AEW have announced the creation of the AEW Interim World Championship Eliminator Series following the news that CM Punk is set to undergo surgery.
On the June 3rd episode of AEW Rampage, it was announced that new AEW World Champion CM Punk would be appearing to address his future and recent speculation..
While many fans feared the worst, Punk walked gingerly to the ring with tears in his eyes. He explained how difficult the situation was and that every bone in his body had told him to go home, but his gut told him to face the world. The champion then revealed that he is set to undergo surgery, however, despite initially feeling he should relinquish the World Title, he was informed by AEW President Tony Khan that he didn’t need to.
The star added that he will be back, bigger, faster and stronger than ever before, promising to prove why he is the best in the world.
It is unclear as to how long Punk will be out of action.
It was announced later in the show that the process to crown an Interim World Champion would begin on the upcoming June 8th episode of Dynamite. The show will now open with a Battle Royal and the winner of that match will face the number one ranked Jon Moxley in the main event. While the winner of that match will head to AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door where the champion will be decided.
In a fresh update, it has been confirmed that at NJPW Dominion on June 12th, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Hirooki Goto will meet to decide who will face the winner from Dynamite at Forbidden Door. Prior to his injury, it had been announced that CM Punk would square off against Hiroshi Tanahashi at the Super-Show.
You can find the full press release below.
#AEWDynamite#NJPWDominion#ForbiddenDoor@AEW@AEWonTV@TBSNetwork@njpwworld@njpw1972@njpwglobalpic.twitter.com/2EVTOfnFHh
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 4, 2022
CM Punk captured All Elite Wrestling’ top prize at Double or Nothing where he saw off Hangman Adam Page in the main event. Following the match, Punk was joined in the ring by FTR to celebrate.