AEW Collision’s September 13, 2025, episode marked the final residency at the historic ECW Arena as the promotion builds momentum towards the highly anticipated All Out event in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The night featured headline match Kazuchika Okada successfully defending the AEW Unified Championship against Michael Oku, alongside a star-studded $500,000 Ten-Woman Tag Team bout and a riveting tag team clash involving FTR against Tommy Billington and Adam Priest.

According to multiple sources, including AEW’s official channels and Wrestling Headlines, the event upheld AEW’s reputation for compelling wrestling storytelling and high-stakes drama as key rivalries intensified in the lead-up to All Out[Reference].

AEW Unified Championship: Kazuchika Okada vs. Michael Oku

Kazuchika Okada once again proved why he remains the AEW Unified Champion with a hard-fought defense against the formidable Michael Oku. The match exemplified Okada’s blend of technical precision and resilient psychology, countering Oku’s explosive offense at every turn.

Backstage insight from a source close to AEW executives revealed that this title defense was designed not only to showcase Oku’s rising star power but to further cement Okada’s legendary status within the AEW ranks. The company is reportedly aiming to keep Okada as a dominant champion heading into All Out to maximize the championship’s prestige and set the stage for future challengers[Reference].

$500,000 Ten-Woman Tag Team Match: A Star-Studded Collision

The spectacular $500,000 Ten-Woman Tag Team match featured TayJay (Anna Jay and Tay Conti), Kris Statlander, Harley Cameron, and Jamie Hayter teaming up to take on the mysterious Triangle faction. This high-stakes encounter was noted for its fast pace, fierce physicality, and dramatic near falls that had the ECW crowd on their feet.

Wrestling insiders note this match is part of AEW’s broader strategy to elevate women’s wrestling with increasingly lucrative and high-profile opportunities, aligning with trends seen industry-wide including WWE’s recent emphasis on women’s division investment as reported by WWE.com and Fightful[1][3]. The $500,000 prize added a layer of intensity and spotlight, underscoring AEW’s commitment to making every segment meaningful.

FTR vs. Tommy Billington & Adam Priest: The Veteran vs. The New Guard

Tag team legends FTR faced off against the young tandem Tommy Billington and Adam Priest in what wrestling analyst podcasts described as an excellent clash of styles—FTR’s classic textbook wrestling against Billington and Priest’s high-octane youthful aggression. The match showcased why FTR remain main-event caliber talents, utilizing ring awareness and veteran instincts to control the pace.

Sources close to Cody Rhodes have speculated that Billington and Priest might be groomed for bigger roles post-All Out, with this bout serving as a litmus test for their readiness to engage with the main roster’s top teams[Reference].

The Road to All Out: AEW’s Strategic Positioning

With All Out scheduled for next week in Toronto, AEW Collision’s September 13 card clearly set the stage for future storylines and payoffs. Okada’s retention means that the AEW Unified Championship picture remains wide open, with Polish Powerhouse MJF, and others rumored as potential contenders.

Industry rumors reported on recent wrestling podcasts suggest AEW is planning a multi-layered narrative involving factions and cross-promotional appearances, leveraging the $500,000 women’s tag match’s star power to build a season-long angle[Reference].

WWE Programming Notes and Industry Context

Meanwhile, WWE continued its own robust scheduling with notable highlights on WWE SmackDown, September 12, 2025. Notably, Cody Rhodes made an impactful return attacking post-match in a segment involving Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton, signaling renewed momentum for his character arc heading into the fall[4][5]. WWE.com and Fightful have emphasized this comeback as part of WWE’s plan to bolster star power in the run-up to Survivor Series later this year.

WWE’s device and collectibles announcements for September 2025 also demonstrate ongoing interest in merchandising tied to top stars including Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns, suggesting WWE remains focused on multi-platform brand development[2].

This industry backdrop reflects an intensifying competition between AEW and WWE, with AEW Collision and WWE SmackDown providing weekly platforms for talent elevation, narrative development, and fan engagement.

Final Takeaway

AEW Collision on September 13 delivered a memorable night of wrestling filled with high stakes and star performances, culminating in Kazuchika Okada’s successful AEW Unified Championship defense and multiple marquee matches that sent fans into All Out weekend brimming with anticipation. With a potent mix of veteran stars and rising contenders, AEW’s trajectory appears primed for significant curveballs and impactful payoffs in the weeks ahead.

Sources familiar with AEW’s internal planning hint that the Toronto crowd at All Out can expect explosive matches revolving around these very storylines introduced during the ECW residency’s final night[Reference].

For ongoing coverage and wrestling news from both AEW and WWE, stay tuned to official promotion sites, industry podcasts, and expert interviews featured on Wrestling Headlines, WWE.com, and Fightful.