‘AEW: Collision’ Review (May 31st 2025)
Welcome to this week’s review of AEW’s 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: Claudio Castagnoli def. Komander
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
The night opened with a crucial AEW International Championship four-way qualifier as Claudio Castagnoli squared off against Komander. Reigniting their intense rivalry from the Continental Classic, Komander dazzled early with innovative aerial offense including a springboard tornado dive and spaceman plancha. However, Castagnoli’s power quickly shifted the momentum. He methodically targeted Komander, executing a giant swing that drew awe from the audience and a brutal series of backbreakers. Despite Komander’s resilience and several near-falls, Castagnoli ultimately secured the victory a picture-perfect Neutralizer. This impressive win earned Castagnoli a spot alongside Brody King and champion Kenny Omega in the International Championship match at Fyter Fest.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #2: The Don Callis Family def. Paragon (Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly) and Tomohiro Ishii
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
The simmering rivalry between the Don Callis Family and Paragon exploded in a high-stakes trios match. RPG Vice (Rocky Romero and Trent Beretta) teamed with Konosuke Takeshita, accompanied by Don Callis, against Paragon’s Roderick Strong and Kyle O’Reilly, alongside the fearsome Tomohiro Ishii. Romero and Ishii’s tense history quickly became apparent, with Romero aggressively targeting Ishii early, using strikes and submission attempts. The match spilled outside, highlighted by Beretta executing a diving spear and Takeshita delivering punishing strikes. Amid the chaos, referee Bryce Remsburg was accidentally incapacitated, allowing Romero to utilize underhanded tactics against Ishii – literally, as he hit the Stone Pitbull with a low blow. Takeshita followed up with his Raging Fire Michinoku driver for the win.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #3: Kazuchika Okada def. Anthony Bowens
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada faced Anthony Bowens in a dramatic eliminator bout. Bowens, motivated after a singles loss to Ricochet, unleashed aggressive strikes including a neckbreaker and a Mollywhop attempt, nearly pinning Okada multiple times. However, Okada’s veteran instincts and precision proved decisive. Okada made Bowens pay for meeting him on the outside by planting the Pride of Professional Wrestling with a DDT on the floor, and later impaled Bowens with a big elbow drop off the top. Bowens temporarily turned the tide when he caught Okada in a scissor, even evading one of the legend’s iconic dropkicks. It seemed as if Bowens might be on the verge of earning an AEW Continential Title opportunity after he beat Okada down with repeated elbows to the back of head then leveled him with a side kick. But Okada ultimately secured the victory when he countered a Mollwhop with that beautiful dropkick and followed it with his patented Rainmaker for the win.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #4: Mina Shirakawa def. Skye Blue
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
In a spirited encounter, Skye Blue battled Mina Shirakawa. Early in the match, Skye displayed aggressive offense, including impactful forearms, a handspring forearm smash in the corner, and several crisp suplexes, consistently keeping Shirakawa on the defensive. Despite Skye’s strong effort, Shirakawa gradually gained control and executed a Glamour Driver to secure the three-count victory.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #5: Gates of Agony (Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona) def. Cosmo Orion & GMO Kaminari
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
The formidable Gates of Agony (Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona) made quick work of local wrestlers Cosmo Orion and GMO Kaminari. Demonstrating dominance and efficiency, Kaun executed a powerful backbreaker and running suplex, while Liona impressed with a devastating shotgun dropkick and corner assaults. They swiftly secured victory with a destructive rendition of “Open the Gates,” further cementing their fearsome reputation.
My Score: 0 out of 5
Match #6: La Facción Ingobernable (RUSH, Dralístico & The Beast Mortos) def. Top Flight (Darius & Dante Martin) and AR Fox
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
La Facción Ingobernable (RUSH, Dralístico, and The Beast Mortos) battled the dynamic trio of Top Flight (Darius and Dante Martin) and AR Fox in a breathtaking contest. The match began chaotically as Rush immediately established dominance, aggressively targeting AR Fox with brutal chops and intense corner attacks. Fox and Top Flight countered with their signature aerial maneuvers, showcasing spectacular dives, assisted cutters, and a rapid sequence of agile double-team combinations, drawing cheers from the crowd. Despite their impressive offense and resilience, LFI maintained control with relentless aggression. Ultimately, RUSH’s overwhelming physicality proved decisive. He punctuated the match with fierce corner strikes and a shotgun dropkick in the corner on Darius Martin, securing the pinfall victory for La Facción Ingobernable.
My Score: 4 out of 5
Match #7: Mascara Dorada def. Hechicero
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Mascara Dorada faced Hechicero in the thrilling final AEW International Championship 4-Way qualifier. Dorada immediately showcased his remarkable agility and creativity, performing dynamic moves including a breathtaking springboard tornado dive, innovative head-scissor takedown, and an impressive high-angle crossbody from the top rope to the outside. Hechicero responded with precise technical wrestling, methodically targeting Dorada’s limbs with strategic submissions and demonstrating his ring intelligence with counters and grounded offense, including a punishing surfboard stretch. Ultimately, Dorada’s relentless aerial attack overwhelmed Hechicero. Mascara Dorada secured the victory with a Shooting Star Press from the top rope, earning him the final spot in the AEW International Championship four-way match at Fyter Fest, joining Claudio Castagnoli, Brody King, and the champion Kenny Omega.
My Score: 4.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 4/5
This week’s Collision was a strong, action-packed episode that pushed several key storylines forward while delivering high-calibre wrestling. The show featured two exciting qualifiers for the AEW International Championship four-way at Fyter Fest, with Claudio Castagnoli overcoming Komander in a hard-fought battle and Máscara Dorada defeating Hechicero in a thrilling clash of styles. Kazuchika Okada shined in an intense eliminator match against Anthony Bowens, showcasing why he remains one of the top stars in AEW. The Don Callis Family continued their dominant streak with an impressive victory over Paragon and Tomohiro Ishii, solidifying their status as a powerhouse faction. In the women’s division, Mina Shirakawa bounced back with a decisive win against Skye Blue. The post-match brawl teased a potential alliance with Toni Storm and set the stage for more drama. Meanwhile, the tension between Will Ospreay and Swerve Strickland reached a boiling point backstage, planting seeds for a future showdown. FTR also clashed with CMLL’s Atlantis Jr. and Templario, teasing an intriguing interpromotional feud. All in all, this episode delivered a compelling mix of story advancement and high-octane matches, leaving me excited for the forthcoming Fyter Fest!