Tony Khan, President of AEW and ROH, recently gave high praise to the September 6 AEW Collision episode during an in-depth appearance on the Battleground podcast, calling it “one of the best shows of the entire year” from start to finish. The event, held at Philadelphia’s legendary 2300 Arena—the historic hub for hardcore wrestling—featured standout matches and significant storyline developments that impressed fans and critics alike[1][2].
Khan highlighted the intensity and flow of the show, notably the main event fight between Jon Moxley and Daniel Garcia. The match was widely acclaimed for its back-and-forth action, showcasing Garcia pushing the grizzled veteran Moxley to his limits. Wrestling journalist Jason Powell described it as a compelling contest with meaningful stakes, where Garcia applied punishing holds like the Figure Four on the ring post and the Dragon Slayer, creating moments that drew audible “this is awesome” chants from the crowd[1]. Similarly, PWTorch’s review acknowledged the urgency and clarity of the program pacing, pointing to the show’s focused storytelling and sharp execution as key reasons for its success[2].
A particular highlight cited by Khan and reviewers was how the matches on the card carried clear significance and momentum. Besides Moxley-Garcia, Konosuke Takeshita’s rise continued with a win over Mark Briscoe, who carries ROH legacy weight into AEW. The night also featured a high-profile eight-woman tag team brawl, and FTR defending their titles against Adam Priest and “Dynamite Kid” Tommy Billington, displaying AEW’s trademark blend of technical wrestling and high drama[1][4]. This mix of veterans and rising stars was emblematic of AEW’s vision for Collision as a proving ground.
Regarding the venue, Khan provided insights into AEW’s concluding residency at the 2300 Arena, a place famed for ECW’s gritty past. He indicated that while the historic arena offered an electric atmosphere, AEW planned to evolve the show’s home base as part of its growth trajectory. The company respects the 2300 Arena’s legacy but is preparing to explore bigger opportunities and venues as AEW continues expanding its footprint in the professional wrestling landscape[reference: Battleground podcast, sourced].
On the topic of AEW personalities, Khan also discussed Taz’s role within the company. Taz has been a pivotal figure both on commentary and creatively, and Khan acknowledged his contributions to AEW Collision’s dramatic storytelling. Sources close to AEW note that Taz’s involvement is part of a larger strategy to blend veteran insight with fresh talent development, which is essential to AEW’s product identity[reference: Battleground podcast, Fightful reports].
Fan and media reactions to the 9/6 Collision episode have been overwhelmingly positive, reflected in AEW’s recent uptick in viewership numbers and social media buzz. According to Ringside News, Collision saw a notable ratings increase, underscoring AEW’s growing popularity on both TNT and HBO Max platforms[5]. Commentary from the AEW community reinforces that the show’s tight booking and layered character work are resonating well with audiences.
Despite the praise, some elements like The Pragon faction have drawn mild criticism for lacking clear direction, as noted by PWTorch, suggesting AEW still has areas to refine even on its best nights[2]. Still, this upcoming All Out lead-in episode proved Collision’s potential when all components align—riveting matches, strong promos (including Big Bill’s call-out of Eddie Kingston), and impactful booking moments like MJF’s interference in the main event that kept fans eagerly anticipating next week’s developments[3][4].
In summary, Tony Khan’s remarks and the critical consensus position the 9/6 AEW Collision show as a blueprint for how AEW can continue elevating its brand. It delivered compelling in-ring performances, respected wrestling history while innovating, and set the stage for future storytelling arcs all within the venerable 2300 Arena. As AEW charts its next steps, fans will be watching closely to see how this momentum carries forward beyond the arena’s iconic walls.
This article is based on sources including Tony Khan’s Battleground podcast interview, live reviews from ProWrestling.net and PWTorch, AEW Collision match reports, and Ringside News viewership data.