CM Punk cuts AEW return promo, says World title belongs to him

CM Punk opened the first-ever episode of Collision with a promo, and as per usual, he didn’t mince words.

Towards the end of the promo, Punk said that the last time people saw him, he was carrying what was in a bag he took to the ring, referring to when he won the AEW World Championship from Jon Moxley at last year’s All Out. He said that the contents in the bag belonged to him until someone defeated or submitted him.

Punk entered the ring at the start of the show to a loud, positive reaction. He said that he was tired of being nice, and was on the shelf for ten months with a ruptured triceps. He said that he loves the people, and they love him because he’s unapologetically been himself. He said that his presence makes people feel uncomfortable because he is the truth, and the truth is painful. At this point in the promo, a “F*** The Elite” chant began. 

Punk said that people can call him whatever they want, but David Zaslav (the head of Warner Bros. Discovery) calls him ‘One Bill Phil’, because “he is the one true article in a business full of counterfeit bucks.”

He said that he apologized, apologizing for people “who are softer than the wrestlers they like.” He finished the promo by grabbing boots that were around his neck, saying people prayed he would hang them up. He said until someone filled those boots, they belong on his feet.

CM Punk has been out of AEW since last September when he ruptured his triceps in a match against Jon Moxley at All Out. Later that night, he and Ace Steel got into a fight with The Elite over comments Punk made at a post-match media scrum. Everyone involved was suspended as AEW conducted an investigation. Ace Steel, who was originally fired from the company, was brought back when the deal was made for CM Punk to return to AEW. However, he will not be working on the road.