Ace Austin makes his AEW debut among a slate of notable developments from AEW Collision tapings in Cincinnati, as the August 14, 2025 session at the Andrew J Brady Music Center produced several storyline twists and in-ring results ahead of this week’s broadcast.
Key moments and outcomes from the tapings
– Toni Storm opened with a promo labeled “Timeless,” but was interrupted and attacked by Athena and Billie Starkz until Mina Shirakawa rushed to Storm’s aid. Shirakawa is set to challenge Athena for the ROH Women’s World Championship at Death Before Dishonor on August 29 in Philadelphia.
– FTR attacked Bandido backstage and stole his mask, prompting a save by Brody King. A subsequent brawl led to King’s defeat after Stokely Hathaway blinded him with powder. FTR and Brody King are now positioned for a showdown on next Wednesday’s Dynamite to determine who will face The Hurt Syndicate for the AEW World Tag Team Championship at Forbidden Door.
– The Death Riders (Jon Moxley and Wheeler Yuta) defeated JetSpeed (Kevin Knight and Mike Bailey) by pinfall.
– Ricochet defeated Ace Austin by pinfall. Austin, who was announced by Tony Khan as the latest addition to the AEW roster, previously wrestled in TNA and over the years has held multiple X-Division and tag team titles.
– Paragon (Kyle O’Reilly and Roderick Strong) defeated Blake Christian and Lee Johnson by pinfall.
– A $100,000 Four-Way match saw Kris Statlander defeat Anna Jay, Julia Hart, and Penelope Ford by submission. Post-match, a large brawl erupted involving Megan Bayne, Thekla, Skye Blue, Queen Aminata, Tay Melo, and a returning Harley Cameron.
– Juice Robinson defeated Bryan Keith by pinfall.
– In a separate interview moment, Anthony Bowens clashed with Renee Paquette after she mentioned Max Caster.
– Nigel McGuinness earned a title shot against Zack Sabre Jr. for the IWGP World Championship by defeating Daniel Garcia, Hechicero, and Lee Moriarty (forcing Hechicero to submit to a Sharpshooter). The match is slated for Forbidden Door, and McGuinness reportedly asked Garcia to stand in his corner for the pay-per-view.
What this could mean for upcoming events
– Ace Austin’s addition to the AEW roster introduces a high-flying, versatile offense that could complement several of AEW’s current superstars and open doors for fresh matchups on AEW and ROH programming.
– The ongoing angle between FTR, Bandido, and Brody King sets up a potential marquee tag-team match that could shape the tag-team title picture at Forbidden Door.
– The Death Before Dishonor buildup in Philadelphia and the IWGP World Championship story at Forbidden Door suggest a strong cross-promotional focus, which could attract new viewers and expand AEW’s footprint across ROH and NJPW surges.
– The Statlander-led four-way for a high-stakes prize and the post-match brawl hint at multi-woman feuds continuing to develop, with potential for upcoming title implications on AEW television and related events.
Summary
The Cincinnati tapings delivered a mix of shocking debuts, title implications, and cross-promotional booking that position AEW and its associated promotions for a busy stretch toward Forbidden Door and Death Before Dishonor. Ace Austin’s AEW arrival is a notable addition to the roster, likely fueling fresh matchups and storylines as the company moves toward its cross-promotional pay-per-views.
Additional thoughts and value
– Fan takeaway: The arrival of a known, high-flyer like Ace Austin builds anticipation for new dream matches and could rejuvenate mid-card feuds with a new dynamic.
– Viewer guidance: Keep an eye on the evolving alliances and reoccurring pairs that could be set up for Forbidden Door, especially in the tag team and IWGP title scenes.
– Positive framing: The event underscores AEW’s talent depth and willingness to mix narratives across ROH and NJPW platforms, offering fans a broader, more interconnected universe.
Overall sentiment: Neutral to positive. The spoilers point to an engaging push with a promising roster addition and consequential matches on the horizon.