As speculation swirls around an unlikely dream match between CM Punk and Steve Austin, Ric Flair has claimed that WWE signing Punk to drop him into such a prominent position immediately would be a disaster.
Ever since the backstage brawl at AEW All Out it has been presumed that CM Punk won’t wrestle for the company again. This notion gathered weight in recent weeks with reports that the star has been negotiating a buyout of his contract, while WWE may also consider re-signing the star in the right circumstances. While the likelihood of a potential deal between Punk and WWE remains to be seen, that hasn’t stopped fans fantasy booking a comeback.
Ric Flair Suggests WWE Return For CM Punk Could Spell Trouble For The Company
This speculation went into complete overdrive on November 14th when it was reported that WWE had offered Stone Cold Steve Austin the chance to get back in the ring. Quickly, fans dared to dream that a potential cross-generation dream match could be on the cards. However, Ric Flair believes that bringing in Punk for a major match at the top of the WrestleMania card given how his AEW tenure is ending, would cause chaos.
Speaking on his podcast To Be The Man, the Nature Boy stated that there would be a “riot” in the locker room if Punk was given a WrestleMania main event spot. Flair added that Austin could easily face a current star such as AJ Styles or Randy Orton.
The Rock and him [Austin]? I don’t know, they could look at each other. And be just a question of who’s doing the favour? They’re not gonna wrestle for an hour. John Cena, I like that idea too. But, you know, it’s like we talked about with The Rock. You know, the decision was made sooner than we know about it. Because if Steve’s getting ready to wrestle a real match, real time in LA, it’s gonna be damn good.
But I mean, come on, I don’t mean this bad. But CM Punk just can’t act like he acts in one company and go the other and act like that and come over and expect to be in main events. If he was in a main event at WrestleMania there would be a riot in the locker room. Think about it, he didn’t leave on good terms. He’s not leaving the other place on good terms. And to roll in with Steve. I mean, it’s not about his ability.
I’m just talking about it. You know, I can’t, even I can’t fathom it, I mean, even entertain bringing a guy in. That will be putting him ahead of Styles, Orton? I mean, you could have Steve wrestle either one of those guys, if Steve can work. If his neck is okay, Steve is working full. He could wrestle Randy. I mean, you know, I mean, you’d have guys jumping off the roof if they brought Punk in there and threw him in main event at WrestleMania.”
Despite speculation running wild about a potential clash between Stone Cold Steve Austin and CM Punk, a recent report hinted that putting together such a match would be far from straightforward. At time of writing Punk remains under contract with AEW, although there have been talks about surrounding a buyout. However, it has been suggested that “a lot of issues” exist between Punk and All Elite Wrestling which have slowed his departure. In addition there are some within WWE who do not want the star to return to the company.
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