CM Punk has been out of action since September of 2022, but he made his big return on the first episode of AEW Collision. CM Punk made his way down to the ring with his boots around his neck while carrying a red bag. He said he makes a lot of people uncomfortable because he is the truth. He said that people love him because he never compromised, and he never could have done what he’s done in his career without the fans.
The former AEW World Champion said that people can call him whatever they want, but David Zaslav of Warner Bros. Discovery calls him “1 bill Phil.” Punk said David calls him that because he is the “one genuine article in a business full of counterfeit bucks.”
The Chicago fans then chanted for CM Punk and he said that the king is back and he has a lot of things to get off his chest. He said there are some people who feel they are owed an apology, and he said if anyone feels like he owes them an apology then he’s sorry that “the only people softer than you are the wrestlers you like.”
The Second City Saint picked up the red bag and said that the AEW World Championship belt he never lost is in there. He said he earned the title belt, so it belongs to him until someone pins him or submits him for it. Punk took his boots off his neck and said that he’s sure there were some people who were hoping to see him hang them up for good and walk off into the sunset, but until there’s someone in the company that can fill his boots they belong on his feet.
Punk held up the bag and taunted MJF when he looked in the camera and said “what’s in the bag Max?”
