AEW star CM Punk is once again at the front and center of the wrestling world as he is set to return to the company at Collision on June 17th. The former world champion has been on the sidelines thanks to an injury and also an alleged suspension that he suffered following All Out 2022.
After almost ten months of being out of action, The Second City Saint was announced to be making his return on the premiere of Collision, AEW’s upcoming show. The company considers CM Punk a major draw and has fought tooth and nail to resolve all the issues surrounding him.
Speaking on the latest edition of the Kliq This podcast (via Wrestling Inc), one of Triple H‘s best friends and WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash criticized the backlash on CM Punk, stating that it is a myth that he cannot draw.
He also added that Tony Khan and All Elite Wrestling have been throwing him under the bus and stated that he is not costing the company ticket sales. Nash added that he was always sure of CM Punk’s return to the promotion.
“They’re throwing Phil [Brooks] under the bus like, ‘Oh, he can’t draw.’ It’s not like he’s costing you ticket sales,” Kevin Nash said. “Never for one moment did I ever think he wasn’t going to show up.”
Punk’s troubles with AEW started in September 2022 when he openly criticized the company during the post-All Out media scrum. He also lambasted its Executive Vice Presidents The Elite (Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks), and Hangman Adam Page. He called the stars incompetent in handling their roles and that Hangman went into business for himself. This allegedly led to a brawl backstage which also involved CM Punk’s friend Ace Steel.
Who will CM Punk face after returning to AEW?
As already mentioned, CM Punk will return to the company at Collision on June 17th. The star has been one of the major draws for AEW after he returned to pro wrestling following a seven-year gap. He has since gone on to win two world titles in the promotion and has also faced the likes of Jon Moxley and Eddie Kingston, among others.
At Collision, CM Punk is slated to team up with FTR to face Bullet Club Gold members Jay White and Juice Robinson.
BREAKING NEWS 🚨#AEWCollision will stream LIVE on #AEWPlus THIS SATURDAY featuring the main event of Samoa Joe, Juice Robinson & Jay White as they face CM Punk + FTR in trios action
Available in select International territories on #FITE pic.twitter.com/Sq9bQfmAIz
— FITE (@FiteTV) June 12, 2023
The trios match could prove to be a major attraction for AEW as they look to get Collision off the ground and running. Tony Khan will be hoping that Punk is not the poor draw that many critics make him out to be and that he can shine once again.
