AEW and CM Punk may be working towards an end to their working relationship.
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that those close to the situation have informed the publication stated the two sides are in talks regarding a buy-out of Punk’s contract. The Observer added that the sticking point is the non-compete period that Punk would be forced to abide by.
Editor Dave Meltzer opined that the non-compete clause would only be a factor if WWE was an option for Punk as no other wrestling promotion would be able to pay the performer what he was earning in AEW other than the industry leader.
Punk has not appeared or been referenced on AEW programming since the backstage fight at All Out on 9/4 involving Punk, producer Ace Steel, Kenny Omega, and The Young Bucks. Punk’s image has appeared sparingly during promo spots for the video game (where he is the cover) and the ROH Championship roll call prior to Chris Jericho’s title defense this past Tuesday.
It was reported earlier this week that Steel was released by the promotion.
Punk sustained a torn triceps muscle during his match with Jon Moxley on the same night of the altercation and would be unable to perform regardless of the backstage altercation going down that same evening.
After 7 ½ years away from in-ring action, Punk returned to professional wrestling in August 2021 at a sold-out event in Chicago at the United Center for AEW and wrestled two weeks later at All Out against Darby Allin.
Punk immediately became the top star in the promotion and helped raise the average of its pay-per-view buys and headlined the company’s first event that did a $1 million gate at Double or Nothing in May.
