CM Punk defeated Ricky Starks in the main event of Saturday night’s episode of AEW Collision to retain the “Real” AEW World Championship.
Toward the finish of the match, the referee got knocked down. Ricky Starks tried to utilize the ropes to pin Punk, but Steamboat shoved his legs off the ropes. This allowed Punk to take the advantage and pin Starks, as counted by Steamboat, for the pinfall victory.
After the match, Steamboat had Punk’s hand raised, before Starks pushed Punk and started attacking The Dragon. Starks continued the assault on Steamboat before lashing him with his belt to a chorus of boos. CM Punk eventually recovered and retaliated, forcing Starks to retreat.
Punk is set to team up with FTR to challenge the House of Black for the AEW World Trios Championships next week on Collision. Meanwhile, Samoa Joe also issued a challenge to Punk for AEW All In 2023 at Wembley Stadium in London, England.
You can check out some highlights from the match below:
Last week Ricky Starks said he's beaten him not once but twice. Can he do it again and leave Greenville as "The Real World Championship"?
Watch #AEWCollision on TNT!#RealWorldChampionship@CMPunk | @starkmanjones pic.twitter.com/9bgRQSHQmC
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 6, 2023
CM Punk has dubbed himself 'The REAL World Champion" and looks to defend it in your #AEWCollision MAIN EVENT!
Watch #AEWCollision on TNT!#RealWorldChampionship@CMPunk | @starkmanjones pic.twitter.com/2NIyZ74ixy
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 6, 2023
The Greenville crowd is split down the middle in your main event!
Watch #AEWCollision on TNT!#RealWorldChampionship@CMPunk | @starkmanjones pic.twitter.com/TE39eYnvdu
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 6, 2023
Ricky Starks with those Steamboat-style arm drags sends CM Punk to the outside!
Watch #AEWCollision on TNT!#RealWorldChampionship@CMPunk | @starkmanjones pic.twitter.com/TMNLOtYNGz
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 6, 2023
Ricky Starks trades shots with CM Punk in the corner before rolling to the outside!
Watch #AEWCollision on TNT!#RealWorldChampionship@CMPunk | @starkmanjones pic.twitter.com/CaxohuG07r
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 6, 2023
Steamboat enforces the rules on the outside for the first time in this match.
Watch #AEWCollision on TNT!#RealWorldChampionship@CMPunk | @starkmanjones pic.twitter.com/FETVLwY6wW
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 6, 2023
Starks keeps a close eye on Steamboat on the outside.
Watch #AEWCollision on TNT!#RealWorldChampionship@CMPunk | @starkmanjones pic.twitter.com/qlveGubPW8
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 6, 2023
Starks with a game-changing powerbomb to CM Punk!
Watch #AEWCollision on TNT!#RealWorldChampionship@CMPunk | @starkmanjones pic.twitter.com/BtOKBu7WNu
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 6, 2023
WHAT A MATCH!
Watch #AEWCollision on TNT!#RealWorldChampionship@CMPunk | @starkmanjones pic.twitter.com/mrNYXBi74k
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 6, 2023
Stephon Smith is down!
Watch #AEWCollision on TNT!#RealWorldChampionship@CMPunk | @starkmanjones pic.twitter.com/hyxSvAp6aV
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 6, 2023
STARKS IS OUT OF CONTROL!
Watch #AEWCollision on TNT!#RealWorldChampionship@CMPunk | @starkmanjones pic.twitter.com/OYeYpSOXZs
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 6, 2023
