AEW: Collision is set to make its debut this Saturday night at 8/7c, live on TNT. Along with the first episode of AEW’s new flagship show will come the return of CM Punk to the All Elite mix. Punk has been away from the promotion for roughly nine months following his infamous All Out media scrum, and the subsequent altercation that played out backstage with The Elite. At this time, it does not appear that Punk and The Elite have made any movement in regard to burying the hatchet.
Initially, the plan was for Punk to be revealed as a member of the Collision roster during the Warner Brothers Discovery 2023/2024 Upfront presentation last month. The Second City Savior was pulled from the announcement at the last moment after Tony Khan made the decision not to bring his friend Ace Steel, who was also involved in the altercation, back as a producer, working with Punk on Collision. Once that issue was resolved, Punk was officially announced for the new show, and many hoped that it would be smooth sailing as he reintegrated into the product.
Earlier today, on a PW Torch stream, Wade Keller noted that he heard that “something” media-related is going to be released between now and Saturday that will upset some members in the back. After asking around for clarification, Haus of Wrestling was told that ESPN had conducted an interview with Marc Raimondi that was arranged by AEW. We weren’t told of anything particularly controversial coming out of it, only that it had happened, and that not many had not heard it, even those in AEW.
Fightful is reporting that one of the topics Punk discusses in the interview is The Elite, which is obviously what could rustle some feathers. It was noted that some members of the roster got wind of some of what Punk said, and the second-hand recountings did not go over well and were perceived as “his side of the story.”
Punk was apparently blurring the line with some of his responses, and wanted fans to wonder if he was “angling for a story.” With that said, it appears Punk knows a few of his comments may come across as polarizing. Some comments about Hangman Page were made that apparently did not come off as a work/shoot, and were “clearly intentional.”
One topic that we do not believe was addressed in the interview is the actual fight that occurred backstage after All Out. It appears that Punk signed several legal documents before returning to the AEW fold, with some pertaining to things he can and cannot say publicly about the company, and one of those issues is the actual altercation.