Backstage WWE and AEW Rumors: Latest on CM Punk, Becky Lynch vs. Trish Stratus, More

The wrestling world continues to be obsessed with the weekly behind-the-scenes drama involving CM Punk, and this collection of rumors is no different.

The former world champion made headlines following the announcement of AEW Collision and his notable absence from marketing materials.

Punk was not named or even hinted at in the promotional poster that featured international champion Orange Cassidy and AEW world titleholder MJF.

The latest on Punk's relationship with the promotion, and an update on the roster ahead of Collision, dominate this week's discussion.

Latest on CM Punk's AEW Return: Is He or Isn't He?

CM Punk was again the most buzzed about professional wrestler on the internet Wednesday when All Elite Wrestling announced the June 17 debut of Collision.

Conspicuous by his absence from the marketing materials was The Best in the World, who was expected to be the centerpiece of the Saturday night brand.

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reported that, while it hasn't been confirmed if it has anything to do with Punk's absence from the Collision announcement or not, AEW's stance on his friend and former backstage producer Ace Steel could be at the root of it:

"Fightful was told that there was a meeting this week between AEW and Punk, and it was extended to Punk that Steel would have the ability to be with the company and work directly with Punk. However, it was made clear that Ace Steel would not be able to be at AEW television. We haven’t learned specifically how Punk reacted to this, outside of him not being in agreement with it."

AEW finds itself in an interesting position as it has officially announced Collision but may not have the central star of the show to be, well, the star of the show.

If Punk does not return, and the company maintains its insistence on the limitation of Steel's involvement at the shows, it may find itself having to forego plans to split rosters and be stuck with a more traditional second show.

Again, no one really knows what the situation is at its core or the nuances that have gone into smoothing things over in recent months, but the creative repercussions could be significant and place an enormous hurdle for Tony Khan and Co. to overcome if Collision is to move forward without a star the magnitude of the former WWE Superstar.

On a bigger scale, it would be a significant failure for AEW as it seemed to have Punk ready to return and help expand it as the star of a completely separate entity from Dynamite, only to watch it fall apart over the insistence that Steel not accompany Punk to television.

Maybe all of this is for naught, Punk will return and Collision will kick off as expected. Whatever the case, the Chicago native remains the most polarizing, compelling competitor in the wrestling world.

Becky Lynch and Trish Stratus to Extend Beyond Night of Champions

Becky Lynch and Trish Stratus will square off at Night of Champions, but that match will merely be the conclusion of chapter one in their rivalry as the feud is expected to extend beyond the May 27 pay-per-view in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, reported Sapp.

That is probably for the best, if only because a match and feud of that magnitude deserves more than one contest at one of the Saudi Arabia shows.

Stratus is the top star of the golden era of women's wrestling while Lynch built on her foundation to become, arguably, the biggest star of this generation.

They have earned the right to settle their differences on a stage grander and more significant than what Night of Champions will offer. Say, perhaps, SummerSlam in August?

Whether it is there or in the UK at Money in the Bank, the feud should have an apropos finale that maximizes the credibility, legitimacy and star power of both women. Those two stages provide it in a way the Saudi cash grab events can't, at this point at least.

AEW Collision Debut and a 'Hard' Brand Split

Credit: All Elite Wrestling

Sapp continued a busy work week by reporting that the introduction of AEW Collision is to be accompanied by a "hard" brand split, with the exceptions being current champions and any outside talent from other promotions.

As mentioned, CM Punk would be expected to head up one show while The Elite's Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks and "Hangman" Adam Page would be the focal point of the other.

Beyond those names, the roster would be split in two and each show would feature unique rivalries, with champions moving freely between the shows.

AEW has long had a roster big enough for two shows, with one of the biggest knocks against the company being how many competitors are left off of Dynamite routinely.

Now, with another outlet for them to compete on that should be treated as equal to the flagship, seldom-used talent will be able to benefit from opportunities they had not previously had.

At least in theory. If the plans involving Punk fall through, as much of a blow as it would be early on, it would be an even greater chance for AEW to make a star out of someone like Miro, Andrade El Idolo or anyone else frustrated over their lack of usage.

It is still a risky proposition of sorts because Tony Khan has yet to convince fans that he can book a second two-hour show every week that matches the quality of Dynamite.

It certainly didn't happen with Rampage, so Collision could well be his definitive response to the critics and doubters.