CM Punk returned to the world of All Elite Wrestling tonight, and in typical CM Punk fashion, got a lot off of his chest in a stunning promo.
To kick off the debut of Saturday’s AEW Collision, Punk made his highly anticipated return to the ring with a pair of sneakers around his neck and holding a bright red bag with something in it. After being serenaded by fans, Punk to the mic, and unleashed on his absence, his future, and those who might want an apology from the superstar. Punk said that the reason he’s where he is now by riding the wave of “smart, passionate fans.”
Punk went on to say throughout his career, he’s never compromised, has always been unapologetically himself, and always would be. He said that “the sheer magnitude” of himself may make some uncomfortable, but that’s because he’s the truth, and sometimes, the truth hurts. He went on to say that fans can call him a hero, they can love him or hate him, but no matter what, they know he’s right.
He then took a not so thinly veiled shot at AEW’s The Young Bucks, saying that Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav calls him “One Bill Phil,” because he is “the one, true genuine bill in a business full of counterfeit bucks.”
Punk’s message is obviously a callback to the infamous backstage brawl that took place between Punk and the Young Bucks following AEW’s All Out pay-per-view. That fight also came following some very pointed comments Punk made in the post-show media scrum, where he negatively talked about Hangman Page, called out the EVPs of AEW, and more.
To close out the promo, Punk said that there are some people who believe they are owed an apology, and sometimes, it’s better to be the bigger man in a situation. To that end, Punk did apologize…by saying that he was sorry that the “only people softer than you are the wrestlers you like.” Punk then said that the last time people saw him, he was winning what was inside of the bag he brought with him. While some might want him to retire, Punk says that until someone can fill the boots he brought him with like he can, he won’t be going anywhere.
In the main event, Punk wrestles for the first time since AEW All Out 2022. He teamed up with FTR and defeated Jay White, Juice Robinson, and Samoa Joe. At the end of the hard-fought bout, FTR hit Robinson with the Shatter Machine, and Punk pinned him with the GTS.
Catch up on our coverage of the June 17 episode of AEW Collision here.
