CM Punk remains the "Real" World Champion.
CM Punk defeated Ricky Starks on the August 5 episode of AEW Collision to retain the "Real" AEW World Title.
Starks seemed to have the victory, but he put his feet on the ropes and special outside official Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat shoved his feet off. Punk took advantage by rolling up Starks. Steamboat slid in the ring to count the victory for Punk.
After the match, Starks was not pleased, and attacked Steamboat and Punk. He took off Steamboat's belt and began whipping him with it before Punk was able to make the save.
.@StarkmanJones looked for the easy way out and found Ricky Steamboat!#AEWCollision pic.twitter.com/mv80iY8u5M
— AEW on TV (@AEWonTV) August 6, 2023
STARKS IS OUT OF CONTROL!
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 6, 2023
Watch #AEWCollision on TNT!#RealWorldChampionship@CMPunk @starkmanjones pic.twitter.com/OYeYpSOXZs
On the July 29 episode of AEW Collision, CM Punk pulled out the AEW Championship he won at AEW All Out 2022, spray painted an X on it, and called it the "Real" AEW World Title. He was immediately confronted by Ricky Starks, who felt he earned his shot at the title since he pinned Punk in the finals of the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament.
Ricky Steamboat was appointed as the guest outside official due to Ricky using the ropes in the previous match against Punk.
Fans can find Fightful's coverage of AEW Collision by clicking here.
