Rumor Killer on New Backstage Issues Between CM Punk & AEW Over Upcoming Punk Interview

Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that the recent rumors of CM Punk becoming involved in another backstage incident recently is not true.

It was reported that this rumor originated from a recent report from PWTorch’s Wade Keller over an upcoming interview that CM Punk had with ESPN to promote Collision’s debut. This upcoming interview is currently expected to be released very soon. Keller had reported that “I am under the impression between now and Saturday, there’s going to be something that comes out that media wise that is not gonna help matters, probably. I don’t mean to be cryptic but I haven’t heard the details or seen enough to say much but yea, I just don’t know. I just think it’s gonna be one of those weeks, I’ll put it that way…From what I’m hearing behind the scenes in AEW, it’s just gonna be one of those weeks.”

While AEW have been working on plans for a potential match between CM Punk and KENTA for their upcoming co-promoted Forbidden Door II event, Punk reportedly “wasn’t thrilled with working with KENTA and he may come across badly in an interview.” It was reported that there is a lot more to this issue than meets the eye and this might have been something done by design for his interview.

It was reported that this upcoming interview features Punk discussing a number of topics, one of which involves The Elite. Those spoken to reportedly stated that word of this had spread around backstage during Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite show in Washington, D.C. and some of it did not go over well with others. It was reported that this reaction was stated to not come directly from those affected and instead were second-hand recountings told to them.

It was reported that AEW officials had set up and monitored the interview but Punk spoke in way that would blur the lines and create buzz for AEW’s upcoming shows. Punk reportedly had answered questions in a way that would make the audience wonder if this was just him angling for a story or he was actually shooting on others.

It was reported that it is currently not known what will eventually make it into the final version of ESPN’s interview that will be released but this interview had been conducted last week. Punk reportedly was very aware that this interview could come off polarizing based on his responses.

In regards to potential backlash, it was brought up that CM Punk had recently been sent several legal documents by AEW to protect the company, which also included some non-disparagements documents.

Following Fightful’s report, KENTA responded on Twitter in a potential joking manner stating that he also wasn’t thrilled with the idea of wrestling Punk and without a big bag of money to persuade him to do so.

Hahaha. Me too.
It is ZERO interesting without money. Also I’m so pissed that they planned our match without my permission and going to make it with NO BAG. This is my personal fued.
F**K YOU. https://t.co/AE0x8Y9sji

— KENTA aka Lil’K (@KENTAG2S) June 15, 2023