Adam Cole defends TNT Championship in a gripping main event against Josh Alexander on AEW Collision, held in Kent, Washington, on Thursday night. The victory marks a pivotal moment for Cole as he stands tall after a compelling first-ever singles encounter with Alexander, solidifying his reign amidst continued feuds within the company.
Main Event: Cole and Alexander Battle for the TNT Title
The highlight of AEW Collision saw Adam Cole, accompanied by Trent Beretta, put his TNT Championship on the line against former TNA World Champion Josh Alexander. This match marked the first singles contest between Cole and Alexander, adding extra anticipation to an already highly charged bout. Alexander, determined to turn his losing streak around, repeatedly gained the upper hand, delivering stiff chops and a punishing crossbody to Cole, knocking him to the floor early on.
Both men exchanged momentum in a contest full of athletic counters and striking offense. Alexander nearly secured victory with a succession of powerful moves, locking in an ankle lock that placed Cole in visible pain. Cole’s resilience and experience allowed him to escape, survive a fireman’s carry slam, and nail a Panama Sunrise for a two-count late in the match. Alexander again sought the submission, aggressively targeting Cole’s ankle, yet Cole escaped once more through sheer grit. The encounter ended dramatically when Alexander went for his signature C4 Spike, only for Cole to flip out and stun him with a superkick and the Boom, sealing his win and TNT title defense in front of a passionate crowd.
Throughout the contest, the drama was intensified by Cole’s ongoing issues with the Don Callis Family, whose infiltration of AEW storylines has triggered multiple high-profile confrontations across recent weeks. Alexander’s challenge mirrored previous open calls by Cole, further deepening the rivalry between the champion and potential contenders aligned with Don Callis.
Key Matches and Segment Highlights from AEW Collision
The night opened with FTR and The Outrunners clashing in an in-ring confrontation. FTR addressed recent attacks by The Outrunners, claiming that the upstarts’ jealousy stemmed from FTR’s successes in AEW. As Dax Harwood recounted The Outrunners’ failed bid for the AEW World Tag Team titles, Seattle native Truth Magnum fired back, rallying local support. Turbo Floyd’s challenge for a fight was met with business-like reasoning from Stokely Hathaway, who postponed the contest to next week in California, ensuring the storyline continued to simmer.
A video recap followed, revisiting how the Young Bucks escalated tensions by elevating the Swerve Strickland and Will Ospreay match. The Bucks’ decision to suspend Swerve for a week after a referee incident left Hangman Page vulnerable, with Ospreay and Swerve unable to effect a rescue. This sequence underscored ongoing power struggles among AEW’s top names.
Patriarchy Triumphs in Wild Tag Match
Christian Cage and Nick Wayne, alongside Kip Sabian and Mother Wayne, squared off against The Learning Tree pairing of Big Bill and Bryan Keith. After a methodical start, Nick Wayne tagged Christian in to face the powerful Bill, only for Christian to retreat after a punch. The Learning Tree capitalized, isolating Wayne with double-team attacks until the action erupted. Keith and Christian exchanged hard-hitting offense, with interference from Sabian and a perfectly timed distraction by Mother Wayne giving the Patriarchy the opening needed. Christian speared Keith as he attempted a powerbomb, notching a win for his camp and continuing their momentum. Post-match, MVP appeared backstage to congratulate the victors, delivering a pointed message:
Good luck, because you’ll need it.
— MVP
Brody King and Templario Outlast The Don Callis Family
Brody King and Templario faced Rocky Romero and Hechicero of The Don Callis Family in a bout that delivered high-impact action and showcased both power and lucha libre skills. While Hechicero and Romero briefly gained control using tactical teamwork, King’s overwhelming strength and Templario’s aerial attacks eventually shifted the balance. In a pivotal sequence, King overcame illegal tactics to set up Templario’s flying double stomp and a Sasuke Special to the floor, before King finished Romero with the Gonzo Bomb, earning a decisive and crowd-pleasing victory.
Megan Bayne and Skye Blue Score Wins in Women’s Division
The women’s division saw Megan Bayne, guided by Penelope Ford, dominate Vertvixen. Displaying raw strength and fast offense, Bayne executed a running kick and butterfly suplex before ending the match with Fate’s Descent for a commanding win. Elsewhere, Queen Aminata plunged into a hard-fought contest with <a href="https://cynicaltimes.org/tag/skye-blue/”>Skye Blue, flanked by Julia Hart. While Aminata showcased powerful kicks and nearly claimed victory with a fisherman’s neckbreaker, Blue utilized strategy by hiding behind Hart, then delivered flying knees to Aminata for the pinfall. Following the match, Thekla joined Hart and Blue, orchestrating a post-match attack on Aminata. Anna Jay and Tay Melo intervened, leading to a new alliance being hinted in the growing Women’s Casino Gauntlet narrative, highlighted further by Megan Bayne and Penelope Ford’s presence on the ramp and Nigel McGuinness’ speculation about the entire group’s participation at All In.
Kyle Fletcher Overcomes Kyle O’Reilly Amid Ringside Chaos
Kyle Fletcher and Kyle O’Reilly engaged in a competitive contest marked by skillful mat wrestling and an energized crowd, who participated in lively Kyle-centric chants. Both wrestlers exchanged high-impact moves and submissions, each gaining near-falls. Midway through the match, O’Reilly locked on a triangle and a heel hook, nearly forcing a submission, before Lance Archer intervened, attacking O’Reilly on the outside as Fletcher distracted the referee. Despite O’Reilly’s valiant efforts, Fletcher sealed the win with a brainbuster following a Michinoku Driver. The post-match saw Archer and Fletcher continue their assault until Adam Cole, Roderick Strong, and Daniel Garcia raced to the ring. The trio stood strong together, as Fletcher declared his intention to pursue the TNT Championship, escalating hostilities surrounding Adam Cole’s title reign.
Noteworthy Segments and Continuing Rivalries
Outside the ring, several memorable moments unfolded, deepening AEW’s complex network of feuds. Josh Alexander issued a stern backstage warning to Adam Cole prior to their match, vowing to break Cole’s ankle and claim the TNT Championship. Ricochet and AR Fox faced discontent following a failed tag match, with The Gates of Agony ambushing Fox and leaving Ricochet visibly intrigued by the group. Daniel Garcia and Matt Menard confronted Rocky Romero over the Don Callis Family’s recruitment attempts, as Romero questioned Garcia’s loyalties and hinted at deeper fractures within AEW’s roster alliances.
The show also featured hype packages for Mercedes Mone and Toni Storm, building anticipation for their impending TBS title showdown. Mone’s direct message to Storm, promising an impactful and potentially career-changing encounter, underscored the rising stakes in AEW’s women’s division. Additionally, Alex Windsor’s newly announced signing with AEW was spotlighted, indicating opportunities for the ever-expanding women’s roster.
Upcoming Bouts and AEW’s Continuing Evolution
Thursday’s broadcast was moved from Saturday due to NASCAR coverage, airing at 8 PM Eastern on TNT. Attention now turns to next week’s major matchups, with FTR set to face The Outrunners in California and continued build-up towards AEW Dynamite’s milestone Episode 300 and Collision’s 100th edition. The complex feuds and dynamic new alliances showcased throughout the night, from Adam Cole’s championship responsibilities to the Don Callis Family’s machinations, promise further high-stakes confrontations.
Adam Cole’s successful TNT Championship defense not only strengthens his legacy as champion but also accentuates the depth of competition in AEW, with ongoing rivalries—particularly those involving Josh Alexander, The Don Callis Family, and rising contenders in both men’s and women’s divisions—poised to shape future broadcasts and determine the next wave of championship challenges in All Elite Wrestling.
