Ricky Starks Defeats CM Punk – Wins Owen Hart Tournament – Ricky Starks “shockingly” defeated CM Punk in the tournament finals on this evening’s AEW Collision from Calgary.
Starks was heavily cheered against Punk, who looked to have the match wrapped up with a guillotine. However, Starks fought out of the submission, which led to a series of cradle pins. Starks got the leverage and used the ropes for some added leverage to pin Punk for three and secure the victory.
He would be presented the trophy by NJPW legend Jushin Thunder Liger.
Here is a recap of the match. Highlights from the matchup can be found below.
The bell sounds and we’re officially off-and-running with the Owen Hart Men’s Foundation Tournament Finals between “The Best in the World” CM Punk and “Absolute” Ricky Starks. The two circle each other and then lock up. Punk goes to work on the arm of Starks.
Now a very, very, very loud “Let’s go Ricky!” and “CM Punk!” dueling chant breaks out and stays echoing throughout the arena for what seems like forever as Punk controls Starks on the mat. After several seconds, Starks reverses Punk and controls him on the mat.
We see Starks stand up and mock the “GTS” gesture as Punk is on the mat. Punk glares at him and gets up. As the action continues, we shift gears and head to a mid-match commercial break. Punk starts doing Bret Hart’s trademark spots, as the commentators point out, but the fans are crapping all over it.
A loud “Owen! Owen!” chant spreads as Punk continues to beat down Starks. Punk heads to the top rope for another Bret Hart style spot, but Starks yanks him out and he takes a hard flat-back. On that note, we head into another mid-match commercial break as our main event continues.
As we settle back in from our final commercial break of the evening here on Collision, we see Punk still in firm control of the offense. The crowd is still booing him like crazy but Starks starts to fight back and the crowd comes to life. Starks comes off the top rope but Punk moves. Punk clotheslines him down and covers him but Starks kicks out.
Both guys come off the ropes looking for cross bodies, but they splash into each other and now they are both down as the referee, and the entire crowd behind him, count both guys out. They each get up and trade punches from their knees back to their feet. Starks starts wildly launching forearms at Punk as the crowd goes wild. Starks goes for an Alabama Slam but Punk counters with a pile driver.
Punk calls for the GTS. He goes for it but Starks escapes and blasts Punk with a flying shoulder block that knocks him out of the ring. Back in the ring he goes for it again but Punk slaps on a guillotine on the way down. Punk hits a hurricanrana off the top but Starks counters the pin. They keep countering until Starks gets a pin and holds onto the ropes for the win.
Ricky Starks encouraging CM Punk to step up.
Watch #AEWCollision on TNT!@CMPunk | @starkmanjones #OwenHartFoundationTournament pic.twitter.com/hSp2YoGmK1
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) July 16, 2023
Ricky Starks going to the top attack to CM Punk!
Watch #AEWCollision on TNT!@CMPunk | @starkmanjones #OwenHartFoundationTournament pic.twitter.com/UwAZcl9Izm
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) July 16, 2023
CM Punk takes charge in this match. Is Punk your pick to win?
Watch #AEWCollision on TNT!@CMPunk | @starkmanjones #OwenHartFoundationTournament pic.twitter.com/CyLPbSMZDy
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) July 16, 2023
Big Starks leg drop on the outside!
Watch #AEWCollision on TNT!@CMPunk | @starkmanjones #OwenHartFoundationTournament pic.twitter.com/uy9r6LpKkY
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) July 16, 2023
All the way up and all the way down!
Watch #AEWCollision on TNT!@CMPunk | @starkmanjones #OwenHartFoundationTournament pic.twitter.com/okSa4EaRsR
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) July 16, 2023
Feeling like he's at an away game, @CMPunk controls the pace#AEWCollision pic.twitter.com/KBMfCi7uiD
— AEW on TV (@AEWonTV) July 16, 2023
Your 2023 Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Men's bracket winner is Ricky Starks!
Join us immediately following AEW Collison for Battle of the Belts VII for an official ceremony with Martha Hart.
Watch #AEWCollision on TNT! pic.twitter.com/IN49yCZq8m
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) July 16, 2023
The legendary Jushin Thunder Liger is here and Ricky Starks just ripped the #OwenHartFoundation Tournament Cup out of his hands?
Watch #AEWBOTBVII LIVE on TNT!@Liger_NJPW| @starkmanjones pic.twitter.com/PQCjs0CV4c
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) July 16, 2023
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Ricky Starks Defeats CM Punk – Wins Owen Hart Tournament
