The Self-Destruction Of CM Punk In AEW | Wrestling Timelines

May 17, 2023 - Collision Under Threat

AEW Collision CM Punk Terry Funk
AEW

WBD, AEW’s broadcast partner, confirms the rumours: a third weekly AEW TV show, the two-hour Collision, will air every Saturday from June 17. The idea is for AEW to enact a soft roster split. Khan in effect is navigating the situation like an ostrich. The Elite will perform on Dynamite; Punk will be the leading man on Collision. They will dress and prepare for matches in separate ends of the building during PPVs.

The idea almost doesn’t happen; Punk is reportedly upset that the rehired Ace Steel is only permitted to work as a producer remotely. Under the threat of Punk pulling out, he is removed from promotional materials. The much smaller spiritual home of Daily’s Place is booked as an alternative premiere venue to the United Center in Chicago. AEW’s brand value, domestically, is weakening in and of itself. They need Punk for that building.

The matter is smoothed out, but it’s a bleak and very obvious omen that this is not a viable long-term solution.

As Collision takes shape, the reformed Elite battle the Blackpool Combat Club of Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson, Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler YUTA. This is Tony Khan’s attempt to do CM Punk Vs. the Elite without involving Punk himself; Danielson acts as his surrogate, almost, by deriding the Elite’s lack of professionalism. It’s all very cryptic and frankly pointless. The matches are well-received, but this meta business is so poor a substitution that many fans barely grasp it, compounding the idea that AEW just isn’t as good anymore.

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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!