Collision Course - Collision recap for June 17, 2023

At the start of the show, CM Punk heads to the ring in his first AEW appearance since All Out 2022, with a pair of boots around his neck and a red bag in his hand. CM Punk says that he is tired of being nice after being gone for ten months with a torn tricep, but he is still here, and as long as he is, this is the professional wrestling business. He calls it "a business for grown-ups" and not a popularity contest he would have lost a long time ago, then admits that 15-year-old him never would have guessed he had no idea he would sell out so many venues as a professional wrestler. He tells the fans to tell him when he is telling lies (which he does a few more times during his promo). Punk says he is tired of being nice and that he got here on the backs of passionate fans, and he has never fit in more in any place other than professional wrestling, and says he loves the fans and that the fans love him because he has never compromised. After stating that the fans made it possible, Punk admits there are people who hate him for the same reason the fans love him, and that his presence makes people uncomfortable because he is the truth and the truth make people uncomfortable. He tells the fans to call him what they want, love him, hate him, cheer him and boo him and that people hate him because they know he is right, and that he is a genuine article in "a world of counterfeit bucks." Punk then says that the king is back and that he has a lot of things to get off his chest, then asks why he would change when he will always speak truth to power, be himself and never compromise. He says that he has become older and wiser in his years, and sorry that the only people softer than the fans are the wrestlers they like, and states that he is holding what is inside his red bag only because he won his dog collar match and that it is his until someone pins or submits him for it. Punk also says that until there is someone who can fill his boots, his boots will be staying on his feet.

Luchasaurus beats Wardlow to become the TNT Champion after Wardlow pulls the referee away from the corner as Christian Cage hits Wardlow with a photographer's camera.

Backstage, Lexy Nair interviews Powerhouse Hobbs and QT Marshall. Marshall announces that Hobbs will win the Owen Hart Tournament. Hobbs says he is the face of TNT and that is about reaching the top of the hill and winning gold again.

Andrade el Idolo beats Buddy Matthews with a Figure Eight in his first AEW match in 2023 after Buddy Matthews' knee gives way during the match. After the match Andrade el Idolo tries to help Buddy Matthews up in a sign of respect, but Matthews wants none of it. Andrade extends his hand, but when Matthews goes to shake it, the lights go out. When they come back on, Brody King and Malakai Black are behind Andrade. Brody hits Andrade with a discus lariat, then Malakai says something to Andrade before the lights go out again.

We hear from Scorpio Sky, who says he has been watching and waiting for the perfect opportunity.

Before the next match, "The Premier Athlete" Tony Nese says that as a personal trainer, he cannot sit in the back for another minute when the crowd is full of the fattest, most disgusting trash Chicago, Illinois has to offer. He then says that he has good news, as he is shutting Collision down so everyone can do some group training. The group training is shortly shut down by the return of Miro.

Miro beats "The Premier Athlete" Tony Nese with Game Over in his first AEW match in 2023.

Skye Blue and Willow Nightingale beat The Outcasts (Toni Storm and Ruby Soho) after Willow stops Toni from spray painting Skye Blue in the eyes, causing Toni to inadvertently spray paint Ruby in the face instead.

We hear from "Absolute" Ricky Starks, who says that he is in the Owen Hart Tournament and that he is going to win the tournament this year and represent Owen Hart because it is absolutely meant for him.

We hear from Jeff Jarrett, who says it has been 46 years since his family created the Concession Stand Brawl and put hardcore wrestling on the map, then tells Mark Briscoe that he played the wrong game and that he is kicking his ass.

Tony Schiavone interviews The Acclaimed ("Platinum" Max Caster, Anthony Bowens, "Daddy Ass" Billy Gunn) in the ring. "Daddy Ass" Billy Gunn says tonight is such a special occasion that he got a new scissoring outfit, then says that The Acclaimed are about to get back on track in the Trios title picture. Bowens says there will be more time to do that because AEW stands for "Acclaimed Every Wednesday" and "Acclaimed Every Weekend," then says that they will stick around for Dynamite this week. He then proposes making history with the first "Collision Scissor" in Chicago. Schiavone and The Acclaimed then scissor in the middle of the ring.

FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) and CM Punk beat Bullet Club Gold ("Switchblade" Jay White and "Rock Hard" Juice Robinson) and Samoa Joe in a trios match.