AEW TNT Championship Reaches Historic Milestone On 5/11 Episode of Collision
Reigning AEW TNT Champion Adam Copeland retained his title on the latest episode of Collision and also made history in the process.
In the main event of the show, Copeland retained the title against Kyle O'Reilly, who was competing in his hometown of Vancouver, British Columbia. Not only did Copeland retain the title, but this marked the 100th title defense of the AEW Championship, a first for any championship in the All-Elite promotion.
Copleand was able to defend his gold against O'Reilly but the story of the match didn't stop there. After the match, the two Canadian wrestlers embraced and the champion raised the hand of his challenger. Copeland then refused to let go of O'Reilly that led to a tense face-off between the two before the TNT Champion left first.
Speaking after the match, Copeland said that the match showed exactly why he joined AEW last year.
"Tonight was just an example of why I came to AEW. To get in there with a talent like Kyle O'Reilly in his hometown. 25 years after his dad brought him to see his first wrestling show which I was on. Fast-forward 25 years later and we're in the main event for the TNT Championship and his dad is here tonight... What an absolute pleasure and a privilege to get into the ring with a talent like that."
Copeland retained in the 100th AEW TNT Championship title defense and the 101st may come at AEW Double or Nothing 2024. Backstage, Copeland challenged Malakai Black to a title match at the event to be contested in a Barbed Wire Steel Cage. Copeland has been feuding with the House of Black in recent weeks, and the macabre group's influence may explain his post-match incident with O'Reilly.
