We are less than an hour removed from the historic Warner Brothers Discovery Upfront 2023/2024 presentation and already more waves are being made. Of course, at the Upfront, it was announced that AEW: Collision will debut on TNT, on June 17 at 8 pm EST. Some of the talent advertised for the show include Samoa Joe, Miro, Thunder Rosa, Andrade El Idolo, and Powerhouse Hobbs. One name that is conspicuously absent, at least for now, is CM Punk.
Punk has been widely rumored to be making his return to AEW on the debut episode of Collision. While not confirmed, the June 17 show looks to be taking place from the United Center, in Chicago, and be titled “The Second Coming.” If you are having flashbacks to Punk’s AEW: Rampage debut from the United Center, you are not alone.
With the noticeable exception of Punk in the official press release, Comicbook reached out to Warner Brothers Discovery to ask if The Second City Saint will be involved in the new AEW property.
“CM Punk is not affiliated with TNT’s AEW Collision,” they replied.
The response from WBD is surprising considering the sheer amount of smoke around the fire that is Punk’s return to action. With issues reportedly going unresolved between The Elite and Punk, Collision seems like the natural landing place for the embattled former WWE Champion, if he is to return. The Elite and Blackpool Combat Club are not advertised for Collision, leading many to believe they will remain on Wednesdays, and boxing Punk out of working on that night.
It is possible that WBD is trying to play down rumors of Punk joining Collision in order to make his actual return more impactful. That move would be unusual, however, as promoters and wrestlers are usually the ones playing such games, not the networks hosting their content.