With CM Punk’s return to AEW, company President Tony Khan considered a brand split, with those who support him on Collision and those against him on Dynamite.
The promotion has gone back and forth on it because Khan has stated “not as of now” in recent interviews regarding the split.
Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp reported that preparations and details were sent out a month ago, indicating that there would be two distinct rosters for both shows, though exceptions would be made.
According to the report, “The move at the time was met with mixed reactions internally. There were several wrestlers who weren’t happy they’d be missing out on signings and independent bookings, which is something AEW has long looked at as a luxury, as AEW is the first priority on all of their contracted talents.”
Others were pleased because it would reduce the drama and backstage squabbles that had occurred in recent years.
It was originally planned to be a hard split, but some members of the roster pointed out that it would be softer. Warner Bros. Discovery executives stated that they “preferred no split, but under the right circumstances, anything could work.”
The trademark application for “transfer portal” was supposed to be for the split, but AEW has “tabled the idea for the time being.”
