On June 17th, 2023, CM Punk will step back into an AEW ring for the first time since September 4th, 2022.
For a number of months, it appeared that the much-talked-about CM Punk comeback would never happen, but as history has shown in wrestling, nothing is impossible.
This return will take place in Chicago at the United Center on the debut episode of Collision. On the show, Punk will team up with FTR to take on Jay White, Juice Robinson, and Samoa Joe.
There has been a great deal of speculation around Punk’s comeback, including question marks over his level of performance given his age and injury-hit recent career. However, one veteran believes that come showtime, Punk will be at the peak of his powers.
Speaking on his My World podcast, Jeff Jarrett excitedly rattled off his belief that Punk will be ready and raring to go.
“Collision. Think about that. Think about five hours of primetime wrestling. It really is [crazy] to me. Punk stepping back into the game, and I don’t know Punk that well, I’ll say this. As a competitor and especially as somebody with his track record of success, love him or hate him, if you don’t think that guy’s gonna show up with the uber, ultimate game face on, and want to tear the house down in whatever shape, form, or fashion, folks, this is one of the reasons that not just myself, but my father absolutely loved the business,
“Yes, it may be scripted, and it’s entertainment and everything that goes with this, but from a competitive nature, even the juices start flowing, and you have something to prove, not necessarily to the locker room, not saying that, not necessarily even to the fan base, but when you have something to prove in your gut to yourself, that you want to do good, that a guy that could probably sit back and rest on his laurels, I just don’t see that happening.”
Jarrett added it’s not often that the chance to be involved in a wrestling first rolls around, so he’s as excited as anyone.
“The spotlight is gonna be on Saturday night. With incredible anticipation, I cannot wait for Saturday night, for the red light to come on in the United Center and you hear the words, ‘Folks, welcome to the premiere of Collision.’ You don’t get an opportunity to do first many times in this business, but we will this Saturday,”
Tony Khan Heaps Praise On CM Punk
With regard to CM Punk’s return to the company, Tony Khan was excited as Jarrett about what is to come. The AEW boss claimed that his former two-time World Champion is one of the most popular wrestlers in the world and that this new start can only be a boost for everyone involved.
H/t to Fightful