


He’s also been out of action on NXT since last summer. His arrival is also a huge surprise, because there wasn’t even news about his WWE contract expiring. Punk has not been on AEW programming since his infamous tirade after AEW All Out in September of last year that led to a backstage brawl between Punk, Kenny Omega, Matt and Nick Jackson, Punk's friend and trainer Ace Steel, members of the AEW talent relations staff, and Punk's dog Larry. Strong isn’t the biggest name, but he’s a great in-ring performer who can be a big help to the entire AEW roster. "AEW Collision" will air on Saturday nights at 8 PM ET on TNT and run two hours, making it the second major show for AEW behind its flagship program "Dynamite." The announcement that the show would take place in Chicago's United Center, the location of Punk's AEW debut, further fed the speculation that Punk would be returning to action. A big upcoming AEW debut may have accidentally been leaked early. Khan had been tight-lipped about Punk's possible return, even as he continued to tout the "Collision" premiere. Punk had long been rumored as returning to the company, with his difficulties with some members of the locker room creating the necessity for "Collision" and what is rumored to be a roster split for AEW.
