7 Ups & 3 Downs For AEW Collision (Oct 21 - Results & Review)

Ups...

7. A Stunning Opener

AEW Collision Bryan Danielson Andrade El Idolo
AEW

Could AEW have done more to make you invested in Bryan Danielson vs. Andrade El Idolo? Absolutely. Is it somewhat lazy to just throw 'dream matches' together with zero semblance of story or build? Absolutely. Did Danielson vs. Andrade bang hard? Damn right!

The American Dragon is currently in the midst of yet another banner year, while Ed Idolo has been phenomenal in each and every in-ring outing since Collision's launch. It didn't take some master psychic to predict that these two would put on a fantastic match, and that was indeed the case.

At times feeling very much like a human game of chess, at other times a stiff striking exchange, this was pro wrestling at its finest. Both men have some of the best, crispest offense in the game, and likewise both are excellent at selling the wear and tear on their body - be that Andrade's left arm or Danielson frantically trying to avoid taking damage to his left knee.

Of course, as has become commonplace with Bryan matches, all of this was brilliantly accompanied by utter disdain towards Danielson from Nigel McGuinness on commentary. Whether it's a clam digger or a stray street dog, McGuinness' constant jibes and backhanded compliments for his long-time rival are a true highlight of AEW programming - and only further whets the appetite for one final battle between the pair.

Also, the prospect of Bryan Danielson locking horns with Malakei Black is an utterly mouth-watering one.

Advertisement
Senior Writer
Senior Writer

Once described as the Swiss Army Knife of WhatCulture, Andrew can usually be found writing, editing, or presenting on a wide range of topics. As a lifelong wrestling fan, horror obsessive, and comic book nerd, he's been covering those topics professionally as far back as 2010. In addition to his current WhatCulture role of Senior Content Producer, Andrew previously spent nearly a decade as Online Editor and Lead Writer for the world's longest-running genre publication, Starburst Magazine, and his work has also been featured on BBC, TechRadar, Tom's Guide, WhatToWatch, Sportkskeeda, and various other outlets, in addition to being a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic. Between his main day job, his role as the lead panel host of Wales Comic Con, and his gig as a pre-match host for Wrexham AFC games, Andrew has also carried out a hugely varied amount of interviews, from the likes of Robert Englund, Kane Hodder, Adrienne Barbeau, Rob Zombie, Katharine Isabelle, Leigh Whannell, Bruce Campbell, and Tony Todd, to Kevin Smith, Ron Perlman, Elijah Wood, Giancarlo Esposito, Simon Pegg, Charlie Cox, the Russo Brothers, and Brian Blessed, to Kevin Conroy, Paul Dini, Tara Strong, Will Friedle, Burt Ward, Andrea Romano, Frank Miller, and Rob Liefeld, to Bret Hart, Sting, Mick Foley, Ricky Starks, Jamie Hayer, Britt Baker, Eric Bischoff, and William Regal, to Mickey Thomas, Joey Jones, Phil Parkinson, Brian Flynn, Denis Smith, Gary Bennett, Karl Connolly, and Bryan Robson - and that's just the tip of an ever-expanding iceberg. Where his beloved Wrexham AFC is concerned, Andrew is co-host of the Fearless in Devotion podcast, which won the Club Podcast of the Year gong at the 2024 FSA Awards.