CM Punk's Injury Referenced On AEW Dynamite

Several months on from his acrimonious departure from All Elite Wrestling, CM Punk was referenced on Wednesday night's edition of AEW Dynamite.

Wardlow has been on the receiving end of a renewed push in 2024 as part of the Undisputed Kingdom and the former TNT Champion cut what many have called his best promo to date as he vented about being given a lack of opportunities in AEW, noting he has never received a shot at the AEW World Title two years on from being the most popular wrestler on the roster. 

Wardlow then referenced CM Punk and his current injury, saying: "Let's look at some of the people who have held (the AEW World Championship)... 'The best in the world', the 'real heavyweight champion' - I beat his ass like nobody has in his entire career. His body's still falling apart from me." 

Wardlow then mentioned his past victory over MJF and choking out Samoa Joe, all wins that have failed to provide him with a shot at the AEW World Championship. The 36-year-old then promised it would be war if anyone got in his way, calling himself the uncrowned AEW World Champion.  

CM Punk is currently out of action for six to eight months after sustaining a torn triceps in the men's Royal Rumble match in January 2024. Punk's final 18 months with AEW were particularly hampered by injury as he first suffered a broken foot before he tore his other triceps at All Out 2022. Punk was fired in September 2023 following a backstage scuffle with Jack Perry and multiple altercations with Tony Khan at All In. 

Wardlow and CM Punk went one-on-one on the January 12, 2022 episode of AEW Dynamite. The match saw Wardlow Powerbomb Punk over and over again, including through a table. Wardlow had the match won until MJF told his then-bodyguard to Powerbomb Punk one more time, which allowed the Second City Saviour to roll up Wardlow for the victory. 

H/T TJR Wrestling