The Hidden Value Of CM Punk's AEW Legacy Revealed

FTR's Dax Harwood speaks on the positive side of CM Punk's AEW run.

by Andy H Murray
CM Punk Dax Harwood
AEW

CM Punk's AEW run appears to have ended acrimoniously, with the two-time World Champion seemingly on his way out of the company after brawling with Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks after All Out 2022.

If Punk and AEW agree a buyout, it'll be a sour end to a year-long run that brought many an onscreen high, with Punk's impact backed up by a strong week-to-week drawing record. The 44-year-old's incendiary comments at the All Out press scrum sparked the fight, however, with The Elite, 'Hangman' Adam Page, and Colt Cabana coming into his firing line, leading, ultimately, to indefinite suspensions for all involved - and Ace Steel's release.

Now, Dax Harwood has spoken on the positive side of CM Punk's AEW legacy.

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Interviewed by Fightful, the FTR man (and frequent onscreen ally of Punk) said that sometimes, Punk's detractors are louder in getting their side of the story out than the former AEW Champion himself. Regardless, Harwood believes that Punk's actions and words come from a place of passion (h/t POST Wrestling):-

"A man who obviously has his detractors and sometimes the detractors, and not just in AEW – around the wrestling world, and some times the detractors are louder than him and get their news out more than him. But again, it all comes from a place of passion. When he first came into the company, I remember talking to Cash (Wheeler) and I said, “if this motherf—er comes in and if he says something to me about how I dress, dress code or whatever, we’re going to have a problem” and he came in, and he was the complete opposite."

Continuing, Harwood said that as well as keeping his metaphorical door open, Punk always made himself available for questions and advice. Like Dax himself, Punk is "unabashedly a wrestling fan," and he hopes he finds joy in whatever he does next:-

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"He had his door always open, invited people in, watched matches of the young wrestlers that asked him to, stuck around until the end of the show and anybody that had questions, he would answer the questions. He loves wrestling. Just like me, unabashedly is a professional wrestling fan. Just like Sasha (Banks), I talk to him every day and whatever he decides to do, I hope it brings him happiness and joy because he deserves it."

Punk and AEW are understood to still be locked in talks over a potential buyout for the remaining years on the star's contract. But even if Punk is let go, he won't be able to compete for a while, having torn his triceps while wrestling Jon Moxley at All Out.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.