On Saturday night’s July 29th recap of AEW Collision, it was an evening of excellent pro wrestling action, and some shocking storyline developments as the new television series mounted one of its best outings since its debut on TNT back in June.

The main event featured AEW World Tag Team Champs, FTR vs. former enemies, now apparently best buds, AEW World Champ MJF and Adam Cole. Anticipation was high for this match, not just for who would win, but just who would turn on the other.  Would MJF resort to his old ways and betray Cole, or would it be the other way around, and Cole would implode the team and swerve MJF?

It was clear that in another twist, the audience was cheering the MJF and Cole “Better Than You, Bay Bay” team, and not the ever-popular tag champs. to win the bout.  After calling for their now signature “Double Clothesline” multiple times and failing to land one on either FTR’s Cash Wheeler or Dax Harwood, it didn’t look good for Cole and MJF (although this match went back and forth with some great spots and bumps). The match came to a stunning conclusion as FTR were poised to hit the Shatter Machine finisher on Cole. However, MJF shoved Cole out of the way to save him.  MJF then grabbed Wheeler for a piledriver, but Harwood came up from behind MJF and rolled him to the mat for a three-count.  FTR retained the titles!

Who could have imagined this call? MJF saving Cole, only to get pinned himself.  For several minutes the audience in Hartford, CT and the viewers at home were left wondering if an enraged MJF would emerge and double-cross Cole.  In tears, MJF blamed himself for losing the match.  Cole told his buddy, “We lost the match.”  He then handed Max his title belt back and told him that he is the world champ, never forget that.

When Cole walked to the other side of the ring with his back turned towards MJF, from behind MJF rose up with the belt ready to smash Cole in the back with it., Based on the audience reaction, Cole knew what was about to happen and said, “I knew it!”  He then leaves himself open to get clobbered by MJF and to just get it over with. However, MJF put down the belt.  Cole walked over to him and the ‘friends’ hugged it out.  This was the interesting choice.  MJF and Cole are so popular together, that AEW has most likely decided to carry this ‘buddy fest’ on for a bit. Post-match, in a video exclusive released by AEW, FTR, MJF and Cole gave props to one another and celebrated by eating pizza and drinking Tequila in the ring.

In his own segment, CM Punk came to the ring with his red ‘Santa Claus’ bag teasing what was in it and addressing Ricky Starks two recent wins, that included Starks holding on to the ropes to cheat and win the Owen Hart Foundation Cup over Punk.

Finally, Punk pulled out of the bag, his world title belt.  The one he was holding before he was injured, and before MJF won the belt.  He proclaims nobody has pinned or submitted him for the title. Symbolically, Punk spray-paints an X over the middle of the belt to mark it as his property.  He adds that this belt belongs on AEW Collision.  Then, Starks comes out from the back and the two have a bit of snark talk.  When all is said and done, it is revealed that next week on Collision, the two will go at it with a special referee of Punk’s choosing. Starks is cool with that since Punk doesn’t have any friends.  However, Punk reveals the ref will be his friend, wrestling legend, Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat.  Will Starks be able to cheat now that Steamboat is the ref, or is there a swerve coming with Steamboat and Starks? Stay tuned.

The best match of the night was actually the opening contest which featured House of Black’s Buddy Matthews with manager Julia Hart at ringside vs. Andrade El Idolo in a Ladder mach for Idolo’s mask.  The mask was hanging high above the ring.  At one point, Matthews actually dislocated his shoulder and a video was shown of Dr. Sampson (the AEW medical doc)  snapping it back into place, so Matthews could jump back in the ring and finish the match. The construct of the match was clever and entertaining.  At one key point, Julia Hart helped Buddy handcuff El Idolo to the ropes.  However, that wouldn’t keep him down.  Andrade was able to escape and get the key from Hart.  In return, he locked Matthews in the cuffs and threw the key away and into the crowd.

In a great finish, Hart had climbed on to the back of Andrade as he walked up the ladder.  After that failed, she was now on the other side of the ladder and El Idolo pushed her backwards into Buddy’s arms and the two went through a table.  From there, El Idolo was able to climb up the ladder and grab his beloved mask and score the victory.

One other match of note: Darby Allin beat Suzuki and at the conclusion, Christian Cage and Luchasaurus appeared on the video screen telling Allin he will never get his shot at the TNT TV title, even though he earned it during the recent Rampage battle royal.

So, what did you think of MJF and Adam Cole still remaining friends at the end of their match with FTR? What do you think will go down between Starks and CM Punk in their match next week on Collision? What was your favorite match of the show? Share your thoughts in the comment section.