AEW ‘Collision’ hits the century mark: The Top 10 matches in the show’s history

This Saturday, AEW will air its 100th episode of “Collision,” emanating from the Toyota Arena in Ontario. 

In honor of “Collision 100,” here are the 10 greatest matches in “Collision” history.

Honorable Mentions

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Will Ospreay vs. Ricochet 
Collision #74: Christmas Collision 
12/21/24 

FTR vs. Better Than You Bay Bay 
Collision #7 
7/29/23 

CM Punk vs. Samoa Joe 
Collision #4
7/8/23 

CM Punk vs. Ricky Starks 
Collision #8
8/5/23 

10. Hologram vs. The Beast Mortos 

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Collision #81 
2/22/25 

After a trilogy of single’s encounters in 2024, Hologram and The Beast Mortos’ rivalry was renewed in February.

Hologram is a phenomenon in the squared circle, pushing the envelope in a way that can only be likened to Rey Mysterio or Psicosis in the mid-nineties. And, Mortos is the perfect foil for luchadores like Hologram—whose size belies his mobility. These two managed to improve upon their best two-out-of-three falls contest at “WrestleDream,” thanks to their familiarity and the audience’s investment.

9. Bryan Danielson vs. Katsuyori Shibata

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Collision #38 
3/16/24 

In 2017, Katsuyori Shibata suffered a subdural hematoma during a match with Kazuchika Okada. Shibata’s injury required emergency surgery and caused some paralysis in the right side of his body. Ostensibly, it seemed like Shibata’s career as a professional wrestler had ended prematurely. However, in 2021, Shibata shockingly returned to the ring, competing in a five-minute exhibition with Zack Sabre Jr. 

When his time in New Japan ran its course, Shibata signed with AEW in 2023—setting the stage for this veritable dream match. Like Shibata, Bryan Danielson defied the odds and overcame a career-ending injury; a testament to the miracle’s of modern medicine and their own fighting spirit. However, the “American Dragon” had never shared the ring with “The Wrestler.” Fortunately, their meeting lived up to the excitement, maximizing their talents within the confines of a near-20 minute television match.

8. Kyle Fletcher vs. Mark Briscoe 

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Collision #80
2/8/25 

Mark Briscoe and Kyle Fletcher are currently both at their zenith. For Briscoe, it’s as a tragic hero, who’s been thrust into the role of AEW’s conscience. For Fletcher, it’s as a traitorous, irreverent prodigy.

Both men wrestled two months prior to this match, during the “Continental Classic.” In that instance, Briscoe scored a shocking upset victory over Fletcher. That failure fuels the “Protostar’s” animosity in this contest, which in turn underlines Briscoe’s herculean effort.

7. Bryan Danielson vs. Hechicero 

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Collision #33
2/3/24 

Bryan Danielson has widely been considered the greatest technical wrestler in the world for two decades. Hechicero is one of the few men who can challenge Danielson’s stake in the claim.

Known as the “Mad Scientist” or “El Alquimista del Ring” (which translates to “Alchemist of the Ring”), Hechicero is a master of Mexico’s llave style—which is lucha libre’s equivalent to chain wrestling. However, Hechicero’s style is decidedly unorthodox, typified by his creativity and fluidity. And, he proved to be the perfect opponent for the “American Dragon.” Danielson was forced to rely on his catch-as-catch-can prowess to match the former CMLL World Heavyweight Champion, and ultimately out-maneuver him.

6. Bryan Danielson vs. Eddie Kingston 

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Collision #25 
12/2/23 

Bryan Danielson’s contempt towards Eddie Kingston was deeply personal and concise. And, their rivalry was renewed in the inaugural “Continental Classic.” 

This match proved to be central to the overarching narrative of the “Continental Classic,” as well as the very ethos of Kingston. Unlike his former Blackpool Combat Club member, Claudio Castangoli, Danielson didn’t harbor any long-standing animosity towards Kingston. Instead, he simply found Kingston beneath him—positing that his lack of discipline had historically jeopardized his career and would doom him to fail in the “C2.”

In many ways, it feels like Danielson is punching down in this match, devising a plan to anger the “Mad King.” Once Kingston lost his temper, he began to lose some of his precision—giving the “American Dragon” an opportunity to strike.

5. FTR vs. Bullet Club Gold 

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Collision #4
7/8/23 

FTR’s pair of matches against Bullet Club Gold have been canonized in the lore of Saturday Night “Collision.” This was their first encounter.

Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler were at the peak of their powers in 2023 and in possession of the AEW World Tag Team Championships. “Switchblade” Jay White & Juice Robinson were relative newcomers and in search of championship gold. Winning this match would grant them an opportunity to face FTR in the future for the titles. And, Bullet Club Gold managed to do exactly that.

4. Bryan Danielson vs. Claudio Castagnoli 

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Collision #28: Holiday Bash 2024 – Tag 3 
12/23/23 

Bryan Danielson and Claudio Castangoli had met 14 times in singles competition prior to this encounter, as part of the “Continental Classic.” As fellow Blackpool Combat Club members, this was a contest between brethren—albeit fanning the flames of the fighting spirit that typified their previous battles.

More importantly though, Danielson had already announced his impending retirement as a full-time professional wrestler; so this may have been their final single’s encounter. This match lives in the specter of that reality, paying homage to their previous encounters. To that end, it’s poignant, and a triumphant coda to their rivalry.

3. Bryan Danielson vs. Ricky Starks 

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Collision #15 
9/23/23 

The Bryan Danielson-Ricky Starks rivalry began one day before “All Out” (2023), when Danielson signed a contract on behalf of Ricky Steamboat, to face Starks in a leather strap match. Their feud continued throughout September, culminating in this Texas Death match.

While this didn’t quite live up to their strap match at “All Out,” it was a fitting end to their rivalry. And, the stipulation was appropriate, with both men risking life and limb to prove victorious.

2. MJF vs. Kenny Omega

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Collision #20 
10/28/23  

During his record-setting reign as the AEW World Champion, Maxwell Jacob Friedman staged five world title defenses on television. Two were mundane matches against Daniel Garcia and Ethan Page. Two were on major special-edition episodes of “Dynamite,” against Ricky Starks and Samoa Joe. Then, there was this match, against Kenny Omega. 

This was a spectacular title fight. Both men exhausted their offensive repertoires, with Omega cutting MJF off at every pass. In the end though, Omega lost the war of attrition—falling to MJF after 30 minutes.

1. FTR vs. Bullet Club Gold 

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Collision #5 
7/15/23 

This was the highly anticipated sequel to FTR’s first match against Bullet Club Gold. From bell-to-bell, this best two-out-of-three falls match lasted over 58 minutes. However, time is of little importance in this bout.

I love two-out-of-three falls matches, because they’re a vehicle for a concise three-act structure. And, FTR and Bullet Club Gold manage to use the stipulation to great effect. This was a beautiful ode to classic southern tag team ‘rasslin’ and a triumph for early “Collision,” cementing the program as destination television.