CM Punk References AEW Firing In WWE SmackDown Promo

WWE

CM Punk made a reference to his AEW firing in a thunderous return promo on tonight’s Tribute to the Troops episode of WWE SmackDown.

With CM Punk addressing the excited crowd, he took time to query the crowd about what he should do next in WWE.

Asking them if they would rather he sign with WWE Raw or SmackDown, he also teased another intriguing prospect.

Punk asked fans if he wanted to see him throw “29 other superstars” over the top rope, get on the turnbuckle and point at the WrestleMania sign.

The crowd responded with a loud ‘CM Punk’ chant, seemingly in support of his reference to winning the Royal Rumble.

In the promo, he referenced Cody Rhodes, LA Knight and Jey Uso as potential allies whereas he had a wide array of future opponents, including Roman Reigns.

Telling Roman Reigns, “don’t forget who the OG Paul Heyman guy is,” he reminded Reigns that Heyman was Punk’s wise man first.

In another reference, Punk wondered if Kevin Owens would be someone he could align with but pondered an important question.

CM Punk said:

“Maybe we’re a little bit alike.

“I don’t know how who would feel comfortable working with someone who just punches people in the face backstage.

“It’s 2023, you can’t be doing stuff like that. It’s insane”

Whether or not the line was a literal reference to the alleged goings on backstage at AEW, it is still a fun reference for fans who have been following along with Punk in recent years.

CM Punk ended the promo noting that ‘finishing his story meant one thing: main eventing WrestleMania’ before dropping the microphone.

Elsewhere in amongst the promo, Punk made reference to Seth Rollins, saying that Rollins isn’t even “the man” in his own household (a nod to ‘The Man’ Becky Lynch, Rollins’ real-life wife), and also said the only thing Rollins has going for him is his entrance music.

After the commercial break, Punk was shown pausing in the backstage area out front of the Bloodline’s locker room when he was met by the aforementioned Kevin Owens.

Asking Owens if he knew where GM Nick Aldis’ locker room was, Owens replied with simply a “Nope,” while Punk responded with “Thanks for your help” before the two parted ways without incident.

Punk later approached Aldis who handed him a SmackDown contract, as Punk will choose to sign with either SmackDown or Raw this coming Monday.

Or as it turns out, even NXT, as he mentioned he had a meeting scheduled with NXT booker Shawn Michaels.

After Aldis left, Punk was met by another former AEW star in Cody Rhodes, who mentioned that his plans for his own story also involve winning the Royal Rumble and main eventing WrestleMania.

They shook hands and ended things on good terms, but it’s clear their goals are the same and their paths may cross soon enough.

Elsewhere on tonight’s WWE SmackDown, Randy Orton is set to team with LA Knight for the first time in the main event of the show against two members of the Bloodline.

Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa will be representing the Bloodline when they take on the returning Viper and his newest tag team partner, Knight.

You can keep up with all the latest news from around WWE by clicking this link.

"I don't know who would feel comfortable working with somebody who randomly just punches people in the face backstage…" 👀@FightOwensFight, you can't be doing that. 😂@CMPunk #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/Rhld9Zahde

— WWE (@WWE) December 9, 2023

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• cm punk
• Smackdown
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