Report: CM Punk Not Expected Back In AEW

CM Punk is seemingly finished in All Elite Wrestling.

The two-time AEW World Champion is currently suspended following his involvement in a backstage fight with The Elite and Ace Steel after the All Out pay-per-view on September 4. The fight broke out after Punk's incendiary comments during his All Out media scrum in which he took shots at the AEW EVPs, Colt Cabana, and Hangman Page. Punk is also out of action with a torn triceps he suffered at All Out that will keep him out of the ring for several months. 

Beyond the AEW World Title being vacated, the promotion have not made an official announcement about Punk's status. The Second City Saviour did find himself excluded at Dynamite Grand Slam, though, as Ian Riccaboni failed to mention Punk while the announcer recapped other major names who had been ROH World Champion during Claudio Castagnoli vs. Chris Jericho. 

Speaking on an PWTorch audio show, Wade Keller stated the omission was noteworthy before he reported that Punk is not expected back in AEW. 

"I think this is noteworthy but not surprising [that] he excluded CM Punk's name as he talked about some of the biggest names who have held the title. That's a bit of a tell. As I talked with Jason Powell yesterday about - I am not expecting CM Punk to wrestle in AEW again. I'm not saying it's 100 percent sure thing but everything is pointing in the direction of some sort of buyout of his contract. We'll learn more eventually about that situation," Keller said. 

Punk returned to pro wrestling after seven years away in August of 2021. He quickly re-established himself as a top star within the industry, having memorable feuds with Eddie Kingston and MJF before he had two reigns as AEW World Champion prior to his suspension. 

H/T to WrestlingNews.co