Collision
Date: June 13, 2026
Location: Andrew J. Brady Music Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Nigel McGuinness

We’re still on the Summer Blockbuster and in this case that means we have a big old street fight between Shane Taylor Promotions and the Death Riders. It’s also Forbidden Door season and that means we have Kenny Omega getting warmed up before he faces Zack Sabre Jr. Let’s get to it.

Here is Dynamite if you need a recap.

Happy Birthday Jacob. I love you buddy.

Kenny Omega vs. Bad Dude Tito

Tito has Mikey Nicholls in his corner and slams Omega down to start. A running hurricanrana works a bit better for Omega and they’re quickly on the floor. Tito gives him a suplex on the outside and an exploder version gets two back inside. Omega is right back with You Can’t Escape but the moonsault hits knees. As I try to figure out if the part that YOU CAN’T ESCAPE is the roll or the roll and moonsault, Tito strikes him up against the ropes but gets kneed down for two. Another V Trigger sets up the One Winged Angel to pin Tito at 4:52.

Rating: C+. That’s exactly what it should have been as Omega shouldn’t be having trouble with someone who doesn’t have much of a singles track record. Omega gets to look strong on the way to the pay per view and it’s not like this hurts Tito in any meaningful way. Do more stuff like this, as it accomplished what needed to be done.

Post match Omega says he wasn’t sure what to do as he wasn’t back in time for the Owen Hart Tournament but then he was given a gift from Zack Sabre Jr. Omega knows that Sabre is a great star and some Omega used to be, so let’s do this at Forbidden Door. Simple and to the point here, which is good.

Kyle Fletcher and Mark Davis aren’t happy with Konosuke Takeshita and want the International Title back in the Don Callis Family. Kazuchika Okada comes in and likes the thinking.

Survival Of The Fittest Qualifying Match: Hikaru Shida vs. Zayda Steel

Christopher Daniels is here with Steel. They chop it out to start until Shida pulls her down by the hair and blocks an armdrag. Shida hammers away in the corner but Steel is back with a running headscissors. A running dropkick sends Shida outside but she’s fine enough to cut off a dive.

We take a break and come back with an enziguri sending Shida outside, allowing Steel to point at the title. Something like a standing Koji Clutch has Shida in more trouble, at least until she slips out for a running knee. Shida ties up the leg and arm at the same time…and actually gets the tap at 9:53.

Rating: C+. That was a very abrupt ending as it felt like Shida was just starting to work on the leg when Steel tapped. That being said, Shida is someone you want in a multi person match for a title as she has the resume to make it feel more important while also being a threat to win the thing. Steel continues to be the kind of spunky woman who loses a lot, which makes her a bit of a common idea in AEW.

Post match Shida gets in a few cheap shots so Daniels comes in to clear her off.

The Opps insist that they’re good without Samoa Joe around. They don’t like Anthony Bowens being after the applause though because this is about violence. How exactly are these guys supposed to be different than the Death Riders?

Rascalz vs. Austin Atlas/Aaron Atlas

Xavier headlocks Austin to start and it’s off to Wentz for a Bronco Buster. Everything breaks down in a hurry and the Hot Fire Flame finishes Austin at 1:41.

Post match the Rascalz introduce Myron Reed for his match.

TNT Title: Kevin Knight vs. Myron Reed

Reed is challenging and Don Callis is on commentary. Reed knocks him into the corner to start and gets hammered down to the floor without much trouble. Back up and Reed nails a spinning kick to the head before sending Knight outside. They trade places and Reed cuts off a dive with a Stunner over the ropes. Back in and they trade chops in the corner until Knight hits a springboard forearm.

We take a break and come back with Reed putting him down before they trade kicks to the chest. The F5 onto the ropes into the hanging faceplant gives Reed two so Knight is back with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for the same. It’s too early for the UFO Splash as Reed jumps up to the top for a Stundog Millionaire. The diving cutter drives Knight out to the floor and a 450 connects for two back inside as Knight has to get a foot on the rope. Back in and Reed gets dropkicked out of the air, allowing Knight to hit a swinging Rock Bottom to retain at 13:14.

Rating: B. Despite me still not quite getting how title shots are handed out around here, this was a rather energetic, fast paced match. Reed continues to be quite the fiery star in the ring (though I’m not sure how much sense it makes to throw yourself over the top rope and crash onto the floor with more momentum than your opponent, even if it looks awesome). This was fun enough, even if Reed was another challenger with no chance.

Megan Bayne and Lena Kross are ready for anyone.

Maya World talks about her brother passing away recently and she’s wrestling in his honor. Now she’s ready for Athena.

Athena is sorry for World’s brother but what about her? As cute as World’s Cinderella story might be, she’s still living in Athena’s world.

Athena vs. Tiara James

Non-title. Athena hammers away to start and hits a running clothesline in the corner. James actually gets some near falls so Athena dropkicks her out to the floor. Athena crushes her against the barricade and the Koji Clutch finishes at 2:18. This was more efficient than Athena’s ROH squashes.

Post match the beatdown stays on until Maya World chases Athena off. Athena runs back in to jump World and lay her out.

The Demand isn’t happy with their lack of respect but Ricochet wants more gold. Say with Konosuke Takeshita.

The Dogs vs. Young Bucks

The Bucks clear the ring to start and take over on Finlay in the corner. The running flipping neckbreaker into a backbreaker drops Finlay again and there’s the running double bulldog. Nick hits a big dive onto the ramp but Finlay takes both Bucks down. A double shoulder drops Nick and an Irish Curse hits Matt.

That’s shrugged off and Matt hits a big dive off the ramp to take Finlay down again. Finlay is right back up with the suplex into Connors’ spear from the ramp and the Bucks are in trouble. They beat the count at nine and we take a break. We come back with Matt getting faceplanted for two but fighting up for the tag off to Nick. A high crossbody gives Nick two and everything breaks down again.

The Bucks hit a stereo top rope double stomp/Swanton and the double Sharpshooter goes on. With that broken up, the superkicks abound until Connors rolls Matt up for two. A missile dropkick/Tombstone combination gets two on Connors, followed by the BTE Trigger for the same with Finlay making the save. The Meltzer driver is broken up and a shillelagh shot into the spear gets two with Nick making a save of his own. Back in and a suplex/spear combination finishes Matt at 16:06.

Rating: B. This was the usual wild match with a bit of regular wrestling in the middle. The Bucks know how to fly all over the place and it was entertaining while it lasted. At the same time the Dogs definitely needed the win and even with some cheating involved, beating the Bucks means quite a bit in AEW so that should be a nice boost for them.

Dynamite recap.

The Conglomeration is ready to help Mark Briscoe win the World Title.

Forbidden Door rundown.

Commentary apologizes to Stardom for Thekla’s comments but Thekla pops up to say no one in Stardom deserves her respect. Yes she got fired from Japan but look at her now. Everyone is talking about Stardom and it’s because of her. The whole Stardom locker room wants her so send their best girl for a title shot at Forbidden Door. And the president who fired her can have a front row seat! For a story about something that happened in another promotion last year, this is certainly a story.

The Bang Bang Gang have opened a spay a neuter center and are willing to treat the Dogs.

Survival Of The Fittest Qualifying Match: Julia Hart vs. Persephone

Persephone’s CMLL Women’s Title isn’t on the line. Hart slaps her in the face to start and mocks Persephone’s eyes, which were damaged by Hart’s mist a few months ago. Persephone strikes away and gets a quick rollup for two, followed by a bridging suplex for the same. They head outside with Hart looking at the title and getting dropped face first onto the apron as we take a break.

We come back with Persephone getting in a dropkick but Hart crucifixes her for a quick two. A basement dropkick puts Hart down again and we get a double breather. Some feet to the face stagger Persephone but she pops up with a heck of a spear. They fight up to the stage where Hart’s DDT is countered into a powerslam to leave both of them down again. Back in and Hart goes to the eye again and loads up the mist, which is slapped out of her mouth. Persephone is fine enough to hit the Razor’s Edge to advance at 9:09.

Rating: C+. They were trying something here with Hart going after the eye over and over but it never seemed to go anywhere. Persephone gets some revenge though and that’s the right idea, as she is someone who seems to be getting a bit of focus around here. Hart continues to do well in the ring and the match was another nice outing for her.

Starlight Kid will take up Thekla’s challenge.

Thekla knows Kid and hates her with a passion, just like she hates Stardom.

Jake Doyle vs. Mike Bailey

Bailey is wanting to beat the Family one by one to prove that Kevin Knight (on commentary) doesn’t need them. Doyle shrugs off some strikes to start and knocks him down but charges into a foot in the corner. Bailey sends him outside for the big moonsault, meaning it’s time for the staredown with Knight. The distraction lets Doyle run him over and we take a break.

We come back with Bailey having to fight out of some chokes and kicking Doyle in the head. Doyle clotheslines him from behind though and they’re both down. Back up and Doyle gets smart by standing on Bailey’s foot and hitting him in the face. Doyle gets caught going up though and Bailey powerbombs him down, setting up a shooting star press for two. The tornado kick connects in the corner but Bailey misses the Ultimate Weapon. A sitout powerbomb gives Doyle the pin at 10:06.

Rating: B-. I approve of anything that involved Bailey getting beaten up so this worked out well. If nothing else, it’s nice to see Doyle getting his feet wet again after his time off due to injury and this was a good way back for him. At the same time, Bailey’s quest for revenge is off to a rousing start and hopefully leads to him getting beaten up time after time.

Death Riders vs. Shane Taylor Promotions

Ten person street fight. The Riders start outside as usual, where the Promotions jump out from behind some bushes to jump them. Castagnoli gets buried underneath some bike racks and almost everyone else goes inside. Moxley follows Taylor to ringside and throws a chair at him as this is total chaos thus far. Moriarty and Garcia go inside until Pac comes in to jump over Moriarty a few times.

A dropkick puts Pac down but Moxley is in to knock Moriarty into the corner. Taylor and company are back in and the brass knuckles punch knocks Moxley silly, naturally busting him open in the process. Castagnoli runs in for the save and even muscles Taylor up for a suplex. Adora comes in to chop Castagnoli, who responds by loading up a Swing on Taylor. That’s broken up by Adora, who is swung in Taylor’s place as we take a break.

We come back with the Promotions bragging to a camera, allowing Castagnoli to powerbomb Bravo through a table. Pac hits a moonsault onto a pile at ringside, leaving Garcia to strike away at Moriarty inside. The running shots in the corner have Moriarty in trouble, allowing the Riders to do a bouncing circle. Dean hits Pac with a helmet before Castagnoli Air Raid Crashes Moriarty off a barricade and through a table. Christyan XO comes out to hand Dean something to knock Garcia silly, setting up a double stomp onto a chair for two.

Moxley is back in with a turnbuckle but Taylor saves Bravo from a bit of maiming. The big beating has Moxley down on the floor, leaving Shafir alone in the ring. The Promotions jump her and get off her socks so the tacks and glass (oh here we go) can be poured out. Shafir’s bare feet are dropped onto them but she fights up anyway, allowing the Riders to come back in for the save. Garcia uses a piece of glass to break up the Border City Stretch and Moxley cutters Taylor and the string of clotheslines connect in the corner. The Paradigm Shift finishes Taylor at around 24:00 (I never heard an opening bell).

Rating: B. It was a good brawl, even if there was a grand total of no way Moxley and company were losing in Moxley’s hometown. The action was violent though and I liked the Promotions jumping them outside. This was a match designed for Moxley and company to get a feel good win, though it would have been nice to not see Taylor, who has by far the highest value on the team, not lose on back to back shows.

Overall Rating: B. This was a show that absolutely felt bigger than most Collisions and that helped quite a bit. The street fight was entertaining enough (stupid glass/tacks spot aside) and some of the other matches worked well. I liked the opener with Omega going over strong, as that’s how it should have gone and didn’t go way too long. I could have gone with the show being trimmed down a bit, but this was definitely an improvement over the normal Collision.

Results
Kenny Omega b. Bad Dude Tito – One Winged Angel
Hikaru Shida b. Zayda Steel – Leg and arm stretch
Rascalz b. Austin Atlas/Aaron Atlas – Hot Fire Flame to Austin
Kevin Knight b. Myron Reed – Swinging Rock Bottom
Athena b. Tiara James – Koji Clutch
The Dogs b. Young Bucks – Spear/suplex combination to Matt
Persephone b. Julia Hart – Razor’s Edge

 

 

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Dynamite
Date: June 11, 2025
Location: Theater Of The Clouds At Moda Center, Portland, Oregon
Commentators: Excalibur, Ian Riccaboni, Taz

We’re back with another four hour block of AEW this week with Dynamite and Collision airing back to back under the name of Summer Blockbuster. Last week’s double length block ram out of steam in the end and hopefully they have paced it better this time. The big deal this week is Swerve Strickland vs. Will Ospreay so let’s get to it.

Here is Collision if you need a recap.

Christopher Daniels tells Hangman Page that he can’t fight the Death Riders on his own. Daniels says he has some friends who can help Page if he’ll make some amends, with Page seemingly thinking about it. The Death Riders follow Page.

Opening sequence.

There is a cool setup here with the commentary desk opposite the hard camera.

Will Ospreay vs. Swerve Strickland

Prince Nana is here with Strickland. The fans HOLY S*** the intro and Strickland offers a handshake, with Ospreay eventually agreeing. They actually fight over the handshake until Ospreay starts flipping around and grabbing an armdrag. Strickland misses a legsweep and we get an early standoff. Strickland gets in a shot to the face to bust Ospreay’s nose so he comes back with a running hurricanrana.

Ospreay grabs the hand and fires off some chops so Strickland knocks him down with a single shot to show things are a bit more serious. Back up and Ospreay sends him to the floor but Strickland sticks the landing. That sets up a missed slingshot dive and Strickland grabs a suplex for two back inside. The armbar goes on but Ospreay strikes his way out. The Phenomenal Forearm sends Strickland outside again and this time the Sasuke Special connects as we take a break.

Back with Ospreay knocking him down again but the Oscutter is countered with a neckbreaker (that was great). Another neckbreaker is broken up so Strickland superkicks him out to the floor. Back in and Ospreay is draped over the top rope for the double stomp to the back and two. A running knee and the Hidden Blade both miss so Strickland tries to pull him into a suplex. That’s reversed into the Stundog Millionaire and Strickland slaps on the short armscissors.

Ospreay powers out of that as well and the Cheeky Nandos Kick sets up the poisonrana. Now the Oscutter can connect for two and they both need a breather. Strickland heads outside so Ospreay Hidden Blades him through the ropes (ouch) and we take another break. Back again with Ospreay’s kicks to the head getting on Strickland’s nerves. They go up with Ospreay pulling him down by the arm before grabbing a triangle choke.

That’s reversed into a failed Styles Clash attempt so Strickland hits a (Hangman Page) Deadeye for two. A quick Hidden Blade gives Ospreay a near fall of his own but he can’t follow up. They get to their knees and slug it out, with Ospreay laughing and doing the British version of Hulking Up.

Strickland strikes him back down though and hits the Swerve Stomp for two but Ospreay gets in a shot to the face. The Stormbreaker gets two so Ospreay teases the Tiger Driver 91, which is countered into a Vertebreaker. Strickland kicks him out to the apron and loads up the Swerve Stomp to the apron…and the time limit expires at 30:00.

Rating: B+. Oh of course this was really good. These are two of the most talented stars in all of AEW and they had time to do a long match together. It was one of those things that was all but guaranteed to be awesome and they made it work very well. Odds are these two are going to team up sooner or later and this might have been the catalyst to make that happen.

Post match Strickland says he is in so much pain and he wants to finish the match. Strickland wants sudden death but here are the Death Riders instead (Ospreay didn’t get to answer Strickland’s challenge). They surround the ring but here are the Young Bucks to jump Strickland instead. The Bucks handcuff Strickland to the ropes and start firing off the superkick. The thumbtacks shoes are loaded up but Ospreay runs in and takes the bullet, allowing the Bucks to leave. And there is the moment that will get them together.

Kazuchika Okada…is cut off by Don Callis, who thinks some of his guys should be facing Kenny Omega. The Family comes in and Okada calls Callis b****. This story REALLY does not need Callis.

MVP shows us the Hurt Syndicate attacking Komander and taking his mask.

Mistico vs. Blake Christian

Lee Johnson is here as well. Christian flips him off to start and grabs an anklescissors. Mistico grabs the hand and goes up but gets pulled back down in a heap. Christian stomps away until Mistico comes back with a handspring elbow. A dive to the floor takes Christian out again, followed by a springboard high crossbody back inside. Johnson offers a distraction though and Christian kicks him down. Christian goes up top and gets caught with a super Spanish Fly to give Mistico the pin at 4:12.

Rating: C+. This was a weird way to go as Christian controlled most of the match and Mistico didn’t get to do much that made him stand out. I know he’s going to be getting the big moment next week in his home arena and he absolutely should, but this was the definition of “it was ok”. Mistico didn’t show anything special here and I’m not sure why they booked it this way.

Post match the Hurt Syndicate comes out so MJF can say he’ll face Mistico. For one night only, MJF is dusting off the red, white and blue because he is a patriot. The big American flag (with MJF faces instead of stars) and streamers fall but Mistico says he’ll see him next week in Arena Mexico. Mistico says something in Spanish, so MJF calls him Sloppy Sin Cara. The brawl is on so the Hurt Syndicate comes in, with Jet Speed (Mike Bailey/Kevin Knight) and Mascara Dorado coming in for the save.

Hurt Syndicate vs. Mascara Dorado/Jet Speed

MVP is on commentary and this was a scheduled match. The Syndicate jumps them to start and MJF punches Dorado down. Dorado gets in a shot of his own and hands it off to Bailey to fire off the kicks. A low bridge sends Dorado outside though and we take a break. Back with Dorado diving over for the needed tag off to Knight.

A spinning splash gives Knight two and we get a showdown with Jet Speed against the champs. Bailey is quickly planted with a spinebuster and it’s off to MJF, who spikes Bailey for two. Bailey fights up and brings in Dorado, who gets speared down by Lashley. Everything breaks down and Jet Speed clears the ring, setting up big dives to the floor. MVP gets in a cane shot to Bailey though and MJF’s lifting hammerlock DDT finishes at 11:24.

Rating: B-. I’m not sure about this Hurt Syndicate stuff with MJF, as after the “will they/won’t they” part was done, a lot of the intrigue was gone. Maybe they have a nice twist coming up, but there was only so much you could get out of this. Granted I’m always a sucker for seeing Bailey get beaten up.

Post match the Syndicate beats them down again and MJF takes Dorado’s mask. Cue Mistico to make MJF tap to La Mistica.

Here is Hangman Page for a chat…but the Death Riders jump him in the entrance. They beat him down and tape up his mouth (come on, he’s not that bad of a promo) before taking him to the ring. Jon Moxley apologizes for this in advance but wants a real conversation. This is Page’s time and All In is everything for him.

Moxley doesn’t like the millennial cowboy and Page has been searching for something for a long time. In four weeks, Page needs to step up and become what he is supposed to be or he can get out. Page lunches at him and gets beaten down so the Opps run in for the save. Page says he has come too far to just fall, and swears vengeance tonight. Well at least that should be something for Collision.

Megan Bayne/Penelope Ford vs. Tay Melo/Anna Jay

Jay wants and receives Bayne to start but then hands it off to Melo. Not that it matters as everything breaks down anyway and Ford pulls Melo to the floor. Melo gets sent into the steps, leaving Bayne to splash Jay in the corner. Jay slugs away at Ford to get out of trouble but gets booted down by Bayne as we take a break.

Back with Melo coming in to clean house, including a running knee for two on Ford. Melo fires off three running boots to Bayne and sends her outside, where Jay nails a middle rope dive. Back in and Jay chokes Bayne, leaving Melo to hit the TayKO (I think that’s what it was called at least) for the pin on Ford at 10:22.

Rating: C+. Remember like two months ago when Bayne was this brand new unstoppable force and looked like a can’t miss prospect? Well now she’s just the big strong woman in a tag match to get Melo over again after two years away. That’s not the best way to use her, but it happens to a lot of people in AEW. Hopefully this is just a short term thing though, because it feels like quite the waste of a great prospect.

We take a long look at Kenny Omega vs. Kazuchika Okada, focusing on their time in Japan. Eh if it’s all you’ve got.

Tony Schiavone is in the ring for the contract signing between Omega and Okada. With both champions present, we see the (rather nice) new unified title. Okada signs with no issue but Omega has something to say. Omega talks about how it is almost seven years since their last match and he barely recognizes himself in that video package. He wants them both to leave it all in the ring at All In and signs.

They shake hands and say some things that we can’t hear….and here is Don Callis. He wants one of his guys in the match but Omega says he’s beaten the Family and if they want a title shot, get back in line. This is Omega vs. Okada….and Okada hits Omega with the belt because he’s part of the Family. Okada hits him in the ribs with a rod and Omega does a stretcher job to end the show. Let me put this simply: No. No no. No no no, no no. No and may I add, NO. THIS DOES NOT NEED DON CALLIS. He doesn’t need to be involved in every thing that AEW does. Drop this as soon as possible because Okada vs. Omega doesn’t need him.

Overall Rating: B. The opener is more than good enough to carry this show as a fourth of the entire thing is on an awesome match. The six man was fine enough and the main event segment worked until Callis got in there. This was a good show overall, and while I don’t really want to see the second half of the night, at least they’re getting ready for All In and that’s what the focus needs to be on for a good while.

Results
Swerve Strickland vs. Will Ospreay went to a time limit draw
Mistico b. Blake Christian – Super Spanish Fly
Hurt Syndicate b. Mascara Dorado/Jet Speed – Lifting hammerlock DDT to Bailey
Anna Jay/Tay Melo b. Megan Bayne/Penelope Ford – TayKO to Ford

 

 

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

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