AEW's mediocre usage of CM Punk might convince stars to choose WWE, admits legend
CM Punk is undoubtedly one of the most popular wrestlers of all time. The 45-year-old is known for his impeccable in-ring skills as well as his fearless, no-nonsense attitude when it comes to delivering promos. However, AEW failed to utilize Punk properly and wrestling veteran Konnan admits that it might affect other talent's mindset.
Punk is currently signed to WWE. He made his shocking return in November 2023. As expected, The Voice of the Voiceless is one of the hottest acts in the Stamford-based promotion and has been involved in a lengthy but fascinating feud with Drew McIntyre. Punk's first run in the company began in 2005 and ended in 2014 after he got into major disagreements with management. However, since he is back, it seems like their relationship has mended.
Interestingly, after several years of absence from in-ring action Punk signed with AEW in 2021. His time in the Tony Khan-run company was convoluted. Even though he wrestled top names such as Eddie Kingston, MJF, Darby Allin, Samoa Joe, and more, many believe that the company's management underutilized him. This was even discussed by Eric Bischoff and Konnan in a new episode of the 83 Weeks podcast. Konnan explained he was surprised that one of Punk's earliest feuds in AEW was with Lee Moriarty.
"When CM Punk went in there (AEW), one of his first feuds was against Lee Moriarty. Who? I was like what? (...) It wasn't just him it was a whole bunch of guys. And then he threw out this little thing where he goes 'Well you know I wanted to come back and work with the mid-card guys.' That sounds like something Tony (Khan) convinced him to do. Why would you be coming? 'I want to help the young talent.' That's not money dude."
He added:
"If you're a wrestler, you've gotta be thinking, 'Where do I want to go? Here (AEW) where careers go to flounder for the most part, or do I want to go over here (WWE) where they're using people right.'" [From 10:17 to 11:33]
Check out the video below:
According to CM Punk, AEW is not a real business
In a conversation with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour CM Punk opened up on his last days in AEW. He said that he told Tony Khan that the promotion was not a real business as it ignored several fundamentals and asked for his release.
“These guys don’t want me here. This isn’t a real business, this isn’t a business predicated on making money, drawing money, selling tickets, you know. It’s not what it was sold to me as, so let me go." [H/T: Wrestling Observer]
CM Punk won the AEW World Championship twice, the first time at Double or Nothing 2022 and again in All Out 2022.
If you use any quotes from the first half, please credit the 83 Weeks podcast and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription.