Tony Khan discusses CM Punk's connection with fans

CM Punk has been absent from AEW programming since the fallout of All Out 2022 where he defeated Jon Moxley and suffered a torn triceps before having an infamous tirade during the post-show media scrum.
This led to a backstage physical altercation with The Elite’s Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks. Everyone was suspended and stripped of their titles.
While The Elite subsequently made their way back in November 2022, AEW recently announced Punk will make his return on the premiere episode of their new weekly two-hour show, AEW Collision.
Speaking with Brandon Walker on Barstool’s Rasslin, Tony Khan shared his thoughts and excitement on Punk’s upcoming return. He said:

“It’s very exciting. CM Punk’s been out injured since All Out, and he had a triceps injury in the main event match. We have not seen him in a long time. I’m very excited about his return to the ring.”
“He’s one of the biggest names in AEW, he’s a top star. He’s one of the biggest names in all of wrestling. One of his greatest rivals in his entire career is Samoa Joe. I’m very excited to feature Samoa Joe on Collision also.”
“I think it’s very interesting they’ll be on opposite sides of this match. It’s also really cool that the AEW World Tag Team Champions FTR are gonna be featured here on Collision and across all AEW programming, and FTR certainly gonna be showcased alongside CM Punk.”
“I think they’re a great trio. I’m really excited to have them in the first main event with CM Punk and FTR taking on Samoa Joe, Jay White, and Juice Robinson.” 

Khan continued on to note that Punk’s return will be done in a special way with the June 17 show taking place at the United Center in Chicago, saying:
“I think for the fans who wanted to see CM Punk return, he’s doing it in a grand fashion, and it’s gonna be really exciting in such a big main event of such a huge show in his hometown, Chicago, for the debut of a new show, Saturday Night Collision. I think it’s gonna be really cool.”

When asked whether he has an idea as to how fans will respond to Punk’s return, Khan replied:
“Well, I think it’ll be very exciting to see how the fans react, but I expect a very positive reaction, particularly in Chicago for the first episode. I think then, going forward, CM Punk’s one of the most popular wrestlers in the world, so certainly he’s gonna get a great reaction.”
“Depending on who his opponent and the type of reaction he’s trying to get, I expect CM Punk to connect with the crowd as well as anybody in the entire pro wrestling business.”
“He had an amazing connection with the fans, and I think that’s part of his longevity and his mystique is his amazing connection with the crowd.”
“CM Punk’s a really great wrestler, and I’m very excited to have him back in AEW, starting this Saturday night on TNT on AEW Collision.”

On the June 17 premiere episode of AEW Collision, CM Punk will team up with AEW World Tag Team Champions FTR to face Samoa Joe and Bullet Club’s Jay White and Juice Robinson in a six-man tag team match.
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