Alfred Konuwa
Contributor
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I write about males in tights and the cash they make for males in fits.
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CM Punk’s AEW return is tentatively being deliberate in line with experiences.
AEW Dynamite featured the return of Jeff Hardy final night time, however that is probably not the one controversial return this spring.
As whispers of a CM Punk return proceed to develop louder, the polarizing former two-time AEW world champion may very well be near an unbelievable comeback. Per Fightful Choose (h/t Wrestling Inc), Punk’s return is tentatively being deliberate for the June 21, 2023 broadcast of AEW Dynamite.
“I discuss to Punk nearly each day, and Punk misses wrestling. That’s your headline. Punk misses wrestling, and Punk desires to come back again. And he desires to offer again to the followers, he desires to get again to wrestling so I’ll go away it at that,” mentioned Dax Harwood on a latest version of his “FTR” podcast.
Harwood went on to notice that Punk was open to working with The Elite. Harwood and Wheeler shaped a detailed bond with CM Punk throughout his time in AEW. They even named their trios crew CMFTR earlier than Punk went down with harm and later imploded.
Punk has not appeared on AEW programming since All Out in September 2022, when he went scorched-earth throughout an notorious AEW media scrum. Although Harwood famous CMFTR vs. The Elite could be a “dream match,” it might rapidly flip right into a nightmare as tensions between Punk and the Younger Bucks stay unresolved.
Tony Khan and AEW have been radio silent regarding the nuclear backstage feud between CM Punk and The Elite. Khan’s ignorance made for a really awkward interview with Ariel Helwani, which gave technique to a social media feud between the 2. The Younger Bucks’ return and fallout from the backstage brawl in Chicago was the topic of the premiere episode of “AEW All Entry.” Nonetheless, particulars remained few and much between. Nick Jackson—who was allegedly struck with a chair throughout the wild scene—merely said “I don’t wish to speak about it.”
AEW just lately booked the huge Wembley Stadium for its forthcoming All In occasion on August 27. Although AEW might replenish half the stadium and nonetheless be thought-about successful, Tony Khan didn’t e book one of many greatest and most iconic venues on the planet to be a glass half-full.
In Khan’s limitless quest to be seen as viable competitors to WWE, the nearer All In involves SummerSlam’s 79,127 tickets offered in 1992 (although WWE reported a determine of 80,355), the higher. However within the wrestling enterprise, the draw back of AEW’s try and pack Wembley Stadium are the dangers it feels it has to take. Along with Hardy, who has an extended historical past of substance abuse points, CM Punk’s personal backstage baggage will instantly make for a extra tense locker room.
AEW viewership has stagnated in 2023 as final night time’s broadcast of AEW Dynamite garnered 866,000 viewers. AEW was routinely doing over a million viewers throughout CM Punk’s run from 2021 to 2022. Punk’s return will, on the very least, result in an preliminary spike in curiosity and viewership. However the query stays: At what price?
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