The AEW World Champion is actually wrestling!

While the Men’s Owen Hart Cup finishes its opening round, Maxwell Jacob Friedman is actually wrestling on television, for the first time on Collision!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• MJF VS Kip Morst; MJF wins.
• AEW World Championship: MJF VS Ethan Page; MJF wins and retains the title.
• Men’s Owen Hart Cup Opening Round: Powerhouse Hobbs w/ QTV VS Dustin Rhodes; Hobbs wins and advances to the next round.
• Miro VS Anthony Henry; Miro wins.
• Men’s Owen Hart Cup Opening Round: Ricky Starks VS Juice Robinson; Starks wins and advances to the next round.
• AEW TBS Championship: Kris Statlander VS Lady Frost; Kris wins and retains the title.
• Men’s Owen Hart Cup Opening Round: Samoa Joe VS Roderick Strong; Joe wins and advances to the next round.

PLAY BY PLAY

The Men’s Owen Hart Cup entrants speak.

Powerhouse Hobbs says tonight on Collision, the Book of Hobbs says it is the end for The Natural! But Dustin Rhodes says there are two things Hobbs doesn’t have: experience, and grit. Dustin vows to win the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament for Owen! Roderick Strong says that tonight, he and Samoa Joe go 1v1 for the first time in SEVENTEEN YEARS, and beating Joe will lead Strong to win the whole thing. Joe says that Strong will be found wanting while Joe becomes the 2023 King of Harts. Who joins CM Punk in the semifinals?

MJF VS Kip Morst!

Maxwell Jacob Friedman is still AEW World Champion after he trumped The Ace of NJPW. And here, on Canada Day, he is all star-spangled as he makes his Collision wrestling debut. Will MJF make everyone salute the stars ‘n’ stripes with a win here tonight? Or will Hamilton’s own be leading the crowd in singing O Canada?

OH NO, MJF goes right after Morst! He stomps away, the ref backs him off, and then the bell rings. MJF drags Morst up to put Morst through ropes, slashes his throat, HEATSEEKER! Cover, MJF lets off?! MJF is messing with Hamilton and Morst now. He drags Morst into a LEBELL LOCK! Morst manages to tap, MJF wins!

Winner: MJF, by submission

MJF sends a message to Bryan Danielson, who is out with injury, then TOSSES Morst out! MJF gets the mic, has them cut his music, and he says that he knows the “stupid crooked Canadians are very, very, very unintelligent, but when the world champion’s holding the microphone, you keep your hillbilly white trash mouths shut.” Fans boo more but MJF continues to say, “You think I wanna be here? I was supposed to have a day off today! But instead, I had to come to crappy ass Hamilton! Hamilton, Ontario, Canada is filled with the dumbest, most worthless pieces of trash I’ve ever seen in my life.”

Fans boo more but MJF says in fact, he is so positive that he could beat ANYONE who is from Hamilton, and he’ll even put the title on the line! Fans cheer, and here comes big bad Bonecrusher Steve Brown! Fans cheer but MJF tells “Fat boy” that go ahead, come and get it. But then ETHAN PAGE walks out! Ethan tells Brown that it’s okay, he’s got this. Ethan gets a mic now and MJF isn’t sure what to make of former Firm member. He knows Ethan is not on his- ETHAN SLAPS THE MIC AWAY! Fans fire up as Ethan says they’re not doing this crap. Not tonight in Hamilton!

The crazy thing is, MJF was about to say Ethan is not on his level? Really? You have no clue what Ethan’s capable of. Everyone who does know, don’t seem to give a crap! So let Ethan remind everyone the cloth that he is cut from! Fans fire up for that, and Ethan says his father moved from Macedonia to right here, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and was lucky enough to get a job at the National Steel Corps! And y’know what everyone told Papa Page? They told him, “Be happy, make the money you’re making and enjoy the position you have, because this is all you can do.” Y’know what Ethan’s dad showed him? Not to listen to the lazy, spoon-fed “chosen!”

Y’know what MJF is not? MJF is not Ethan’s father, a man who became the president of multiple companies and showed Ethan the way! So you wanna say Ethan’s not on MJF’s level? He’s not! Because he’s not a “bare minimum b*tch!!” Fans fire up for that! MJF tells Ethan to watch himself, but then the ref walks back in. MJF put up the challenge, is he going to honor it? Ethan says MJF can walk around with the belt all he wants, he is #NotMyWorldChampion! When it comes to AEW needing someone to do something, they don’t call MJF. They call Ethan Page! Ethan’s always here for the fans, for the company, and for those three letters, A E W!!

And when the company asks Ethan on last minute notice to promote this tour, Ethan said yes. He told his kids he isn’t coming home, and his wife asked, “Whenever is this company gonna pay you back for all the extra sh*t you do?” And he told his wife, “In due time.” Max, NOW’S that time!! MJF might be AEW champion, but Ethan champions AEW!! Maybe MJF should be a man for once and do something for the company by doing what he said. Anyone from Hamilton, right? Let’s do it right here, right now, against Ethan! MJF is angry, but he says fine! The title is handed to the ref, will MJF be getting it back?

AEW World Championship: MJF VS Ethan Page!

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and Hamilton could be a place of history!

The bell rings, fans fire up for All Ego, but MJF runs in! Ethan dodges to fire off stomps! The ref counts, but fans are loving this! Ethan lets off and fans are thunderous! Ethan drags MJF up, reels him in, Canadian Rack! But MJF fights free and CHOP BLOCKS a leg! MJF stomps that leg, the fans boo but MJF DDTs the foot! And again! And again! Ethan writhes but MJF soaks up the heat with a salute. MJF storms back over to Ethan and stomps the foot! Fans chant “YOU SUCK!” at MJF but MJF drops an elbow onto the toehold. Ethan endures, MJF digs knuckles into the knee, but fans rally up.

Ethan CLUBS MJF and throws hands. MJF lets go, Ethan hobbles up, and Ethan JAWBREAKERS! MJF goes to a corner, but he uses the ref as a shield! Fans boo and MJF gets a kick to Ethan’s leg in. Ethan comes back, MJF pops him up, Ethan does a headstand but MJF SUPERKICKS him! And then ALABAMA SLAMS him! And then has a leg for a HALF CRAB! MJF sits deep on the hold but Ethan endures. Ethan crawls, fans rally, but MJF drags Ethan back! Ethan powers up, fights forward again, but MJF drags him away! Fans boo as MJF sits even deeper! MJF wants Ethan to give up but Ethan refuses!

Ethan crawls forward again, claws his way, but MJF drags Ethan back again! But Ethan turns over, throws hands on MJF, but MJF just turns back over! HALF CRAB!! Ethan endures, goes to the side now, and fans fire up as Ethan gets the ROPEBREAK! MJF lets go in frustration, and has to rest his own back and legs from holding on that long. Ethan shakes out the bad leg and fans rally up. MJF storms over to Ethan as Collision goes picture in picture.

MJF tells the ref to watch himself, and he brings Ethan through the ropes. MJF slashes his throat, HEAT- NO, Ethan dumps MJF out! MJF stands, Ethan FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES from the apron! Ethan hobbles, gets in the ring, and he builds speed? But not enough, and MJF CHOP BLOCKS the knee! MJF soaks up the heat again, and he stomps Ethan’s bad leg! MJF smirks as fans chant at him, and he stalks Ethan to a corner. MJF brings Ethan up to put through ropes again, and he CHOKES Ethan! The ref counts, MJF lets off, and then MJF brings Ethan back up to CHOKE him again!

The ref counts, MJF lets off at 4, and he grins as he paces around. MJF goes back to Ethan again, drags him up and CLAWS his back! MJF kicks the bad leg, brings Ethan through ropes again, and slashes his throat. HEAT- NO, Ethan throws MJF away! MJF lands on his knees now and Collision returns to single picture. Ethan steps in to CUTTER! Fans fire up as both men are down! Ethan shakes the bad leg out, fans rally behind him, and he drags himself up with the ropes. Ethan counter punches MJF again and again and again! Ethan whips, MJF reverses to kick the leg! MJF runs, but Ethan CLOBBERS him!

Ethan rallies on MJF, and manages a RANA! And a BOOT! Fans fire up more and Ethan storms up to ROCK MJF! Ethan puts MJF up top, ICONOCLASM! And a ripcord POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! MJF survives perhaps because of Ethan’s bad leg. Ethan stands, slashes his throat, and fans fire up again. Ethan drags MJF up, reels him in, Canadian Rack! MJF slips free, but Ethan avoids the chop block to kick and TWIST OF FATE!! He’s learning from Matt Hardy! Ethan drags himself to the corner, blows a kiss to his family at ringside, and then wobbles on one good leg. But MJF trips Ethan up!

Fans boo but MJF climbs up after Ethan. Ethan throws body shots! Ethan HEADBUTTS MJF, then adjusts his position. Ethan scoops MJF for a SUPER POWERSLAM!! But the knee hurts too much, Ethan can’t make the cover! Ethan crawls over, covers, ROPEBREAK!! MJF survives by a literal foot! Ethan stands, fans fire up again, and he drags MJF up. Ethan reels MJF in, Canadian Racks, but the leg gives out! Ethan and MJF are both down again, and Ethan is almost in tears from pain and frustration. MJF is at the ropes, he wants mercy, but he YANKS Ethan out! Ethan gest up, MJF runs in and blocks the kick, to DRAPING DRAGON SCREW!!

MJF drags Ethan through the ropes, HEATSEEKER!! Cover, MJF wins!

Winner: MJF, by pinfall (still AEW World Champion)

MJF grins as he survives his own gamble. Is there still no one on the level of the Devil?

Men’s Owen Hart Cup Opening Round: Powerhouse Hobbs w/ QTV VS Dustin Rhodes!

The Book of Hobbs is writing the next chapter, and if Hobbs gets his way, it will end with Hobbs taking the King of Harts belt. But will the Natural have a different ending in mind? Or will this end up being Dustin’s last chapter instead?

The bell rings and Hobbs circles with Dustin. They tie up, Hobbs powers Dustin to a corner but the ref counts. Hobbs lets off slowly, then shoves Dustin. Dustin SLAPS Hobbs! They tie up again, Dustin headlocks, but Hobbs powers up. Dustin holds on tight, grinds the hold, but Hobbs throws body shots. Hobbs powers out, RAMS Dustin, but neither man falls. Hobbs eggs Dustin on so Dustin runs, but then ducks ‘n’ dodges to FLYING SHOULDER! Cover, ONE!! Hobbs gets up and ROCKS Dustin! Dustin goes to a corner, Hobbs throws body shots, and then haymakers. The ref counts, Hobbs lets off at 4, and QT taunts Dustin.

Fans boo QT but Hobbs brings Dustin up to bump him off buckles. Hobbs stomps and throws hands, but lets off as the ref counts. Hobbs soaks up the heat, and he goes after Dustin again. But Dustin turns it around to haymaker, CHOP, UPPERCUT, repeat! Dustin whips, Hobbs reverses but Hobbs runs into a BOOT! Dustin goes up but Hobbs ROCKS him! Hobbs trophy lifts Dustin off the corner, but Dustin slips free! Dustin shoves, dodges, but QT trips him up! Fans boo QT but Hobbs CLOBBERS Dustin! Dustin bails out, QT defends his innocence, but Hobbs goes out to fetch Dustin. Hobbs dribbles Dustin off the apron!

The ref reprimands, Hobbs lets off and slides into the ring. QT POSTS Dustin behind the ref’s back! Fans boo again but QT gets away with it again. Hobbs goes out to fetch Dustin, and Dustin has been busted open! Hobbs rains down fists as Collision goes picture in picture.

Hobbs wipes off Dustin’s blood to then drag him up. Hobbs puts Dustin in, looms over him, then rains down more fists! Hobbs is working to give Dustin a face covered in red, but he lets off to soak up the heat. Dustin goes to ropes, and Hobbs CHOKES him! The ref counts, Hobbs lets off, and QT taunts Dustin. Dustin kicks Hobbs but Hobbs fires off hands in the corner! The ref counts, Hobbs lets off, and Hobbs tells the fans to shut it. Hobbs CHOKES Dustin again, but lets off as the ref counts. Dustin is getting bloodier but he sputters up to his feet as Collision goes to break.

Collision returns and Hobbs CLOBBERS Dustin! Hobbs hurries to cover, TWO! Dustin is toughing it out, but Hobbs keeps focus. Hobbs brings Dustin up, pie faces him around, but Dustin ROCKS Hobbs with haymakers! Fans fire up as Dustin whips, but Hobbs reverses. Dustin LARIATS! And again! Dustin kicks low, drops, RHODES UPPERCUT! Hobbs goes to a corner and fans fire up. Dustin runs in to clothesline, then whip corner to corner. Dustin POWER- NO, Hobbs blocks the slam to scoop Dustin! But Dustin slips free, dragon sleeper! CROSS RHODES!! Fans fire up as Dustin adds on, PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO!?!?

Dustin is shocked but Hobbs survives! Hobbs is still dazed but he’s still got power. Dustin scowls as he brings Hobbs back up. But Hobbs RAMS him into a corner! And again! And again! Hobbs whips corner to corner, Dustin bounces off buckles, and Hobbs whips him the other way. But Dustin kicks low, hops on, CODE RED!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Hobbs survives again, perhaps showing he does have grit! Dustin pounds the mat, waits on Hobbs to get up, but QT gets on the apron! Dustin DECKS him! But Hobbs SPLASHES Dustin! Whip and SPLASH in the other corner! Hobbs whips again, SPINEBUSTER!! Cover, ONE?!?!?

Hobbs is shocked! Dustin is fuming from behind his crimson mask and the fans are thunderous! Hobbs is furious, he brings the straps down, and he brings Dustin up again. Fireman’s carry, but Dustin fights free! But then Hobbs shoves Dustin away, Dustin dodges, POWERSLAM!!! Cover, TWO!! Hobbs is still in this but QT and Harley are worried. Dustin snarls and grits his teeth as he stands back up. Dustin drags Hobbs by a leg, steps through, but Hobbs kicks him away! Dustin ends up on ropes, Harley distracts, HAYMAKER from QT! SPINEBUSTER from Hobbs!! Hobbs wins!

Winner: Powerhouse Hobbs, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

QTV makes good on their partnership with Hobbs, he’s moving on to the semifinals! Will QTV also be critical to Hobbs becoming the King of Harts?

Miro VS Anthony Henry!

Last we heard from The Redeemer, he didn’t care if he was redeemed or not, because he is doing things his way, for himself, and nothing will stop him! Will Miro crush all competition until he is a champion again? Or will the Saint of Augusta show him that is not the way?

The bell rings, the two circle, and fans rally up. Miro and Henry put up their dukes and tie up. Miro powers Henry back, fires off hands and stomps away! The ref counts, Miro lets off and fans fire up. Miro drags Henry up to whip him hard into the corner, then OVERHEAD SUPLEX on the rebound! Henry goes to ropes, but Miro drags him up to suplex high and hard! Fans fire up while Miro paces around. Miro drags Henry up to GUT WRENCH SUPLEX! Miro revels in the cheers, and he stalks Henry to the apron. Miro drags Henry up to have him against the ropes! BEATS OF THE WAR DRUM! And he goes all the way to TEN!

Fans cheer the shoutout to Sheamy, and Miro suplexes Henry back into the ring! Henry flounders, Miro runs in at the corner, but into a BOOT! Miro just gets mad! Henry BOOTS again, goes up the corner, and FLYING DOUBLE STOMPS! Miro snarls, reels Henry in, but Henry slips out of the back suplex! Henry fires off a strike fest but Miro shoves him down. Henry dropkicks the leg out, then ENZIGURIS! Henry fires forearms, roars, runs, but into a SPLASH! Miro then hits a SWINGING SIDE SLAM! Fans fire up with Miro and he stomps around. Henry stands, Miro MACHKA KICKS him down!

Miro powers up and the fans fire up with him! Miro shouts for it, and he clamps on the GAME OVER!! Henry TAPS, Miro wins!

Winner: Miro, by submission

This wasn’t quite David VS Goliath, mostly because Goliath won this time! Will Miro be the only one he needs to be back on top?

Tony Schiavone is in the ring.

He welcomes out Bullet Club Gold! Jay White, Juice Robinson, and the newest members, Austin & Colten Gunn! The Bang Bang Gang makes their way out, and Switchblade says hold on, where are they? Here they come! Austin & Colten have the shirts on and everyone throws up the gun fingers. They continue on down towards the ring, Juice gives the Owen Hart Cup trophy a good shining, and then they all get in the ring with Schiavone. He knows they’re all celebrating after last week’s win, and the new members, “ASS~ BOYS~!” But what is next for BCG in AEW?

White tells fans to hush first. He doesn’t like the energy here, or Schiavone’s energy. It’s too low! BCG has a couple of new members! The Bang Bang Gang is at full four-ce! King Switch, Rock Hard, and now the “Golden Gunns!” You like that? How about #TopShelfGunns? Schiavone is jelly, huh? This is the golden era of Bullet Club, and that continues tonight when Jay’s friend Juice absolutely wipes the floor with Ricky Starks. Austin then takes over, thanks. The real question tonight is why did the Gunns join Jay ‘n’ Juice? Well, Jay ‘n’ Juice have won multiple titles around the world. Switchblade is a NJPW Grand Slam Champion.

The fans chant “ASS~ BOYS~!” as Austin says the Juice is loose tonight! The other question is: Why would the BCG want The Gunns? Austin & Colten in their first tag match was just 16 MONTHS ago! And in that time, they’ve won the AEW World Tag Team Championships! Fans boo but Austin says they still beat all the favorites! Acclaimed, Ricky Starks, The Hardy Boys, FTR, and even CM Punk! Fans boo that but Austin says the Gunns are the future! Colten says no, they’re the present! They’re the best team in the world! Fans chant for Punk but Austin says if you’re not done with that, they’ve got too words for ya!

But not those words. It’s #GunnsUp! Schiavone does want to say that in a couple minutes, it is Juice VS Starks in the Owen Hart Cup. Now, the BCG are barred from ringside from this- WHAT?! Since when?! Is Schiavone making this choice? No, he- No, Schiavone, no, if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all. White has something ot say to CM Punk! When Punik retru8ned, he had a bag of goodies. Or is it just one goody? But when you wave gold in front of White, it can be mighty, mighty tantalizing. So if that goody in the bag is gold, if that is Punk’s AEW World Heavyweight Championship…! Then White suggests you just leave that in the bag.

As for FTR, you have their attention! Dax Ax, Cash Money, or “Fuzzy Wuzzy Bear and Silly Willy Worm” as they call ’em… FTR already lost to BCG, so maybe just put those AEW World Tag Team Championships against White & Juice, and they’ll beat you again and take those from you! Then it really will be #TopGuysOut and #GunnsUp. Schiavone cues it to the back to hear from the men BCG just called out!

Backstage interview with #AbsoluteCMFTR.

Lexi Nair is with Punk, Starks, Dax & Cash. Starks is going to face Juice in just moments, a man he knows very well. Punk says to let Starks get his pump on, Punk can take it from here. Punk brings up that yes, BCG beat them last week. Congrats. But listen, you wanna know what’s in the bag? Do what MJF did: go to the shop website, buy a replica, and parade around here like you’re really champ. Punk doesn’t see White in the tournament, like Punk is and Starks is. White’s hiding behind Juice and the Gunns, acting like they’re bodyguards. Punk doesn’t need bodyguards. He has a team in FTR, who has the gold to prove it.

Cash says they’ll get to BCG but Austin & Colten are first. FTR has admitted, The Gunns are the future. But what they’ve also seen is that when it’s game 7, titles on the line, those Gunns shoot blanks. This is where the big boys play. Dax says BCG is dealing with the baddest on the school yard. And yeah, they got a win, that’s fine. But if you wanna go tonight, let’s go. Next week, let’s go. The show’s theme song says, “Saturday nights are alright for fighting.” Starks adds that the real question is, what happens now that BCG is banned from ringside? What happens to Juice when he’s all alone? Starks knows the answer and Juice doesn’t like it.

The answer is that no matter how hard Juice prays and dreams of winning, it will end up the same way when they went around the first time. Bullet Club down, Absolute Starks up! Lexi says the line for them: #TopGuysOut. Will this be an absolute certainty for Starks? Or does The Booster have some tricks up his proverbial sleeves?

Men’s Owen Hart Cup Opening Round: Ricky Starks VS Juice Robinson!

This isn’t really anything new for either man, but the stakes are higher than before. Who wins to be one step closer to being the 2023 King of Harts?

The bell rings and the two stare down. Fans rally for Starks, Juice points at the cup and says “You don’t think I’ve never won a tournament before? You don’t think I can do this on my own?” They tie up, Starks waistlocks but Juice wrenches out. Starks wrenches back, wristlocks, but Juice powers through to wristlock back. Starks steps in, headlocks, but Juice powers out. Starks runs Juice over, then things speed up. Juice hurdles, Starks blocks hip toss to hip toss Juice! And then Starks hits a headlock takeover! Fans rally, Juice fights up, and Juice throws body shots. Juice powers out but Starks runs him over!

Things keep moving, Juice hurdles and trips Starks up! Starks hits ropes hard and the ref checks him. Starks is still in this but Juice is on him with a rain of fists! The ref counts, Juice lets off and tells them to shut up! Juice stalks Starks, drags him from ropes, and then drops an elbow on the knee! Starks CLUBS Juice but Juice drops another elbow! And another! And another! Starks writhes, but Juice just drops another elbow! Starks endures, Juice pulls on a toehold, but Starks pushes Juice’s face. Fans rally, Starks fights around, throws elbows, and Juice lets go. Juice hurries after Starks and they both throw shots!

Starks and Juice go forearm for forearm, Starks gets the edge but Juice knees low. Juice whips, scoops, and SLAMS Starks into ropes! Starks clutches the legs while fans boo Juice. Juice storms up on Starks, brings him around and scoops again, to SLAM him into more ropes! Starks writhes, Juice wants the ref to call this, but fans boo more. Starks drags himself to ropes as Collision goes picture in picture.

Juice storms up, whips Starks corner to corner, but the bad leg gives up! Juice taunts Starks and soaks up the heat. Starks crawls his way to the other side, but Juice runs up to KICK the leg out! Starks hobbles up, but Juice KICKS the leg out again! Juice watches Starks go to a corner, then he soaks up the heat. Juice goes over to Starks, but Starks CHOPS! Juice hurries to reel Starks in and suplex! Starks writhes, Juice pushes him down and SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Juice grows annoyed and he argues the count, but the ref says it was a fair count. Juice stalks Starks then clamps on a chinlock.

Juice grinds Starks down, Starks endures, and Starks fights up. But Juice wrangles him back down! Juice taunts Starks, Starks still endures, but he is fading. The ref checks Starks, the arm drops once. The arm drops twice, but then Starks gets new life! Starks fights up, and he powers Juice back, only for Juice to send him into buckles! Juice drags Starks up as Collision returns to single picture. Juice CHOPS, JABS, repeat! Juice whips corner to corner hard and Starks hits buckles. Juice shouts “RICKY!” and clotheslines Starks down! Juice goes corner to corner and back again, CANNONBALL! Cover, TWO!!

Starks is still in this and Juice is furious! Juice looms over Starks, kicks him around, and Starks staggers up. Juice kicks him around, runs, and BOOTS! Starks stays up! Starks snarls at Juice, eggs him on, and fans fire up! Juice snarls at Starks, runs, and LARIATS! Starks still stays up! Starks wants more and the fans fire up more! Juice powers up, but kicks the bad leg! Juice then runs, but Starks manages a back drop! Starks rallies with haymakers! He DECKS Juice again and again! Starks whips, Juice reverses, but Starks LEAPING LARIATS! Fans fire up as Starks hits a TORNADO- NO, Juice stops the DDT!

Starks hobbles, but he ducks the leg lariat to standing DDT! And he kips up! Adrenaline helps Starks strike his pose and the fans fire up. Juice runs in but into a scoop! SNAKE EYES, then TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO!! Starks is frustrated but he hurries after Juice. Juice goes to the apron, Starks drags him up, and Starks brings him through ropes. But Juice gets off the ropes to HOTSHOT Starks! Starks staggers, Juice LEG LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Starks survives and fans rally up! Juice says he’ll end this, and he gets the legs. Juice ties them up in a TEXAS CLOVERHOLD! Starks endures and fights around!

Starks reaches out, but Juice drags him away! Juice sits deep but Starks endures! Starks fights his way forward again, ROPEBREAK! Fans fire up while Juice lets go in frustration. Starks goes to the apron, Juice storms over, and Juice brings Starks up. Juice suplexes, but Starks  slips free! Starks waistlocks, Juice switches, O’Conner, with tights! TWO!! Starks escapes and Juice is mad at the ref! Juice turns around, into a BLUE THUNDER BOMB from Starks! Cover, TWO!! Juice is still in this but Starks keeps his focus. Starks grits his teeth, fans rally behind him, and Starks drags Juice right up.

Starks underhooks but Juice drops and goes for the apron. Starks drags him in but Juice also brings the apron skirt. Starks stomps Juice, brings him up, but Juice RAMS Starks into the corner! Juice catches his breath before he brings Starks up. Juice HEADBUTTS, hoists Starks up top, and CHOPS! Starks ROCKS Juice! Juice CHOPS! Juice climbs, goes to the very top, SUPER STEIN- NO!! Starks holds the ropes! Juice crashes down, Starks stands up, and Starks leaps! Juice gets under, runs in, and SPEARS Starks! Cover, TWO!! Juice is beside himself as Starks survives! Juice drags Starks up, reels him in, but Starks gets loose!

Starks ducks ‘n’ dodges to SPEAR!! Fans fire up and Starks is all fired up! Starks gets Juice up, but Juice trips him and jackknife bridge, ONE into the sunset flip! Starks wins!!

Winner: Ricky Starks, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Starks absolutely snatches this one away, but BCG rushes back out there! Starks sees them as they flank all sides of the ring, but here comes CMFTR! BCG runs away and fans boo, but it seems Starks has some Top Guys watching his back. Will Dax & Cash handle White & Juice soon enough? As for Starks, he is heading for a collision with old foe, Powerhouse Hobbs! Will Starks make it through this next chapter of the Book of Hobbs?

Backstage interview with Christian Cage & Luchasaurus.

Lexi Nair is with Captain Charisma and the TNT Champion, though she asks what we all want to know: Why does Christian have the belt over his shoulder? Christian says it’s because everyone saw him and his Right Hand of Destruction walk away from Collision as the new TNT Champion. And since today is Canada Day, Christian is feeling generous. But then wait, in walks Shawn Spears! What’s he looking at? He’s looking at the TNT title, and says it seems outta place. Stegosaurus, do you not see what’s going on here? Christian has Spears stop there. No more open challenges.

Right, right, that’s why Spears is here, shooting his shot. If Christian doesn’t mind, Spears wants to talk to the champ. Christian says you can’t, so what does he want? Actually, Christian shares something that’s always bothered him about Spears. And that is? Spears doesn’t seize opportunities, he’s not dangerous, and never will be. So just walk away. Spears tells Christian that the funny thing is, everyone’s capable of being dangerous. They just need to meet the right person. Spears looks at Luchasaurus as he says, “See you soon, champ.” Luchasaurus is snarling, ready for a fight, but Christian has him stand down. When and where will the Perfect 10 get his shot?

AEW TBS Championship: Kris Statlander VS Lady Frost!

While Captain Charisma doesn’t want Luchasaurus’ TNT title to be an open challenge belt, the Galaxy’s Greatest is more than okay doing that with her title. Will Kris still be champion? Or will her reign freeze over here in Canada?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if the Summer stays hot for Statlander!

The bell rings and the two circle. Fans rally up, the two tie up, and Kris puts Frost in the corner. The ref counts, Kris lets off, and Frost comes back. They circle again, tie up, and Kris waistlocks. Frost fights the lift, switches, but Kris pries the hold open to throw Frost down. Frost gets up and fans rally up again. Kris and Frost circle, tie up, and Kris waistlocks to SLAM Frost down! Kris shifts to a facelock, gator rolls Frost around, then brings her up. Frost throws body shots, wrenches, knees low, and headlocks. Kris blocks the takeover, lifts Frost and hits a BIG back suplex! Then a kip up! Fans fire up as Kris flexes.

Frost rises slowly as Kris gets fans to cheer her on. Kris storms up on Frost, clinches, but Frost body shots! Frost runs, Kris drops and hurdles, then Frost leaps over. Frost comes back and handsprings, but Kris dodges! Kris runs Frost over! Kris drags Frost up, scoops, but Frost slips free to ROCK Kris! Frost runs, wheelbarrows, but Kris stops that to shove Frost and scoop, BACKBREAKER! Fans fire up again and Kris feeds off the energy. Kris stalks Frost and CLUBS her as Collision goes picture in picture.

Kris whips corner to corner hard and Frost flops in the corner. Kris storms up on Frost again, brings her up, and suplexes. Frost fights it, but Kris manages to keep Frost up, and SLAMS her down! Cover, TWO! Frost is hanging tough but Kris brings her up. Kris fireman’s carries, Frost throws elbows, and then sunset flips! Kris sits on it! ONE and Frost finishes the sunset, TWO! Kris ducks the buzzsaw but not the HEEL KICK! Cover, TWO! Frost grows frustration, and she brings Kris up to ROCK her! Frost whips but Kris blocks and reverses! Kris runs in but into boots! Frost runs, handsprings, and basement dropkicks! Cover, TWO!

Frost grows further frustrated but both she and Kris pound the mat. Both women glare at each other, and Collision goes to break.

Collision returns, Kris dodges Frost to spin and reel her in, FISHERMAN DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Frost survives and Kris is surprised! Fans rally up and Kris thinks of what she has to do. Kris storms up again, brings Frost up and runs, but Frost avoids the knee to GERMAN SUPLEX! Frost fires up and fans rally again. Frost runs, handsprings, but Kris catches her to a shoulder! Swing and- DDT from Frost!! Kris staggers, into the SPINNING ROUNDHOUSE! Cover, TWO!! Kris survives and Frost is shocked! Fans rally, Frost drags Kris to a drop zone and she goes up the corner. Frost aims, but Kris stands.

Frost jumps over, comes back, and ducks a boot! Frost keeps moving, handspring to Alabama lift, but Kris turns it around to a lift of her own! But Frost RANAS outta the bomb! Frost runs in, but into a DISCUS LARIAT! Fans fire up with Kris and she drags Frost up, gut wrench and tuck, SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER! Cover, Kris wins!

Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall (still AEW TBS Champion)

Mama Kris is still the Galaxy’s Greatest, and she’s moving on through the summer at breakneck pace. Will she manage to overshadow Jade Cargill’s impressive inaugural run?

Backstage interview with Andrade El Idolo.

Lexi Nair is with Andrade and says that since his return, he’s in a “bit of trouble” with the House of Black. Andrade stops her there to say that he is here for his mask! The House of Black stole it from him, so Andrade wants them to listen. “Show me your face, cucarachas!” Where are you!? He needs that mask!! But on the TV, Malakai says they didn’t steal anything. The House is helping Andrade cut away his past. So until then, amigo, tranquilo. Andrade is anything but relaxed as he storms off. Will Andrade make the House of Black regret toying with this ungovernable?

Wheeler Yuta speaks.

“Kenny, when I pinned you in the main event of Double or Nothing, when I had my crowning moment, my biggest achievement to date, I thought the war between the BCC and the Elite was over. But it’s become apparent it’s not over with a victory. We haven’t truly left our scar the way we need to. Kenny, we have to break you. We have to break you emotionally, we have to break you physically, we have to break you mentally. We’re gonna end the war at Blood & Guts. It’s gonna be a surrender, because I will have decided the war myself when I end you and The Elite.” The Decoder gets a 1v1 match with The Cleaner this Wednesday on Dynamite, will he fire the first shot in this final battle?

Men’s Owen Hart Cup Opening Round: Samoa Joe VS Roderick Strong!

These two haven’t gone 1v1 in seventeen YEARS! And that means for those seventeen years, the Savior of the Backbreaker still hasn’t defeated the Samoan Submission Machine. Will Strong manage something Joe says is impossible? Or will the ROH World Television Champion be the one moving on to face CM Punk?

Speaking of Punk, he makes his way back out to ringside because he’s joining commentary for this one. Punk takes a moment to admire the Owen Hart Cup trophy, and then Strong makes his entrance, followed by Joe’s. The bell rings and Joe circles with Strong. The fans sing “Joe is gonna kill~ you~” as the two tie up. Joe wrenches, wristlocks, but Strong gets up to push through and wrench back. Joe goes to ropes, the ref counts, and Strong lets go at 4. Strong and Joe circle again and fans rally. The two tie up, Strong headlocks, but Joe powers Strong to a corner. The ref counts, Strong and Joe let off slowly.

Joe swings, Strong dodges and CHOPS! Joe snarls, but Strong dodges again to CHOP! Strong forearms and CHOPS on repeat, but Joe DECKS Strong! Punk says that’s all it takes. Joe runs but Strong CALF KICKS him down! Strong stomps Joe, but then Joe dumps Strong out. Joe builds speed, but has to stop as Strong slides in! Strong then WRECKS Joe with a dropkick! Fans fire up with Strong and he drags Joe up. Strong CHOPS Joe, Joe scowls as he staggers away. Strong CHOPS Joe again, but Joe CHOPS back! They CHOP and CHOP and the ring count climbs! Joe DECKS Strong again and fans fire up!

Punk likes that, and Joe gets Strong up to put him in the ring. Fans rally behind Joe, but Strong knees him down! Strong stomps away, sits Joe up and CHOPS him! And ROCKS him! Joe goes to a corner, Strong RAMS into him! Punk says this is what people wanna see. Strong stomps Joe, but Joe CHOPS! Strong CHOPS! Joe CHOPS! Strong CHOPS! Joe DECKS Strong! Joe brings Strong around to ROCK him again! Strong BOOTS Joe back! Fans fire up and Strong wraps on a chinlock. Joe endures, fights up, and fans rally. Joe powers Strong to ropes, then powers out of the hold, but Strong KICKS back!

Strong runs but Joe CLOBBERS him! Fans rally for “JOE! JOE! JOE!” and he has Strong in a corner. joe JABS, JABS, JABS, and Strong sits down. Punk says Joe wastes no time when there’s blood in the water, so to speak. Joe CHOPS Strong, whips corner to corner but Strong reverses. Only to run into the URENAGE! Fans fire up, Joe covers, TWO, and Collision goes picture in picture.

Joe keeps his focus as he drags Strong up. Joe throws down ELBOWS, then KICKS Strong around. Strong goes to a corner, Joe brings him up, and Joe CHOPS! Strong staggers against ropes, and Joe JABS! JABS! JABS! Joe CLUBS Strong, and Strong goes to ropes. Joe snapmares, chinlocks, and neck wrenches! Strong endures, even as Joe leans all his weight on him. Strong fights the hold, gets to his feet, but Joe throws him down by his head! Joe then sits Strong up to CHOP him on the back! And KICK him in the chest! Joe runs to drop an elbow! Cover, TWO! Strong is hanging tough but Joe keeps his focus.

Joe paces around, drags Strong up, and HEADBUTTS him back down! Strong goes to ropes, kicks back, but Joe JABS him! Joe brings Strong up, JABS and CHOPS but Strong forearms and CHOPS in return! Collision returns to single picture, Strong runs to JUMP KNEE Joe down!! Cover, ONE?!? Strong is beside himself but he brings Joe up. Strong scoops but Joe fights free. Joe KNEES Strong and Punk admits, Joe is one of the toughest men in sports. Joe shoves Strong, throws JABS and CHOPS, then brings Strong around. Joe ROCKS Strong but Strong ROCKS and kicks and CHOPS and whips.

Joe reverses to atomic drop, then BOOT Strong down! SENTON! Cover, TWO! Punk won’t take anything away from Strong, but the “Colliders” wanna see Joe VS Punk. Joe drops knees on Strong, covers, ONE!! Joe keeps on Strong with a neck wrench. Fans rally, Strong endures and reaches out. Strong gets to his feet again, but Joe again throws him down by his head! Joe mockingly applauds and fans fire up again. Joe SENTONS but misses as Strong moves! Strong and Joe rise, and Strong JAWBREAKERS! Strong goes to a corner, Joe runs in and Strong BOOTS! Strong runs to LEPAING LARIAT! Joe is still up!

Strong keeps moving, another LEAPING LARIAT! Joe is still up!? Strong runs to LEAPING LARIAT! Punk wants Strong to put some stank on it, but then Joe pokes the eyes! Joe runs, but into a DROPKICK! Down goes Joe! Strong scoops but Joe fights free again. Joe runs, into the BACKBREAKER!! Strong clutches his leg, that was a bit double-edged given how big Joe is. But Strong still hits a SICK KICK!! Cover, TWO?!? Joe survives that but Strong keeps his focus. Joe goes to a corner, Strong runs in, but Joe catches him! Joe puts Strong up top, CHOPS, and tucks him in! But Strong fights free and kicks Joe away!

Strong MISSILE DROPKICKS Joe down! Cover, TWO!! Punk would love if this was a draw or something, just so they’d have to do another match. Strong runs to ROCK, CLUB, and then shoot around, OLYMPIC SLAM!! Cover, TWO!! Joe survives and Strong is frustrated. Fans rally for Strong and he gets Joe back up. Strong suplexes, but Joe wrenches out to CHOP! Joe runs, but into the JUMP KNEE! Strong wants it again, suplex but Joe suplexes first! And drops Strong into the COQUINA CLUTCH!!! Strong is caught, he’s fading out! The ref checks, Strong is DONE, Joe wins!!

Winner: Samoa Joe, by submission (advances to the next round)

Joe is still undefeated against Strong, and Punk admits the same is true in their feud. Punk says he’s in for the fight of his life, and Joe grabs a chair?! Joe wants Punk to join him, so Punk gets a chair. Security and refs rush out here, Joe backs down, having had his fun. But then Joe gets back in the ring to scoop Strong?! POWERSLAM on the chair!!! Joe sides out as Punk rushes in! Adam Cole also appears from backstage to check on his friend. Joe adds insult to injury, or perhaps just injury to injury as medics rush out to get Strong on a backboard and stretcher. Fans cheer on Strong, hoping he can recover.

Will Punk avenge Strong in the next round of the tournament? Will Cole look to get his pound of flesh regardless? Or will nothing stop the sadistic Samoa Joe from becoming King of Harts?

My Thoughts:

A great Collision here, though it oddly felt undersized in some ways. Great stuff from MJF to open, and clearly Ethan Page is turning Face through his experiences with Matt Hardy. At the same time, it was a clever use how they were in Canada, so Canadians would be cheered. Great showing from Ethan, but of course MJF retains the title. And of course Miro beat whoever he was going up against tonight, but it was rather fitting that they chose someone whose nickname had to do with saints, given Miro has “turned away from God.” Miro wants after gold, I hope he gets his shot at the top title just so he can play off of MJF’s “Devil of AEW” talk.

Good promo from Christian, Luchasaurus and Spears to set up the next TNT title feud. It is rather obnoxious for Christian to hold onto the belt when he hasn’t won it, but in a way it makes him like Paul Heyman with the belt(s) Roman Reigns owns. It honestly feels like Christian should’ve won the belt in the first place, with Luchasaurus’ help,  because then you could have Luchasaurus be the gatekeeper. That is to say, Spears would have to beat Luchasaurus to get his shot at Christian, thereby “earning” it. Pretty good TBS Championship match, Frost is getting a lot of screentime between AEW and ROH, but of course Kris retained.

Really good stuff out of the Men’s Owen Hart Cup, but I have to say, if I had a dollar for every time the Owen Hart Cup entrants said promos that were basically the same, I’d have $4. The opening stuff was barely that different from what we heard last night on Rampage or last Wednesday on Dynamite. But the matches were all great. Dustin VS Hobbs was really good, but of course QTV has to get involved, which is disappointing. Hobbs should be winning this stuff all on his own, this is just paint-by-numbers Heel faction stuff. Really good promos from Bullet Club Gold and Absolute CMFTR to lead into Starks VS Juice, and a great win from Starks. FTR VS Jay ‘n’ Juice is going to be good stuff, and whoever wins could foreshadow what team wins that Blind Tag Eliminator, i.e. Heel or Face.

Great stuff in Joe VS Strong, and Punk was decent on commentary since he was focused on just relating his experiences with both guys back in ROH. Joe winning made sense, his match with Punk is going to be awesome. But then I did not expect Joe to add onto Strong like that. Strong is perhaps being written off, which is surprising in itself, but it does add some heat on Joe VS Punk next round, and makes for even a potential Joe VS Cole down the line, depending on how things turn out in Cole’s feud with MJF and Blind Tag Eliminator. As for who wins in Joe VS Punk, it feels like Punk will. And if it were me, I’d have Punk put over whoever it is on the other side. Punk doesn’t need the Owen Hart Cup, he has his bag with his world title belt that he can use to bring the Undisputed AEW World Championship story about. Hobbs and Starks definitely need this tournament win more than he does.

My Score: 8.6/10