As CM Punk return rumors swirl so have whispers of a possible AEW Saturday show. Such a show would give Tony Khan the ability to create two AEW rosters if he so chooses, and possibly put distance between The Elite and CM Punk.
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter is reporting that the original idea for the show was to be two hours and have the equal star power as AEW Dynamite on Wednesday, seeming to confirm the idea of an AEW roster split of some kind could be in the cards. Whether that roster split results in Punk and The Elite on separate brands is not yet known but there is certainly more than enough top-tier AEW talent to have two brands at this point.
The report also noted that the new show is expected to begin in June but, as of now, no AEW Saturday night show has been announced for June. There is an AEW Saturday night show scheduled for July 8 in Regina, SK, Canada, and the expectation is the new Saturday program should be rolling by then. The Regina event is scheduled to take place from 7 – 9 pm EST, with doors opening at 6 pm, so it is possible that 7 pm EST could be the start time for the new show if there is a new show.
AEW’s announcement of a new program could happen at the upcoming Warner Bros. Discovery upfronts on May 17. Based on recent reporting about Punk, his return, and this new AEW property could be announced at the upfronts as a way to build buzz around both. Punk is rumored to return to AEW at the June 21 AEW Dynamite from the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, IL, if not before. The timing here of everything could be lining up perfectly if all sides are able to get back on the same page.
Whether or not all parties can row in the same direction right now is still up for debate. Punk has reportedly shown an openness to working with The Elite, along with many others in AEW, but the politics following the AEW All Out incident still seem to be creating hang-ups. A meeting between Punk and Chris Jericho is said to be planned, or being pushed for, but the subject of what will be discussed between them is not yet known.