In the world of professional wrestling, backstage drama can sometimes overshadow the in-ring action. This was certainly the case following a controversial incident involving former WWE Superstar CM Punk and AEW President Tony Khan. Punk, who had been released from AEW, made headlines when Khan expressed that he felt threatened during a backstage altercation with Punk and wrestler Jack Perry. Despite the tension, Punk made a return to WWE at the 2023 Survivor Series: WarGames Premium Live Event.
The incident continued to garner attention when CM Punk sat down for an interview with Ariel Helwani. During the conversation, Punk insisted that he did nothing to make Khan feel endangered. Following this interview, AEW decided to broadcast the backstage footage on an episode of Dynamite, which sparked a flurry of reactions on social media. Many fans and fellow wrestlers sided with Punk, feeling that the video largely corroborated his account of the events.
Among those reacting to the Dynamite footage was Ace Steel, a close friend of CM Punk and a former WWE and AEW personality. Steel, who had also been released from AEW after the incident, chose to express his thoughts indirectly by posting a photo on Instagram. The image featured himself with Punk, Lou Dangeli, and Lars Frederiksen, simply captioned with “MY BEST FRIENDS… #pals,” highlighting the bond between the group.
On a related note, WWE Superstar Jey Uso credited CM Punk for his recent victory over Drew McIntyre on RAW. Uso emerged as the number-one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship after Punk caused a distraction during a Fatal Four-Way match. In a digital exclusive interview, Uso jovially attributed his win to their shared love of ice cream and hockey, painting a picture of camaraderie between the two.
The wrestling community is abuzz with speculation about a potential match-up between CM Punk and Drew McIntyre, known as The Scottish Warrior. Fans are eager to see these two heavyweights clash in the ring, but the timeline for such a match remains uncertain as Punk’s readiness to return to full in-ring action is yet to be confirmed. Meanwhile, the conversation around the backstage drama and Punk’s influence in WWE continues to captivate audiences both inside and outside the wrestling world.
