AEW's Backstage Reaction To CM Punk WWE Return REVEALED
CM Punk is BACK in WWE, but how is AEW reacting?
As in WWE, CM Punk's Survivor Series 2023 return appears to have been met with a less-than-explosive backstage response in AEW.
Fightful Select reports that on Saturday, when Punk mounted his sensational, internet-breaking WWE return, AEW founder and CEO Tony Khan appeared more concerned with Katsuyori Shibata's impending return to Japan than his former World Champion joining the market leaders.
Shibata, who dropped his ROH Pure Championship last week, is understood to be departing the United States for Japan for "an extended period" imminently. The hard-hitting star had spent much of the past few years in the States, working primarily for Khan's umbrella of promotions.
Fightful states that within AEW, most reactions have involved company personnel inquiring about the backstage response within WWE.
Some WWE talents had asked if Punk was ever to be involved in AEW's ongoing 'Devil' storyline. Per Fightful, Punk was never considered for a role in that. AEW is yet to pull the big reveal of the masked figure, who has been plaguing World Champion MJF on television for months.
Punk's Survivor Series 2023 appearance was his first in WWE since 2014.