CM Punk will make his return this Saturday night, his first AEW appearance since All Out 2022, for the debut episode of Collision from the United Center in Chicago, IL.
AEW/ROH President Tony Khan was a recent guest on Barstool Rasslin’ to discuss a wide range of topics, including the type of reaction he expects CM Punk to receive when he returns. He said,
“Well, it’s very exciting. CM Punk’s been out injured since All Out, and he had a tricep injury in the main event match. We have not seen him in a long time. I’m very excited about his return to the ring. He’s one of the biggest names in AEW; he’s a top star. It’s one of the biggest names in all of wrestling. And one of his greatest rivals in his entire career is Samoa Joe.
“And I’m very excited to feature Samoa Joe on Collision also. I think it’s very interesting they’ll be on opposite sides of this match. It’s also really cool that the AEW World Tag Team Champions FTR are going to be featured here on Collision and across all AEW programming, and FTR certainly are going to be showcased alongside CM Punk. I think they’re a great trio, and really excited to have them in the first main event, with CM Punk and FTR taking on Samoa Joe, Jay White, and Juice Robinson.
“And Jay White, in particular, is coming off his biggest win, I believe so far in AEW, beating Ricky Starks in the main event last week on Dynamite. This is a great show for us, and Juice Robinson and Jay White are red hot as a pair. The Bullet Club Gold is doing really well, and I think those guys are on fire and excited about that big match on Collision.
“I think for the fans who wanted to see CM Punk return, he’s doing it in a grand fashion, and it’s gonna be really exciting to have CM Punk in such a big main event match in such a huge show in his hometown Chicago. So the debut of a new show Saturday Night Collision. I think it’s gonna be really cool.”
Khan thinks the fans in Chicago, IL will be behind Punk, and getting a great reaction will continue no matter what city they’re in. He added,
“Well, I think it’ll be very exciting to see how the fans react, but I expect a very positive reaction, particularly in Chicago for the first episode. And I think going forward; CM Punk is one of the most popular wrestlers in the world.
“So certainly, he’s gonna get a great reaction, and depending on who his opponent is, and the type of reaction he’s trying to get, I expect CM Punk to connect with the crowd as well as anybody in the entire pro wrestling business.
“He has an amazing connection with the fans. And I think that’s part of his longevity, and his mystique is his amazing connection with the crowds. CM Punk’s a really great wrestler; I’m very excited to have him back in AEW starting this Saturday night on TNT on AEW Collision.”
