Tag: CM Punk

AEW Reportedly Negotiating To Buy Out Remainder Of CM Punk’s Contract

Well over a month after it all went down, the situation surrounding CM Punk and the backstage altercation at AEW All Out has started to make headlines again this week. That’s after both Punk and The Elite were mentioned on AEW TV for the first time since the incident. Ace Steel, another employee who was allegedly involved in the incident, was also released earlier this week.

According to the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the potential reason we have been hearing more about how the situation is progressing is due to some progress actually being made. It’s believed the whole thing has been tied up in red tape for the past six weeks. However, the new report claims AEW is currently in the process of negotiating a buy out for the rest of Punk’s contract.

If that is the plan, then clearly the ship has sailed on any hope that Punk will be returning to AEW once he’s recovered from his injury. The two-time AEW Champion needed surgery after his match at All Out and will be on the shelf for at least six months. Despite not being able to wrestle until at least early 2023, apparently, the hang-up when it comes to Punk’s potential buy out is his non-compete.

While not specified, it seems likely Punk doesn’t have a non-compete clause in his contract. Either that or buying out the deal isn’t something AEW ever anticipated it would need to do, so a buy out doesn’t trigger it. The fear is presumably that Punk will leave AEW and show up in WWE. Something that was once completely off the table, but a lot of things have changed since Punk returned to wrestling and signed with AEW in 2021.

WWE reportedly turned down the chance to talk to Punk about returning to the ring when he worked for Fox on WWE Backstage. Even though Punk and Triple H famously don’t get along, their interests have differed so much in the past three months that they may now align. Signing Punk would be the biggest blow WWE could possibly deal to AEW, and the sour taste in Punk’s mouth from how his time appears to have ended there could have him thinking a return to WWE might now be the best thing to do.

Source: TheSportster

CM Punk Set To Be Out Of Action For Eight Months Due To Torn Muscle, Regardless Of Punishment Due To All Out Altercation

There was reports that CM Punk may’ve suffered some type of an injury during his AEW World Heavyweight Championship match against Jon Moxley this past weekend at All Out. The Wrestling Observer noted Punk’s injury might’ve come from a top rope maneuver. During the post-show media scrum, Punk was seen icing his arm.

On the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, it was reported Punk had torn a muscle in his arm and that he would require surgery. This comes after AEW President Tony Khan announced a tournament last night on Dynamite to determine a new AEW World Heavyweight Champion.

“He may have already undergone surgery. Either way, he’s undergoing surgery. And it was not confirmed to me it was a torn triceps, but it was confirmed to me that it’s surgery for a torn muscle in the arm. So that’s triceps, biceps, maybe pec. But probably triceps. That’s usually about an eight month or so recovery period. So he was gonna be stripped of the title either way.”

An investigation is underway regarding the backstage melee involving Punk and members of The Elite. As of now, it’s unclear whether Punk will be suspended indefinitely or fired from the company.

Source: EWrestlingNews

CM Punk Meets With Tony Khan To Determine Future In AEW, Possible Exit From Company, Punishment For Those Involved In The CM Punk/The Elite Altercation

Tony Khan and CM Punk reportedly sat down to talk about his future, including how he might potentially exit the company.

As per a report by Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated, CM Punk’s fate — as well as the fate of friend and AEW producer Ace Steel — should be determined by the end of today (Wednesday) and there is a chance Punk is released from his contract, with the minimum punishment for his actions after Sunday’s All Out pay-per-view being a suspension.

Barrasso writes, “Multiple sources have shared that Punk and Ace Steel will either be among those suspended or will no longer be with the company by the end of Wednesday. Punk met with AEW owner Tony Khan on Tuesday, so the two had an opportunity to discuss how that exit could be handled.” In other words, if it is determined that Punk will be gone from AEW, the two didn’t just meet about his employment, but it sounds like there was a discussion about what to do with the title and how to write him out of the promotion.

Barrasso also adds that an external third-party investigation is being conducted which could explain the delay in a decision, but that all of Kenny Omega, Matt and Nick Jackson, Pat Buck, Christopher Daniels, Michael Nakazawa, and Brandon Cutler will be suspended for their role in the physical altercation. None are expected to be at Dynamite tonight. As for Hangman Adam Page — who Punk mentioned by name — , he had already left the building when Punk’s comments were made, thus he was not part of the altercation.

If the meetings went well and the suspensions are served without issue, there is a chance that all parties involved can put what happened past them. If so, the potential to turn this real-life situation into a storyline is there and it could equate to big numbers for AEW. That’s assuming cooler heads will have prevailed and all parties involved are willing to do business.

There is always a chance CM Punk has no desire to stick around after this. If that’s the case, he may elect to leave on his own before he’s told to.

Source: TheSportster

Backstage News On How WWE Talent Feels About CM Punk’s AEW All Out Scrum Comments

It’s fair to say that the rumored backstage issues behind the scenes in AEW escalated significantly following the AEW All Out pay-per-view on Sunday night. In the post-show media scrum, newly-crowned AEW World Champion CM Punk went on a verbal tirade against his former friend Colt Cabana before targeting AEW’s “irresponsible” EVPs Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson), while also furthering his spat with “Hangman” Adam Page. In light of reports of an ensuing backstage brawl between Punk, his friend Ace Steel, and the new AEW World Trios Champions Omega and The Bucks following Punk’s comments, reactions from behind the scenes at WWE have come to light.

According to Fightful Select, “numerous talent” reached out to them expressing their views on the situation, with one top talent noting that “the CM Punk that they knew years ago is being highlighted.” Additionally, two WWE talents reportedly confirmed to Fightful that the incident was not a work, and expressed their surprise that the situation happened. The pair called into question AEW chief Tony Khan, asking why he didn’t follow up with a comment after Punk criticized AEW’s EVPs. 

Meanwhile, one WWE talent said it feels as though Punk “is trying to run things, and it looks as though he’s doing it,” with another longtime WWE performer said they felt Punk was “unprofessional,” calling him “selfish and arrogant.” This sentiment was also reportedly shared by colleagues who worked with Punk on the set of the short-lived Fox program “WWE Backstage.”

The Fightful report had more to say, including the fact that a WWE official added — again seemingly calling Khan into question — that with Punk and The Elite feud, “the power had to be asserted in order to let everyone know that wasn’t tolerable.” The same official noted that such situations were very rare in WWE, because talent knew that while Vince McMahon at the helm, they would not be welcomed back, similar to how former WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio was fired in 2014 following an altercation with an employee. A lack of discipline for the incident would also likely be poorly received given AEW’s recent suspension of Eddie Kingston for getting physical backstage with Sammy Guevara.

Finally, a top WWE name told Fightful that, in regard to the parties involved in the dispute, “if they don’t put their issues aside and make money from it,” then “none of them have business talking about drawing houses or losing fans or interest. They have a good show but this is still the biggest piece of business they’ve done and they have to capitalize.” AEW already has long history of using dirtsheet rumors and backstage incidents to further on-screen storylines.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Backstage Updates On Reported Altercation After AEW All Out, Ace Steel “Lucky To Not Be In Jail”

After news of a backstage altercation following AEW’s All Out pay-per-view, more details are being reported about what happened behind the scenes involving some of the company’s biggest stars.

PWInsider reports Kenny Omega along with Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson of The Young Bucks (all three hold the title of Executive Vice President in AEW) confronted newly crowned two-time AEW World Champion CM Punk in his locker room, not long after Punk publicly lashed out at the EVPs, “Hangman” Adam Page, Colt Cabana and others during his portion of the post-show media scrum.

The altercation primarily involved Punk and the Bucks, with Omega not getting physically involved with Punk, according to PWInsider. According to the Wrestling Observer, it was Punk who allegedly threw the first punch, directing it at Matt Jackson.

Punk’s trainer Ace Steel also reportedly got involved in the altercation. Multiple accounts state that Steel threw a chair that struck Nick Jackson in the eye. The Observer’s report added that Steel also allegedly bit Omega and pulled his hair.

It was AEW security and staff who eventually broke up the altercation. One security guard could be seen running out of the room where the media scrum was still ongoing.

AEW has not commented publicly on the incident. It’s believed there is a process underway to determine who is to blame for the altercation. However, Fightful is already reporting that Steel is not expected to stay with the company. He’s been working as a producer for AEW and played an on-screen role over recent weeks in the build-up to Punk’s main event title match against Jon Moxley at All Out.

Last month, Eddie Kingston served a two-week suspension following a backstage altercation between he and Sammy Guevara during the recording of “Rampage” on August 10 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The physicality was reportedly described as Kingston “pie facing” Guevara.

During the media scrum following All Out, AEW Owner and C.E.O. Tony Khan described the situation backstage as “dicey.” Khan held a talent meeting to address backstage issues before the “Dynamite” broadcast on August 24.

Ace Steel is “lucky to not be in jail” due to his actions

Ace Steel has had quite a week in AEW. The long-time friend and mentor to CM Punk played a major on-air role in motivating the “Second City Saint” to face Jon Moxley in an AEW World Championship rematch at All Out, a match Punk ultimately won. However, according to Fightful, he’s now in hot water with AEW, and it’s a minor miracle he isn’t behind bars.

Following his victory Punk felt it was important to address personal and professional issues about some of his AEW colleagues behind the scenes during the All Out post-show media scrum, and after he left the stage, a reported fight broke out between him and The Young Bucks that also involved Steel and Kenny Omega. According to PWInsider, The Bucks and Omega were the ones to confront Punk in the locker room after those comments. Steel also happened to be there with his wife, who was watching Punk’s dog, Larry, at the time, and matters got heated. It’s not confirmed who threw the first punch, but Steel got physically involved.

Fightful Select later confirmed Steel’s involvement in the fight as he “shoot cracked Nick Jackson with a chair” and got in an altercation with Omega. A source from Fightful believes that Steel is “lucky to not be in jail” due to his actions, and one even said of the melee that security was breaking up a situation “to save lives.” There’s a lot of heat on Steel in light of the incident, with one source claiming that the fight didn’t escalate to the level where a chair was needed. It was reported earlier that Steel allegedly bit Omega, and according to Fightful, “several sources in AEW that we spoke with said that they believe Ace Steel will not be back in the company.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Stars May Face Legal Rammifications For Altercation After All Out

We are coming off the back of what might well have been the biggest weekend of wrestling so far this year. Clash at the Castle, Worlds Collide, and then All Out meant wrestling fans likely spent a lot of time in front of the TV over the two nights. However, the one thing everyone is talking about most coming out of that weekend didn’t even happen on those shows.

After All Out, CM Punk sat with Tony Khan for the post-show press conference and proceeded to air his true feelings about Hangman Page and a few of AEW‘s EVPs. That reportedly resulted in a physical altercation backstage right after during which Punk has been accused of throwing the first punch. Punk’s friend and trainer Ace Steel has also been accused of throwing a chair and biting Kenny Omega.

Some fans will still be hopeful that this is all a very elaborate work. According to Wrestling Observer Radio, that is not the case. Quite the contrary, and it’s entirely possible some of those involved in the fracas after All Out could face legal ramifications. “It is not a work at all, and you don’t have legal issues and police officers run in there [if it’s a work],” Dave Meltzer explained on WOR (H/T to WrestleTalk for the transcription).

What those legal ramifications are is currently unclear, but it means no one involved, and probably no one in the company, is allowed to talk about what happened. That may well mean we don’t hear anything from an official source, or from someone who was actually involved, for quite a while. Especially if anyone involved chooses to push forward with whatever these legal issues might be rather than sweeping them under the rug and trying to move forward for the sake of the company.

After weeks of rumors suggesting all was not well backstage in AEW, it exploding in such a public fashion is not a good look and not a good sign for the company’s future. What has likely been forgotten by many due to what has happened since is Punk is now the AEW Champion. If everyone can learn to get along, turning this into an angle and a match between Punk and Omega could be huge business. If those involved can’t move past it, it could spell disaster.

Source: TheSportster

CM Punk Reportedly Throws Punches At Fellow AEW Star Following All Out Media Scrum

The CM Punk verbal explosion at the AEW media scrum for All Out on Sunday has turned physical. According to a report, the things Punk said during the media avail weren’t taken kindly by a few members of the AEW roster — specifically, a couple of the EVPs Punk talked about — and those verbals jabs turned into actual jabs backstage.

Per details provided by Boxing/MMA/Pro Wrestling reporter Steve Muehlhausen, Punk got into it backstage while the media scrum continued with reporters. Both Matt and Nick Jackson confronted Punk about what he said when Punk threw a handful of people under the bus and reports are that punches were thrown by Punk to at least one of The Young Bucks’ members. It was during the interview with Swerve Strickland and Keith Lee, and there is video footage on social media where one of the members of security is seen rushing through the media avail and backstage where allegedly the altercation was taking place. On Wrestling Observer Radio, Bryan Alvarez reported multiple sources saying there was “an altercation” between the two parties. Tony Khan was not informed of the situation until after the scrum wrapped up. The situation was described as “a melee”.

There have been no comments from either Punk or The Bucks about this online. What’s interesting about this is that Punk noted during the media speech: “if somebody has a problem with me, TELL ME”. Apparently, The Young Bucks took him up on it and things got physical.

https://twitter.com/RighteousReg/status/1566665732242284544

Tony Khan was asked about the comments made and the rumors of issues between Punk and the EVPs Punk mentioned during the media avail. Khan called it a dicey situation and said he still believes The Elite are significant contributors behind the scenes and in front of the camera.

Source: TheSportster

Backstage News On How AEW Dynamite World Title Match Came About

It’s now been two days since Jon Moxley defeated CM Punk to become Undisputed AEW World Champion in one of the more dominating World Championship matches in recent memory, and as the shock wears off, fans are wondering just how this whole thing came together and what’s happening next. Luckily a new report is here to confirm some details and provide an update on what fans can expect. In the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer seemed to confirm that another Punk-Moxley match will be happening soon, while also backing up previous reports that revealed a Moxley-Punk TV match wasn’t originally in the cards.

“A rematch between the two will headline All Out on September 4 in Chicago,” Meltzer said. “The announcers gave Punk a backstory of perhaps coming back too soon. He limped out of the ring, and no doubt the story of the Chicago match is that he goes in injured. This was not the original plan as far as doing the television match and this type of match. 

“It wasn’t a ratings ploy, although the timing was such that they definitely wanted to boost ratings, as much as Moxley becoming the real champion as he personally hated the interim thing, and it being a way to tell a different story. Some didn’t like the short match. Others did. Some felt it would hurt doing a PPV rematch just 11 days later, and others felt the nature of how the match was done, being kept short and having an injury, puts more doubt and helps the PPV. Anyway, that answer to at least an extent will be determined shortly after the show.” It’s unknown when the Punk-Moxley rematch will be announced. Exclusive backstage footage of Punk following his loss is scheduled to be shown tonight on “AEW Rampage.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Jon Moxley Handily Defeats CM Punk To Become Unified AEW Champion, Update On All Out Main Event

CM Punk returned to AEW two weeks ago after a spell on the sidelines, seemingly setting up a showdown to crown the one true champion at All Out. That wasn’t the plan as was revealed shortly after. Punk and Interim Champion Jon Moxley’s unification match was announced for Dynamite instead. Wednesday’s Dynamite, and now AEW once again has just one World Champion.

That man is Moxley, and the surprises kept on coming before and after the match. The first surprise was that not only was AEW not saving what was arguably one of the biggest matches in its short history for a PPV, but it didn’t even save it for Dynamite’s main event. Moxley’s music hit midway through the show, indicating the match was about to begin at the halfway point.

Both Punk and Moxley proudly held their respective titles aloft as the announcers promised multiple times that AEW would stick with the action for as long as it takes. A sign to some that the match might go the full second hour and other scheduled bouts would need to be pushed. It was the exact opposite of that. Moxley beat Punk shockingly quickly, solidifying himself as AEW’s one true champion.

CM Punk appeared to re-injure his leg in the closing stages of the very short match.

Punk hit Moxley in the side of the head with a well-placed roundhouse kick during the early goings, and even though it sent Mox to the mat, Punk also went down like a shot too. As soon as Punk landed, he clutched his standing leg, the same one he injured. That opened the door for Moxley to take the advantage, dominating Punk from there on in which wasn’t long at all.

Mox took his title and celebrated in the crowd as Punk was helped to the back. What remains unclear hours after the match is whether Punk’s injury was legitimate or not. This whole situation has been entirely unpredictable and a little bit bizarre from the moment Punk returned. 

Despite Jon Moxley winning the AEW World Championship unification match in dominant fashion on “AEW Dynamite” this week, the planned main event for the upcoming All Out PPV has supposedly remained unchanged. According to Dave Meltzer on the latest “Wrestling Observer Radio,” the match slated to headline the show next Sunday is still Moxley vs. CM Punk for the AEW World Championship, though it’s unknown if any stipulations will be getting added.

It had been reported before the unification match happened that the two men would meet for the unified title at All Out, which many fans expected to be their first collision in AEW, but after the way their encounter was booked on “AEW Dynamite,” doubts began to creep in. While some sort of outside angle or controversial finish was widely expected to setup a rematch at the PPV, that was not the case, as Moxley picked up the victory clean. Punk connected with a kick at the start of the match, then began selling a foot injury — the reason he’s been off television for several months, and the reason Moxley became Interim Champion in the first place. 

From there, Moxley focused on the foot and secured a quick, clean win in just over three minutes, to the surprise of everyone watching. Punk was helped to the back by doctors, while Moxley cut a passionate promo about how it’s his time, but no official announcement or angle was done to set up a potential rematch. With the PPV taking place on Sunday, September 4, that leaves just one more episode of “AEW Dynamite,” as well as two episodes of “AEW Rampage,” for Tony Khan to get the match booked if it is, in fact, still taking place.

Sources: TheSportster and Wrestling Inc.

There Was Reportedly Internal Concern That CM Punk May Quit AEW

Some people within AEW reportedly grew worried that CM Punk would quit the promotion. Here’s the latest.

There’s reportedly concern within the company that AEW World Champion CM Punk may want to quit the company.

CM Punk called out “Hangman” Adam Page during his intense promo on yesterday’s episode of AEW Dynamite. But as previously noted, Punk’s comments caught folks in AEW by surprise. Apparently, this wasn’t supposed to be part of the script, as CM Punk was to focus on building up his world title unification match against Jon Moxley that will take place next week.

It’s not all that uncommon for a wrestler to go off-script, but there may be a lot more to this story that’s worth monitoring.

According to a report from Fightful Select (h/t WrestlingNews.co), Page and Punk didn’t agree on some of the promo stuff ahead of their match at Double or Nothing (which CM Punk won via pinfall). Apparently, Punk even decided to speak to AEW higher-ups about Page’s promos.

Fightful also heard from sources that the 43-year-old wrestler “has often verbally expressed his displeasure”, to the point where “they thought he might end up quitting the company.”

CM Punk isn’t the only notable star that is seemingly frustrated with AEW. It’s been more than two months now since 26-year-old superstar MJF cut his own pipe bomb promo and dared AEW President and CEO Tony Khan to fire him.

That was on the June 1 episode of Dynamite, and MJF hasn’t been on company programming ever since. Before his promo, there was reportedly concern within the company that he wouldn’t show up for his match with Wardlow at Double or Nothing. MJF did show up, losing to his opponent by pinfall.

As of now, the highly-anticipated match between Punk and Moxley is on for next week. But this is certainly something to keep an eye on, especially considering that it’s a major star like Punk. Of course, the former WWE Champion grew very frustrated with Vince McMahon’s promotion to the point where he walked out and never returned in 2014.

Source: TheSportster