As noted before, CM Punk, Ace Steel, Kenny Omega, and The Young Bucks were involved in a backstage fight incident following AEW’s All Out 2022 event this past September. Following the incident, AEW had suspended all of them as part of the company’s investigation, which recently was completed. During this time period, Steel was released from the company, Omega and the Young Bucks are set to make their returns at this Saturday’s Full Gear 2022 event, and Punk’s future in the company is expected to be over.
Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that CM Punk’s rehab of his torn triceps injury is currently going really well.
In regards to Punk’s status in AEW, Meltzer reported that he is still under contract with the company and AEW was still selling Punk-based merchandise as of this past Wednesday’s Dynamite show in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Meltzer reported that Colt Cabana’s return to AEW television earlier this month was a decision that was solely made by Tony Khan and not something that had been suggested by someone else, either for storyline reasons or as a way to get back at Punk over his actions. In regards to Cabana’s lengthy absence from AEW, Punk’s side reportedly is still adamant that Punk had nothing to do with Cabana’s removal from AEW shows while a lot of AEW’s locker room still feels differently and blames Punk over the situation.
In regards to interest from WWE for a potential return to the company, WWE sources spoken to reportedly stated that WWE’s creative team is currently not fond of the idea due to most of them have been following what had gone down with Punk in AEW. Those same sources also reportedly stated that it is possible things could change in the future since the final decision is entirely in the hands of Paul “Triple H” Levesque and co-CEOs Stephanie McMahon and Nick Khan.