Tony Khan Comments On CM Punk's AEW Return, Creation Of Collision

The anticipation for the launch of AEW Collision is hotting up, with Tony Khan officially announcing that CM Punk & FTR will take on Bullet Club Gold and Samoa Joe on the debut edition of the show on June 17.

Both Punk’s return to AEW and the launch of Collision have been a long time coming for the company, and ahead of the Second City Saint's return, AEW President Tony Khan spoke to Sports Illustrated about the controversial former AEW World Champion:

“He looked great in his last match. To the fans, he’s very important,” said Khan. “He’s very important to the company, too. He’s been a big draw for us and historically throughout his career, and the launch of the new show happens to line up with the schedule on his rehab of his triceps injury.”

Khan continued, segueing into the birth of AEW Collision:

“We have an amazing opportunity with AEW on Saturday nights on TNT, starting June 17, and it was truly the brainchild of [Warner Bros. Discovery CEO and president] David Zaslav. He asked about more AEW, specifically Saturday nights, on TNT. When it was pitched to us by TNT, I was so excited. It’s so exciting the timing [of Punk’s return from injury] coincides with the launch of Collision,” said Khan.

Punk’s match on June 17 will be his first since defeating Jon Moxley at AEW All Out 2022 last September.