One of the biggest stars in pro wrestling is officially set to return to AEW next month.
After a lengthy absence due to injury and suspension, multi-time world champion CM Punk will 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 has now been confirmed to return 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?
Punk's return to the company has officially been confirmed for the debut episode of AEW Collision on Saturday, June 17th at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
AEW President and CEO Tony Khan announced the news live on the May 31st episode of Dynamite.
BREAKING NEWS
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 1, 2023
As announced by #AEW CEO & GM @tonyrkhan on #AEWDynamite, @CMPunk returns to #AEW on Saturday, June 17 for the premiere episode #AEWCollision LIVE from the @UnitedCenter in Chicago!
Get your tickets NOW at https://t.co/UN1cNj1SFY pic.twitter.com/2hPrJgCFxM
After a seven-year absence from wrestling, the former WWE Champion sent shockwaves through the industry when he debuted for AEW back in 2021.
WBD officially announced their new weekly program at their upfronts and the impending return of the company's biggest star will come on the debut edition of Collision.
The initial announcement did include Punk's name, but this was quickly rectified by WBD.
Reports from various outlets indicated there had been a potential breakdown in communication between Punk and AEW prior to the upfronts, but any issues appear to have been rectified ahead of his return in the Windy City.
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 - and Punk has now also been confirmed for the show by AEW.
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.”
Who will CM Punk wrestle?
Punk's first match back will see him team with AEW World Tag Team Champions FTR against long-time rival Samoa Joe and Bullet Club Gold in a massive six-man tag match.
Reports from Fightful Select indicate that the Chicago native has expressed his desire to work with not only Joe, but also the recently-signed Jay White.
CM Punk and FTR squads up against Samoa Joe and Bullet Club Gold in the first main event of #AEWCollision pic.twitter.com/JnsYYTIqyz
— B/R Wrestling (@BRWrestling) June 8, 2023
Punk and Joe 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.
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 be streamed live on FITE for international viewers and will be included as part of the monthly AEW Plus subscription.
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:
- CM Punk
- 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 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)