A lot of wrestling fans have been asking for a Worlds Collide show for a long time now.
WWE has finally given it to those fans, presenting the first Worlds Collide event in nearly three years, going back to when the NXT and NXT: UK rosters faced off against each other.
This year, WWE and NXT names are competing in matches against the roster of WWE’s newly acquired AAA promotion.
With AAA involved, it’s only natural that the Lucha Libre style will be on prominent display here.
Corey Graves and Konnan are on the call for this one. There was buzz that WWE was looking to bring Mike Tenay in for the show, based on his knowledge of Lucha Libre, but if you’re looking for Lucha knowledge, Konnan is going to deliver in spades. Gabriel Iglesias and That Mexican OT are shown in the front row behind the commentary desk. This is going to be fun. Let’s get things rocking and rolling, shall we?
We’re getting a lot of pageantry to start the show. We’ve had National Anthems, a lengthy video package, and now, we’re getting an in-ring promo from Rey Mysterio. Rey has grown his goatee out a lot since we last saw him on WWE programming. Old pro wrestling logic would indicate that he’s about to turn heel. Dominik was right!
At 16 minutes after the hour, we get the first ring entrances for the opening match.
Dragon Lee, Cruz Del Toro & Lince Dorado vs Octagon Jr, Mr. Iguana & Aero Star
If you don’t count Evolve, this is Lince Dorado’s first match on WWE programming in nearly four years.
Mr. Iguana tags into the match, and the crowd goes nuts. If you’ve never seen Mr. Iguana, he’s a man who dresses and acts like an iguana. Easy enough, right? He even has a stuffed iguana that he brings to the ring, and the iguana is “alive” and can perform assisted moves. It’s silly as hell, sure, but it’s over with live crowds, and a favorite of the younger fans. Nothing wrong with that.
I have a feeling I’m going to say this more than once before the show is over, but I’m super happy to just be reviewing the show, and not doing play-by-play coverage of it. There’s so much going on.
Lince Dorado has had enough of the stuffed iguana, and he attacks it, including a hilarious standing Spanish Fly, to tons of heel heat. Fun stuff.
The team from AAA picks up the win, as Octagon Jr gets the pin on Lince Dorado. That was an entertaining opener. Lots of exciting offense, as you would expect, but with the right amount of comedy spots sprinkled in. 3.5 Stars
After the match, Dominik Mysterio (who is sitting in the front row with Liv Morgan), has a mic for some reason and is taking shots at Octagon Jr, who is a known mega fan of Rey Mysterio. Octagon Jr brings Dom over the barricade, and a brawl between the two spills into the ring. After they get separated, Dom gets back on the mic and challenges Octagon Jr to a match… tonight at Money In The Bank. Whoa. He says he’s going to put the Intercontinental Title on the line. Double whoa. That’s going to be fun, and it’s a helluva showcase for Octagon Jr.
Stephanie Vaquer & Lola Vice vs Dalys & Chik Tormenta
Dalys and Chik Tormenta are two of the most badass women in all of wrestling. Lola Vice is a dangerous fighter with all sorts of martial arts and mixed martial arts experience. Stephanie Vaquer is one of the top talents in the sport today, with multiple styles that she is trained and versed in. I’m looking forward to this one.
Smart strategy from Dalys and Chik Tormenta, working Lola over and preventing her from tagging Stephanie in. Lola is the smallest and least experienced woman in this match by a country mile.
Double Devil’s Kiss! Stephanie and Lola pop the crowd by performing one of the most viral moves in wrestling, and doing it together. Stephanie goes on to pick up the pin and the win for her team. There wasn’t a ton to the match (not sure, but I don’t think the match made it to the ten minute mark), perhaps to keep Stephanie somewhat fresh for her appearance in the Money In The Bank Ladder Match tonight. 3 Stars
El Hijo del Dr Wagner Jr, Pagano & Psycho Clown vs Santos Escobar, Angel & Berto
The AAA side of this match features some of the biggest personalities in Lucha Libre. Psycho Clown and Pagano immediately capture your attention when you see them. El Hijo del Dr Wagner Jr is the grandson of Dr Wagner, one of the most legendary names in Lucha Libre history, and the son of Dr Wagner Jr, one of the most successful names that Lucha Libre’s previous generation has seen. He is also the nephew of Silver King, another successful Lucha wrestler that many fans might remember from his time in WCW.
On commentary, Corey Graves says that Pagano isn’t going to get a lot of “style points” for his offense. Pagano then proceeds to botch and nearly botch about three spots in a row. Well, you can’t say Corey is a liar.
Konnan says that this is the first time Santos Escobar, Angel, and Berto have teamed together. That is almost true. They wrestled a six-man tag on an episode of Smackdown in January 2024, but outside of that, this is their first time working together.
Hey, I get to say this again… I’m glad I don’t have to do play-by-play for this. These six men are going non-stop.
Santos Escobar picks up the pin and the win for his team. Good stuff here. Outside of that clunky stretch from Pagano, there was lots to like about this one, with all of the Lucha excitement that you would expect. 3.5 Stars
Ethan Page vs Laredo Kid vs Rey Fénix vs Je’Von Evans – Fatal Four-Way for the NXT North American Title
I’m excited for this one. Three of the greatest high-flying talents in the world are going after Ethan Page and his NXT North American Title.
Before the match begins, I need to point out that Konnan’s commentary has been a mixed bag, to say the very least. He definitely knows his shit when it comes to Lucha Libre, the performers from AAA, and so on. At the same time, though, he’s treating this like a podcast session. He’ll randomly chime in and ask if he can tell a story, then slowly tell the story, only to be interrupted multiple times by Corey Graves, who has a job to do out here. Konnan’s flow and timing just aren’t what they’re supposed to be as a color commentator. Graves, on the other hand, has been fantastic.
LOL @ Konnan asking why people would want tables in a match like this, as the crowd start randomly chanting that they want tables.
All four men are showing out here. Even Ethan Page has taken to the skies on multiple occasions so far.
With Laredo Kid tied in the Tree Of Woe, Je’Von just performed a Van Terminator-style move, going coast-to-coast with a front flip and kicking Laredo Kid in the face. Insanely impressive.
Ethan Page with the pin and the win, retaining his title. That was an excellent match. All four men looked like a million bucks with non-stop offense that they shine at. Great, great stuff. 4.25 Stars
El Hijo del Vikingo vs Chad Gable – AAA Mega Title Match
Main event time. One of the best aerial artists in the world against one of the best technical wizards in the world.
Dueling “let’s go, Gable” and “Gable sucks” chants. Wow. I wasn’t expecting Gable to have that much crowd support.
We’re still relatively early on, but this match has been everything I wanted it to be so far. Vikingo has been dropping jaws with his offense when he can escape from Gable’s clutches. Gable has been throwing Vikingo all over the place when he can avoid Vikingo flying around. Great clash of styles.
Inside Sitout Powerbomb from the top rope! Beautiful move from Chad Gable there.
Mexican Destroyer on the ring apron! Beautiful move from Vikingo there. He climbed to the top rope, then stood atop the ring post, before jumping off and SPIKING Gable on the apron.
Vikingo with the pin and the win. The champion retains his title. What a match. The clash of styles was a great one. 4.5 Stars. Two of the best in the world at what they do. Amazing way to close the show out.
Lots to enjoy from Worlds Collide, especially if this is something of an introduction to Lucha Libre for you. All five matches were good, but those last two are definitely worth checking out if you didn’t do so already. Really good start to a busy day and night for WWE.
