AEW Collision Results, Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights From July 26
Welcome to Bleacher Report's live coverage of AEW Collision on July 26.
This week's show continued the ongoing tag team tournament that started on Dynamite with FTR vs. JetSpeed, but the main attraction on Saturday's show was two title matches.
AEW newcomer, Alex Windsor, had a big opportunity when she challenged Athena for the ROH Women's World Championship.
We also saw Dustin Rhodes defend the TNT Championship against ROH pure champion, Lee Moriarty.
Let's take a look at what happened on Saturday's episode of Collision.
Dustin Rhodes vs. Lee Moriarty
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AEW's Chicago residency continued this week with Collision, and the opening match featured Rhodes putting his TNT title on the line against Moriarty.
The challenger refused a handshake, which fits with the more heelish persona he has taken on in recent months. They started with some simple hammerlocks and counters.
Shane Taylor taunted The Natural as Moriarty kept him grounded in submissions, but the champ never stayed down for long. He brought the fight to his much younger opponent and did a great job keeping up with him.
This is one of those matches that doesn't need much of a story. You put a skilled veteran in the ring with a hungry young challenger and you're going to get a good performance 99 out of 100 times.
They paced themselves well so this never felt like rushing from one spot to the next. They made sure each move counted and was sold appropriately, and when it came time to build toward the finish, they started picking up the pace.
Moriarty saved himself from a pin following a Cross Rhodes by getting his foot on the ropes, and he almost made enough of a comeback to win, but The Natural was able to get the win and retain his title in a fun encounter.
Kyle Fletcher and Don Callis came out after the match and taunted the TNT champion and demand a title shot. Rhodes agreed and even offered to make it a Street Fight.
Result: Rhodes defeated Moriarty
Grade: B
Notable Moments and Observations
—It's kind of funny that three of ROH's titles were on these guys, but they were fighting over an AEW title.
—The way Moriarty transitions from one hold to another is second to none.
—Rhodes did a good job selling his knee throughout the match, and Moriarty did a good job focusing on it.
Bang Bang Gang vs. Big Bill and Bryan Keith
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With Colten Gunn injured, Juice Robinson took his place alongside Austin Gunn to take on Big Bill and Bryan Keith in the ongoing tag title eliminator tournament.
The Bounty Hunter and Juice talked a little trash before locking up to start the match. After a bit, Austin and Bill came in to take over.
The big man took control but was also limping a bit. The show went to a break with Bill firmly in control and toying with Austin. We returned to see Austin trying desperately to make a tag.
This was a solid tag match that allowed Robinson to shine after spending so much time on the shelf. It's sad that it had to happen because Colten is injured, but he did a good job serving as Austin's partner.
The Collision Cowboys were able to secure the win and advance to the next round where they will face FTR.
Result: Bang Bang Gang defeated Bill and Keith
Grade: B
Notable Moments and Observations
—Tony Schiavone gave a brief speech about the passing of Hulk Hogan.
—Robinson chose to wear colorful trunks over an all-black singlet for some reason.
—The moment with Juice shaking the rope while Bill tried to step over was funny.
Max Caster Open Challenge
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Max Caster was in the ring after the break to hold another open challenge. Anthony Bowens' music hit and he came out to answer the challenge with Billy Gunn by his side.
The Five-Tool Player grabbed the framed patent and destroyed it after dominating Caster for the first minute. He yelled at Caster for claiming to be the best wrestler alive as he continued dishing out offense.
He hit the Mollywhop for a quick and decisive win. Surprisingly, Bowens kept attacking Caster until Gunn pulled him off to check on Caster. Bowens looked like he might attack Gunn but just walked away instead.
Result: Bowens defeated Caster
Grade: C
Notable Moments and Observations
—The crowd wasn't as loud with its chants as it has been in recent weeks with these segments.
—Bowens did a great job teasing a full heel turn.
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Hechicero, Lance Archer and Infantry vs. Outrunners, Hologram and Tomohiro Ishii
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A $400,000 prize was up for grabs in this eight-man tag match featuring Hechicero, Lance Archer, Carlie Bravo and Shawn Dean taking on Truth Magnum, Turbo Floyd, Hologram and Tomohiro Ishii.
Bravo and Ishii started for their teams. Ishii ate some chops in the corner before no-selling and responding with his own shots.
This match followed the usual routine. Everyone took turns tagging in and out until it broke down into a brawl with everyone involved.
Ishii and Hechicero had the best exchange of the match, but The Outrunners were clearly the crowd's favorites. Floyd and Magnum got the pin for their team to help them claim the $400k prize.
Result: The Outrunners, Ishii and Hologram won
Grade: B-
Notable Moments and Observations
—The intro Callis gave to Hechicero was pretty good.
—Seeing Archer fly through the air to take down two men is quite the sight.
—It's nice to see Hologram trying new color schemes.
The Triangle of Madness Debuts
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AEW's newest group with Thekla, Skye Blue and Julia Hart made its debut as a trio this week in a match against Rachael Ellering, Mazzerati and Laynie Luck.
Hart started the match against Luck and seemed to take control very easily. She hit Old School from the top rope before tagging in Blue to take over.
This could have been a simple squash, but Ellering's team managed to get in a little offense. It wasn't much, but it kept this from being a totally one-sided bout.
While we did get a few good moments, it felt like this match was not planned out ahead of time, so it didn't quite hit the way it was supposed to.
Thekla got the pin for her team, but Queen Aminata came out with a steel chair as they celebrated. Megan Bayne showed up and attacked Aminata as everyone else watched and laughed.
Result: Triangle of Madness won
Grade: C
Notable Moments and Observations
—Ellering is a good talent but it seems like AEW has no interest in building her up.
Nick Wayne and Kip Sabian vs. Angelico and AR Fox
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Nick Wayne and Kip Sabian took on AR Fox and Angelico in a tag match that came about after a backstage confrontation.
Even though this wasn't a squash, it was still booked as a quick match to establish Wayne and Sabian as a duo following their split from Christian Cage.
It was surprising it even had enough time for a commercial break, especially since there was still the main event after this.
Most of what we saw in this match looked good, but it was lacking the kind of flow that makes a bout interesting to watch. Wayne and Sabia got the win.
Result: Wayne and Sabian defeated Fox and Angelico
Grade: C+
Notable Moments and Observations
—Wayne and Sabian had matching gear, so it looks like they might be sticking together for a bit.
—Angelico has consistently been the most underrated performer in AEW since the start.
Athena vs. Alex Windsor
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This week's main event saw Athena put the ROH Women's Championship on the line against AEW newcomer, Windsor.
They locked up and pushed each other around the ring trying to get control, but the ref finally forced a clean break in the corner.
These two didn't hold anything back and made this a very physical match. Athena is known for being a little stiff, so it was great to see Windsor keeping up.
They wrestled past the top of the hour and brought the show into overtime. The Forever Champ got the victory with her finisher, but Windsor took her to the limit.
Billie Starkz and Athena kept attacking Windsor until Toni Storm came out to make the save.
Result: Athena defeated Windsor
Grade: B+
Notable Moments and Observations
—Windsor carries herself with more confidence than most. None of it feels fake or like she is acting.
—It's such a shame Athena has not been used on AEW TV more. The past couple of months have been great having her around.
—The exchange of chops on the apron was fun.
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