Update on CM Punk’s AEW return: Saturday show, brand split, working with Jericho

  • Ian Carey
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There are several updates available regarding CM Punk’s potential return to AEW. 

On Sunday’s edition of Wrestling Observer Live, our own Andrew Zarian provided an update on the situation, noting that Warner Bros Discovery has been informed that Punk will be returning. 

Zarian said:

I know for a fact that Warner has been told he’s coming back. They are very much aware of the situation. He had recently said he is willing to return to AEW and he wants to make it work. So, the issue here is that he’s willing to work with The Elite members, I know as of the time I was told, and as of early this week, there was no intention on the other side, maybe Kenny a little bit more than the Bucks but I know they do not want to work with him. There’s been no dialogue between the two sides either regarding sitting down and making this work.

Regarding the potential Saturday AEW show, Zarian said the “soft brand split” of the roster would not be as soft as he first mentioned on The Mat Men podcast. 

He said:

The plans have been put in place to possibly have a tentative Saturday show to be the ‘soft’ brand split. When I used that term yesterday on Mat Men, I was told that it’s less soft than I’m putting out there. I guess there will be people that are predominantly on the other show, on the Saturday show. 

Zarian continued to mention the planned meeting involving Punk, Tony Khan, Chris Jericho, and FTR. He noted that the main program on the Saturday show will likely involve Punk and Jericho. 

Zarian continued:

I’ve heard this from multiple people and the way it was alluded to me is that the program will probably be Punk and Jericho in some capacity. I don’t know if FTR is involved or Jericho’s society’s involved but you know what? That’s a very smart way to do this. Jericho has presented himself as a locker room leader, Jericho came out and said he’s toxic or whatever he said, and he’s willing to make this work because he realizes that there’s money in this.