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This week’s episode of AEW Collision took place in Greenville, South Carolina. The Saturday night show went head to head with WWE's Summerslam. It was a very focused show that feature some new faces along with its centrepieces as we get closer to the All In PPV.
A 1 to 10 point scale will be used each week to score wrestlers who appear on AEW Collision. Wrestlers who partake in matches and in-ring promos will be scored as follows:
Note: Not all personalities who appear will be scored i.e. wrestlers in backstage promos or interviews, jobbers. Wrestlers who feature in matches but are not part of AEW’s roster will be scored but will not feature in the Form Table.
*In this week’s episode, Prince Nana, The Gunn's, Diamanté, Willow Nightingale, Toni Storm, Momma Cash Wheeler, Harley Cameron, Andrade, Serpentico, Julia Hart, Will Hobbs, QT Marshall, Anna Jay and Luchasaurus were not scored.*
Christian was also not scored, however a 10 rating is given in spirit for calling security on his own daughter for touching 'his' TNT Title.
Let’s take a look at this week’s ratings:
Ricky Starks - 8
It’s already becoming a norm seeing Ricky feature in the main event scene - long may it continue. Heading into this match, it felt like it was going to be the end of this mini feud. Despite losing this ‘title match’ after trying to outsmart Punk again, Stark’s schoolboy belt whipping of special guest enforcer Ricky “The Steamboat” Dragon means that there’s more fight left in this one yet. That’s not a bad thing by any means. Punk obviously belongs in the main event scene, but the continuation of this centrepiece feud for Collision should ensure that Ricky will ‘absolutely’ stay there for the meanwhile.
Samoa Joe - 8
A well done to Samoa Joe for having the fastest match ever in Collision’s (2 month) history. The 10 second match was followed by some time on the microphone for Joe, who delivered a great intense promo. This is the Joe we love and fear. More importantly, all that talking was aimed at long-time foe CM Punk, whom he challenged to a match at All In. It looks as though the storied history between the ROH legends will continue for at least one more leg in London, as Joe seeks vengeance and his pride back from the semi final loss to Punk in the Owen Hart’s Foundation Tournament a few weeks ago.
CM Punk - 8
The reaction to Punk was once again very mixed for the majority of this match. The only time it was fully in his favour was when Punk saved Steamboat from being further relentlessly whipped by Starks. As for the match itself, it was overall better action paced than their first encounter. The ending was predictable as soon as Steamboat’s involvement was confirmed, but it took nothing away from the narrative.
It is interesting times for Punk ahead of All In and All Out. By the end of this episode, we had Samoa Joe and Ricky Starks gunning for him, as well Punk’s own bitter disapproval of MJF’s title reign. Ambiguous direction like this that Collision is beginning to provide really adds to the value of the show.
FTR - 8
The crowd favourites put on another solid title defence, gathering great momentum heading into the build up to All In. It was a fun TV opener that scores FTR another high rating, mainly for taking on the challenge of two mammoth wrestlers really well. For a moment, I may have contemplated scoring Cash Wheeler’s mum for that slap on Big Bill. After the match, FTR challenged The Young Bucks to a match at All In. The delivery of the challenge was energetic and in front of the perfect setting in South Carolina.
Brian Cage & Big Bill - 7
The night started off with a real throwback match. Four big guys contested in a highly competitive title match, with one of them, Cage, throwing up a sweet somersault plancha towards the end of the match. Now that’s the bit you wouldn’t see in an 80s match. The miscommunication at the end of the match between Cage/Bill gave the reigning champions the moment to capitalise and score another title defence victory. Overall, it was a solid showing by Cage and Big Bill, with Prince Nana at ringside.
House of Black - 7
Speaking of Trios, we can’t not talk about the reigning Trios Champions. On the back of Buddy’s loss to Andrade last week, even the single losses can’t derail the momentum of the House. They can afford to drop losses and not suffer credibility because they’re just so impressive as a trio. Each man has plentiful of striking time during their match against Darius Martin, Action Andretti and “Big Shotty” Lee Johnson this week. It was another competitive, showboating and dominant win by all three men heading into next week’s spontaneous title match against CMFTR.
Mercedes Martinez - 6
The former ROH World Women’s Champion brought a nasty demeanour with her this week and channelled it in a slow, methodical attack on TBS Champion Kris Statlander for the majority of the match. It played in favour of the ROH wrestler, by not allowing Statlander to gather much prolonged momentum from the crowd support. Whilst she didn’t secure the TBS title, she did gain an ally in Diamanté after the match.
Kris Statlander - 6
In case you missed Rampage, go and have a watch of Statlander casually squatting Renee Pacquette during her backstage interview. On this show, the threat of Mercedes was very real for the champion and the constant use of quick offence to try and score the win was very apparent. It was a vital approach that scored the win for Statlander, using a bridged roll up. After the match, she was blindly attacked by Martinez and later Diamanté. A heroic save by Willow Nightingale sets up a nice tag team match between the four women for next week’s Collision.
“Switchblade” Jay White (with The Gunn’s & Juice Robinson) - 6
Welcome back to Jay White, who came out with the possé. The Gunn’s were providing the entertainment on commentary, Juice was playing carer for the Jay’s beloved cardboard cutout and Switchblade himself was delivering in the ring. These guys are one of my favourite things about the Collision brand, and I’m highly intrigued who they’ll be wrestling at All In.
The Acclaimed - 6
The boys in pink will be back in action on Collision next week, but took a moment out with Tony Schiavone this week to address the question we’ve been waiting for answers on - has Billy Gunn really retired? The Acclaimed seemed to confirm this and went one step further in explaining why Daddy Ass doesn’t want his wrestling boots back. Bowen referenced ‘unfinished business’ here, and it sure feels like that. Should Billy Gunn come back for a final Trios run to glory?
Darius Martin/Action Andretti - 5
Some more spotlight for the high flying duo who have become a mainstay on Collision in recent weeks. It was a fairly decent showing for them, adding good energy to the pace of the match. The worn down Action Andretti took much of the beating in the match.
Metalik - 5
Adding to the list of new faces we’ve seen on Collision recently, Metalik took to the stage to take on “Switchblade” Jay White. It was an extended squash match, enough to show us how comfortable Metalik is walking on the ropes but ultimately edged by Jay White.
“Big Shotty" Lee Johnson - 4
It’s nice to see Lee Johnson back from injury, but unfortunately for him he might have found the ring more comfortable than sleeping on the couch on Saturday night after barring his fiancée Julia Hart from ringside as the team’s chosen stipulation.
Form Table
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