The decision for CM Punk to return to All Elite Wrestling was reportedly made by Tony Khan many weeks ago.

Last week, it was reported that Punk’s return to the promotion is being “tentatively planned,” seven months after his comments at All Out 2022.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that the decision to bring Punk back was made “many weeks ago,” and that a ‘snag‘ two weeks ago has been worked out.

Last month, Punk shared a fiery post on Instagram, alleging that the company had pressured him to compete last year when not medically cleared.

Punk also claimed that Jon Moxley had refused to lose to him and branded Chris Jericho a “liar” and a “stooge” in the deleted post.

It is believed that Punk will make his return to AEW on the June 17, 2023, episode of TV, which is believed to be the premiere of the rumored AEW Saturday show.

Source: eWrestlingNews

Reportedly Planning A Program Between CM Punk And Chris Jericho

CM Punk hasn’t been seen on AEW programming since September’s All Out pay-per-view, where he tore his triceps while reclaiming the AEW World Championship, unloaded his feelings in the post-show media scrum, and reportedly got into a physical altercation with the Young Bucks and Kenny Omega to cap off the eventful evening. Though it seemed, for a time, that AEW and Punk would part ways, the evidence is mounting that the former world champion is preparing to stage a comeback within the next couple of months. On the latest “Wrestling Observer Live,” host Andrew Zarian revealed that Warner Bros. Discovery has been told a Punk return is coming.

“The story here is that CM Punk is essentially happening,” Zarian said. “I know for a fact that Warner has been told he is coming back. They are very much aware of the situation.” Zarian went on to state that talks between Punk and the Elite have yet to take place, with Matt and Nick Jackson of the Young Bucks particularly reluctant to work with the former WWE star.

It was reiterated that the rumored Saturday night show that AEW is expected to introduce in the coming months will showcase Punk’s comeback, with the company’s recently scheduled Chicago event on June 17 being eyed as both the show’s debut and Punk’s grand return. The new series will reportedly involve some kind of roster split for the company, though it’s still unknown just how strict these divisions will be. According to Zarian, the company is hoping to launch the new series as a top show on or near the same level as “AEW Dynamite.”

Reportedly Planning A Program Between CM Punk And Chris Jericho

The wheels appear to be in motion for CM Punk’s return to AEW in the coming months. And while reports had indicated that there were sentiments throughout the locker room that did not want him back in the fold, it may be one of the backstage leaders — and one of Punk’s most outspoken critics — who ends up in a program with him: Chris Jericho. 

As shared via “Wrestling Observer Live,” a sit-down was set to take place involving Punk, Jericho, AEW owner Tony Khan, FTR, and several others. There has been no word yet on if The Elite would participate, as they’ve reportedly been reluctant on working together with Punk in the future. However, if everyone is able to get on a similar page to make things work, one of Punk’s first angles upon coming back would then be with Jericho in some capacity. FTR — who has been pushing to do a program with Punk, specifically for All In — and other members of the Jericho Appreciation Society could get involved as things expand, but at its baseline, it’s lining up as Punk vs. Jericho. 

The bad blood between Punk and Jericho ratcheted back up last month when Punk singled Jericho out in particular in a since-deleted Instagram post. Since then, Jericho has given some winks on social media that he’s not down to work with Punk if a return should happen. However, it is entirely possible that such an approach was taken by “Le Champion” in order to stoke the fires of interest toward a big-money feud in the planning stages.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW President Tony Khan is reportedly planning to have a meeting with Chris Jericho, FTR, and CM Punk soon. 

Dave Meltzer reported the news on today’s episode of Wrestling Observer Radio. There will also be others in the meeting, with the hope that the meeting can resolve the issues among them.

Meltzer brought up that there are still backstage issues with a lot of talent and Punk for his rant at the All Out media scrum and backstage brawl with The Elite. 

As previously reported, AEW is tentatively planning for Punk to make his return on the June 21 edition of Dynamite.

Source: eWrestlingNews

After months of speculation on the status of one of wrestling’s biggest stars, it now seems as though CM Punk will be returning to AEW. Fightful Select reports that there are tentative plans within AEW to bring Punk back at or around the June 21 edition of “AEW Dynamite,” which will take place in Chicago. Punk’s return may also be announced ahead of time, possibly at the Warner upfront in May.

While Punk is reportedly hoping to work with Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks, Fightful Select has gotten no indication that The Elite are interested, and no word of communication between them and Punk. The report does claim that at some point there was a meeting planned between Punk and Chris Jericho. Jericho was one of the subjects of an acidic rant on Instagram from Punk, calling the former AEW Champion “a liar and a stooge.” Punk also targeted Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer and Jon Moxley as well in the tirade.

Punk has not been seen in AEW since September 2022, when he launched into a vitriolic promo against Colt Cabana, Hangman Page, The Young Bucks, Kenny Omega, Tony Khan, and many of his co-workers at a press conference following All Out. Punk’s words led to an altercation in his locker room involving Punk, Omega, The Bucks, Ace Steel, members of the AEW talent relations staff, and Punk’s dog Larry, which was witnessed by AEW Chief Counsel Megha Parekh. The fallout from this turned Punk into a divisive figure in the wrestling business. AEW World Tag Team Champion Dax Harwood has been lobbying for Punk to return in time to wrestle at AEW’s upcoming All In event in Wembley Stadium.

A report suggests that Punk may find himself on AEW’s third television show that is allegedly slated to launch later this summer.

According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Punk’s return will involve him starring on AEW’s new Saturday night show. Internal discussions were revealed to be leaning toward a June debut for the additional two-hour show, but as of now, the only live and televised Saturday taping has been announced for July 8 in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Regardless of when the third show officially begins, Punk seems poised to be a focal figure of the program, as AEW aims to offer the same star power as their flagship show “Dynamite.”

WON also reports that with Punk as the star, the overall roster would split to a “large degree” for the Saturday show in an attempt to “ease the dressing room problems” and keep certain talent separated. The exact makeup of the expected roster for the third show was not identified. While the third show appears to be headed toward a roster split, pay-per-views or special events like All In at Wembley Stadium will continue to be “all hands on deck.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.