Backstage Reaction to CM Punk’s Promo on AEW Dynamite & CM Punk Leaving AEW Rumors

Backstage Reaction to CM Punk’s Promo on This Past Wednesday’s Dynamite Show

This past Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite show featured a show opening promo segment by CM Punk. One notable moment included Punk calling out Hangman Adam Page and offering him an AEW World Championship match on the spot, which went unanswered by Page.

Dave Meltzer reported in a recent episode of the Wrestling Observer Radio that his sources stated that Punk calling out Page was not part of the plans for his promo segment on the show. These same sources also stated that AEW officials currently do not have any plans for a rematch between Punk and Page to take place at next month’s All Out 2022 event.

“That was weird for everyone in that no one knew he was going to do that.”

Meltzer reported that Punk is currently rumored to be upset at Page over issues of him feeling that Page took some liberties during their promos in the lead-up to their match for the AEW World Championship at this past May’s Double or Nothing 2022 event.

Bryan Alvarez reported that his sources stated that AEW’s current plans for next week’s AEW World title unification match between Punk and Jon Moxley do not play a role in their current plans for the AEW World Championship at All Out 2022.

“Whatever they are going to do next week with the title match….Punk’s promo has absolutely zero, zilch to do with whatever they are doing at the PPV. That was not supposed to happen. Punk went into business for himself and then moved on.”

Transcript h/t: F4WOnline.com

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More on CM Punk’s Issues with Hangman Page & Rumors of Him Considering Leaving AEW

Fightful Select reported that their sources confirmed the Wrestling Observer’s report and provided more details regarding the backstage issues between Punk and Page.

Those spoken to stated that Punk did take offense to something Page said during their promos and had contacted AEW officials over the context of Page’s promo. It was also reported that Voices of Wrestling had reported that their own sources stated that Punk had told others after meetings that he was not willing to lose to Page at Double or Nothing 2022.

In regards to the backstage reaction over Punk’s promo, those spoken to reportedly felt that Punk’s jab was “unfair” to Page. One person spoken to stated that even if Page wanted to respond, he was not going to rush out to confront Punk and jeopardize his AEW career over an unwinnable situation. Those spoken to stated that Page was indeed in the venue when Punk gave his promo but he is not a confrontational type person and is generally well-liked among AEW’s locker room.

Several AEW talents spoken to stated that they felt Punk’s promo was a “receipt” over an earlier promo by Page that included a reference to Punk’s real-life issues over his former friendship with Colt Cabana. Those spoken to stated that Punk was not in attendance backstage when Page gave his promo during that week’s show.

It was also reported that several people spoken to close to the situation stated that Punk has been vocal over his displeasure in recent weeks to the point that they thought Punk might end up quitting the company. Those close to Punk stated that he might have almost decided to stay home instead of coming for this week’s show at most but do not believe that he would have quit. One source spoken to stated that they have heard of “threats being levied” in regards to the rumors of Punk considering quitting the company.

In regards to next week’s unification match, it was also reported that their sources stated that this was a late decision made by AEW officials.