AEW Collision: CM Punk’s return confirmed for debut episode

AEW President Tony Khan gave a positive update on the same proposition during the latest episode of AEW Dynamite, last night. In a huge announcement on the weekly AEW programming, CM Punk was confirmed to appear on the first night of AEW Collision.

AEW’s third televised show will debut on Saturday, June 17 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Since Chicago is the hometown of CM Punk, speculations were high about the top superstar making a perfect comeback.

While this return was long-time speculation, a proper deal between Punk and AEW couldn’t come to fruition until very recently. Plus, the former AEW World Heavyweight Champion also had difficulties with some members of the AEW locker room.

It’s worth noting that Punk had a real-life backstage brawl involving Kenny Omega, Matt and Nick Jackson, Punk’s friend and trainer Ace Steel, members of the AEW talent relations staff, and Punk’s dog Larry.

The altercation happened on the night of AEW All Out 2022 pay-per-view after which Punk vanished from TV while Omega and his buddies took verbal shots at him on a few occasions. This animosity was a big reason behind delaying Punk’s return.

JUST ANNOUNCED: Chicago’s Own @CMPunk RETURNS on June 17 for the debut of @AEW Collision! ????????????

Get tickets to see #AEWCollision live: https://t.co/T0stDJztVM pic.twitter.com/M5TYIUWC8m

— United Center (@UnitedCenter) June 1, 2023

As noted, the former WWE Superstar was last seen at 2022 All Out in September where he defeated Jon Moxley in the main event match to win the AEW World Championship for the second time in his career.

Due to the backstage brawl, Punk was never allowed to make any TV appearances with his championship belt which was later vacated. Even Omega and The Young Bucks had to relinquish their AEW trios tag titles after the PPV night.

Now, the top superstar is returning for AEW Collision, which will air weekly on Saturday nights at 8 PM ET on the TNT Network and run for two hours. This is being touted as the second major AEW show just behind its flagship program, Dynamite.

Rumours also have it that once Collision starts airing, All Elite Wrestling will split its roster into two parts much like how WWE has a distinction between Raw and Smackdown. However, a confirmation is yet to be received.