AEW Abandons Plans For CM Punk's Real World Championship Following His Firing

Don't expect the 'Real' AEW World Championship to ever resurface on All Elite Wrestling's programming.

According to Fightful Select, the 'Real' World Title has been abandoned following CM Punk's firing earlier this month. Punk was sacked by AEW following a backstage altercation with Jack Perry at All In on August 27. It has since emerged that Punk had multiple confrontations with AEW CEO Tony Khan at the event, with Khan stating during his announcement of Punk's firing that he feared for his life at All In.

Punk had carried the 'Real' AEW World Championship since his return to the promotion on the June 17 episode of AEW Collision. The belt was initially kept secret in a red bag until it was unveiled following Punk's loss to Ricky Starks in the final of the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament. Punk then successfully defended the title against Starks on the August 5 edition of Collision and The Second City Saint recorded another successful defence against Samoa Joe at All In (following his fight with Perry).

Plans were in motion for a rubber match between Punk and Starks at All Out with the 'Real' World Title on the line but the match was nixed due to Punk's firing. Starks instead faced Bryan Danielson in a critically lauded Strap Match.

If CM Punk is still in possession of the 'Real' AEW World Title, similar to Hulk Hogan and the WCW World Heavyweight Championship following Bash at the Beach 2000, is unknown.