CM Punk In Strong Position For AEW Return?

AEW

Some backstage may not want CM Punk to return to AEW, but that doesn’t mean that his return wouldn’t be best for business.

With previous reports stating that some had claimed CM Punk is “a cancer” in the locker room of AEW and Dax Harwood’s podcast suggestion that CM Punk and The Elite should work out their differences leading to some in AEW being unhappy with the suggestion, it would seem pretty clear that a Punk return wouldn’t be the most welcome of options.

There is, however, a very strong reason for Tony Khan wanting to bring CM Punk back and that would be money.

In the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (subscription required), Dave Meltzer reported:

“Things have heated up regarding the Dax Harwood podcast and CM Punk seemingly pushing that he wants to come back and do business.

“Punk posted on Instagram a photo of him with FTR, as well as pushing his No. 2 in merch sales and a list of the most-watched YouTube videos from AEW in 2022, of which he was in many of them including the top two.”

The popularity of CM Punk among the wrestling audience can’t be understated with this impact for a man who hasn’t been seen on AEW television since September 2022.

With the belief being that Tony Khan and CM Punk are working on a contract buy-out with the no-compete as the sticking point, Meltzer has now suggested an alternative path for negotiations, suggesting:

“The unique part of this story is that dissension would likely be a benefit to Punk, as would falling business numbers because Punk’s value would be the idea he could get numbers back up during what could be a contract year.

“In theory, he should be okay by April or May after his triceps surgery.

“That would also be around the time FTR’s contract expires.”

Whilst much of the reaction to the first episode of FTR with Dax centred around CM Punk, Meltzer would also highlight a missed piece of news, saying:

“While there was a ton of talk about Dax Harwood’s podcast within the company, the one thing that didn’t seem to get around or mentioned was him saying was that if there was a Mount Rushmore of tag teams, that the Young Bucks should be on it for all the things they’ve done in the ring and their influence on the business.”

You can listen to FTR with Dax here.

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• contract status
• cm punk
• AEW

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