AEW Collision Results: Matt Cardona Answers Copeland’s Challenge

March 30, 2024 John Kleinchester NEWS, Show Reports
Photo Courtesy: AEW

March 30, 2024
Budweiser Gardens – London, ON

By: John Kleinchester

 

The Cope Opeland 

Collision kicked off with brand-new TNT Champion Adam Copeland resuming “The Cope Open” or as it was hilariously mispronounced last week “The Cope Opeland”. Of note in this opening segment was the return of Ian Riccaboni to the commentary table. Before the match, Copeland got on the mic and said he had finally closed the book on Christian Cage.

With that, he asked who was stepping up and Matt Cardona emerged to accept the challenge to a huge pop followed by “holy sh*t” and “This is awesome” chants.

The commentary team noted that Copeland was a mentor to Cardona and this was a dream match for Cardona, as evidenced by this Tweet from 2023. 

This was a great back-and-forth match buoyed by a very energetic crowd biting on multiple false finishes. In the end, Copeland was victorious with a spear. 

After the match, the lights went out, and when they came back, Malakai Black was in the ring staring down Black. Suddenly, Buddy Matthews jumped Copeland prompting Mark Briscoe to run out and promptly get beaten down. This brought out Eddie Kingston as the lights went out and House of Black was gone. 

FTR Promo

Backstage earlier in the day, Lexi Nair asked FTR what their strategy was going into their match with The Infantry tonight. FTR said that they’ve been on a bit of a losing streak recently and they weren’t going to look past them. 

Daddy Ass and The Acclaimed

Tony Schiavone introduced Daddy Ass and The Acclaimed and Max Caster did not do a rap but Anthony Bowens still did his town/”Scissor Me” bit. Billy Gunn said he was pissed off at Jay White for breaking into his house (which was shown last night on Rampage). Gunn revealed that next week on Dynamite he’ll be facing Jay White in a singles match. Max Caster (wearing a Tegan & Sara shirt) got on the mic and said that both them and The Gunns would stay in the back for the White/Gunn match.

FTR vs. The Infantry 

Next up was FTR taking on “Cinderella Story” The Infantry in the AEW Tag Team Championship Tournament. 

The Infantry certainly impressed and hung well with tag team veterans FTR. 

FTR picked up the victory with The Shatter Machine and will move on to face the winner of Ricky Starks & Big Bill vs. Top Flight which would be taking place later in the evening. After the match, FTR fist-bumped with The Infantry. 

 

Ricky Starks & Big Bill

Lexi Nair interviewed Big Bill and Ricky Starks who said that they are the #1 seed while Top Flight is the #16 seed. 

A Challenge for Dynasty

Backstage, Adam Copeland issued a challenge for him and his new friends Mark Briscoe and Eddie Kingston to face House of Black at Dynasty. Mark Briscoe took a moment to also focus on his upcoming match for the Ring of Honor Championship at Supercard of Honor next Friday. 

Kyle O’Reilly vs. JD Drake

In the next match of the evening, Kyle O’Reilly in his second match back from injury took on JD Drake. O’Reilly made short work of JD Drake, making him tap with an armbar in just under three minutes. After the match, Undisputed Kingdom again surprised Kyle and hoisted him up on their shoulders. 

Top Flight vs. Ricky Starks & Big Bill

The second Tag Team Championship tournament match of the night featured Top Flight taking on former champions Ricky Starks & Big Bill. The two teams were having a solid match when a weird moment occurred where it appeared Ricky Starks may have been injured as he didn’t kick out of a pin and then did get pinned soon after with the wrong theme music being played as Top Flight was victorious. Top Flight quickly hopped out of the ring as an AEW official with a headset was seen in the ring talking to Starks. Hopefully he is okay.

Christopher Daniels

Daniels challenged Malakai Black to a match next week on Rampage. 

Thunder Rosa vs. Lady Frost

Next, was Thunder Rosa taking on Lady Frost. Frost put up a good fight against Rosa but was ultimately felled by the Thunder Bomb in just under nine minutes. The commentary team noted that Thunder Rosa is now the #1 ranked Women’s wrestler in AEW.

Toni & Mariah

Backstage, Renee Paquette informed Toni Storm that Thunder Rosa and Mariah May would face off next week to see who would face her for the AEW Women’s Championship. Toni Storm feigned being angry at Mariah May but instead kissed her and told her she loved her plan. 

Danielson, Castagnoli & Shibata vs. Lance Archer & The Righteous

The main event of Collision was Blackpool Combat Club’s Bryan Danielson and Claudio Castagnoli teaming up with Katsuyori Shibata to take on Lance Archer and The Righteous. 

Shibata picked up the pinfall victory after hitting Vincent with the PK. 

 

 

 

Note: It seemed as though they were trial-running a new catchphrase for AEW as Tony Schiavone said the phrase “This is AEW, where the best wrestle” at least three times throughout the broadcast. Trademark sleuths do your thing.

 

Announced for Dynamite This Wednesday:

  • Jay White vs. Billy Gunn
  • Thunder Rosa vs. Mariah May
  • AEW Tag Team Championship Tournament: Young Bucks vs. Best Friends
  • Chris Jericho Calls Out Hook

AEW Collision Results:

  • TNT Championship: Adam Copeland over Matt Cardona in 13:32
  • AEW Tag Team Championship Tournament: FTR over The Infantry in 12:21
  • Kyle O’Reilly over JD Drake in 2:38
  • AEW Tag Team Championship Tournament: Top Flight over Ricky Starks & Big Bill in 9:38
  • Thunder Rosa over Lady Frost in 8:49
  • Bryan Danielson, Claudio Castagnoli & Katsuyori Shibata over Lance Archer & The Righteous in 16:53
About John Kleinchester 204 Articles
New Jersey born and raised. Wrestling fan since Lex slammed Yokozuna on the deck of the USS Intrepid. Favorite Wrestler of all time is Owen "The Rocket" Hart.
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