This was a below average episode of AEW Collision, but did feel like a welcome return to a much more drama-free product compared to last week. Collision is very much a show that prioritises it’s in-ring product as opposed to telling complex angles or stories. That makes it difficult for the show to really flourish in its overall rating, especially if the show doesn’t have a show stealer which this didn’t. It had good action, with the opener, main event and Shibata/Moriarty all entertaining encounters, but the show was limited by not having a 4.25 star match or higher, and the storytelling outside the ring wasn’t strong enough to hold up its rating. This was a watchable and at times enjoyable episode, but it just wasn’t meaty enough to have much from it to go out of your way to see. Still, it’s very welcome to have the show once more be focused on the wrestling, not behind the scenes drama. Long may that continue.
Tonight on AEW Collision, The Don Callis family look to put a roadblock in the way of Bryan Danielson and Claudio Castagnoli ahead of Dynasty. Elsewhere on the card, Toni Storm faces one of Stardom’s finest in AZM and Katsuyori Shibata takes on Lee Moriarty. Let’s get at it!
Excellent promo from Danielson and Claudio to open the show on the difference between beating someone and hurting someone. This is very good.
AMAZING House Of Black vs Action Andretti, Matt Sydal and Dante Martin- Watch Match Here
After a week of deep turbulence within AEW, this was the match that was desperately needed to settle the storm. 6 great wrestlers having a fast paced, well worked tv opener. This was highly innovative and the crowd, who weren’t that into it to begin with, came alive by its conclusion. A few missteps and awkward moments but they were few and far between with moves this well done. A super exciting match given more time than expected and opening the show in a perfect way.
Result: Brody King by Pinfall via Cannonball
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 4 Stars
Odd promo from Toni. I still love the gimmick but it feels like it’s losing its mind the last few weeks and delving one step too far into the silliness
Another awkward segment here as Jericho and Tazz go back and forth saying the same thing again and again. Jericho and Hook will talk on Dynamite.
GREAT Katsuyori Shibata vs Lee Moriarty
A completely different match to the opener, this was match began more technical before transitioning into hard hitting strong style, and both styles were well executed. Ogogo’s interference looked a little bit naff, but the rest was well done, with the two working a good pace and a unique style, with the post match setting up Hook vs Shane Taylor for BOTB.
Result: Katsuyori Shibata by Sitting Kick
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 3.5 Stars
Good promo from Athena and Starks, but this is a tad confusing for those who don’t watch ROH. They did show some recaps which would help, but even so it would be a tad jarring.
Roderick Strong takes credit for Wardlow’s interferences. This group is an absolute mess.
ABOVE AVERAGE Daniel Garcia vs Angelico
This was far from bad, but it was slow and had no real heat to it, especially poor Angelico. Some decent submission sequences but not much else here really. Just a simple victory for Garcia to try and keep some momentum.
Result: Daniel Garcia by Submission via Figure Four Leglock
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 2.5 Stars
PAC cuts quite a scary promo on Okada. PAC just has an inherently creepy and disturbed promo style.
GOOD Toni Storm vs AZM
There were some good moments here for the incredible Stardom talent, but I was left wanting more given the calibre of talent in the ring. This was entertaining enough, just felt light and a tad underwhelming given just how good this could’ve been with time. Also please stop talking about AZM being affected by the ‘bright lights’, she literally wrestled on PPV with your biggest allies in a world title match on Friday Night, she’s wrestled more high profile matches than this so that doesn’t really make sense.
Result: Toni Storm by Pinfall via Storm Zero
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 3.25 Stars
A basic promo from Red Velvet which is a bit overstimulating as it comes alongside some minor production issues where microphones are left on and clash. Not bad enough to itself drop the production score, and the promo could still be heard, but this was a bit messy.
Mark Briscoe is bringing the violence to Dynasty. A lot of entertainingly camp intensity here.
GOOD Thunder Rosa Promo
This promo was a tad rambly to start but got really intense and interesting by the end. I just wish they didn’t drill the AEW catchphrase multiple times in the same segment because it sounds far too corporate. Still though, good intensity and build for the PPV
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 3.25 Stars
GREAT Bryan Danielson and Claudio Castagnoli vs Powerhouse Hobbs and Kyle Fletcher
Too long and unstructured to hit the 4+ star mark, but nevertheless a very entertaining and mostly well wrestled match. These guys are incapable of being anything but entertaining and there were some strong nearfalls towards the end. I do think it was very bloated and there were some pretty sticky moments, but it was still a heck of a lot of fun.
Result- Claudio Castagnoli by Pinfall vía Neutraliser
David Sheldon WR Star Rating: 3.5 Stars
Overall…
This was a below average episode of AEW Collision, but did feel like a welcome return to a much more drama-free product compared to last week. Collision is very much a show that prioritises it’s in-ring product as opposed to telling complex angles or stories. That makes it difficult for the show to really flourish in its overall rating, especially if the show doesn’t have a show stealer which this didn’t. It had good action, with the opener, main event and Shibata/Moriarty all entertaining encounters, but the show was limited by not having a 4.25 star match or higher, and the storytelling outside the ring wasn’t strong enough to hold up its rating. This was a watchable and at times enjoyable episode, but it just wasn’t meaty enough to have much from it to go out of your way to see. Still, it’s very welcome to have the show once more be focused on the wrestling, not behind the scenes drama. Long may that continue.
Matches: 0.5/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.5/1 Stars
Atmosphere: 0.5/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.5/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/1 Stars
Overall Rating: 2.75/5 Stars
Photo Credit: All Elite Wrestling- April 13th 2024
For inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article announcing the new system here:
