CM Punk has been missing from AEW programming since early September following the backstage brawl with The Elite after the All Out PPV event. He ripped The Elite, Hangman Page, and Colt Cabana at the press conference before the brawl.
AEW suspended everyone involved following an investigation while they fired Ace Steel. The Elite returned in November. Punk is also out of action with an injury that required surgery, as he suffered torn triceps during the main event of All Out against Jon Moxley.
As previously reported, CM Punk and AEW had been in talks about a potential contract buyout, with Punk being the one to push for it.
In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that the CM Punk side believes that AEW President Tony Khan has put Punk on ice for the time being.
Meltzer wrote, “Right now, from the Punk side, the belief is that Tony Khan has put Punk on ice for now, as there are no ideas to use him that have been presented but no talk at all of late to release him either.”
Punk recently took a shot at AEW over its ratings in response to MJF removing his name from the Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards.
