CM Punk is currently at odds with AEW, leading to the two sides having another fallout ahead of his planned AEW return on the June 17 premiere episode of AEW Collision after not being seen since All Out 2022. Punk was originally listed in the press release and promotional material for the announcement of AEW Collision before he was removed.
The issues come down to a miscommunication over Ace Steel, who was part of the All Out 2022 brawl, being brought back as Punk was upset that Steel could not physically be at the TV tapings and would have had to work remotely.
According to Nick Hausman of Haus of Wrestling, Steel was re-hired by AEW “several months ago,” although he hasn’t been working backstage. Instead, he’s been working remotely with AEW President Tony Khan on creative in some capacity to prevent Steel’s presence from upsetting some people backstage.
Originally, it was believed that Steel could return to the road as an agent once AEW Collision started for the brand, but on Tuesday, the decision was made not to bring him back on the road. When Punk found out, and he was pulled from the announcement, although Punk’s relationship with Khan also appears to be on “sound footing” with no issues as they keep the communication line open.
