AEW Collision returned to Chicago’s iconic Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom on July 19, 2025, delivering an electrifying night of wrestling action just a week after the monumental All In: Texas event. The show, broadcast live on TNT and simulcast on HBO Max, was packed with high-stakes matches, intense promos, and ongoing storylines that continue to shape the AEW landscape heading into the eagerly anticipated Forbidden Door event on August 24.
The evening kicked off with an emotional and powerful promo from the newly crowned TNT Champion Dustin Rhodes. Reflecting on his 37-year wrestling journey, Rhodes paid tribute to his late father, the legendary Dusty Rhodes, recalling his father’s mantra to “keep stepping” through adversity. With the crowd fully behind him, Dustin declared, “For the first time in 30 years, I’ve been waiting to say this: I am now the face of TNT. I am your new TNT Champion.” However, the celebration was abruptly interrupted by Don Callis and Kyle Fletcher. Fletcher, who had earned a one-on-one shot at the title prior to Adam Cole’s injury, voiced his frustration, accusing Dustin of “weaseling” his way into the championship opportunity and declaring that the title still belonged to him. Callis then extended an unexpected olive branch, offering Dustin a place in the Don Callis Family once he eventually lost the belt, dismissing the Rhodes family as dysfunctional. The promo exploded into chaos when Dustin snapped, pie-facing Callis and sending Fletcher from the ring with a lariat, setting the stage for a heated rivalry.
Following this intense opening, the action moved into the ring with a thrilling contest between Ricochet and AR Fox. Both renowned for their aerial prowess, the match was surprisingly measured, focusing on technical skill and storytelling rather than a flurry of high-risk maneuvers. AR Fox sought revenge after being previously attacked by The Gates of Agony, who were present ringside to intimidate. The match saw Fox deliver impressive offense, including a springboard moonsault and a springboard sunset flip powerbomb, but interference from Toa Liona and Bishop Kaun of the Gates of Agony shifted momentum. Ricochet ultimately capitalized, hitting his devastating Spirit Gun knee strike to secure the victory. The Gates of Agony celebrated alongside Ricochet, further cementing their alliance and dominance in AEW’s tag team scene.
The atmosphere darkened when The Death Riders—Jon Moxley, Marina Shafir, and Wheeler Yuta—launched a brutal backstage assault on commentator Colt Cabana. Using a steel chain, they choked and bloodied Cabana, with Moxley hanging him over the ropes in a chilling echo of the Texas Death match finish. This violent act served as a stark warning to AEW World Champion Hangman Adam Page and the entire locker room, amplifying tensions within the promotion.
In the women’s division, Megan Bayne and Tay Melo faced off in a hard-hitting singles match with all allies banned from ringside to ensure a fair fight. Bayne’s raw power clashed with Melo’s martial arts finesse in a physical and competitive bout. Melo attempted several submissions, including a Fujiwara armbar and a guillotine choke, but Bayne’s strength and resilience prevailed. The match culminated with Bayne countering Melo’s signature Tay-KO into a running powerbomb—dubbed the Megasus Bomb—to claim the victory, showcasing her growing prominence on Collision.
Backstage, Sky Flight—comprising Scorpio Sky, Dante Martin, Darius Martin, Leila Grey, and Christopher Daniels—were seen searching for new challenges. Don Callis attempted to recruit Scorpio Sky into his faction, but Daniels firmly declined, emphasizing their desire for formidable competition rather than new alliances. This interaction hinted at potential future clashes involving the Callis Family.
Alex Windsor made a striking AEW Collision debut against veteran Taya Valkyrie. The UK standout impressed with a mix of technical prowess and aggression, culminating in a submission victory via a deep Sharpshooter. The victory was immediately overshadowed by ROH Women’s World Champion Athena’s balcony appearance, where she mocked both Windsor and AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm. Athena’s brazen taunts sparked a fiery verbal confrontation with Storm, who challenged Athena to sign a contract and fight immediately. Athena declined, instead threatening to send her minion Billie Starkz to weaken Storm on the upcoming Dynamite show, setting up a layered storyline for the women’s division. Storm countered by offering Starkz a title shot if she could defeat her, raising the stakes further.
In a backstage segment, tensions between Anthony Bowens and Billy Gunn came to the forefront. Bowens expressed frustration over their lack of unity and Gunn’s perceived absence in his career. Gunn responded by calling out Bowens’ obsession with Max Caster and promised a “slump buster” match to get Bowens back on track, signaling a potential reconciliation and renewed partnership.
The $200,000 four-way tag team match was a highlight of the night, featuring The Gunns (Austin and Colten Gunn), CRU (Lio Rush and Action Andretti), Big Bill and Bryan Keith, and the Gates of Agony (Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona). The match was a whirlwind of rapid tags, high-impact offense, and chaotic brawling. Big Bill’s raw power stood out, drawing loud chants from the crowd as he dominated opponents. After a series of momentum shifts and interference, including Ricochet pulling Austin Gunn out of the ring during a pin attempt, the Gates of Agony secured the win with their devastating double-team powerbomb “Open the Gates,” adding the $200,000 prize to their accolades.
Max Caster’s open challenge was answered by Kyle O’Reilly, who quickly took control of the match. Caster’s strategy to run down the clock by evading O’Reilly failed when Roderick Strong tripped him, allowing O’Reilly to apply a precise straight armbar submission for a swift victory in just over two minutes. The segment was a fun, crowd-pleasing moment that showcased O’Reilly’s technical skill and Caster’s entertaining persona.
Backstage tensions flared when Juice Robinson confronted Ricochet, blaming him for costing The Gunns $200,000 in the tag match. The verbal altercation quickly escalated into a physical brawl with Big Bill stepping in to defend Ricochet, resulting in a chaotic locker room skirmish that underscored the volatile atmosphere behind the scenes.
The main event featured a brutal showdown between Rush, accompanied by The Beast Mortos and Dralístico, and AEW World Trios Champion Katsuyori Shibata. The match was a striking clinic, with both men exchanging stiff chops, suplexes, and hard-hitting offense that left their chests visibly bruised. Controversy arose when LFI members interfered, distracting the referee and allowing Rush to secure a controversial victory. Post-match, Powerhouse Hobbs stormed the ring with a steel chair to clear out LFI and protect Shibata, signaling an impending challenge for the Trios Championship.
The night culminated in a high-octane eight-man tag match pitting ROH World Champion Bandido, Máscara Dorada, and JetSpeed (Kevin Knight and Mike Bailey) against the Don Callis Family’s Hechicero, Lance Archer, Rocky Romero, and Josh Alexander. The fast-paced contest featured a blend of power, technical skill, and aerial artistry. Bandido’s strength was on full display with a delayed vertical suplex and a breathtaking 21-plex, while Dorada sealed the victory with a picture-perfect shooting star press on Rocky Romero. The babyface team’s triumph was met with roaring approval from the Chicago crowd, with Bandido celebrating atop the ropes, proudly displaying the ROH World Title.
Overall, AEW Collision delivered a compelling mix of storytelling, athleticism, and drama. Dustin Rhodes’ heartfelt promo set the tone for a night of fierce competition and heated rivalries. The women’s division continued to gain momentum with fresh faces like Alex Windsor making an impact, while the men’s tag and singles matches showcased AEW’s depth of talent. The ongoing tensions among factions and individuals promise exciting developments as the promotion builds toward Forbidden Door and beyond.
AEW Dynamite is set to return live from the Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom in Chicago on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, promising further action and storyline progression in the weeks ahead.