Emanating from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, AEW Collision put on one of their best episodes yet.
The card featured some huge matches, that are bound to get high star ratings from journalists like Dave Meltzer.
The show was headlined by CM Punk vs Samoa Joe, but also featured matches like Ricky Starks vs Powerhouse Hobbs, and FTR vs Bullet Club Gold.
In this article, we’ll take a look at all the matches from the July 8th, 2023 episode of AEW Collision, analyzing how good each match was.
We’ll give our own star rating, as well as the rating from Dave Meltzer from the Wrestling Observer, as well as the fan’s rating from Cagematch.
Ricky Starks vs Powerhouse Hobbs (Owen Hart Cup Tournament Semi-Finals)
In a decent match, Ricky Starks walked out victorious over his former partner Powerhouse Hobbs.
The match played heavily into the pair’s past together in Team Taz, which was remarked upon multiple times on commentary.
Hobbs dominated the match, with Starks selling exceptionally well to get the crowd onto his side.
Hobbs got the visual win with his Spinebuster, although interference from QT Marshall meant the referee missed the count.
Ricky Starks won the match with a Spear to move forward to the final of the Owen Hart Cup Tournament, facing off against the winner of CM Punk vs Samoa Joe later that night.
After the match, Powerhouse Hobbs turned on QTV, attacking Aaron Solo and QT Marshall before walking backstage alone.
- Dave Meltzer Star Rating – N/A
- Cagematch Rating – 5.50
- Atletifo Rating – 2 Stars
Julia Hart vs Bambi Hall
In a short match, Julia Hart returned to the ring to take on a local competitor named Bambi Hall.
Hall had some good offense early on, but soon succumbed to Julia Hart of the Dark Order.
It was really a nothing match, barely lasting a few minutes. It added more to Julia Hart’s character with the win, and helped progress the feud between the House of Black and Andrade El Idolo.
The win added to Julie Hart’s winning streak, which currently sits at 23 victories without defeat.
- Dave Meltzer Star Rating – N/A
- Cagematch Rating – N/A (too short to be rated)
- Atletifo Rating – 1 Stars
FTR vs Bullet Club Gold (AEW Championship Eliminator Match)
In a non-title match, Bullet Club Gold faced off with the AEW Tag Team Champions FTR.
Jay White and Juice Robinson battled the champs for a shot at the belt down the line, hoping to earn their first gold in AEW.
The crowd heavily backed FTR, who are noted Bret Hart fans. Given this took place in Canada, there was no way Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler would be booed here.
Bullet Club Gold utilized many heel tactics in their arsenal, including hair pulling, eye gouging and using rope breaks to frustrate their opponents.
It was an incredible back-and-forth match – one of the best of FTR’s title reign so far. Juice Robinson picked up another win for his team, pinning Dax Harwood just before Cash Wheeler could break up the pin fall.
It has not been announced when the title match will take place, but if it is as good as this point, fans are in for another 4 star match from these 4 men.
- Dave Meltzer Star Rating – 4.75 Stars
- Cagematch Rating – 8.83
- Atletifo Rating – 4 Stars
Scorpio Sky vs Action Andretti
This was Scorpio Sky’s first match back in AEW in over a year, and the fans were truly glad to see him back.
The former TNT Champion was the crowd favorite in this bout, although both men were cheered throughout the match.
It was a fun back-and-forth match that lasted a little over 7 minutes. While a short bout, it was great to ease Scorpio Sky back into things, and begin his main event push on AEW Collision.
While it didn’t get the highest star rating, it was still a fun match that needed to happen on AEW Collision.
- Dave Meltzer Star Rating – N/A
- Cagematch Rating – N/A
- Atletifo Rating – 2.5 Stars
CM Punk vs Samoa Joe (Owen Hart Cup Tournament Semi Finals)
CM Punk booked his ticket to next week’s final against Ricky Starks, with a roll-up victory over Samoa Joe in the main event of AEW Collision.
The story of the match was fantastic, playing on two-decades of history between the two.
CM Punk still had scars from his losses to Joe in ROH. Knowing his previous strategies didn’t work, he had to try something new.
Unfortunately, Joe has been there and done it all. He had counters for everything Punk threw at him, and seemed destined to make it to the Owen Hart Cup finals.
Neither man managed to hit their finishers in the match, leaving room for another rematch down the line. Punk won with a victory roll, hearkening back to Owen Hart’s win over Bret Hart at WrestleMania X.
It was a well-paced match that was full of storytelling excellence. CM Punk vs Ricky Starks is next week, but will have a lot to do to improve on this 4-star match.
- Dave Meltzer Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
- Cagematch Rating – 7.78
- Atletifo Rating – 4 Stars