Maybe pro wrestling’s worst-kept secret, CM Punk‘s impending AEW return, has everything pointing to it beyond an actual announcement. Soon, the weekly Saturday show (heavily rumored to be called Collision) will be announced as well, which he is expected to headline.
Punk’s return date points toward AEW’s show in Chicago on June 17. When asked about it on Maggie and Perloff, AEW CEO, GM and Head of Creative Tony Khan declined to comment and spoke about the city instead (h/t Fightful for transcription).
“I can’t comment on that, but I do think it’s very exciting is running a lot of big events. Chicago has been one of the best cities for AEW for a long time and I’m very excited to be back there. It’s a home city to me, personally, growing up in Illinois and spending most of my life there until my dad got involved in the NFL. It’ll be great to be back in Chicago for AEW,” he said.
While Khan obviously won’t spoil the plans in an interview, no-commenting Punk’s return only adds fuel to the fire of his probable comeback on AEW programming. The date and city already align, as do the plethora of rumors about what will happen when he comes back.
Khan also provided a similar answer in the same interview, when asked about Punk’s infamous altercation at All Out.
“I can’t really comment. I haven’t talked about that particular situation since it happened, specifically. In the time since, AEW has continued to hit new heights and grow and I have a lot of respect for all the people you just said as professional wrestlers, and we have a great company going right now. With a big announcement coming next week, we’ve been able to sustain and continue to develop as a wrestling company.”
With only weeks until the Chicago show, plans for Punk’s return have been hinted at, from working with Chris Jericho to his old rival Samoa Joe. Sooner than later, the wrestling world will undoubtedly know what Punk will do — maybe when Khan makes his big announcement next week.