On July 31, 2025, the Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, Illinois, became the battlefield for a gripping AEW Collision event broadcast live on TBS and HBO Max. Highlighting the night was a dramatic Dustin Rhodes TNT Title Match where Kyle Fletcher pulled off a shocking victory in a violent street fight, capturing the coveted TNT Championship. The energetic crowd of approximately 1,137 spectators witnessed relentless physicality and unexpected twists throughout the evening.
Opening Moments Highlight Tensions and Set the Stage for Fierce Competition
As the event opened, Tony Schiavone welcomed viewers and previewed upcoming contests, joined by Nigel for a recap of recent storylines. Suddenly, chaos erupted when Wheeler Yuta, accompanied by Marina Shafir and Jon Moxley, fiercely assaulted a security guard. Moxley called out Darby Allin, who had recently endured an elaborate and dangerous rampage, prompting a tense search through the crowd that set a charged tone for the night.
Tag Team Tournament Begins With High-Stakes Quarterfinal Clash
The first match of the evening showcased the quarterfinals of the tag team tournament, pitting Brodido — the duo of Bandido and Brody King — against Gates of Agony (Toa Liona and Bishop Kaun). Bandido and Brody demonstrated impressive teamwork and resilience in a back-and-forth contest. Despite aggressive double-team maneuvers by Gates of Agony, Brodido’s creativity culminated in a high-impact finishing sequence with a 450 splash securing their victory after a grueling 13-minute battle.
Backstage Drama Surrounds Kyle Fletcher’s Title Aspirations
Behind the scenes, Lexy caught up with Don Callis and Lance Archer, who confidently asserted their control over upcoming matches and the TNT Title’s future. Their numerical advantage hinted at strategic dominance. Meanwhile, a humorous yet awkward segment unfolded with Kyle Fletcher and Roderick Strong discussing their alliance with The Conglomeration, reflective of ongoing faction dynamics that add layers to the championship narrative.
Women’s Division Matches Propel Rivalries and Showcase Emerging Talent
Kris Statlander entered next, swiftly dispatching Lena Cross in a dominant two-minute match that reinforced her impressive win record in AEW’s Women’s Division. This victory was soon followed by a 12-minute hard-fought match between Willow Nightingale and Thekla, with Thekla prevailing after exploiting distractions and executing precise strikes, extending the faction warfare narrative involving Julia Hart and Skye Blue. The brutal post-match assault by Thekla’s allies on Willow intensified the tension, setting the stage for further rivalries.
FTR Advances in Tag Team Tournament After Hard-Fought Semi-Final Victory
The second hour opened with a semi-final tag team tournament match featuring FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler, accompanied by Stokely) facing the Bang Bang Gang, composed of Austin Gunn and Juice Robinson. The match included the surprising debut of cardboard cutout Colten Gunn and the return of Cardblade Jay White. Both teams exchanged near falls in a classic, methodical bout, but FTR’s precise teamwork ultimately earned them the victory after 16 intense minutes, keeping them in contention for the tag titles.
Additional Backstage Segments Build Anticipation for Future Events
Between matches, backstage segments featured Athena explaining her motivations for the upcoming match against Toni Storm at Forbidden Door in London, dismissing the need for a surprise contract match to showcase her dominance. Max Caster’s incendiary promo against Bowens drew mixed responses from the crowd, while Swerve and Prince Nana plotted future challenges, hinting at a potential title encounter involving Kazuchika Okada. A brief confrontation backstage between Don Callis and Okada added further drama to the event‘s unfolding storylines.
Max Caster and Rush Conclude in Draw After Fast-Paced Encounter
Max Caster faced Rush in a five-minute match marked by swift exchanges and high-energy moments. Although the bout technically ended in a draw, Rush asserted dominance with a signature Bulls Horns finisher post-match. The chaos extended as LFI members attacked security, leading to a brawl involving Jetspeed and A.R. Fox, bringing the crowd to a fever pitch with tension spilling from the ring to backstage areas.
Shane Taylor Promotions and SkyFlight Clash in Grueling Multi-Man Match
Next, Shane Taylor Promotions, bolstered by Carlie Bravo, Shawn Dean, Trish Adora, and Anthony Ogogo, squared off against SkyFlight (Scorpio Sky and the Martin brothers, Dante and Darius). Despite the numbers game, SkyFlight executed precise teamwork and high-flying maneuvers to overcome their adversaries in an eight-minute contest, solidifying the formation of Scorpio Sky’s new faction and reinforcing emerging storylines within AEW’s roster.
Elevated Tensions as Darby Allin Attempts a Dangerous Escalation
Backstage footage captured a tense moment with Darby Allin attempting to hurl Jon Moxley over elevated train tracks near the venue, only to be stopped at the last second by security personnel. This dramatic scene underscored Darby’s volatile condition and elevated the stakes leading into tonight’s final bout.
Climactic TNT Championship Chicago Street Fight Ends in Violent Title Change
The event’s pinnacle was the brutal Chicago Street Fight for the TNT Championship between longtime fan favorite Dustin Rhodes and the rising contender Kyle Fletcher, managed by Don Callis. The combat was fierce and unrelenting, involving steel stairs, tables, kendo sticks, chairs, thumbtacks, and a screwdriver, underscoring the match’s no-rules stipulation. Fletcher, employing a ruthless style and aided by callous interference, countered Dustin’s veteran resilience to secure a 17-minute victory, capturing the TNT Championship and ending Rhodes’ reign amid a shower of blood and bruises.
Despite the ruthless nature of the bout, and some controversial moments such as the use of a screwdriver, both competitors displayed tremendous endurance and spirit, engaging the audience in a gripping display of professional wrestling violence and drama. Fletcher’s post-match assault further cemented his status as a dominant new champion, setting a darker tone for the TNT Title’s future.
“it’s been a nice career for Dustin”
—Don Callis, Manager
Significance of Fletcher’s Victory and Future Championship Prospects
Kyle Fletcher’s capture of the TNT Championship in such a violent environment signifies a potential shift in the title’s prestige and the storytelling direction for AEW. Dustin Rhodes’ ability to deliver a punishing match at his veteran age emphasizes his enduring influence and the physical demands placed on top competitors. Fletcher’s aggressive post-match behavior and alliance with Don Callis suggest new rivalries and a reinvigorated focus on the TNT Title, likely driving intense competition in upcoming AEW shows.
Event Summary Reflects a Night of Memorable Matches Amidst Wrestling Faction Turmoil
This edition of AEW Collision mixed hard-hitting competition with backstage intrigue and factional conflict. Two standout tag team matches advanced the ongoing tournament narrative, while the women’s division saw emerging rivalries intensify. The chaotic main event delivered a physical spectacle in Chicago that will resonate with fans, rekindling interest and adding depth to AEW’s championship scene. Fans can anticipate fresh storylines and increased levels of intensity as the promotion builds toward future high-profile events such as Forbidden Door.
