On Saturday, November 8, 2025, All Elite Wrestling delivered a high-stakes episode of Collision that didn’t just entertain—it reshaped the landscape for the upcoming AEW Blood & GutsTNT special. With the November 12 showdown looming, every pinfall, countout, and submission carried weight. The night belonged to underdogs, underdogs-turned-villains, and a champion who refused to be overlooked. And yes, there was biting. On purpose.
The Bang Bang Gang’s Shocking Victory Over FTR
The opening match wasn’t supposed to be the story. FTR—Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood, flanked by manager Stokely Hathaway—had dominated Collision’s tag division for months. But The Bang Bang Gang (Austin Gunn and Juice Robinson) had other plans. In a 14-minute, 17-second brawl that felt like a love letter to 2000s ECW, Robinson absorbed brutal chops and a chop block, then flipped the script with a double DDT on both FTR members. Gunn came in like a wrecking ball, hitting a series of high-impact maneuvers that had the crowd on its feet. When the final pin fell, the arena erupted. FTR didn’t argue. They just sat on the ramp, stunned. Joshua White of PWTorch called it "a big win for the Bang Bang Gang," noting the victory wasn’t just about skill—it was narrative alchemy. "It fits with FTR’s storyline with Brodido," he wrote, "even as there was outside shenanigans." The celebration? JetSpeed, Bandido, and Gravity stormed the ring. The message? The old guard is vulnerable.
Fletcher’s TNT Title Defense: No Drama, All Class
Then came Kyle Fletcher, defending his AEW TNT Championship against Ace Austin. Critics called it a mismatch. They were wrong. For 15 minutes, Austin didn’t just compete—he announced himself. Every dropkick, every counter, every near-fall screamed "future main eventer." Fletcher, ever the technician, absorbed punishment with stoic precision. No dramatic interference. No ref bumps. Just two men trading blows in a ring that felt like a stage. White described it as "an overdelivered non-drama"—and he meant it as praise. "Ace Austin had his coming-out party," he wrote. "Fletcher didn’t just retain—he elevated." This wasn’t a title defense. It was a passing of the torch… in slow motion. And Fletcher? He’s still standing. Still champion. Still headed toward Full Gear on November 22, where the real test awaits.
Strong vs. Moxley: The War That Wasn’t Won
The 18-minute war between Roderick Strong and Jon Moxley was the emotional core of the night. Moxley, once the king of chaos, now looks… shaken. Not broken. But shaken. Strong, meanwhile, has become the perfect foil—not the clownish villain of the past, but the cold, calculating strategist who doesn’t need to laugh to dominate. He superplexed Moxley. Hit a gutbuster. Raked his back with a smirk. Even gave the ref double fingers. Moxley responded with a double DDT, but when the bell rang, he was outside the ring—countout. Strong didn’t celebrate. He stared. Moxley didn’t yell. He just walked away. "The best chapter yet," White noted, "in the ongoing story of Moxley losing in non-definitive fashion." This wasn’t about victory. It was about perception. Strong earned the Blood & Guts advantage. Moxley lost something harder to quantify: his aura of invincibility.
Thekla’s Ruthless Rise
And then there was Thekla. The woman who turned a headbutt into a spectacle. Who bit Cameron’s head mid-match—not as a gimmick, but as a statement. She and Blue Bayi traded bombs, collapsed in the center of the ring, and then Thekla delivered the Hayterade. The finish? A choke on the ropes. Illegal. Brutal. Perfect. All Elite Wrestling’s official Twitter posted: "Illegal choke on the ropes from @Toxic_Thekla!" And the fans? They roared. This wasn’t just a win. It was a declaration. Thekla isn’t just in Blood & Guts—she’s the reason to watch it. She’s the wild card with zero mercy.
What This Means for Blood & Guts
With Strong and Thekla now holding advantages heading into the November 12 AEW Blood & Guts, the stage is set for chaos. Strong’s calculated aggression could target Moxley’s allies. Thekla? She’ll likely target anyone who stands between her and a title shot. Meanwhile, FTR’s fall opens the door for The Bang Bang Gang to challenge for tag gold—possibly at Full Gear. And Fletcher? He’s not just defending his title—he’s building a legacy. Every match on Collision felt like a domino falling toward something bigger. This wasn’t filler. It was fuel.
Behind the Scenes: AEW’s Strategic Momentum
Founded in 2019 by Tony Khan, All Elite Wrestling has mastered the art of pacing. Every result, every countout, every bite is choreographed—not for shock, but for storytelling. The promotion’s headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida is the engine room, but the real magic happens in the minds of its fans. With Dynamite, Rampage, and now Collision working in tandem, AEW has created a weekly narrative engine that doesn’t rely on gimmicks—it relies on character evolution. And right now, Strong, Thekla, and Fletcher aren’t just wrestlers. They’re the faces of a new era.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Thekla’s illegal choke impact her standing in AEW?
Thekla’s illegal choke on the ropes during her win over Blue Bayi was a deliberate character turn that solidified her as AEW’s most ruthless female competitor. While it drew heat from officials, it earned massive crowd reactions and positioned her as a legitimate threat for the women’s title. Unlike past heel turns that relied on comedy, Thekla’s actions felt dangerous and authentic—making her the most compelling woman on the roster heading into Blood & Guts.
Why was Roderick Strong’s countout win over Moxley significant?
Strong’s countout win wasn’t a loss—it was a narrative win. Moxley, once untouchable, was shown as emotionally volatile, exiting the ring in frustration. Strong, by contrast, remained composed and strategic. This outcome preserved Moxley’s credibility while elevating Strong as a credible threat who doesn’t need to pin someone to win. It’s the same tactic used in classic WWE rivalries—where psychological dominance matters more than the pinfall.
What does Fletcher’s TNT Championship defense mean for Full Gear?
Fletcher’s win over Ace Austin wasn’t about proving he’s the best—it was about proving he belongs. Austin’s performance made him a future star, but Fletcher’s composure and technical mastery reinforced his status as the most reliable champion on the roster. At Full Gear, he’ll likely face someone like Swerve Strickland or a surprise challenger, but his reign now feels earned, not accidental. This defense was the foundation for a title run that could extend into 2026.
How did FTR’s loss affect their storyline with Brodido?
FTR’s defeat by The Bang Bang Gang was a calculated blow to their invincibility, especially as they continue their feud with Brodido. The "outside shenanigans" referenced by PWTorch suggest Brodido may have interfered, but the loss still counts as a clean win for the challengers. This keeps FTR in the spotlight while allowing Brodido’s influence to remain ambiguous—making their eventual reunion or betrayal more compelling. It’s a slow-burn storyline that AEW is clearly building toward a major moment.
When is the next major AEW event after Blood & Guts?
The next major event is Full Gear, scheduled for November 22, 2025. Already confirmed: HOOK will help Samoa Joe regain the AEW World Title, and Swerve Strickland is set to return. Fletcher’s TNT title defense and Thekla’s potential title challenge are likely to be featured, making Full Gear the most stacked card of the year.
Why does AEW use Blood & Guts as a special event format?
Blood & Guts is AEW’s answer to WWE’s Elimination Chamber: a high-stakes, multi-team elimination match with advantages earned through prior matches. It creates momentum, rewards consistent performers, and delivers a spectacle that can’t be replicated on weekly TV. The November 12 event will be the third Blood & Guts special, and each has delivered a defining moment—whether it’s Moxley’s first win, O’Reilly’s surprise return, or now, Strong and Thekla’s path to glory.
