CM Punk was recently a guest on the AEW Unrestricted podcast and spoke about a variety of topics. Early in the discussion, Tony Schiavone asked Punk when he started to consider a return to pro-wrestling.
“At some point when I was free and clear of all the fugazi lawsuits that people filed against me,” Punk responded. “I think there is a point where that stops and I’m free and clear and I’m like ‘sweet’ and I think that the healing can begin and it kind of coincided with the rise of AEW.”
In June of 2018, CM Punk and Colt Cabana won a civil trial, successfully defending themselves from a defamation claim stemming from Punk’s appearance on Cobana’s podcast in 2014. The lawsuit was filed by WWE doctor Chris Amann, who said that Punk had defamed him on the show. Unfortunately, Punk and Cabana then ended up in a legal battle over attorney fees from that trial. They settled with each other in 2019.
Punk also noted that the Brodie Lee tribute show played a pivotal role in him deciding to sign with AEW.
“The Brody tribute show and the way the Brody stuff was handled was just so classy and not what I’m used to. So, it made me raise an eyebrow,” Punk continued.
CM Punk On Joining AEW
Punk also spoke about his debut being the “worst kept secret” and also that he didn’t actually sign his AEW contract until minutes before his debut.
“I feel like we got the best of both worlds. I feel like it was maybe leaked or somebody found out, but there was still a giant question mark or a cloud of mystery over it.”
Punk also noted that he did not actually sign with AEW until the night he debuted.
“I read a report that I had signed, I never signed my contract until I was in the United Center maybe 90 or 30 minutes before I walked out,” Punk said. He joked that if he was a “carny guy” he could have gone to the “other Khan” and asked for money not to go to AEW.
“Props to Tony Khan because I don’t know anyone else who would do handshake deals like that. I wasn’t signed, and he had (Tony Schiavone) go out there and announce the United Center.”