The debut episode of AEW Collision ranked third among cable originals while topping Dynamite in the demo.
The June 17 return of CM Punk to AEW programming led to the launch of Collision averaging 816,000 viewers and 430,000 (0.33) in the 18-49 demographic. (Wrestlenomics & Showbuzz Daily)
Last Wednesday’s episode of Dynamite averaged 830,000 viewers and 391,000 (0.30) in the demo as a point of comparison. Dynamite had a sizable advantage with adults 50+ (0.35 to 0.27) while Collision had a stronger rating among males 18-49 (0.48 to 0.42).
Collision ranked third among cable originals behind ESPN’s coverage of the College World Series and the UFC Fight Night card from the Apex, which began on ESPN 2 and moved to the main linear network.
UFC topped the College World Series in adults 18-34 (0.25 to 0.23) to rank second for the night and was second among adults 35-49 behind the College World Series and topping the UFC main card.
Going head-to-head on ESPN 2, the UFC prelim fights from 7-10 p.m. ET averaged 410,000 viewers and 0.15 in the demo.
In Canada, Collision streamed live on the TSN+ streaming device with TSN 2 airing the episode on a four-hour delay at Midnight ET. The late-night airing averaged approximately 15,000 viewers and 9,000 in the 25-54 demographic. TSN 5 is listing a live airing of Collision for this Saturday at 8 p.m. ET from Toronto.
The show was built around CM Punk, who delivered a promo in the opening segment and teamed with FTR against Samoa Joe, Jay White & Juice Robinson in the main event in Chicago.
Punk is advertised for this Saturday’s edition of Collision from the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on the night before the Forbidden Door pay-per-view.
John Pollock & Brandon Thurston will be live at 1 p.m. ET to speak with Dave Meltzer about the Collision ratings
