7 Ups & 3 Downs For AEW Collision (16 September)

6. Fun, Frantic Opener

AEW Collision Ricky Starks Bryan Danielson
AEW

Bryan Danielson and Claudio Castagnoli have long been amongst the greatest wrestlers on the planet, and the Ricky Starks and Big Bill partnership has been a highlight of AEW programming in recent weeks. So, Bryan & Claudio vs. Starks & Bill looked like a great match-up on paper.

Man, did this match not disappoint.

All four put in some great work here, with the bout moving along at an electric pace, bar some early moments where the heels were getting heat on Danielson. Big Bill continues to shine as the powerhouse monster, Collision really does continue to feel like Starks' show in so many ways, and the two are already so fluid as a tag team unit after just a few weeks. Plus, this villainous duo were also brilliant in their mocking of the American Dragon and his old "Yes!" chants.

Of course, Danielson and Castagnoli obviously were on point throughout this contest, whether on offense or defence, and the finish came after Starks hit a low blow and the Roshambo to get the 1-2-3 over Bryan.

With that, Absolute becomes the only person other than Jon Moxley to pin both CM Punk and Bryan Danielson in AEW.

To add further spice to the rise of Pretty Ricky, the Stroke Daddy would later challenge Danielson to a Texas Death Match next week on Collision. Is it maybe a little too soon after the pair's strap match at All Out two weeks ago? Possibly. Either way, the match itself will be great.

Oh, and fair play to that fan in the crowd during this tag match. They were certainly all in on Ricky Starks...

Bonus points for the panicked, disoriented Starks amazingly doing his trademark pose during a Big Swing from Claudio:

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Senior Writer
Senior Writer

Chatterer of stuff, writer of this, host of that, Wrexham AFC fan.