Kyle Fletcher retains the TNT Championship on AEW Collision

Kyle Fletcher retained the TNT Championship after defeating Ace Austin in one of the most outstanding matches of the latest episode of AEW Collision, which aired live last night at the Bayou Music Center in Houston, Texas. "The Ace of Spades" put "The ProtoStar" in trouble - and even came close to victory on several occasions - which led the champion to push himself and take more brutal measures.

Match Development

The champion started dominating the match with authority. However, his overconfidence almost cost him the victory when Austin surprised him with a crucifix pin. "The ProtoStar" then decided to escape to ringside to catch his breath and slow down the pace of the match. Nevertheless, upon his return, he fell back into the challenger's clutches.

Kyle was able to turn the situation around by catching Austin in mid-air with a diving crossbody and then executing a painful backbreaker. This way, the Australian regained control once again. Fletcher unleashed a continuous offensive, punishing his opponent harshly.

Austin managed to muster strength to counterattack. Kyle escaped to ringside, at which point his opponent dove onto him with a Fosbury Flop. The action quickly returned to ringside, this time with Fletcher executing a powerbomb against the edge of the apron. The champion brought his rival back into the ring to execute a sit-out powerbomb, but Ace managed to interrupt the subsequent three count.

The action escalated, with high spots and false finishes that had the audience on the edge of their seats. Austin managed to surprise the champion with a Step-In Springboard Enzuigiri that almost secured the victory, but "The ProtoStar" responded with a Brainbustah!!! Ace survived the Australian's finisher, prompting Kyle to up the ante. Kyle caught Austin on the top turnbuckle, where he executed another Brainbustah!!!, only this time his opponent's head hit the top rope. An impact from which he could not recover.

Thus, Kyle Fletcher adds his seventh title defense in his first reign as TNT Champion. A title he won 101 days ago after defeating Dustin Rhodes in a bloody Chicago Street Fight, which left the veteran wrestler out of action after suffering serious damage to his knees. Interestingly, last night's match was the first singles encounter between Fletcher and Austin in their respective careers. They had previously faced each other in three tag team matches, all of which ended in victory for "The ProtoStar".