a table, which can’t possibly end well.

Ospreay fights back and shoves the referee down, allowing Omega to get in a monitor shot to the head. The bleeding Ospreay is sitout powerbombed onto the table, which is good for a nine, with Omega smashing him with a V Trigger on the way back inside. A dragon suplex drops Ospreay onto the apron and Omega yells at the camera. Omega knocks him silly again and it’s a missile dropkick to the back of the head back inside.

A V Trigger in the corner looks to set up a super One Winged Angel but Omega has to settle for a German superplex. Omega fires off some hard knees to the head and some snapdragons have Ospreay in more trouble. Another V Trigger is loaded up but Ospreay scores with a much needed Hidden Blade. Back up and Omega starts firing off some boxing style punches, earning himself a hard headbutt. Ospreay hits a heck of a punt to the head and a hard elbow to the back of the head.

Omega has to get up at nine, where a Hidden Blade connects to give Ospreay two more. Back up and Ospreay rolls him into the Styles Clash for another near fall but Omega knees him out of the air. They get up and slug it out until Omega hits a poisonrana, with Ospreay popping back up to his feet. Omega grabs a Tiger Driver 91 and the fans go rather quiet. The One Winged Angel connects….for two in quite the moment. Well at least he didn’t kick out at one.

Omega sits next to him on the ropes and hits another big running knee, only to get Tiger Driver 91’d to leave them both down again. Ospreay can’t stand up so Omega knees him in the head again but a running version is blocked. Ospreay’s own One Winged Angel gets one, as do a Hidden Blade and Stormbreaker. Another Hidden Blade gives Ospreay the pin and the title at 34:47.

Rating: A-. The fans going silent at the Tiger Driver 91 was a great moment and while this took some time to get going, it turned into an awesome back and forth match by the end. I never quite bought Omega having a realistic chance to retain the title but they had enough hard hitting violence that it worked. Heck of a main event here, with AEW doing exactly what they should have in crowning Ospreay on his home soil.

Ospreay celebrates to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. Yeah it’s a rather good if not great AEW show. Film at 11 and all that. The stadium looked very nice and the crowd was huge, but I’m not sure if it got up to that epic level that some AEW events reach. The main event was great and there were some very good parts throughout, but this didn’t so much feel like an all time major show as much as a really good show taking place in a big stadium. Certainly good, but not in their upper tier of shows.

Results
Lio Rush/The Rascalz b. The Opps – Final Hour to Bowens
Harley Cameron/Kris Statlander b. Sisters Of Sin – Staturday Night Fever to Hart
Hurt Syndicate/Boom & Doom b. Shane Taylor Promotions – Dominator to Bravo
Persephone b. Maya World – Razor’s Edge
Swerve Strickland/New Level won Roulette Royal last eliminating the Death Riders
Brawling Birds b. Lena Kross/Megan Bayne – Two Birds One Stone to Kross
Jon Moxley b. Nigel McGuinness – Ankle lock
Kazuchika Okada b. Kyle Fletcher and Konosuke Takeshita – Rainmaker to Fletcher
Andrade El Idolo won the Casino Gauntlet match – Heatseeker to Wayne
Adam Copeland/Christian Cage b. Young Bucks – Spear to Matt
Darby Allin b. Kevin Knight – Coffin Drop onto a stretcher
Mercedes Mone b. Willow Nightingale – Arm trap Statement Maker
Will Ospreay b. Kenny Omega – Hidden Blade

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Collision
Date: August 29, 2026
Location: OVO Hydro, Glasgow, Scotland
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Excalibur

We’re still in Scotland on the eve of tomorrow’s All In extravaganza, meaning tonight is likely going to be a hold the fort show. The main event is a twelve man tag, which should be a lot of stories getting their final push at once. Throw in a lot of promos and this could be a bit of a different kind of Collision. Let’s get to it.

Here is Dynamite if you need a recap.

We start with an All In rundown.

Mercedes Mone vs. Isla Dawn

Dawn is the hometown star. Mone backs her into the corner to start and yells a lot but has to duck a running shot to the face. The Backstabber hits Dawn and Mone starts in on the arm. A hammerlock has Dawn fighting back so Mone quickly knocks her down. Dawn gets up for the running clotheslines and a suplex puts Mone down for two. A sunset bomb sends Dawn crashing into the corner and the Mone Maker and Statement Maker finish Dawn at 4:08.

Rating: C. This was a quick match to get Mone more ready for her big showdown against Nightingale tomorrow and it certainly took some of the energy away from the Glasgow crowd. That’s fine enough for this spot, though I’m still hoping that Mone doesn’t win tomorrow. Nightingale deserves a chance to win on the big stage and run with the title for a bit, while Mone is already treated as the biggest star in the world.

Post match here is Nightingale to chase Mone off and say that Mone is obsessed with Nightingale’s smile. The reality is Nightingale is the champion and she’s leaving All In with both the smile and the title.

Jon Moxley says Nigel McGuinness has lightning in a bottle but what is he going to do with it? This is the kind of thing that they make movies about and Moxley would watch that movie. In the real world though, Moxley is going to rip the leg off in front of McGuinness’ family and feed it to their dog. It’s the fourth quarter or third period or whatever and Moxley’s hand isn’t the one that’s shaking.

Tommaso Ciampa/Mark Davis/Nick Wayne vs. Chris Jericho/Mike Bailey/Komander

Ciampa bails away from Jericho to start, with Jericho pointing at Don Callis on commentary. Back in and everything breaks down with the good guys connecting with the big dives. We take a break and come back with Jericho fighting out of Wayne’s chinlock. Bailey gets the tag and comes in with a double missile dropkick as everything breaks down again.

The villains get pummeled in the corners and it’s a trio of super hurricanranas to bring them back down. Bailey’s shooting star press gets two on Wayne, who hammers away on Bailey to take over again. Ciampa starts in on the leg and we take another break. We come back again with Bailey hitting a dropkick and rolling over for the tag off to Komander.

House is quickly cleaned and everything breaks down with a springboard splash getting two on Ciampa. The Walls have Davis in trouble and we get a triple Walls until the other two villains break out and make the save. Bailey comes back in to clean house again and Ciampa hits Wayne by mistake. We get the parade of shots to the face until Bailey gives Wayne a flipping powerslam for the pin at 19:44.

Rating: B. This was rather fun and it was nice to see some unique combinations out there. The good thing is that the result here is something that could happen in the Casino Gauntlet match so it’s hardly some waste of time. I’m not sure I’d believe that Bailey is a favorite to win tomorrow, but that’s part of the appeal of such a match.

Video on the Brawling Birds vs. Lena Kross/Megan Bayne for the latter’s Women’s Tag Team Titles.

The Dogs vs. Ronan King/Landon Riley/Judas Grey

The Dogs jump them fast and the beating is on outside. Back in and King is caught with a spear, piledriver and knee to the face for the pin at 2:56. It was even more lopsided than it sounds.

Video on Willow Nightingale vs. Mercedes Mone.

Nigel McGuinness says it’s coming home because he’s coming to Wembley. He’s been against the odds over and over and he wants to do it again.

Lethal Twist/The Demand vs. Bang Bang Gang/Brodido/Hangman Page

The villains go with a jump start but gets cleared out to the floor, leaving Bandido to slug it out with Johnson. Bandido gets in a superkick and hands it off to Page, with White tagging himself in immediately. The Gang takes over on Johnson, with a DDT giving Austin two. Christian comes in to take over on Austin, with Lethal grabbing a cutter. That doesn’t last long as Austin jumps over Lethal and dives for the tag to King.

That means house can be cleaned, with Austin being dropped onto Lethal. White breaks up the five way Macarena before opting to join in, with the villains breaking up the six way version. Ricochet and Christian hit stereo dives to the floor and we take a break. We come back with King in trouble and Christian mocking the good guys, as he tends to do. Kaun grabs the chinlock as Ricochet is yelling at various people, including commentary.

King fights up and hits a clothesline, allowing Page to come in and wreck everyone. The dive and moonsault to the floor connect with the Twist and a Liger Bomb gets two on Christian. Back up and the villains take over with a rather nifty string of combinations, capped off by a springboard 450 to Page. Brodido is back up with their own dives and Page Buckshots Lethal into the Blade Runner for the pin at 13:40.

Rating: B-. It was fun while it lasted and I can go for getting as many trios onto this show as possible before they overrun the pre-show. I’m still not sure how necessary it is to have that many people involved in a single match but that has never stopped AEW before. Otherwise, good action here, which you probably expected given all of the people involved.

Post match the Dogs run in to beat the winners down, with a bunch of other trios getting involved with the brawl.

Skye Blue vs. Harley Cameron

Blue pulls her down by the hair to start and hammers away while mocking the crowd. That earns Blue a running clothesline, which is enough for Schiavone to say that Cameron is looking “spectacular”. That’s quite the reaction to a single clothesline but Schiavone is easily impressed. Blue is knocked outside for a dropkick through the ropes but sends Cameron into the steps to cut her off again.

We take a break and come back with Cameron joining her on top but getting powerbombed out for two. Blue: “WHAT DO YOU MEAN TWO???” A superkick catches Cameron and Blue gets in a running knee. Cue Julia Hart to throw in a belt, which the referee throws out. Another belt is thrown in and Blue knocks Cameron silly for the pin at 8:18.

Rating: C. Odds are that ending was designed to set up a Kickoff Show match, or one that was already announced but it was barely mentioned. Cameron continues to be one of the most entertaining and underutilized stars around here, so at least she is getting a chance. Then again it comes after another loss, so it might only mean so much.

Maya World is mad about Persephone pinning her on Dynamite and their title match is set for the Kickoff Show.

Here is Don Callis to give Kevin Knight a rather nice introduction. Knight talks about how far he is willing to go to beat Darby Allin and wonders where Allin is right now. Cue a masked man to go after Knight but the Don Callis Family cuts him off. It’s Steven Borden, who has had Callis’ interest.

Callis lists off some of Borden’s football stats and talks about his success with young stars like Borden. The offer is made but Borden says he’s looking forward to seeing Allin take the title. That earns him a beating and the villains stand tall. As the Family leaves, Kyle Fletcher comes out for commentary on the next match but Knight doesn’t seem happy.

Konosuke Takeshita vs. The Beast Mortos

Kyle Fletcher is on commentary. They trade shoulders to start until Takeshita hits a jumping elbow to take Mortos down. Mortos comes back with a reverse Sling Blade and headbutts him to the floor for the corkscrew suicide dive. A big backbreaker drops Takeshita inside and we take a break.

We come back with Takeshita hitting a running flip dive to the floor and glaring at Fletcher. They get back inside and slug it out with Takeshita getting the better of things. Mortos gets in a spear but runs into a knee to the face to leave them both down. A running crucifix bomb drops Takeshita but he gets in one of his own, setting up Raging Fire to pin Mortos at 10:11.

Rating: B-. It’s nice to have Takeshita back and hopefully he is able to get in one of his outstanding performances at All In. Takeshita can do just about anything with anyone and it was good to have Mortos back to have a good match with him. It was a good main event to help set up what could be a show stealer on Sunday and that’s a smart way to wrap up the show.

Post match Fletcher comes in and lays Takeshita out, including the brainbuster to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This was a show where they had to just get through two hours with a few minor adjustments before the pay per view. That’s all it should have been as the All In card is already set up. It had the usual good action and while nothing was must see, it did exactly its job before the biggest show of the year.

Results
Mercedes Mone b. Isla Dawn – Statement Maker
Mike Bailey/Chris Jericho/Komander b. Mark Davis/Nick Wayne/Tommaso Ciampa – Flipping powerslam to Wayne
The Dogs b. Ronan King/Landon Riley/Judas Grey – Knee to the face to King
Bang Bang Gang/Brodido/Hangman Page b. Lethal Twist/The Demand – Blade Runner to Lethal
Skye Blue b. Harley Cameron – Belt shot
Konosuke Takeshita b. The Beast Mortos – Raging Fire

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Dynamite
Date: August 26, 2026
Location: OVO Hydro, Glasgow, Scotland
Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Paul Wight

It’s the last Dynamite before the biggest show of the year at All In and we’re already over in the UK. There are still things that need to be set up for Sunday though, including finding the finalists for the Continental Challenge Cup. Hopefully we get the most interesting option out of the bunch so let’s get to it.

Here is Collision if you need a recap.

Here is Will Ospreay to quite the reception. He’s been gone for awhile after his surgery and he wasn’t sure if he could ever get back here. There is a lot of pressure on him to be the British wrestler who wins the big one. He started in this country working through the weekend and then going to construction sites Monday through Friday. That’s why he loves seeing people who are trying to do the same thing he’s doing.

We get a quick tribute to the British wrestling legends, both still with us and those who aren’t. Then he gets to Kenny Omega, who isn’t here tonight, but until last week, Ospreay still respected him. That all changed when Omega brought up Ospreay’s son, who will not need a new hero after All In.

There is a debt that needs to be paid to the people who have stood by him from the start and it is time to bring it home. Omega is going to help Ospreay show that heroes are ordinary people who do amazing things. He’s bringing it home. Good stuff here, as Ospreay laid things out perfectly well and anyone can get the idea of wanting to stand up for your son.

Continental Challenge Cup Semifinals: Jon Moxley vs. Claudio Castagnoli

Castagnoli takes him to the math off of a test of strength but Moxley is right back up with the chops. They’re already off to the exchange of forearms, with Castagnoli getting the better of things and grabbing a quickly broken chinlock. Moxley gets out to the floor, where he grabs a Figure Four of all things.

That’s broken up and reversed into a Swing into the barricade, leaving Moxley looking rather stunned in a funny visual as we take a break. We come back with Moxley fighting out of an armbar but getting blasted with some uppercuts. The Neutralizer is blocked and Moxley sends him outside for the suicide dive, leaving Castagnoli’s arm banged up as well. They get back inside and knock each other down with Castagnoli firing off the uppercuts.

Moxley cutters him down but gets caught in a sleeper, with Castagnoli even swinging it down to the mat. That’s reversed into a failed cross armbreaker attempt so Castagnoli pulls him into the Swing. Castagnoli uppercuts him to the floor and Moxley barely beats the count, where a Paradigm Shift and Death Rider aren’t enough to put Castagnoli away. Instead Moxley grabs the bulldog choke for the win at 15:53.

Rating: B. They were beating the fire out of each other here and that’s what you would have expected from these two. The idea was that they both knew each other so well and neither could really get an advantage until Moxley survived a bit longer to win. In other words, Moxley is tough and amazing and that’s pretty normal for him.

Adam Copeland/Young Bucks vs. Don Callis Family

Copeland and Doyle start things off with Copeland grabbing a headlock, which doesn’t last very long. The Bucks come in and clean house with Matt hitting his slingshot X Factor, only to have a moonsault to the floor pulled out of the air. We take a break and come back with Nick’s super hurricanrana taking Cage down.

Copeland tags himself in (Nick was aiming for Matt) and tries a spear, which is cut off by Doyle. Copeland gets caught in the wrong corner and crushed by all three Family members, allowing Romero to give him a Sliced Bread for two. The Bucks are back in to cut Cage off but Romero hurricanranas both of them. Naturally that means he gets to pose, earning himself a spear from Copeland for the pin at 9:25.

Rating: B-. The lack of Cage out there was kind of weird but the fans are going to go nuts for anything Copeland is doing so it makes perfect sense. The ending was funny with the overly cocky Romero going too far and being punished as a result. I liked this well enough, but the big stuff is likely happening after the match.

Post match here is Christian Cage to interrupt, saying that it’s time to conduct some business now that the love fest is over. He wasn’t about to be out here working with people beneath him and says that the Bucks aren’t the kinds of team having matches and pay per views named after them. Matt: “Have they ever named a company after you?” Last week Cage got superkicked by accident, but if he keeps talking, this week won’t be an accident. The brawl is on and the champions clear the ring, with Copeland not looking happy that it came to this.

Here is Willow Nightingale…..’s music, as we see Mercedes Mone attacking her in the back and injuring Nightingale’s hand.

Don Callis is back from Croatia and announces that Mark Davis is in the Casino Gauntlet Match.

Andrade El Idolo’s music plays but here is MJF instead. He says we’re here in Ireland and says it makes no difference anyway. Apparently he paid someone off to beat Andrade (“Andrew”) up and mocks everything Andrade does. This includes taking a picture with a woman, who he says would be a 4 in the US but is a 10 here. Naturally Andrade pops up from behind and jumps him to send MJF scurrying.

Chris Jericho is in the Casino Gauntlet Match too but first, he’s in a six man tag on Collision.

Continental Challenge Cup Semifinals: Nigel McGuinness vs. Kyle O’Reilly

McGuinness still has a bad leg/ankle and can’t get very far on a drop toehold attempt. O’Reilly tries one of his own and McGuinness just walks away for a nice reception. Back up and McGuinness actually sends the referee into a chinlock on O’Reilly but the ensuing rollup doesn’t get him very far. O’Reilly knocks him outside for a running knee off the apron and we take a break.

We come back with O’Reilly working on the leg but McGuinness kicks his way out. Instead McGuinness tries a failed London Dungeon attempt and has to block a cross armbreaker. O’Reilly goes for the ankle lock and stomps on the leg, followed by a chop block. A sleeper is countered so O’Reilly grabs a European Clutch for another near fall. O’Reilly wrestles him down into something like a LeBell Lock without the facelock, which is reversed into a pinfall reversal sequence. Another leglock sends McGuinness over to the rope and he gets in a heck of a clothesline for two. The London Dungeon goes on and O’Reilly taps at 11:54.

Rating: B. This was the technical exchange that you would have expected and it went very well, with the two of them getting to showcase just how good they are at this stuff. At the same time, McGuinness was the obvious choice, even with the ankle situation. I liked the match a good bit, even if it is the thirteenth match in this tournament which served the sole purpose of setting up what could have been a regular title defense for Moxley.

Post match respect is show.

Don Callis, with Kyle Fletcher, expects the Family to run the play as he calls. Fletcher agrees, but he’s not sure if Kazuchika Okada is going in that direction. Okada comes in to say it’s all about Family, with the tensions rising.

Persephone/Lena Kross/Megan Bayne vs. Brawling Birds/Maya World

Bayne and World start things off with Bayne easily powering her down. World is sent flying with an overhead belly to belly and the villains take turns stomping away in the corner. It’s off to Hayter for the sunset flip/boot to the head combination and Persephone gets double suplexed. World’s moonsault gives Hayter two and we take a break.

We come back with Hayter still in trouble, including a release German suplex to give Bayne two. Hayter fights out of trouble and it’s a double clothesline to put herself and Bayne down. World is back in to clean house, with a middle rope leg lariat getting two. Everything breaks down and we get the parade of knockdowns, with the Divine Intervention being broken up. A springboard Stunner gives World two on Persephone and the other four brawl up the aisle. Persephone knocks World down and hits a frog splash for the pin at 10:22.

Rating: C+. They tied a couple of stories up into one match here and that is always appreciated. World vs. Persephone is a fine way to go to give World a one on one title defense and it wouldn’t stun me to see it added to the All In card. The women’s tag match is already set so a little preview isn’t a bad thing at all.

Video on Darby Allin vs. Kevin Knight, with Allin being broken apart twice last week.

Swerve Strickland vs. Jack Perry

Strickland offers his chin to Perry, who grabs a headlock for an early escape. Back up and Perry shoulders him down, earning a running clothesline to even things out. Perry sends him to the apron, where Strickland pulls a hurricanrana out of the air to swing Perry into the steps. That means a painful looking crash down onto the steps and we take a break.

We come back with Strickland hitting the top rope elbow to the back and yes he does dance. Something like a Gory Stretch has Perry in more trouble but he finally flips Strickland to the floor. Perry hits a pair of suicide dives, followed by a running flip dive and a moonsault to add in some variety.

Back in and Perry overshoots a moonsault but is right back with a DDT in a nice save. Strickland knocks him down again and tries the Swerve Stomp, which is pulled into the Snare Trap for quite the counter. That’s broken up as well so Perry gives him a hurricanrana for two. Perry tries another rollup but gets reversed into Big Pressure for the pin at 12:03.

Rating: B. They had a good match here, with that Stomp into the Snare Trap counter being very nice. Perry can work well with anyone but Strickland can turn it up like few others in AEW. The ending did come a bit out of nowhere but that wasn’t a bad thing, as it felt like Perry got caught by a quick finish.

One more video on Omega vs. Ospreay wraps us up. This goes on for a few minutes and does make the match feel that much bigger.

Overall Rating: B+. The show did its job to make me care more about All In and that’s the only thing that really matters. Most of the show is already set up and I do want to see what happens on Sunday. The good thing is they had the wrestling to back it up here and it wasn’t just a big commercial. It made for a rather interesting combination and I liked the show well, with the lack of a big overrun making it even better.

Results
Jon Moxley b. Claudio Castagnoli – Bulldog choke
Adam Copeland/Young Bucks b. Don Callis Family – Spear to Romero
Persephone/Lena Kross/Megan Bayne b. Maya World/Brawling Birds – Frog splash to World
Swerve Strickland b. Jack Perry – Big Pressure

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Brawl In The Ballpark
Date: August 23, 2026
Location: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Ian Riccaboni

This is one of those things that you see pop up every so often and it makes for different. In this case, it’s a special event that took place back in July after a Minnesota Twins game. That should make for something interesting, if nothing else for the rather unique atmosphere. Let’s get to it.

The ring appears to be set up either in the outfield or in the stands, with some camera shots showing the field in the background. That’s rather different and pretty cool.

Orange Cassidy vs. Wheeler Yuta

Yuta backs him up against the ropes to start as commentary talks about wrestling shows at baseball stadiums. They trade armdrags until Yuta gets in a full nelson, with Cassidy getting his hands in his pockets. Cassidy’s dropkick doesn’t get him very far as Yuta is right back with a suplex.

Yuta grabs a front facelock, with Cassidy getting up to send him into the buckles a few times. That earns Cassidy another knockdown but he gets his feet up to knock Yuta out of the air. Yuta falls outside and then gets back in, only for Cassidy to drop him with the Orange Punch for the pin at 8:12.

Rating: C. This was perfectly fine and a good way to get things going. The point of this show is to give fans a little taste of AEW so for the most part, it should be the good guys going over. Like him or not, Cassidy is certainly unique and it makes sense to put him out there to give the fans a look.

Komander/Top Flight vs. Opps/Action Andretti

Komander walks on the ropes to start as the fans don’t think much of Andretti. The pose off goes to the good guys and after about a minute and a half, Komander and Bowens lock up. Bowens gets the better of things and hits the running Fameasser so it’s off to Andretti vs. Dante. That means more posing before Dante knees him down for a standing moonsault. Darius comes in so Andretti flips over him, allowing Hook to get the tag.

Hook gets in a takedown and Darius is stomped down in the corner to keep him in trouble. Andretti’s springboard corkscrew Vader Bomb (cool….I think) gets two and it’s Bowens grabbing a chinlock. Darius gets up and tries a dive, with Hook stepping to the side ala Samoa Joe.

Darius knocks Andretti away though and it’s back to Komander to pick up the pace. A 450 hits Andretti for two and everything breaks down. Hook breaks up Cielito Lindo but Top Flight is back in for the save, allowing Komander to hit Bowens with a basement dropkick in the corner. The double double underhook DDT finishes Andretti at 14:18.

Rating: B. Dang it can be fun to watch a six man tag. They kept everything basic here and stuck to the simple concept and it worked rather well. Above all else, Top Flight got the win, which they should as this is their hometown. Nice job here and an entertaining match, with everyone getting a bit of focus.

Julia Hart vs. Hyan

Hyan takes her down to start and gets chopped but is fine enough to send Hart outside. That means a kick to the chest but Hart is back with a whip into the steps. Back in and an elbow puts Hyan down, setting up the chinlock. Hyan fights out and takes her up top for a sunset bomb and a near fall. Hart is right back up with an Octopus and Hyan taps out at 5:55.

Rating: C. Hart is another Minnesota star and there is no reason for her to lose here. It was another match between people who have nothing going on and Hart going over is hardly some devastating blow to Hyan. Getting the women on here is fine and Hart is the right choice all things considered.

Brian Cage vs. Serpentico

Serpentico is allowed to get a running start and charges into Cage, who laughs as Serpentico bounces off of him. Cage strikes away in the corner and gives him a release German suplex. Another toss lets Cage pose a bit more and the apron superplex finishes the destruction of at 4:46.

Rating: C. This was a total squash and a way for one of the villains to actually win something. At the same time, it’s not like Serpentico means anything so put the big, muscular monster out there and have his physique draw some attention. This was all it should have been and it was fine for a show like this one.

Shane Taylor Promotions vs. Hurt Syndicate

Before the match, the Promotions mock Minnesota sports teams and stars before calling out Minnesota’s Benjamin. Moriarty and Benjamin start things off with Moriarty grabbing a headlock. Benjamin is having none of Moriarty’s chops and knocks him down with a single chop of his own. Lashley comes in to elbow Moriarty in the corner but Moriarty gets in an arm snap over the top rope.

That just earns him a rather delayed suplex so Taylor comes in for the trash talk. Taylor cuts him off with a running forearm so Lashley gets in a shot of his own to put Taylor outside. The rest of the Promotions offer a distraction though and Taylor gets in a cheap shot to take over.

Moriarty grabs a front facelock back inside but Lashley fights out rather quickly. It’s back to Benjamin to clean house and Moriarty is knocked outside, allowing Bravo to come in as well. The attempted cheating earns Bravo a big toss out to the floor and the other two villains get back inside. That means a Hurt Lock to Moriarty and a spear to Taylor for the pin at 13:11.

Rating: C+. They threw out one more Minnesota star in Benjamin and let the Syndicate run through the Promotions to end the show. That’s another simple but effective way to wrap things up, as the Syndicate can get over just by being a pair of monsters. Taylor taking the fall is hardly surprising, as, well, what else was he going to do?

Post match Bravo comes in again but Orange Cassidy runs in to lay him out.

Overall Rating: C+. There was absolutely nothing worth going out of your way to see here (though I did like the six man) but it was exactly what it was supposed to be. This wasn’t meant to be some all time AEW show, but rather a quick sampler platter that AEW can tie in with something as big as Major League Baseball. It’s a quick (just over an hour) show and featured some AEW stars in entertaining matches. It didn’t take up any TV time and it was a unique feeling show in front of an audience that might have have seen AEW before. That’s a good thing and all things considered, this went rather well.

Results
Orange Cassidy b. Wheeler Yuta – Orange Punch
Komander/Top Flight b. Opps/Action Andretti – Double double underhook DDT to Andretti
Julia Hart b. Hyan – Octopus
Brian Cage b. Serpentico – Apron superplex
Hurt Syndicate b. Shane Taylor Promotions – Spear to Taylor

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Collision
Date: August 22, 2026
Location: Santander Arena, Reading, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Tony Schiavone

The Continental Challenge Cup continues here with some more quarterfinal action. That’s in addition to Willow Nightingale vs. Maya World in a champion vs. champion match, which is happening due to reasons I don’t quite understand. Yes Nightingale promised World the title match, but do you really want one of them losing? Let’s get to it.

Here is Dynamite if you need a recap.

The opening recap looks at Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay’s issues from Dynamite.

Continental Challenge Cup Quarterfinals: Orange Cassidy vs. Kyle O’Reilly

Cassidy gives him the sunglasses to start and gets headscissored as a result. That’s broken up and Cassidy is already looking tired, even as he rolls over into a headlock on O’Reilly. A belly to back suplex can’t get O’Reilly out so he goes after the arm for a change. Cassidy kicks him outside and rolls around a bit, giving us a less than serious standoff.

O’Reilly offers to hold the ropes so Cassidy rolls underneath them, which I guess counts as a mind game here. Cassidy gets in a suplex back inside and we take a break. We come back with O’Reilly getting in a suplex of his own and more suplexes leaving them in the corners. O’Reilly wins an exchange of strikes to knock Cassidy down and they get a double breather.

Back up and Cassidy Falcon Arrows him out of the corner for two but the Beach Break is countered. Instead Cassidy goes with a PK into the Beach Break but O’Reilly is right back with the ankle lock. O’Reilly can’t bring himself to stomp the ankle and gets small packaged, which means a grapevined ankle lock makes Cassidy tap at 14:32.

Rating: B-. This was a basic formula of O’Reilly picking Cassidy apart to make for a good story. As luck would have it, O’Reilly is probably on the way to facing Nigel McGuinness and his bad ankle, which is about as simple as it should go. If nothing else, it’s nice to see O’Reilly actually getting some singles wins, which only happens on occasion.

Post match respect is shown.

After Dynamite, Nigel McGuinness’ ankle was banged up but Will Ospreay joined him in the trainer’s room. Ospreay talks about what an inspiration McGuinness is to him but McGuinness wants Ospreay to go win the big one.

Lena Kross/Megan Bayne vs. Erica Leigh/Tiana James

Non-title with a five minute time limit. Bayne wastes no time in German suplexing them at the same time and a double clothesline puts them down again. We pause for Bayne and Kross to mock the Brawling Birds. Something like Two Birds One Stone connects, but instead it’s Divine Intervention to finish James at 2:33. Exactly what you would have expected.

Video on Swerve Strickland vs. Jack Perry, with the match set for Dynamite.

We look at Darby Allin being blown up by pyro at the hands of Kevin Knight. This was of course followed by a Coast To Coast, because blowing someone up isn’t enough these days.

Continental Challenge Cup Quarterfinals: Claudio Castagnoli vs. Daniel Garcia

Garcia is replacing Eddie Kingston after winning at match at last night’s Ring Of Honor show. Castagnoli wrestles him down to start and gets a quick two, with Garcia bailing over to the rope. A rollup gives Garcia two and he starts striking away, setting up a dragon screw legwhip over the rope. Garcia’s running dropkick hits Castagnoli against the barricade but he avoids a charge to send Garcia into the crowd.

We take a break and come back with Castagnoli firing off uppercuts in the corner. Garcia pulls himself up for the dance and hammers away as well, setting up the Dragontamer. That’s quickly escaped so Garcia flips over into a sleeper. The dazed Castagnoli finally reverses into a giant swing so Garcia is up with a running knee. Castagnoli blocks a Neutralizer and goes after the leg, including a kick to said leg in the corner.

Garcia is right back with another sleeper to bring Castagnoli down followed by a Neutralizer for two. Castagnoli twists the knee around though and the Sharpshooter (Schiavone: “Dragontamer, whatever you want to call it.” It’s a Sharpshooter you buffoon.). That’s broken up so Castagnoli powerbombs him into the Sharpshooter for the tap at 15:38.

Rating: B. Garcia gave it his all here and it felt like he was trying as hard as he could to hang in there with the monster Castagnoli. I’m not sure how realistic it was to believe that Garcia was going to move on, but I’ll take a better match than I was expecting along the way. Castagnoli isn’t winning the whole thing but he’s a good midcard monster for someone to overcome on the way to the finals.

Video on Mercedes Mone vs. Willow Nightingale.

The blind draw took place during the break and the semifinals are:

Jon Moxley vs. Claudio Castagnoli
Nigel McGuinness vs. Kyle O’Reilly

So if Moxley wins, and he probably will, did we just spend a month and 14 matches setting up what could have been a regular Continental Title defense?

Video on the Dogs, now with Gabe Kidd again.

Hurt Syndicate/Lee Moriarty vs. Matt Mako/Nic Nolan/Ryan O’Neil

Benjamin and Mako start things off with the latter being launched into the corner. Everything breaks down in a hurry and Benjamin unloads on O’Neil on the floor. Lashley comes in and immediately tags out to Moriarty, with the Syndicate leaving. The Border City Stret finishes Mako (making him look sleepy in the process) at 2:37.

Post match Shane Taylor and his Promotions get in the ring to say he wants the Trios Titles. Therefore, it’s open challenge time.

Bang Bang Gang vs. Shane Taylor Promotions

Austin takes Bravo into the corner to start and it’s Colten coming in to work on the arm. Bravo takes him into the corner but that’s broken up, allowing Austin to come in and hammer on Dean. We take a break and come back with a middle rope fist drop getting two on Austin, followed by the Bronco Buster. Austin is right back up for the diving tag back to Colten. Taylor comes in and absorbs a bunch of chops before missing the Vader Bomb. Everything breaks down and White hits a quick Blade Runner for the pin at 9:46.

Rating: C+. And so much for the Promotions’ latest run, as they lose yet again. That’s their trademark result most of the time and I’m not even surprised anymore. I’m not sure how that ties in with the Hurt Syndicate but they’re still more interesting than the Promotions in the first place.

Post match White says he isn’t done with the Dogs, but they want the Trios Titles back.

The Conglomeration is ready to win at All In.

Video on Kenny Omega vs. Will Ospreay, looking back at their history over the last several years. It’s rather extensive, though I’m not sure they need to go that far back with this match.

Nick Wayne/Tommaso Ciampa vs. Komander/Mike Bailey

They’re all in the Casino Gauntlet so we’re having a match in advance. Ciampa takes Bailey down to start and gets in a quick shot to put him in more trouble. Bailey is back up and it’s off to Wayne, who stomps Bailey into the corner. Everything breaks down and the good guys hit dives to take out Wayne and Ciampa as we take a break.

We come back with Komander diving over for a tag to Bailey, who misses kicks at Wayne. Ciampa is back in to roll Bailey up for two but Bailey gives him the moonsault knees for two of his own. Komander gets the tag and starts spinning around a lot, at least until Ciampa cuts him off with a running knee. Komander’s Destroyer gets two on Wayne but it’s too early for Cielito Lindo. Ciampa goes for Komander’s mask and the ProdigyPlex gives Wayne the pin at 9:49.

Rating: B-. They went nuts for a bit here and it wound up being a fun match. I can go for having a match like this, as Wayne getting a pin on Komander is a potential result of the Casino Gauntlet. The match is going to be insane so having something a little less chaotic is a good thing to see.

Video on the International Title triple threat at All In,

Jon Moxley is happy to face Claudio Castagnoli in the semifinals. Well, maybe not in so many words.

Women’s Title: Maya World vs. Willow Nightingale

Nightingale (and only Nightingale) is defending. World is taken down off of a lockup to start so she tries to sweep the leg, earning a happy pose from Nightingale. A sunset flip gives World Two and we take a break. We come back with Nightingale striking away in the corner but World drops her with a running dropkick for two.

World gets in a 619 but gets knocked over with a rather hard charge as Nightingale is starting to pick up some steam. Nightingale’s middle rope dropkick sets up a cannonball for two but World is right back with the tabletop suplex for two of her own. That’s enough for Nightingale, who grabs a backslide to retain at 11:28.

Rating: C+. Why? Why did they do this? World is someone who often feels like she’s in over her head as champion and was presented as an underdog getting this far. Why in the world would you put her in a match where she has to lose clean? Sure Nightingale promised her the match. Just find a way to avoid that from happening and this result doesn’t have to happen. Totally fine match with a rather stupid result that didn’t need to happen.

Overall Rating: B-. I liked the show well enough, though dang I’m tired of the Continental Classic stuff. As usual, it’s a tournament of long matches to get us to a match for one of the many one off the many midcard titles. Seeing Moxley vs. Castagnoli isn’t very interesting but here we are getting to hear what a big deal it is. The rest of the show had a bunch of videos for All In, which is fine, but nothing on here felt like it was worth going out of your way to see. In other words, a normal Collision.

Results
Kyle O’Reilly b. Orange Cassidy – Ankle lock
Lena Kross/Megan Bayne b. Erica Leigh/Tiana James – Divine Intervention to James
Claudio Castagnoli b. Daniel Garcia – Sharpshooter
Hurt Syndicate/Lee Moriarty b. Matt Mako/Nic Nolan/Ryan O’Neil – Border City Stretch to Mako
Bang Bang Gang b. Shane Taylor Promotions – Blade Runner to Bravo
Nick Wayne/Tommaso Ciampa b. Komander/Mike Bailey – ProdigyPlex to Komander
Willow Nightingale b. Maya World – Backslide

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6