As of this writing, CM Punk is still legally contracted to All Elite Wrestling. ‘The Best in the World’ has remained absent from company programming following his actions post-All Out, engaging in a scuffle backstage with The Elite. Reports have offered differing tales of what, exactly, happened, though it’s widely believed Punk was the aggressor in the situation.
Whether or not he returns to the company has now become the big question. Despite being arguably the biggest coup Tony Khan has made, it’s become clear that keeping him around may not be worth the hassle. Khan failed to dissolve the situation during the All Out media scrum, which is what ultimately led to the altercation.
Dave Meltzer Comments On If CM Punk Will Stay In AEW
Speaking on the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer provided his take on whether or not Punk will remain with AEW. Per conversations he had with a source who was reportedly in attendance for the incident, the general belief is that the nature of what went down prohibits a reconciliation between Punk and AEW:
“The last I heard was a week ago and at that moment, he was negotiating something, but where that transpires, I mean, there was no deal or anything like that. I don’t expect him back [in AEW] because he’s injured, which I always thought was kind of a blessing in disguise, but I will say this, I had some interaction with somebody who was not one of the people who was directly talked about and was there for pretty much all of it.
The way they were talking, their belief was that there can’t be reconciliation, I mean, you know, I’ve seen more, but it was pretty adamant. I know, there’s a lot of people pretty adamant on it.”
CM Punk was victorious at All Out, besting Jon Moxley to win his second AEW World Championship. It was believed that he’d defend the title against MJF at Full Gear on November 19; Jon Moxley, the new champion, has now taken his spot opposite ‘The Salt of the Earth’.
If you use any quotes from this transcription, please credit Wrestling Observer Radio and link back to this article with a H/T to Inside The Ropes.