Report: CM Punk Tapes 'Polarising' Interview With ESPN Ahead Of AEW Return

The rumour mill has once again been buzzing ahead of CM Punk's return to All Elite Wrestling after Wade Keller of PWTorch claimed on an audio show that something about CM Punk would be published before the debut episode of Collision that wasn't going to help matters and would turn the situation into "one of those weeks" for All Elite Wrestling. 

Fightful Select has since reported that CM Punk taped an interview with ESPN last week which is scheduled to drop "sometime soon." The interview was set up by AEW and the promotion did monitor what was going on. Punk is believed to have spoken in a manner that "would blur the lines and create buzz for upcoming shows" in such a way that those watching might question if Punk was working or shooting. 

One of the topics Punk discussed in the interview was The Elite and word of the interview reached several talents at the June 14 taping of AEW Dynamite. Some of the elements of the ESPN interview reportedly didn't go over well with the roster, although that reaction was only based on second-hand recountings. Punk was said to be very aware, however, that his responses in the interview would be seen as polarising.

What exactly Punk said in the interview is currently unknown but it may also affect his plans for Forbidden Door. It recently emerged that CM Punk vs. KENTA was planned for the June 25 pay-per-view but Fightful Select were told after news of those plans broke that Punk "wasn't thrilled with working with KENTA and he may come across badly in an interview." Of course, Punk's comments about KENTA may just be a work to build intrigue for Forbidden Door. 

AEW are protected by documents that CM Punk recently signed, which included non-disparagement clauses. 

Punk is set to make his AEW return after almost one year away on the debut episode of Collision on June 17. He is set to team with FTR to take on Samoa Joe and Bullet Club Gold.