Location: Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington Announcers: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Bryan Danielson
Opening Segment: MJF Confronted About Darby Allin’s Title Challenge
The show opened with Renee Paquette revealing that AEW upper management had been trying to reach MJF every hour for the past three days to inform him that Darby Allin had demanded a title match tonight, and that MJF still did not know.
MJF dismissed the idea of facing Allin, calling him “the guy that I’ve beaten twice with a headlock takeover,” and instead pivoted to praising himself as the world champion who has beaten Bandido, Brody King, Speedball Mike Bailey, and Kevin Knight, who made sure “Hangman Adam Page can never ever be AEW World Champion again,” who kicked out of the One-Winged Angel, and who beat “Kenny by God Omega fair and square in the middle of the ring.”
Don Callis approached MJF to congratulate him on his win over Omega, then apologized “about the Andrade thing.” MJF, unaware, asked what happened. Callis informed him that Darby Allin had caught a pinfall on Andrade. MJF told Callis he now owed him one and to relay a message to Andrade that “he is not ever going to be championship material, because the man does not get the job done when he needs to.”
Renee then informed MJF that Darby Allin wanted to challenge him for the title tonight.
MJF Refuses the Match, Tony Khan Forces It Into the Main Event
In the arena, Darby Allin made his entrance to a hometown ovation in Everett, Washington, where he first began training in professional wrestling. Tony Schiavone said he believed Allin was ready for this night. MJF cut him off before the bell, demanding the music be cut.
MJF berated Allin and the crowd, threatening lawsuits against “that skank Aubrey,” Justin Roberts, Tony Khan, AEW, Warner Bros. Discovery, and “every single one of you freaks who decide to live in a dumpster fire like Washington.” He claimed his back hurt from wrestling close to an hour against Kenny Omega three days ago and questioned how the company would look forcing him to wrestle with an injury.
MJF then told Allin, “You are very talented. You’re a great underdog. These people love you. They do. They really do. But the reason they love you is because you’re like them. You’re good, but you’re not great. Like them, you’re not championship material.”
Allin responded: “All it takes is one night to drop the wrestling world on its head. If I’m not ready now, I’ll never be ready. I killed myself for this company. Monday, I hung posters all around the city. I taped posters all around the city for tonight’s show. I climbed Mount Everest and I hung that flag on top of the world. The scars, the blood, everything. I’m ready. I’ve been ready.” He spoke about beginning his career 10 miles down the road at the Buddy Wayne Academy and vowing on his first day to either make it or fail as Darby without changing a single thing.
Bryan Danielson then announced he had received a message from Tony Khan, who agreed it was unfair for MJF to wrestle unprepared, and was therefore giving him plenty of time to prepare, with the AEW World Championship match set for the main event. If MJF refused, he would be stripped of the title.
Allin promised, “Tonight in the main event, I’m beating your ass with a headlock takeover.”
Video Package: MJF vs. Darby Allin Rivalry
A video package aired chronicling the history between MJF and Darby Allin. Highlights included Allin’s Mount Everest climb, MJF employing the Don Callis Family to take out Allin, Allin pulling a victory from the jaws of defeat in their number one contender’s match, MJF boasting he could beat Allin “with a freaking headlock takeover,” MJF using a cheap shot headlock takeover to defeat Allin previously, and Allin vowing “I will die for this place” heading into tonight’s championship match. MJF was shown announcing he was going dark on social media and his phone leading into Dynasty.
Will Ospreay Consoles Kenny Omega Backstage (Footage From Sunday)
Footage aired from Sunday after Dynasty showing Tony Schiavone attempting to check on Kenny Omega in the trainer’s room. Will Ospreay entered and the two had an emotional exchange.
Ospreay told Omega, “I was there in the Tokyo Dome back in 2017 when you lost to Okada. And you doubted yourself back then that you could ever climb to the top and you did it, man. You bounced back.”
Omega replied, “It was 10 years ago. I just feel like I don’t have any more time left.”
Ospreay encouraged him: “You do. You got the heart of a wrestler. AEW, professional wrestling, it’s all you from here on in, man. I believe. I know you can take it back. You’ve still got this.”
Ospreay added, “I think we’ve still got this, mate. Listen, I am dejected. I’m sad. I’ve been crying for the last 40-odd minutes, mate. But my dream and my ambition is to still be the AEW World Champion. And I hope you haven’t given up on that dream either.”
Omega told Ospreay, “I’ve always got your back, bro.” After the cameras left, Omega was heard saying to himself, “Maybe I can’t give up. Maybe there is still a chance.”
Tony Schiavone noted he was still standing outside when Will Ospreay burst through the door “more determined than ever for a fight.” It was announced that Ospreay would face Hechicero later in the night.
Tommaso Ciampa defeated Dezmond Xavier
Tommaso Ciampa was introduced from Boston, Massachusetts at 218 pounds. Dezmond Xavier, one-third of the Rascalz, was introduced from Dayton, Ohio. Excalibur noted Ciampa entered the Casino Gauntlet match at number one on Sunday but was unable to capture the vacant TNT Championship, and that the number one and two spots in that match belonged to Ciampa and Rush, two of the heaviest hitters in the AEW locker room.
Ciampa attacked Xavier aggressively from the bell, with the announcers attributing his intensity to frustration over Sunday’s loss. Ciampa kicked Xavier in the face and stomped him against the ropes. Xavier rolled to the outside and Ciampa sent him into the barricade and back into the ring. Ciampa sent Xavier through the ropes to the floor, then knocked him back down with a knee strike when Xavier tried to return via the apron. Xavier vaulted over the steel ring steps to recover. Back in the ring, Xavier used his quickness and unorthodox leg-targeted striking to create separation and connected with a dropkick after Ciampa missed a lariat. Xavier went for a dive, but Ciampa walked away and did the Rascalz wave at him.
During the commercial break, the crowd chanted “Bald! Bald!” at Ciampa. He grabbed the microphone and screamed, “I’m not Ricochet. Leave that for him.”
After the break, Ciampa had Xavier in a headlock. Xavier fought free and unleashed a series of shots to the midsection, ducked an elbow strike that took Ciampa off his feet, and connected with multiple strikes followed by an enzuigiri and a tornado DDT for a near fall. Xavier went up for a 450 splash but Ciampa rolled out. Xavier hit a poisonrana and then a tope suicida through the ropes, followed by a frog splash back in the ring. Ciampa caught Xavier with a rising knee strike as Xavier came off the top rope. Ciampa followed with a backstabber, then dragged Xavier to the center of the ring, pulled down his kneepad, and connected with a running knee for the win.
After the match, Ciampa grabbed a microphone and cut a promo: “This was the example. Why? Because I’m sick of waiting. All I came to AEW because this is where the best wrestle, and I want all of the gold. And if I’m not making myself clear, Darby Allin, Maxwell Jacob Friedman, whoever wins, the psycho killer is coming for the AEW World Title.” Ciampa then kicked Xavier out of the ring.
FTR Promo Segment with Stokely Hathaway
Excalibur noted that AEW World Tag Team Champions FTR, Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler, successfully defended their titles against Adam Copeland and Christian Cage in a bloody match at Dynasty. Tony Schiavone mentioned that Copeland had received stitches or staples in his head after being hit with a belt, and that the audience would hear from Copeland on tomorrow’s Spring BreakThru Collision.
Stokely Hathaway introduced FTR. Dax Harwood addressed the crowd: “I’ve read a lot of the chatter online, I’ve heard all the complaints, and it seems to me the fact that FTR wins again has made all of you angry. I get it. I understand why you’re angry. Because you guys love an underdog story, and you love an underdog story because you think you can relate to it. The fact is, you’re not underdogs. You’re just losers.”
Harwood continued, “We gave Adam Copeland and Christian Cage a brush with relevancy, and they couldn’t get the job done. So Adam Copeland, Christian Cage, I’m talking right to you. As long as we are AEW World Tag Team Champions, you’ll never get a shot at these again.”
Stokely Hathaway then addressed the crowd, referencing the story of David versus Goliath and declaring FTR to be Goliath. He said there were “a lot of wannabe Davids” in AEW, naming Bandido, Bang Bang Gang, Matt and Nick Jackson, Adam Copeland, and Christian Cage, and that “every time David steps up to Goliath, he gets btched out.” He added, “I firmly believe there is no more competition for us here in AEW. So Tony, I know you’re gonna do what you do best. You’re gonna go to CMLL, you’re gonna go to New Japan, you’re gonna sign every chud that you can to put in this division, but the result will be the same. They all will fall to the giants known as FTR.”
Cash Wheeler then requested a moment of silence “to pay homage to the careers of Adam Copeland and Christian Cage, now that we have ended and got rid of Adam and Christian.” After the moment of silence, FTR offered the crowd a 10-second pose “for those of you in attendance with the benefit of flash photography.”
Kevin Knight (c) defeated Claudio Castagnoli to Retain the TNT Championship
Claudio Castagnoli was introduced from Lucerne, Switzerland at 252 pounds, accompanied to the ring by the Death Riders. Kevin Knight followed, accompanied by Speedball Mike Bailey. Renee Paquette provided a pre-match interview update, noting Kevin Knight had been TNT Champion for just three days after winning the vacant title at Dynasty via pinfall in the Casino Gauntlet match. She said Knight told her he had studied Claudio and was ready for the spotlight, adding, “Tonight, it is time for the jet to shine.” Bryan Danielson noted there was no training partner comparable to Claudio Castagnoli in terms of strength, agility, and technical prowess.
As soon as the bell rang, Castagnoli charged Knight, but Knight leapfrogged him. Knight took him down with a dropkick and sent him over the ropes. Castagnoli blocked a dive attempt by turning Knight inside out and followed with multiple stomps. They exchanged blows at a fast pace. Castagnoli hit a scoop slam and locked in a neck vice. Knight used the ropes for an armdrag takedown. Castagnoli pulled Knight out of the ring. Knight delivered a Phenomenal Forearm from the apron.
After the break, Castagnoli scoop slammed Knight. Knight rolled him up, then connected with another forearm, multiple uppercuts, a scoop slam, and a standing UFO. Castagnoli hit him with a forearm and Knight dropkicked him off the apron and followed with a tope. Back in the ring, Castagnoli caught Knight in a gut wrench and carried him up top. Castagnoli connected with an uppercut as they came off the top.
Castagnoli caught Knight and landed a backbreaker for a two count. Knight blocked the Neutralizer. Castagnoli put him in the Giant Swing, then looked for the Sharpshooter. Knight fought it off. Castagnoli went for a catapult, but Knight sprang up to the top rope and came back down with a lariat. Knight went back up top and hit a UFO Splash for the win to retain the TNT Championship.
After the match, Knight addressed the crowd: “Shout out to Claudio. By far one of the hardest hitting dudes, strongest people I’ve been in the ring with. Give it up for Claudio.” He continued, “But I’m not gonna let that stop me, because the jet is looking good, feeling even better. Your new TNT Champion, baby.” Knight acknowledged losing the Trios Titles the night before, telling Speedball Mike Bailey not to blame himself. He said, “Sometimes when one door closes, one door opens up. Sometimes you got to slow down to speed back up, and the jet is riding high, baby.” Knight closed by saying he would be keeping a close eye on tonight’s main event between Darby Allin and MJF for the AEW World Championship, adding, “Jet 2 Belts sounds too fly, baby.”
Renee Paquette Interviews Chris Jericho, The Demand Attacks
Renee Paquette interviewed Chris Jericho, who was happy to be back in AEW and in the ring at Dynasty. He began to congratulate Ricochet when Ricochet’s music hit. Ricochet appeared on the stage with the Demand and said he respected Jericho even more after the win, noting he had to beat Jericho with the Lionsault. Ricochet mocked Jericho’s history of reinventions: “We’ve seen the Lionheart. We’ve seen the guy in the suit who says the big words. We’ve seen the demo god. We’ve seen the guy with the light-up jacket. Hell, we’ve seen it all.” Ricochet suggested a new gimmick for Jericho: “The guy who gets his ass beat by the Demand every week that he shows up.”
Jericho responded by repeatedly calling Ricochet “bald” and calling the Gates of Agony “dumb” and “ugly.” He challenged Ricochet to come down to the ring and face him one-on-one. Ricochet told Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona to stay on the stage no matter what, ordering them not to help him.
Ricochet came to the ring and Jericho immediately hip tossed him and stomped him in the corner. Ricochet called for backup, and the Gates of Agony and the rest of the Demand came to the ring, making it a three-on-one beatdown on Jericho. Bryan Danielson noted Ricochet was “definitely not a man of his word, not a man of integrity.” Jericho fought back but the numbers were too much. The Demand beat Jericho down and posed before Ricochet hit the RicoSault on Jericho.
Backstage: Don Callis and Takeshita After Dynasty (Footage From Sunday)
Footage aired from after Dynasty showing Renee Paquette catching up with Don Callis and Takeshita following their tag team match. Callis was upset about the result, asking Takeshita repeatedly what happened in the two-on-one situation against the Young Bucks. Takeshita responded simply, “It was an accident.” Callis said, “I’m so sorry. We’re not done. It’s okay. He’s my problem. Let’s get you checked.” Excalibur noted that Callis had a lot of work to do making peace between Takeshita and Okada.
Will Ospreay defeated Hechicero
Will Ospreay made his entrance to a big ovation. Bryan Danielson noted Ospreay was grimacing even while taking his jacket off and questioned whether it was a smart idea for him to wrestle tonight after his brutal Continental Championship match against Jon Moxley at Dynasty. Ospreay was visibly taped up with Kinesio tape around his neck, shoulders, and arms. Excalibur reminded fans that Ospreay had neck surgery six months ago.
Don Callis and Lance Archer came out to introduce Hechicero, the CMLL World Heavyweight Champion, 26 days into his second reign after defeating Claudio Castagnoli for the title. Don Callis introduced Hechicero in Spanish before the match. Excalibur noted that Marina Shafir of the Death Riders had tangled with Ospreay’s fiancee Alex Windsor at the Dynasty zero hour.
Hechicero targeted Ospreay’s injured neck from the start, sweeping his leg, putting him in a submission, and keeping Ospreay grounded with a crucifix neck wrench and a scissor headlock. Don Callis praised the strategy, saying they had planned to keep Ospreay on the mat and prevent him from being explosive. Bryan Danielson acknowledged Ospreay could be one of the best technical wrestlers in the world if he wanted to, citing his matches against Zack Sabre Jr. Ospreay escaped and hit a head scissors takedown followed by a crossbody on the outside.
After the break, Hechicero worked on Ospreay’s arm with a hammerlock, then hit a sliding dropkick that sent Ospreay to the floor. Hechicero put Ospreay in a surfboard and wrenched his neck back by pulling his hair. Ospreay fired back with an enzuigiri, a springboard elbow strike, and a standing sky twister press. Ospreay kicked Hechicero in the face and chopped him. Hechicero pulled his straps down. Hechicero blocked the Hidden Blade with a guillotine and covered for a very close near fall. Don Callis yelled at the referee. Hechicero hit Ospreay repeatedly in the neck. Dr. Sampson entered the ring to check on Ospreay.
After the second break, Hechicero continued the assault with a guillotine over the rope. He sent a charging Ospreay over the top rope and followed with a tope suicida. Hechicero landed a leg to the back of Ospreay’s neck and locked in another guillotine. Ospreay barely kicked out on a late cover, with Bryan Danielson noting a rare lax cover by Hechicero gave just enough space for the kickout.
Ospreay fired back with a stunner and a crescent kick. Ospreay attempted the oscutter but Hechicero blocked it and transitioned into a juji gatame, then a triangle choke. Ospreay countered with a Styles Clash and followed with the Hidden Blade for the win.
After the match, Ospreay stared down Marina Shafir. Don Callis and Lance Archer distracted Ospreay, allowing Mark Davis, Ospreay’s former tag team partner and now a member of the Don Callis Family, to attack from behind and hit Ospreay with two lariats, turning him inside out. Excalibur called it “disgusting,” noting Davis was “a man that Will Ospreay once took into his home.”
Willow Nightingale Promo (Footage From Dynasty)
Footage aired from Dynasty of TBS Champion Willow Nightingale addressing Kamille: “If you wanted a title shot, if you wanted a fight, all you had to do was ask, because so many other girls have already learned, if you want to make a comeback at my expense, it’s not as easy as just blindsiding me. I will kill your comeback before it even gets out of the cradle. I may not be 100% but I will be clear in Everett. So if you want to hop on the welcome wagon, Miss American Gladiator, I’ll see you at Spring BreakThru.”
Thekla Promo, Alex Windsor Confrontation
Thekla appeared backstage with Renee Paquette. She dismissed Renee, saying, “Not a single person paid a dime to watch you flap your lips.” Thekla declared, “I marched into Dynasty the AEW Women’s World Champion, and I defeated the great Jamie Hayter. I beat her ass good and then I walked out the AEW Women’s World Champion. And y’all better get used to that, because this industry is filled with nothing but dumb btches.”
Alex Windsor interrupted, refusing to let Thekla claim she legitimately beat Jamie Hayter. Windsor introduced herself as the New Japan Strong Women’s Champion and told Thekla, “Do you know what they say about you in Japan? They call you the girl who was stupid enough to get herself fired from Japan. You silly tit.”
Thekla responded, “I did not get fired from Japan. Okay, I did get fired from Japan, but I only got fired from Japan because they couldn’t handle Thekla, just like you can’t handle Thekla, just like nobody in this building can handle Thekla.”
Windsor challenged Thekla to put the AEW Women’s World Championship on the line against her on Collision. The Sisters of Sin, Julia Hart and Skye Blue, attacked Windsor from behind. Windsor fought them off. Thekla flipped off Windsor and retreated.
Excalibur confirmed Thekla vs. Alex Windsor for the AEW Women’s World Championship was made official by Tony Khan for tomorrow’s Collision.
Jon Moxley Promo (Pre-Taped)
Jon Moxley cut a pre-taped promo, saying he likes to be surprised and that someone like Will Ospreay, who he has known and studied for a long time, never surprises him. He said Ospreay looked “a little green around the gills” and that Ospreay showed his cards. Moxley said he does not take pleasure in the suffering of others, though “there can be beauty in it.”
Moxley then addressed Nick Wayne, announcing a Continental Championship eliminator match on Collision tomorrow night. He told Wayne, “Biggest night of your life. I don’t know very much about you at all. So Nick, please surprise me. And this is continental rules. You know, this is adult stuff for grown-ups, so leave your mom in the back, please.”
Kamille vs. Willow Nightingale (c) for the TBS Championship
Kamille was introduced from Durham, North Carolina. Renee Paquette noted Kamille had been biding her time waiting for the perfect moment to strike while also being a dominant force as “Hurricane” on American Gladiators. She said Kamille told her, “Do not call this a comeback. You have never seen me like this before.” Willow Nightingale was introduced from Long Island, New York.
Excalibur noted this was a tall order for Nightingale, who was looking to defend her TBS Championship for the third consecutive week. Bryan Danielson noted Kamille’s power and said she claimed to have improved a lot in the year-plus she had been gone, adding that she was very aggressive on Sunday, winning her match in just over a minute. Tony Schiavone pointed out Nightingale’s taped left shoulder. Danielson explained Nightingale had wanted to issue an open challenge at Dynasty but medical would not clear her after Kamille attacked her.
Nightingale came out aggressive early. Kamille fired back with a front kick and immediately went to work on the injured left arm and shoulder, using the Kinesio tape as a target. Nightingale hammered Kamille in the corner, but Kamille hammered down and kicked directly at the left shoulder. Nightingale tried to hoist Kamille up to the corner with one arm, but Kamille wrenched the arm and prevented the throw.
After the break, Kamille continued to dominate, targeting the shoulder. Nightingale finally dodged Kamille’s pump kick and began to mount a comeback, taking Kamille off her feet with a series of strikes. Nightingale hit a cannonball in the corner and covered, but could only clutch Kamille’s leg with her right arm due to the shoulder injury. Nightingale attempted the Babe with the Power Bomb but could not get Kamille up. Kamille countered with a facebuster followed by a leg drop for a near fall.
Kamille continued to work the shoulder and locked in a juji gatame with full extension on the arm. Nightingale rotated up and countered to force Kamille to release the hold. Kamille sent Nightingale down with another arm whip. Nightingale caught Kamille with a backslide and stacked her up to barely pull out the victory and retain the TBS Championship.
Winner and still TBS Champion: Willow Nightingale
Kamille was visibly frustrated after the loss.
Kris Statlander and Hikaru Shida Segment
Kris Statlander appeared on screen and congratulated Willow Nightingale on the victory. She referenced teaming with Chris Jericho at Dynasty, calling them “two AEW originals,” and announced she and Hikaru Shida would team up again on Collision tomorrow night.
Darby Allin Pre-Match Segment with Sting
Renee Paquette caught up with Darby Allin backstage before the main event, noting the stakes of the AEW World Championship match. Sting appeared and asked Allin if he was ready. Allin’s trainer told him, “No, you already know what to do. Now get out there and do it.” Sting told Allin, “It’s not showtime. It’s your time. It’s your time. Go take it.”
Excalibur called it a “pep talk from the icon” as Dynamite went to its final commercial break before the main event, to be presented in its entirety.
Darby Allin defeated MJF (c) to Win the AEW World Championship
The match was announced with a 60-minute time limit and refereed by Aubrey Edwards. Darby Allin was introduced from Seattle, Washington at 175 pounds. MJF was introduced from Plainview, Long Island, New York at 226 pounds as the reigning AEW World Champion.
Excalibur noted that when the show began, Allin thought he was walking into a World Championship match at the top of the show, and the nearly two-hour wait had been agony. Bryan Danielson said the extra time put a lot of stress on Allin, and that when Sting approached him backstage, “he didn’t have the same confidence that he did when he walked out at the beginning of the night.” Excalibur also referenced that this was Allin’s fourth time challenging for the AEW World Championship, having struck out three times previously, and that if people start to lose faith in him, he will start to lose faith in himself. Tony Schiavone called it “make or break for Darby Allin.”
Excalibur noted that MJF defeated Kenny Omega at Dynasty just three nights ago in Vancouver, but as in most cases, there was “a pretty big asterisk next to it” because MJF will always take the low road.
Excalibur noted that the match would be presented commercial-free in its entirety. MJF hit a low blow behind the referee’s back and then used the Dynamite Diamond Ring. MJF went for the headlock takeover, but Allin countered with a Scorpion Death Drop. Allin hit multiple Coffin Drops and covered MJF for the three count to win the AEW World Championship.
Winner and NEW AEW World Champion: Darby Allin
The entire AEW locker room emptied to celebrate with Allin in the ring. Excalibur declared, “Where were you on Wednesday, April 15? I’ll tell you where I was, in Seattle, Washington, when Darby Allin claimed the richest prize in our sport and he became World Champion.” Bryan Danielson called it “a defining moment, not only for his career, but a defining moment for All Elite Wrestling.” Allin celebrated with his family at ringside as the show closed with the new champion holding the title aloft in his hometown.
Excalibur signed off, confirming Allin as the new AEW World Champion and reminding fans that Collision Spring BreakThru would air tomorrow night on TNT and HBO Max.
