CM Punk received a hero's welcome when he made his first AEW appearance in over nine months by appearing at the maiden Collision show in his native Chicago.
Before his music hit, the large crowd at the United Center chanted for the two-time AEW world champion, and their cheers were rewarded when Punk came out.
Not seen in AEW since a backstage confrontation with The Elite after All Out 2021, Punk’s absence has been well documented and there was uncertainty whether he’d resume his stay in Tony Khan’s company.
Grabbing a microphone as soon as he entered the ring, Punk wasted no time in addressing his adoring public.
After declaring that ‘the king is back,’ Punk, armed with his former title and a pair of wrestling boots, stated that he’s still very much the man in AEW until someone beats him.
After being stripped of the belt last September, Punk clearly believes that he’s still the top performer in the promotion as he didn’t lose his title in the ring.
In the show's main event, Punk would score the pinfall on Juice Robinson as he joined FTR to defeat Robinson, Jay White, and Samoa Joe.