AEW Confirms CM Punk Will Debut At Collision Premiere

AEW has confirmed that CM Punk will be taking part in the premier episode of Collision, on June 17 live from the United Center in Chicago. AEW President Tony Khan made the announcement during Wednesday's episode of AEW Dynamite and the company's official social media pages shared the news immediately following that announcement.

The proclamation confirms speculation that Punk would be returning to the company during that show. Backstage drama and an injury have kept Punk away from AEW, with uncertainty surrounding his eventual return. At one point, there was talk that Punk might not return at all, with buzz floating around that perhaps he was looking to be bought out of the remainder of his AEW contract. The two sides have apparently worked things out, only for more chatter to surface that negotiations, specifically pertaining to Punk's friend Ace Steel had created a roadblock to his return.

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When it was confirmed that the debut episode would be taking place in Chicago, that all-but confirmed Punk would be back. After all, a show from Chicago without Punk on it -- and after rumors of his return -- would have been problematic.

AEW Hoping Punk Draws Big Numbers

The fact that Khan announced Punk's return has to mean that they aren't counting on a surprise return to draw ratings. Instead, they want news of Punk's confirmed attendance to bring fans in to watch the first episode and draw big numbers for the network. With chatter that AEW has had some attendance and ratings issues of late, Punk is expected to create a flood of interest in the show. It's best to let everyone know he's going to be there.