Former ROH Women’s World Champion Mercedes Martinez is looking to get back into the swing of things in the AEW women’s division, as there is always a demand for challengers with the AEW Women’s World Championship & TBS Championship around.
Tonight, Martinez will go one on one with another hungry name in Kiera Hogan. Having never claimed a championship in AEW or ROH, Hogan has a lot to gain from defeating a former champion.
Mercedes Martinez Punishes Kiera Hogan
Martinez would hit a big boot as the match began, before stomping Hogan into the corner. Some heavy palm strikes followed, before Hogan managed a dropkick off the middle rope.
Martinez would hit a brainbuster for a two count, retaking control over Hogan. Being set up on the top rope, Hogan was dropped with a draping neckbreaker for a near fall.
Hogan would continue to absorb punishment from Martinez, who would use the hair of Hogan to abuse her in the ropes. Martinez was trying to bring a new level from Hogan, and Hogan would try to rise to the occasion – only to take a poke to the eyes. Hogan would take a lariat from Martinez, before a neck crank – with some added fingers pulling on the nose.
Martinez would make an error by sending Hogan into the corner and rushing in, with a drop toehold sending her face first into the corner pads.
Hogan would hit a big hip attack, before avoiding a powerslam and getting a one count off a roll up. Martinez would call for the Fisherman Buster, but took a Saito Suplex instead.
The Brass City Sleeper would be applied, and Hogan had to tap out. She’d keep the hold in after the bell, prompting the TBS Champion Kris Statlander to make the save.
Statlander put her belt down – allowing Martinez to smash her in the face. She’s coming for that belt – and Statlander better be ready for a fight.
The Bromance Of The Summer, Team Double Clothesline, Better Than You Bay Bay – And Maybe, The New AEW World Tag Team Champions!
FTR are the best tag team in the world today, and their recent war with Bullet Club Gold put little doubt in fans minds about this. However, being the AEW World Tag Team Champions means you must always be ready for the next challengers – even when there’s only a few matches of them as a team to help you prepare.
MJF & Adam Cole were put together for the Blind Draw Eliminator Tournament, and this was fresh after a time limit draw singles match.
They would become quick friends and were able to sweep the field, and tonight – MJF looks to add the AEW World Tag Team Championships to his AEW World Championship.
Cole would start with Dax Harwood, locking up in the middle of the ring and being taken to the mat with a side headlock takedown. Harwood would lose grip, but nailed a stiff chop in the corner.
Wheeler would get the tag and applied the headlock on Cole, before Cole broke free and hit the Enziguri. MJF called for their signature double clothesline, but Harwood would prevent the move from landing.
Harwood & MJF would meet in the middle of the ring, and MJF tried to hit an elbow drop to the crotch – but Harwood avoided. It was announced that whoever wins this match defends against Big Bill & Brian Cage next week on Collision – as MJF would leapfrog over Harwood and feign injury.
MJF & Adam Cole Give Their All Against FTR
Harwood was lured in, but used the ropes to ensure MJF didn’t get a stomp the groin. Things would break down into a brawl which spilled to ringside and favoured FTR.
After their trilogy of matches with The Briscoes in 2022, they’re expert brawlers and professional wrestlers, unmatched in or out of the ring. MJF was yanked into the ring post face first, and was nearly defeated by the referees ten count.
Back in the ring, Harwood would use a snapmare to set up a snap leg drop, getting a two count. Harwood applied a Camel Clutch in the middle of the ring, making MJF stare at Cole – who was unable to make the tag. MJF would break free, but shoved Harwood into a tag from Wheeler.
Eye pokes to FTR would not get MJF free – who were proving that while MJF is a great singles wrestler, he can’t match their tag team chemistry.
MJF would manage a big double DDT – before Cole got the tag. Cole caught Wheeler with a pump kick before hitting the Last Shot for a near fall.
The backstabber on Wheeler sent him from the ring as Harwood got the tag – with Harwood hitting a springboard crossbody for the two count. Cole would catch Harwood on the second attempt with a superkick, with Wheeler just saving the match as he broke the pinfall up.
The Double Clothesline would be teased, but Harwood ducked and rolled up MJF for a two count. Wheeler got the tag and MJF would try for a Tombstone Piledriver, with Wheeler countering before taking a superkick. MJF would roll up Wheeler for two, before a Tombstone landed for another near fall.
You Can’t Get One Over On FTR
Once again, MJF & Cole called for the double clothesline – with Harwood stopping MJF as Wheeler dropped Cole with a clothesline.
Powerplex would land, getting FTR a near fall – with Cole having just enough after the superplex and diving splash. MJF would get the tag and traded chops with Harwood in the middle of the ring, before a rake to the eye was met by a punch to the face.
Piledriver was blocked into a Sunset Flip for a two count by MJF before Harwood hit a Slingshot Powerbomb for another near fall.
Cole hit the ring to save MJF, but was shoved aside as FTR tried for the Shatter Machine. MJF countered the Shatter Machine, only to be rolled up for the finish.
This was MJF showing his good nature, saving Cole even though it meant losing the match. He was distraught in the corner as FTR made their exit, saying he blew it. Cole would comfort him, reminding him he’s the AEW World Champion, and even with the loss – Cole still loves him.
An emotional MJF would rise, and prepared to bash Cole with the championship – convincing himself he could do it. Cole would welcome it, but MJF threw the belt aside – and was ready to instead hug it out. They would hug, and while they didn’t win championships – their friendship is as strong as ever.
And that’s all for this weeks episode of AEW Collision. What was your favourite match or moment? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
SUBSCRIBE NOW: Get TheOvertimer’s Hottest Stories, Breaking News and Special Features in your email, CLICK HERE!
