Former AEW star claims he was "silently fired" due to confrontation with CM Punk - Reports
A former AEW star claimed that he was "silently fired" due to a confrontation with WWE Superstar CM Punk. The Second City Saint is a former AEW World Champion, but his time in the promotion was marred by controversy.
Punk was fired by All Elite Wrestling after a backstage altercation with Jack Perry at All In 2023. According to a new report from Fightful Select, a complaint filed by Ryan Nemeth has been obtained by the publication. Nemeth reportedly contacted former AEW Legal Representative Megha Parekh on April 16, 2023, with concerns that he would be targeted by Punk.
The complaint alleged that he was threatened by Punk on June 21, 2023, in the AEW locker room. Nemeth wasn't booked for two months following the incident and contacted Parekh on July 17, 2023, to complain about nothing being done and added that he believed he was "silently fired."
It was noted that Nemeth was assured by Parekh that speaking up would not be held against him in his job. Nemeth was booked for an AEW show in Greensboro on August 12, 2023, but was asked to leave when he arrived. Pat Buck initially claimed it was due to travel confusion but later confirmed that CM Punk demanded that he be removed.
Nemeth was reportedly instructed to "verbally antagonize" Punk during a promo on August 16, 2023. The veteran's contract with the promotion expired in March 2024, and he had a conversation with AEW Legal Representative Chris Peck, and a settlement was offered that equated to three years of pay if he signed an NDA.
Nemeth wanted to consult his legal counsel, but the offer was then rescinded. Ryan Nemeth has also claimed that Chris Peck threatened to sue him in response to sending the timeline. According to Fightful, Nemeth has also met with medical health professionals over the ordeal and is looking for policy changes and financial considerations.
Bill Apter pitches interesting theory about the favor Paul Heyman owes CM Punk in WWE
Legendary wrestling journalist Bill Apter recently pitched an interesting theory about the favor Paul Heyman owes CM Punk following WWE Survivor Series.
Punk joined the OG Bloodline's team in the Men's WarGames Match at Survivor Series, and Paul Heyman owes him a favor in return. Speaking on Sportskeeda Wrestling's UnSKripted show, Apter suggested that CM Punk could demand a match against Roman Reigns, with the winner getting to keep Paul Heyman as their Wiseman.
"I came up with a scenario for the, atleast one of the few favors that CM Punk would extract from Paul Heyman... He gets a match against Roman Reigns even though there are somethings going on with Seth Rollins right now. He gets a match with the OTC, Roman Reigns. But the stipulation, the big asterisk, is that whoever wins the match, gets to keep the Wiseman. The other one loses the Wiseman's services." [4:41 onwards]
You can check out the video below:
CM Punk was confronted by Seth Rollins during this past Monday's episode of WWE RAW. It will be fascinating to see what WWE has planned for the 46-year-old moving forward.