Top AEW Star Denies They Were Set To Face CM Punk

A major AEW star gave a cutting response to rumours they were due to face CM Punk.

Back in June, CM Punk completed what would be his final return to AEW landing on new show Collision. With Punk back in the fold following injury and the infamous brawl at All Out eight months earlier, it seemed he was on a mission to regain the World Championship he never lost.

In the ring at All Out, Punk had defeated Jon Moxley to win the World Championship for a second time, although the gold would quickly be declared vacant.

On Collision, Punk declared himself the ‘real’ World Champion and seemed to be heading towards a showdown with MJF. Fans eagerly anticipated the match as their previous feud had been hailed as one of the greatest in AEW history.

However, before the pair could cross paths again, Punk was fired after getting into a backstage altercation at All In.

While some believe that Punk’s match with MJF would have closed the year at Worlds End, in a new interview with Liam Crowley of ComicBook.com, the Salt of the Earth denied this was ever the case.

“Was never a thing,” MJF said when asked if AEW Worlds End was originally set to host a unification bout between himself and Punk. “Next question.”

CM Punk Makes WWE In-Ring Return

Following his firing by AEW, CM Punk made an improbable return to WWE at Survivor Series. The star then went on a tour of the company appearing on Raw, SmackDown, and NXT before finally committing to the red brand.

While he’s clashed with Seth Rollins on the microphone, CM Punk didn’t return to the ring until December 26th. At WWE’s traditional Boxing Day event at Madison Square Garden, Punk defeated Dominik Mysterio before being presented with a special plaque backstage.

Meanwhile, MJF is set to defend the AEW World Championship at Worlds End against Samoa Joe.