CM Punk praises Collision roster

[Chris]

CM Punk has many positive things to say about the AEW Collision roster.

Last Saturday's show did the second-best rating Collision has ever done in both total viewership and the 18-49 demographic. Only the premiere episode on June 17 brought in larger numbers.

Punk told SI.com's Justin Barrasso recently that the show's early success is not due to a single person, but rather a team effort. He mentioned FTR, Samoa Joe, Bullet Club Gold, Ricky Starks, House of Black, Kris Statlander, and Toni Storm as those helping Collision drive repeat viewers.

“It’s a team effort,” says Punk. “FTR is a big part of it. There is a group of people I want highlighted on Collision almost every Saturday. It’s a lot of people and it’s hard to get them in there, but it’s FTR, Samoa Joe, Jay White and Juice, the Gunns, Ricky Starks, all three members of House of Black, Andrade, and we just got Rush–that guy is f------ awesome, I want him on Collision, too–Hobbs, Miro, and I don’t want to forget anyone else.
“Give me a Statlander every week, give me a Toni Storm every week. That’s what is going to drive repeat viewers, knowing they’ll see these people every Saturday. That’s how we’ll hold a rating. It’s 100 percent a team effort.
“We want to bring new people up. That’s the rub. People recognize that. A perfect example is Gunn Club. They’re right there, and they need to associate with people who are perceived to be top guys.”

Punk continued to speak on the importance of top talent in the company helping to bring other wrestlers up to their level.

“It’s not about me at all, it’s about us,” Punk continued. “It’s not just me on Collision. It’s not one single person. Sure, there is numerical evidence that points to people selling the most merchandise and doing everything else, but all that stuff is garbage if you’re not trying to bring people up into our orbit."
“From my perspective, I have to go out there and be excellent because I expect excellence out of everybody else. Dax expects that out of me, and I expect it out of Ricky, who expects it out of Hobbs, who expects it out of Miro. We’re trying to build something out of this show. I’m pleasantly surprised so far that we are doing just that.”

Punk declared himself the "Real World Champion" on Saturday's show and spray painted an "X" on the AEW World title belt he never lost but vacated last fall. The promo took place 32 years to the day Bobby "The Brain" Heenan brought out the NWA World title (big gold belt version) at a WWE TV taping on July 29, 1991, and announced "The Real World Champion" Ric Flair was on his way to the company.

Punk was asked about the two events happening on the same day 32 years apart.

“You’re the first person to pick up on that,” says Punk. “I don’t know if everything I do is a happy accident or on purpose, but just sit back and enjoy the ride. Everything I do is trying to write a love letter to pro wrestling.”

Punk will be in action on Saturday's edition of AEW Collision. He'll defend his "Real World Championship" against Owen Hart Cup winner, Ricky Starks.

AEW Collision 8/5 lineup:

• Real World Championship: CM Punk defends against Ricky Starks
• AEW Tag Team titles: FTR defend against Big Bill & Brian Cage
• TBS Championship: Kris Statlander defends against Mercedes Martinez
• We hear from The Acclaimed

https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/cm-punk-praises-aew-collision-roster-calls-show-a-team-effort

 

[Deezy]

No mention of Wardlow.

 

[Roy Mustang]

Tbf quite a few people picked up on the 32 year thing and that I feel was 100% a deliberate choice by Punk (unlike the X over the E thing)

 

[Comrade Khan]

Tbf quite a few people picked up on the 32 year thing and that I feel was 100% a deliberate choice by Punk (unlike the X over the E thing)

The X over the E is just where it looks best, I agree lol it's not some anti elite conspiracy.

 

[Roy Mustang]

The X over the E is just where it looks best, I agree lol it's not some anti elite conspiracy.

Tbf all the people saying it was a "shot" were saying it was hyping a feud (tho some people might have taken it that deep). But yeah it's just where it looks best lmao. Punk deffo does a lot of things on purpose hence why I am certain he is turning heel cause he ain't dumb and everything he is doing is feeding into that

 

[Comrade Khan]

Kenny said maybe theyd even show up on Collision, too. Bucks suddenly back to tag teams as of last night.

 

[Roy Mustang]

FTR vs Bucks is deffo happening at All in. Punk vs Omega isn't happening for a while (and honestly they are both busy with other programmes atm)

 

[Comrade Khan]

Kenny gotta beat up Callis and his crew first

 

[Death By Looch]

Kenny gotta beat up Callis and his crew first

Punk the newest member of the Callis family when?

 

[Comrade Khan]

Punk the newest member of the Callis family when?

id love it, punk heyman 2.0 vibes

 

[Hidden Blaze]

I agree, give me more Toni on Saturday nights!