CM Punk Signing With TNA?!
Punk was backstage at IMPACT Wrestling this weekend.
Bound for Glory came and went without CM Punk appearing, but speculation persists regarding the controversial star joining IMPACT Wrestling.
IMPACT, which will rebrand as Total Nonstop Action in January, hosted Punk backstage at its television tapings this Sunday. Haus of Wrestling reports that the former AEW and WWE star was taken to the locker room area after arriving at the arena before tapings commenced. The outlet notes that Punk arrived closer to bell time than when he visited IMPACT in April, as he didn't want to make a scene.
Punk spoke with several people backstage, including "key IMPACT talent," and met with anybody who wanted to do so. Talent was unfazed by him being there, having already seen him around in April.
Perhaps surprisingly, Punk did not spend much time with close friend Ace Steel, who has returned to IMPACT as a producer. Nonetheless, Steel, who has been fired by AEW twice in the past 12 months, "was warmly received backstage and seemed very happy to be back in work."
Fightful Select reports that sources close to Punk had indicated a few weeks ago that they didn't think the Chicagoan would want to join the Anthem-helmed promotion. They added, however, "that if he woke up one day and just decided he wanted to wrestle Josh Alexander or Motor Cicty Machine Guns", he'd likely be able to do that.
Another of Fightful's sources noted that he'd work for IMPACT if the circumstances were right. However, salary would be a hurdle as Punk's AEW pay was around 15-20 times what top IMPACT stars earn.
Punk is currently in pro wrestling limbo after being fired by AEW with cause in September. WWE has since passed up the opportunity to sign him.