AEW Collision Preview (5/8/25) – Willow Nightingale vs. Kris Statlander

Back-to-back nights of action, Thursday is a good night for fighting with AEW Collision. With plenty to follow up on from last night’s Dynamite, plus other storyline developments predominantly occurring on Collision, expect another banger-filled night.

A rematch between Speedball Mike Bailey and Dralistico could be a gateway for Rush’s first big storyline of 2025. After assaulting Kevin Knight, before his match with Kazuchika Okada last night, Bailey came to the rescue of his friend and tag partner. We may be getting an LFI and Knight and Bailey tag match shortly. Also, potentially a vicious set of singles outings with the el Toro Blanco.

Antony Bowens will take on The Vanilla Baby’s partner, Lee Johnson. Johnson last competed on AEW TV programming over a year ago. Let’s see what “Big Shotty” can do in this exhibition.

After being squashed by Nick Wayne, Rhino was advertised for Collision. Some fans have fantasy booked another Max Caster Open Challenge ending with a gore, gore, GORE!

The two most weighty and long-term storyline matches we’ll discuss separately. More will be added, plus other nice surprises. Maybe another “Timeless” Toni Storm promo where she’s madder than a barrel full of monkeys

AEW Dynamite Matches Announced:

• Rhino returns to Detroit
• Speedball Mike Bailey vs. Dralistico 2
• Antony Bowens vs. Lee Johnson
• Daniel Garcia takes on a member of FTR
• Willow Nightingale vs. Kris Statlander

Garcia Takes on FTR

FTR and Stokely Hathaway confronted Tony Schiavone at the commentary desk on this week’s Dynamite. The Living Legends reminded everyone who turned their backs on whom. It was the fans and Daniel Garcia who betrayed them. They’re still the good guys.

Tonight, one member of FTR will take on Daniel Garcia. However, to say it’s going to hurt FTR more than Garcia. Garcia’s neck is still a pain.

Last week, when Garcia survived The Best Wrestler Alive in his open challenge, the neck was still an issue for the former TNT Champion. That series of vicious spike piledrivers has done its damage. FTR has the advantage.

The first match in a potential feud/storyline that could go to Double or Nothing or beyond, expect table setting and a taste of what’s to come. Garcia and FTR had great chemistry. Let’s see what they can do as opponents.

Also, given FTR’s warning to Nigel McGuinness, part of me wonders if we are building a six-man with FTR and Hathaway with Garcia, McGuinness, and Schiavone!

Nightingale vs. Statlander

Like a female version of Hangman Adam Page and Swerve Strickland, every time we have seen momentary interactions between Kris Statlander and Willow Nightingale, fans want to see more. We want storyline and character development, and to see whether these former besties turned enemies can be friends again.

Since turning face, we have seen Statlander try to offer Nightingale the olive branch when they have crossed paths. Nightingale, however, has been resistant. The Babe with the Power might still smile, but she also wants to slap the crap out of all the members of the Death Riders.

It’s criminal that Nightingale has only had four AEW matches this year. Yet, travelling the globe to Japan and Mexico, winning tournaments, and waiting for another opportunity. Issuing the challenge to Statlander, this will be the first time these two have clashed one-on-one since their epic All Out match last year.

Expectations are high, but without the aid of weapons, will the pair’s chemistry reach that ceiling? As in earlier singles encounters, the steak did not always sizzle.

The larger story for this match is whether they will or won’t reconnect. Does this end clean? Or pre- or post-match, does another obstacle get in their way?