CM Punk posted a message that sparked plenty of buzz, and multiple reports offered an update on Ace Steel.
The former AEW World Champion has been absent from AEW since “Brawl Out”, his infamous brawl with Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks after AEW All Out 2022. Everyone involved was suspended after the incident, and while Omega and the Bucks have returned, Punk has remained absent. For a number of weeks, his return has reportedly been set for the launch of AEW’s new show, AEW Collision.
Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed the premiere of AEW Collision for June 17, and while the press release initially named Punk, it was subsequently edited to remove him. This change fueled speculation that Punk’s return for Collision may not be as set as it had once seemed.
Punk took to Instagram to respond to the rumors and asked people to stop making up rumors for clicks. He pointed out that he hasn’t been on AEW TV in nine months but people can’t stop talking about him. Punk notes that whether it’s love or hate, it’s all the same to him.
In a video on his Instagram, Punk delivered another message.
“One more before I go really quick,” Punk said. “The parasocial relationship a lot of cringe wrestling fans have with certain people is really unhealthy. I get the tribalism like it’s fun to root for your team, but picking sides seems a little silly. You don’t know me. You don’t know anybody else. So, you know, just go touch grass.”
Additionally, multiple reports have focused on Ace Steel, Punk’s close friend who was also involved with Brawl Out. Steel had reportedly been fired after the incident, but according to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select, his return alongside Punk has been discussed.
Per Sapp, Warner Bros. Discovery, AEW, and TNT had promotional material that included Punk made for AEW Collision. In the previously reported meeting between Punk and Jericho, the latter brought up the possibility that Steel could come back to the company. Sapp wrote that the belief was that the individuals involved working together could soothe some tensions and indicate a willingness to do business.
The report stated that, per sources, AEW and Punk met this week, and the former AEW World Champion was told that Steel could return and work with him. However, Steel would “not be able to be at AEW television.” Aside from Punk’s agreement, it’s unclear how he reacted to this development.
Sapp also wrote that AEW had plans for a crew to film material at Punk’s home on Wednesday, but it has not been confirmed whether that happened. As of this writing, Sapp reported that there has been no word on any change in plans for Punk.
Additionally, Mike Johnson of PWInsider reported that IMPACT Wrestling had recently been interested in bringing Steel in, but he passed. Johnson wrote that Steel is expected to return with Punk in June, but Steel will not be working at the AEW Collision tapings. Per Johnson, Punk and AEW were at odds over the decision, which is why the former champion was removed from promotional materials for AEW Collision.
Either way, it’s clear that fans will have to wait and see what the future holds for Punk, Steel, and AEW as a whole.
