CM Punk's Antics Cost This AEW Star A HUGE PPV Main Event

AEW had this huge match on deck for All Out before CM Punk's suspension.

by Andy H Murray
AEW Collision CM Punk Ricky Starks
AEW

Ricky Starks has become an unfortunate casualty of AEW's CM Punk situation, with Punk's suspension potentially meaning 'Absolute' missing out on a pay-per-view main event.

Fightful Select reports that before Punk was suspended for his backstage fight with Jack Perry at All In 2023, he and Starks had been discussed as potential All Out 2023 opponents this Sunday (3 September), likely in the headlining spot.

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Starks, who is 1-1 against Punk in singles competition this year, is currently serving a kayfabe suspension for attacking Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat on Collision a few weeks ago. He has remained on television regardless, pairing himself with Big Bill.

Fightful has confirmed that Ricky isn't injured and was never set to appear at All In last week. Nonetheless, Starks vs. Punk for the AEW Real World's Championship had been discussed for All Out, continuing their Collision feud.

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Whether or not the match is officially off is currently unclear, though AEW has served Punk with an indefinite suspension following the Perry brawl. The promotion didn't mention the bout as part of its All Out card announcements on last night's Dynamite.

Starks, meanwhile, is set to challenge the 70-year-old Steamboat for 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.