An unknown top AEW star reportedly left this week’s Dynamite in a bad mood.
CM Punk made his AEW return last Saturday on the debut edition of Collision, with the 44-year-old star picking up the win in the main event. He also appeared on Dynamite in Chicago this week, an episode which didn’t feature any in-person cameos from The Elite, with the group shown in a backstage pre-taped promo instead.
While there isn’t an official brand split between the Wednesday and Saturday show, a soft roster split is said to be in effect which is reflected in The Elite not appearing on this week’s Dynamite. To expand on this, Dave Meltzer has written in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that, while AEW has seen success in terms of ratings and fan attendance since the return of CM Punk, some members of the roster are said to be concerned, with an unknown roster member leaving this week’s Dynamite ‘in a bad mood’.
“From the fan standpoint things look good. Short-term business has its very strong points. Ratings were good and attendance was very good this week. But one top name noted to us that they went home after the show on Wednesday in a bad mood and even with the key people kept apart and not on the same shows, described the fear of this being a ticking time bomb that will not have a happy ending.”
-WON
Collision’s first episode was generally well-received, with CM Punk’s next match coming on this Saturday’s iteration of the show. The star will also do battle with Satoshi Kojima this Sunday at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door.
As of now, it’s unknown which specific AEW performer left Dynamite in a bad mood, though, as always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on the backstage dynamic in AEW as we hear more.
