Join us as we run down The Good, The Bad and What The Heck?! moments from this week’s AEW Dynamite.
Plus, we’ll name the show’s MVE (Most Valuable Entertainer).
Subscribe to the SEScoops YouTube Channel and comment below to let us know what you think!
CM Punk looks to be recovering well from his foot injury.
A fan recently snapped a picture of Punk in a Chicago airport, in which he’s seen walking on his own power without any sort of assistance. Punk was accompanied by Danhausen. Check out the photo below.
Punk was also spotted at C2E2, where he also did not need crutches or a walking boot. The All Elite Wrestling (AEW) World Champion is just two months removed from surgery, and seems to be recovering well.
AEW president Tony Khan recently noted that he’d like to have Punk back for All Out next month, however, he was unsure if that was realistic.
CM Punk won the AEW World Title at AEW Double Or Nothing earlier this year against Hangman Page. However, he later announced on the June 3 edition of AEW Rampage that he will need surgery to repair the injury, seeing him sidelined for several months.
In his absence, Jon Moxley has been crowned the interim AEW World Champion, which will set up a unification bout with Punk once he’s healthy enough to return. Of course, that’s if Moxley is able to retain the title until Punk finally is healthy enough to compete.
CM Punk is one of the faces of the anti-WWE movement. He has been critical of the company’s policies since infamously walking out in 2014. Punk has been taking shots at the promotion regularly since his return to pro wrestling last year.
The Straight Edge Star recently spoke to The Hashtag Show. Talking about Sasha Banks taking a path similar to his own, the AEW world champion mentioned how he was the first guy to go ‘through the wall.’ Punk claimed that he feels solidarity with Banks, and he is always going to support anyone who stands up against WWE:
“Somebody on Twitter is gonna be mad at me. My thing is always I can’t listen to people criticise me if I wouldn’t ask advise from them. You can’t lead people somewhere you’ve never gone; I try to be as humble as I can be and I don’t like talking about myself but I was the first guy through the wall. I got fucking bloodied for it, you know what I mean?” asked CM Punk,
He continued “To watch somebody else stand up and walk out, I’m always gonna support that. One hundred fucking percent. I’ve never met Mercedes. I don’t know her, but I definitely feel solidarity with her. I know how that place is, I know how women are treated there. I’m not a woman myself, so I can’t put myself in those shoes, but there’s probably a lot of reasons why she peaced out.”
CM Punk also discussed topics such as the current landscape of pro wrestling. You can check out his interview below:
If you use any quotes from the article, please credit SEScoops with an H/t for transcription
The landscape of pro wrestling has seen a major shift in the last few years. On one hand, companies like AEW have risen that have reignited the interest of many lapsed fans. On the other hand, the ever-declining TV ratings of WWE have led many to believe that we are witnessing the death of pro wrestling. CM Punk is aware of both these sentiments.
The AEW champion spoke to The Hashtag Show over the Starrcast weekend. He was asked for his thoughts on the current pro wrestling landscape. Replying to it, Punk said that he thinks pro wrestling is thriving, though he acknowledged the different opinions:
“It depends on your perspective. It depends on how grumpy I am that day. You can go either way. You can say that, ‘Oh man, wrestling’s dying.’ Or you can say ‘Well look at it, it’s thriving.'” For the first time there’s a second company that’s viable and I’m not gonna say it’s a viable threat.” said CM Punk,
He continued, “It’s just a viable, healthy company. A second place where men and women can get paid to wrestle in ring on television. I know there’s people that think dynamite is the greatest thing in the world. There’s people that think dynamite isn’t good. People that think it’s somewhere in the middle, it could be better. But because we’re having that conversation, I supposed pro wrestling is thriving.”
CM Punk later mentioned how Dynamite is a show where you can watch different styles of wrestling in one place. You can check out his interview below:
More Originals From SEScoops:
If you use any quotes from the article, please credit SEScoops with an H/t for transcription
CM Punk isn’t expecting much change within WWE despite Vince McMahon’s retirement.
With McMahon stepping down as WWE CEO, and now retiring as the head of creative for the company as well, many are expecting big changes for the promotion moving forward.
However, ex-WWE Champion and current All Elite Wrestling (AEW) World Champion CM Punk doesn’t share those expectations.
In a recent interview with Absolute Geek, Punk suggested he doesn’t think McMahon’s retirement will change WWE’s culture at all.
“You think because he tweeted that ‘I’m retired’ you think that he’s not going to be hands-on, and he’s not gonna –
“But I don’t think the structure there, I don’t think the – what’s the word I’m looking for? I don’t think the culture there changes. At all. I think it is what it is.”
Punk is no stranger to WWE. He signed with the company back in 2005 before eventually departing in 2014. During his time with the company Punk established himself as one of their biggest stars, racking up five World Title runs.
However, his relationship with the company broke down in very ugly fashion in his final months with WWE, eventually leading to Punk walking out and eventually being fired.
Punk ventured into other industries such as mixed martial arts (MMA), acting, and comic book writing during a seven-year hiatus from wrestling. He then helped shake up the professional wrestling world again when he signed with AEW in August of 2021.
After finally winning the AEW World Title from Adam Page at Double Or Nothing this past May, Punk unfortunately suffered an injury that forced him to be shelved for several months.
He’s still officially listed as the AEW World Champion, however, an interim AEW World TItle was implemented, of which Jon Moxley currently holds.
When he’s ready, Punk will likely return to feud with the interim AEW Title holder to unify their belts.
CM Punk has provided an update on his recovery from injury.
Punk is currently out-of-action with a foot injury. This came in the midst of his first-ever reign as All Elite Wrestling (AEW) World Champion. Punk had only just won the gold at AEW Double Or Nothing against Adam Page.
However, he soon announced on the June 3 edition of AEW Rampage that he will need surgery to repair the injury, seeing him sidelined for several months. Instead of having him vacate the title, AEW president Tony Khan instead introduced an interim AEW World Title.
Currently, Jon Moxley reigns as the interim World Champion. He’ll likely face off against Punk to unify their titles once he finally returns from injury. As for when that may be, Punk spoke with Skewed and Reviewed Gareth Von Kallenbach at the San Diego Comic-Con over the weekend.
During the interview, Punk provided the following update.
“It’s healing.. it’s not healed,” said Punk. “That’s a quote from my surgeon. It feels like it’s on fire every day, partly probably because I was on my feet all day yesterday. [I] still wear the boot, but that’s mostly because I want people to recognize that I don’t want them near my foot. I’m working hard to come back.”
Punk added that it’s been very difficult road to recovery, and “learning how to walk again is f’ing frustrating.” That said he’s feeling a little better each day.
AEW President Tony Khan addressed CM Punk’s injury situation over the weekend. During the ROH Death Before Dishonor post-show media scrum, Khan said Punk is doing well and is on-track with his recovery. (Read More)
We’ll keep you updated on CM Punk’s road to recovery.
Just five days after becoming champion, CM Punk announced on the June 3rd episode of Rampage that he had suffered an injury that will require surgery.
Punk ended up not relinquishing the AEW World Championship, as originally speculated by fans, but a new Interim Champion would be crowned during his absence.
During the ROH Death Before Dishonor post-show media scrum, Tony Khan was asked for an injury update on CM Punk.
“Well, he’s doing well on his recovery. He was at the Comic-Con today. I didn’t see his panel and obviously, we saw that Bryan Danielson announced his return there, and not long after of course you saw that was confirmed here again on Death Before Dishonor that it will be on Wednesday Bryan Danielson returning from injury.
“Speaking of a Ring of Honor, true Hall of Famers CM Punk, the AEW World Champion. I don’t know exactly what he said, but I know that he’s doing well in his recovery. So I don’t want to scoop anything he may have said at the Comic-Con panel. So he’s doing well, he’s not behind in his recovery.”
Tony Khan on CM Punk’s recovery
“I wouldn’t want to step on what he said, but the last we spoke, I haven’t spoken to him since he did the panel, but going into the panel, he’s doing well, and on track and we look forward to a great unification match when he’s back. Whoever the Interim Champion is.”
When asked if we could see Punk back for Labor Day weekend in Chicago, Tony replied, “We’ll see, I mean I can’t rule it out but I also can’t promise because I don’t want to say anything when it comes to somebody’s recovery from a real serious injury and he’s really battling hard to get back as soon as you possibly can.”
During the AEW panel at SDCC CM Punk stated that he has no timeline for when he’ll be back inside the ring. His foot was shattered. He says it’s healing, but has not fully healed.
He also went on to say that he’s re-learning to walk.
CM Punk defeated Hangman Page at Double or Nothing on May 29th to become the AEW World Champion. His final match before the injury announcement was alongside FTR where they defeated Max Caster and The Gunn Club on Dynamite.
On this day in 2011, CM Punk won the WWE Championship in a truly historic bout.
Weeks prior, Punk had promised to leave WWE, citing that his contract with the company was expiring, and vowed to leave as Champion.
Punk also cut his infamous pipebomb, in which the Chicago-made Superstar blurred the lines of real and kayfabe.
The Money in the Bank 2011 match with John Cena is often considered a highlight in both men’s careers and earned five stars from Dave Meltzer.
Punk’s goal to win the WWE Championship at Money in the Bank 2011 was successful, though it has been years since he last appeared for WWE.
Nowadays, fans can find Punk on AEW programming (though he is currently out with an injury.)
Taking to Twitter, AEW President Tony Khan praised Punk’s 2011 antics.
“11 years ago today @CMPunk set the wrestling world ablaze. He’s every bit as good today & he’s the @AEW World Champion. Check out The First Dance, All Out 2021, Full Gear 2021, Revolution 2022, + Double or Nothing 2022 to see why & how CM Punk proved he’s still Best in the World.”
True to his word, CM Punk ‘left WWE’ as WWE Champion, for all of eight days.
On the July 25, Raw, John Cena defeated Rey Mysterio, who had won a newly-reinstated WWE Championship earlier in the night, to become Champion again.
Cena’s celebration was cut short by the returning Punk, who debuted the theme ‘Cult of Personality.
The two would have a title unification match at Summerslam 2011, which Punk would win before losing the title immediately after to Mr. Money in the Bank Alberto Del Rio.
The Blackpool Combat Club has become a real favorite among AEW fans. The faction features some of the company’s best-liked stars in Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson, and most recently Claudio Castagnoli, not to mention up and comer Wheeler Yuta, and the foundation of William Regal standing in their corner. Together, they tap into a combination of a hard-nosed but technically sound style, real life bonds, and an undeniable cool factor.
Now that Moxley reigns as interim AEW Champion, it feels like only a matter of time before CM Punk will clash with him to decide an undisputed champ after he returns from injury. Might that be the gateway, though, to a much longer story in which Punk crosses paths with the other members of Mox’s faction?
When CM Punk returns from injury, it stands to reason that he would win a title unification match over whomever reigns as the interim champ. After all, Punk was a major score for AEW to sign in the first place, and every indication is that Tony Khan wholeheartedly believes in him as a standard-bearer for the company. So, we can expect Punk to pick up where he left off when he is able to return to action.
It’s hard to predict where creative will go in the months ahead, and, all the more so, recent months have demonstrated that fans can’t take anything for granted when it comes to wrestling injuries. If he stays healthy and there aren’t major creative shifts, though, it seems likely Jon Moxley will hold the interim title until he can face Punk.
Rather than a one-off confrontation between Punk and Mox for who gets to call himself champion, it be a multi-match feud, and also the starting point for Punk fighting his way through more of The Blackpool Combat Club.
Since CM Punk and Bryan Danielson both arrived in AEW in late summer 2021, it became an instant dream scenario that the two might reprise the classics they previously put on together in ROH and WWE rings.
Danielson worked in the AEW Championship picture immediately upon his debut, challenging Kenny Omega and Hangman Page, while Punk bided his time, getting the ring rust off before he had his first title opportunity at Double or Nothing.
Moving forward, Danielson is the kind of talent who will never feel out of place in a main event scenario, and there’s every potential for him to put on a classic against Punk in one of his first major AEW Championship defenses. Adding on some ongoing animosity between Punk and the stable Danielson and Jon Moxley have been such an integral part of would only enrich their issue.
CM Punk worked his WWE debut opposite Darby Allin and went onto PPV feuds opposite Eddie Kingston, MJF, and Hangman Page—each less established stars who more than held their own, but also benefited from the rub of feuding with Punk.
In facing Jon Moxley and Bryan Danielson, Punk would be taking a step away from this trajectory, working fellow WWE alumni and wrestlers who have won world titles in their pasts. Punk can get back to giving back to the business in a feud with Claudio Castagnoli to wrap up his engagement with The Blackpool Combat Club.
There remains an open questions whether talents who defect from WWE to AEW are better off. Christian Cage, Toni Storm, Keith Lee, Miro, Samoa Joe, Ruby Soho, and others are among the big names who remain in a gray area of making a big splash when they arrive, and then moving into the background.
Castagnoli could wind up being the case to prove AEW’s willingness and ability to elevate underappreciated talents. He’s long overdue to be booked as a top guy, and it would make a major statement for him to get a legit main event push and world title reign after beating Punk in the classic match this duo is more than capable of putting together.
There’s no shortage of great promos, storylines, and matches awaiting CM Punk opposite The Blackpool Combat Club in the months to come. It could be a testament to the faction, Punk, and AEW on the whole to see their collaborative effort ultimately elevate the uber-talented Claudio Castagnoli to new career heights.
Tonight, WWE will host their annual Money in the Bank Premium Live Event which will feature two of the show’s titular ladder matches.
Since 2005, 26 Superstars have cashed in the briefcase, with 22 of those attempts being successful, giving the Money in the Bank contract holder an impressive 84.6% chance of becoming champion.
During this week’s SmackDown, the build continued towards Money in the Bank, but one Superstar tried to rewrite history.
During a segment last night, Raw’s very own The Miz made a trip to SmackDown and had some choice words about the Money in the Bank Ladder match.
In a backstage segment with Happy Corbin, Ezekiel, and Madcap Moss along with WWE Official Adam Pearce, The Miz claimed to be the only two-time winner of the Money in the Bank briefcase.
While The Miz is a two-time winner, capturing the briefcase in 2010 in a ladder match, and again in 2020 by defeating Otis, he isn’t the only double-winner.
In addition to The Miz, there have been other two-time winners, including AEW World Champion CM Punk.
Punk won back-to-back ladder matches at WrestleManias 24 and 25, and cashed in both times successfully, defeating Edge and Jeff Hardy in 2008 and 2009 respectively to become World Heavyweight Champion.
Given that The Miz included his non-ladder match briefcase win over Otis, then it stands that Edge is also a two-time briefcase winner.
Edge won the inaugural MITB Ladder match in 2005 and defeated Mr. Kennedy during a 2007 Raw to win the latter’s briefcase.
There is also the argument that Carmella is a two-time winner, having won the first Women’s MITB Ladder match in 2017.
After James Ellsworth helped her win the match, the Briefcase was defended in a ladder match on the following SmackDown which Carmella also won.
CM Punk provided additional comments about his injury during the latest AEW Road To video that was done to promote Wednesday’s Dynamite from Kansas City.
The AEW World Heavyweight Champion announced on last Friday’s AEW Rampage that he suffered an injury, and will be out of action for some time as he recovers from surgery.
Punk stated that although he offered to give up the title, AEW President Tony Khan nixed that idea.
“I probably wasn’t as clear as I should have been. I offered to relinquish the title, but Tony told me that under no circumstances was I allowed to do that.”
He added, “It means a lot to me that this place as a whole believes in me enough to let me just go get fixed.”
There’s still no word yet on exactly when Punk will be getting surgery, but it will be very soon, possibly as soon as this week.
Tony Schiavone talked about how it impacts not only Punk but also the promotion as he is one of their biggest stars.
“The injury to CM Punk was horrible not only because it took him out of action, but of course what it did to us in AEW because he’s one of the biggest stars in pro wrestling in the world.”
Punk will not be relinquishing the title. Instead, an Interim World Champion will be crowned at the June 26th AEW X NJPW Forbidden Door PPV event. An Eliminator Series was created by Khan that will see battle royal be held at the top of Dynamite this week. In the main event of this same show, the winner will take on Jon Moxley.
The winner of the AEW side of the tournament will face the winner of the NJPW Dominion match this Sunday between Hiroshi Tanahashi and Hirooki Goto in the finals at Forbidden Door.
Schiavone praised Khan for coming up with this tournament so quickly and it makes the matches happening on Wednesday’s Dynamite that more special as it’s part of history.
Watch CM Punk’s comments on AEW Road to KC:
Hiroshi Tanahashi wants to give fans the match they were expecting to see at the AEW X NJPW Forbidden Door pay-per-view event where he was supposed to wrestle AEW World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk.
Last week on Dynamite, the match was revealed for this upcoming show, but was nixed once Punk revealed he had an injury that will result in him getting surgery. Punk will not be able to compete at Forbidden Door.
While speaking to Tokyo Sports (translation via golden_kuma), Tanahashi threw out the idea of Punk competing at Wrestle Kingdom in January against him.
“1.4 Wrestle Kingdom. Punk owes me one. I’d like to invite him to Japan. I’ve been to the US a lot, so come here with a special price. Tokyo Dome is a prestigious stage,” he said.
Tanahashi also talked about the decision that Punk would not give up the title, but instead, an interim AEW World Title will be made while he’s out of action, which will be decided at Forbidden Door with a tournament.
“I think it’s overprotective,” Tanahashi said of Punk not relinquishing the title. “If it were in Japan, you would give up the belt normally. Or maybe he will come back in a short period of time.”
Tanahashi has a chance to compete in the tournament as he will wrestle Hirooki Goto at NJPW Dominion. The winner of that bout will advance to the finals at Forbidden Door to meet Jon Moxley or the winner of a battle royal.
AEW found out about CM Punk requiring a surgery for his injury very late. It was probably the reason behind all the confusion about the future of the AEW world title.
PWinsider provided some behind the scene updates on the Straight Edge Star’s announcement. They noted that officials were aware that the AEW star had hurt himself after his six men tag match on Dynamite.
However, they didn’t get the confirmation that he will require surgery until Friday afternoon, only a short time before the broadcast of Rampage.
Despite the commotion, there were never plans for the former WWE star to relinquish the title. Chris Jericho was mistaken when he said the same and Y2J has since clarified his comments.
As far as his return is concerned, there is no definitive word on how long CM Punk will be out of action after his foot surgery.
AEW has since announced its plans to crown an interim world champion until the veteran returns. The company has followed UFC and taken this approach anytime there has been a problem with the reigning champion.
This Wednesday’s episode of Dynamite will see the promotion determining a #1 contender. He will go on to Forbidden Door on June 26, to compete in a match to crown the interim champion.
CM Punk started trending on Twitter after his big announcement on Rampage. Like many fans, the AEW locker room also took the time to show their support for their world champion.
The Straight Edge Star cut an emotional promo on the show this Friday night. He revealed that he will have to step away from the company to get a surgery.
Many AEW stars took on their Twitter to react to the news. Dax Wheeler of FTR posted a picture of them and Punk. He promised to hold down the fort until he comes back:
The AEW women’s world champion Thunder Rosa told the veteran to heal fast and return soon. She called him the Best In The World:
AEW later confirmed that CM Punk will not be relinquishing the AEW world championship. They will crown an interim champion in the meantime.
As the top-ranking singles star, Jon Moxley will get the chance to qualify for the championship bout in a singles match on Dynamite. The company also announced a battle royal to determine Mox’s opponent for the show.
Evil Uno commented on this announcement wondering what would happen if he won the battle royal and became the new champion:
Other stars who reacted to the news included people such as Dustin Rhodes, Danhausen, Aubrey Edwards, and more. You can check out the reactions below:
Steve Fall discusses the BREAKING NEWS about CM Punk and his AEW World Championship.
Chris Jericho has clarified his comments about CM Punk’s injury and the future of the AEW world championship after Rampage.
The AEW world champion cut an emotional promo on Rampage. He announced that he will be stepping away from the company because of an injury that requires surgery.
Though fans were left confused about the status of the AEW world championship. Chris Jericho, who was on commentary claimed that Punk will be relinquishing the title.
The Straight Edge star himself, however, said during his promo that Tony Khan declined his offer to give up the belt. This created a lot of confusion over the future of the title.
Chris Jericho later took on his Twitter and clarified his comments. He admitted that he made a mistake and CM Punk is not going to relinquish the championship:
AEW has since announced that they will be crowing an interim world champion until Punk comes back. Jon Moxley, who is the top-ranking singles star at the moment will get the chance to qualify for the championship bout in a singles match on Dynamite.
His opponent will be determined via a battle royal that will open Wednesday’s show. The winner of the match will advance to the Forbidden Door PPV on June 26 to crown the interim champion.
CM Punk had a major announcement to make on tonight’s AEW Rampage from Ontario, California.
The current world champion did specify that the announcement would be in regards to the title, as well as his career.
The way the tweet was worded made it seem as if Punk was going to be relinquishing the gold possibly due to an injury as he was seen noticeably limping after his trios tag team matchup on Dynamite.
As it turns out, that’s exactly what happened … for the most part
During the Rampage show, Punk announced that he’s injured and will need to undergo surgery. He revealed he had a conversation with AEW President Tony Khan and said he didn’t want to hold up the AEW World Title picture.
It’s a tough bump in the road for Punk, who had just won AEW’s top prize at Double or Nothing. He pinned Hangman Page on May 29 to capture the AEW World Championship.
With that said, CM Punk won’t be relinquishing the AEW World Championship as initially announced on commentary.
Late in the show, it was announced that Jon Moxley will face the winner of a battle royale set for the June 8 episode of Dynamite. The winner moves on to Forbidden Door to determine an interim champion.
Punk made sure to let fans know that he isn’t done just yet and this injury is simply a setback.
Former WWE Superstar, valet, and manager Shelly Martinez has branded CM Punk a “sellout” and a “fake-a**” in recent comments made aimed at the AEW World Champion.
Martinez competed as Ariel in WWE’s rebranded ECW and later worked as Salinas in TNA Wrestling.
Last year, Punk told the Wrestling Perspective Podcast that Kelly Kelly once found blood all over her hotel bathroom and that he and Sabu allowed Kelly and then-boyfriend Andrew ‘Test’ Martin, to share their room.
Martinez told WSI’s James Romero that she was also involved, and had been sharing a room with Kelly at the time, and found it disrespectful that Punk didn’t mention her.
Punk, I put on a huge pedestal and that’s my fault. You shouldn’t put anyone on a pedestal. And now, fast forward to today, I think he’s a sellout and a fake a**.”
Shelly Martinez.
Martinez added that she was friends with Punk during her time with WWE, and wore his shirts after leaving the promotion for modeling gigs.
She later said that she found it ironic that the bloody bathroom would be in her room given that she was playing a vampire at the time.
“Punk doesn’t say I was there at all. It’s just like… b**ch, you knew. And so I was like, you know what, you’re just like the rest.”
Shelly Martinez.
Punk captured the AEW World Championship, his first title win in over a decade, by defeating ‘Hangman’ Adam Page at Double or Nothing 2022.
There’s no confirmation yet on who Punk’s first challenger will be.
Thanks to Sportskeeda for the transcription.
CM Punk doesn’t officially have his own stable but it definitely seems to be heading that way.
Punk, the reigning AEW World Champion, aligned himself with FTR, the ROH World Tag Team Champions, on the June 1 episode of Dynamite. They defeated Max Caster and The Gunn Club.
Before that episode of Dynamite went on the air, FTR celebrated with CM Punk after his world title win over Hangman Page once Double or Nothing went off the air on May 29.
Taking to his Twitter account, Punk seemingly named his supposed faction with FTR, “CMFTR.”
“One day I road my schwin bike to some dirt hills I used to jump and ride when I was a kid. When I got there, there were two kids on their bmx bikes. They told me to leave. I didn’t. We scrapped. Black eyes. Bloody lips. Next day and the whole summer we rode bikes TOGETHER. CMFTR.”
You certainly won’t hear Dax Harwood complaining about the name.
“CMFTR MOTHER F***ER.”
Since CM Punk’s return, many have questioned and hoped for his wife AJ Lee (AJ Mendez) to return.
AJ is now signed to Women of Wrestling as an executive producer and commentator. This made fans want to see her back in the ring even more.
AJ Lee spoke with Renee Paquette on The Sessions. She spoke about CM Punk’s return and the fulfillment she has now that she is working with WOW.
Lee said, “The conversation was a conversation that was way longer than people knew, with many things happening in the universe. There were many options. It was a very long time of, ‘what’s the right route? What’s the safest route? What does it look like?’ It was something I was scared of, just seeing what would emotionally happen. That was more or less for his stuff. To me, I retired and I retired.”
“I always say, ‘never say never, but don’t hold your breath’ and everyone holds on to the ‘never say never.’ [laughing] Don’t hold your breath, you’re going to die.
I just wanted him to be emotionally safe and protected. That’s been the coolest thing about his experience. It feels like he’s always in a safe space and has a good group of people around him in AEW, that makes me very happy.
There was a lot of ‘Let’s go!’ To me, that didn’t spark anything in me, but the combination of wrestling and writing, wrestling and producing, that was more comfortable and more exciting because it was a challenge,” AJ continued.
The former Divas Champion added, “I always felt great about the timing of when I retired. You never want to be the last girl at the party, you want to go out on top. Everything felt so perfect and tied up in a bow.
I know his experience is different. To me, I didn’t want him, or me with WOW, anything to feel like you were the person going back to hang out with high school kids. I was hoping it wasn’t that and it seems to not be.”
Women of Wrestling has already taped episodes for the future. However, there is currently no date set for the premiere. There were tapings scheduled for early June that were postponed due to a positive COVID test.
MJF and CM Punk had a brief interaction following Max’s scathing promo.
During the June 1 episode of AEW Dynamite, MJF was given a live mic and cut a promo fans won’t soon forget. This was very much shoot-style mic work from MJF, playing off of real-life events.
MJF has been the talk of the wrestling world since no-showing a meet and greet one day before Double or Nothing. His status for the DoN PPV event was a big question mark but he ultimately did the job for Wardlow.
MJF’s promo included a diss aimed at Tony Khan for not upping his pay but opening up the checkbook for former WWE stars.
At the end of his promo, MJF called Tony a “f*cking mark” and demanded that he be fired.
This led to CM Punk limping down the ramp and trying to talk to Max. MJF would have none of it and left through the crowd.
NOTE: Language NSFW.
Japanese wrestling legend and NJPW Ace Hiroshi Tanahashi made his way to an AEW arena.
On the June 1 episode of AEW Dynamite, CM Punk and FTR defeated Max Caster and The Gunn Club. After the match, Punk called out an NJPW star who will step up to the plate to face him at Forbidden Door on June 26.
Tanahashi made his way out and made a motion signaling he’s going after CM Punk’s AEW World Championship.
Following his victory against Hangman Adam Page at Double Or Nothing to win the AEW World Championship, CM Punk celebrated with the ROH and AAA Tag Team Champions, FTR, after the pay-per-view went off the air.
A user on Twitter brought up the possibility of FTR and CM Punk working together as a tag team in the highly anticipated trios division. CM Punk responded to the user with his thoughts on the idea.
The AEW World Champion responded, “Just give us the straps so we don’t have to hurt your favs.” You can view that exchange below.
Just give us the straps so we don’t have to hurt your favs. https://t.co/6K3NKg55Wh
— player/coach (@CMPunk) May 31, 2022
Tony Khan, AEW’s President & CEO, recently confirmed that the AEW Trios Tag Team Championship belts had been made.
He also previously implied that he wanted to wait until Kenny Omega was back to introduce the titles.
Neither Khan nor AEW have announced how or when the new champions will be crowned.
CM Punk may have captured his first World Championship in nine years at last weekend’s Double or Nothing event, but the match with ‘Hangman’ Adam Page did see some mistakes.
During the match, Punk attempted Page’s Buckshot Lariat twice and botched both attempts.
On both occasions, the former WWE Champion failed to land the front flip over the top rope that sets up the move.
While Punk followed through with the lariat the second time the fans weren’t impressed by the error.
Speaking on the Double or Nothing post-show media scrum, Punk said that this was his first time botching the move.
“That’s one of those f*cking things. That’s the only time that I’ve missed it since I’ve tried it, and I did it on TV, and I just didn’t hit it for whatever reason, and it sucks. But that’s the fun thing about pro wrestling, I’m more comfortable when sh*t goes f*cking sideways, and not everything needs to look perfect, in my opinion. I’ll probably beat myself up about it way too much, but, you know, mistakes happen.”
“That’s one of those f*cking things. That’s the only time that I’ve missed.”
CM Punk on botching the Buckshot Lariat.
Punk’s win marks the first time he’s held a championship since losing the WWE title to The Rock at the 2013 Royal Rumble.
After the show, Punk thanked his wife April Mendez (AJ Lee), and celebrated in the ring with FTR.
Thanks to Wrestling Inc for the transcription.
CM Punk thinks that the majority of the AEW locker room likes him. The ones who don’t are the same ones who aren’t providing any value themselves.
The wrestling veteran took part in the post-media scrum after Double or Nothing PPV. He was asked about his previous comments about not fitting in the AEW locker room and how he feels now. Punk gave his best diplomatic answer to it:
“I have grown so wise in my old age that I will do my best to be as diplomatic as I possibly can with this answer. If there are people backstage that don’t like me, it’s a minority. If anybody says nobody wants me here and nobody likes me, I would like to say that nobodies don’t like me and nobodies don’t want me here.”
CM Punk main evented the Double or Nothing PPV alongside Hangman Adam Page. He defeated the Cowboy to become the new AEW World Heavyweight Champion at the show. Opening up about his recent comment of wasting his time in WWE, Punk said that he feels he never reached his full potential in Vince McMahon’s promotion:
“I said something that I think a lot of people obviously on its face will think is ridiculous. I said I feel like the seven years I was out of the ring I didn’t feel was wasted. I feel almost that the 10 years that I spent in WWE was wasted.
Because I feel it is Management, Owner, Booker, whoever’s job, is to get the most out of all the talent. I feel that I never [reached my full potential]. I reached the potential that I could have given the limitations they constantly put on me. I feel here [in AEW] there’s no limitations put on myself or anybody and sky’s the limit. So I finally feel like I could reach my potential.”
According to CM Punk, he doesn’t have to engage in silly battles in AEW. Tony Khan’s company is a place where everyone can reach their full potential:
“So that’s what I mean. When I say that. God damn, I look back on that time, and I’m like, ‘What are we doing?’ To me, you’re always trying to make the most money and put on the best possible show you can. It felt like 10 years of fighting silly battles and standing on my own d*ck and I’m not in the business of trying to stand on my own d*ck. I’ll say one more time. I don’t do that here. I think everybody here can reach their fullest potential.”
You can watch the post Double Or Nothing media scrum below:
If you use any quotes from the article please credit SEScoops with an H/t for transcription