Just over 15 months ago, CM Punk made his AEW debut and returned to professional wrestling to a hero’s welcome. But fast forward to present day and the Chicago-born star is one of the most divisive figures in the industry.
CM Punk has not been seen in AEW since his explosive rant at the post-All Out media scrum, which led to a backstage brawl between multiple AEW personalities and resulted in Punk being stripped of the AEW World Title and suspended by the company.
It is believed that Punk may well be done with All Elite Wrestling, but a current member of the AEW roster has recently sent his well-wishes to the former WWE star and praised his conduct backstage.
“Whatever He Decides To Do In His Life I Hope It Brings Him Happiness And Joy Because He Deserves It.” – Dax Harwood On CM Punk
FTR’s Dax Harwood recently sat down with Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful and spoke about the recent criticism CM Punk has received:
“CM Punk, god dang. The same thing as Sasha [Banks], a man who obviously has his detractors, and sometimes the detractors… and not just in AEW, around the wrestling world, and sometimes the detractors are louder than him and get their news out more than he does. But again, it all comes from a place of passion.”
Harwood recalled his first impressions of Punk following his debut in the company:
“When he first came into the company, I remember talking to Cash and I said, “If this motherf*cker comes in, and if he says something to me about how I dress, talking about dress code or whatever, we’re gonna have a problem.” And he came in and he was the complete opposite.”
The former Scott Dawson ended by praising Punk’s conduct backstage and wished him well in whatever he does next:
“He had his door always open, invited people in, watched matches of the young wrestlers that asked him to, stuck around until the end of the show, and anybody that had questions he would answer the questions. He loves wrestling. He, again, just like me, unabashedly is a professional wrestling fan. Just like Sasha, I talk to him every day, and whatever he decides to do in his life I hope it brings him happiness and joy because he deserves it.”
H/t to WrestlePurists for the transcription.