‘AEW: Collision’ Review (May 17th 2025)
Welcome to this week’s review of AEW: Collision, which brings wrestling back to Saturday nights. We’ve got the commentary team of Tony Schiavone and Nigel McGuinness calling the action, so let’s get into our review!
Match #1: Megan Bayne def. Anna Jay
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
These two have been on a collision course since Anna Jay’s return to AEW on April 26, when Megan Bayne viciously attacked Jay. Subsequently, on May 3 in Atlantic City, Jay intervened to assist Harley Cameron during an assault by Bayne, leading to a physical confrontation between Jay and Bayne.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #2: Kyle Fletcher def. AR Fox
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Kyle Fletcher, representing The Don Callis Family himself, went one-on-one with the high-flying AR Fox, who was involved in an 8-man tag against the Family on last week’s Collision. Both competitors are known for their athleticism and innovation, making this a must-see match.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #3: The Don Callis Family def. Bandido, Brody King & Tomohiro Ishii
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
In a six-man tag team bout, ROH World Champion Bandido, Brody King, and Tomohiro Ishii team up to take on their nemeses, The Don Callis Family’s Lance Archer, Trent Beretta, and Rocky Romero. This feud intensified on the April 17 episode of AEW Collision, when Rocky Romero betrayed Ishii during a tag team match, aligning himself with the Don Callis Family on the same night that Trent made his return and attacked Ishii with a wrench. This reunion of RPGi Vice under the Don Callis Family banner has escalated tensions, leading to this match.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #4: Speedball Mike Bailey def. Blake Christian
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
In a showcase of agility and striking, “Speedball” Mike Bailey faced Blake Christian. Both men are looking to build momentum and make a statement in AEW’s competitive landscape.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #5: The Learning Tree def. Gates of Agony
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
The animosity between The Learning Tree (Bryan Keith and Big Bill) and Gates of Agony (Toa Liona and Bishop Kaun), which featured an altercation in a parking lot on the May 3 edition of Collision, culminates in a Chicago Street Fight. With no disqualifications and the freedom to brawl throughout the arena, this match was a brutal and chaotic encounter.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #6: The Sons of Texas def. CRU
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
AEW World Tag Team Champions The Hurt Syndicate have been asking for competition over the past couple of weeks. On AEW Dynamite this past Wednesday, both ROH World Tag Team Champions Dustin Rhodes and Sammy Guevara, known as The Sons of Texas, and CRU (Action Andretti and Lio Rush), answered the call. Now, they face off to determine who will challenge The Hurt Syndicate for the AEW World Tag Team Titles at Double or Nothing.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #7: Powerhouse Hobbs def. Wheeler Yuta
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
After a heated confrontation on Dynamite during the AEW World Championship match in a steel cage between Samoa Joe and Jon Moxley, Powerhouse Hobbs of The Opps squared off against Wheeler Yuta of The Death Riders. This clash of styles pits Hobbs’ raw power against Yuta’s technical prowess, with both competitors looking to assert dominance ahead of Double or Nothing, where we’ll see Anarchy in the Arena.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3/5
The week’s show was a solid, storyline-driven episode that managed to keep fan interest high, despite some unfortunate broadcast issues in the US. Taped from the electric atmosphere of the NOW Arena in Chicago, the show delivered a blend of high-stakes matches and narrative buildup that felt like a true prelude to Double or Nothing. Powerhouse Hobbs stood tall in the main event with a dominant win over Wheeler Yuta, once again reinforcing his role as a monster heel. The post-match chaos, involving Marina Shafir, Willow Nightingale, and Kris Statlander watching from a distance, added intrigue and teased layered storytelling in the women’s division. Meanwhile, Dustin Rhodes and Sammy Guevara earned a hard-fought victory, punching their ticket to a tag title shot, an underdog duo worth watching. Elsewhere, Megan Bayne made a big statement with a squash win, Kyle Fletcher continued to impress with a technically crisp performance, and the six-man tag was a fun, chaotic spectacle that gave nearly everyone a moment to shine. The tribute to Steve “Mongo” McMichael was heartfelt and added a genuine emotional touch to an otherwise fast-paced night. Overall, despite a few production hiccups, this week’s Collision succeeded in advancing stories, spotlighting rising stars, and generating excitement for what lies ahead. It wasn’t the flashiest show, but it was efficient and delivered exactly what it needed to.