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KELLER’S AEW COLLISION REPORT
DECEMBER 23, 2023
GARLAND, TEX. AT CURTIS CULWELL CENTER
AIRED ON TNT
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Kevin Kelly, Nigel McGuiness
Ring Announcers: Dasha Fuentes
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[HOUR ONE]
(1) BRYAN DANIELSON (9 pts) vs. CLAUDIO CASTAGNOLI (6 pts.) – Continental Classic Tournament Blue League match
The show opened with Danielson’s ring entrance. The bell rang 3 minutes into the hour. The announcers talked about their history. Kevin Kelly said the line-up for this show feels more like a PPV and Nigel McGuinness agreed.
At 5:00 the ref was breaking Claudio away from Danielson in the corner, he took a shot at Danielson’s good eye before breaking. Fans gasped. Danielson fought back, but Claudio hit him with a clothesline. Danielson flip-bumped and Claudio scored a two count. Kelly said Claudio needs a win to stay alive, whereas a win or draw gives Danielson a ticket to the Gold League final. Danielson countered Claudio’s attempt at a giant swing and applied a crossface. Claudio crawled under the bottom rope to force a break. He pulled himself to the floor. Danielson used a wrecking ball kick and then a high knee to take Claudio down at ringside.
Back in the ring, Claudio caught Danielson with an uppercut when Danielson leaped off the top rope at him. Claudio gave Danielson a giant swing at 9:00 and scored a near fall. Claudio clotheslined Danielson over the top rope to ringside. As Claudio charged at Danielson with an uppercut, they cut a double-box break. [c/db]
Claudio controlled the action during the break. Danielson knocked him off balance on the top rope and then hung him upside down and kicked away at him. Danielson then back suplexed Claudio off the top rope. Both were down and slow to get up. Danielson applied a crossface. Claudio put his leg on the bottom rope to force a break, but the ref was slow to notice and call for the break. The announcers drew attention to it. The 15 minute announcement was made.
Claudio landed a turning superplex off the second rope for a near fall. Danielson countered a powerbomb into an armbar attempt from underneath. Claudio delivered a Neutralizer for a near fall. Danielson came back with a Busaiku knee. Danielson grabbed Claudio’s arms and stomped on him. Claudio countered and landed his own stomps. They wrestled for leverage on the mat and kicked each other. Claudio targeted Danielson’s eye and then scored a two count.
Claudio applied a sharpshooter mid-ring with less than a minute left. The 30 second announcement was made. Claudio let go with ten seconds left, landed an uppercut, and made the cover, but the time limit expired. Kelly discussed the chart with Danielson with 10 points and Claudio with 7. Claudio was eliminated. Danielson and Claudio hugged afterward.
WINNER: 20 minute time limit draw so Danielson secured a place in the Blue League Final.
(Keller’s Analysis: It’s fun watching these two craft a match with their different skill sets and signature moves. This delivered a memorable, good tournament match.)
-A video recap aired on Wednesday’s Continental Classic matches. [c]
(2) THE ACCLAIMED (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens) & BILLY GUNN vs. ACTION ANDRETTI & TOP FLIGHT (Darius & Dante Martin) – AEW Trios Title match
Caster rapped his way to the ring. The bell rang 32 minutes into the hour. Early in the match Max shoved Bowens to tell him to go over and tag in Billy Gunn when things got a little heated. They cut to a partial double-box break at 3:00. [c/db]
The Acclaimed and Gunn worked over Andretti during the break. Back from the break, Andretti finally hot-tagged in Dante. Top Flight double-teamed Caster. Andretti then landed a standing shooting star and made the cover on Caster, but Gunn broke up the cover.
Gunn rallied against Darius. Six-way action broke out. Top Flight leaped through the ropes and crashed into Bowens and Gunn. Meanwhile, Andretti scored a near fall on Caster. Andretti went for another shooting star press, but Caster moved and then rolled up Andretti for a three count. Kelly wondered if Caster pulled on the tights during the pin.
WINNERS: The Acclaimed & Gunn in 9:00 to retain the AEW Trios Titles.
-A vignette aired with Hook walking down some steps of a row house and sitting down and pulling his FTW Title belt out of a backpack. He said he’ll be defending at Worlds End on Long Island, N.Y.
(3) ‘THE MACHINE” BRIAN CAGE (w/Prince Nana) vs. KEITH LEE
Cage came out first, then Lee. The bell rang 45 minutes into the hour. Kelly said this match has occurred three times and Lee has the advantage in those matches. Lee caught Cage mid-air by his legs and swung him, but Cage landed on his feet. Cage head-scissored Lee to the mat and then played to the crowd. Kelly said, “He’s going to get his stuff in.” They squared off again at 1:30. Lee head-scissored Cage to the mat. Lee strutted for the fans. Cage landed a spinning hook kick to a kneeling Lee’s head. He followed with a tornado DDT. Nana smiled at ringside. They cut a break. Schiavone said it’d be “picture and picture,” but it was a full break. [c]
Back from the break, Lee was in control and tossed Cage backwards and scored a two count. Cage made a comeback and leg swept Lee into the ropes and then landed a 619. Lee headbutted Cage to block a suplex from the ring apron. Lee climbed to the second rope. Cage got up and kicked him, then took him to the mat with a top rope superplex. Schiavone said that could break the ring. Fans chanted, “Holy shit!” Cage scored a near fall at 8:00.
Cage gave Lee a face plant. Nana gave Cage a cinder block. Nana did his dance. Lee made a comeback with a headbutt and then a turning powerslam for the win.
WINNER: Lee in 10:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Some impressive power spots there that they managed to pull off.)
-Afterward, Lee said almost exactly a year ago, someone took him out for almost two months with a cinder block. He lifted it. He said he’s been trying to send a message to him, so he’s going to bring the message to him on Dynamite and make it clear. “I have a house to tear down, and I’m going to do it brick by brick,” he said.
-Renee Paquette interviewed Toni Storm in black and white. She brought up Riho beating Saraya, but then being taken out by Mariah May. Storm didn’t know who that was. Mariah introduced herself. Storm said it was good to meet her. Disappointed, Mariah said they bet before. Storm said she has thousands of fans she’s met. Mariah excitedly said she got her American wrestling license. When Renee asked when she’ll wrestle, Mariah said she asks a lot of questions, but it’ll be very soon. She asked Strom if she has any advice for her. Storm said she didn’t hear a word of what they were saying as she was focused on the camera lens. She said she can bulk up 8-11 pounds just like that because she has “no problem bulking up for a role.” She said she will gobble Riho up like the green grape she is at Worlds End. She then threw a shoe and Renee ducked. She told Mariah she has a lot to learn.
-Christian Cage made his ring entrance along with Nick Wayne. Christian told fans to shut up and let him conduct his business. He talked about Nick’s mom hitting Adam Copeland with his TNT Title belt. He said she could explain herself. He introduced Shayna Wayne, who made her way to the ring.
[HOUR TWO]
Shayna walked out with a heelish disposition. Christian handed her the mic and said “the floor is yours.” She indignantly said to the fans, “You boo me? You boo a mother? How dare you.” She said she did what she did because Nick is her son and her pride and joy. Nick smiled proudly while chomping his gum. She said she sat in the ring and watched Copeland smash a steel chair into his head, so that’s why she made the choice she did. “I did what any loving mother would do,” she said. “I protected my son.” She said it’s become clear to her that the one man who cares about her son as much as she does is Christian. Kelly said, “Doesn’t she have an HOA to run? Thank you, Karen.”
Christian said Copeland is a piece of crap. Christian said Shayna worked as a waitress for $40,000 a year to put food on her son’s plate to make his dream of becoming a pro wrestler come true. He said Copeland tried to take that dream away with one swing of a chair. He said he’d think Copeland would relate since he grew up with a single mother who worked lowly jobs to make sure he could live out his dream. He said he wishes Copeland’s mother was still alive so he could watch her disown him on behalf of single mothers all over the world. He said Copeland can’t harness his anger properly and it cost him.
He said he beat Copeland in the biggest victory of his career and scored another way that night. Fans “ohhh’d.” He said he walked out of Montreal with his matriarch, “Mother Wayne.” He accepted his invitation for a fight at Worlds End. He said he’s already defeated him and he’s a level above him because he stands on the mountaintop. He said he’d put him down on Long Island for the last time.
(Keller’s Analysis: Christian was his usual slimy self. Shayna was effective in her role aligning with Christian.)
-Lexy Nair interviewed Big Bill & Ricky Starks backstage. She brought up that Kenny Omega is out. Big Bill said Omega’s excuse sounds made up. He said he thinks Omega is scared to face them, “the greatest tag team in the history of professional wrestling.” Starks said that’s them. He said Omega doesn’t have the guts to face them, so he has forfeited their match at Worlds End. Chris Jericho walked in and said he’s not forfeiting the match. He said he has a contract for a tag title match and he doesn’t know when or with whom, but he’ll take their titles from them.
(4) BRODY KING vs. DANIEL GARCIA – Continental Classic Tournament Blue League match
Garcia did just a brief trace of his usual hip gyration before heading to the ring with a serious expression. Matt Menard was on commentary. The bell rang 10 minutes into the hour. Garcia slapped Brody and Brody absorbed it and then knocked Garcia hard into the corner. He landed a cannonball for a two count. Brody knocked Garcia to the floor. Garcia surprised Brody with a guillotine over the top rope. Brody broke free and applied a sleeper on the ring apron and then dropped him to the floor. They cut to a double-box break at 2:00. [c/db]
Brody beat up Garcia at ringside during the break. Back from the break, Garcia made a comeback with a back suplex for a two count that popped the crowd at 8:00. Brody came right back with a Death Valley Driver followed by a running lariat for a believable near fall. Brody landed a Gonzo bomb next for another believable near fall. The announcers acted with shock at the kickout and credited Garcia’s fighting spirit. Garcia surprised Brody with a jackknife leverage pin for a sudden three count. The crowd popped.
Brody sat up with a look of shock. Menard was thrilled.
WINNER: Garcia in 10:00 to earn 3 points.
(Keller’s Analysis: The crowd ate that up. Garcia took a beating but kept fighting back and persevering, so the story of the tournament seems to be that he’s won over the fans and is going to perhaps regroup and move away from his dancing at the urging of Menard. Brody had a good tournament showing and was dominant here until the leverage pin out of nowhere.)
-Kelly commented on the chart of points, showing Garcia finally had points. The lights went out, then came back on with Malakai Black and Buddy Matthews holding Garcia. Menard tried to make the save, but he was stopped. Brody yanked on Garcia’s fingers and wrist. Garcia went down in pain. Menard covered him to protect him. FTR came out for the save. Dax said he’s tired of the magic tricks. He said they want to face them for the first time ever.
(5) JULIA HART & SKYE BLUE vs. THUNDER ROSA & ABADON
The bell rang 29 minutes into the hour. Early the match, the heels took over against Abadon. They cut to a double-box break at 3:00. [c/db]
Back from the break, Abadon hot-tagged in Rosa who went on the attack. Rosa finished Blue with the Tijuana Bomb. Rosa slapped fans’ hands at ringside.
WINNERS: Rosa & Abadon at 9:00. [c]
(6) EDDIE KINGSTON vs. ANDRADE EL IDOLO – Continental Classic Tournament Blue League match
The bell rang 44 minutes into the hour. Andrade offered a handshake. Kingston shook his hand. Andrade shoved him. Kingston shoved back and avoided a kick. The announcers discussed how “rizz” is short for charisma. Schiavone said he looked it up. “An old guy can learn things,” he said. They cut to a double-box break at 3:00. [c/db]
Garcia grounded Andrade during the break and settled into a chinlock. Andrade came back and took Kingston down with two Dragon screw leg whips and a flying forearm. Both were down. Andrade kipped up and flexed. Andrade landed running knees into the corner and scored a two count. Andrade landed three vertical suplexes for a near fall. Andrade leaped off the top rope, but Kingston kicked him out of mid-air. Andrade clutched his left arm. Garcia clutched his left knee. Both were down and slow to get up.
Kingston got up and chopped away at Andrade and then landed an exploder suplex for a two count at 11:00. Andrade took over and landed a moonsault press onto Kingston at ringside. Andrade went for a top rope moonsault in the ring, but Kingston moved. Andrade landed a standing moonsault for a near fall. Kelly said Hiroshi Tanahashi, New Japan’s new president, was watching. Kingston suplexed Andrade out of the corner for a two count.
Andrade came back and applied a figure-four. Kingston reached the bottom rope to force a break at 15:00. The ring announcer noted five minutes remained. Kingston landed a backfist a minute later and then delivered a suplex for the win. Schiavone said he’ll face Danielson in the Blue League final.
Danielson came down and smiled as he approached Kingston in the ring as the show ended.
WINNER: Kingston in 16:00 to earn 3 points.
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