CM Punk’s Suspension Altered AEW All Out Plans For Ricky Starks

The effects of CM Punk’s suspension are being felt throughout the AEW roster, particularly when it comes to Ricky Starks.

AEW All In was a smashing success, taking place in front of a record-breaking crowd inside Wembley Stadium on August 27th. However, backstage drama once again reared its ugly head in the company, particularly when it comes to CM Punk.

After Jack Perry made some comments directed at Punk during his FTW Title bout with HOOK, Punk and Perry got into an altercation backstage. Reports vary on exactly what happened between the two men, but the altercation turned physical, and both men have now been suspended as an investigation into the incident is conducted.

Meanwhile, Ricky Starks is just about finished serving a storyline suspension as the result of his attacking Ricky Steamboat on the August 5th episode of Collision. Starks was originally suspended for 30 days, but the company later changed the suspension length to 28 days, which would allow him to compete at All Out on September 3rd.

Ricky Starks Was Supposed To Face CM Punk At AEW All Out

According to a new report from Fightful Select, Starks’ suspension was strictly done as part of a storyline and the star is not injured. Plans were always in place for him to remain on television during his suspension, but as he was not planned to appear inside Wembley Stadium for All In, the suspension length made sense.

The report goes on to note that Starks was discussed for a huge rematch against CM Punk at All Out for the Real AEW World Championship prior to Punk’s real-life suspension, following up on the feud the two had earlier in the summer. Fightful Select has heard that the match between Starks and Punk likely would have been the main event of All Out.

As of now, there is no word on whether this planned match will be able to take place, whether at All Out or not. According to the report, Starks is not planned for the August 30th episode of Dynamite.