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Maya World achieved one of the most important victories of her career in the latest episode of AEW Collision, held last night at the Smart Financial Centre in Sugar Land, Texas. World defeated her former mentor, ROH World Champion Athena, in the semifinals of the Owen Hart Foundation 2026 women's tournament. This feat will allow her to compete in the most important match of her career.
Athena and Maya started the fight with an initial feeling-out phase. The action quickly moved to ringside, where "The Forever Champion" took control. Athena brought her opponent back into the ring to continue striking Maya, but Maya was able to recover and surprise the ROH World Champion.
Athena turned the tables again after knocking Maya off the top turnbuckle. World responded with a superplex before taking down Athena with a Corkscrew Uppercut. Maya followed up with a hurricanrana, followed by a dropkick, before finishing off her opponent with a moonsault. However, it still wasn't enough to defeat her former mentor.
After an exchange of roll-ups, Athena brought Maya down with a sit-out powerbomb that nearly sealed her victory. Next, World came close to winning with a nearfall after countering a Despicable Knee with a Cutter. Furious, Athena intensified her offense by crushing her rival with a Curb Stomp. Far from backing down, Maya responded with two consecutive Brinding Fallaway Slams for another nearfall.
The action moved to ringside, specifically to the top of the audience barrier, where Athena executed a tremendous chokeslam. "The Forever Champion" returned to the ring, where the referee began the count of 10. World tried to return before being eliminated, but it didn't seem like she could make it. At that moment, Athena grabbed her arm to bring her back herself.
Athena began to berate her former student, ordering her to leave the match. At one point, the ROH World Champion mentioned Maya's brother, which enraged her. World launched herself at Athena with unusual fury, unleashing a flurry of punches. Nevertheless, Athena managed to surprise Maya with a german suplex. After delivering a powerful right hook, "The Fallen Goddess" executed an O-Face. However, World interrupted the subsequent three count to the amazement of the entire arena. Athena continued her attack with two consecutive superkicks before attempting another right hook, but this time Maya dodged it to respond with a surprising and definitive roll-up.
After the match, Athena approached her former student to embrace her. An emotional gesture that the fans appreciated with applause. At that moment, Mercedes Moné appeared on the entrance ramp. "The CEO" headed into the ring to applaud the victor. Afterward, she also wanted to embrace her. A gesture that no one expected, but everyone supported. However, the night was not going to end well for World.
Athena attacked Maya, leading to a two-on-one assault when Mercedes decided to join "The Forever Champion." With Maya on the mat, "The CEO" trapped her in the Statement Maker. Once satisfied, Mercedes released her victim to pose over her. Both will meet again in the tournament final in a week at Forbbiden Door.
It is worth noting that World entered the tournament as a replacement for Sareee, who did not receive medical clearance in time. Her inclusion in the competition was an act of support from the company after the wrestler lost her brother. After two consecutive unexpected victories, World hopes to surprise the fans one last time by winning the tournament and earning a direct spot at All In London, where she could become the company's World Champion.
The Owen Hart Foundation tournament debuted in 2022 and has not missed its annual appointment since, with four editions that are already part of the company's history. In the first edition, Adam Cole and Britt Baker were crowned inaugural champions. In 2023, Willow Nightingale and Ricky Starks won the cup.
Mariah May and Bryan Danielson emerged victorious in 2024, becoming the first to also earn an opportunity for the company's male and female World Championships at AEW All In London. Last year's winners, Mercedes Moné and "Hangman" Adam Page, received that opportunity at AEW All In Texas, but only Page managed to capitalize on it and become the world champion.
