On Monday, PWInsider reported AEW and Miro had come to a mutual agreement on his release from the company. It was also noted that Ricky Starks no longer appeared on the company roster page. Our own Dave Meltzer has since confirmed both Miro and Starks have been released from AEW.
Miro publicly requested his release in September and has not wrestled since Worlds End on December 30, 2023. Starks, who has been absent from AEW programming since March 2024, reportedly asked for his release last month but was denied.
Malakai Black is also no longer listed on the AEW roster page, with reports indicating his contract has expired.
Miro debuted in AEW as Kip Sabian’s “Best Man” in September 2020. He won the TNT Championship in 2021 but was used sparingly in 2022 and 2023 and not at all in 2024. Starks debuted for AEW in June 2020 and is a former FTW and AEW World Tag Team Champion.
After not having wrestled since last December, Miro has reportedly requested his release from AEW.
Fightful first reported the news on Friday, adding that he had signed a four-year extension in the spring of 2022 after inking an initial two-year deal in September 2020.
The impetus for why the request has come now is unknown. The outlet noted there was consideration for Miro to be in the Casino gauntlet match at August’s All In and that he had pitched working with Jon Moxley earlier this year.
The 38-year-old has been used sparingly since the start of 2022, wrestling just 11 times with no appearances this year. His last match was at December 2023’s Worlds End when he defeated Andrade El Idolo in the latter’s final AEW match before returning to WWE.
Now reportedly healthy, the former TNT Champion said this past April that he was recovering from both a shoulder and elbow injury suffered in late-2023 that he finally addressed in January. In the same interview, he said AEW head Tony Khan was “great,” “creative” and that “he’s always thinking about how to get things better.”
Miro debuted with AEW during the pandemic era, making his in-ring debut in September 2020 as part of a team with Kip Sabian and Penelope Ford. He then won the TNT title over Darby Allin in May 2021 and held it through September 2021 when he lost to Sammy Guevara. He never competed for the company’s World title, but was in a four-way for the inaugural International title (then All-Atlantic) at June 2022’s Forbidden Door.
In a new interview with Bill Apter for Sportskeeda WrestleBinge, Miro gave an update on his recovery from injury.
The interview was conducted during WrestleCon in Philadelphia. Miro told Apter that he’s recovering from a shoulder injury and an elbow injury but hopes to come back stronger than ever:
I have a shoulder injury and an elbow injury that occurred late last year, so finally took care of it late January. Got a whole bunch of shots and now I’m recovering, rehabbing, and come back stronger than ever.
When Apter mentioned AEW World Champion Samoa Joe as a potential opponent upon his return, Miro said he’d love to fight Joe. Miro added that he also has his eyes on challenging TNT Champion Adam Copeland.
Miro has been out of action since December 2023. There was a situation earlier this year where Tony Khan mentioned that Miro and Keith Lee were participants that he wanted to use for the planned “Meat Madness” match at AEW Revolution, but neither were available. The match was postponed until the injured wrestlers are cleared.
“I’ve been injured since September and i got medical attention in January,” Miro wrote on March 1. “Sorry he wasn’t aware of it.”
Apter asked Miro what it’s like working with Khan:
Tony’s great, man. He’s creative, his mind is running always, he always thinks about wrestling, he’s always thinking about how to get things better. So I respect that. I respect that he loves wrestling – he did all his life. And now he’s carried that to the second or one of the biggest companies in the world.
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including the latest on the Vince McMahon lawsuit, who the four Corporate Officers were and what it means, Miro and CJ split up, line-ups for the next several shows, RAW notes including the angle with Maxxine, and more. A packed show, so check it out~!
TMZ reported on Monday that the couple are ending their relationship after seven years of marriage. Perry confirmed the separation in a statement.
“Miro and I have made the difficult decision to separate after many wonderful years together, and have decided to move on as friends, and hopefully onscreen characters somewhere down the road,” she told TMZ.
According to the report, the two separated in the fall but neither have filed for divorce.
The former couple were associated with one another as far back as 2013, when Rusev (Miro) adopted Lana (Perry) as his manager in NXT. They were called up the following year and married in 2016. In 2020, Rusev was released by WWE, with Perry being released one year later. Both have since joined AEW.
Perry started a storyline last fall with Miro in which she wanted to continue her managing career, taking up Andrade El Idolo as a client. The angle culminated at Worlds End on December 30 with Perry turning on Idolo. Neither Miro or Perry have been on AEW TV since then.
AEW wrestler Miro has been dealing with an injury since September.
Earlier this week, Tony Khan announced that the Meat Madness match that was planned for AEW Revolution was being postponed because multiple wrestlers who he wanted to be in the match are out of action. Khan then noted on his pre-Revolution media call that Miro and Keith Lee were two of the wrestlers he was hoping to use, but neither is currently available.
Miro posted a tweet on Friday morning explaining that he’s been injured since September and received medical attention in January. Miro hasn’t wrestled since defeating Andrade El Idolo at AEW’s Worlds End pay-per-view in December.
Miro wrote that he’s sorry Khan “wasn’t aware” of his situation:
I’ve been injured since September and i got medical attention in January. Sorry he wasn’t aware of it
Wardlow, Powerhouse Hobbs, and Lance Archer had been announced for Meat Madness. They’ll now be three of the participants in the eight-man All-Star Scramble match that’s taking place at Revolution instead.
Khan said on the Revolution media call that he got the idea for Meat Madness after hearing the “Meat” chants for Miro vs. Hobbs at All Out 2023 and Lee vs. Brian Cage on Collision last December:
And one of the great moments on the [All Out] show was Miro vs. Powerhouse Hobbs and the ‘Meat’ chants from Chicago. I don’t think these were just isolated to Chicago. Then we went on the road and in other big-man matches we had them. We had ‘Meat Forever’ chants during Miro vs. Hobbs at All Out. And then we had a great match on Collision, I think it was in December, and it was Brian Cage vs. Keith Lee. And it was on a really strong episode of the show, I believe it was around the Continental Classic. And this was a great show that had lots of good matches on it, and then also a match outside of the tournament [with] big men Keith Lee vs. Brian Cage. And the crowd really enjoyed that.
Now, I wanted to put a lot of the big wrestlers and get the crowd fired up for a multi-man scramble, a Meat Madness match. And I think the crowd would enjoy it and it would be a lot of fun, but some of the wrestlers I was hoping to use, including some of the wrestlers I just named, you know, the Miro vs. Hobbs chant and the Keith Lee vs. Brian Cage. Right now, you know, there are two great wrestlers in AEW just as an example, Miro and Keith Lee are both out. Neither one is available. And some of our big men being out injured, I wanted to have the depth in the field to do the match I’d really originally envisioned. I think people would enjoy that.
Khan said he still wants to do the Meat Madness match when AEW has their big men healthy at the same time.
Revolution is taking place from Greensboro, North Carolina this Sunday (March 3).
This week’s special Friday edition of Collision will feature Miro taking on Daniel Garcia. On last week’s show, Garcia danced in front of CJ Perry, which Miro didn’t like seeing backstage. Perry was out there to manage Andrade El Idolo, who has accepted Perry’s offer to manage him.
Also in action will be AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida and TBS Champion Kris Statlander teaming together to take on Saraya and Ruby Soho. Shida will defend her title against Toni Storm at Full Gear, while Statlander will defend her title in a three-way match against Julia Hart and Skye Blue.
Two of the participants in Full Gear’s Tag Team title match will also face off. Dax Harwood of FTR will challenge LFI’s Rush. FTR and LFI (Rush & Dralistico) will face champions Big Bill & Ricky Starks and Kings of the Black Throne (Malakai Black and Brody King).
Live coverage of Collision starts at 8 pm ET.
*****
There were no pre-show promos tonight, as Sir Elton John introduced this week’s Collision, live from The Forum in Los Angeles, California. Kevin Kelly and Nigel McGuinness were on commentary, throwing it to Tony Schiavone in the ring to kick off the show.
Christian Cage Speaks
Schiavone welcomed out the TNT Champion Christian Cage, who came to the ring alongside Luchasaurus & Nick Wayne. Cage said that Full Gear wouldn’t only be Sting’s last match in Los Angeles, it would be the last match of his career. Cage told Darby Allin that if he ever needed guidance once Sting retired, he knew who to come to. Cage told Ric Flair that if he got involved in Cage’s business, it would be a literal come to Jesus moment.
Cage said that Adam Copeland only came to AEW to steal the spotlight. While Copeland was coddled and protected, Cage fought for everything he got in his career. Cage told Copeland’s wife to keep his kids awake, because Cage was going to break Copeland’s neck. As far as tonight was concerned, he knew that the powers that be wanted him on television as much as possible. He believed he could beat all four men at once, so he wasn’t worried. Cage shouted out Los Angeles Clippers star James Harden, saying that he himself didn’t work within a system, he was the system.
AEW World Tag Team Champions Ricky Starks & Big Bill were backstage with Lexy Nair. Starks spoke to Tony Khan, complaining that it was unfair to be in a match where they didn’t have to be pinned to lose the titles. Khan allowed Starks to pick a stipulation for the Full Gear title match, and Starks chose to make it a ladder match, as Big Bill wouldn’t have very far to climb.
(This match was random enough, why not throw some ladders in?)
Miro defeated Daniel Garcia
A hard-hitting opener. Garcia’s technique and Miro’s brute force made for an interesting style clash and a good match. As for the Garcia & Menard story, it’s time to get to the next phase of it.
Miro sent Garcia up and over with a gut-wrench throw before clubbering Garcia in the corner. Garcia threw some leg kicks, but Miro continued his offense unphased. Miro teased doing Garcia’s dance, but Garcia fired up with chops and punches. Miro caught Garcia on a charge before hitting a tilt-a-whirl uranage as we went to commercial.
Back from the commercial, Garcia fought his way out of a headlock before chopping Miro down by the knee. Garcia forced Miro into the corner with punches before hitting a pair of running knees. Garcia hit a trio of Bryan Danielson-esque running knees, but Miro came back with a jumping side kick. Miro called for Game Over, but Garcia grabbed Miro’s foot and got to his feet.
Garcia slapped Miro before hitting a back suplex. Garcia went to do the dance, but Matt Menard came out to tell him to focus. Miro went for a charge, but Garcia ran him into Menard and rolled him up for a nearfall. Garcia locked on a crossface, and when Miro fought out of it, Garcia transitioned into the Dragon Slayer. Garcia leaned back on the hold, which allowed Miro to grab Garcia’s head and repeatedly slam it into the mat. Miro locked on Game Over and scored the referee stoppage.
Andrade El Idolo & CJ Perry were backstage with Lexy Nair. Andrade was happy with Perry’s management. Perry announced that she had entered Andrade into the Continental Classic, an announcement that caught Andrade off-guard. After some whispered words, Andrade shook Perry’s hand and said that he trusted her.
(Andrade has been great since his return. His addition to this tournament is a welcome announcement. His apprehension toward being in the tournament was an odd way to present it, as this should be seen as a big opportunity.)
Kings of the Black Throne (Brody King & Malachi Black) defeated The Boys (Brandon & Brent)
King and Black scored a quick win with Dante’s Inferno.
We had a promo for the TBS Title match, with words from Kris Statlander, Julia Hart, & Skye Blue.
TNT Title #1 Contender’s Match – Trent Beretta defeated Penta El Zero Miedo, Brian Cage (w/ Prince Nana), & Komander
This was exactly what you would expect from these four men. Fast-paced, high-flying, and a lot of fun. Beretta has made himself a highlight of Friday nights lately. I’m happy that Brian Cage didn’t win, as a Cage vs. Cage title match would make the Rampage review hell on Joseph Collins.
The winner of this match will challenge Christian Cage for the TNT Championship later tonight on Rampage. Cage took all three men down to start before the group teamed up to send him to the floor. Penta launched Komander into a corkscrew dive onto Cage before running into a back elbow from Beretta. Beretta sent Penta to the floor with a half-and-half suplex before Komander booted him to the outside.
Komander went for a ropewalk dive, but Cage shook the ropes to knock him down. Cage took Komander from the ring to the floor with a superplex onto Beretta and Penta. Cage threw his opponents around as we went to a commercial. Cage was still in control after the break, tossing Beretta around with throws. Penta and Komander worked together to take Cage down, with Komander sending Penta into Cage with a throw.
Beretta took control with German suplexes on both Penta and Komander. Cage fought out of Beretta’s suplex, but Beretta hit a poisonrana. Cage came right back with a spinning lariat. Cage stuffed a Komander rana for a nearfall that Penta broke up. Penta ran wild, hitting everyone with offense before landing Made In Japan on Beretta for a nearfall.
Penta used Komander as a stepstool to hit a dive onto Cage, but Komander followed Penta to the floor with a tope. Komander went for the ropewalk Shooting Star Press on Beretta, but Beretta moved and hit Strong Zero for the win.
We got a recap of Powerhouse Hobbs’ massive slam on Paul Wight from the Like A Dragon Street Fight on Dynamite. Don Callis & Hobbs were backstage with Lexy Nair, where Callis said that Hobbs broke Wight with that slam. Hobbs bragged about taking out the giant, noting that he was big, black, and jacked. He told Wight to stay away because anyone could get it.
Wardlow defeated Evan Daniels
Wardlow hit a powerbomb, a swanton bomb, and a Last Ride powerbomb to get the referee stoppage.
Rush (w/ La Faccion Ingobernable) vs. Dax Harwood ended in a no-contest
What a fight this was. A gritty, nasty brawl between these two, ending in a brawl that sold me on the ladder match at Full Gear. A great piece of business.
Ricky Starks & Big Bill joined commentary, with Starks doing the talking. Dax was announced as Dax The Axe, which is new to me. Rush took Harwood down with a shoulder block, but Harwood came back with a flying forearm that sent Rush to the floor. Harwood went for a powerbomb on the floor, but Rush backdropped his way out of it. Rush ran Harwood into all four barricades as Starks humorously mocked Harwood on commentary.
Rush and Harwood traded chops, with Harwood’s chest bleeding from the chops. Rush sent Harwood into the corner post, then feigned the Bull’s Horns before booting Harwood in the face. After a commercial, Rush landed the third of Three Amigos for a nearfall. Harwood hit a pair of German suplexes before Rush turned him around for more chops. Rush took Harwood to the top rope, but Harwood chopped him down.
Rush crotched Harwood, then hit a superplex for a nearfall. More overhand chops turned into slaps before both men knocked each other down. Both men charged at each other with lariats before Rush hit a back suplex for a nearfall. After a series of transitions, Harwood caught Rush with a piledriver for a nearfall. Both men rolled to the floor, where Rush sent Harwood into the post.
Rush got in Starks’ face, shoving him and spitting on him before getting back in the ring and setting up the Bull’s Horns. Rush went for it, but Starks speared him to end the match. Big Bill attacked Harwood as Schiavone announced this match as a no-contest. All of the participants in the ladder match came out and brawled, with Big Bill and Brody King staring each other down. They pulled out a ladder, but Dralistico and Wheeler cut them off. Security and referees came down to break things up.
Action Andretti was backstage with Lexy Nair, who went to give a medical update on Darius Martin after the Kingdom attack on him last week. The Kingdom & Roderick Strong entered the scene, mocking Martin. Strong said that ACTION would be his next victim.
Buddy Matthews defeated Wheeler Yuta
Another damn good match here. Two fresh talents having a chance to showcase themselves on the big stage. This is what made AEW so exciting at the start, and it worked again in this match. Matthews vs. Castagnoli is a welcome addition to the Full Gear card.
During Matthews’ entrance, the commentary noted that the Continental Classic would have no outside interference or managers at ringside. After the opening exchange, Yuta got cocky and fed Matthews his leg. Matthews took the bait, with Yuta escaping and dropkicking Matthews to the floor. Matthews got his hands on Yuta on the floor and flung him into the barricade. Yuta fought back, pulling Matthews to the apron alongside him. Matthews took Yuta and flung him into the announce desk as we went to commercial.
Back from the commercial, Matthews hit Yuta with a flurry of offense before Yuta came back with a heavy forearm. Yuta came back with more strikes before Matthews cut him off with a kitchen sink knee. The two traded big strikes before Yuta came back with a German suplex for a nearfall. Yuta landed a superkick before hitting a dive to Matthews on the floor.
Yuta hit the Right Angle Slam for a nearfall. Both men went to the apron, where Matthews sent Yuta into the post and suplexed him onto the top turnbuckle. Yuta booted Matthews repeatedly before splashing Matthews through the ropes for a nearfall. Yuta went for the stomps, but Matthews kicked his way free. Matthews hit a pair of head-trap superkicks before hitting a powerbomb and a curb stomp to score the win.
After the match, Matthews grabbed a chair to attack Yuta, but Claudio Castagnoli ran him off. Castagnoli said that if Matthews wanted the attention of the Blackpool Combat Club, he didn’t have to hide in his spooky room to do it. Castagnoli challenged Matthews to a match at Full Gear unless Matthews had to ask Malachi Black for permission first.
We got words from both Jon Moxley and Orange Cassidy ahead of their International Title rematch tomorrow.
The only successful Outcast this week was Andre 3000. The Soho/Parker thing is fine undercard fodder, but save it for the post-match.
During the entrances, the commentary noted that the Claudio Castagnoli vs. Buddy Matthews match was signed for the Full Gear Zero Hour. Shida and Soho started, with Shida sending Soho into the corner with a dropkick. Shida dropped Soho with a slam before tagging Statlander, who hit a double leg drop for a nearfall.
Soho tagged in Saraya, but Statlander took Saraya down with a shoulder block. Saraya hit a running knee on Statlander at Julia Hart watched on from backstage. Statlander took down both Outcasts with Northern Lights Suplexes before Shida hit a crossbody on both of them. Skye Blue watched on from another monitor backstage. Shida hit the ten punches in the corner before Soho yanked Shida down as we went to commercial.
Back from the commercial, Angelo Parker watched on as Soho yanked Statlander off of the apron. Shida hit an enzuigiri to Saraya before tagging in Statlander, who ran wild on the Outcasts. Statlander hit a spinning suplex for a nearfall. Soho sent Statlander into the barricade, where she noticed Parker wearing her merch. Soho hit a poisonrana on Statlander before Shida hit her with a missile dropkick. Shida and Saraya collided with dual cross bodies.
Shida hit a knee on Soho to send her off of the apron before hitting Saraya with a running knee. Parker helped Soho on the floor while Saraya hit the cradle DDT for a nearfall. Saraya went for a tag, but Soho was focused on Parker, who himself got taken out with a lariat from Statlander. Shida hit Saraya with the Kitana for the win.
Collision ended with AEW World Champion MJF sitting down with Tony Schiavone in a pre-taped interview. When asked why he continues to defend the ROH Tag Team Titles by himself, MJF said that he made Adam Cole a promise that he would keep the titles until Cole came back. When asked about Jay White stealing the World Title, he said that White reminded him of the bad parts of himself. MJF said that White took the title to convince himself that he was good enough to be World Champion.
Schiavone asked MJF about his success as World Champion, having the longest reign and the most title defenses if he was successful at Full Gear. MJF said that the odds were against him for a long time, and he would beat the odds at Full Gear.
Miro vs. Daniel Garcia, plus two more matches have been announced for this Friday’s AEW Collision.
After Garcia danced in front of Miro’s wife CJ Perry on last week’s Collision, Miro responded with a promo on Garcia on Wednesday’s Dynamite and announced the singles match between the two set for this week’s episode. Garcia lost to Andrade El Idolo on last week’s Collision.
Also announced for the show, Women’s World Champion Hikaru Shida & TBS Champion Kris Statlander against Saraya & Ruby Soho. Shida will defend her title against Toni Storm at Saturday’s Full Gear pay-per-view, while Statlander will defend against Skye Blue & Julia Hart in a triple threat match at the PPV.
Two participants in Saturday’s AEW Tag Team title match will square off in singles competition on Collision as Dax Harwood of FTR faces Rush of LFI.
This week’s Collision will air live at 8 p.m. Eastern time on Friday, November 17 on TNT, head-to-head with WWE SmackDown on Fox.
The announced card:
Miro vs. Daniel Garcia
Hikaru Shida & Kris Statlander vs. Saraya & Ruby Soho
The two will meet following events that took place on Saturday’s Collision. When CJ Perry was being interviewed, she said she wanted to help people who were tired of sitting on the sidelines and watching others succeed. Andretti walked up to her and said he was just one phone call away.
Later, a Miro promo aired. Grabbing Andretti, he said he would destroy every man on the AEW to protect one woman, his wife. The match was then announced for next week.
Since making her debut at All Out in September, CJ has shown interest in managing other people beyond Miro. However, Miro has not been receptive to the idea of CJ managing, saying on Saturday that her pursuit of gold would make her more vicious and evil until there’s nothing left.
It was also announced that more matches for next week’s Collision will be announced on this coming Wednesday’s Dynamite.
Here is the lineup so far for next week’s Collision:
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including AEW Dynamite and All Out this weekend, WWE’s Saturday PPV, Raw and NXT TV reports, ratings, an update on the Miro vs. Punk story, and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
As expected, more details have continued to emerge regarding the latest CM Punk controversy stemming from last Sunday’s All In from London’s Wembley Stadium that saw Punk and “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry get into a physical altercation backstage.
The following comes from our Bryan Alvarez on Tuesday’s edition of Wrestling Observer Live who said he spoke to no fewer than a dozen people regarding the entire situation and then some.
The Punk/Perry skirmish
Shortly after the Punk vs. Samoa Joe match to kick off the pay-per-view, a story emerged that Punk and Perry had got into some altercation backstage prior to Punk going out for his match. Perry had already wrestled on the pre-show match against Hook and made a comment about “real glass. Cry me a river.” to the camera during the match when they were fighting on and around a car.
Alvarez said it was described to him that Perry was backstage Sunday having cuts worked on following getting dropped on the car’s windshield during the match when Punk walked over to him and asked if Perry had a problem with him.
Perry said something to the effect of “Well, you heard what I said out there.” According to several people, Punk said something to the effect of, “You know I can beat your ass, right?” There was a quick incident and nearly 100% of people Alvarez spoke with say Punk made the comment and either shoved or pie-faced Perry and then put him in a guillotine headlock.
It was immediately broken up soon after. They got close enough to Tony Khan, who was in the gorilla position, that monitors were apparently knocked down onto Khan. Alvarez said that unlike the brawl following All Out, there were a lot of witnesses to this all happening including Khan himself.
Alvarez said that Punk was furious about the situation and several people said he threatened to quit and didn’t want to go out for his match against Samoa Joe which caused a delay. Alvarez said he heard that resulted in AEW personnel going to FTR and The Young Bucks about opening the show, but they weren’t ready to do so. AEW went to the participants in The Golden Elite vs. Bullet Club Gold/Konosuke Takeshita trios bout and they said they could do it if needed.
Alvarez said he was told Joe was furious and apparently talked Punk into doing the match.
Miro
Afterward, there was apparently another near-incident when Punk came through the curtain. Miro went up to Punk and asked about what happened with Perry. Punk then asked if he had a problem with him now which resulted in an argument. Punk asked if Miro wanted to step outside, but the situation didn’t escalate into anything and Punk headed to the trainer’s room.
After the report Tuesday, both Nick Hausman and PWInsider had denials that altercation happened. Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp reported Tuesday evening that the dialogue between them described above was done in a joking manner.
All Out status
Per Dave Meltzer, Punk and Perry are suspended pending the results of an investigation into the matter. It’s possible both men will work Sunday’s All Out if the investigation is cleared by then, but Alvarez was told yesterday from the Warner Bros. Discovery side that they were told Punk was indeed suspended and off Sunday’s pay-per-view.
Alvarez said that most people think Punk will be back in AEW, but there are a handful of those who think he’s done and has had enough. It isn’t clear how the situation will play out.
The Collision glass spot
Regarding the aforementioned glass spot, Alvarez said that according to Perry’s side of things, it was approved by AEW while he was at a Dynamite episode to the point he rented a car for the spot. According to Perry’s side, Punk said no because of Perry’s friendship with the Young Bucks.
Alvarez said the argument about the glass spot was known within the company for weeks prior to when it first came out. Alvarez again told the story he had heard about Perry having a vacation planned and that he wasn’t trying to get out of working the next week as had been reported was the feeling from Punk.
London travel woes
A story emerged on Monday that Punk found himself with no AEW-provided transportation when he arrived in London on Saturday morning and that when he called a driver that was supposed to be there, the number didn’t work.
He eventually took the Tube (train) and had to get the assistance of some fans to find where he was going which was supported by some pictures that found their way to Reddit.
Alvarez said there are two versions to this story as well. One is that Punk arrived and couldn’t get ahold of anyone and decided to take the train. The other version is that he did get in touch with someone and either they asked or he offered to take the train. He was fine with it and then once he was on the train, he got lost.”
It’s unknown why he didn’t take a cab or an Uber, but Alvarez noted it was difficult for most people, including himself, to get an Uber during the weekend.
It was confirmed on Saturday’s Rampage that Miro and Hobbs will meet at All Out on September 3 at the United Center in Chicago. After Hobbs defeated Kevin Ku on Saturday, Miro addressed Hobbs. He told Hobbs that they have more in common than just their muscles, for example, he believed in a book too once. He said that now he walks alone, and would get redemption at All Out.
The two started their feud after Hobbs issued the challenge on last week’s Collision. Miro came out, but was then jumped by members of QTV, who distracted Miro long enough for Hobbs to lay him out with a spinebuster.
This is the second match announced for All Out, which takes place just one week after AEW All In in Wembley Stadium. Darby Allin will face Luchasaurus after winning the Royal Rampage match last month. Allin defeated Christian Cage on Saturday’s Rampage, but was laid out after by Luchasaurus.
Here is the updated lineup for All Out:
TNT Championship: Luchasaurus defends against Darby Allin
While the focus of AEW has been on this month’s All In at London’s Wembley Stadium, there are some new developments for the following Sunday’s All Out in Chicago, Illinois.
On Saturday’s AEW Collision, Powerhouse Hobbs had an in-ring promo where he called out Miro for a match at the Sunday, September 3rd pay-per-view.
Hobbs said he had been distracted lately and went home to read from the Book of Hobbs with the next chapter being called Redemption. He said after losing the TNT title and losing in the Owen Hart Foundation tournament, he had to call out “The Redeemer” for a fight.
As Miro came out to the ring to answer, Hobbs’ old QTV friends Aaron Solo & Nick Comoroto attacked Miro. After Miro fought them off, Hobbs connected on a spinebuster and then laid his Book of Hobbs on Miro before leaving.
This would be the first ever meeting between them.
As of now, only one match is official for All Out as Darby Allin will get a shot at the TNT title which is current held by Luchasaurus.
Miro will be in action on the Saturday, July 1 episode of AEW Collision.
As announced during Friday’s Rampage show, Miro will be in the ring on this week’s Collision show. No opponent was announced. Saturday’s episode was taped Thursday in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Spoilers can be found here.
Miro returned to AEW on the June 17 Collision debut episode with a win over Tony Nese in his first match since last September’s All Out pay-per-view.
Six matches have now been announced for this week’s Collision, which airs at 8 p.m. Eastern time on TNT.
In addition to Miro’s bout, three Owen Hart Foundation Men’s Tournament bouts are set for the show in Samoa Joe vs. Roderick Strong, Ricky Starks vs. Juice Robinson, and Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Dustin Rhodes. MJF will make his in-ring Collision debut on the episode, plus Kris Statlander will defend the TBS title against Lady Frost.
The announced lineup:
MJF in action
TBS Championship: Kris Statlander defends against Lady Frost
Owen Hart Foundation men’s quarterfinal: Samoa Joe vs. Roderick Strong (CM Punk will be on commentary for the match)
Owen Hart Foundation men’s quarterfinal: Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Dustin Rhodes
Owen Hart Foundation men’s quarterfinal: Ricky Starks vs. Juice Robinson
The final stop before Sunday’s Forbidden Door has arrived with Saturday’s live edition of AEW Collision from Toronto.
In the headliner, CM Punk will team with FTR and Ricky Starks in eight-man tag team action against Bullet Club Gold’s Jay White & Juice Robinson and The Gunns.
For the first time ever, NJPW legend Hiroshi Tanahashi will take on Swerve Strickland. This will be Tanahashi’s second-ever AEW TV match.
The second women’s Owen Hart Foundation match will take place as Willow Nightingale faces Nyla Rose.
Andrade El Idolo will look to go 2-0 in his return as he takes on House of Black’s Brody King after defeating Buddy Matthews last week.
Powerhouse Hobbs will make his Collision debut against an opponent to be named.
Sting & Darby Allin will reveal their mystery partner for Sunday’s trios match.
Other segments include Christian Cage addressing the TNT Championship situation, and Miro sharing his thoughts after his return last week.
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– In a cold open, we got promos from both teams in the eight-man tag team main event. CM Punk, FTR, & Ricky Starks questioned whether this match was wise for their opponents to take. Meanwhile, Bullet Club Gold & The Gunns said that they were ready to fight and that every show would be the Gunn Show.
Who Is The Third Man?
24 hours before the Forbidden Door is opened, AEW Collision is live from the Scotiabank Arena. Kevin Kelly and Nigel McGuinness were on the call as Tony Schiovane was in the ring. He went to welcome out Darby Allin & Sting, but Chris Jericho & Minoru Suzuki came out instead. They were peeved at how Allin & Sting made them wait to find out who their partner would be at Forbidden Door. Jericho noted that Sammy Guevara wasn’t there because he was a bit miffed at how well Jericho and Suzuki got along. Jericho and Suzuki showed off their new best friend handshake before Jericho began menacing Schiovane, believing that he knew who the partner was already.
Darby Allin & Sting came out to make the save. Allin addressed Guevara, noting that his common sense may have kicked in by not coming, but if he did show up at Forbidden Door, Darby would kick his ass. Darby then turned to Jericho, noting that their partner kicked Jericho’s ass at the Tokyo Dome. With the card looking like it does, that only left one name for Jericho and Sting to pick. With the crowd chanting his name, former IWGP Heavyweight Champion Tetsuya Naito made his way to the ring. The match is official for Forbidden Door – Tetsuya Naito, Darby Allin, & Sting vs. Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara, & Minoru Suzuki.
Naito went face-to-face with Jericho as Kevin Kelly noted that Naito beat Jericho for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 13 in 2019. Jericho backed away as Naito’s music played again to end the segment.
– We got a video package, recapping Miro’s successful return to action last week. We cut to Miro in the back. He talked about his year-long exile, and how he was summoned back. Miro said he walked alone, kneeling to no man. He renounced his god and his wife and said that he was now godless.
Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Swerve Strickland (w/ Prince Nana)
While he’s clearly not at his physical peak, Tanahashi still has an incredible aura that makes North American crowds go wild for him. This was a good primer for any fans who didn’t know Tanahashi. He won with his big move and the announcers made it clear what a big deal he is in the New Japan landscape.
Swerve came out in a robe reminiscent of the former Crown Jewel of the Embassy, the late Jimmy Rave. Tanahashi caught Swerve with his reverse crossbody before playing his air guitar to the crowd. He gave Strickland the guitar, who mockingly played it before Tanahashi dropkicked him in the knee.
Strickland recovered and hit a headscissors that sent Tanahashi out of the ring. After more air guitar shenanigans, Strickland crotched Tanahashi and grounded him as the crowd chanted for Tanahashi. Tanahashi skinned the cat and took Strickland to the floor, but Strickland caught Tanahashi in the apron on a baseball slide. He hit a pump kick as we went to picture-in-picture break.
Back from break, Swerve was working over Tanahashi as the crowd chanted Go Ace. Tanahashi cut Swerve off and hit a somersault senton for a nearfall. Swerve avoided the Slingblade and hit a rolling facebuster for a nearfall. Tanahashi caught Swerve in a pair of rollups before hitting a Dragon Screw Leg Whip. Tanahashi hit the Slingblade for a nearfall. Tanahashi went up for the High Fly Flow but caught nothing but knees before Swerve rolled him up for a nearfall.
Swerve hit his big side kick before going to the top, but Tanahashi moved out of the way of the Swerve Stomp. Tanahashi went to the top again but lost his footing and slipped off. Swerve went to meet him at the top, but Tanahashi swatted him down. Tanahashi hit the High Fly Flow and scored the win.
After the match, MJF’s music played. MJF showed up on the video screen, saying that he wasn’t actually going to be there to watch Tanahashi’s preview match. MJF said that he would embarrass Tanahashi at Forbidden Door. MJF said that after a discussion with Tony Khan, their match would be going on first at Forbidden Door. He said that he didn’t want to sit through any more of the “indie jabrones” than he had to and that Tanahashi was not on the level of the Devil.
Andrade El Idolo defeated Brody King (w/ Julia Hart) by disqualification
Andrade continues to impress during his comeback, as this was another quality match. He’s got a few options to help even the numbers against the House of Black.
Andrade came into this match with his pectoral area taped up. Andrade kept King at bay, hitting a headscissors in the ring before low-bridging King to the floor. King got on the apron, but Andrade sent King into the post. Andrade hit a moonsault over the ring post to King on the floor, but only got a one-count when he rolled King into the ring. Andrade worked over King’s knee before King lifted him onto the top rope and chopped him to the floor as we went to picture-in-picture break.
King chopped Andrade down as we came back from break. Andrade fought back with elbows, but King lifted Andrade onto the apron and hammered him in the chest. He tried locking on the hanging sleeper, but Andrade hung him up on the ropes. Andrade dropkicked King into the turnbuckle before hitting a Dragon Screw in the ropes. Andrade continued his work on King’s knee, then hit a running forearm to take him down.
Andrade hit a big lariat in the corner before hitting the running knees in the corner for a nearfall. King fought out of the hammerlock DDT, hitting a rolling elbow on Andrade on the top rope. He struggled to get Andrade up into a fireman’s carry but powered through and hit a running Death Valley Driver into the corner. King followed up with a cannonball but his knee buckled on a Gonzo Bomb attempt. Andrade went for the Figure Four, but Julia Hart got on the apron with his mask. The distraction didn’t work, as Andrade ducked a rolling lariat and hit a big back elbow. He locked on the Figure Four and bridged up, but Buddy Matthews came out and jumped Andrade to cause the disqualification.
They beat up Andrade after the bell, with Matthews sending Andrade into a lariat before lifting him into King’s Gonzo Bomb. From the video board, Malachi Black watched on as his House stood tall.
– In the ring, Tony Schiovane welcomed out TNT Champion Luchasaurus & Christian Cage. Christian came out with the title belt over his shoulder, having never allowed Luchasaurus to even hold the belt after winning it last week. The crowd chanted for Christian as he talked about how he left Collision last week in a bad mood. He knew he would come to Toronto in a few days, and now he’s in an even worse mood! Christian goes on the cheap heat offensive against his own hometown, noting that Toronto bred losers and lived with mediocrity. Christian said that the TNT Title Open Challenges were over, saying that people had to earn the title shot like he did. Christian took a potshot at Cody Rhodes before giving a speech as if he was the champion.
– We got pre-tape promos from everyone in the men’s bracket of the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament before we got a rundown of the bracket. CM Punk and Satoshi Kojima will kick off the tournament at Forbidden Door, while the other three matches will take place on next week’s Collision. We got a highlight video of Skye Blue winning her tournament match before looking at the women’s bracket, leading into our next match.
Owen Hart Foundation 2023 Women’s Tournament Quarter-Final Match: Willow Nightingale defeated Nyla Rose (w/ Marina Shafir)
A fine television match to get Nightingale onto the next round while heating her up for her AEW Women’s Title match on Sunday.
The winner of this match will take on the winner of Athena vs. Billie Starkz, which will take place on the Forbidden Door pre-show. After Rose clubbered on her for a moment, Nightingale cartwheeled out of an Irish Whip and hit an enzuigiri. Rose cut off a chop, leading to a test of strength that Nightingale turned into an inside cradle for a nearfall. Rose bailed to the floor, where Shafir’s distraction allowed Rose to send Nightingale into the post as we went to picture-in-picture break.
Nightingale fought back out of the corner as we came back. She hit a middle rope dropkick for a nearfall as she shook out the arm. Nightingale couldn’t get Rose up for the powerbomb, allowing Rose to hit a suplex and a gourdbuster for a nearfall. Rose got Nightingale up for the Beast Bomb, but Nightingale fought out and hit a Pounce. Nightingale followed it up with the Babe With The Powerbomb for the win.
After the match, The Outcasts surrounded the ring to menace Toni Storm’s opponent at Forbidden Door, but Skye Blue made her way to the ring with a chair to make the pre-emptive save.
– Backstage, Lexy Nair was with Scorpio Sky. Sky ran down his accomplishments while noting that he allowed success to change him. Sky said that he was his true self now after his injury layoff and that he was back.
Powerhouse Hobbs defeated Jeremy Prophet
Hobbs came out on his own, no QTV members in sight. Hobbs got a jumpstart on Prophet before crushing him in the corner with back elbows. Prophet tried to get a roll-up, but Hobbs didn’t even go down. Hobbs bludgeoned Prophet with lariats to both the front and back of the head. The main event spinebuster ended proceedings here.
– We got a rundown of next week’s Collision card. The men’s Owen Hart Tournament quarterfinals will take place – Hobbs vs. Dustin Rhodes, Samoa Joe vs. Roderick Strong, Ricky Starks vs. Juice Robinson – as well as MJF’s in-ring Collision debut.
Jay White, Juice Robinson & The Gunns defeated CM Punk, FTR & Ricky Starks
The most important goal of this match was to showcase the reaction for CM Punk outside of Chicago. And was there ever a strong reaction for Punk. The crowd was fired up either way. A whole lot of people were chanting for Punk, and a whole lot of people were booing Punk. Punk was eating it all up, of course. The match itself was much like last week’s main event. It was good, but it could’ve done with less time in the middle. Again, it’s to get Punk on screen as long as physically possible. It also gave Jay White a showcase win while filling out the Bullet Club Gold ranks.
Punk came out to a mixed reaction, leaning more negative than positive. Kevin Kelly astutely noted that they weren’t in Chicago anymore. Jay White teased starting with Punk but tagged out to Robinson. The crowd was heavily split, as strong CM Punk chants were getting booed down as the Bullet Club team worked on Harwood. FTR got the upper hand for their team after Austin Gunn tagged in. Starks took Austin Gunn to old school, but Gunn tagged out to White. White asked for Punk, who tagged in. They traded chops and teased each other’s finishers before White sent Punk to the floor, where his teammates jumped Punk. Punk’s partners rushed over to get him out of the fray as we went to commercial.
Back from the commercial, and Harwood was bringing Robinson down hard with a superplex before holding on to hit a powerbomb with Wheeler. Kevin Kelly noted new matches for the Zero Hour – the United Empire team of Kyle Fletcher, Jeff Cobb, and TJP would take on the Los Ingobernables team of Shingo Takagi, Hiromu Takahashi, and BUSHI. Two Canadians would face off as Montreal’s Stu Grayson would go one-on-one with Vancouver’s El Phantasmo. Swerve Strickland would team with Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona against Roppongi Vice and El Desperado.
Meanwhile, the Bullet Club side got the advantage on Punk and worked him over. The crowd booed down Punk chants and Punk’s attempt at a comeback. After a commercial break, Punk knocked White off the top rope and hit a high crossbody. White cut off Punk’s attempt to get to the corner, but Punk whipped White into a rising knee in the corner. Punk hit a neckbreaker, but the Gunns knocked FTR off the apron. Robinson tagged in and went for a Go To Sleep on Punk, but Punk knocked him down with a high kick. Punk kicked away the Gunns and tagged in Starks.
Starks ran wild on the Gunns, hitting a tornado DDT on Austin for a nearfall. Starks went for a Rochambeau, but the match broke down into a Pier Six brawl as everyone began brawling in and around the ring. White blind tagged in, but Starks caught him with a Blue Thunder Bomb for a nearfall. Starks set White up for a Rochambeau, but White caught him in a rollup with the tights for a nearfall. Starks hit a brainbuster for a nearfall on Starks. We got a finisher train, featuring a wild Wheeler dive to the floor.
White caught both Punk and Starks with uranages, but Starks came back and ran wild with spears on everyone. He went for a second spear on White, but Robinson caught him with the Left Hand of God. White followed it with the Blade Runner to score the win. After the match, White and Robinson threw up the Bullet Club Gold guns, and the Gunns joined in. It looks like The Gunns have officially joined Bullet Club Gold as we fade to black.
