It’s time to wrap up the 2023 Owen Hart Memorial Cup, and we’re in the heart of Hart country. Calgary, Alberta, Canada – it’s a big first time singles match. CM Punk made his way to the finals by defeating NJPW legend Satoshi Kojima and previous rival Samoa Joe – while Ricky Starks defeated Juice Robinson & Powerhouse Hobbs.
Starks is on the cusp of greatness in 2023, having scored two singles victories over Chris Jericho – with Punk another major task for him. Punk meanwhile is looking to prove he’s still got it after his recent return.
CM Punk Takes Ricky Starks To School
Punk would go after the wrist of Starks as this match began, with the crowd split 50/50 with Punk & Starks. They’d exchange control of the wrist locks, before Punk would take Starks to the mat with a side headlock takeover. Starks would shove Punk off after finding his feet – but was dropped with a shoulder tackle.
Punk would take a shoulder tackle from Starks, who took some time to mimic the ‘Go To Sleep’ taunt of Punk. Starks would be thrown over the top rope with a hip toss – and Punk held the ropes open for Starks to return to the ring. Back in the ring, Starks would whip Punk hard into the corner – and get a one count.
Starks went to the top rope, but Punk would send him down the hard way before hitting a backbreaker. Punk would bend Starks over his knees, before looking for the Rising Knee in the corner. Starks was able to side step before an arm wrench before going Old School with a rope walk into an axe handle.
Punk was sent to the floor, and Starks offered a chance to get back into the ring – but Punk didn’t take the offer like Starks did. In the ring, a snapmare would set up a kick to the spine on Starks, before a scoop slam and the diving front elbow – a Bret Hart style move.
Punk would apply a rear chinlock in the middle of the ring, before hitting a single leg dropkick as Starks fought free. Another diving elbow was planned, but Punk took a second to view the crowd and was yanked down to the mat for a one count. Starks would hit a knee to the back before a diving stomp to the chest.
Ricky Starks Bends The Rules To Defeat Punk
Punk would hit a StunGun – dropping Starks across the top rope throat first. Starks would recover to try for the Tornado DDT – but was blocked by Punk. Rising Knee would land before the Short Arm Lariat was ducked. The DDT would land on the second attempt, getting a near fall for Starks.
Starks dove with an elbow drop, only for Punk to sit up to dodge. Pepsi Twist would follow, getting Punk a near fall. Starks & Punk both went for crossbodies, but met in the middle of the ring. Punk would be caught in a potential Alabama Slam, but countered and spiked Stark with a piledriver.
Go To Sleep was set – but Starks avoided and hit the Spear, sending Punk to the floor. Starks would collect Punk into the ring, but a second spear was blocked into the Guillotine Choke – but Starks got his foot on the bottom rope.
The top rope Frankensteiner was countered by Starks, who would roll up Punk and use the ropes for leverage on a pinfall – getting the singles win over the 2x AEW World Champion. A career defining victory, but one that might lead to a rematch down the line. Starks would take the cup from NJPW legend Jushin Thunder Liger – and is riding high.
Will CM Punk look for a rematch? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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