CM Punk’s Leverage Grows Amid Scary Low AEW Collision Ticket Sales

AEW Collision’s ticket sales are almost as disastrous as the promotion’s own looming disaster should CM Punk remain dormant.

Punk has not appeared on AEW programming since September 2022, and after a series of bizarre scandals with AEW in recent weeks, Punk’s current status with the promotion is anybody’s guess.

According to Dave Meltzer of “Wrestling Observer Radio” (h/t Wrestling Inc), AEW Collision in Newark, New Jersey on July 22 has sold 3,500 tickets. Toronto, Ontario, Canada on June 24 has sold around 1,600 tickets on Forbidden Door Eve. Most concerning, AEW Collision’s June 29 taping has sold less than 600 tickets as of this writing.

Despite AEW’s impressive ticket sales overseas, the promotion continues to struggle selling tickets domestically. Earlier this month, it was reported that AEW Double or Nothing was at 70% capacity, and as of May 8 it had only sold 200 tickets in the last month.

AEW needs a spark in the states, and CM Punk is the only AEW star on the roster who can provide the spark they need. Unfortunately, Punk is also a perennially toxic lighting rod liable to blow up a locker room in his slumber. AEW Collision is has zero buzz on its own merits. Rumors of a third (read: unnecessary) television show for AEW were always attached to the return of CM Punk. Given the low ticket sales for Collision, AEW’s Saturday night show needs CM Punk the way Tony Khan needs a spine.

Punk is a pro wrestling siren and Tony Khan is smitten.

AEW’s ice-cold ticket sales for Collision gives CM Punk leverage in an increasingly tense standoff with AEW. AEW was reportedly planning to announce the return of CM Punk as initial plans called for Collision to debut inside the massive United Center, similar to AEW Rampage’s debut in 2021.

But if CM Punk and AEW can’t come to an agreement, and Punk stays home, AEW could be forced to move Collision to Daily’s Place. At that point, AEW Collision would resemble AEW Rampage now. Even if Tony Khan announces the United Center for AEW Collision, there’s no guarantee Punk will physically show up to the venue until it actually happens.

Tony Khan’s handling of the CM Punk-Elite Brawl Out has been a masterclass of cowardice. Instead of making a firm decision, or even communicating any semblance of an update to the public, Tony Khan has procrastinated at every level, right down to the Warner Bros Discovery upfronts where AEW’s plans had to be changed at the last minute. The fact that AEW had to overhaul its plans the day before AEW Collision’s major announcement paints a picture of backstage disarray and a company devoid of any real leadership.

AEW Dynamite on Wednesday marks another pivotal deadline for AEW, as Tony Khan will announce the debut location for AEW Collision. Whether it’s Daily’s Place or the United Center will go a long way in deciding whether or not CM Punk will return.