On September 4, 2022, CM Punk became the new AEW World Champion after defeating Jon Moxley at AEW’s All Out PPV. However, his title win was followed by no celebration but a mele backstage that caused shockwaves in the world of pro wrestling. During the post-show media scrum, the Straight Edge Champion took shots at Colt Cabana, Ada, “Hangman” Page, and the EVPs (Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks) of AEW. Punk flipped out after delivering a tirade of abuse. To make matters worse, he then walked backstage where the Elites confronted him. It all escalated quickly after Punk and Ace Steel engaged in a fistfight with the EVPs.
Following the incident, Ace Steel was fired while Punk and the EVPs were furloughed by AEW. Punk’s position in the company still hangs in the balance though Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks were brought back in November at Full Gear PPV.
Since then, several wrestling personalities have spoken against the former AEW World Champion and have expressed their unwillingness to work with him again. For months, rumors about AEW buying out CM Punk’s contract have been circulating on the internet, however, there are even speculations about Punk’s return to AEW.
AEW’s top talents including Chris Jericho are making sure that CM Punk isn’t brought back
Ever since his absence from the ring, fans have been spit balling Punk’s possible return to either WWE or AEW. While neither of the talents of both companies want to work with him, we cannot rule out his possible return.
Although CM Punk is now synonymous with controversy, he still remains a hot commodity in wrestling. According to a report from Wrestling Observer Newsletter, AEW’s top talents including Chris Jericho want no part of CM Punk so much that they’re even pushing for CM Punk’s permanent expulsion.
“Several of the top guys, Chris Jericho being among them, told the rest of the locker room that they’d make sure Punk wasn’t brought back.
“I think a lot depends on where business is in about five or six months when Punk viably could be back.”
In late October, it was reported that Chris Jericho confronted CM Punk following his scuffle backstage and told him that he was a “cancer” to the locker room and a detriment to the company. Jericho has since vehemently opposed CM Punk’s return to the product.
AEW Star implores CM Punk and the Elite to call a truce
While a handful of people want the Cult of Personality gone forever, a popular AEW talent wants him back. Speaking on his podcast FTR with Dax Harwood, former ROH tag team Champion Dax Harwood implored CM Punk and the Elite to bury the hatchet.
Harwood requested Punk and the Elite to set aside their differences and find a way to make it work for the sake of professional wrestling.
“This is my plea to all four guys. Please find a way to make it work. If we can make it work, we can set up the future of professional wrestling for a long time and we can change the course of professional wrestling for a very long time. When you think about it, unselfishly, we’re doing this for 20-30 years down the road so guys and girls can make a living,” said Harwood.
Interestingly, when Harwood’s plea circulated on Instagram, CM Punk commented “Duh” on the post. We don’t know if Punk is ready to let bygones be bygones and reconcile with the Elite but his reply surely means that he has an interest in calling a truce. But the question is, when? Punk’s status in wrestling still remains in a quandary.
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