This past Saturday night, AEW: Collision went live for the first time on TNT, and the first man down the entrance ramp was CM Punk. The Second City Saint had been absent from AEW TV for nearly ten months following his heated All Out media scrum, and the subsequent altercation that played out backstage with The Elite. Reportedly, Punk and the company’s remaining EVPs have yet to bury the hatchet, and many were intrigued to hear what the former World Champion would say when given a live microphone.
For his part, Punk didn’t direct all of his attention onto the issues that appear to still be lingering between himself and The Elite, just most of it. When he wasn’t revealing how Warner Brothers Discovery CEO gave him the nickname “One Bill Phil” because he isn’t a “Counterfit Buck,” or throwing shade at his detractors and the “soft” wrestlers they support, he was teasing a confrontation with current AEW World Champion MJF.
On today’s episode of Busted Open Radio, AEW President Tony Khan gave his thoughts on Punk’s AEW return promo and his performance in the inaugural Collision main event.
“I thought that it was a great show,” he stated. “I think CM Punk spoke his mind in the opening segment, and it set up a very compelling main event. We saw CM Punk go out and he proved it in the ring that he’s still got it. He went out there with FTR and they went about thirty minutes with Samoa Joe, Juice Robinson, and Jay White, three of the best. I believe the fans were so happy to see CM Punk back in wrestling.
“I think they were so happy to hear he’s still got that sharp wit, and I believe that the match itself really delivered, it was a great main event. Certainly, the fans really came to their feet many times throughout the match, in particular when CM Punk and Samoa Joe were about to get in the ring with each other, or whenever they connected in the ring. I think the fans are just so happy to have CM Punk back in pro wrestling, and back in AEW right now.”
If you use any quotes from this article please give a h/t to Haus of Wrestling for the transcription and credit Busted Open Radio