AEW Collision became the company’s second main program following its debut on June 17. The first episode featured the return of CM Punk. The Straight Edge Superstar tagged with FTR against Bullet Club Gold and Samoa Joe in the main event.
Prior to its debut, AEW canceled Dark and Dark: Elevation as part of an amended deal with WBD. Rampage essentially became what the YouTube shows were for the promotion – a place for younger wrestlers and independent stars to showcase themselves.
Collision quickly became the place for great in-ring action. Stars like Andrade El Idolo and Buddy Murphy thrived in their new home. Andrade, however, would end up leaving the company altogether after Worlds End.
Let’s take a look at some of the best AEW Collision matches of 2023:
Darby Allin vs. Roderick Strong (September 9)
Darby Allin is never known to back down from any challenge, even when the odds are heavily stacked against him. The former TNT Champion was assaulted by Luchasaurus (aka Killswitch) before his eliminator semi-final against Roderick Strong.
The Messiah of the Backbreaker spent the majority of the match working on Darby’s already banged-up back. Darby had his moments where he fired back with a furious offense, but that wasn’t enough to help him win the match against Strong.
The Undisputed Kingdom member would advance to the next stage following a convincing win over Darby.
Andrade El Idolo vs. Bryan Danielson (Continental Classic Blue League Match)
Andrade El Idolo and Bryan Danielson first collided on the October 21 episode of AEW Collision. They met for the second time in an AEW ring two months later. The second match carried high stakes due to it being a Continental Classic.
Andrade showed his vicious side by targeting Danielson’s injured eye. The American Dragon did a terrific job selling the offense. He ended up wearing a crimson mask, which added to the physicality involved.
Andrade would pick up a very dominant win with a series of back elbows, a double knee strike and a hammerlock DDT.
Bryan Danielson vs. Claudio Castagnoli (AEW Collision Holiday Bash)
The Blue League finals pitted fellow BCC members Bryan Danielson and Claudio Castagnoli against each other.
The Swiss Superman showed in the early goings of the match he wanted to win at every cost. This match was a great display of technical wrestling. The action graduated from grappling to strikes because neither would submit.
The time limit draw was a satisfying conclusion to a blockbuster match.
MJF vs. Kenny Omega (AEW World Title Match – October 28)
One of the best AEW Collision matches of 2023 came courtesy of Kenny Omega and MJF.
Max had teased this match-up during his interaction with Bucks and Omega on Being The Elite. The Devil Himself had everything to prove against the Best Bout Machine as they took on each other for the world title.
The in-ring psychology was brilliant. MJF tried to play cocky with Omega, only for the challenger to reverse the momentum. Both men brought their A-game to the match.
In the end, MJF extended his title run to become the longest-reigning AEW World Champion. He’d drop the title to Samoa Joe at Worlds End.
FTR vs. Bullet Club Gold (2 out of 3 Falls Match – AEW Collision #5)
FTR and Bullet Club Gold ran it back just a week into their Match of the Year contender at the July 8 episode of AEW Collision.
Everything from the spots, selling, and the crowd was superb in this 2 out of 3 Falls Match. FTR just might be the best in the world when it comes to tag team wrestling. Jay White and Juice Robinson did some fantastic heel work.
Dax and Jay beat the life out of each other with some great exchanges. The sharpshooter spot from Jay was well executed. In the end, FTR came out the winner and still AEW World Tag Team Champions.
Honorable Mentions
- Bryan Danielson vs. Christian Cage (TNT Title Match – October 14)
- Andrade El Idolo vs. Buddy Matthews (Ladder Match – AEW Collision #7)
- FTR vs. Adam Cole & MJF (AEW World Tag Team Title Match – July 29)
- Bryan Danielson vs. Ricky Starks (Texas Death Match – September 23)
- CMFTR vs. Bullet Club Gold & Samoa Joe (AEW Collision #1)
Also read: Best AEW PPV Matches Of 2023
