One of the biggest stars in pro wrestling is set to return to AEW next month.
After a lengthy absence due to injury and suspension, multi-time world champion CM Punk will reportedly be making a comeback to the squared circle as part of a new weekly show, AEW Collision.
Punk hasn't appeared on AEW television since September, after a wild backstage incident involving Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks saw all four men stood down indefinitely.
While the other three stars have since returned to the company, Punk has remained on the sidelines due to a triceps tear suffered in his All Out world title match with Jon Moxley.
But with a new weekly program officially unveiled by Warner Bros. Discover (WBD) during their upfronts on Wednesday, the 44-year-old looks set to be back on our screens in time for the June 17th debut.
Here's everything we need to know about CM Punk's upcoming return to AEW.
When will CM Punk return to AEW?
At this stage, Punk's return to the company is tentatively scheduled for the debut episode of AEW Collision on Saturday, June 17th.
The show is set to be held in Punk's hometown of Chicago and according to Wrestling Observer, the show is rumoured to be dubbed 'The Second Coming' in reference to Punk's return.
After a seven-year absence from wrestling, the former WWE Champion sent shockwaves through the industry when he debuted in AEW back in 2021.
WBD officially announced their new weekly program at their upfronts on Wednesday and the impending return of the company's biggest star is likely to come soon.
The initial announcement did include Punk's name, but this was quickly rectified by WBD.
WBD's press release headline for the AEW Collision announcement originally mentioned CM Punk and other wrestlers, which you can see in the cached listing (left) before it was edited (right).
— Brandon Thurston (@BrandonThurston) May 17, 2023
h/t to @JimmyTraina for noticing pic.twitter.com/VUzkvjzbh1
When does AEW Collision start?
The debut episode of AEW Collision is set for Saturday, June 17th from the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
WBD announced that the likes of Miro, Powerhouse Hobbs, Samoa Joe, FTR and Andrade El Idolo would all be featured on the show - but didn't mention Punk by name.
AEW President and CEO Tony Khan said he was eager to bring a new show to TNT for the growing audience.
“With the addition of AEW: Collision on TNT, I’m extremely proud that a Turner network will be the home of Saturday night wrestling for the first time in more than two decades,” he said.
“The debut of Collision is significant across numerous sectors including television, wrestling, entertainment and sports, and reinforces AEW as the bold property we envisioned when we launched in 2019.
"Collision will deliver live every Saturday night more of what fans and viewers tell us they want – athleticism, big personalities, exciting storylines and hard-hitting wrestling action, all of which have become synonymous with AEW.”
How to watch or stream AEW Collision
WBD confirmed reports from numerous media outlets that AEW Collision will be broadcast live each week on TNT.
The show will also likely be streamed live on FITE for international viewers, although no announcement has been made at this stage.
Who will be on AEW Collision?
At this stage, Punk has not officially been announced as a member of AEW Collision.
The following talent were advertised on the poster following the WBD announcement:
- MJF (AEW World Champion)
- Orange Cassidy (AEW International Champion)
- FTR (AEW World Tag Team Champions)
- House Of Black (AEW World Trios Champions)
- Samoa Joe (ROH World Television Champion)
- Thunder Rosa
- Miro
- Andrade El Idolo
- Powerhouse Hobbs
Why was CM Punk suspended from AEW?
After winning the world title at AEW All Out last year, Punk was embroiled in a heated backstage incident with Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks.
All four men were stood down from competing for AEW, but Punk was also sidelined due to a triceps tear.
Was CM Punk injured?
During his last match - a world title victory over Jon Moxley at AEW All Out - Punk suffered a triceps injury that has kept him out of action for an extended period.
Will CM Punk wrestle at AEW Double Or Nothing?
At this stage, Punk is not expected to compete at AEW's upcoming pay-per-view event, Double Or Nothing.
With his return to the company slated for June, Punk is more than likely to be featured on both the All In card in England on August 27th, as well as the All Out card in Chicago in early-September.
Who will CM Punk wrestle?
At this stage, Punk's opponent for his highly-anticipated return has not been officially announced by the company.
However, reports from Fightful Select indicate that the Chicago native wants to wrestle Samoa Joe.
https://t.co/jy8u4a7WDa has reported that CM Punk has angled for his return match to be with Samoa Joe
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) May 11, 2023
Full story is up now for subscribers. pic.twitter.com/3LLenH0fHP
The pair have a storied history dating back two decades to their early careers in Ring Of Honor, and are believed to still be close friends behind the scenes.
Will CM Punk work with The Elite?
At this stage, Punk is not expected to work with Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks following their backstage altercation last year.
The Elite are expected to be predominantly featured on AEW Dynamite each Wednesday night, while Punk is slated to be the headline act for AEW Collision on Saturday nights.
CM Punk career record
Punk has had an illustrious career inside the pro wrestling world, winning world titles with ROH, WWE and AEW.
- 2x WWE Champion
- 3x World Heavyweight Champion
- 2x AEW World Champion
- 1x ROH World Champion
- 1x ECW Champion
- 1x WWE Intercontinental Champion
- 2x PWI Wrestler of the Year (2011, 2012)