Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler kicked off this three-hour special by defending their AEW world tag titles against Jay White and Juice Robinson in a 2-out-of-3 Falls match.
They really took their time getting this match going. Both teams taunted each other and engaged in some mind games before there was any real physicality at about 10 minutes into the show.
Once they got going, their aggression kicked into high gear. This was a long match, so they paced themselves by mixing quick sequences with rest holds and double-team moves.
Switchblade scored the first fall for his team by hitting Wheeler with his finisher and getting the pin. The crowd erupted as the ref counted to three, so both teams clearly had their supporters.
All Elite Wrestling @AEWDax gets the tag and clears the ring of Bullet Club Gold!<br><br>Watch <a href="">#AEWCollision</a> on TNT!<a href="">#AEWWorldTagTeamTitles</a><a href="">@JayWhiteNZ</a> | <a href="">#JuiceRobinson</a> | <a href="">@DaxFTR</a> | <a href="">@CashWheelerFTR</a> <a href="">
The middle third of this match was all about BCG controlling the pace while FTR struggled to make a comeback. The challengers had Wheeler isolated for a long time before he finally made the hot tag to a fresh Harwood.
The crowd was on its feet as both teams came close to getting a pin several times before FTR evened the score at one fall each by hitting Robinson with a Shatter Machine.
We returned from a break to see all four men fighting around the ring. The announcers said all hell had broken loose during the commercial. Harwood and White even spilled over the barricade into the crowd at one point.
Both teams brought their best to this match and made it incredibly hard for everyone in the locker room to follow this performance. AEW gave them the first hour of Collision and they used every minute to put on a fantastic show for the fans in Calgary.
The ring announcer told us there was only five minutes left. Both teams looked worn out after having tried everything in their respective arsenals. Wheeler and Harwood locked both men in the Sharpshooter at the same time to pop the Canadian fans, but they couldn't keep the holds locked in.
Harwood was able to put Juice in the Sharpshooter one more time to get the submission and win the match with barely any time left on the clock.
Winners: FTR
Notable Moments and Observations
- Robinson traded the loud pants he has been wearing for some trunks this week. It somehow made him feel less unhinged.
- The way FTR was showboating early in the match was hilarious. Their Hart family tribute trunks were a nice touch, too.
- Harwood taunting Juice by grabbing the top rope while he had White in an abdominal stretch was a fun moment between them.
- The way Robinson sold a chop from Harwood like he was hit by a baseball bat was awesome.
- Kevin Kelly was in Japan for the G1 Climax tournament in case you were wondering why Ian Riccaboni was on commentary instead.
- There were a couple of near-falls that Wheeler was supposed to break up, but Dax was forced to kick out because Wheeler was going to be late to break them up.
- FTR's clothesline and sunset flip combo was a cool spot.
- White teasing Sweet Chin Music before locking in a Sharpshooter in Calgary was top-level trolling.
