Ricochet Retains AEW National Title vs. Ace Austin

Ricochet successfully defended his AEW National Championship for the second time in as many nights, defeating Ace Austin of the Bang Bang Gang on Saturday's episode of AEW Collision in Columbus, Ohio.

The match, announced just hours before the show by AEW President Tony Khan, marked Ricochet's first title defense on AEW television since he captured the inaugural belt last month at Full Gear. Both competitors had emerged victorious at Friday's Ring of Honor Final Battle event, where Austin beat Lee Johnson during the Zero Hour preshow and Ricochet retained his title against Dalton Castle in the main card.

In a fast-paced bout filled with high-flying action, Ricochet employed a tactical distraction by attempting to draw a disqualification from the referee. This maneuver allowed members of Gates of Agony to attack Austin unnoticed, giving the champion a crucial edge. Ricochet capitalized with a powerful lariat, followed by his signature Vertigo finisher, to secure the pinfall victory and retain the championship.

The post-match chaos escalated quickly. FTR members Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler ambushed the defeated Austin in the ring, prompting the rest of the Bang Bang Gang to rush...