CM Punk’s AEW Collision Drama Is Another Huge Red Flag For Tony Khan

Tony Khan got into the CM Punk business, and business is bombing.

Khan’s latest controversy with the increasingly polarizing CM Punk happened right in front of Warner Bros Discovery executives. This past week during the WBD upfronts, Punk was reportedly set to be announced for AEW Collision. Though the show was announced for June 17, AEW has yet to announce a location. The fallout has created yet another headache for Tony Khan as he continues to force CM Punk back into an AEW locker room.

CM Punk Drama With AEW Reportedly Involves Ace Steel

The United Center, Punk’s hometown, was presumed to be the location for the show’s debut, but due to a last-minute snag involving Punk’s longtime friend Ace Steel, Punk has since been removed from AEW Collision marketing materials. Tony Khan’s major announcement gave way to yet another tease to stay tuned next week for the location of AEW Collision’s debut. The latest holdup seems to be revolved around Steel being allowed to work backstage. Though it’s believed Steel was rehired months ago, he has reportedly been working remotely.

Khan’s big moment on Dynamite was castrated in what was essentially an announcement about an announcement.

To add insult to injury, Khan’s familiar strategy, of advertising an announcement to juice ratings, didn’t work. AEW Dynamite garnered just 814,000 viewers against stiff competition from the NBA playoffs and the Vanderpump Rules finale. The number marked AEW’s second-lowest viewership of 2023.

CM Punk’s pattern of one step forward, two steps back in AEW continues amid a series of bizarre mini-controversies from the former AEW world champion. Just as he lashed out at wrestling reporters Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez during the now-infamous All Out Media scrum, Punk continues to speak out against the F4WOnline staffers during his highly active dormancy.

“Look everyone, Bryan Alvarez doesn’t like it when misinformed internet trolls make up rumors about him so please stop making up rumors and stories for clicks while Bryan makes up rumors and stories for clicks okay? He’s married for gods sake! By gawd that man has a family!!! (Bryan Alvarez shut the f*ck up and stop talking about me challenge day 1),” wrote Punk in an Instagram Story. In March, a similar Instagram Story from Punk targeted Meltzer, calling him a liar.

Punk launched additional shots at what he called “fringe” wrestling fans, whom he told to go “touch grass.”

Punk is not wrong to be frustrated with the pro wrestling media, which is a troll-infested wasteland of cronyism rife with misinformation in an industry of carnies all too happy to give it. But given his long history of baggage that follows him everywhere he goes, Punk’s latest drama is cause for concern.

CM Punk is at peak levels of paranoia, all while his relationship with AEW remains rocky. If Punk does return, this version of Phil Brooks doesn’t sound any different than the one who turned AEW’s locker room upside down back in September. CM Punk randomly showing up in a WWE parking lot doesn’t scream “changed man.” Punk taking to Instagram Stories to criticize AEW creative and its top stars doesn’t give off “turning over a new leaf” vibes.

In a year where CM Punk has dominated headlines with one publicity stunt after another—despite not appearing on AEW programming once—Punk’s latest tiff with AEW is yet another warning sign. Even if AEW and CM Punk are able to patch things up long enough to announce the United Center for AEW Collision’s debut, (recent) history suggests these peace talks will only be temporary.