Just when we think we have the answers, CM Punk changes the question.
Ever since last September, wrestling fans have been wondering if CM Punk would ever return to AEW. As is often the case in professional wrestling, nobody actually knows what is going on behind the scenes. And just when we think there’s a chance CM Punk could be returning to the company, something else happens that makes us question what we thought we knew.
Such was the case recently when rumors began to pop up again that Punk was itching to come back to AEW, or at least to professional wrestling.
But then, Dave Meltzer was quoted as saying Punk sent a legal letter to AEW, refusing to to have a shorter match with Jon Moxley.
“Do you know why they didn’t advertise Punk vs. Moxley longer and why it had a short build?” Meltzer asked on the Wrestling Observer Newsletter message board. “Because Punk agreed to it, then AEW got a legal letter saying he wasn’t down with it and wasn’t doing it and they didn’t know if he’d come until Tony put his foot down. There are a lot of nice things I can say about him, and you can absolutely argue his position on Moxley was correct, but you can’t argue he willingly did what he was asked in that scenario.”
Basically, Meltzer was inferring that Punk said one thing face-to-face, but then sent a ‘legal letter’ (whatever that is) saying he wouldn’t do what was asked.
Well, Punk responded to this comment and, in typical CM Punk fashion, he took no prisoners.
“SIGH,” Punk wrote in an Instagram story. “I wasn’t cleared to come back to wrestle yet. Then plan was to wrestle at the ppv. I sat and listened to moxleys [SIC] Rocky three idea. I explained how I’d never seen a Rock movie.I [SIC] and thought the idea sucked but if the boss wanted to do it whatever. He said he wouldn’t lose to me. I’d never experienced someone refusing to lose to me. I just laughed. I asked Tony if this was what he wanted. He said yes. He’s the boss so I said okay but I’d need to be cleared first. They kept saying it could just be a squash so I didn’t need to be cleared. I scoffed at that. My health is more important. Dave Meltzer is a liar. Jericho is a liar and a stooge. There were plans but plans always change but I’ll never put a company above my health ever again.”
The story has since been deleted.
And oh boy, there’s a lot to unpack there. Punk is saying that he and Jon Moxley disagreed on the finish to a match the two had on Dynamite. In Rocky 3, Clubber Lang (played by Mr. T) absolutely demolishes Rocky Balboa, setting up a comeback story for Rocky throughout the rest of the film. Rocky would eventually defeat Clubber Lang and reign as the world champion once more.
It’s actually a pretty good story, and it’s been done a few times in professional wrestling. But, Punk said that he wasn’t into it. However, if it’s what the boss wanted, he’d do it…as long as he was cleared to wrestle.
Punk also stated that Moxley refused to be defeated by him, which adds a whole ‘nother layer to this entire story.
Then, just for kicks and giggles, he called Dave Meltzer and Chris Jericho liars, and added that Jericho was a stooge.
Of course, it’s entirely possible that the post was a Photoshop job. It’s been deleted, and, really, there’s no way to prove Punk wrote it as of press time. That may change, and we’ll keep readers updated.
Is this the final nail in the CM Punk-to-AEW coffin? Could it just be part of the story? Is Punk as big of a problem in the locker room as others say he is? Is this even something Punk actually said? These are all questions that may or may not be answered in the coming months, but stick with Bodyslam.net and we’ll update you on all the goings-on in the world of professional wrestling – inside and outside of the ring.
Follow Nick at @WrestlePerks
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