Backstage News On How CM Punk Is Involved In AEW Roster Split Plan
CM Punk is coming back to AEW programming soon as a new report provides an update on what the company is planning.
The return of CM Punk is coming very soon with AEW set to launch their new show Collision on Saturday, June 17th in Chicago. They are going with Chicago because that’s the hometown of former two-time AEW World Champion CM Punk, who is set to come back to AEW for the first time since All Out in September 2022.
All Out 2022 also took place in Chicago as CM Punk beat Jon Moxley to become a two-time AEW World Champion. Following his big win, CM Punk went on a press conference rant complaining about a number of things from his old friend Colt Cabana to “Hangman” Adam Page to AEW EVPs making comments about him. That led to a backstage fight between Punk and his friend Ace Steel against The Elite’s Kenny Omega, Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson. Steel, who worked for AEW as a Producer, was fired for his actions in the fight.
On top of all that, CM Punk also suffered a torn triceps, which is a major injury that required surgery and about eight months of rehab. Fast forward to the present day and CM Punk is likely cleared to compete in the ring again.
It was reported a few weeks ago that Warner Bros. Discovery, who owns TNT & TBS, pushed for AEW to bring back CM Punk likely because they see him as a ratings draw and a major star that the company really needs right now.
Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter provided an update on AEW’s “roster split” plans and how CM Punk could still be on Collision & Dynamite because it’s not going to be a “hard” roster split in AEW.
“The updated plan, and this will possibly change a few times, is that there will be less of a hard roster split as previously told to people who do know about it. The thought is that the split will not be hard at all with the women as they don’t believe there is enough star power to do a hard split.”
“CM Punk will be the star of Collision most weeks, but he will be on Dynamite at times when needed. Those with unresolved issues with Punk would be on Collision the week he’s on Dynamite. The idea is to get people to resolve issues but that hasn’t happened yet nor has there been any notable progress.”
“It was also noted that all of this is still up in the air and being figured out in real time and nothing is final, but this could be how it ends up happening. Rampage will turn into what Dark and Dark Elevation were, more to showcase younger talent. The idea right now is for Dynamite and Rampage to tape together on Wednesday nights and Collision and ROH to tape together on Saturday nights.”
Since “nothing is final” it means that things can always change. If there’s anything we have learned during this CM Punk story in the last eight months it’s that things change all the time.