CM Punk is now less than two weeks away from completing one of the more unlikely returns in modern wrestling history for the second time in his career.
On the first occasion in 2021, Punk had been away from wrestling since 2014, vowing more than once to never wrestle again. However, that all changed with the advent of AEW, and the former WWE star eventually became All Elite.
A little over a year later that comeback appeared to be at an end when Punk launched an attack on The Elite and others at the post-All Out media scrum, before becoming involved in a fight backstage.
Despite the chaos and controversy, Punk won the AEW World Championship twice and featured in one of the more acclaimed feuds in recent years when he took on MJF.
Following confirmation that Punk will be back in AEW, attention has turned to what he’ll be doing when he gets there. There have been reports that the star could face Chris Jericho, Samoa Joe, and more recently Jay White.
During an exclusive interview with Nick Hausman for Inside The Ropes, Jimmy Korderas, who worked as a referee in WWE between 1987 and 2009, gave his thoughts on the speculation.
The veteran explained that he was leaning towards wanting to see Punk feud with White, as AEW is yet to get the best out of the former NJPW star. Korderas pointed to the regular criticism of AEW that the promotion introduces wrestlers on television with little explanation, and doesn’t give fans a reason to care about them.
“Interesting more… Maybe Jay White, because I think he’s been underutilised in AEW since his debut, I don’t think they have got the audience invested in him yet.
Now, you know, that core audience is familiar with him. But one of the things that AEW has an issue with in my opinion, is when they bring these talents in that are known to the hardcore audience, the more casual fans who tune into the two big players, let’s put it that way, will go ‘Jay White, I’ve heard the name but I’m not really sure about him,’ you know?
Introduce me to him. Make me feel, and it’s more like, ‘Hey, here’s a surprise and here he goes.’ You don’t get much Jay White. You just get ‘Hey, here’s a new guy.’
CM Punk To Be Involved In Creative
It has been reported that both CM Punk and Ace Steel will be heavily involved in creative on AEW Collision. The report added that Punk and Steel will have “great input” into programs featuring the former World Champion.
Collision is set to launch on June 17th live from the United Center in Chicago.
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