AEW Collision Preview (4/26/25) – Playoff Palooza

This week’s AEW Collision gets a big lead in and gives AEW another chance to show out. Immediately following the NBA playoffs, coast-to-coast, this week’s edition (appropriately titled) Playoff Palooza offers an intriguing card. A mixture of strong action, styles, and storyline opportunities. With a huge eight-match card, it’s going to be a night for action.

Without having to worry about tagging in and out, CRU vs. Top Flight may be dynamic and breakneck. Blink and you might miss a shift in momentum. The second match in their feud. Will this end the feud or lead to further escalation? Similarly, Bandido’s first ROH championship defence against LFI’s Dralistico is giving us a dose of lucha goodness.

Max Caster is going to see if he can survive his open challenge and finally gain a W. The return of Anna Jay brings another player back and more possibilities for the women’s division.

It’s getting late. Have you seen anything else on offer?

AEW Collision Preview – Matches Announced:

• Tornado Tag Rules: CRU vs. Top Flight
• Anna Jay in action
• Swerve Strickland vs. Blake Christian
• Max Caster Open Challenge
• AR Fox vs. Rush
• ROH World Championship: Bandido vs. Dralistico
• AEW Women’s World Championship Eliminator match: “Timeless” Toni Storm vs. Queen Aminata
• FTR vs. Paragon (Kyle O’Reilly and Roderick Strong)

Clash of Queens

“Timeless” Toni Storm returns to action for the first time since Dynasty. Although her sparkling wit and filthy mouth have entertained us from the commentary desk and backstage, it’s time for the AEW Women’s World Champion to be centre stage. This eliminator will be an exhibition. It will also have a purpose.

2025 has seen Queen Aminata put on some exciting, hard-hitting clinical matches with Julia Hart. However, the Guinean has been simmering in the women’s midcard. Aminata is yet to break out of the women’s pack and elevate herself to the next level, in the way others have in their respective divisions. But developments are occurring.

Breadcrumbs have been dropped. Serena Deeb is trying to recruit Aminata to her camp. We may see more developments or hints that Aminata will turn heel. If so, then the champion may be cosmetically altered or her mind knocked even loopier when Aminata’s feet strike Storm’s head.

This could be brutal, darling.

FTR vs. Paragon III

Returning for round three, this rivalry has been an absolute low-key classic. It’s achieving multiple goals across the prior two matches. Banger matches. Check. Their first contest ended with signs that Dax Harwood regretted his sportsmanship. It sowed the seeds of Harwood’s later actions. The second reminded us why FTR, Kyle O’Reilly, and Roderick Strong are sometimes slept on and overlooked.

The third could end things? Unless, perhaps, it’s a set-up for another tag or multi-person fracas. After FTR vs. 2.0, the match won’t end with a handshake.

Also, with Stokely Hathaway now as FTR’s agent, we might see what other despicable deeds the tandem may get away with. Speaking of Stokely, what an inspired alliance! Harwood and Cash Wheeler, being both vicious and funny, are a deadly but entertaining combination.

This feud has likewise made the Paragon a team to watch. A group that may have big things ahead of them after Adam Cole’s TNT Championship victory. Strong and O’Reilly will undoubtedly be able to match beat for beat, move for move, and punch for punch with their opposition.

Are they going to hit a home run with this trilogy? Do they risk going at it one more time?