On Thursday night, AEW taped the August 16, 2025 episode of Collision live from the Andrew J Brady Music Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, delivering a packed card that mixed hard-hitting matches with explosive backstage and in-ring confrontations. This edition saw significant developments, including a shocking ambush on AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm, the official signing of Ace Austin by AEW President Tony Khan, and intense clashes involving FTR, Brody King, and other top talents. Below are the full spoilers ahead of the Saturday broadcast on TNT and HBO Max, with exclusive insights gathered from sources including SI.com’s Rick Ucchino, Fightful, and Wrestling Headlines.

Toni Storm’s Promo Interrupted by Brutal Attack; Mina Shirakawa’s Surprise Save

The show started with AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm cutting a charismatic and entertaining promo, staying true to her “Timeless” nickname. However, the momentum was suddenly halted when Athena and Billie Starkz viciously attacked the champion, asserting dominance and demanding respect from the Cincinnati crowd. Tensions escalated as Athena and Starkz had Toni downed and seemingly vulnerable.

In a dramatic twist, Mina Shirakawa made a surprise appearance to chase off Athena and Billie, setting up an intriguing new alliance. Toni showed her appreciation in a memorable moment by thanking Mina with a kiss, suggesting a possible upcoming partnership or faction shift in AEW’s women’s division[1][2][3][5].

FTR and Brody King Saga Intensifies with Mask Theft and Violent Confrontation

Backstage chaos unfolded as AEW World Tag Team Champions FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) launched a brutal assault on Bandido, stealing his iconic mask, which is deeply symbolic in lucha libre tradition. The attack sparked an intense brawl as Brody King rushed to Bandido’s defense, chasing FTR into the ring.

Initially, Brody King appeared to have the upper hand against the tag champs, showcasing his power and resilience. However, the tide turned when Stokely Hathaway threw talcum powder into King’s eyes, blinding him. Capitalizing on the distraction, FTR executed their devastating finishing move, the Shatter Machine, securing a hard-fought victory. This segment fuels the ongoing heated rivalry between FTR, Brody King, and Bandido, promising more high-stakes encounters in the coming weeks[1][2][3][5].

Key Matches and Results From AEW Collision (8/16/2025 Taping)

• Jon Moxley & Wheeler Yuta overcame the duo of Speedball Mike Bailey and Kevin Knight in a match showcasing high-paced action and double-team tactics. Despite multiple near-falls by Moxley and Yuta’s opponents, a distraction by Marina Shafir allowed Yuta to sneak in a low blow on Bailey, followed by a bridged pinning combination for the win[1][2][3].

• Ricochet delivered a standout performance against debuting Ace Austin in a hard-fought battle. Despite interference attempts from The Gates of Agony, Ricochet sealed the win with his iconic Spirit Gun finisher. What followed was a major moment for AEW fans as President Tony Khan officially announced that Ace Austin has signed a contract with All Elite Wrestling, marking a valuable new addition to the roster[1][2][3][5].

• In tag action, Roderick Strong and Kyle O’Reilly defeated Blake Christian and Lee Johnson, utilizing a perfectly executed leg sweep and clothesline combo for the victory. Showing his local pride after the match, O’Reilly promised to celebrate with some Cincinnati Skyline Chili[1][2][3].

• The $100,000 Fatal 4-Way Women’s Match saw Kris Statlander emerge victorious over Julia Hart, Penelope Ford, and Anna Jay, locking in a leg scissor submission that forced Hart to tap out. Post-match chaos erupted as Megan Bayne, Thekla, Skye Blue, Tay Melo, and Queen Aminata clashed in a wild brawl. Harley Cameron later came to the aid of Melo and Queen Aminata, hinting at new alliances and ongoing tensions in AEW’s women’s division[1][2][3][5].

• Juice Robinson scored a victory over Bryan Keith in a solid undercard match[3][5].

• In an angsty backstage interview, Anthony Bowens vocally expressed frustration toward Renee Paquette after she questioned him about Max Caster, amplifying the storyline heat surrounding The Acclaimed duo[3][5].

• Nigel McGuinness, the former AEW commentator and legends competitor, impressively defeated Daniel Garcia, Hechicero, and Lee Moriarty in a four-way contest. McGuinness’ win sets up a monumental showdown against Zack Sabre Jr for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at the upcoming Forbidden Door event, one of AEW’s most anticipated inter-promotional matches[3][5].

What This Means Moving Forward for AEW

The segments and matches from this taping confirm AEW’s commitment to blending intense in-ring storytelling with compelling character-driven narratives. Toni Storm’s ambush and Mina Shirakawa’s intervention could signal a major new faction or alliance that shakes up the women’s tag team or singles scene.

FTR’s heel tactics against Bandido and Brody King further heat up their rivalry, suggesting a multi-layered feud involving top competitors in AEW’s tag team division.

The signing of Ace Austin adds fresh star power, showing AEW’s continued effort to expand its roster with versatile and charismatic talent.

Moxley and Yuta’s win after a tainted finish keeps their feud dynamic, as does the ongoing tension displayed in The Acclaimed’s storyline.

Finally, Nigel McGuinness stepping toward an IWGP World Heavyweight Title match highlights the fruitful partnership between AEW and NJPW, promising cross-promotional buzz for the Forbidden Door pay-per-view.

Insider Notes

According to a WWE insider familiar with AEW backstage dynamics, the company’s commitment to long-term storytelling was evident during Thursday’s taping. “They’ve been planting seeds with Toni Storm’s budding alliance and FTR’s heat-filled feud,” the source revealed. “Austin signing on officially is huge—Tony Khan clearly sees him as a cornerstone moving forward.” Sources close to AEW emphasized that the Kris Statlander victory solidifies her as one of the company’s premier women’s stars and could lead to more title opportunities soon.

AEW Collision (8/16/2025) airs Saturday at 8 PM ET on TNT and HBO Max.

Be sure to tune in for all the exciting developments and brawl-filled action set to drive AEW storylines forward as wrestling fans witness another chapter in All Elite Wrestling’s dynamic saga.

Article compiled using reports from SI.com, Wrestling Headlines, Fightful, and official AEW announcements.