The long awaited return of CM Punk to All Elite Wrestling is finally here. Out of action for nearly a year due to a torn tricep, Punk’s return will see him hop right into the ring again – and prove he can still compete at an elite level.
In his corner are the AEW World Tag Team Champions FTR, Punk stares down an old rival in Samoa Joe, and new foes in Jay White & Juice Robinson, who combined are one of the most threatening trios in AEW.
Earlier in the show, we would hear from Punk. He claimed that at All Out 2022, he earned something in that main event against Jon Moxley – and that it belongs to him until someone is able to pin or submit him in the middle of his ring.
Tonight, three men have a chance to do this – but only a few men have ever beaten Punk in AEW, those being MJF & Jon Moxley – and Joe, White & Robinson simply are not on that level.
Massive Trios Action In The Main Event Of The First Ever Episode Of AEW Collision
Going into this match – Bullet Club Gold are focused on the AEW World Tag Team Champions, while Samoa Joe is looking to snuff out an old rival once and for all. While White, Robinson & Joe have some common enemies – CMFTR have a close connection like few others in professional wrestling. Harwood would decide to start for his team, with White starting to his.
White would be forced into the corner as a CMFTR chant resonated through the arena. Harwood ran White down with a shoulder tackle, before rolling him up with an O’Connor Roll. White would kick out and hit some Switchblade Chops, and learned why Harwood is called Dax The Axe as he tasted some return blows.
Harwood would press the advantage and hit some lariats in the corner before dropping White with a stiff lariat. Robinson got the tag, who would circle the ring and get Harwood to misstep – almost being caught in the wrong corner. Harwood would manage to break free and get the tag to Wheeler, who would hit Robinson with some quick dropkicks before a backslide for a two count.
Robinson would hit a big scoop slam before spitting on Wheeler, which only fired him up in the end. Wheeler would lift Robinson into a Military Press before tagging in Harwood. Punk would ask for a tag shorty after and helped set up a super powerslam for a near fall. The crowd would chant for their hero, who called for the Go To Sleep – with Robinson fleeing into the corner – and in came Samoa Joe.
A Meeting 6000+ Days In The Making As CM Punk & Samoa Joe Trade Blows
Time would roll back as Punk & Joe locked eyes in the middle of the ring. In 2004, these two redefined greatness, and Joe would drive Punk into the corner with some soul shattering chops.
Punk would grab a headlock on Joe, who tried to shove him off to no success. Joe would try for a Back Suplex, but Punk held on tight.
A tag to Harwood would follow, with him ready to trade chops with the ROH World Television Champion. Joe switched to the Kawada Kicks before daring Harwood to hit him.
Back to chops, Harwood hit the ropes and came back hard with a lariat – only to be collapsed by the return shot. White would be the opportunist, getting the tag and choking out Harwood in the middle of the ring.
Robinson hit the Left Hand of God through the ropes, before working to isolate Harwood in the corner of the ring. Harwood would break across the ring only to be stopped by a side headlock.
Robinson lost his grip, but Left Hand of God dropped Harwood with ease. Joe would maul Harwood in the corner, before Bullet Club Gold showed their chemistry and tag team fundamentals.
Harwood hit a High Angle German Suplex to get free of Robinson, before making the tag to the other half of FTR. Wheeler would roll up Robinson for a near fall, before battering him in the corner with seven punches and a big powerslam for another close call. Punk would get the tag and hit an elbow drop onto Robinson for a near fall.
Jay White Looks To End This Match
FTR would manage the ring time of Punk carefully, giving him quick bursts as he works off some ring rust due to his ten months away from the ring.
Robinson was sent to the floor by Wheeler, and hit with some chops before being driven hard into the barricade. White would get a cheap shot in as well, whipping Wheeler into the barricade himself before returning him into the ring.
Wheeler was caught in a Single Leg Boston Crab, with him getting the ropes – but White knowing he had until five to break the hold. Robinson would hit a scoop slam and a Rock Hard Senton, getting a two count. A Backdrop Suplex would land, with Wheeler ending up in a waist lock shortly after.
Joe would get into the ring for a pinfall attempt, which was broken up by Punk. He’d get the tag and become unglued, nailing White & Robinson with scoop slams, dropkicks and neckbreakers. The King was back, and even King Switch was having some issues.
Rising Knees in the corners to White & Robinson led to a Bulldog/Lariat combination – before White raked at the eyes of Punk. White took a kick to the face, before Punk tried to go high risk – only for Robinson to make the save. A massive Uranage spiked Punk in the middle of the ring, and White called for the Blade Runner.
CM Punk & FTR Reign Supreme As Rock Hard Juice Robinson Goes To Sleep
Blade Runner was blocked with the Pepsi Twist, before a tag to Harwood. FTR would lose to close the deal with the Powerplex, with Punk getting a tag and hitting the Hail to the King Elbow drop. Joe was dropped, but Robinson was there to block the finish. Joe & Punk would trade blows in the middle of the ring with Punk able to keep up.
White would hit a blindside shot, leading to a mugging of Punk as three men attacked. FTR would tag Bullet Club Gold out of the match, and Punk tried for the Go To Sleep – but would almost go to sleep as Joe countered into the Rear Naked Choke.
Punk would risk being choked out as FTR were held back – with them breaking free to save the match.
Robinson got the tag and took a Big Rig & Go To Sleep – and CMFTR would claim the victory to close out the first episode of AEW Collision, and send the crowd home very happy. CM Punk is back, he hasn’t missed a step, and won’t be stepping down anytime soon.
What comes next for CM Punk in AEW? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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