6 Ups & 3 Downs For AEW Collision (June 1 - Results & Review)

Ups...

6. Good Opener Makes Roddy Look Like A Beast

Making his AEW Collision debut, nobody particularly thought Lio Rush might score an upset win over Roderick Strong, but that doesn't mean that Rush vs. Roddy wasn't a fun, effective match all the same.

Having spent 2024 working for various independent promotions - on the heels of plentiful work in the likes of NJPW and GCW for the past few years - Lio was a perfect opponent for Strong's style of wrestling. As in, his small stature and energetic flying and bumping meshed brilliantly as the Undisputed Kingdom man dealt out plenty of suplexes, strikes, submissions, and of course his patented backbreakers.

For Lio's part, he also had several spirited moments to showcase his ridiculous athleticism and always-entertaining offense, whether that was directed at Roddy or at the ringside duo of Matt Taven and Mike Bennett.

If it weren't for the company's already bloated roster, Lio Rush would make for a fine addition to AEW. Regardless of his contract status, though, the 29-year-old was utilised in a great way here - even if one could argue this spot could've easily gone to one of the many, many talents already contracted to AEW - in bringing some relative name value and giving Strong a fairly dominant win on the back of losing the International Title to Will Ospreay.