AEW: More on Anthony Bowens Segment on Rampage, Eddie Kingston on CM Punk Return, CM Punk Collision Promo Update

Jun 25, 2023

More on Harley Cameron & Anthony Bowens Segment at This Past Friday’s Rampage Show

This past Friday’s AEW Rampage show featured a promo segment between Harley Cameron, The Acclaimed, and Billy Gunn. During the segment, Cameron tried to flirt with Anthony Bowens as part of her efforts to persuade The Acclaimed to join QTV, which was rejected by Bowens who stated that he was not interested in her because he was actually gay. This led to loud cheers from the crowd in support of Bowens’ announcement.

Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that this segment was largely put together by Gunn and QT Marshall. It was reported that Marshal had spoken with Bowens about the plans for him to proclaim that he was gay and if he was comfortable with doing it, which Bowens was all in for the plans.

It was reported that AEW officials had originally planned for this segment to take place at this past Wednesday’s Dynamite show but made the decision to move it to this past Friday’s Rampage show instead in order to give the segment the time it needed.

Eddie Kingston Comments on CM Punk’s Recent AEW Return & Backstage Reaction Over It

The New York Post held a recent interview with Eddie Kingston. One of the topics discussed included Kingston’s thoughts about CM Punk’s recent return to AEW.

“He did it his way and that’s the way wanted to do it. I expected it. I knew it was happening, knowing Punk and what he thought was right for him. That’s it. I see the reports. I see the clickbait on YouTube. But the locker room is not divided, not the people I hang out with. Punk’s gonna do what Punk does and if whatever Punk does helps this company, no one can say anything.”

Kingston also gave his thoughts about Punk’s recent comments to ESPN and his return promo at last week’s AEW Collision debut show.

“Not me, man. Not my crew of people I hang out with. Maybe there’s that one percent that are bothered but the people I chill with, they’re good. They don’t care.”

More on CM Punk’s Promo at AEW’s Debit Collision Show

As noted before, AEW’s debut Collision show last Saturday in Chicago, Illinois featured an opening promo segment by CM Punk. During his opening promo, Punk gave a dig at the Young Bucks for being “counterfeit bucks” compared to him being the “One Bill Phil” in reference to the rumored new $1 billion television deal for AEW.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that Punk’s promo on the show led to some being frustrated backstage over its content. Meltzer reported that contrary to recent reports, Punk’s insult line directed towards the Young Bucks was not something that was known ahead of time by anyone on both sides.

Meltzer also reported that Punk’s promo likely was not meant to be the start of a new storyline angle between Punk and The Elite due to no such angle had been agreed to prior to Collision’s debut show. Meltzer reported that Punk’s promo could have made a potential angle in the future more difficult to do but if both sides were to actually agree to do it, then his promo in hindsight would have been a strong way to start it.