"I was done" - CM Punk contemplated quitting wrestling after AEW fired him
CM Punk has shared that he considered leaving the wrestling business after he was let go by All Elite Wrestling. He parted ways with the promotion last year.
The Second City Saint was involved in multiple backstage altercations during his time in AEW. He was released from his contract after a physical confrontation he had with Jack Perry at All In 2023 at Wembley Stadium. After his departure, he returned to WWE after nine years in his hometown of Chicago during the Survivor Series: WarGames Premium Live Event.
During an interview with O'Shea Jackson Jr. and TJ Jefferson on the premiere episode of No-Contest Wrestling, CM Punk was asked whether he thought about moving on to other venues after AEW fired him.
"When I left WWE in 2014, people can argue very much so in bad faith that, 'Oh he didn't love the business because he didn't go work the indies.' What was I gonna do? It's also the part of who's gonna pay me? Oh yeah, like, go back and work for 60 bucks? I'm married now... When I exited AEW, I probably did think 'Okay, I was done.' Because that happened in August or September. And then I'm just like kinda chilling, and then Nick Khan calls me in November," said Punk. [30:28-31:46]
WWE RAW star CM Punk reveals what "CM" stands for
The Straight Edge Superstar has only used one ring name in WWE, UFC, AEW, and every other promotion. However, not many people know what 'CM' stands for.
During the same interview, CM Punk told O'Shea Jackson Jr. and TJ Jefferson that it actually stood for 'Chick Magnet.'
"The CM thing, it originally stood for 'Chick Magnet' and I tried to get rid of that because I thought that was a little silly. But, it kinda stuck and became CM Punk and I just, like, I can't really complain because things sort of worked out okay. We're doing alright. But it is a silly name,'" he said. [10:30-11:06]
The Second City Saint will step inside hell this Saturday when he takes on his arch-rival Drew McIntyre in a Hell in a Cell match at WWE Bad Blood.
If you use any quotes from this article, please credit No-Contest Wrestling and add an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription.