Former AEW Champion CM Punk looks set for a sensational return to AEW this week, with multiple sources discussing his impending return.
CM Punk is on the way back into the company for the first time since September 2022, when he suffered an injury while beating Jon Moxley in the main event of All Out 2022.
After the show, an emotionally charged press conference led to a backstage fight, which saw Kenny Omega being bit, and a chair launched toward the Young Bucks.
Tony Khan has been quiet on his return to the ring, but today multiple sources have hinted toward CM Punk’s imminent return to AEW.
According to Andrew Zarian of the Mat Men Podcast, Punk’s AEW return is expected to be “announced in the coming days.” This could mean that AEW makes the official announcement at WBD upfronts or on Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite.
Meanwhile, Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer has spoken about the upcoming episode of AEW Dynamite, calling Wednesday of the most important days in AEW history.
He reports that a “brand split of sorts” is planned for AEW, as they expand their TV presence with another two-hour show on Saturday nights.
This show will be called AEW Collision, and will be helmed by the returning CM Punk.
The idea is a brand split of sorts, although the actual make up of what that means is in question and one higher-up in the company said they believe the final format and ideas will change until the debut, and probably will be tweaked after as well. One source at WBD said more than a week ago that the top women would be appearing on both shows because they felt they didn’t have enough star power depth to do a split.
While Tony Khan has been tight-lipped about the new show, it is an open secret in the industry about the new show. With a rumoured $50 million deal to bring it to TNT, AEW have become one of the biggest wrestling companies of all time, in under five years of business.
CM Punk’s comeback is said to have been the driving force behind the new show. With The Elite not wanting to work with him after the All Out fiasco, it will give him a chance to work with other stars, and build up his stock once again.
The Straight-Edge Superstar is said to want to with Samoa Joe upon his return, reliving their epic encounters in Ring of Honor over two decades ago.
A match with Chris Jericho is also on the cards, with the pair famously facing off in a WWE Championship match at WrestleMania 28.
CM Punk is also speculated to be facing Kenny Omega at All In, although many other opponents have been considered for the match.