Collision felt like a show with one mission: set the table for Forbidden Door and keep a few simmering feuds at a rolling boil. It delivered a clean win for the Death Riders, a flashy AEW debut for Ace Austin (in a loss), a $100K showcase for Kris Statlander, and a feel-good, story-rich main event that crowned Nigel McGuinness as Zack Sabre Jr.’s challenger in London.
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“Timeless” Toni Storm cut a catty monologue until Athena and Billie Starkz jumped her—cue Mina Shirakawa for the save and some cheeky celebration to send us rolling into the first match. It neatly reinforced Storm/Athena for Forbidden Door without giving away too much.
1️⃣ Jon Moxley & Wheeler Yuta def. JetSpeed (Kevin Knight & “Speedball” Mike Bailey)
JetSpeed blitzed early with stereo dives, but the Death Riders slowed it down, leaned on ringside chaos (Marina Shafir was pivotal), and stole it when Yuta low-blowed Knight after Moxley spiked Bailey with a floor Death Rider. Smart TV tag: pace changes, crowd heat, and more receipts promised for Dynamite. Post-match, AEW promoted a trios bout for Aug. 20: Moxley/Claudio/Yuta vs JetSpeed & Hiroshi Tanahashi.
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Announcement: Moxley, Castagnoli & Yuta vs. JetSpeed & Hiroshi Tanahashi on Dynamite (Aug 20).
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The Outrunners vignette
A quick 80s-soaked “Brother Nature” music-video bit—pure Collision flavor palate cleanser.
2️⃣ Ricochet def. Ace Austin
Austin’s AEW debut had the right speed and swagger, but Ricochet used Gates of Agony’s timely distraction to land Spirit Gun and close it. Post bell, GOA swarmed—Ricochet’s orbit feels increasingly opportunistic, which suits his current edge.
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The Hurt Syndicate speak
Renee Paquette tried to stir the pot; MVP, Bobby Lashley, and Shelton Benjamin no-sold the drama and basically said, “Whoever comes out of the tag tourney—we’ll be ready.” Presentation framed them as the AEW World Tag Team Champions standing tall.
3️⃣ Paragon (Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly) def. Blake Christian & Lee Johnson
Workrate sprint with a clean High-Low finish. The wrinkle: Strong bailed on the Conglomeration’s ringside celebration, telegraphing internal friction heading into Forbidden Door week.
🎥FTR jump Brody King (backstage brawl)
Stokely Hathaway’s powder shot turned the tide; FTR hit a nasty Shatter Machine and even walked off with Bandido’s mask. An ugly, effective heat angle ahead of tag business to come.
4️⃣ $100,000 Four-Way: Kris Statlander def. Julia Hart, Penelope Ford & Anna Jay
A chaotic, crowd-pleasing sprint—poisonranas, missed moonsaults, and quick alliances. Statlander muscled through the scramble, cinched a scissor-choke on Hart, and tapped her for the bag. The post-match erupted into an all-women’s brawl (Skye Blue, Thekla, Queen Aminata, Tay Melo, Megan Bayne…) until Harley Cameron returned wielding a chain-wrapped paddle to clear house. Collision used the purse as a prop and the run-ins to seed multiple women’s stories at once.
5️⃣ Kyle Fletcher talks Hiromu
Sharp backstage vow from the TNT champ—Fletcher called Hiromu Takahashi a worthy challenger, promised to keep the reign rolling, and hinted at business with Sky Flight in Glasgow. Forbidden Door keeps gaining texture.
6️⃣ Juice Robinson def. Bryan Keith
Grimy brawler’s brawl. With Bang Bang Gang and Big Bill orbiting, a ringside scuffle gave Juice his opening—Left Hand of God and the W. This feud clearly isn’t done; the factions are magnets for chaos.
7️⃣ Main event—“Technical Spectacle” (winner earns IWGP title shot): Nigel McGuinness def. Daniel Garcia, Hechicero & Lee Moriarty
A gorgeous chain-wrestling clinic laced with creative multiperson submissions: bridges on bridges, figure-fours into London Dungeons, Dragon Tamers layered over everything. The finish was chef’s-kiss Nigel—he bent back deep on the London Dungeon and forced Moriarty to tap a heartbeat before Garcia could close. Post-match, Nigel cut a respectful promo and—class move—asked Garcia to corner him in London. Garcia accepted. That’s the emotionally rich twist that makes Forbidden Door feel special.
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Forbidden Door update (Aug 24, The O2 – London)
With the win, Nigel McGuinness vs. Zack Sabre Jr. for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship is official for Forbidden Door on Sunday, Aug. 24—the first AEW PPV at London’s O2. Massive technical dream match, and a home-country moment for both men.
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Collision threaded the needle: it entertained bell-to-bell and advanced multiple plates without overwriting any one feud. Statlander’s submission win (and Harley’s return) breathed life into the women’s midcard; Juice/Keith kept the Bang Bang web sticky; and the main event gave us a rare blend of nostalgia, technique, and heart. Nigel vs. ZSJ at The O2 feels less like a booking decision and more like a love letter to British wrestling—perfect Forbidden Door energy.
