AEW Collision (July 29, 2023) emanated from XL Center in Hartford, CT. The show featured MJF & Adam Cole putting friendship on the line to battle FTR for the tag titles, CM Punk ready to defend a false championship, Andrade winning his mask back, and more.
Get caught up on all the Collision details with top-notch play-by-play from Geno Mrosko.
Saturday night is alright for fighting.
Friends forever
Brochachos MJF and Adam Cole are the hottest thing in AEW right now. As evidence, they have made something as simple as a double clothesline into a national treasure. Earlier today, I scrolled my Twitter timeline to stumble upon this tweet from MJF. It instantly put a smile on my face with anticipation for Collision.
Saturday was the big night when MJF and Cole would have their shot at FTR for the AEW World Tag Team Championship. They were riding a three-match win streak by conquering the Blind Eliminator Tag Team Tournament. FTR was in peak condition coming off a stellar 58-minute victory against Bullet Club Gold.
Aside from the lure of tag team gold, the main event had another level of attraction in storytelling. MJF and Cole have bonded to become great friends, however, world championship motivation may drive an irreparable wedge in the relationship. Failure to succeed in the quest for tag team gold could explode their bond.
Let’s get to the action. FTR worked as serious scholars of the game, while MJF and Cole worked their magic to entertain the crowd. The vaunted double clothesline was teased various times, but FTR were too savvy to let it happen. In the end, FTR were poised to hit the Shatter Machine finisher on Cole. MJF shoved Cole to safety and mashed into those ruffians. MJF grabbed Cash Wheeler for a Heatseeker piledriver, but Dax Harwood accosted MJF from behind for a roll-up to retain the titles.
MJF was devastated at losing the match and letting his friend down. Cole voiced verbal support for his pal and handed him the world title belt to remind him of his greatness. When Cole turned his back, MJF rose with the belt in a sinister position to portray a backstabbing attack. Based on the crowd reaction, Cole knew what was coming. He remained with his back turned to make it easier on MJF. Much like the Grinch, MJF’s heart grew three sizes in that moment. He was clearly conflicted about striking his friend, then he decided to drop the belt on the mat. MJF and Cole hugged it out as the fans cheered in jubilation.
It isn’t often that professional wrestling can warm the cockles of your heart. The power of friendship can do that. There is a lot to digest about the closing scene. My first reaction was anticlimactic. Anticlimactic doesn’t mean bad in this scenario. AEW, and wrestling in general, has conditioned the masses to expect betrayal in these scenarios. AEW teased it hard over the weeks that MJF can not be trusted. Cole hasn’t helped his case either with jealous eyes on the world title.
A funny thing happened along the way. The people love MJF and Cole as a duo, and they didn’t want to see a breakup so soon. Even though