The main event for AEW All Out was set, but AEW president Tony Khan moved up the timeline.
Following his shocking return at the end of AEW Dynamite: Quake by the Lake, AEW World Champion CM Punk appeared on the August 17 edition of Dynamite to make the challenge official. Punk has declared he will face AEW Interim World Champion Jon Moxley at All Out to determine the undisputed title holder.
CM Punk opened Dynamite to initially call out Hangman Page, however Page did not appear. Punk went on to discuss Moxley being the interim champion and went on to state, “Jon Moxley is the third best guy in his own group, and that seems to be a reoccurring theme in his career.”
Jon Moxley eventually made his way through the crowd and into the ring to engage in a war of words. Moxley made remarks about how Punk ran out of money, which is why he decided to join AEW. Punk said he would touch Moxley now, however he was afraid Moxley would bleed all over him. Moxley then kissed Punk on the lips before they broke out in a scrap. Security separated the two to end the segment.
"Jon Moxley is the third best guy in his own group, and that seems to be a reoccurring theme in his career"
CM Punk shares his thoughts on the #AEW Interim World Champion LIVE on #AEWDynamite on TBS right now! pic.twitter.com/IPk0sVbwcj
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 18, 2022
Later in the show, Moxley came to the ring and called Punk out. Security officials and the Blackpool Combat Club held the two stars back, and AEW subsequently announced that the championship unification match will be held on the August 24 episode of AEW Dynamite.
Related: AEW Dynamite Results (8/17): AEW World Trios Title Tournament Begins