LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WELCOME BACK TO THE RAFTERS!
Stinger here, reporting from high above the squared circle in the magnificent Halls of Titanquisitor, where the Halloween decorations are still hanging, somebody has eaten the last of my Snickers bars, and All Elite Wrestling apparently decided that October 31 was the perfect occasion to unleash every dangerous son of a bitch on its payroll!
Before we get started, ladies and gentlemen, I owe you an apology for the delay in getting these results published. Halloween presented your humble correspondent with something of a scheduling catastrophe. You see, there was NXT Halloween Havoc to watch, AEW Fright Night Collision to cover, and a rather important collection of college football games demanding my attention.
And despite my extraordinary talents, I cannot watch two wrestling shows simultaneously. Nor can I write about two shows at once, which, come to think of it, is precisely the same damn problem.
SOMETHING HAD TO GIVE!
Management has repeatedly rejected my requests for additional television monitors, an assistant, and a sophisticated command center capable of monitoring every wrestling promotion in North America. Maddie claims we have a budget to consider. I maintain that journalism should not be constrained by such trivial matters.
Nevertheless, the results are here now, and that’s good enough!
AEW celebrated Halloween with Fright Night Collision from the Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, Missouri, delivering eight matches, an international championship defense, the return of the Hurt Syndicate, important developments ahead of Blood & Guts, and a main event that demonstrated exactly why referees should probably be required to undergo annual vision examinations.
We also witnessed Tommaso Ciampa dressed as Kratos, Ilja Dragunov trying to murder an actual beast, and Juice Robinson demonstrating that brass knuckles remain an extremely effective substitute for legitimate wrestling ability.
And yes, I am fully aware that Juice Robinson possesses legitimate wrestling ability.
THAT MAKES IT WORSE!
Let’s get down to business, ladies and gentlemen, and examine what happened on Halloween night!
Tommaso Ciampa vs. Matt Sydal
Winner: Tommaso Ciampa — Pinfall
Fright Night Collision opened with two experienced competitors looking to establish themselves, as Tommaso Ciampa faced hometown favorite Matt Sydal.
Sydal received an enthusiastic welcome from the St. Louis audience, while Ciampa arrived dressed as Kratos from God of War.
Ladies and gentlemen, I appreciate a good Halloween costume, but when Tommaso Ciampa decides to dress as a murderous Spartan warrior, I begin to question whether he understands that costumes are supposed to be pretend.
The match began with Ciampa attempting to impose his strength and aggression, but Sydal’s speed immediately created difficulties. The hometown favorite sent Ciampa to the floor with a dropkick and followed with impressive aerial offense, including a standing moonsault and a Meteora from the apron.
Sydal repeatedly searched for opportunities to deliver his Shooting Star Press, but Ciampa demonstrated tremendous ring awareness by escaping before the maneuver could connect.
That became an important part of the match’s developing story. Sydal could create openings through athleticism, but Ciampa’s experience allowed him to recognize the danger and adjust.
The Psycho Killer eventually seized control with a running knee that knocked Sydal from the apron to the floor. From there, Ciampa slowed the pace and began wearing down his opponent, using strikes, submissions, and carefully timed counters to neutralize Sydal’s explosiveness.
Sydal refused to surrender. He connected with a jumping knee to escape a Project Ciampa attempt, later launching himself from the top rope to the floor in a spectacular collision that brought the hometown audience to life.
Back inside, the competitors exchanged several convincing near falls. Sydal countered an attempted Air Raid Crash into a pinning combination, while Ciampa avoided another Shooting Star Press by raising his knees.
The match’s closing moments featured a tremendous exchange of counters. Sydal escaped Project Ciampa with a hurricanrana and nearly stole the victory, but Ciampa eventually caught him with the move after another striking exchange.
Rather than immediately securing the pinfall, Ciampa followed with the Kill Shot Knee.
And then, apparently deciding that one devastating knee wasn’t sufficient, he removed his knee pad and delivered another.
One, two, three.
Tommaso Ciampa had his victory.
Afterward, Ciampa climbed onto the commentary desk, applauding himself and demanding that the cameras recognize his accomplishment.
A modest, humble gentleman, ladies and gentlemen.
Stinger’s View: Well, this was an excellent way to begin the evening. Ciampa and Sydal delivered exactly the kind of professional wrestling I appreciate: two experienced competitors telling a coherent story through contrasting styles, escalating counters, and increasingly desperate attempts to secure the victory. Sydal looked impressive in front of his hometown audience, and Ciampa’s repeated escapes from the Shooting Star Press made perfect sense because an intelligent wrestler should recognize and avoid an opponent’s most dangerous weapon. I particularly enjoyed the finish, with Ciampa delivering a second exposed-knee strike to make absolutely certain his opponent wouldn’t recover. That little touch reinforced his ruthless personality without requiring an elaborate backstage explanation. My only complaint is that Ciampa’s Kratos costume made me want to abandon my responsibilities and play God of War. Given the evening’s already disastrous scheduling situation, that would’ve been extremely irresponsible.
The Hurt Syndicate vs. SoloRoto
Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin vs. Aaron Solo & Nick Comoroto
Winners: The Hurt Syndicate — Pinfall
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, BUSINESS JUST PICKED UP!
Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin returned to tag team competition with MVP accompanying them to ringside, and their unfortunate opponents were Aaron Solo and Nick Comoroto.
Now, I don’t know what Solo and Comoroto did to offend AEW management, but somebody apparently decided their Halloween present should consist of several minutes inside the ring with two extraordinarily powerful men who specialize in making other wrestlers regret their career decisions. But, ladies and gentlemen, if nothing else, I enjoy the team name of SoloRoto. It’s fun to say, and it’s fun to type.
Comoroto attempted to establish an advantage by attacking Lashley from behind and briefly overwhelmed him with corner clotheslines. Solo joined the assault, and for a moment, the challengers appeared to have developed an effective strategy.
Unfortunately, their strategy depended on Bobby Lashley remaining cooperative.
He did not.
Lashley quickly recovered, hurled Solo into his own partner, and sent Comoroto tumbling to the floor.
Shelton Benjamin entered and demonstrated his usual combination of technical ability and terrifying explosiveness. Solo attempted to surprise him with offense, but Benjamin responded with powerful German suplexes and a series of punishing strikes.
Things became even worse when Griff Garrison attempted to involve himself in the proceedings.
MVP intercepted the situation, Benjamin introduced Garrison to the unpleasant reality of another German suplex, and Lashley followed with a spear.
Comoroto received similar treatment.
Then Solo became the primary victim of a sustained assault involving repeated spears from Lashley, with Benjamin contributing additional punishment.
The St. Louis crowd actually began demanding more.
AND LASHLEY OBLIGED!
Following another devastating spear, Lashley covered Solo to secure a decisive victory.
The Hurt Syndicate celebrated their dominant return, while Daniel Garcia addressed their upcoming Anarchy in the Arena confrontation at Full Gear, expressing confidence despite their anticipated numerical disadvantage.
Stinger’s View: Sometimes a dominant squash match is exactly what the situation requires, and this was a wonderful example. Lashley and Benjamin didn’t need twenty minutes of competitive exchanges to remind viewers why they’re dangerous. The crowd wanted to see two powerful, established competitors destroy some unfortunate individuals, and that’s precisely what AEW provided. I especially appreciated Benjamin’s explosiveness and Lashley’s repeated spears, which made the returning team look like a legitimate threat. There is an art to presenting dominant wrestlers without making the opposition appear entirely ridiculous, although I suspect Aaron Solo might disagree after approximately his fourth encounter with Bobby Lashley’s shoulder. The Hurt Syndicate looks ready for Full Gear, and I sincerely hope nobody backstage decides that the solution is to make them participate in another endless faction argument instead of allowing these gentlemen to do what they do best: beat the absolute hell out of people.
Backstage: Persephone Wants Revenge
Following her loss of the TBS Championship on Dynamite, Persephone appeared backstage in a thoroughly unpleasant mood.
Dr. Britt Baker joined her as Persephone directed her frustration toward Queen Aminata, making it clear that their rivalry was far from finished.
More importantly, the confrontation established Persephone’s intentions for the approaching women’s Blood & Guts match.
There remained an available position on each team, and Persephone wanted to be part of the violence.
Stinger’s View: I appreciate the logic behind this development. Persephone has a legitimate grievance, having recently lost her championship, and her desire to confront Queen Aminata gives the Blood & Guts match an additional personal dimension. The stipulation works best when competitors genuinely have reasons to despise one another, rather than simply being assigned to opposing teams because somebody backstage has a spreadsheet to fill out. Persephone’s involvement also strengthens the connection between the TBS Championship storyline and the larger women’s faction conflict. Now let’s see whether AEW can turn those personal stakes into something meaningful inside the cage.
Artist of STARDOM Championship: Triangle of Madness (c) vs. Trinity
Thekla, Julia Hart & Skye Blue vs. Hazuki, Koguma & Fuwa-chan
Winners: Triangle of Madness — Pinfall, retain the championship
Our international championship encounter featured Triangle of Madness defending the Artist of STARDOM Championship against Trinity, representing Japan’s STARDOM promotion.
And ladies and gentlemen, if you were expecting a friendly exhibition of international athletic competition, you apparently haven’t spent much time watching Thekla.
The match began with Julia Hart extending a handshake to Fuwa-chan.
A lovely gesture of sportsmanship.
Naturally, Hart immediately slapped her across the face.
WELCOME TO ALL ELITE WRESTLING!
Triangle of Madness quickly established control through frequent tags and aggressive teamwork, with Skye Blue and Thekla contributing to an early assault on Fuwa-chan.
The challengers responded with impressive coordination, using rapid exchanges and simultaneous attacks to knock the champions from the ring.
Hazuki and Koguma helped isolate Blue, connecting with a series of corner attacks before Fuwa-chan added a dropkick for a near fall.
The champions eventually turned the situation around by cutting off Fuwa-chan from her partners. Thekla delivered a vicious running boot along the apron, while Hart and Blue continued applying pressure through quick tags and calculated interference.
Fuwa-chan finally created separation by sending two opponents crashing into one another, allowing Koguma to enter and dramatically change the pace.
The challengers unleashed simultaneous aerial attacks to the floor, followed by a series of impressive combinations inside the ring.
Koguma connected with a Northern Lights suplex, Hart responded with a moonsault, and Thekla entered to deliver a particularly vicious sequence against Hazuki.
One especially entertaining exchange saw Thekla apply an octopus hold to Hazuki while Hart and Blue simultaneously trapped the other challengers in submissions.
Ladies and gentlemen, apparently the Triangle of Madness decided that one submission wasn’t enough.
THEY WANTED THE ENTIRE DAMN COLLECTION!
The action continued escalating as both teams exchanged powerful strikes, dives, suplexes, and near falls.
Hazuki connected with a tremendous superplex on Blue, followed by a top-rope splash from Koguma and a Shining Wizard from Fuwa-chan.
The challengers appeared moments away from victory, but Hart intervened to break the pinfall.
Thekla then cleared the challengers with a spectacular dive to the floor.
Back inside, Fuwa-chan nearly caught Blue in a cradle, but the champions found an opportunity to exploit the referee’s attention.
Blue distracted the official while Julia Hart sprayed black mist into Fuwa-chan’s face.
Because apparently Halloween wrestling cannot proceed without somebody introducing mysterious chemicals into the equation.
Hart and Blue followed with a devastating double-team maneuver, with Blue delivering a uranage before Hart secured the pinfall.
Triangle of Madness retained the Artist of STARDOM Championship.
Stinger’s View: This was a thoroughly entertaining six-woman championship match, and I rather appreciated the way the teams built their offense around coordinated combinations rather than simply allowing everybody to exchange unrelated signature moves. Trinity looked like a legitimate threat, especially during the spectacular finishing stretch when Fuwa-chan nearly secured the victory. Triangle of Madness demonstrated why they’re effective champions, combining individual personalities with increasingly sophisticated teamwork. The black mist finish was underhanded, certainly, but it was consistent with Julia Hart’s established character and provided a way to protect the challengers while retaining the titles. My only concern is that wrestling promotions may be developing an unhealthy dependence on mysterious mist. We had enough of that nonsense at Halloween Havoc. Perhaps somebody could issue referees protective eyewear and finally put an end to this epidemic. Regardless, these six women delivered a very good match, and Triangle of Madness enters Blood & Guts with additional momentum.
Samoa Joe Questions the Leadership of The Opps
Samoa Joe appeared alongside HOOK and Katsuyori Shibata to address the changing perception of The Opps.
Joe expressed frustration that the group no longer commanded the same fear and respect it once possessed, suggesting that their problems might be connected to leadership.
He directed pointed glances toward HOOK while discussing those failures.
Joe reminded everyone of his own accomplishments, including decisive encounters with major championship figures, and promised that The Opps would regain their intimidating reputation.
Or, if necessary, undergo a more fundamental transformation.
He departed with the underlying tension unresolved.
Stinger’s View: Now THIS is how you establish faction tension without resorting to an immediate backstage brawl or somebody dramatically announcing that they’re leaving the group. Joe’s message was calculated, intimidating, and filled with implications that HOOK could hardly ignore. Samoa Joe is one of the industry’s finest performers when it comes to making ordinary dialogue sound like a threat to somebody’s continued existence, and this segment played directly to that strength. The most interesting question is whether Joe genuinely believes the faction needs stronger leadership or whether he’s deliberately creating a situation where HOOK must either submit to his authority or confront him. Either possibility offers compelling material, and I hope AEW allows the tension to develop rather than rushing toward an obvious betrayal.
Ilja Dragunov vs. The Beast Mortos
Winner: Ilja Dragunov — Pinfall
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, SOMEBODY CALL AN AMBULANCE!
Actually, better make that two.
This was the match I had circled in our preview, and I am delighted to report that Ilja Dragunov and The Beast Mortos delivered the sort of magnificently brutal confrontation I was hoping to see.
Dragunov entered his second AEW match with tremendous intensity, while Mortos presented the kind of imposing physical challenge that would cause most reasonable human beings to reconsider their evening plans.
Fortunately for us, Ilja Dragunov is not a reasonable human being.
The opening featured repeated attempts by Dragunov to overpower Mortos through strikes and shoulder blocks. Mortos initially refused to budge, eventually responding with a powerful shoulder tackle and a Samoan drop.
Dragunov continued attacking, using vicious chops and a lariat to create openings against the larger opponent.
His willingness to repeatedly confront Mortos directly became one of the match’s defining characteristics.
There was no attempt to avoid the danger.
No clever strategy built around staying away from the monster.
Dragunov simply decided that he was going to hit the bastard until one of them stopped moving.
The two exchanged punishing strikes before Dragunov demonstrated remarkable strength by executing multiple suplexes, including a gutwrench German and a side suplex.
Mortos responded with devastating power offense, eventually connecting with a backbreaker and a discus lariat that nearly secured the victory.
The match became increasingly physical as both competitors exchanged chops and forearms, neither willing to retreat.
Dragunov repeatedly encouraged Mortos to continue attacking, while the beast appeared more than happy to oblige.
At one point, Mortos attempted a superplex from the ropes, but Dragunov countered by positioning himself underneath the larger competitor and forcing him down with a tremendous powerbomb.
WHAT A DISPLAY OF STRENGTH!
Dragunov followed with a flying headbutt and the D-Bomb to secure the three-count.
But the story wasn’t quite finished.
As Dragunov celebrated, conducting the St. Louis audience with his familiar theatrical intensity, Tommaso Ciampa appeared on the entrance ramp.
Ciampa mimicked Dragunov’s conducting gestures, making his interest in the victorious competitor unmistakable.
Ladies and gentlemen, we may have a rather significant problem developing.
For everybody else in the AEW locker room, that is.
Stinger’s View: I LOVED THIS MATCH! Dragunov and Mortos delivered the physical confrontation their respective styles promised, and neither competitor required elaborate theatrical nonsense to make the contest compelling. The story was beautifully straightforward: Mortos possessed the greater size and raw power, while Dragunov relied on intensity, endurance, and an almost supernatural willingness to endure punishment. The suplex sequences were particularly impressive because they demonstrated Dragunov’s strength against an opponent who isn’t easily moved. Mortos deserves considerable credit as well; he’s far more than a large man wearing an intimidating mask, and his combination of athleticism and power makes him an excellent opponent for competitors like Dragunov. The finish was satisfying, and Ciampa’s appearance afterward immediately introduced the possibility of another outstanding encounter. Ciampa versus Dragunov? LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, SIGN ME THE HELL UP! If AEW handles this properly, we could be looking at one of the most physically intense rivalries on its television programming.
Mike Bailey vs. Darius Martin
Winner: Mike Bailey — Pinfall
Our next encounter featured two tremendously athletic competitors as Speedball Mike Bailey squared off against Darius Martin, accompanied by Christopher Daniels.
The opening exchanges demonstrated exactly why both men have developed reputations for high-speed offense and innovative counter-wrestling.
Martin initially managed to stay ahead of Bailey, repeatedly anticipating his movements and preventing the United Empire member from establishing his preferred rhythm.
Bailey responded with stiff kicks and a spectacular crossbody to the outside, but Martin refused to allow him sustained control.
An interference-related distraction involving Daniels gave Martin an opportunity to knock Bailey from the apron, after which he adopted a noticeably more aggressive approach.
Martin began controlling the pace through strikes and innovative offense, including a cutter delivered against the ropes and a springboard flatliner that produced a convincing near fall.
Bailey rallied with his trademark kicks and a running Shooting Star Press, but Martin continued finding answers.
One particularly impressive moment came when Martin delivered a Spanish Fly, nearly catching Bailey by surprise.
The two competitors then exchanged a series of pinning combinations and counters, neither able to establish a decisive advantage.
Bailey eventually launched himself over the ropes with an Orihara moonsault, bringing the crowd to its feet.
Back inside, he attempted the Ultima Weapon, but Martin avoided the maneuver and nearly stole the match with another pinning combination.
The closing sequence featured several rapid reversals before Bailey trapped Martin in a straitjacket-style roll-up to secure the three-count.
Following the match, Bailey applauded Martin’s performance and offered a handshake, which his opponent accepted.
Stinger’s View: This was a very enjoyable athletic contest, and I appreciated the way Darius Martin was presented as a genuine threat rather than merely another opponent for Mike Bailey to defeat. Martin’s more aggressive approach gave him additional credibility, while Bailey’s ability to survive dangerous exchanges and eventually secure a technical pinfall demonstrated that his success isn’t dependent entirely on spectacular aerial offense. There’s a tendency in modern wrestling to structure matches around increasingly elaborate sequences without giving the audience enough reason to care about the outcome, but these two maintained a compelling competitive rhythm. I especially liked the finish, which rewarded Bailey’s experience and resourcefulness rather than requiring another enormous finishing maneuver. Martin also emerged looking stronger despite the defeat, which is exactly what a competitive television match should accomplish.
Will Ospreay Sends a Message to Kyle Fletcher
AEW presented a video package examining the relationship and rivalry between Will Ospreay and Kyle Fletcher, highlighting their history and the approaching challenges.
The two are scheduled to meet for the AEW World Championship at Full Gear, but before that confrontation, both must survive Wednesday’s Blood & Guts encounter.
Ospreay addressed Fletcher directly, emphasizing that their championship showdown would have to wait until the immediate violence had been settled.
Stinger’s View: I appreciate the effort to connect the upcoming Blood & Guts match with the larger championship picture. Ospreay and Fletcher have enough shared history to sustain a compelling personal rivalry, and their conflicting responsibilities create additional tension. My concern is that AEW sometimes has so many overlapping faction disputes that individual rivalries risk becoming secondary considerations. This package helped reinforce the importance of their relationship and remind viewers that Wednesday’s cage match is merely another chapter rather than the ultimate destination. If both competitors emerge from Blood & Guts with their rivalry intensified, the championship encounter at Full Gear could benefit considerably.
Divine Dominion vs. Nixi XS & Leela Feist
Megan Bayne & Lena Kross vs. Nixi XS & Leela Feist
Winners: Divine Dominion — Pinfall
Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to extend my condolences to Nixi XS and Leela Feist.
I’m not entirely sure who convinced these two women that stepping into the ring with Megan Bayne and Lena Kross was a sensible Halloween activity, but somebody owes them a sincere apology.
Divine Dominion wasted absolutely no time establishing control.
Bayne and Kross attacked immediately, taking the fight outside the ring and using their overwhelming physical advantages to punish both opponents.
The challengers were repeatedly driven into the barricades and subjected to powerful strikes before Divine Dominion returned the action to the ring.
Bayne delivered a tremendous German suplex to Feist, while Kross continued disrupting any attempts at resistance.
When Nixi attempted to intervene, she merely succeeded in becoming another target.
The champions of destruction—although not technically defending championships here—combined their offense with terrifying efficiency, ultimately slamming Feist onto Nixi and covering both competitors for a decisive victory.
The entire encounter was a demonstration of overwhelming power.
And ladies and gentlemen, I suspect somebody backstage is still trying to locate the remains of the opposition.
Stinger’s View: This was another effective squash match, and unlike some of AEW’s more complicated television segments, it accomplished its purpose with admirable simplicity. Divine Dominion needed to look dangerous heading into Blood & Guts, and Megan Bayne and Lena Kross delivered a convincing demonstration of their combined power. The double pinfall was an especially memorable conclusion because it reinforced the impression that neither opponent ever possessed a realistic opportunity to win. Bayne has tremendous physical presence, and pairing her with Kross creates a formidable combination that should translate well into the chaotic environment of Blood & Guts. The key moving forward is ensuring these women remain credible threats against established competition, rather than existing solely to demolish opponents who have little opportunity to fight back.
Queen Aminata Joins the Women’s Blood & Guts Team
The women’s Blood & Guts lineup continued taking shape as TBS Champion Queen Aminata joined forces with Kris Statlander, Harley Cameron, and their allies.
The group acknowledged that personal differences would need to be set aside in order to confront their common enemies.
Aminata emphasized that she was ready to fight alongside the team, while Cameron enthusiastically reminded everyone of the violence awaiting them inside the enormous steel structure.
With Aminata’s inclusion, the opposing faction gained an important addition to counter the growing threat posed by Triangle of Madness and Divine Dominion.
Stinger’s View: This is precisely the kind of development I want to see before a major faction encounter. The participants have different personalities, histories, and motivations, but the approaching Blood & Guts match forces them to cooperate against a common threat. Queen Aminata’s involvement makes sense given her championship history with Persephone, and it provides another personal conflict for the match to explore. Harley Cameron’s enthusiasm also adds character to a segment that could otherwise become a routine exchange of threats. My main hope is that Wednesday’s match allows these individual stories to emerge through the action rather than reducing twelve talented women to an endless parade of weapons spots.
Konosuke Takeshita vs. Adam Priest
Winner: Konosuke Takeshita — Pinfall
Konosuke Takeshita continued his remarkable run with a hard-hitting encounter against Adam Priest, who proved considerably more competitive than some viewers might have anticipated.
Takeshita began with his familiar combination of size, athleticism, and explosive offense, connecting with powerful strikes and a jumping blockbuster.
Priest responded with an aggressive strategy built around targeting Takeshita’s legs, attempting to undermine his opponent’s ability to generate power.
That approach became increasingly important as the match progressed.
Takeshita delivered a punishing DDT on the floor and later connected with an impressive delayed superplex, but Priest continued attacking the legs whenever opportunities presented themselves.
A dragon screw against the ropes and a carefully placed dropkick to the knee helped establish Priest’s strategy.
Back inside, Priest connected with a tornado DDT and attempted to transition into further attacks on the damaged leg.
Takeshita countered with a tremendous Blue Thunder Bomb, but rather than immediately attempting a pinfall, he continued pressing the attack.
Priest nearly caught him with a single-leg crab, later escaping a powerbomb attempt and countering into a close pinning combination.
For a moment, the possibility of an upset felt genuine.
But Takeshita eventually overwhelmed his opponent with a devastating series of strikes, including a knee and rolling elbow, before delivering Raging Fire to secure the victory.
Stinger’s View: I was pleasantly impressed by this encounter, particularly Adam Priest’s willingness to approach Takeshita with a coherent strategy rather than simply attempting to match him strike for strike. Targeting the legs was a logical choice against a larger, more explosive competitor, and Priest’s repeated attacks gave the match a compelling internal story. Takeshita remains one of the most impressive wrestlers on AEW’s roster, capable of combining remarkable physical power with tremendous athleticism, but he benefits from opponents who can make him appear genuinely vulnerable. Priest accomplished that without requiring an improbable victory. I also appreciated the decisive finish, which allowed Takeshita to demonstrate why he remains a dangerous opponent once he manages to regain control. A strong television match that helped both competitors.
Persephone Completes the Blood & Guts Alliance
Following their successful championship defense and the dominant victory by Divine Dominion, the opposing women’s Blood & Guts team formally assembled backstage.
Triangle of Madness stood alongside Megan Bayne, Lena Kross, and their newest ally, Persephone.
Thekla led the verbal assault with her usual combination of confidence, aggression, and language that would probably get somebody escorted out of a respectable family restaurant.
Persephone focused her attention on Queen Aminata, promising that her championship loss would eventually be avenged.
Skye Blue and Julia Hart referenced their previous experiences in Blood & Guts, while Bayne and Kross emphasized the physical destruction they intended to unleash.
The message was clear.
These six women weren’t interested in simply winning.
They wanted to hurt somebody.
Stinger’s View: Now this was an effective way to establish the villainous side of Wednesday’s encounter. The team has an intimidating visual presence, and each woman contributed something that reinforced her character. Thekla remains an entertainingly unhinged personality, while Hart and Blue brought additional credibility through their previous experience in the stipulation. Bayne and Kross provide the overwhelming physical advantage, and Persephone adds a personal grievance involving Queen Aminata. I particularly appreciate that the group doesn’t pretend to possess some noble purpose. They’re dangerous, they’re aggressive, and they fully intend to make their opponents suffer. Sometimes professional wrestling villains are most effective when they simply embrace being thoroughly unpleasant bastards. Or, in this particular case, ladies who are apparently very enthusiastic about committing acts of violence.
Marina Shafir Challenges Mercedes Moné at Full Gear
A separate video package revisited the confrontation between Marina Shafir and AEW Women’s World Champion Mercedes Moné.
Shafir made her intentions clear, expressing her determination to confront Moné and demonstrate exactly what kind of competitor she truly is.
The announcement established their championship encounter for Full Gear, adding another significant match to the approaching pay-per-view.
Stinger’s View: Marina Shafir presents an intriguing challenge because her physical style and submission-based offense contrast with Mercedes Moné’s broader wrestling repertoire. I appreciate the decision to emphasize Shafir’s identity as a dangerous competitor rather than relying exclusively on personal insults or exaggerated theatrics. The key will be giving their championship confrontation enough time and narrative attention to feel important amid the crowded Full Gear lineup. Moné is capable of producing excellent matches against opponents with contrasting styles, and Shafir’s intensity could create an interesting dynamic if the build remains focused on their competing abilities.
Main Event: The Cut vs. The Conglomeration
Juice Robinson, Austin Gunn & Colten Gunn vs. Orange Cassidy, Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong
Winners: The Cut — Pinfall
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE HAVE REACHED OUR MAIN EVENT!
And unfortunately, it appears that the referee left his common sense somewhere backstage.
The newly formed Cut battled The Conglomeration in a six-man tag team match featuring plenty of technical wrestling, chaotic teamwork, and an eventual finish that would make even the most unscrupulous wrestling promoter pause to admire the sheer audacity of the cheating involved.
Roderick Strong and Juice Robinson began the contest, quickly establishing an aggressive atmosphere as both teams attempted to gain advantages through coordinated attacks.
Strong and Orange Cassidy worked together effectively, while Kyle O’Reilly introduced his familiar combination of strikes and submissions.
Cassidy even demonstrated an unusual burst of energy, delivering more than ten punches to Robinson in the corner.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, SOMEBODY CHECK ORANGE CASSIDY’S PULSE!
I haven’t seen that man display such enthusiasm since somebody told him he was allowed to keep his hands in his pockets during matches.
The Conglomeration controlled the early exchanges, using coordinated offense to isolate Austin Gunn and repeatedly target him with strikes and submissions.
O’Reilly applied an ankle lock, but Austin managed to escape and create an opening for Robinson.
From there, The Cut began demonstrating the effectiveness of their partnership.
They isolated O’Reilly in their corner, making frequent tags and preventing him from reaching his teammates.
Every time Kyle appeared close to escaping, another member of The Cut intervened to cut off the opportunity.
Eventually, O’Reilly managed to create separation, allowing Cassidy and Strong to reenter the contest.
The action became increasingly chaotic.
Cassidy delivered a spectacular dive that took out multiple opponents, while Strong used his explosive striking offense to disrupt The Cut’s momentum.
The teams exchanged several impressive combinations and near falls before O’Reilly and Robinson found themselves alone inside the ring.
They traded strikes, with Robinson attempting to overwhelm O’Reilly through his aggressive boxing-style offense.
But Kyle countered.
He trapped Robinson in an ankle lock.
And ladies and gentlemen, JUICE ROBINSON TAPPED OUT!
Except the referee never saw it.
WHY?
Because apparently everybody associated with The Cut had decided that the actual rules of professional wrestling were merely optional suggestions.
David Finlay and Clark Connors arrived at ringside, forcing Strong and Cassidy to intervene.
Ace Austin then climbed onto the apron and distracted the referee while Robinson surrendered inside the ring.
O’Reilly released the submission to confront the interference.
And that provided Jay White with precisely the opportunity he needed.
White secretly passed brass knuckles to Robinson.
Juice slipped them onto his hand and delivered the Left Hand of God directly into O’Reilly’s face.
With the additional assistance of a concealed piece of metal, Robinson knocked his opponent unconscious and secured the pinfall.
The Cut had stolen the victory.
But the bastards weren’t finished.
Following the match, the faction descended upon the defeated Conglomeration, using its overwhelming numerical advantage to continue the assault.
Robinson delivered additional brass-knuckle-assisted punches to Orange Cassidy and Roderick Strong, while Jay White and the others celebrated.
The Cut eventually stacked their fallen opponents in the center of the ring and posed triumphantly as the St. Louis audience showered them with boos.
And that’s how AEW ended its Halloween celebration.
With a collection of cheating sons of bitches standing over their victims.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN, EVERYBODY!
Stinger’s View: This was an entertaining main event with an effective conclusion, even if I would personally like to introduce the referee to the revolutionary concept of LOOKING AT THE DAMN WRESTLING MATCH! The early exchanges established the contrasting strengths of both teams, while The Cut’s prolonged isolation of Kyle O’Reilly provided the match with a convincing structure. O’Reilly is an excellent technical wrestler, and his eventual comeback felt earned because the opposition had spent so much time preventing him from reaching his partners. I also appreciated the finish from a storytelling perspective. Robinson tapping out while the referee was distracted gave The Conglomeration a legitimate grievance, and Jay White supplying brass knuckles reinforced The Cut’s identity as a faction willing to exploit every possible advantage. The post-match assault further established the group’s threatening presence and ensured that the rivalry would continue. My only caution is that AEW needs to make sure these interference-heavy finishes don’t become the default answer to every significant faction match. Cheating is effective when it advances a story; it becomes tiresome when fans begin expecting seventeen people to emerge from backstage every time somebody applies a submission hold. Nevertheless, this was a strong closing encounter, and The Cut emerged looking like a genuinely dangerous collection of bastards.
Stinger’s View: Did Fright Night Collision Deliver?
Ladies and gentlemen, after carefully reviewing all eight matches, the backstage developments, and approximately seven hundred instances of professional wrestling performers attempting to cause one another serious physical harm, I can confidently declare that AEW Fright Night Collision was an entertaining Halloween edition of Saturday night wrestling.
The show benefited from a strong mixture of wrestling styles.
Tommaso Ciampa and Matt Sydal opened with an excellent veteran contest that demonstrated the value of ring psychology and experience. The Hurt Syndicate made a dominant return, reminding everyone that Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin remain two of the most physically intimidating competitors in the business.
Triangle of Madness successfully defended the Artist of STARDOM Championship in an exciting international six-woman encounter, while Divine Dominion delivered another demonstration of overwhelming power.
Mike Bailey and Darius Martin provided impressive athletic exchanges, and Konosuke Takeshita’s victory over Adam Priest showcased the advantages of giving talented competitors opportunities to tell coherent stories rather than simply exchanging spectacular moves.
But my favorite match of the evening?
Ilja Dragunov versus The Beast Mortos.
Ladies and gentlemen, those two magnificent lunatics gave me exactly what I wanted.
Physicality, intensity, tremendous displays of strength, and a competitive atmosphere that made every exchange feel important.
And with Tommaso Ciampa apparently taking an interest in Dragunov, there’s potential for something even better on the horizon.
The main event also delivered, with The Cut securing a controversial victory that strengthened their increasingly antagonistic presence in AEW.
As for the women’s Blood & Guts match, the addition of Queen Aminata and Persephone completed an intriguing twelve-woman lineup with enough personal rivalries and physical talent to produce something memorable.
Now, I sincerely hope everybody involved remembers that a great Blood & Guts match requires more than assembling a collection of weapons and encouraging people to jump off tall objects.
The violence has to mean something.
And speaking of Wednesday, AEW has a tremendous opportunity to deliver an important evening of television with both men’s and women’s Blood & Guts matches scheduled.
I’ll certainly be watching.
Assuming management doesn’t schedule another three major wrestling shows and a full afternoon of football simultaneously.
MADDIE! HAVE YOU CHECKED THE TELEVISION SCHEDULE?!
Actually, never mind.
I don’t want to know.
And before we conclude, I feel obligated to address one final matter.
Neither Blake Monroe nor Chantel Monroe appeared on Fright Night Collision.
I realize they’re not employed by AEW. I have been informed of this fact repeatedly.
Nevertheless, after Chantel’s magnificent Halloween Havoc appearance, I simply believe that Tony Khan should recognize the extraordinary promotional opportunities presented by the incomparable Monroe twins.
MADDIE: “Stinger, you can’t demand that every wrestling company feature the same two women.”
I CAN CERTAINLY TRY!
MADDIE: “You’ve written letters to Shawn Michaels and Tony Khan.”
AND I’M CONSIDERING TRIPLE H!
MADDIE: “You realize Shawn Michaels and Triple H work for the same company?”
THAT SOUNDS LIKE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR GREATER EFFICIENCY!
Ladies and gentlemen, I assure you that my journalistic integrity remains completely intact.
Anyway, Fright Night Collision delivered an enjoyable evening of professional wrestling, with several worthwhile matches, important developments, and enough Halloween atmosphere to make the occasion feel special without overwhelming the actual competition.
And while I regret that our results arrived a little later than usual, I maintain that providing thoughtful coverage is considerably more important than rushing out a collection of meaningless sentences merely to be first.
Good wrestling deserves proper attention. Our readers deserve proper analysis. And sometimes, ladies and gentlemen, a man simply needs to watch his damn football.
Until next time, keep enjoying professional wrestling, keep demanding compelling stories and competitive matches, and remember that no matter how ridiculous this industry becomes, there will always be something worth celebrating inside that squared circle.
Wrestling Matters.
— Stinger, reporting from the rafters of Titanquisitor Hall, where the Halloween candy is gone, the television schedule is a nightmare, and management continues to refuse my perfectly reasonable request for six additional monitors.
AEW Fright Night Collision — Complete Results
Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026
Location: Chaifetz Arena, St. Louis, Missouri
Broadcast: TNT and HBO Max
- Tommaso Ciampa defeated Matt Sydal — Pinfall following consecutive Kill Shot Knees.
- The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin) defeated SoloRoto (Aaron Solo & Nick Comoroto) — Pinfall following Lashley’s repeated spears.
- Triangle of Madness (Thekla, Skye Blue & Julia Hart) defeated Trinity (Hazuki, Koguma & Fuwa-chan) — Retained the Artist of STARDOM Championship after black mist interference and a double-team finish.
- Ilja Dragunov defeated The Beast Mortos — Pinfall following a flying headbutt and D-Bomb.
- Mike Bailey defeated Darius Martin — Pinfall with a straitjacket roll-up.
- Divine Dominion (Megan Bayne & Lena Kross) defeated Nixi XS & Leela Feist — Double pinfall following a dominant tag team assault.
- Konosuke Takeshita defeated Adam Priest — Pinfall following Raging Fire.
- The Cut (Juice Robinson, Austin Gunn & Colten Gunn) defeated The Conglomeration (Orange Cassidy, Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong) — Pinfall after Jay White supplied Robinson with brass knuckles.
Major developments: Queen Aminata and Persephone completed the women’s Blood & Guts lineup. Tommaso Ciampa confronted Ilja Dragunov from the entrance ramp. Samoa Joe questioned the leadership of The Opps. Marina Shafir’s AEW Women’s World Championship match against Mercedes Moné at Full Gear was highlighted.
Card subject to change. Results, however, are considerably less negotiable. Unless you’re a member of The Cut, in which case apparently the rules are whatever the hell you want them to be.
