AEW will honour the late Steve “Mongo” McMichael with a special tribute during the May 17 episode of Collision: Beach Break, airing from Chicago, Illinois.
The tribute segment, announced during this week’s episode of Collision, will pay homage to McMichael’s legacy as both an NFL legend and professional wrestler. A key member of the Chicago Bears’ famed 1985 Super Bowl-winning team, McMichael played 13 of his 15 NFL seasons with the Bears before transitioning to professional wrestling, where he competed in WCW and became a member of the legendary Four Horsemen faction.
Tony Schiavone confirmed on Thursday’s broadcast that Ric Flair, McMichael’s longtime friend and fellow Four Horseman, will appear at the event to help honour his former teammate. This marks Flair’s first appearance in AEW since 2024.
McMichael passed away in April at the age of 67 following a lengthy battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August 2024, an honour he had long awaited and received while battling the disease.
The Collision: Beach Break episode will air on Saturday, May 17 at 8 p.m. ET (1 a.m. BST on Sunday) on TNT and Max, but will be taped on Wednesday, May 14, the same night as the live Dynamite: Beach Break taping.
In addition to the tribute, AEW has announced a singles match between Megan Bayne and Anna Jay as part of the Collision card.
Why Did Ric Flair Say He Is Not Appearing On AEW Television?
Ric Flair spoke about the reason he isn’t appearing on AEW TV and said that it is due to health concerns. Flair said that Tony Khan was not aware that Flair was taking blood-thinning medication, and that he had planned to “blade” during Sting’s final match at Revolution on March 3, 2024. However, Khan learned of Flair’s plans and put a stop to it, fearing for Flair’s health due to the complications that can arise from having a cut whilst on blood thinners.