Right now, we’re potentially on the cusp of something big in AEW. This past week on AEW Dynamite, things regarding CM Punk were shaky at best – from reports of him calling out Hangman Page without approval, as well as potentially no-showing the event all together. With AEW rushing the unification match between CM Punk & Jon Moxley – people are wondering what is coming next, and how we even got here.
CM Punk & Colt Cabana Have Been On Hard Terms Since A Series Of Lawsuits
The roots of these issues date all the way back to when CM Punk left WWE back in 2014. Following his exit, he got on the Art of Wrestling podcast with Colt Cabana, and would rip into WWE and their medical staff. When legal issues arose, Punk would promise to stand by Cabana and urged him to keep the podcast episode up, before leaving him with legal fees to deal with. This led to Cabana suing Punk, ending a decades long friendship.
Fast forward to AEW, and Colt Cabana was on the roster when CM Punk arrived. Cabana joined the roster in 2020, as a member of the Dark Order faction. However, once Punk made his big debut, Cabana would be phased out from the company – with Khan nearly letting his contract go. The Young Bucks would go to bat for Cabana, who would end up with a Ring of Honor contract, to keep Cabana & Punk on separate rosters.
Hangman Page Called CM Punk Out About Trying To Force Cabana Out Of The Company
This issue between CM Punk & Colt Cabana would be referenced by Hangman page during their feud ahead of AEW Double Or Nothing – where Punk took the AEW World Championship from Page. The line in question came during a promo, when Page had the following to say – alluding to Punk trying to force Cabana out.
“You claim to be for workers rights, but you’ve done nothing but the opposite since arriving here.”
Now, CM Punk would respond to this line – after calling out Page without things being planned during a promo to make him look like a coward to fans, Punk would have the following to say to Page.
“The apology must be as public and as loud as the disrespect.”
Punk was demanding an apology from Page, seemingly for simply being called out on his bullshit. If everything is as it seems, this is just an example of Punk being unprofessional, something he has a long history of being in backstage scenarios. Right now, the issues would be betweem Punk & Page, with Jon Moxley just being in a position to resolve things on-screen by taking Punk out, while issues can be resolved backstage. All reports indicate nothing put respect between Punk & Moxley, with their heated promos simply being due to being damn good with a microphone in hand.
It Might Be Time For Tony Khan To Get Serious About Running This Company
However, this wouldn’t be the first time professional wrestling has used reality to spur a storyline. It’s commonplace to do just that, and it always works to get fans just that bit more invested. Most recently, they would do this in regards to MJF – who cut a heated worked shoot promo following issues with him wanting better pay for his work in the company.
If it’s all just smoke and mirrors, it’s working. It has fans talking, and even longtime journalists like Dave Meltzer fooled. Meltzer went as far as to report the following about the brewing issues backstage. “ It feels like a number of people are close to their breaking point if things don’t get settled.” Right now, Punk is rumored to being close to quitting the company.
On the other hand, if this is all as it seems – it’s time for Tony Khan to prove he controls AEW, and lay down the law backstage – or risk losing key parts of his roster. Khan has always been more lax as a leader in AEW, and it might be due time for him to harden up, and take some proper control.
We’ve seen issues with his lax approach – with Jonathan Gresham requesting his release from AEW & ROH due to no communication, and Chavo Guerrero Jr. had similar issues before Gresham. It’s a growing trend, and one that points to Khan being in-experienced in his role.
What do you make of this situation with CM Punk & AEW? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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