CM Punk's reign as AEW world champion has encountered an early snag.
Punk, 43, said on Friday night's edition of Rampage that he has sustained an injury that
would necessitate surgery just five days after becoming champion. The AEW world championship
will not be relinquished by Punk, but an interim champion will be crowned in his absence.
In the main event of Double or Nothing on Sunday, Punk defeated Adam "Hangman" Page to
win the AEW world championship. Punk was then injured on Dynamite on Wednesday. On the
program, he worked with FTR to defeat Max Caster, Austin Gunn, and Colten Gunn. The interim AEW
global champion will be crowned on Sunday, June 26 at AEW and NJPW's co-promoted Forbidden Door
pay-per-view. Punk returned to pro wrestling last August, seven years after leaving WWE.