According to PWInsider in regard to the debut episode of Collision, the plan has long been to hold the show at the United Center in Chicago.
If AEW and CM Punk get everything back on track, the plan is still to run the debut episode from the United Center. If not, it is said that AEW will look to have the first episode at a different venue.
The report further notes that Punk and AEW have spoken since Punk was pulled from this past week’s Collision announcement.
It was was also said AEW did not hold a no pre-show meeting this week at Dynamite discussing Collision. It was business as usual. The talent did however, receive an email message from Sr. Vice President and Chief Legal Officer Megha Parekh, thanking talent for their hard work in helping bring the new TV series to fruition and details on scheduling and logistics for the talent who will be working on the show.
In an update from F4WOnline regarding the same matter, Punk was originally to be the focal point of Wednesday’s announcement of the new show. On Tuesday, however, WBD was asked by AEW to remove Punk from all Collision graphics and press releases. Punk’s image was replaced on the poster with MJF and Punk’s name was not mentioned along other returning wrestlers such as Miro, Thunder Rosa, and Andrade El Idolo.
Both Punk and Steel were said to be under the impression Steel would be returning to AEW as a producer for Collision. It was also noted that this was a “tightly guarded secret’ and sources within AEW even denied Steel had been re-hired.
Furthermore, the report states that a conflict arose when Khan told Punk that Steel would be re-hired but would work remotely rather than attending AEW shows in person. It was at that point that AEW was said to have asked WBD to remove any mention of Punk from promotional materials. WBD is under the impression that the situation will likely be resolved by next week.
Regarding our recent report on Bryan Danielson helping with creative for Collision going forward, PWInsider noted in their same report regarding CM Punk, that they have independently have confirmed Danielson will be giving suggestions and ideas and has been doing so unofficially for some time, at least since the Iron Man match he had with MJF at Revolution back in March. The belief is that Ace Steel will, at the very least, be doing the same. Tony Khan remains the booker.