The drama involving CM Punk and The Elite has been dragged out for months. The altercation following All Out halted the company’s momentum with them having to move forward without numerous top stars. There have been an endless number of reports surrounding the situation and it’s ensuing legal battles but it appears that the end may be in sight.
The most recent batch of reports have stated that AEW ‘is not looking to bring CM Punk back’ and that the locker room consensus is very ‘anti-Punk’. Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio has noted just how unique the situation is and how disappointing it might feel to fans that the company haven’t been able to salvage the situation.
“It’s so unlike most organisations in the sense that… when you’ve got the big star (CM Punk), and I know a lot of the locker room is very negative to him, but when you’ve got your big drawing card and something like that happens, you try to salvage it, save it. I know a lot of people are disappointed. I’m not saying that the decision is wrong. Considering how much time they put into the decision, and you know that, again, you’re not gonna get rid of your big drawing card unless it’s way way way over the bounds.”
-WOR.
He acknowledges that most companies, namely WWE and UFC, would’ve attempted to create an on-screen angle following such significant backstage drama. But, AEW understandably wanted to move past the situation as soon as possible. Meltzer uses the incident between Sammy Guevara and Andrade to explain the differences between the situations.
“Because you’re always gonna get a second chance. And he did after the Adam Page promo where he did that impromptu deal. Let’s say Sammy Guevara, for example, Sammy Guevara has a problem with Andrade. But he’s not feuding with him or anything. Just out of nowhere, while Andrade is backstage, (Sammy) just cuts that impromptu promo (like Punk did to Page), Sammy gets fired from that. No question about it. Punk didn’t because he’s Punk and that probably bought him extra. But then the other two things happened. So many people have brought up to me the idea of turning this into an angle, which certainly UFC would have turned this into an angle if the guys were in the same weight class and promoted the hell out of it and been happy to do so. And WWE probably would have as well. But maybe in this situation, they (AEW) felt that they just needed to (not turn it into an angle), and I know a lot of the talent felt that. This thing feels like it’s wrapping up, it feels like the Young Bucks and Omega are coming back somewhat soon. That’s not official or anything like that, just that feeling. There’s been teases and stuff.”
-WOR.
It’ll be a relief to finally move past the situation once AEW can do so. It seems as if the backstage atmosphere at AEW is far more relaxed than it has been in recent months.
H/T WrestleTalk for the full transcription.
