CM Punk shockingly claims he "wasted some matches on some people" in AEW
CM Punk shocked the pro wrestling world in 2021 when he returned to the squared circle in AEW. After a controversial run, Tony Khan terminated the polarizing grappler's contract, and he was back with WWE by November 2023. Punk continues to discuss his time with Tony Khan's company, and just made very telling remarks about his in-ring work with the promotion.
The Second City Saint competed over 30 matches in AEW. Punk's first bout was against Darby Allin at All Out 2021. He then went on to face several top and rising stars of the company, including Powerhouse Hobbs, Daniel Garcia, Eddie Kingston, Wardlow, Shawn Spears, and more. MJF handed him his first loss, which was avenged. The Best in the World also had notable singles bouts with Jon Moxley, Adam Page, Ricky Starks, and Satoshi Kojima, among others. His final bout took place at All In 2023 against Samoa Joe.
Punk just caused a stir by admitting that he feels like he wasted matches on some opponents while with AEW. Speaking with Peter Rosenberg at ComplexCon over the weekend, the 46-year-old was asked if there was any bout or opponent in All Elite Wrestling he wanted to work with but didn't get the chance to.
"No. I feel like I wasted some matches on some people, for sure. That is what it is... some people understand the business, and some people don't. I think everybody here [WWE] understands the business," CM Punk said. [H/T to Sports Illustrated]
Punk did not elaborate on who he was referring to. He also worked notable tag team bouts in AEW. Teaming with Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler as CMFTR, the trio defeated teams like Bullet Club Gold and Samoa Joe but suffered losses to acts such as the House of Black.
Top AEW star gives credit to CM Punk
CM Punk, Dax Harwood, and Cash Wheeler are close friends who openly support each other in their careers. A trio inspired by the great Bret Hart, Punk and FTR teamed up in AEW as CMFTR.
Punk recently celebrated his 46th birthday, and one of the numerous public messages came from Harwood. He included a backstage photo of CMFTR and mentioned how he owes his friend a lot.
"Happy Birthday to my friend. I owe ya a lot. @cmpunk," Dax Harwood wrote with the photo below.
CMFTR won their Dynamite debut in June 2022, defeating Max Caster and The Gunns. One year later, the Collision premiere saw FTR and Punk beat Samoa Joe and Bullet Club Gold.
The following week, Punk and FTR teamed with Ricky Starks for a Collision loss to Bullet Club Gold and The Gunns, and one month later, they failed to dethrone The House of Black of the World Trios Championship.