The latest AEW Collision Homecoming was spectacular. From the opening match to the main event, the night was packed with action, emotion, and well-executed storytelling. A solid opener, effective promos and segments, and the appearance of “Big Boom” AJ and Big Justice crossovering Harley Cameron, who deserves her own dedicated column in the future.

We also got a match between Kazuchika Okada and Komander, a bout that, while some might consider “incomprehensible” in terms of rivalry coherence, turned out to be a vibrant and athletically flawless spectacle. And of course, the main event, worthy of Kenny Omega’s status, reminded us why he remains one of the best wrestlers of the last 20 years.

But the highlight of the night—the moment that truly captured the essence of what young people call “cinema”—was the triumphant return of Timeless Toni Storm. She convinced us that her “Rookie Tony Time” phase was merely part of her “character arc.” Toni is in a privileged position in terms of talent, but that’s a topic for another day. Let’s get to the core of the matter.

Tony Khan’s Strange Strategy

Despite all the positives of the night, one aspect left me with a bittersweet feeling: Why does Tony Khan only pull off these top-tier shows when AEW is in direct competition with WWE? It’s a strange strategy, one that seems more focused on saying, “Look at what you missed,” rather than establishing a consistent standard of excellence.

There’s no doubt that AEW has the ability to deliver shows of this caliber every week. They’ve proven it multiple times. In its early years, Dynamite spoiled us with incredible quality, where each episode seemed to outdo the previous one. The storytelling flowed naturally, rivalries had coherence, and the in-ring quality was unmatched. So why save the best only for when there’s direct competition with WWE?

Strategy or Coincidence?

This brings us back to the famous “Wednesday Night War” between Dynamite and NXT. Anyone who denies that AEW delivered “acid-fueled” episodes during that period is turning a blind eye to reality. Each week, the bar was raised, with high-impact moments and a constant sense of urgency. This isn’t nostalgia—it’s something verifiable.

But here’s the problem: When you build your strategy around reacting to the competition rather than creating something sustainable in the long term, you risk burning out both the audience and the roster. The energy, enthusiasm, and creativity should be present in every show, not just when there’s “something to prove.”

It’s not that AEW needs to put less effort into these high-stakes events—on the contrary, they should aspire to this level always. If Tony Khan’s goal is to establish AEW as the definitive alternative in pro wrestling, the solution isn’t to lower the quality during “normal” weeks but to find a way for every show to maintain a standard of excellence without relying on external pressure. Like in this AEW Collision Homecoming, where narrative excellence was evident in every segment, especially in the story of Big Bill and Will Hobbs. We expected the match to play out normally after the backstage brawl, but instead, the conflict extended into the previously scheduled match, adding more intensity and continuity to the rivalry.

Then, we witnessed a montage showing the Don Callis Family’s concern over a returning Kenny Omega, who carried himself with an imposing presence, reminding us why he is called “The God of Pro Wrestling.” The segment’s aesthetics evoked mobster genre works like Boardwalk Empire, adding a cinematic dimension to the story.

A special mention goes to Shibata, a true legend. It’s astonishing that he can compete at this level after undergoing a hemicraniectomy—a procedure where part of his brain was removed to save his life. Yet, his performance remains worthy of an elite wrestler. Takeshita was phenomenal as always. Kenny Omega successfully passed on his greatness to this rising rookie.

Everything that happened in AEW Collision Homecoming makes it clear that there is meticulous effort behind the show’s narrative construction. It sends a clear message: “There is dedication and effort in building a story in every feud.” Shows of this caliber not only captivate die-hard fans but also engage casual viewers, making every episode a must-watch for All Elite Wrestling.

Nostalgia or Reality?

Some will argue that we simply miss a time when every AEW episode made us say, “How is it possible that this was even better than last week?” Maybe it’s nostalgia, but I believe there’s truth in it. AEW has the resources, talent, and vision to return to that dynamic. The question is whether Tony Khan will stop playing defensively and focus on establishing an identity that doesn’t depend on WWE’s presence on the radar.

The narrative that “only the best wrestle in AEW” and that All Elite Wrestling came to “restore the feeling” is part of the identity-building process, and it’s on the right track. Perhaps it just needs to shed a few (professional) bad habits. However, who are we to demand this from Khan’s team when they are the most hated company in the industry? It’s understandable that Tony experiences discouragement, leading him to greenlight unnecessary moves that ultimately turn into bad decisions.

AEW has already proven that it can change the game. Now, it just needs to do it consistently. But above all, it needs to mature.

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