CM Punk hasn’t appeared for AEW since All Out, lifting the AEW World Championship after besting Jon Moxley in a closely-contested match. Although ‘The Best in the World’ appeared to be set for a title showdown vs. MJF, various issues scuppered those plans.
An arm injury suffered by CM Punk in the bout with Mox required time off but above all else, his involvement in the backstage scuffle following the pay-per-view’s media scrum led him to be suspended from the company. As with Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks, details have been sparse in relation to the status of Punk.
Dave Meltzer wrote in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that it was “doubtful” he would return to the Tony Khan-helmed organisation. Talks regarding a contract buyout had reportedly taken place or were at least being currently discussed, though nothing is concrete as of now.
What’s Next For CM Punk?
A new report courtesy of Fightful Select has added speculation on whether CM Punk could – or indeed would – head back to WWE after almost eight years away. Although Vince McMahon would never have rehired Punk, regardless of the All Out incident, the current regime of WWE may have a different idea.
It’s thought that with the right amount of money and under the right circumstances, “anything within reason” could lead to CM Punk’s return to the sports entertainment giant. Dave Meltzer noted in his report that it’s believed WWE is yet to reach out to Punk, though it’s known that FOX wanted him before AEW snapped him up.
One source noted to Fightful that acquiring CM Punk would achieve Triple H‘s goal of success, though it would unlikely be a full-time gig:
“Triple H wants to be a success and make compelling programming more than anything. CM Punk back in WWE is compelling programming, but I can’t see it being a full-time deal like what he has in AEW, because of exactly what happened in AEW. That’s even if he an interest. If he gets a buyout he may not need to work again.”
CM Punk remains signed to AEW as of this publication. His close friend and now-former AEW coach Ace Steel became the first termination as a result of the All Out incident.