One eventful night in Chicago leads to another, as a second Beach Break in the Second City brings a party atmosphere. The wrestlers on Saturday’s AEW Collision card bring variety to the buffet. There’s something on offer for everyone, which is becoming the norm for Saturday nights.
The trios match pitting Bandido, Brody King, and Tomohiro Ishi against Don Callis Family members, Lance Archer and Roppongi Vice brings steak and sizzle. A Chicago Street Fight between The Learning Tree and Gates of Agony could serve some deep-dish violence. Big Bill promised that skulls were going to crack.
There are plenty of fusion dishes on the menu. Australia sleaze meets Connecticut innovation with Kyle Fletcher vs. AR Fox. Tex-Mex collides with Old Bay seasoning as The Sons of Texas clash with CRU.
For dessert, Powerhouse Hobbs will attempt to make a pancake out of Wheeler Yuta. That’s without considering a topping of Vanilla (baby) beaten Canadian style when Blake Christian vs. Speedball Mike Bailey.
Saturday, we want to get a belly full of graps.
AEW Collision Matches Announced:
- Bandido, Brody King, and Tomohiro Ishi vs. Don Callis Family (Lance Archer, Trent Barretta and Rocky Romero)
- Chicago street fight: Bryan Keith and Big Bill vs. Gates of Agony
- Kyle Fletcher vs. AR Fox
- Blake Christian vs. Speedball Mike Bailey
- Winner challenges for the AEW World Tag Team Championship at Double or Nothing: The Sons of Texas (Sammy Guevara and Dustin Rhodes) vs. CRU
- Anna Jay vs. Megan Bayne
- Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Wheeler Yuta
Segments Announced:
- Tribute to Steve “Mongo” McMichaels with Ric Flair
Chicago Street Fight
The absence of Chris Jericho finally gives fans some breathing room and allows Big Bill and Bryan Keith space to grow. The Big Redwood and Bad Apple have disappointed The Learning Tree.
The presence of Jericho has elevated both men by providing each with screen time, direction, and a veteran foil to bounce off. Yet with the stabilizers off, Big Bill on the microphone has not found his feet, and both men are yet to break from the pack.
This Chicago Street Fight is more than about smashing skulls. It’s an opportunity for both teams to stand out and make fans take notice.
Gates of Agony, as seen on AEW and ROH, can be vicious, destructive, and quick. If the idea is to help turn the former Learning Tree members’ face, or get momentum and fan support behind them long-term, then they have the right opponents.
Both teams have the potential to do more. Let’s see some unbridled weapons-based assaults. On paper, there is promise.
Big Bill’s brawl with Powerhouse Hobbs in Daily’s Place was an eyeball grabber. If the binds are off and both teams come at this match with viciousness and intensity, don’t just go paint-by-numbers sequences of spots, at least one team might break through (more than a table).
Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Wheeler Yuta
When AEW Trios Champion Powerhouse Hobbs gets his hands on Wheeler Yuta, the Chicago crowd may go nuts. Despite the weaknesses and unevenness of Death Riders’ story and Yuta’s underwhelming acting abilities, the runt of Jon Moxley’s group in-ring knows how to frustrate fans, get heat, while consistently in singles action delivering under-the-radar, banger matches and story beats.
At the heart of Death Rider’s uneven story is Wheeler Yuta. Yuta’s conflicted, desperate, cowardly, and terrier-aggressive character can make a match entertaining. While some fans and I are ready for the faction to end, Yuta’s slow progress and growth reward those paying attention.
That’s without considering Hobbs’ excellent run of form, or the potential for a powder key angle that might come during or post-match.
More From LWOS Pro Wrestling
Header photo – AEW – Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on AEW Collision and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world. As well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can catch AEW Dynamite on Wednesday nights at 8 PM ET on TBS. AEW Rampage airs on TNT at 10 PM EST every Friday. AEW Collision airs Saturday at 8 pm Eastern on TNT. More AEW content is available on their YouTube channel.
