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AEW Collision
AEW Collision
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AEW Collision
AEW Collision logo (2024–present)
GenreProfessional wrestling
Created byTony Khan
Presented by
StarringAEW roster
Opening theme
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes119 (list of episodes)
Production
ProducerTony Khan (Head of Creative)
Camera setupMulti-camera setup
Running time120 minutes (including commercials)
Production companyAll Elite Wrestling
Original release
NetworkTNT
ReleaseJune 17, 2023 (2023-06-17) –
present
NetworkHBO Max
ReleaseJanuary 4, 2025 (2025-01-04) –
present
Related

AEW Collision, also known as Saturday Night Collision or simply Collision, is an American professional wrestling television program produced by the American promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW). It airs live every Saturday at 8 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), with some exceptions, and is simulcast on TNT and the streaming service HBO Max. The show premiered on June 17, 2023, and is positioned as AEW's second main program behind Wednesday Night Dynamite.

The show is AEW's third overall program to air on TNT after Dynamite, which aired on TNT from October 2019 to December 2021 before moving to TBS in January 2022, and Friday Night Rampage, which aired on TNT from August 2021 until its cancelation in December 2024. This subsequently makes it the fourth overall wrestling show in general to air on TNT, after Dynamite, Rampage, and the former World Championship Wrestling's (WCW) Monday Nitro (1995–2001), as well as the first Saturday night program on a Ted Turner network since the final episode of WCW Saturday Night on June 24, 2000. Since January 4, 2025, the show has been simulcast on TNT and the streaming service HBO Max, airing live on the streaming platform regardless of the location from where the show is produced.

History

[edit]

On February 15, 2023, the American professional wrestling promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW) filed to trademark the name "Collision", hinting at a possible new in-ring television series in addition to their other programs, AEW Dynamite on TBS and AEW Rampage on TNT.[1] Another trademark for the name was filed on April 28, leading to the belief that this would be the name of an upcoming Saturday television show.[2]

On May 17, 2023, AEW and broadcast partner Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) announced a third weekly television show titled AEW Collision to air live on TNT as a two-hour show on Saturdays starting June 17, 2023, at 8 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).[3] This was AEW's second weekly professional wrestling program to concurrently air on TNT after Rampage (which was cancelled in December 2024) and fourth overall wrestling show in general to air on TNT after Rampage, Dynamite (which aired on TNT from October 2019 to December 2021), and the former World Championship Wrestling's (WCW) Monday Nitro (which aired on TNT from September 1995 to March 2001) and the first wrestling show in a Saturday night time slot to air on a network founded by Ted Turner since the end of WCW Saturday Night on August 19, 2000.[4] It was also revealed that AEW's sister promotion, Ring of Honor (ROH), would move its tapings for ROH Honor Club TV to coincide with Collision, with ROH's show being taped after the live broadcast of Collision.[5]

In preparation for the debut of Collision, AEW's YouTube programs, AEW Dark and AEW Dark: Elevation, were canceled. This was due to an amended deal with WBD, in which all of AEW's programs would air exclusively on their channels.[6] It was also reported that Rampage would begin showcasing younger AEW wrestlers and unsigned independent wrestlers, essentially becoming what Dark and Elevation were for the company.[7]

Prior to the official announcement of Collision, there had been speculation that the inaugural episode would be held at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. It was also speculated that it would feature the return of CM Punk, as the United Center is where Punk had made his AEW debut for the second episode of Rampage in August 2021. Since September 2022, Punk had been inactive due to both an injury and also a suspension as a result of the legitimate backstage altercation that occurred during the All Out post-event media scrum. Following the announcement of Collision, however, it was reported that there were still issues regarding Punk's return to AEW, with WBD denying his involvement with the show, but on May 24, 2023, it was reported that the issues had been settled.[8] AEW president Tony Khan then confirmed that the first episode would be held at the United Center,[9] and feature the return of Punk to AEW.[10] Although Punk was brought back to be the centerpiece of the show, he would be fired that September after another legitimate backstage altercation that occurred at All In.[11]

In speaking with the media on May 25 in promotion for AEW's Double or Nothing pay-per-view (PPV) that weekend, Khan clarified that Collision was not part of a new or extended deal with WBD, and instead, it was added on to their current contract, with AEW receiving a monetary increase from WBD for the show. Khan also confirmed that WBD reached out to AEW with the opportunity for another show, and that it was WBD's Chief Executive Officer David Zaslav's idea for there to be more AEW content on TNT.[12] It had also been speculated that with the addition of Collision, AEW would do some form of a roster split, similar to WWE's brand extension, in which half of the roster would perform exclusively on Dynamite while the other half would exclusively appear on Collision. In an appearance on the Barstool Rasslin' podcast on June 13, Khan said that there would not be a hard split where wrestlers would exclusively appear on only one program. Instead, he said some wrestlers would be featured exclusively on certain shows for a certain period of time, but there could be opportunities for storylines to cross between Dynamite and Collision. He also confirmed that all AEW champions would continue to appear on all AEW programming.[13]

On June 16, a day before Collision's debut, Khan confirmed that the show's commentary team would consist of Kevin Kelly and Nigel McGuinness, with Jim Ross occasionally sitting in on main events.[14] On October 14, Tony Schiavone was confirmed to join the commentary team.[15] This remained until March 8, 2024, when Kelly's AEW contract was terminated.[16]

Beginning with the August 5, 2023, episode, Collision airs against WWE's monthly PPV and livestreaming events, which are typically held on Saturdays at 8 p.m ET, starting with SummerSlam.[17] Additionally, due to AEW's pay-per-view Full Gear being held on Saturday, November 18, 2023, that weekend's episode of Collision was instead held the night before on Friday, November 17 at 8 p.m. ET,[18] which put it head-to-head against WWE's Friday night program, SmackDown.[19] AEW would later attempt to avoid counterprogramming against WWE's Saturday PPVs by airing Collision at an earlier time those days.[20] Collision aired live on Friday, September 6 alongside Rampage, a day before All Out and competed again with SmackDown, which held its series finale on Fox.[21] With the return of Saturday Night's Main Event on December 14 airing on NBC and Peacock, Collision goes head-to-head with WWE's revived program when it airs.[22] To avoid counterprogramming against Night 1 of WWE's WrestleMania 41 on Saturday, April 19, 2025, Collision aired live on Thursday, April 17, which was also the second part of the Spring BreakThru special.[23] On March 31, 2025, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that going forward, AEW may continue to move Collision off Saturday nights when WWE is running a Saturday show, noting that AEW and WBD were monitoring the situation.[24]

On occasion, AEW has not taped episodes of Collision due to scheduling conflicts or have moved the shows earlier broadcasts to avoid a conflict with various TNT Sports events. For example, as a result of AEW's PPV event, Worlds End, being held during Collision's Saturday night time slot on December 30, 2023, Collision was not held that week.[25] An episode of Collision was also not held on March 23, 2024, due to the NCAA March Madness coverage occurring that night.[26] Currently, the conflicts are with March Madness (including the Final Four every other year),the National Hockey League Stanley Cup Playoffs, and the NASCAR In-Season Tournament, where the show will air on a different date.

On October 2, 2024, AEW announced a new media rights deal with WBD, wherein AEW's television programs Dynamite and Collision would be simulcast on WBD's streaming service Max and their respective television channels beginning in January 2025. The first broadcast of Collision to simulcast on TNT and Max was on January 4, 2025.[27]

Starting with All Out in September 2025, WBD began selling AEW pay-per-views on Max. As AEW's PPVs between September and December typically take place on Saturdays to avoid counterprogramming the NFL – and specifically, the Khan-owned Jacksonville JaguarsCollision on pay-per-view weeks is now split into two episodes to fulfil contractual obligations: a one-hour presentation immediately following Dynamite on Wednesday, and Saturday Tailgate Brawl, which airs immediately before the PPV on TNT and Max and serves as the pre-show for the pay-per-view.[28]

Special episodes

[edit]

2023

[edit]
Episode Date Venue Location Rating
(18–49)
U.S. viewers
(million)
Notes
Debut episode June 17, 2023 United Center Chicago, Illinois 0.33[29] 0.816[29] Series debut, which saw the return of CM Punk to AEW since September 4, 2022, at All Out.
Fight for the Fallen August 19, 2023 Rupp Arena Lexington, Kentucky 0.17 0.412 Part 3 of the fifth annual Fight for the Fallen event.
Fyter Fest August 26, 2023 Gas South Arena Duluth, Georgia 0.16 0.552 Part 3 of the fifth annual Fyter Fest event.
Friday Night Collision November 17, 2023 Kia Forum Los Angeles, California 0.09 0.270 Friday airing of Collision due to AEW's pay-per-view Full Gear taking place on Saturday.
Winter Is Coming December 16, 2023 Curtis Culwell Center Garland, Texas 0.15 0.457 Part 3 of the fourth annual Winter Is Coming event.
Holiday Bash December 23, 2023 Frost Bank Center San Antonio, Texas 0.16 0.489 Part 3 of the fourth annual Holiday Bash event.

2024

[edit]
Episode Date Venue Location Rating
(18–49)
U.S. viewers
(million)
Notes
Collision's 1 Year Anniversary June 15, 2024 Covelli Centre Youngstown, Ohio 0.13 0.431 Celebrated Collision's first anniversary.
Grand Slam September 28, 2024 Arthur Ashe Stadium Queens, New York 0.13 0.435 Part 2 of the fourth annual Grand Slam event. Taped immediately after Dynamite's conclusion on September 25, 2024.
Winter Is Coming December 14, 2024 Chaifetz Arena St. Louis, Missouri 0.09 0.246 Part 3 of the fifth annual Winter Is Coming event, which was taped on December 12, 2024.
Christmas Collision December 21, 2024 Hammerstein Ballroom New York City, New York 0.20 0.635 Christmas-themed episode of Collision.

2025

[edit]

Since the start of AEW Collision simulcasting on HBO Max from the January 4, 2025 episode onward official tv ratings for the show's simulcast on Max has been unavailable.[31][32]

Episode Date Venue Location Rating
(18–49)
U.S. viewers
(million)
Notes
Maximum Carnage January 18, 2025 (2025-01-18) Andrew J. Brady Music Center Cincinnati, Ohio 0.10 0.342 Part 2 of the Maximum Carnage event, which was taped on January 16, 2025.
Homecoming January 25, 2025 (2025-01-25) Daily's Place Jacksonville, Florida 0.07 0.250 Fourth Homecoming event.
Slam Dunk Saturday March 22, 2025 Liberty First Credit Union Arena Omaha, Nebraska 0.20 0.554 Aired at 11pm ET due to the 2025 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. Taped immediately after Dynamite's conclusion on March 19, 2025.
Slam Dunk Sunday March 23, 2025 0.22 0.584 Aired at 11pm ET due to the 2025 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. Taped immediately after Dynamite's conclusion on March 19, 2025.
Spring BreakThru April 17, 2025 (2025-04-17) MGM Music Hall at Fenway Boston, Massachusetts 0.08 0.353 Part 2 of the Spring BreakThru event. Special live Thursday broadcast, moved from its Saturday night slot because of 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs coverage (Game 1 of both the St. Louis Blues at Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche at Dallas Stars first-round series) on TNT.
Playoff Palooza April 26, 2025 Lakefront Arena New Orleans, Louisiana 0.21 0.707 Aired at 8:50pm ET due to the 2025 NBA playoffs. Taped immediately after Dynamite's conclusion on April 23, 2025.
Beach Break May 17, 2025 (2025-05-17) Now Arena Hoffman Estates, Illinois 0.08 0.398 Part 2 of the fourth Beach Break event. Taped immediately after Dynamite's conclusion on May 14, 2025.
Fyter Fest June 4, 2025 (2025-06-04) Mission Ballroom Denver, Colorado 0.10 0.380 Part 2 of the sixth Fyter Fest event.
Summer Blockbuster June 11, 2025 (2025-06-11) Theater of the Clouds at Moda Center Portland, Oregon 0.09 0.397 Part 2 of the Summer Blockbuster event.
Collision 100 July 5, 2025 (2025-07-05) Toyota Arena Ontario, California 0.10 0.310 Celebrating the show's 100th episode. Was taped immediately after the conclusion of Dynamite 300 on July 2, 2025.
September to Remember September 17, 2025 (2025-09-17) Canada Life Place London, Ontario, Canada Part 2 of the September to Remember event.
Saturday Tailgate Brawl: All Out September 20, 2025 (2025-09-20) Scotiabank Arena Toronto, Ontario, Canada Also served as the pre-show for the All Out pay-per-view.
Homecoming October 8, 2025 Daily's Place Jacksonville, Florida Fourth Homecoming event.
Thanksgiving Collision November 27, 2025 The Pinnacle Nashville, Tennessee Thanksgiving themed episode. Will be taped immediately after the conclusion of Dynamite's conclusion on November 26, 2025.

Roster

[edit]

The wrestlers featured on All Elite Wrestling take part in scripted feuds and storylines. Wrestlers are portrayed as heroes, villains, or less distinguishable characters in scripted events that build tension and culminate in a wrestling match.

The primary commentators for AEW Collision are Tony Schiavone, and Nigel McGuinness. Additional commentary has been provided by Kevin Kelly, Jim Ross, Ian Riccaboni and others since its creation.

Since July 2024, Arkady Aura is Collision's lead ring announcer.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
AEW Collision is an American television program produced by (AEW). The show airs live every Saturday at 8:00 p.m. ET on TNT, with a available on Max, and features a two-hour format dedicated to in-ring matches, wrestler storylines, and promotional segments. It premiered on June 17, 2023, at the in , , marking AEW's expansion to a second weekly prime-time program alongside AEW Dynamite. Launched as part of a partnership between AEW and , Collision was introduced to deliver "more wrestlers, more stories, and more action" to fans, highlighting a diverse roster including headliners such as , Miro, , , and from its debut episode. The program tapes at various arenas across the , often integrating elements from AEW's sister promotion (ROH) and building toward major pay-per-view events like Full Gear and All In. As of November 2025, AEW Collision continues to air regularly, with recent episodes focusing on high-stakes matches and ongoing feuds building toward pay-per-view events like Full Gear.

Development

Announcement and planning

All Elite Wrestling (AEW) president Tony Khan announced the creation of a new weekly television program, AEW Collision, on May 17, 2023, during that evening's episode of AEW Dynamite and as part of Warner Bros. Discovery's (WBD) upfront presentation. This development built on AEW's post-2021 expansion following its initial multi-year media rights agreement with WBD, which had secured Dynamite on TBS and Rampage on TNT. The rationale for Collision centered on broadening AEW's linear television footprint by introducing a live, two-hour Saturday night show at 8:00 p.m. ET on TNT, complementing the existing Wednesday and Friday programming to deliver additional in-ring action, storylines, and wrestler exposure without cannibalizing viewership across AEW's lineup. Positioned to compete for Saturday night wrestling audiences alongside WWE programming like SmackDown on , the show was strategically designed to vie for Saturday night wrestling audiences, enhancing AEW's competitive presence in the industry. Key planning elements included selecting as the featured talent for the debut episode, announced by Khan on the , 2023, episode of , to capitalize on his popularity and draw viewers to the new program. The inaugural event was scheduled for June 17, 2023, at the in , , chosen for its capacity to host a high-profile launch amid Punk's hometown connection. Overall, the integration emphasized Collision as a semi-independent within AEW's , allowing distinct storytelling while aligning with the company's goal of five hours of weekly television across networks. Pre-launch activities involved coordinated press releases from AEW and WBD highlighting the show's potential to "super-serve" fans with expanded content, alongside talent teases such as Miro, , , , and as initial headliners. The network deal specifics extended AEW's existing partnership with WBD through 2024, incorporating Collision into the fold without additional financial details disclosed at the time, focusing instead on seamless production and distribution via TNT and streaming platforms.

Launch and initial reception

AEW Collision premiered on June 17, 2023, airing live from the in , , as All Elite Wrestling's second weekly prime-time program on TNT. The debut episode marked the in-ring return of following a nine-month suspension due to backstage incidents, with Punk teaming with FTR (Dax Harwood and ) to defeat Gold (, , and ) in the main event six-man . Other highlights included , accompanied by , defeating Wardlow to win the . The episode averaged 816,000 viewers and earned a 0.33 rating in the key 18-49 demographic, reflecting strong initial interest driven by Punk's comeback. In the first few weeks, Collision established its programming with a mix of competitive matches and emerging storylines, such as the ongoing rivalry between FTR and Gold, which built toward a two-out-of-three falls match on July 15 where FTR retained. became a cornerstone of the show, appearing weekly in high-profile bouts and promos that advanced narratives like his pursuit of the , continuing this role until his contract termination in September 2023 amid backstage altercations at All In. Early episodes also showcased title defenses and debuts, including Andrade El Idolo's return and matches involving mid-card staples like Miro and , helping to introduce fresh dynamics to AEW's landscape. The launch faced immediate hurdles from direct competition with WWE's Money in the Bank premium live event on July 1, 2023, resulting in a viewership decline to 452,000 for that pre-taped episode, a 24% drop from the prior week. Feedback from the debut highlighted issues with production elements, such as small windows during commercials, leading to early adjustments in formatting to enhance flow and viewer engagement. To distinguish Collision from the flagship , the show initially emphasized mid-card talent and tag team divisions, allocating wrestlers like FTR and Gold to build depth in those areas while reserving top singles stars primarily for Wednesdays.

Production

Broadcasting and scheduling

AEW Collision premiered on June 17, 2023, airing live on TNT every Saturday at 8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. PT) as a two-hour program. The series is part of a multi-year media rights agreement between (AEW) and (WBD), which began in January 2025 and is valued at approximately $185 million annually, encompassing , Collision, and additional programming through at least 2027. Scheduling adjustments have occurred periodically due to conflicts with on TNT, such as delayed start times (e.g., 8:30 p.m. ET in 2024) or episodes shifting to alternative nights like Thursdays in May 2025. In some cases, episodes have been split into one-hour segments airing on consecutive nights to accommodate sports coverage. Internationally, Collision broadcasts on in the , with episodes available on-demand via , under an extended partnership announced in December 2024. In , the program airs on the rebranded (formerly ) starting January 1, 2025, following AEW's prior deal with TSN for . Since January 4, 2025, episodes have simulcast live on the Max streaming service in the United States, regardless of location, as part of the WBD agreement. As of November 2025, AEW Collision maintains its regular Saturday 8:00 p.m. ET slot on TNT and Max, with AEW President Tony Khan confirming the two-hour format will continue without expansion.

Creative and production team

serves as the head of creative for (AEW), overseeing the booking and storyline development for AEW Collision since its inception in June 2023. As the sole individual with final creative control, Khan outlines each episode, collaborating with a core team that includes producers and coordinators to execute the vision. This structure allows Collision to maintain a distinct identity within AEW's programming slate, focusing on high-impact matches and emerging talent while aligning with the flagship show. The production staff for Collision includes key figures such as Pat Buck, who joined AEW in 2022 as a producer and was promoted to Vice President of Talent Development, where he liaises between talent and backstage operations, including episode planning. Other contributors to the creative and production process encompass Sonjay Dutt as Vice President of Production and Creative Coordination, QT Marshall as Vice President of Show and Creative Coordination, and additional producers like Chris Hero, who began working backstage on Collision starting with its premiere episode. The camera and lighting crews are part of AEW's rotating production teams, which handle both Dynamite and Collision, utilizing shared resources for consistent visual quality across shows. The announcing team for Collision has evolved since launch. The initial lineup featured play-by-play announcer Kevin Kelly alongside color commentator starting June 17, 2023. joined as the lead play-by-play voice on October 14, 2023, forming a three-person booth with Kelly and McGuinness. Kelly's contract was terminated in March 2024, after which occasionally filled in on play-by-play duties alongside McGuinness. By 2025, the primary team stabilized as Schiavone and McGuinness, with guest commentators like Paul Wight appearing for select episodes. Production for Collision employs a multi-camera setup to capture live events, complemented by custom graphics packages and editing for highlights and replays. In 2025, AEW implemented significant upgrades, including IP-based mobile production facilities and a new EVS router system to enhance sports-style presentation and broadcast efficiency across Dynamite and Collision. These innovations, overseen by Executive Vice President Michael Mansury, aim to elevate the overall viewing experience while adhering to TNT's broadcasting standards.

Format

Episode structure and content

AEW Collision airs as a live two-hour program on TNT every Saturday at 8:00 p.m. ET, providing a mix of in-ring competition and narrative segments designed to complement the broader AEW programming slate. Episodes generally allocate approximately to wrestling, featuring 4 to 6 that range from singles bouts to multi-person contests, interspersed with promos, backstage vignettes, and interviews to advance storylines. The format prioritizes a brisk pace, often opening with high-stakes in-ring action to capture viewer attention right away, followed by a balanced progression toward a marquee main event that builds momentum for upcoming pay-per-views or crossovers. Recurring elements enhance the show's engagement, including post-match interviews conducted by ringside personalities and occasional pre-show segments taped prior to the main broadcast, such as ROH matches that occasionally precede Collision tapings. Backstage vignettes and player-driven promos provide character development, with storylines frequently intersecting those from to maintain continuity across AEW's weekly lineup. While not exclusive, Collision has showcased specialized interview formats, such as talent-led segments that highlight personal rivalries. In contrast to the fast-paced, title-centric emphasis of , Collision adopts a more structured and calmer atmosphere, allowing for extended match times and a focus on and multi-man action to differentiate its identity within the promotion. This approach has included bouts with hardcore elements, such as street fights or matches, to appeal to fans seeking intense, physical beyond world title pursuits. Over time, the program has evolved; in , it increased visibility for the women's division through dedicated multi-woman matches and feuds, contributing to improved booking and performer opportunities. Special episodes may deviate with extended runtimes or themed formats, but the core structure remains consistent for standard outings.

Championships and storylines

AEW Collision has primarily featured defenses of midcard and secondary championships, with the serving as a focal point due to its frequent appearances in main events and undercard bouts tailored to the show's Saturday night format. The has also been defended regularly, highlighting high-flying and technical wrestlers in matches that emphasize Collision's distinct pacing. Tag team titles, including the and , have appeared in multi-person contests, often involving ladder matches or high-stakes defenses to build momentum. Unlike , Collision does not host exclusive defenses of the , maintaining its role as a complementary program for non-world title narratives. A landmark moment in the show's title history occurred on its debut episode on June 17, 2023, when defeated Wardlow to win the in the opening match, marking the first title change in Collision's history and setting a tone for high-impact defenses. Subsequent milestones include multiple TNT Championship defenses that have contributed to pay-per-view builds, such as those leading into All In, where captured the title in July 2025 before defending it on Collision. These events have established Collision as a platform for record-setting defenses, with wrestlers like and using the show to solidify their reigns before major events. Storylines on Collision often revolve around personal rivalries and faction wars that originate or escalate on the program before transitioning to larger AEW events. In 2023, CM Punk's return to AEW on the inaugural episode ignited a multi-month arc, where he defended his self-proclaimed "" against opponents like , culminating in Punk's challenge at that September. The 2024 Continental Classic tournament integrated deeply with Collision, featuring round-robin league matches in both the and divisions that aired weekly, allowing wrestlers like and to accumulate points toward the finale at . By 2025, faction-based feuds have continued to dominate, with groups like the Death Riders involved in Trios Championship defenses that emphasize themes of dominance. As of November 2025, Kyle Fletcher's TNT Championship reign has featured defenses on Collision building toward events like Full Gear, maintaining the show's focus on midcard narratives. Cross-show dynamics position Collision as a narrative feeder for , where unresolved angles from Saturday episodes—such as title challengers gaining momentum without immediate payoffs—create anticipation for midweek resolutions or PPV escalations. This structure ensures Collision maintains independent momentum while contributing to overarching AEW continuity, often using main event slots for championship teases that align with upcoming events like or .

Special episodes

2023 events

AEW Collision's inaugural year featured several notable special episodes that deviated from the standard format, incorporating themed elements, high-profile returns, and significant storyline developments. One pivotal episode aired on September 2, 2023, from the in , , where AEW President announced the termination of CM Punk's contract following a backstage altercation involving Punk and at All In the previous week. This incident, stemming from Perry's reference to Punk's aversion to real glass in a promo, led to Punk's suspension and ultimate firing, marking a major that impacted the show's direction and roster dynamics. The episode drew 345,000 viewers, boosted by the announcement's buzz, but highlighted ongoing challenges with internal conflicts. During Grand Slam week, the September 23, 2023, episode from Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan, served as a thematic extension of AEW's major event at Arthur Ashe Stadium, featuring intense stipulation matches and surprise appearances to capitalize on the momentum. Key bouts included a Texas Death Match between Bryan Danielson and Ricky Starks, which built tension toward Starks' involvement in the TNT Championship storyline intertwined with Sting's veteran presence, as well as Rob Van Dam teaming with HOOK against The Righteous, marking RVD's return to AEW television after nearly two decades away from major promotions. Other highlights encompassed a TNT Championship three-way with Luchasaurus defending against Darby Allin and Christian Cage, and Andrade El Idolo versus Jay White, emphasizing international talent clashes. The episode attracted approximately 5,000 attendees in the 12,000-capacity venue and drew 562,000 viewers, helping to stabilize viewership amid competition. Holiday-themed programming culminated in the episode on December 16, 2023, from the in , tying into AEW's annual festive special tradition with high-stakes matches and returns. Featured contests included defeating in a Blackpool Combat Club versus encounter, advancing internal faction warfare, and a women's street fight where and overcame The Outcasts ( and Diamante), showcasing hardcore deviations from regular bouts. Additional matches like versus and versus Daniel Garcia further built toward year-end pay-per-views, with Thunder Rosa's return adding emotional depth to the women's division narrative. Held before 3,108 fans, the episode pulled in 457,000 viewers, a solid figure for the themed format. Throughout 2023, Collision faced viewership challenges, particularly in its early months, with episodes like the premiere post-All Out drawing a series-low 289,000 viewers due to direct competition from WWE's and , reflecting broader scheduling conflicts on Saturday nights. Initial dips were exacerbated by the Punk fallout, but recovery came through star-driven episodes, such as those featuring returns and stipulations, which averaged around 400,000-500,000 viewers by year's end and helped establish the show's niche appeal.

2024 events

In 2024, AEW Collision continued to evolve with a series of themed episodes and high-profile matches that built momentum toward major pay-per-views, emphasizing international talent crossovers and elevated storytelling. The show featured several standout specials, including the Grand Slam edition on September 28 at in , New York, which drew a sold-out crowd of over 10,000 and showcased championship defenses alongside emerging rivalries. This event highlighted the program's growing production scale, with matches like defending the against and the AEW World Trios Champions (PAC, , ) retaining against & Private Party. A key crossover element was the July 20 episode, which served as a direct lead-in to the Blood & Guts match on the subsequent , featuring intense action such as FTR versus The to determine advantages in the upcoming war games-style bout. This installment underscored Collision's role in escalating inter-promotional tensions, with sold-out attendance at the Ford Center in , reflecting heightened fan engagement during PPV builds. Similarly, the August 17 episode tied directly into All In preparations, presenting pivotal contests like Willow versus Kris for an International Women's Cup qualifier spot, which amplified storylines heading into the London event. The International Dream Match series, spearheaded by Bryan Danielson, became a hallmark of 2024 programming, delivering rare clashes with global icons on Collision. Notable bouts included Danielson versus Hechicero on February 3, a hard-hitting technical showcase that highlighted lucha libre influences, and Danielson versus on March 16, a hard-hitting singles match that pushed both competitors to their limits in a sold-out in . These encounters, part of Danielson's farewell tour, not only drew critical acclaim for their athleticism but also boosted viewership, with the Shibata match averaging 393,000 viewers. A later highlight was Danielson versus on January 27 at the Brookshire Grocery Arena in , a respectful nod to strong-style traditions. Highlights from the year included record-breaking attendance figures, such as the May 11 episode at in , , which distributed 6,394 tickets—the highest for Collision to date and a testament to the show's expanding North American reach. Title changes were infrequent on the program itself but impactful in context; for instance, the ongoing TNT Championship pursuits culminated in Jack Perry's victory in the at Forbidden Door on June 30, 2024, which also featured , with subsequent Collision defenses like Perry versus on September 14 reinforcing his persona amid real-life booking controversies. The program also addressed backstage dynamics, such as the Elite's internal fractures, through segments on episodes like October 5, which previewed WrestleDream stakes. Trends in 2024 emphasized greater integration of the women's division, with increased marquee matches that elevated the roster's visibility. Episodes featured consistent high-stakes bouts, such as Mariah May's defenses and qualifiers involving and , contributing to a 15% uptick in female-led segments compared to prior years. International tours expanded the show's footprint, including the March Canadian swing with stops in and , where local crowds exceeded 4,000, and viewership spikes during PPV ramps—like a 25% increase for the September 28 Grand Slam—highlighted Collision's role in global storytelling. These developments marked the program's maturation, blending domestic highs with cross-cultural appeal.

2025 events

In early 2025, AEW Collision served as the go-home show for , with the February 22 episode featuring two championship matches that built anticipation for the pay-per-view, including defending the against Bandido and PAC, , and defending the against Daniel Garcia, Matt Menard, and Angelo Parker, along with Hologram defeating The Beast Mortos and a segment. This episode, taped on February 19 in , highlighted ongoing storylines such as The Death Riders' dominance and set the stage for Revolution's main events. June 2025 marked Collision's two-year anniversary period, with the June 21 episode from , delivering high-stakes matches like and Queen Aminata teaming against opponents in a multi-woman showcase, emphasizing dramatic confrontations and major storyline advancements. The show integrated anniversary reflections through explosive bouts, including non-title clashes featuring , reinforcing Collision's role in AEW's weekly programming evolution. To counter-program WWE's SummerSlam on August 2, AEW positioned Collision as a competitive alternative, though specific 2025 details aligned with broader scheduling adjustments seen earlier in the year, such as the April 17 Thursday airing to avoid WrestleMania overlap. This strategy continued AEW's pattern of leveraging Collision for direct competition, focusing on title defenses and faction rivalries to draw viewers. Key moments throughout 2025 included integrations with AEW's women's division push, highlighted by the April 1 recap spotlighting matches involving Toni Storm, Megan Bayne, Mercedes Moné, and Athena, which advanced Dynasty builds and elevated female talent visibility. Record-breaking elements emerged in November's Blood & Guts developments, with the November 1 episode setting up the first Women's Blood & Guts match, featuring Mercedes Moné defending the CMLL Women's World Title against Olympia in a pivotal clash. No major returns like a CM Punk tease materialized, as Punk remained with WWE, but internal tensions, such as Swerve Strickland's ongoing arc involving feuds with Hangman Adam Page and Will Ospreay, carried through summer episodes into fall. As of November 8, 2025, Collision maintained its Saturday slot with the event at , continuing Swerve Strickland's narrative arc amid no reported cancellations, while sustaining momentum from 2024's viewership trends in a stable programming landscape. The November 15, 2025, episode from Erie Insurance Arena in , continued the Blood & Guts buildup with key matches and segments advancing major feuds.

2026 events

The January 10, 2026, episode of AEW Collision aired live from the Esports Stadium in Arlington, Texas, marking the kickoff to the year's programming with championship action and ongoing rivalries. Key matches included Mark Briscoe defending the TNT Championship against Rey Hechicero of the Don Callis Family, Komander facing El Clon in a revenge match after El Clon's interference in a prior bout, and a trios women's match featuring Kris Statlander, Willow Nightingale, and Harley Cameron (as The Babes of Wrath) against Hyan, Maya World, and Vert Vixen, building toward a confrontation at Maximum Carnage.

Roster

Wrestlers

The men's division on AEW Collision features a mix of established stars and rising talents, with a focus on intense, hard-hitting matches that often build toward major events like Blood & Guts. Key performers include , who has led the Death Riders stable in high-stakes feuds, including a 2025 Blood & Guts buildup against teams featuring , , and . and PAC, alongside , have defended the on the show against challengers like Top Flight and , showcasing their technical prowess and international appeal. and of the Don Callis Family have been Collision staples, with Okada holding the AEW Unified Championship and engaging in rivalries with the Acclaimed's and . and debuting highlighted a 2025 episode with a marquee singles match, emphasizing athleticism and cross-promotional draws from indie scenes. In the women's division, Collision has spotlighted title defenses and faction warfare, particularly in the lead-up to the inaugural AEW Women's World Tag Team Championship tournament. Mercedes Moné, the TBS Champion, defended her against Olympia in a historic inter-promotional bout, underscoring Collision's role in global crossovers. , as the "Timeless" persona, has been central to multi-woman tags, including alliances with and against the Triangle of Madness stable comprising , Julia Hart, and . and , known as the Babes of Wrath, have advanced in tag title qualifiers, while and filled in for the injured , adding depth to powerhouse matchups. , of the Babes of Wrath with , represents the show's blend of established veterans and emerging threats. Tag teams and stables dominate Collision's multi-person formats, with rotations from Dynamite ensuring fresh dynamics but a core group appearing more frequently on Saturdays. The Don Callis Family's Okada and Takeshita duo defeated the Acclaimed in a 2025 tag match, fueling an ongoing rivalry marked by mic work and brawls. JetSpeed (Kevin Knight and Mike Bailey) clashed with the Death Riders in high-energy encounters, highlighting international indie crossovers from Japan. The WorkHorsemen (Anthony Henry and JD Drake) returned in mid-2025, interrupting promos and securing wins to reestablish their presence in tag divisions. For the women's side, emerging pairs like the Babes of Wrath (Harley Cameron and Willow Nightingale) and Triangle of Madness have competed in tournament qualifiers, promoting diversity through talents like the Greek-Australian Thekla and Iranian-American Marina Shafir. Overall, Collision allocates midcard and international wrestlers like Zack Sabre Jr., who answered an open challenge in August 2025, to differentiate from Dynamite's main event focus.

Commentators and staff

The broadcast team for AEW Collision has evolved since its debut in June 2023, with serving as the lead play-by-play commentator since October 2023. Initially, the team featured Kevin Kelly on play-by-play alongside color commentator and occasional contributions from . Kelly's departure in March 2024, following contract termination amid reported internal issues, led to Schiavone taking a more prominent role to provide a veteran voice drawing from his WCW and WWE experience. By 2025, the core duo of Schiavone and McGuinness remained stable, with rotating analysts such as Taz or Ross appearing for special segments, reflecting AEW's broader adjustments to its announcing roster without major overhauls for Collision specifically. Schiavone's contributions emphasize nostalgic storytelling and crowd engagement, often highlighting historical context during matches, while McGuinness provides rooted in his wrestling background. Supporting the on-air product, Bobby Cruise has been the lead voice for Collision, introducing matches with energy and occasionally handling backstage interviews. Prior to recent consistencies, roles rotated among AEW's announcing staff, but Cruise's assignment brought stability to the show's presentation. Referees for Collision matches include a rotating group from AEW's officiating team, with frequently assigned to women's bouts due to her experience and advocacy for female performers in the role. , one of AEW's pioneering female referees since 2019, ensures fair play in high-stakes encounters and has been involved in key Collision storylines. Medical staff oversight for Collision falls under AEW's company-wide team, led by figures like Dr. Benjamin Bier and Dr. Jonathan Howell, who provide ringside emergency response and injury protocols during live events. Highlights include their rapid interventions in 2024 incidents, such as post-match evaluations, contributing to the show's safety standards amid AEW's expansion.

Reception

Viewership and ratings

The premiere episode of AEW Collision on June 17, 2023, drew 816,000 total viewers and a 0.33 rating in the 18-49 demographic, buoyed by the return of . Throughout 2023, the show averaged approximately 496,000 viewers per episode, with Nielsen ratings in the key 18-49 demo typically ranging from 0.13 to 0.25. In 2024, average viewership declined to around 388,000, reflecting a broader trend of softening numbers amid increased competition, while 2025 has seen an average of about 340,000 viewers through November 8, with demo ratings holding between 0.03 and 0.11. Viewership experienced an initial surge at launch due to high-profile bookings but dipped sharply in subsequent weeks, falling to 452,000 by July 1, 2023, as audiences adjusted to the Saturday slot against college football and other programming. Peaks have occurred during special episodes, such as the Grand Slam edition on September 28, 2024, which attracted 435,000 viewers—a 25% increase over the prior week—thanks to taped matches from Arthur Ashe Stadium. By 2025, episodes have shown more consistent performance, with outliers like the February 15 Grand Slam Australia drawing 502,000 viewers following NBA All-Star lead-in programming, though recent outings like the November 1, 2025, Fright Night special managed only 217,000 amid direct competition from MLB World Series Game 7 and WWE's Saturday Night's Main Event revival. The November 8, 2025, episode drew 289,000 viewers and a 0.06 rating in the 18-49 demographic. Compared to other AEW programs, Collision has consistently outperformed the now-defunct Rampage, which averaged under 300,000 viewers in its final seasons, but trails AEW Dynamite's typical 800,000-plus audience. WWE's revivals in 2024 and 2025 have exacerbated declines, as seen in the November 1, 2025, episode's 217,000 viewers against WWE's stronger draw on . Key factors influencing popularity include star power, with early boosts from talents like Punk contributing to the debut's success, and ongoing challenges from time-slot rivals such as NCAA football and MLB playoffs. Digital engagement has provided supplementary growth, particularly in 2025 with live streaming on Max starting January, which adds untracked viewers beyond traditional Nielsen metrics and enhances accessibility for cord-cutters. clips and highlights have also sustained interest, averaging millions of views per major segment across platforms.

Critical response and impact

AEW Collision has received mixed critical reception since its debut, with early praise centered on its ability to deliver fresh matchups and high-quality in-ring action distinct from the flagship program. Wrestling Observer Newsletter's awarded the show its first five-star rating to the FTR vs. Gold match on July 15, 2023 (5.25 stars), highlighting Collision's role in showcasing technically proficient bouts that elevated underutilized talent. However, critics noted inconsistent booking in 2023, where storylines often felt and failed to build sustained momentum, leading to perceptions of the program as secondary filler rather than a robust . By 2024 and into 2025, reviews improved, particularly regarding the integration of the women's division, which saw enhanced booking with more prominent feuds and title defenses. described 2024 as the strongest year yet for women's wrestling in AEW, crediting increased match times and narrative depth that positioned Collision as a key platform for talents like and . Outlets like The Sportster praised these developments as setting the stage for the division's best year in 2025, with multi-woman storylines and defenses adding emotional stakes previously lacking. Fan reactions have contributed to Collision's cultural footprint, with engagement amplifying show-specific angles and driving merchandise sales for featured wrestlers. Episodes tying into ongoing rivalries, such as those involving the women's roster, have correlated with spikes in online discussions and purchases of event-themed apparel, helping sustain fan investment amid broader AEW challenges. The program has also played a role in roster retention by providing additional television exposure, allowing talents to develop characters and secure contracts through consistent bookings that demonstrate the company's commitment to depth. In terms of broader influence, Collision has solidified AEW's Saturday night presence, carving a niche that avoids direct clashes with programming and bolstering the promotion's competitive edge. AEW has strategically shifted episodes, such as moving a 2025 installment to to sidestep 's , underscoring the show's flexibility in maintaining audience share. It has contributed to PPV success by building hype through exclusive matches and crossovers, with previews often generating buy-in for events like Dynasty. By 2025, Collision earned recognition as a "workhorse" , fostering long-term stability for AEW through reliable weekly output. Controversies have occasionally overshadowed the show's progress, most notably the 2023 backstage altercation involving and at All In, stemming from Perry's promo referencing Punk and culminating in Punk's termination. Media coverage, including reports from and , detailed how the incident disrupted AEW operations, with ' subsequent appearance on Collision drawing "CM Punk" chants and highlighting internal divisions. These events prompted widespread discussion on backstage culture but ultimately reinforced Collision's resilience as a platform for moving forward.

References

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