CM Punk will defend his ‘real AEW World Title’ against Ricky Starks, on next week’s AEW Collision. Starks pinned Punk when used the ropes to win the finals of the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Match.
CM Punk came to the ring for an interview with Schiavone, holding a big red bag. During the interview, Punk pulled from the bag, the AEW World Title belt he said he never lost, which is same title he has been holding since defeating Jon Moxley at last September’s All Out PPV. He then declared himself as the ‘Real World Champion’ and again said hehe has never been defeated for the championship. Punk then pulled out a can of black spray paint and painted an X across the belt, saying this is his logo that has represented him since 1997.
The championship match was set up on this week’s episode of Collision, after Starks had agreed to the match with Punk having a special guest referee. At the end of the segment, Tony Schiavone announced that WWE Hall of Famer Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat would be the special referee for the match.
Two more championship matches were also set up for next week’s episode of AEW Collision. Kris Statlander will defend the TBS Championship against Mercedes Martinez, who attacked Statlander after she came to the ring to make the save for Kiera Hogan who Martinez had just defeated.
In addition, FTR, who retained Saturday night against Adam Cole and AEW World Champion MJF, will defend the AEW World Tag Team Championships against Big Bill and Brian Cage. Bill and Cage won a Tag Team Eliminator Battle Royal match on Friday’s Rampage.
Next Saturday night’s AEW Collision, live on TNT, will go head-to-head for the first two-hours of WWE SummerSlam, which will stream live on Peacock in the United States and WWE Network everywhere else. Next weeks Collision will emanate from the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC.