TV Network Pissed WWE Let CM Punk Join AEW

WWE may not be bothered about CM Punk's AEW arrival, but someone else is...

Jul 29, 2021 July 29th, 2021

While last night's AEW Dynamite only added further fuel to the fire that CM Punk is on the cusp of becoming #AllElite, Andrew Zarian has an interesting update on how WWE - and, more importantly, one of their TV partners - feels about the Second City Saint's rumoured AEW arrival.

Speaking on the Mat Men Podcast, Zarian explained how WWE higher-ups are not concerned about Punk heading to AEW. Those members of management don't believe that the Straight-Edge Superstar's stock is what it once was, with his UFC fights having taken some of the sheen off the multiple-time World Champion.

What's a little alarming for WWE, mind, is that Zarian said one of WWE's TV partners isn't happy about Punk signing with AEW. It wasn't said which TV partner was displeased, although anyone with half a brain can see how CM Punk returning to WWE can only benefit the promotion's dismal ratings. And as a partner who's paying a hefty amount for WWE programming, it's easy to see why any and all TV partners wouldn't be too pleased right now.

Rather than being bothered by CM Punk heading to AEW, Zarian claims that WWE is far more upset at the prospect of Daniel Bryan signing with Tony Khan's All Elite Wrestling. Whereas WWE reportedly had not even considered opening up talks with Punk about a return to action, they were actively trying to agree a new deal with Bryan.

As it stands, both CM Punk and Bryan Danielson are said to be on their way to AEW, with Punk now heavily rumoured to make his AEW bow at the recently-announced The First Dance edition of AEW Rampage on 20 August - which just so happens to take place from the United Center in the Chicago native's hometown.

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Andrew Pollard

Senior Writer

Once described as the Swiss Army Knife of WhatCulture, Andrew can usually be found writing, editing, or presenting on a wide range of topics. As a lifelong wrestling fan, horror obsessive, and comic book nerd, he's been covering those topics professionally as far back as 2010. In addition to his current WhatCulture role of Senior Content Producer, Andrew previously spent nearly a decade as Online Editor and Lead Writer for the world's longest-running genre publication, Starburst Magazine, and his work has also been featured on BBC, TechRadar, Tom's Guide, WhatToWatch, Sportkskeeda, and various other outlets, in addition to being a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic. Between his main day job, his role as the lead panel host of Wales Comic Con, and his gig as a pre-match host for Wrexham AFC games, Andrew has also carried out a hugely varied amount of interviews, from the likes of Robert Englund, Kane Hodder, Adrienne Barbeau, Rob Zombie, Katharine Isabelle, Leigh Whannell, Bruce Campbell, and Tony Todd, to Kevin Smith, Ron Perlman, Elijah Wood, Giancarlo Esposito, Simon Pegg, Charlie Cox, the Russo Brothers, and Brian Blessed, to Kevin Conroy, Paul Dini, Tara Strong, Will Friedle, Burt Ward, Andrea Romano, Frank Miller, and Rob Liefeld, to Bret Hart, Sting, Mick Foley, Ricky Starks/Saints, Jamie Hayter, Britt Baker, Eric Bischoff, and William Regal, to Mickey Thomas, Joey Jones, Phil Parkinson, Brian Flynn, Denis Smith, Gary Bennett, Karl Connolly, and Bryan Robson - and that's just the tip of an ever-expanding iceberg. Where his beloved Wrexham AFC is concerned, Andrew is co-host of the Fearless in Devotion podcast, which won the Club Podcast of the Year gong at the 2024 FSA Awards.

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