AEW Collision recently experienced a significant drop in its viewership. The episode aired on Saturday, 2nd September, following the firing of CM Punk and the statistics are quite telling.
According to Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics, the show garnered 345,000 viewers, a decline from the 552,000 viewers of the 26th August edition.
This drop is not just in total viewership; the key 18-49 demographic rating also plummeted from 0.16 to 0.11, marking the lowest in the show’s history.
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The Impact of CM Punk and his Firing
The most intriguing aspect of this decline is its correlation with the firing of CM Punk. The episode began with AEW President Tony Khan announcing the dismissal of CM Punk.
This segment attracted 472,000 viewers. However, following the announcement, the viewership sharply fell by 19%, settling at 383,000. By the end of the final full quarter, the numbers had dwindled further to below 250,000 viewers.
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Other Factors at Play
While CM Punk’s firing played a pivotal role in the viewership drop, it’s essential to consider other factors that might have influenced the decline.
The episode aired concurrently with WWE Payback and the commencement of the college football season in the US. These events could have diverted a portion of the potential audience.
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Highlights of the Episode
Despite the decline in viewership, the episode had its moments. The final full quarter showcased a match between Dax Harwood and Jay White, with appearances from Bullet Club Gold and The Young Bucks.
Additionally, Bryan Danielson made a comeback, representing Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat against Ricky Starks in a strap match at AEW All Out.
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The Broader Picture
AEW Collision’s viewership trends for 2023 provide a comprehensive view of its performance over the year. While this particular episode marked a low point, it’s crucial to analyse the broader trends and factors influencing viewership.
Wrestling enthusiasts and analysts will undoubtedly keep a close eye on future episodes to gauge the show’s trajectory and the potential long-term impact of significant events like CM Punk’s firing.
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