An update has emerged on the return of CM Punk to AEW, as well as the possibility of a title unification match with Jon Moxley!
AEW was handed a buzzkiller just days after crowning CM Punk as their World Champion, with ‘The Best in the World’ suffering an injury that week and requiring time off to undergo surgery. AEW did, however, allow Punk to retain the championship, opting for an interim AEW World Champion in the meantime.
The temporary champion was crowned at AEWxNJPW Forbidden Door, with Jon Moxley defeating Hiroshi Tanahashi in the headline attraction. An encounter between Punk and Moxley is now all but confirmed further down the line to crown an undisputed champion.
Speaking on the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer speculated as to when, exactly, CM Punk may return to the ring. Meltzer hinted that Punk may feature in the main event of All Out should he be cleared to compete:
“I think the big thing now is waiting for [CM] Punk and [Bryan] Danielson to return, and perhaps [Kenny] Omega as well, and kind of get that star power back up to what it was. Punk is the biggest star, MJF perhaps, who knows what’s going on with him. I mean, those are the biggest stars in the company, except for [Jon] Moxley and [Chris] Jericho probably, as far as singles stars go. They’re down as far as the injury thing goes, that’ll be the case and we’ll see.
Punk should not be long before he returns. Not this month, probably not August, but perhaps All Out, perhaps Full Gear. I think it would be one of those two shows where he’s back. At least you’ll have that key star power, the guy that they can put in and everything like that, and build to Punk and Moxley, obviously, I think that’s the main event they would like for All Out if, in fact, it is possible to do that match. If not, I don’t know what they’re gonna do.”
Interestingly, CM Punk is featured on the promotional material for All Out, which was recently officially confirmed for Sunday, 4 September from the Now Arena in Chicago. All Out last year marked Punk’s return to in-ring competition as he defeated Darby Allin.
The former WWE Champion returned to pro wrestling last August after seven years away from the squared circle. Punk has since maintained his position as one of the biggest draws, enjoying critically-acclaimed rivalries vs. the aforementioned Darby Allin, Eddie Kingston, and MJF, among others.
His injury put CM Punk on the lengthy list of wounded AEW stars, which also includes Bryan Danielson, Adam Cole, and several others. Currently, there is no official time scale for his return to AEW programming.
If you use any quotes from this article please provide a link back to the original source and a H/T to Inside The Ropes.