Just days after winning the AEW World
Championship, CM Punk announced Friday on Rampage he’ll have to take
time away from the company to undergo surgery on an undisclosed
injury.

Punk, 43, confirmed he’s planning to
eventually return and “prove exactly why I’m the best in the world”:

ESPN’s Marc Raimondi reported AEW will
crown an interim champion while the Chicago native is on the mend. A
battle royal will be held Wednesday on Dynamite for a shot to face Jon Moxley for one of the spots in the main event at the Forbidden Door pay-per-view on June 26, where the interim belt will be up for grabs.

It’s a disappointing turn of events for
Punk, who made his long-awaited return to wrestling last August and
put together entertaining feuds with the likes of MJF and Darby Allin
before getting a shot at the company’s top title.

He was likely set for an extended run
as AEW world champion, as each of the first four title-holders—Chris
Jericho, Moxley, Kenny Omega and “Hangman” Adam Page—held the belt for at least six months.

Given that, he’ll probably be the heavy
favorite to win the unification match upon his return and embark on
his expected title run.

Punk didn’t provide information about
his recovery timetable, likely in order to retain the surprise
element for his eventual comeback.

Meanwhile, the good news for AEW is its roster features
plenty of depth, giving the company ample options to carry the
load while Punk is rehabbing.

Along with Moxley, it wouldn’t be a
surprise if MJF is thrown into the mix, as his current
anti-establishment storyline is gaining serious traction. Wardlow,
who defeated MJF at Double or Nothing, is also a star on the rise.

The biggest question is whether AEW
would prefer to go with a more established option like Mox or use
this opportunity to elevate a new face to the top of the card.

It’ll be intriguing to watch the
situation play out leading up to Forbidden Door later this month.

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