AEW Collision Preview: Inaugural Episode: CM Punk Returns

The time has come. After such a long speculating, After the rumor mill turn of ideas of a brand split, titles, locations and such circulate. As well as, of course, all the CM Punk drama. There is a lot to process as this new show takes off this week. So lets see how much we can break down as AEW Collision makes it’s debut from the United Center. Let’s preview the first ever AEW Collision.

Preview: AEW Collision (6/17/23)

The first of many returns slated for the show, Andrade El Idolo was last seen in August when both an injury and a backstage fight led to him spending time away from television. Yes, just like another guy in the show. He’s slated to take on one third of the AEW World Trios Champions in Buddy Matthews. This mix can lead to an absolutely fantastic match as Buddy Matthews has been one for amazing in-ring performances for many years. And a high-flying foe like Andrade may mix very well with him. The big question is what can this match be setting up? Will Andrade reunite with his fellow Ingobernables finally after such a long time to then go after the Trios titles?

The former TNT Champion, Miro, has not been seen since one year ago, defeating John Hennigan (or Johnny Elite). That in itself was also a return after a hamstring injury. Meaning that we have gone a VERY long time without seeing Miro as a weekly figure in AEW. But just prior to the formal announcement of Collision, he made his return to speak to Tony Khan. And now he’s back. While as of this writing, an opponent has not been named, you can be sure that there is a lot of hype surrounding the return of the imposing Bulgarian.

Skye Blue just challenged Toni Storm for her AEW Women’s World Championship and just came short. But she’s not through with the Toni Storm and the Outcasts. As she teams up with New Japan Pro Wrestling’s own Women’s Champion, the STRONG Women’s Champion Willow Nightingale to take on Toni Storm again alongside her fellow Outcast Ruby Soho. It’s Champion vs Champion at the first AEW Collision.

Of course if the new Collision show is going to be on TNT, the AEW TNT Championship has to be defended on it. Wardlow is set to defend the TNT Championship against Luchasaurus. A match that has been teased since Wardlow recovered the TNT Championship from Powerhouse Hobbs this past March 8th when Wardlow was immediately confronted by Christian Cage and Luchasaurus. While Wardlow was able to fend off Christian Cage in a Ladder Match at Double Or Nothing. But Cage is not through, seeking his heavy on the Champion. However, Wardlow doesn’t go alone into this match as he has the man with the invisible Glock at hand, the legendary ‘Enforcer’, Arn Anderson. Lets see who’s quicker at the draw. If AEW is looking for a big moment, Luchasaurus defeating Wardlow for the title would really not be out of place. However, that’s nowhere near a guarantee.

This is the moment we all have come for. After tensions boiled over, a backstage incident following All Out last year and a torn biceps led to the seeming exile of CM Punk. Controversies have not stopped. However, the time has come. CM Punk officially returns to AEW and will in fact speak. What will he say? How will the crowd react to him?

But that’s not all. As the much anticipated union between him and AEW World Tag Team Champions FTR, Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler returns. As they take on Bullet Club Gold. ‘Switchblade’ Jay White and ‘Rock Hard’ Juice Robinson. As the former NJPW stars are set to clash with the trio. However, that’s 3 vs 2. Who completes the trio for Bullet Club Gold? Well, none other than the current Ring Of Honor World Television Champion, Samoa Joe. The independent wrestling legend, just like CM Punk, an ROH Hall Of Famer and the one man that is just as world travelled as CM Punk in this match. Not to mention a rival of his past so fierce they headlined an ROH event literally named after the match: Joe vs Punk II, on 2004.

CM Punk has NEVER defeated Samoa Joe. The only time he ever came close was via a double pin between himself and Steve Corino on Christopher Daniels during a 4 Corner’s Survival match that also involved Samoa Joe at ROH’s event Main Event Spectacles in 2003. Can that change tonight? Or will CM Punk need to seek out a 1 on 1 match in the future to chase said elusive victory?

Seeing as this is a brand new show and how much importance surrounds it, there is a lot of questions that come of it outside of the ring. Will there be a unique stage design for it? We know that for, at least, the first few months, the show is taping separate from Dynamite. Not only that. What about the commentators? What will the team look like? Is Excalibur getting a THIRD night? Or will a new lead announcer step up? AEW already has Ian Riccobanni handy. Will Jim Ross be around? While he may no longer be capable of being a lead announcer, Jim Ross still appears on Rampage and is a familiar face that can ease wrestling fans. There is so much to look forward to, as AEW premiere’s this new show, AEW Collision.

Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world. As well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can catch AEW Dynamite Wednesday nights at 8 PM ET on TBS and AEW Dark: Elevation (Monday nights) and AEW: Dark (Tuesday nights) at 7 PM ET on YouTube. AEW Rampage airs on TNT at 10 PM EST every Friday night.