AEW Collision Notes: Jade Cargill Surprise Return, New Matches for Grand Slam 2023 & WrestleDream, Finals Set for AEW Title Eliminator

Jade Cargill Makes Surprise AEW Return at Saturday’s Collision Show

Saturday’s AEW Collision show in Cleveland, Ohio featured Jade Cargill making her surprise return to AEW.

Following Kris Statlander’s victory over Robyn Renegade to retain her TBS Championship, Charlette Renegade entered the ring and attacked Statlander with a chop block. The Renegades then started attacking Statlander that was only stopped by Cargill’s music playing leading to Cargill making her surprise return.

Cargill proceeded to attack The Renegades and sent them out of the ring. Cargill offered a handshake of friendship to Statlander that turned out to just be ruse and attacked Statlander with a clothesline and a Jaded to lay her out. Cargill then grabbed the TBS title teasing that she wants her belt back.


ROH World Title & NJPW Strong Openweight Title, Title vs. Title Match Added to AEW Grand Slam 2023

Saturday’s Collision show in Cleveland also featured one new match officially announced for the card of AEW Grand Slam 2023, which takes place on September 20th at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, New York.

This is a ROH World & NJPW Strong Openweight Championships, Title vs. Title match of Claudio Castagnoli (ROH World) vs. Eddie Kingston (NJPW Strong Openweight).

This match was setup following a backstage sit-down interview segment involving Tony Schiavone, Castagnoli, and Kingston. After some airing of grievances banter between Kingston and Castagnoli, Kingston issued a challenge to Claudio for a title vs. title, ROH World Championship and NJPW Strong Openweight Championship match at Grand Slam 2023 to settle their issues. Claudio agreed but on one condition that when Kingston loses, Kingston will have to shake his hand and show him the respect he deserves, which Kingston accepted.

Updated card for AEW Grand Slam 2023:

  • AEW World Championship – Winner of Roderick Strong/Samoa Joe vs. MJF (c)
  • AEW Women’s World Championship – Winner of AEW Women’s World Title Eliminator Four-Way vs. Saraya (c)
  • ROH World & NJPW Strong Openweight Championships, Title vs. Title match – Claudio Castagnoli (ROH World) vs. Eddie Kingston (NJPW Strong Openweight)
  • Sammy Guevara vs. Chris Jericho

Bryan Danielson vs. Zack Sabre Jr. Announced for WrestleDream

Saturday’s Collision show in Cleveland also featured the first match officially announced for AEW WrestleDream, which takes place on October 1st at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington.

This is a Dream Match of Bryan Danielson vs. Zack Sabre Jr.

This match was setup following an in-ring interview segment involving Danielson. During his promo, Danielson revealed that he is currently in the final year of his wrestling career due to a promise he had made to his daughter. Danielson stated that he had promised to her that he would retire once she turned seven years old so that they could spend more time together as a family. Danielson revealed that his daughter is currently six years old but promised to everyone that he will make this final year to be the most epic year of his career. Danielson then issued a challenge to Zack Sabre Jr. for a match between the two at AEW’s WrestleDream event next month.

Following Ricky Starks interrupting Danielson and a brawl breaking out involving Big Bill and Jon Moxley, AEW confirmed in a follow-up ad read segment for the cards of upcoming AEW shows that this match has been made official for WrestleDream.


Roderick Strong & Samoa Joe Advance to Finals of AEW World Title Eliminator Tournament

Saturday’s AEW Collision show in Cleveland also featured both of the Semifinals Round matches for the Grand Slam AEW World Title Eliminator Tournament.

The first AEW World Title Eliminator tournament Semifinals Round match featured Roderick Strong defeating Darby Allin.

The finish to this match involved Strong setting up a DVD to Allin on the apron only for Allin to counter it with a Stundog Millionaire causing Strong to fall to the floor. Allin then hit a Coffin Drop off the top rope to Strong on the outside. After Strong and Allin went back into the ring, The Kingdom started to bully Nick Wayne at ringside, who had accompanied Allin for his match. This led to AR Fox coming out and trying to help Wayne much to his chagrin. Strong hit Allin with a Sick Kick and attempted a End of Heartache only for Allin to escape and hit a Scorpion Death Drop. The Kingdom and Wayne & Fox then got into a scuffle on the outside resulting in Fox accidentally taking out Wayne with a Shooting Star Press off the apron. This caused enough of a distraction to Allin who had setup a Coffin Drop off the top rope only to land on Strong’s knees. Strong then hit a End of Heartache for the pinfall victory to advance to the Finals of the AEW World Title Eliminator Tournament.

The second AEW World Title Eliminator tournament Semifinals Round match featured Samoa Joe defeating Penta El Zero Miedo.

The finish to this match involved Penta sending Joe to the outside and landed a kick and a dive combination. Penta then pushed his luck and attempted another dive only for Joe to pull a classic Joe and walked away causing Penta to crash through a table on the outside. Joe threw Penta back into the ring for a nearfall. Penta then attempted a Fear Factor to Joe only for Joe to counter with a flip over and Rear Naked Choke for the submission victory to advance to the Finals of the AEW World Title Eliminator Tournament.

Strong will face off against Joe in the Finals of the AEW World Title Eliminator Tournament at the September 13th AEW Dynamite show in Cincinnati, Ohio.