AEW Collision Ratings See Massive Drop In Week 2

CM Punk’s weekend was filled with hostile reactions in Canada, and unfortunately, there were similar sentiments for Episode 2 of AEW Collision.

AEW Collision garnered just 595,000 viewers for the June 24 broadcast, down 27% from the premiere of 816,000 viewers. Collision was down a whopping 37% in the 18-49 demographic. Collision pulled a 0.21 in 18-49. AEW Collision was headlined by an eight-man tag team match pitting CM Punk, Ricky Starks and FTR against Jay White, Juice Robinson and The Gunns. The main event accounted for the final two quarters, which received the highest viewership.

Though a small sample size for AEW’s newest TV show, Week 2 of AEW Collision will prove to be a pivotal indicator of how the show’s audience will hold up during a time where Punk remains fresh and competition remains limited. Like most premieres, AEW Collision’s debut will represent the higher-end of a viewership pattern, so a drop in viewership is inevitable. How much that drop will be, however, is a story to follow.

So far? Not good.

AEW Collision Ratings | Saturday, June 24, 2023

• AEW Collision Total Viewership: 595,000
• AEW Collision 18-49 Rating: 0.21

AEW’s timing for CM Punk’s comeback tour couldn’t have been any more perfect in demonstrating just how polarizing the former AEW world champion is. After receiving a hero’s welcome in his hometown of Chicago during the AEW Collision premiere inside the United Center—and again during the subsequent AEW Dynamite in the Wintrust Arena—Punk was reviled by many in Toronto, Canada.

Punk’s reception during both AEW Collision and AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door in the ScotiaBank Arena were wildly polarizing at best. The “f—k the Elite” chants from Chicago were replaced by chants of “f—k CM Punk” and “Pepsi sucks!” Canada’s loyalty to Kenny Omega, who fought alongside his Elite brethren the Young Bucks against CM Punk and Ace Steel during the infamous Brawl Out, caused the mostly Canadian audiences to jeer Punk anytime he was in or near the ring. Punk reciprocated by working heel, and even trolling the Toronto Maple Leafs during an unaired post-match promo.

“Even though I lose sometimes, I’m going to keep on coming back and fighting…just like your Toronto Maple Leafs,” Punk remarked.

Punk picked up right where Cody Rhodes left off as a highly polarizing presence who, as a result, receives the biggest and most unique reactions on the card. Punk’s comeback tour has elicited legitimate emotions out of the AEW fanbase and locker room. Since his return, Punk’s every move has been subject to conflicting gossip from the wrestling media, which has also been prone of taking sides of its own.

With CM Punk as polarizing as ever, these volatile reactions failed to build on the momentum from Week 1. AEW Collision needs to build a healthy fanbase now in preparation for stiff competition in the fall. Week 2’s drop in viewership is a cause for concern.