AEW Collision results 06/17/23: Saturday night’s alright for CM Punk

Can AEW Collision make Saturday night must see TV for wrestling fans? Tonight’s Chicago debut will start putting that to the test.

Is the world ready for another two hours of prime time All Elite Wrestling each week? We’ll begin to find out tonight as the highly anticipated debut of AEW Collision comes to us live from the United Center in Chicago.

Call it the ultimate test of one of Tony Khan’s longtime assertions. He’s made it known that AEW has a big and talented enough roster to support more hours of programming each week. Warner Bros. Discovery agreed and said “let’s see what you can do on Saturday nights.”

The debut episode has some extra buzz around it thanks to a story you might have heard about if you follow wrestling at all: the return of CM Punk. Back in action for the first time since a combination of injury and suspension following All Out last fall, he’s been a boon to ticket sales for tonight’s show in his hometown, and curiosity over what he might say may attract plenty of TV viewers too.

It’s almost secondary (but not quite, since Punk has never wrestled at the United Center) that he’s in the main event, teaming with FTR to take on Bullet Club Gold and Samoa Joe.

Several other interesting returns are set for the Collision premiere. Both Miro and Andrade El Idolo will return to the ring after months away. Plus Wardlow will defend the TNT Championship, and The Acclaimed are scheduled to be in the house.

There’s a brand new (to AEW, that is) announce team. The set will likely be different from the one used on Dynamite. And Khan paid for a famous Elton John song to be the show’s opening theme.

AEW Collision results from Chicago:

(click on any match with a link for more details)

  • “I am the truth, and the truth is painful.” Fittingly, CM Punk starts off the show, walking to the ring to a huge reaction and carrying a bag with him; Punk says he’s done being nice and tells the crowd to tell him when he’s telling lies, saying people can call him whatever they want because they know he’s the truth

  • (cont.) Punk takes a shot at Young Bucks and also still has his title belt with him (presumably, as he never takes it out), saying it belongs to him until someone pins or submits him; he also has his boots and says until there’s someone in the company can fill them, he’s the one who needs to wear them

  • Luchasaurus def. Wardlow by pinfall after Christian Cage blasts Wardlow in the head with a camera he took from ringside, and Luchasaurus is the new TNT Champion (though Cage is celebrating like he won)
  • QT Marshall says Powerhouse Hobbs will win the Owen Hart tournament, something Hobbs himself asserts

  • Andrade El Idolo def. Buddy Matthews by submission, utilizing a move his wife made famous, the Figure Eight; afterward, Andrade tries to shake Matthews’ hand, but the lights go out to reveal he’s surrounded by the House of Black

  • A video package shows Scorpio Sky highlights and teases his return

  • Tony Nese tries body shaming the Chicago fans and says it’s time for group training, but he’s mercifully cut short by the return of Miro
  • Miro def. Tony Nese by submission
  • Skye Blue and Willow Nightingale def. Toni Storm and Ruby Soho by pinfall as Blue pins Soho, who accidentally was hit by spray paint in the eyes from Storm
  • Ricky Starks announces he’s entering the Owen Hart tournament and feels like it’s “absolutely” meant for him
  • Jeff Jarrett challenges Mark Briscoe to a Concession Stand Brawl, saying he’s played the long game and never loses at it
  • The Acclaimed and Daddy Ass say they’re about to get back on track for the trios titles and that AEW now also stands for “Acclaimed Every Weekend” before doing the first ever Collision Scissor, which includes Tony Schiavone as well
  • FTR and CM Punk def. Jay White, Juice Robinson and Samoa Joe by pinfall as Punk pins Robinson