On Friday, April 14, Deadspin released an article titled ‘CM Punk is gaslighting AEW.’
AEW’s Brandon Cutler, later that day posted to his Twitter “Someone gets it” with a link to the Deadspin article. Cutler has since then deleted the tweet and his Twitter account has now been made private.
Cutler was one of several AEW talent involved in last September’s All Out backstage altercation. He was suspended along with EVP’s Matt and Nick Jackson and Kenny Omega. Michael Nakazawa Christopher Daniels, Ace Steel and Punk were all also suspended. Steel ended up being released from the company. Cutler then returned just two weeks after he was reportedly suspended.
AEW star Cash Wheeler of FTR took to Twitter Saturday saying everyone needs to do better to fix this situation, no fingers pointed and wants what is best for AEW. He also went onto say that no one is innocent and that he is tired of reading all the negativity from fans and wrestlers.
Wheeler’s tag team partner has been open in the recent past about wanting to bring Punk back to AEW and work together. Harwood has talked up the idea of having Punk and FTR in a feud with Omega and the Young Bucks. There has been some talk about having this match at the All In: London PPV this August at Wembley Stadium as a way to move tickets. FTR recently signed new four-year contracts with AEW and defeated The Gunns to win the World Tag Team Titles back on the April 5 episode of Dynamite in a career vs. titles match.
AEW CEO and President Tony Khan stripped Punk of World Championship that he had won from Jon Moxley in the main event of the PPV, following the backstage fight. There had been reports that Tony Khan was going to buy out the reminder of Punk’s contract.
In addition, there also has been talk about Punk either being a part of Khan’s Ring of Honor. The weekly TV show streams every Thursday on the HonorClub streaming service. Khan had stated during the Supercard of Honor PPV media scrum last month that the service at that time, only has 12,000 subscribers. Khan may be looking to find a way to increase the numbers.
There has also been reports about a new show coming soon to either TBS or TNT. Some have said the new show, which is rumored to air on Saturday night’s at 6:05 pm ET, would have a “soft brand split” with only AEW talent who is willing to work with Punk.
In speaking on the Strictly Business podcast with Jon Alba, WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff stated the following when asked to comment on all the recent news surrounding CM Punk:
“If I was Tony, I’d just eat the, whatever it is, however many millions of dollars a year he’s paying, just pay the cat off and chalk it up as a learning experience. You’re gonna keep learning, one way or the other. You’re either gonna pay this cat off and learn a hard lesson, and move on with your life, or you’re gonna let this festering wound continue to infect the rest of your business going forward, and you’re still paying him. I don’t get it.”
Transcript source: Fightful
You can hear all of Bischoff’s comments in the entire podcast, which can be watched below:
We reported this past Thursday that Fightful Select reportedly had stated AEW is planning Punk’s return.
As of that writing, the plan is for Punk to return on the June 21 episode of Dynamite, which will take place at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, or possibly at a date that would around June 21.
It was also said AEW has even discussed the possibly announcing Punk’s return well ahead of time, potentially at the Warner Bros. Discovery Upfronts on Wednesday, May 17, which will be held at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Chris Jericho reportedly stated following the All Out PPV backstage altercation, he doesn’t want to work with Punk and told the AEW locker room that Punk would not be welcomed back. Fightful Select also had said that the word is there was a meeting planned between Punk and Jericho to see if they would possibly work together.
Be sure to tell us your thoughts in the comments section below.