CM Punk is set to return to AEW very soon. This comes after a long absence from the ring, with a torn tricep and suspension following All Out 2022, which took Punk off of TV and out of the spotlight. He’s set to take a leading role on the new AEW show, Saturday Night Collision – which debuts on June 17th, 2023. With the debut episode set to take place in Chicago, Punk will get a heroes welcome from fans – but some backstage are wishing AEW & Punk went separate ways.
Top Wrestlers In AEW Would Be Relieved If CM Punk Left AEW
In a report posted to PW Torch, Wade Keller would share the following about the backstage reaction to CM Punk’s upcoming return to AEW.
“I am consistently told by multiple people in AEW in various roles and of various ages and experience levels – wrestlers and otherwise (some who have known Punk for many years and others who just have been around him in AEW) – that most of AEW’s top wrestlers who regularly appear on Dynamite would be relieved if Punk and AEW parted ways.”
It is fairly Simple to speculate just what names are anti-Punk at this stage. We know The Elite can likely be counted in this category given the situation following All Out.
Chris Jericho called Punk ‘a cancer to the locker room’ but also offered to work with him upon his return, and spent time with Punk in WWE. Another name who has worked with Punk in WWE & AEW is Jon Moxley, who is someone who has spoken with Keller in the past, with Keller getting Mox’s first interview post WWE.
Tony Khan is forced to make a major choice here. Punk has been a proven draw for AEW in terms of attendance, TV ratings and PPV buys – but if his presence drives a wedge between AEW and several main event names? It becomes a tricky situation.
Seemingly the hope is to keep Punk away from his detractors with a separate touring roster, which also helps fill the demand for more weekly AEW TV to showcase their roster. Right now, Punk is set to feud with Samoa Joe upon his return to the company.
Do you think Punk’s return will be good for AEW in the long run? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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