AEW Collision Results - August 16, 2025: Nigel Punches Ticket to ZSJ, Statlander Wins $100K, Ricochet Spoils Ace Austin’s Debut, Death Riders Escape

Saturday night’s Collision from Cincinnati was a sweet-spot blend of grit and glory: Nigel McGuinness wrestled the match of his second act to earn Zack Sabre Jr. at Forbidden Door, Kris Statlander muscled through a chaotic $100K Four-Way to cash the check and the shine, and Ricochet spoiled Ace Austin’s debut with opportunistic precision. The Death Riders escaped JetSpeed by the slimmest of shortcuts, FTR left a smoky calling card on Brody King, and the women’s division opened hot as Athena and “Timeless” Toni Storm turned a microphone into a matchstick. If Collision was meant to set the table for London, consider the silverware rattling already. 

Show: AEW Collision - August 16, 2025 (Taped 8/14)
Location: Andrew J Brady Music Center — Cincinnati, OH
Commentary: Tony Schiavone & Daddy Magic

Opening: Storm vs. Athena explodes

“Timeless” Toni Storm strutted out with a barbed monologue—only for Athena to blindside her. Billie Starkz tried to jump Athena, Mina Shirakawa evened it up, and Storm cleared Billie before planting a lipstick-smeared kiss on Mina. The champ vs. ROH Women’s World Champion is pure gasoline heading into Forbidden Door.

Death Riders def. JetSpeed

Winners: Jon Moxley & Wheeler Yuta (w/ Marina Shafir) over “Speedball” Mike Bailey & Kevin Knight

JetSpeed ambushed at the bell, ran white-hot early, and nearly put Yuta away after a flurry of moonsaults and tandem offense. Chaos hit late: Shafir drew the ref, Yuta hit a low-blow behind the official’s back and cradled Knight for the three. Classic Death Riders survival finish—Cincy approved.

Vignette: The Outrunners

’80s-soaked wilderness bit from The Outrunners keeps their kitsch charisma alive.

Ricochet def. Ace Austin

Winner: Ricochet over Ace Austin

Former TNA X-Division ace Ace Austin came in hot—zipping rope-to-rope, tope onto Ricochet and swatting away Gates of Agony—but the numbers finally told. After GOA distractions, Ricochet poked the eye, dodged a roll-up, and landed the Spirit Gun knee for the win. GOA mauled Ace post-match to cap the statement.

Backstage: Hurt Syndicate

MVP shrugged at tag tourney brackets and brushed off “internet drama” with MJF. Message: focused and unbothered.

Paragon def. Blake Christian & Lee Johnson

Winners: Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly over Blake Christian & Lee Johnson

Blake’s speed popped, Lee brought the power, but Paragon’s timing was cleaner. Strong’s barrage of backbreakers set the table; O’Reilly kneed through Blake and covered for three. Tomohiro Ishii and Hologram joined the celebration while Strong coolly exited first—Paragon chemistry building.

Angle: FTR vs. Brody King

Backstage brawl erupted after FTR jumped Bandido. Brody King steamrolled both until Stokely Hathaway powdered the eyes; Shatter Machine dropped Brody. Cash slapped Bandido’s mask on Stokely and screamed into the lens: “Top spot belongs to FTR.”

Sky Flight callout

Sky Flight dared Don Callis to pick the match type—singles, trios, whatever. Lela Grey got bleeped, CD threatened a swear jar. Challenge accepted later by Lance Archer, Hechicero, and Kyle Fletcher.

$100K Women’s 4-Way: Kris Statlander def. Julia Hart, Penelope Ford & Anna Jay

Winner (earns $100K): Kris Statlander (submission over Julia Hart)

Four-way sprint with side feuds everywhere (Skye Blue/Thekla with Hart; Tay Melo with Anna; Megan Bayne with Penelope). Stat muscled through a poison-rana scare from Ford, ate shots from Anna, then snatched Hart mid-scramble into a headscissors submission for the tap. Post-match, Thekla & Skye jumped Stat, Tay ran hot, Bayne bulldozed in, and Harley Cameron—face in a pink guard—stormed down with a chain to chase the heels off. Big brawl, bigger spotlight for Statlander.

Backstage: Statlander & Death Riders

Renee asked Kris what she’ll do with the money; Harley Cameron interrupted; Death Riders swung by to salute Stat’s win. Subtle rub for the $100K victor.

Juice Robinson def. Bryan Keith

Winner: Juice Robinson (w/ Austin Gunn & cardboard Bang Bangs) over Bryan Keith (w/ Big Bill)

Guns jawed, Big Bill snarled; inside the ropes Juice boxed clever, spiked Keith with an underhook facebuster, and escaped with the dub. Big Bill glared daggers—this isn’t done.

Technical Spectacle (Winner earns IWGP World HW Title shot vs. ZSJ at Forbidden Door)

Nigel McGuinness def. Daniel Garcia, Hechicero & Lee Moriarty

A chain-wrestling showcase that lived up to the billing. Submissions stacked like Jenga blocks: heel hooks, reverse figure-fours, crossfaces, London Dungeons—often at the same time. The finish ruled: Garcia cinched Dragon Tamer on Hechicero while Nigel wrenched London Dungeon on Lee; McGuinness dragged Lee to center and forced the tap.
Result: Nigel McGuinness earns Zack Sabre Jr. at Forbidden Door.

Post-match: Nigel cut an emotional promo, praised Garcia, and asked him to be in his corner in London. Respect handshake + hug. Curtain falls on a feel-good closer…with a technical storm brewing for ZSJ.

🗣️ Wrestling.news | Backstage Take

Collision threaded the needle between spectacle and setup. Nigel getting ZSJ is surgical matchmaking—dream-tech theater with just enough sentiment to make his comeback sing. Statlander pocketing $100K is a declarative push (and the post-match mêlée tees up weeks of women’s stories). Ricochet beating Ace Austin via opportunism keeps the WWE import sharp while protecting Ace as a hot new toy. Death Riders stayed dangerous with a heelish escape in Mox’s house, and FTR’s masked mockery keeps that tag scene grimy in the best way. The Athena–Storm opener? Perfect heat: two queens, one powder keg.

#WrestlingResults #AEWCollision