The latest on CM Punk, WWE reaction
Added 2022-10-21 19:28:46 +0000 UTCCM Punk is back in the news after things have been quiet.
With the uncharacteristic movement on the Brawl Out Situation on Tuesday, October 18 -- Ace Steel being fired, Elite being referenced and being in commercials, and some overall discussion, CM Punk news also emerged.
Wrestling Observer noted that it looks doubtful CM Punk will be back and that those close to the situation claim AEW are in talks with CM Punk about a potential buyout. A non-compete clause seemed to be the holdup. There have been some other wrestlers who'd asked out of their deals who were told they could sit out with an extended non-compete, but still work indies, but they were in a much different situation.
A contract buyout was mentioned very early in the process based on those close to the situation, but as of the Tuesday following Brawl Out, most around Punk told us that "realistically he can't expect to be back." There were numerous AEW talent who said that they aren't interested in working in a locker room that he's involved in again, unless huge amends are made for how the night made All Elite Wrestling look in general. Since the talent meeting that took place days after All Out, the talent we spoke with didn't expect CM Punk back and numerous operated on the assumption he wouldn't be around again.
We spoke with WWE sources, who wouldn't comment in an official capacity, but on background provided us with some insight. They said that they didn't think that Vince McMahon would have brought CM Punk in, especially after Brawl Out, and noted that Fox had pushed for it to happen before AEW signed him. However, the line of thinking that was presented to us under the Triple H regime is that the right situation, right money and right creative can leave the door open for "anything within reason." One said "Triple H wants to be a success and make compelling programming more than anything. CM Punk back in WWE is compelling programming, but I can't see it being a full-time deal like what he has in AEW, because of exactly what happened in AEW. That's even if he as interest. If he gets a buyout he may not need to work again."
Nobody from Punk's side or AEW officially have confirmed or denied anything, and word from AEW offices regarding this situation has been completely silent since it happened. The company hasn't even actually confirmed that suspension happened, despite us knowing it is true.
Comments
If a grown man in his 40s wants to nuke his own career, it’s not his boss’s job to stop him.
Benjamin Brown
2022-10-22 04:21:24 +0000 UTCTough guy? Weird insult, but okay. If someone had reached out to TK and tell him directly, this whole thing might have been prevented. Instead he just sat there and did nothing.
John Horton
2022-10-22 03:13:58 +0000 UTCright--hindsight is 20/20. The scrum went very badly. But if TK had tried to get Punk to stop and he fired back (or worse put hands on tony) in a room full of reporters--way worse. Punk also called out several media people at the scrum--most were too shocked to really challenge punk, but if they had fired back--having punk try to punch a reporter instead of the Elite--perhaps while being broadcast on you tube? Worse than shockmaster debut.
David Feig
2022-10-22 03:13:07 +0000 UTCHe's the owner. You shut the whole thing down as soon as it goes wildly off script and could potentially lead to backstage fights (which it did).
John Horton
2022-10-22 03:10:52 +0000 UTCSure, tough guy. Did you reach out to TK and tell him this directly?
amase512
2022-10-22 02:54:11 +0000 UTCPpl say that all the time, but what was Tony going to do? Scold a grown man in front of media? Have security remove Punk? I don't know what the (realistic) expectation is of what Tony should have done.
Jeff Miller
2022-10-22 02:36:30 +0000 UTCThat’s always an option if they can’t agree on a buyout, but as Terps mentioned, the buyout would be for a lesser amount, hence the negotiation. The benefit for the person whose contract is being bought out is that it immediately releases them from the contract, freeing them up to do whatever else they want, depending on the exact terms agreed. They could still include a non-compete in the buyout, as SRS mentioned.
Steveisnotmyname
2022-10-21 23:05:40 +0000 UTCTony Khan could have shut this down at the scrum, but instead he watched like a scared child while Punk ran his mouth and basically ended his AEW career.
John Horton
2022-10-21 22:34:13 +0000 UTCThere are a lot of people at AEW involved, and I'm sure they all wish it was handled differently before it blew up publicly. What we don't know and may never know--what attempts behind closed doors were made to fix the situation? Was Punk not going to be satisfied until Page was fired? Or maybe the Bucks wanted Punk gone? What I will say is--I can't think of a realistic scenario in which Punk can just start throwing punches, and then think it is justified. I mean, if the Bucks and Kenny had Megha and Christopher Daniels with them....I don't think it was to all beat up Punk. And again, As a backstage Coach, Ace steel should have grabbed Punk to stop the fight, not hit Nick with a chair (or hit nick with a confused Nick Gage)
David Feig
2022-10-21 22:18:07 +0000 UTCIf he was really for the boys in the locker room, he’d come back make amends and apologize for making the company look bad. But of course his ego and pride is more important than the boys. That’s cool I’m glad to have seen him get one more run in wrestling
Arthur Lopez
2022-10-21 21:45:47 +0000 UTCGuy did it to himself, cause, as much as I hate to say it, he let his ego get in the way of everything.
CSDX
2022-10-21 21:44:45 +0000 UTCBye Felicia! But seriously I had hoped they would work it out with Punk. He could definitely contribute on the ROH side coming back full circle. I could see him on a creative committee building ROH for the future!
Brickbat
2022-10-21 20:30:59 +0000 UTCDisappointing. I mean, punk has nobody to blame but himself if he is in fact gone, but this last run he was on was some of the most fun I’ve had watching pro wrestling in a while.
Elaquent
2022-10-21 20:07:46 +0000 UTCThe buyout terms are probably significantly less than the remaining value of his contract. Then you have legal stuff involved as well.
Terps
2022-10-21 20:05:34 +0000 UTCThe sad thing is it took Brawl Out for his wish to be true, no leaks to the media. A lot of these articles say details have been sparse
2022-10-21 20:00:29 +0000 UTCCan SRS or someone explain why TK wants to do a buyout instead of letting Punk sit at home until his contract runs up like he's done for talent in the past? Is it because Punk makes so much more? And in that case why not just release Punk? I guess I'm just not understand the buyout
Tony Daughtry
2022-10-21 20:00:14 +0000 UTCI really think this was Punk's plan the whole time. There were rumors at the time that AEW guys were being contacted. Punk knew that if he did this, they would have to buy him out, he gets his money and goes to WWE for big money, to boot....
Ralph Cody
2022-10-21 19:53:13 +0000 UTC
