According to a report from Fightful Select things with AEW talent regarding CM returning have reportedly cooled off a lot. It was also said there has been no chatter of any planned walkouts from talent, since the news that Punk is returning to the company.
The report notes how AEW officials have taken specific measures to make sure that as many talents which do have issues with Punk, or other people for that matter, are kept separately as a part of what is being said will be the brand split between Dynamite and Collision.
Fightful Select also said that Punk’s return to AEW also brings the return of his person Ace Steel who is a personal friend of Punk. Steel was released after last September as he was part of the backstage altercation at All Out, that also involved Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks. It was further stated that There is a feeling among some in AEW the situation would not have gotten out of hand the way it did if Steel wasn’t involved. Furthermore, Steel was seen as a valuable member of AEW as a creative mind and a coach for the talent.
The report also states that there were heavy creative pitches for a Punk/Chris Jericho feud. However, as of this writing, there is no word if this is still a direction Tony Khan and others have in mind. It was also stated that a program between Punk and the current ROH World Television Champion Samoa Joe is said to be still planned and creatively in the works. The two had a feud in Ring of Honor.
The report concluded by saying that reportedly Punk has taken a liking Jay White and his in-ring and mic work and that White could be an opponent for Punk, or the possibility of Punk and White working a longer program that would include Juice Robinson.