Jack Perry is the new number one contender to the AEW National Championship. Perry earned the spot on AEW Collision: Maximum Carnage by defeating Anthony Bowens in a singles eliminator, a match observed closely at ringside by reigning champion Ricochet on commentary.
The result immediately reframes the men’s singles landscape on Saturday nights. A National Title challenge is now on Perry’s horizon, setting the stage for a compelling clash of styles against one of the sport’s most explosive high-flyers. While the bout’s date and venue were not announced during the broadcast, the confrontation to come is already one of the most intriguing next steps for AEW’s mid-card championship tier.
The pairing was notable for both competitors. Bowens—best known as one half of The Acclaimed—has steadily expanded his singles résumé over the past year with competitive performances that showcase his timing, ring IQ, and crowd connection beyond the tag and trios scene. Perry, an AEW original who rose to prominence early in the company’s history and later made his mark as a singles player, continues to solidify himself as a headline presence on Collision. Meeting in a stakes-heavy environment, they delivered a result that felt consequential for the show and the championship picture.
Ricochet’s presence at the desk added extra intrigue. Champions who scout prospective challengers in real time tend to shape the tone of a division; their reactions and on-air analysis help define the path to the title. In this case, Ricochet’s vantage point allowed him to assess two very different threats—Bowens’ power bursts and combination offense, and Perry’s ability to shift pace, string together momentum, and capitalize in transition. Now he knows which path he’ll need to prepare for.
For Perry, the opportunity carries clear stakes. The National Championship functions as a crucial platform for AEW’s men’s singles ladder: a proving ground for emerging headliners and a destination for established names to anchor Collision’s weekly narrative. Winning the title would mark a milestone that validates Perry’s trajectory and places him in the center of a division built on speed, athleticism, and versatility. Even a strong performance without the belt could elevate him, but a successful challenge would accelerate his climb toward AEW’s top tier.
Bowens, despite the loss, remains a meaningful factor. The match underscores the depth of AEW’s roster, where a cornerstone of the tag team scene can credibly threaten in singles action on any given week. That’s good news for Collision, which benefits from crossover star power and flexible matchmaking. Bowens’ showing should keep him positioned for future singles tests or to pivot back to high-profile tag and trios programs without losing momentum.
Stylistically, Perry vs. Ricochet promises a quick tempo with layers of risk and counter-wrestling. Ricochet’s aerial explosiveness is well known, but his recent run as champion has also emphasized ring control and strike sequencing that set up the bigger highlights. Perry thrives when he can dictate pace shifts—slowing a quicker opponent with targeted offense, then accelerating into opportunistic finishing stretches. If the match becomes a scramble, Ricochet’s athletic ceiling is an edge; if Perry forces a more methodical rhythm punctuated by sudden bursts, his timing and ring craft can blunt Ricochet’s speed.
The championship context matters beyond the immediate booking. AEW’s title ecosystem works best when each belt carries a clear identity, and the National Championship has quickly become a centerpiece for marquee Collision matches and television main events. The belt’s visibility on Saturdays gives rising contenders a distinctive lane while freeing the World Title picture to move across Dynamite, Collision, and pay-per-view cycles. A Perry reign would continue that emphasis on showcasing a new generation in prominent TV slots. A Ricochet retention, conversely, would further cement the title’s reputation for must-see, high-octane defenses.
The match also creates ripple effects for would-be challengers waiting in the wings. Collision has quietly assembled a queue of credible contenders who can step into eliminators or title opportunities at short notice. The outcome of Perry’s challenge will influence how that queue reshuffles—whether the next shot goes to a veteran with a strong win-loss record or a breakout act with fresh momentum. Either way, the division benefits from a clear, competitive pathway.
From a programming standpoint, Collision continues to define itself through meaningful singles stakes, and this contender’s bout fit that blueprint. AEW often uses commentary placements for champions to frame upcoming defenses, and Ricochet’s presence added a layer of immediacy that showcased the belt’s importance without overshadowing the match itself. It’s a simple device that reinforces the championship’s credibility: the champion is watching, because what happens here matters.
Looking ahead, AEW has yet to confirm when Perry will cash in his earned opportunity. That announcement will be crucial: situating the title match on a featured Collision episode could spike short-term interest and anchor the broadcast’s promotional push, while placing it on a pay-per-view undercard would elevate the belt on a larger stage. Either route positions the National Championship as a narrative driver heading into the next cycle.
For now, the takeaways are clear. Jack Perry’s win gives him a direct line to a major singles milestone. Anthony Bowens reaffirmed that his singles ceiling remains high even as a cornerstone of AEW’s tag and trios ecosystem. Ricochet gained a front-row look at his next challenger and a preview of the chess match to come. When the bell rings for the National Title, expect urgency from the opening lock-up—Perry pushing to convert hard-earned momentum into hardware, and Ricochet aiming to meet a fresh challenge with the kind of pace and precision that keep champions on top.
