CM Punk AEW return rumors: Everything to know

According to a Fightful Select report, there are tentative plans for CM Punk to return to AEW this year. Here’s everything you need to know.

Last September, what happened after AEW’s All Out pay-per-view overshadowed the event itself. That is because there was the much-discussed CM Punk press conference, which then led to a fight between himself and the Elite (Kenny Omega, Matt Jackson, and Nick Jackson). Punk and the Elite were stripped of their respective titles and suspended as a result. The Elite made their return two months later at the Full Gear pay-per-view, Punk has yet to return to the company due in part to a torn triceps suffered in his match at All Out.

There was doubt that he would ever return to AEW, especially after a deleted Instagram story post by Punk went viral not too long ago. But there is now some huge information regarding Punk’s status with the company. Could a return really be in the works?

Is CM Punk returning to AEW?

According to a Fightful Select report (subscription required), Punk had expressed a desire to return to AEW, and that “it seems like the pieces are being put in place for it to happen.” Fightful Select does include a disclaimer that “nothing is set in stone” and that “things can change.”

The outlet does say that they have heard that “the wheels were in motion” following a previous report regarding Punk’s interest to return to wrestling.

When will CM Punk return to AEW?

Per Fightful Select, they were told previously that the June 21 episode of Dynamite is “a date to look out for.” But since then, they were told that the working plan was for Punk “to return at that show, or at the very least around it.”

That episode of Dynamite will be taking place at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, which is the home of WNBA’s Chicago Sky and the men’s and women’s basketball teams for DePaul University.

There were also discussions about announcing Punk’s return at the Warner Bros. Discovery Upfront on May 17, which is set to be held at The Theater at Madison Square Garden.

Will CM Punk work with The Elite if he returns to AEW?

The one main question about a Punk return to AEW would be if he and the Elite could work with one another. Fightful Select elaborated on it, saying that the Punk wants to work with the Elite, and an AEW source said that he was pushing for a meeting with everyone “for quite a while,” but there had been no indication that progress had been made. Additionally, Fightful heard that there was no contact between Punk and The Elite.

Omega and the Young Bucks are due for new contracts with AEW later this year.