Report: AEW Feared CM Punk Would Damage Warner Bros. Discovery's Trust In Tony Khan

Had CM Punk and All Elite Wrestling been unable to reconcile, the situation may have had a long-term impact on the promotion's relations with their TV partner in the United States, Warner Bros. Discovery. 

Issues between AEW and CM Punk arose last week after the 44-year-old was told that Ace Steel would not be going back on the road with the promotion following the launch of Collision. Punk did not agree with AEW's decision and the Second City Saviour was subsequently pulled from promotional materials for the launch of AEW Collision on May 17, being replaced by MJF. 

While CM Punk and AEW were able to resolve their issues following a meeting between the two-time AEW World Champion and Tony Khan, PWTorch reported there was concern within the promotion that the situation with Punk could damage Warner Bros. Discovery's trust in Tony Khan and AEW to "sufficiently deal with internal matters." 

Past reports have stated that while WBD did not push for AEW to bring Punk back, they were heavily involved in his return after the media conglomerate found out the 44-year-old returning was a possibility. Punk is set to be the star of AEW Collision and return to the promotion on the debut episode of the new Saturday night show on June 17. He will be the star of AEW's Saturday nights along with the likes of Samoa Joe, Andrade El Idolo, Thunder Rosa, Powerhouse Hobbs, and Miro.