Report: CM Punk’s AEW return targeted for June, wants to work with The Elite

Plans are reportedly in place for CM Punk to return to AEW this summer. 

Fightful is reporting that Punk is expected back in time for the recently announced June 21 Dynamite from Chicago, either returning on the show or leading up to it. However, the outlet noted that “nothing is set in stone, and things can change as this is an often tumultuous situation.” 

Punk is said to want to work with The Elite upon his return and has pushed for a meeting with them “for quite awhile.” It is unclear if the two sides have had any contact but there is a meeting planned with Punk and Chris Jericho, who have also had various conflicts with one another. 

According to the report, there is “traction” inside Warner Bros Discovery regarding a potential new Saturday AEW show and it leading to a “soft brand split” for the roster. This could involve talent who do not want to work with each other being split up onto different shows. 

Our own Dave Meltzer reported last month that a reconciliation plan between Punk and AEW had been agreed upon. At the time, however, it was unclear if Punk’s Instagram comments critical of his program with Jon Moxley would impact his return. 

Meltzer wrote:

The situation with C.M. Punk became a bigger story this week when he put up an instagram post where he went off on Tony Khan, Jon Moxley, myself and Chris Jericho, which he immediately took down. This came while sides were working on a reconciliation that was at least in principle agreed to, per the decision of Khan who wanted him back. 

Meltzer continued:

Where things stand at this moment are unknown. There are tons of complicated issues involved and differences of opinions on the subject. But it was going to happen and then this happened and it still may end up happening.