All Elite Wrestling (AEW) has officially announced a high-stakes Chicago Street Fight for the TNT Championship between reigning champion Dustin Rhodes and challenger Kyle Fletcher. This intense showdown will headline next week’s AEW Collision on Thursday, July 31, 2025, airing live on TNT and Max from Chicago’s Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom[1][4].

Rhodes, known as “The Natural” and a beloved figure in the AEW roster, retained the TNT Championship at last week’s Collision on July 26 by successfully defending against ROH Pure Champion Lee Moriarty in a hard-hitting bout[2]. Immediately after his victorious defense, Kyle Fletcher, representing the Don Callis Family and a formidable challenger, confronted Rhodes. Fletcher demanded a one-on-one TNT title match — a challenge Rhodes accepted under the stipulation of a Chicago Street Fight, a brutal no-disqualification format fitting for this heated rivalry[1][4].

Background and Build-Up to the Clash

Dustin Rhodes’ TNT Championship reign began in dramatic fashion at AEW All In Texas earlier this month. Originally, Adam Cole was scheduled to defend the title against Kyle Fletcher. However, Cole’s injury during the final episode before All In forced him out, leading to the vacating of the TNT Championship. A four-way match was announced at All In Texas featuring Rhodes, Fletcher, Sammy Guevara, and Daniel Garcia, with Rhodes emerging as the unexpected champion[1][4].

This unexpected crowning gave new momentum to Rhodes, who quickly established himself as a fighting champion defending against top contenders like Moriarty. Meanwhile, Fletcher, fresh off his ROH Pure Title status and highly touted as a rising star, made it clear that he’s targeting Rhodes and the TNT title as the next step in his AEW career. Their feud has been punctuated by fierce promos and physical confrontations on Collision, setting the stage for what promises to be a violent and personal grudge match[4].

What to Expect from the Chicago Street Fight

A Chicago Street Fight means anything goes — weapons, fighting beyond the ring, and no count-outs or disqualifications. Considering both Rhodes’ hard-hitting, brawler style and Fletcher’s agility and cunning as “The Protostar,” fans can anticipate a chaotic, edge-of-your-seat contest combining technical prowess and brutal street-fighting tactics[1].

Sources close to the AEW locker room have indicated backstage excitement for this match, with one AEW insider telling Fightful, “Both Dustin and Kyle thrive in intense, physical matches. This Chicago Street Fight will highlight their strengths and push both to the absolute limit. Expect brutal spots and a storyline payoff that could elevate Fletcher while cementing Rhodes’ legacy further.”[4]

Additional Card Highlights for AEW Collision (7/31/2025)

While the TNT Championship Chicago Street Fight will be the centerpiece, next week’s Collision card continues AEW’s tradition of delivering compelling matchups and story progressing moments:

• The AEW World Tag Team Title Eliminator Tournament continues building towards crowning new contenders, following the Bang Bang Gang’s recent advancement[2][3].
• More surprise segments and promos are expected, including appearances by major AEW stars such as MJF, who was recently teased for upcoming AEW Dynamite shows[3].

All these elements contribute to an eventful night of wrestling that keeps AEW Collision relevant amidst the looming WWE SummerSlam pay-per-view the following weekend[1].

WWE vs. AEW: Collision’s Growing Impact

With WWE gearing up for its 2025 SummerSlam event on August 2-3, AEW Collision strategically placing a major TNT title Chicago Street Fight on July 31 underscores AEW’s commitment to counterprogramming and capturing attention. Collision’s Thursday night slot on TNT provides a prime platform for impressive wrestling and storyline advancement outside WWE’s flagship programming schedules.

According to Fightful’s wrestling coverage, AEW continues to gain momentum with innovative match stipulations and fresh storytelling that resonates with fans craving intense, unpredictable in-ring action. The ongoing feud between Dustin Rhodes and Kyle Fletcher is proof of AEW’s ability to blend wrestling heritage with exciting new talent to maintain audience engagement[1][4].

What’s Next After the Chicago Street Fight?

Following the July 31 Collision event, AEW plans to capitalize on fan interest by continuing related storylines on AEW Dynamite, including the AEW World Tag Team Championship Eliminator Tournament featuring notable teams like The Outrunners and The Young Bucks[3].

Moreover, the outcome of the Rhodes-Fletcher match could lead to new rivalries or title scenes within AEW’s TNT division, shaping the mid-year wrestling narrative. Given Rhodes’ win over notable competitors and Fletcher’s rising star status, the winner will have a significant influence on AEW’s summer wrestling landscape.

Final Thoughts

Fans can mark their calendars for AEW Collision on July 31, 2025, for a pivotal chapter in the TNT Championship saga. The Chicago Street Fight between Dustin Rhodes and Kyle Fletcher promises not just fireworks in the ring but also meaningful storyline development in AEW’s fiercely competitive environment. With AEW’s continued push to innovate and excite, this episode of Collision will be an essential watch for wrestling enthusiasts.

Stay tuned to official AEW platforms, Fightful, PWInsider, and WWE.com for live updates, post-match reactions, and expert analysis as the buildup to this explosive TNT title encounter unfolds.