A new report has claimed that CM Punk is not expected to return to AEW with a contract buyout appearing more likely.
CM Punk hasn’t appeared in AEW since launching into a tirade at the post-All Out media scrum where he verbally attacked the Young Bucks, Kenny Omega and Hangman Adam Page while making cutting remarks about the situation surrounding Colt Cabana’s presence in the company.
This sparked a brawl backstage which resulted in a number of key figures being suspended. It later come to light that Punk had sustained a triceps injury which would keep him out of the ring for around eight months.
On the following episode of AEW Dynamite the World Championship and Trios Title were vacated. Punk had only won the World Title at All Out with victory over Jon Moxley.
It has now been reported that CM Punk may not return to the company at all. During AEW Dynamite Grand Slam, Punk’s name was skipped over by commentator Ian Riccaboni when he was listing off former ROH World Champions.
Speaking on PWTorch.com Wade Keller has noted that the absence of Punk’s name appeared to be very deliberate. Furthermore, the star is not expected to return to the company at all, with a contract buyout appearing a likely solution.
“I think this is noteworthy but not surprising [that] he excluded CM Punk’s name as he talked about some of the biggest names who have held the title.
That’s a bit of a tell. As I talked with Jason Powell yesterday about – I am not expecting CM Punk to wrestle in AEW again. I’m not saying it’s 100 percent sure thing but everything is pointing in the direction of some sort of buyout of his contract. We’ll learn more eventually about that situation.”
Speaking ahead of Grand Slam AEW President Tony Khan declined to comment on Punk’s status with the promotion.
H/t to WrestlingNewsCo for the transcription.