CM Punk was only under contract with AEW for two years, but a lot happened during his run due to his drama in the promotion with fellow wrestlers and also finding success.
Issues between Punk and The Elite (Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks’ Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson, and “Hangman” Adam Page) caused the AEW All Out brawl. Punk and Ace Steel got into a backstage brawl with Omega and The Young Bucks after he ripped several wrestlers after comments he made at the post-event press conference. There was also the Jack Perry incident.
Despite the negatives, Punk had memorable matches and made friends. While appearing on The Masked Man Show at Fanatics Fest NYC, it was said that many people expected the same things, implying AEW issues, to carry over to WWE when he returned last November.
Punk said, “That’s all bullshit. None of that stuff is reality. ‘Oh, he’s a cancer.’ Listen, not everybody gets nice me. I treat you accordingly. If you’re a piece of shit, and you act that way to me, I will treat you that way. If you’re nice, you’re smiling, you want to have a good time, let’s have a good time. I’m all hugs. It’s not like I’m two different people. There are just certain people, the ones that spread those lies and say those things about me, because they can’t control me and they can’t control the things I do and say. They absolutely hate that, so they try to control the way other people feel or see me. It’s bullshit. You’re going to have to make your own judgment and draw your own conclusion.”
Although not confirmed, Punk is expected to wrestle Drew McIntyre in a strap match next, likely at Bash in Berlin after McIntyre went over Punk at SummerSlam.
“Listen, not everybody gets nice me. I treat you accordingly.” CM Punk on his backstage reputation. pic.twitter.com/4W1J3kj2jY
— The Ringer Wrestling Show (@ringerwrestling) August 18, 2024
