AEW Collision tonight on TBS and Max, taped Wednesday night from the Rio Rancho Events Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
AEW Collision ‘Beach Break’ airs Saturday night on TNT and Max, beginning at 8:00 pm ET taped from the NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.
AEW is set to pay tribute to the late Steve “Mongo” McMichael during the upcoming AEW Collision: Beach Break special, and the occasion will be made even more meaningful with the presence of McMichael’s longtime friend and fellow Four Horsemen legend, Ric Flair.
McMichael, who passed away in April at the age of 67 following a lengthy battle with ALS, left a lasting impact both on the football field and in the world of pro wrestling. AEW confirmed during this week’s Collision that a special tribute segment will air as part of next Saturday’s Beach Break broadcast, which will take place in McMichael’s hometown of Chicago.
Flair, who wrestled alongside McMichael during their time in WCW as members of the iconic Four Horsemen stable, will be in the building to pay his respects. Following McMichael’s passing, Flair posted an emotional tribute on social media, calling him “an amazing friend and athlete.” Their friendship extended far beyond the ring, and Flair’s involvement in the upcoming tribute ensures it will be as heartfelt as it is historic.
Before stepping into the squared circle, McMichael carved out a legendary career in the NFL — including a Super Bowl win with the Chicago Bears. He later made the jump to professional wrestling in 1995, becoming a regular presence on WCW Monday Nitro and eventually competing in matches from 1996 to 1999. Known for his charisma, toughness, and unmistakable swagger, McMichael became one of WCW’s most memorable crossover stars.
AEW Collision: Beach Break will be taped on April 14 — the same day as AEW Dynamite — and will air on Saturday, April 17. The show is already shaping up to be an emotional and action-packed night, with the returns of Skye Blue and Zach Gowen already confirmed. Now, the inclusion of a tribute to one of wrestling’s most unique figures adds a powerful dose of legacy to the card.
Fans in Chicago — and across the wrestling world — will no doubt be tuning in to remember Mongo and the mark he left on both sports and sports entertainment.
After months of speculation and silence, Skye Blue is officially on her way back to AEW — and she’s coming home to do it.
During Thursday’s episode of AEW Collision, Blue made a surprise appearance via video package following the hard-hitting bout between Kris Statlander and Willow Nightingale. The vignette, set to a moody, defiant tone, featured a montage of Blue dishing out punishment in the ring — from her signature Code Blue finisher to powerbombs, superkicks, and her Dragon Sleeper submission. It ended with a clear message and a chilling smile from the Chicago native herself:
“Next week, Beach Break. AEW is back in Chicago, and so am I. I’m back, and I’m a violent little thing.”
It was the kind of return tease that immediately grabbed attention — both for its timing and the edge in Blue’s voice. It also brings to an end a lengthy absence from in-ring action. Blue has been on the sidelines since suffering a broken ankle during a match against Hikaru Shida on the July 20, 2024 episode of Collision. The match had to be stopped due to the severity of the injury, and Blue has been rehabbing ever since.
Fans had been hopeful for a return earlier this year, especially after reports in February suggested she was close to being cleared. But AEW played it close to the vest, with no official timeline until now.
AEW Dynamite: Beach Break already promises to be a stacked card with the return of Zach Gowen and a potential showdown between him and Ricochet, and now Skye Blue’s homecoming adds another layer of anticipation. Given the tone of her promo, it looks like Blue is coming back with a much more aggressive edge — and she’s not here to just blend into the background.
Will this be a new chapter for Skye Blue as a major player in the AEW women’s division? Or will her return simply mark the beginning of another uphill battle? One thing’s for sure — next week in Chicago, all eyes will be on the “violent little thing.”
Are you ready for Skye Blue 2.0?
Pro wrestling fans were in for a nostalgic shock during this week’s AEW Collision as Zach Gowen — yes, that Zach Gowen — made his first national TV appearance in over two decades. For many, it was a “blink and you’ll miss it” moment, but longtime fans of the early 2000s WWE era instantly recognized the one-legged wrestling pioneer in the crowd. And his presence wasn’t just for show — it was a set-up for something much more personal.
Gowen, who famously competed in WWE, TNA, and the original Ring of Honor, was spotted ringside during the show. Things took a dramatic turn after Ricochet’s match with Angelico. The high-flyer, fresh off a heel turn, took a detour into villainy by taunting Gowen — first with some feigned admiration, then turning full-blown disrespectful.
After mocking Gowen’s legacy, Ricochet escalated the situation by assaulting security and attempting to cut one of their hair. That’s when Gowen had seen enough. He stepped into the ring and stood his ground, even getting a few shots in on Ricochet. But the feel-good moment turned brutal when Ricochet targeted Gowen’s leg, ultimately removing his prosthetic limb in a symbolic (and shocking) act of dominance.
Following the segment, Gowen took to social media to reflect on his return to the spotlight.
“I haven’t been on a national TV wrestling program in 22 years. Thank you to those that remembered me!!! I haven’t forgotten about y’all either,” he wrote. “The magic of professional wrestling is still very much alive in my soul and I’m so grateful I get to share that once again 🙏.”
The good news? This wasn’t just a one-off nostalgia spot. AEW has confirmed that Gowen will make his official in-ring debut for the promotion next week on Dynamite: Beach Break, where he’ll square off against Ricochet in what’s shaping up to be a must-see clash.
It’s a rare chance for fans to see a full-circle moment — the return of a unique talent who broke barriers, now entering a new chapter with a chip on his shoulder and a chance to shut down one of AEW’s most dangerous new villains.
AEW Collision airs live tonight on TBS and Max, at 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT from the Masonic Temple Theatre in Detroit, Michigan.
AEW Collision live tonight on TBS and Max at 8pm ET. from the Adrian Phillips Theater at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
AEW presents the AEW Collision Playoff Palooza show tonight. Tonight’s show will air immediately following the NBA Playoffs on TNT.
AEW Collision ‘Spring Break Thru’ airs live tonight on TBS and Max from the MGM Music Hall at Fenway in Boston, Massachusetts.
AEW Collision live tonight on TNT and Max from the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA.
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