WWE Has Eyes On AEW's Most Intense Political Situation

Colt Cabana's AEW return on this week's episode of Dynamite sparked new waves of political intrigue in the Tony Khan-helmed promotion, stemming from the ROH-assigned wrestler's longstanding issues with CM Punk - and WWE is paying close attention.

WrestleVotes reported on Thursday that AEW's closest competition, WWE, had taken note of Cabana's re-emergence on Dynamite. Now, Fightful Select reports that from WWE's point of view, Colt returning seems like a "huge signal" that if Punk wasn't already on his way out of AEW, he certainly is now.

A WWE source with knowledge of Cabana and Punk's personal situation quipped that they'd be surprised if the duo would be able to ever work again. Another, meanwhile, noted that they hadn't heard anything new regarding a potential relationship between Punk and Cabana.

Colt Cabana & CM Punk's Complicated Past

Cabana and Punk were once the closest of friends, going back to their time on the independent scene decades ago, though their relationship fell apart in 2018. Colt filed a lawsuit against Punk alleging that his former ROH cohort had gone back on an agreement to pay his legal fees as part of a claim against then-WWE medic Dr. Chris Amann. Punk filed a counter claim the following June, though the suits were settled and dismissed in September 2019.

That Cabana's AEW disappearance in November 2021 came a few short months after Punk joined the promotion that August sparked conspiratorial minds. Prior to last night, Colt's only taped action as a Khan-contracted wrestler came through ROH's two 2022 shows.

But despite his comeback, Cabana isn't expected to slot back into a regular AEW role. He is still assigned to ROH.

Will CM Punk Leave AEW?

Punk's AEW exit seems a matter of when, not if. The two parties are understood to be in negotiations over a buyout of the remaining period of the 44-year-old's contract following All Out (4 September), where Punk fought with Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks after an incendiary press conference rant.

Ace Steel, who bit Omega and pulled his hair as part of the fight, has already been released by AEW. The Bucks and Omega appear on the verge of returning following indefinite suspensions.