Report: Chris Jericho Told The Locker Room He Would Ensure CM Punk Doesn't Return To AEW

If CM Punk is to return to All Elite Wrestling, he will have to overcome one major hurdle in Chris Jericho. 

Punk is currently away from All Elite Wrestling due to a torn triceps and his involvement in a backstage fight with The Elite following his infamous post-All Out media scrum. While Punk is in talks with AEW over a contract buyout, speculation of a possible AEW return was fuelled this week after Dax Harwood issued a plea for Punk and The Elite to solve their differences for the good of professional wrestling. The two-time AEW World Champion then acknowledged the plea after a podcast urged all parties involved in the fight to apologise and shake hands. 

A Punk return faces considerable opposition within AEW, though, and Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Chris Jericho and other top talents told the AEW locker room they would make sure Punk is not brought back to the promotion. 

Jericho previously reportedly called Punk a "cancer to the locker room" and a "detriment" to AEW after the All Out backstage fight. The Ocho was extremely angry about Punk's perceived lack of professionalism during the All Out media scrum. Punk allegedly told Jericho it was none of his business. 

Jericho, Bryan Danielson, and Jon Moxley have established themselves as the leaders within the AEW locker room since All Out. 

On a potential Punk return, Meltzer noted nothing has changed despite Harwood's plea.