The headline bout of Worlds Collide—WWE and AAA’s joint show in Los Angeles—featured El Hijo del Vikingo defending his newly won AAA Mega Championship against WWE’s Chad Gable, also appearing as his masked alter ego, El Grande Americano. This high-stakes match came after months of anticipation following WWE’s acquisition of a controlling stake in AAA. Surprisingly, the contest opened with mat-based wrestling rather than the expected high-flying chaos, setting a deliberate pace before escalating into the dynamic action fans hoped for.
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Once the tempo picked up, the crowd was treated to a thrilling mix of aerial brilliance and physical innovation from both competitors. Vikingo dazzled with his trademark 630 senton to the outside, while Gable impressed with a sitout avalanche powerbomb and a moonsault that put Vikingo through a table. Despite these jaw-dropping moves, neither man could secure a win easily. The crowd responded with increasing energy as the drama and spectacle built to a crescendo.
El Hijo del Vikingo Defeats Chad Gable in Show-Stealing Worlds Collide Main EventThe final moments of the match were packed with tension. Vikingo appeared to injure his leg—or possibly sold the injury expertly—midway through the bout, adding drama to his already resilient performance. After surviving Gable’s offense, Vikingo countered a potential superplex attempt, hit a meteora and a 630 splash, and ultimately sealed the win with a poisonrana. Clutching his leg after the match, questions arose about his condition, which could impact the momentum WWE is building around him.
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Beyond the main event, Worlds Collide was largely seen as a success. The crowd was energetic, appreciating the fusion of WWE and AAA talent. Although English commentators Corey Graves and Konnan initially struggled with chemistry, they eventually found their footing, managing to both call the action and educate the WWE audience on lucha libre culture. The in-ring style felt refreshingly distinct from standard WWE fare, offering a glimpse of what this cross-promotional partnership could bring to fans of both brands.
Chad Gable’s performance stood out, potentially positioning him as a top heel figure in AAA’s future stories—perhaps even as a foreign villain champion. Alternatively, his masked persona, El Grande Americano, might get a push of its own. Vikingo’s win also gave AAA a much-needed victory on a night where their performers were otherwise outmatched, ending 2-3 against WWE talent. As the promotions continue to collaborate, this event may mark a turning point in how lucha libre is presented to a global wrestling audience.