AEW Collision#Special episodes
{{Short description|Professional wrestling television program}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox television
| image = AEW Collision logo.png
| image_alt =
| caption = AEW Collision logo
| genre = Professional wrestling
| presenter = {{Plainlist|
- Tony Schiavone {{small|(play-by-play commentator)}}
- Nigel McGuinness {{small|(color commentator)}}
}}
| creator = Tony Khan
| starring = AEW roster
| open_theme = *"Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" by Elton John (opening theme)
- "Red Light Is On (Let's Go)" by Mikey Rukus and Omega Sparx (bridge theme)
| country = United States
| language = English
| num_seasons = 1
| num_episodes = {{#expr:73 + {{age in weeks|December 21, 2024}}}}
| list_episodes = List of AEW Collision episodes
| producer = Tony Khan {{small|(Head of Creative)}}
| camera = Multi-camera setup
| runtime = 120 minutes (including commercials)
| company = All Elite Wrestling
| network = TNT
| released =
| first_aired = {{Start date|2023|6|17}}
| last_aired = present
| network2 = Max
| first_aired2 = {{Start date|2025|1|4}}
| last_aired2 = present
| related = {{Plainlist|
}}
AEW Collision, also known as Saturday Night Collision or simply Collision, is an American professional wrestling television program produced by the American promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW). It airs live every Saturday at 8 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), with some exceptions, and is simulcast on TNT and the streaming service Max. The show premiered on June 17, 2023, and is positioned as AEW's second main program behind Wednesday Night Dynamite.
The show is AEW's third overall program to air on TNT after Dynamite, which aired on TNT from October 2019 to December 2021 before moving to TBS in January 2022, and Friday Night Rampage, which aired on TNT from August 2021 until its cancelation in December 2024. This subsequently makes it the fourth overall wrestling show in general to air on TNT, after Dynamite, Rampage, and the former World Championship Wrestling's (WCW) Monday Nitro (1995–2001), as well as the first Saturday night program on a Ted Turner network since the final episode of WCW Saturday Night on June 24, 2000. Since January 4, 2025, the show has been simulcast on TNT and the streaming service Max, airing live on Max regardless of the location from where the show is produced.
History
On February 15, 2023, the American professional wrestling promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW) filed to trademark the name "Collision", hinting at a possible new in-ring television series in addition to their other programs, AEW Dynamite on TBS and AEW Rampage on TNT.{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/aew-files-trademark-for-aew-collision/|title=AEW Files Trademark For AEW Collision|date=February 19, 2023|last=Thomas|first=Jeremy|work=411Mania|access-date=May 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219205139/https://411mania.com/wrestling/aew-files-trademark-for-aew-collision/|archive-date=February 19, 2023|url-status=live}} Another trademark for the name was filed on April 28, leading to the belief that this would be the name of an upcoming Saturday television show.{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/aew-files-trademark-several-ppv-and-tv-show-names-including-collision-aew-games-trademarked|title=AEW Files To Trademark Several PPV And TV Show Names Including 'Collision'; 'AEW Games' Trademarked|date=May 3, 2023|last=Defelice|first=Robert|work=Fightful|access-date=May 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503190659/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/aew-files-trademark-several-ppv-and-tv-show-names-including-collision-aew-games-trademarked|archive-date=May 3, 2023|url-status=live}}
On May 17, 2023, AEW and broadcast partner Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) announced a third weekly television show titled AEW Collision to air live on TNT as a two-hour show on Saturdays starting June 17, 2023, at 8 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).{{Cite web |date=May 17, 2023 |title=AEW announces new weekly show Collision |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a43919216/aew-collision-tnt-cm-punk/ |access-date=May 20, 2023 |work=Digital Spy |last=Chase |first=Stephanie |language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517212532/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a43919216/aew-collision-tnt-cm-punk/|archive-date=May 17, 2023|url-status=live}} This was AEW's second weekly professional wrestling program to concurrently air on TNT after Rampage (which was cancelled in December 2024) and fourth overall wrestling show in general to air on TNT after Rampage, Dynamite (which aired on TNT from October 2019 to December 2021), and the former World Championship Wrestling's (WCW) Monday Nitro (which aired on TNT from September 1995 to March 2001) and the first wrestling show in a Saturday night time slot to air on a network founded by Ted Turner since the end of WCW Saturday Night on August 19, 2000.{{cite web|author=AEW Staff|url=https://www.allelitewrestling.com/post/tnt-launches-a-second-night-of-wrestling-with-aew-collision|title=TNT Launches A Second Night Of Wrestling With "AEW: Collision"|work=All Elite Wrestling|date=May 17, 2023|access-date=May 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517153647/https://www.allelitewrestling.com/post/tnt-launches-a-second-night-of-wrestling-with-aew-collision|archive-date=May 17, 2023|url-status=live}} It was also revealed that AEW's sister promotion, Ring of Honor (ROH), would move its tapings for ROH Honor Club TV to coincide with Collision, with ROH's show being taped after the live broadcast of Collision.{{cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2023/05/16/roh-television-reportedly-set-to-be-taped-after-new-aew-show/|title=ROH television reportedly set to be taped after new AEW show|date=May 16, 2023|last=Heydorn|first=Zack|work=PWTorch|access-date=May 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516151405/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2023/05/16/roh-television-reportedly-set-to-be-taped-after-new-aew-show/|archive-date=May 16, 2023|url-status=live}}
In preparation for the debut of Collision, AEW's YouTube programs, AEW Dark and AEW Dark: Elevation, were canceled. This was due to an amended deal with WBD, in which all of AEW's programs would air exclusively on their channels.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/aew-dark-dark-elevation-done-for-now-due-to-new-exclusivity-deal-with-wbd|title=AEW Dark & Dark Elevation done for now due to new exclusivity deal with WBD|date=May 3, 2023|last=Nason|first=Josh|work=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online|access-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230504010438/https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/aew-dark-dark-elevation-done-for-now-due-to-new-exclusivity-deal-with-wbd|archive-date=May 4, 2023|url-status=live}} It was also reported that Rampage would begin showcasing younger AEW wrestlers and unsigned independent wrestlers, essentially becoming what Dark and Elevation were for the company.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/update-on-future-direction-of-aew-rampage|title=Update on future direction of AEW Rampage|date=May 5, 2023|last=Nason|first=Josh|work=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online|access-date=May 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506153748/https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/update-on-future-direction-of-aew-rampage|archive-date=May 6, 2023|url-status=live}}
Prior to the official announcement of Collision, there had been speculation that the inaugural episode would be held at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. It was also speculated that it would feature the return of CM Punk, as the United Center is where Punk had made his AEW debut for the second episode of Rampage in August 2021. Since September 2022, Punk had been inactive due to both an injury and also a suspension as a result of the legitimate backstage altercation that occurred during the All Out post-event media scrum. Following the announcement of Collision, however, it was reported that there were still issues regarding Punk's return to AEW, with WBD denying his involvement with the show, but on May 24, 2023, it was reported that the issues had been settled.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/cm-punk-aew-issues-believed-to-have-been-settled-collision-debut-set-for-chicago|title=CM Punk/AEW issues believed to have been settled, Collision debut set for Chicago|date=May 24, 2023|last=Nason|first=Josh|work=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online|access-date=May 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525012011/https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/cm-punk-aew-issues-believed-to-have-been-settled-collision-debut-set-for-chicago|archive-date=May 25, 2023|url-status=live}} AEW president Tony Khan then confirmed that the first episode would be held at the United Center,{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/collision-0|title=First Episode Of AEW Collision On 6/17 To Emanate From United Center In Chicago, Illinois|date=May 24, 2023|last=Russell|first=Skylar|work=Fightful|access-date=May 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525013106/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/collision-0|archive-date=May 25, 2023|url-status=live}} and feature the return of Punk to AEW.{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/cm-punks-aew-return-officially-confirmed-aew-collision-june-17-chicago/|title=CM Punk's AEW Return Officially Confirmed|date=May 31, 2023|first=Connor|last=Casey|work=ComicBook.com|access-date=May 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601004415/https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/cm-punks-aew-return-officially-confirmed-aew-collision-june-17-chicago/|archive-date=June 1, 2023|url-status=live}} Although Punk was brought back to be the centerpiece of the show, he would be fired that September after another legitimate backstage altercation that occurred at All In.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/fannation/wrestling/news/breaking-cm-punk-finished-in-aew|title=Breaking: CM Punk Finished In AEW|date=September 2, 2023|last=Barrasso|first=Justin|magazine=Sports Illustrated|access-date=September 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902221813/https://www.si.com/fannation/wrestling/news/breaking-cm-punk-finished-in-aew|archive-date=September 2, 2023|url-status=live}}
In speaking with the media on May 25 in promotion for AEW's Double or Nothing pay-per-view (PPV) that weekend, Khan clarified that Collision was not part of a new or extended deal with WBD, and instead, it was added on to their current contract, with AEW receiving a monetary increase from WBD for the show. Khan also confirmed that WBD reached out to AEW with the opportunity for another show, and that it was WBD's Chief Executive Officer David Zaslav's idea for there to be more AEW content on TNT.{{cite web|url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/aew/2023/5/25/23737810/tony-khan-double-or-nothing-media-call-unethical-wwe-wbd-deal-collision-secrecy-cm-punk|title=Tony Khan on AEW vs. WWE, WBD deal, Collision secrecy, more|date=May 25, 2023|last=Rueter|first=Sean|work=Cageside Seats|access-date=May 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525212012/https://www.cagesideseats.com/aew/2023/5/25/23737810/tony-khan-double-or-nothing-media-call-unethical-wwe-wbd-deal-collision-secrecy-cm-punk|archive-date=May 25, 2023|url-status=live}} It had also been speculated that with the addition of Collision, AEW would do some form of a roster split, similar to WWE's brand extension, in which half of the roster would perform exclusively on Dynamite while the other half would exclusively appear on Collision. In an appearance on the Barstool Rasslin' podcast on June 13, Khan said that there would not be a hard split where wrestlers would exclusively appear on only one program. Instead, he said some wrestlers would be featured exclusively on certain shows for a certain period of time, but there could be opportunities for storylines to cross between Dynamite and Collision. He also confirmed that all AEW champions would continue to appear on all AEW programming.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/tony-khan-i-havent-drawn-any-hard-lines-or-locked-aew-into-roster-split|title=Tony Khan: I haven't 'drawn any hard lines' or locked AEW into roster split|date=June 13, 2023|last=Currier|first=Joseph|work=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online|access-date=June 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613183035/https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/tony-khan-i-havent-drawn-any-hard-lines-or-locked-aew-into-roster-split|archive-date=June 13, 2023|url-status=live}}
On June 16, a day before Collision{{'}}s debut, Khan confirmed that the show's commentary team would consist of Kevin Kelly and Nigel McGuinness, with Jim Ross occasionally sitting in on main events.{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/aew-collision-broadcast-team/|title=AEW Collision Broadcast Team Announced|date=June 16, 2023|last=Thomas|first=Jeremy|work=411Mania|access-date=June 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617033421/https://411mania.com/wrestling/aew-collision-broadcast-team/|archive-date=June 17, 2023|url-status=live}} On October 14, Tony Schiavone was confirmed to join the commentary team.{{cite web|last=Fisher|first=Kieran|date=October 23, 2023|title=Tony Schiavone Reveals How Return To Commentary On AEW Collision Came About|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/1426995/tony-schiavone-reveals-return-commentary-aew-collision-came-about/|access-date=November 7, 2023|website=Wrestling Inc.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023104702/https://www.wrestlinginc.com/1426995/tony-schiavone-reveals-return-commentary-aew-collision-came-about/|archive-date=October 23, 2023|url-status=live}} This remained until March 8, 2024, when Kelly's AEW contract was terminated.{{cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2024/03/08/kevin-kelly-announcer-since-the-launch-of-collision-last-summer-fired-by-aew/|title=Kevin Kelly, announcer since the launch of Collision last summer, fired by AEW|date=March 8, 2024|work=PWTorch|access-date=March 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308063939/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2024/03/08/kevin-kelly-announcer-since-the-launch-of-collision-last-summer-fired-by-aew/|archive-date=March 8, 2024|url-status=live}}
Beginning with the August 5, 2023, episode, Collision airs against WWE's monthly PPV and livestreaming events, which are typically held on Saturdays at 8 p.m ET, starting with SummerSlam.{{cite web|url=https://tjrwrestling.net/news/cm-punk-aew-world-championship-collision/|title=CM Punk Declares "I Am The Real World's Champion" On AEW Collision|date=July 30, 2023|last=Canton|first=John|work=TJR Wrestling|access-date=August 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731122846/https://tjrwrestling.net/news/cm-punk-aew-world-championship-collision/|archive-date=July 31, 2023|url-status=live}} Additionally, due to AEW's pay-per-view Full Gear being held on Saturday, November 18, 2023, that weekend's episode of Collision was instead held the night before on Friday, November 17 at 8 p.m. ET,{{cite web|url=https://www.pwmania.com/aew-announces-full-gear-2023-date-location|title=AEW Announces Full Gear 2023 Date & Location|date=August 28, 2023|last=Boone|first=Matt|work=PWMania|access-date=August 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230828114733/https://www.pwmania.com/aew-announces-full-gear-2023-date-location|archive-date=August 28, 2023|url-status=live}} which put it head-to-head against WWE's Friday night program, SmackDown.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/aew-announces-special-friday-night-episode-of-collision-for-november|title=AEW announces special Friday night episode of Collision for November|date=September 4, 2023|last=Currier|first=Joseph|work=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online|access-date=September 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230904204820/https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/aew-announces-special-friday-night-episode-of-collision-for-november|archive-date=September 4, 2023|url-status=live}} AEW would later attempt to avoid counterprogramming against WWE's Saturday PPVs by airing Collision at an earlier time those days.{{cite web|url=https://tjrwrestling.net/news/aew-television-start-times-due-wwe/|title=AEW Television Shows Changing Start Times Due To WWE PLE|date=November 11, 2024|last=Canton|first=John|work=TJR Wrestling|access-date=December 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241210075415/https://tjrwrestling.net/news/aew-television-start-times-due-wwe/|archive-date=December 10, 2024|url-status=live}} Collision aired live on Friday, September 6 alongside Rampage, a day before All Out and competed again with SmackDown, which held its series finale on Fox.{{cite web|title=AEW All Out Moved To September 7|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/aew-all-out-moving-september-7|first1=Jeremy|last1=Lambert|last2=Ross Sapp|first2=Sean|work=Fightful|date=May 21, 2024|access-date=May 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521183600/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/aew-all-out-moving-september-7|archive-date=May 21, 2024|url-status=live}} With the return of Saturday Night's Main Event on December 14 airing on NBC and Peacock, Collision goes head-to-head with WWE's revived program when it airs.{{cite web|date=September 17, 2024|title=WWE's iconic Saturday Night Main Event returns to NBC on December 14 in primetime|url=https://www.wwe.com/article/saturday-night-main-event-returns-nbc-december-14|access-date=September 17, 2024|work=WWE|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917172636/https://www.wwe.com/article/saturday-night-main-event-returns-nbc-december-14|archive-date=September 17, 2024|url-status=live}} To avoid counterprogramming against Night 1 of WWE's WrestleMania 41 on Saturday, April 19, 2025, Collision aired live on Thursday, April 17, which was also the second part of the Spring BreakThru special.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/aew-collision-to-air-live-on-thursday-april-17/|title=AEW Collision to air live on Thursday, April 17|date=March 28, 2025|last=Renner|first=Ethan|work=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online|access-date=March 31, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250329015800/https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/aew-collision-to-air-live-on-thursday-april-17/|archive-date=March 29, 2025|url-status=live}} On March 31, 2025, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that going forward, AEW may continue to move Collision off Saturday nights when WWE is running a Saturday show, noting that AEW and WBD were monitoring the situation.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/update-on-future-aew-vs-wwe-saturday-night-competition/|title=Update on future AEW vs. WWE Saturday night competition|date=March 31, 2025|last=Currier|first=Joseph|work=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online|access-date=March 31, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250331183400/https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/update-on-future-aew-vs-wwe-saturday-night-competition/|archive-date=March 31, 2025|url-status=live}}
On occasion, AEW has not taped episodes of Collision due to scheduling conflicts or have moved the shows earlier broadcasts to avoid a conflict with various TNT Sports events. For example, as a result of AEW's PPV event, Worlds End, being held during Collision{{'s}} Saturday night time slot on December 30, 2023, Collision was not held that week.{{cite web|url=https://www.ewrestlingnews.com/news/aew-collision-episode-may-not-air-due-to-worlds-end-pay-per-view-event|title=AEW Collision Episode May Not Air Due To Worlds End Pay-Per-View Event|date=November 8, 2023|last=Ravens|first=Andrew|work=eWrestlingNews.com|access-date=March 18, 2024}} An episode of Collision was also not held on March 23, 2024, due to the NCAA March Madness coverage occurring that night.{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/aew-rampage-live-next-week-no-collision/|title=AEW Rampage Will Air Live Next Week, No Collision Due To NCAA Tournament|date=March 15, 2024|last=Lee|first=Joseph|work=411Mania|access-date=March 18, 2024}} Currently, the conflicts are with March Madness (including the Final Four every other year),the National Hockey League Stanley Cup Playoffs, and the NASCAR In-Season Tournament, where the show will air on a different date.
On October 2, 2024, AEW announced a new media rights deal with WBD, wherein AEW's television programs Dynamite and Collision would be simulcast on WBD's streaming service Max and their respective television channels beginning in January 2025. The first broadcast of Collision to simulcast on TNT and Max was on January 4, 2025.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/aew-announces-new-dates-hammerstein-debut-revolution-2025-in-los-angeles/|title=AEW announces new dates: Hammerstein debut, Revolution 2025 in Los Angeles|date=November 19, 2024|last=Currier|first=Joseph|work=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online|access-date=November 19, 2024}}
Special episodes
{{Section move from|List of All Elite Wrestling special events|section=yes|date=June 2025}}
=2023=
=2024=
=2025=
Roster
{{Main|List of All Elite Wrestling personnel}}
The wrestlers featured on All Elite Wrestling take part in scripted feuds and storylines. Wrestlers are portrayed as heroes, villains, or less distinguishable characters in scripted events that build tension and culminate in a wrestling match.
The primary commentators for AEW Collision are Tony Schiavone, and Nigel McGuinness. Additional commentary has been provided by Kevin Kelly, Jim Ross, Ian Riccaboni and others since its creation.
Since July 2024, Arkady Aura is Collision's lead ring announcer,
See also
{{Portal|Television}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website| https://www.tntdrama.com/shows/all-elite-wrestling-collision}}
- {{IMDb title}}
{{All Elite Wrestling}}
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Category:2023 American television series debuts
Category:American live television series
Category:American professional wrestling television series