6 Ups & 3 Downs For AEW Collision (Dec 9 - Results & Review)

4. Continuing In The Right Direction

Few talents have been as bungled in AEW as Wardlow, with how expertly he was used in his formative days making it all the more baffling to see how badly the ball was dropped once the War Dog decimated MJF at Double or Nothing 2022.

Still, since Mr. Mayhem returned to action in October, slowly but surely we're getting back to what established Wardlow as one of hottest acts in the company. Namely, he's brutalising fools in comprehensive, impactful fashion.

For the most part, said fools have been enhancement talents or low-totem names. That's not to say Willie Mack - an incredibly talented fella in his own right - is particularly viewed as a big deal in AEW or ROH, but he did at least feel like a smidge more of a challenge for Wardlow than, say, Griff Garrison or Ryan Nemeth.

For those who've seen Mack compete for the likes of IMPACT, GCW, Lucha Underground, or AAA, you'll be well aware what this athletic powerhouse can bring to the table. However, that wasn't what Willie was here for on AEW Collision. Instead, he was here as a slightly bigger threat to Wardlow than the names the three-time TNT Champion has faced in recent weeks; a slightly bigger threat who'd put up a valiant effort but ultimately be left laying and looking at the lights.

It would take just over three minutes, but Wardlow got the ref stoppage win after hitting his Last Ride-infused powerbomb on Mack. Again, this continues to keep the former Pinnacle man moving in the right direction, all as his issues with MJF linger on in the background.