Jim Cornette on A CM Punk Return To AEW

From Episode 281 of the Jim Cornette's Drive Thru
Artwork by Travis Heckel!
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[@Robby_C]

It isn't "their own Codyverse" ...the whole reason the "Codyverse" became a thing is the same reason why Punk got heat... Half the locker room wants to make a Pro-wrestling show and the other half of the locker room just wants to do backyard wrestling on somebody else dime... and Tony doesn't have enough balls to pick a direction.

[@AdrianBeegoatz]

Preeeeach

[@seanbarton4940]

YESSIR!

[@buttholeweeb621]

That's the truth

[@ButWhatIfItIs]

You've put it a lot better than I've tried to in the past. The latter half don't care about good storytelling (in or outside the ring), adding drama through legitimate wrestling psychology etc, all they want is to be themselves (hello Adam Page) and do cool, edgy spots (in their heads) and lap up applause from the audience. And.there's a place for that at the dinner table, but not at the head of the table... Which is a lovely Segway to bring up Roman Reigns. The level of storytelling with that whole Bloodline storyline is what I want to see, preferably with stories going from upper right down to lower card. Its been proven that it's what the fans want given a couple hundred thousand tune in specifically to see how the story is playing out and whenever Roman is on screen, quite frankly. Still, the Bucks and Ormega despite their diminishing status aren't completely useless as of yet, but I'd be sitting them down to essentially say it isn't all about them, and if they want to play silly little games on screen and backstage, then they can do that in the bingo hall, or behave like professionals at work and do what's best for the business and the bottom line. That way, everyone makes more money, right? They're like kids having a strop because they have to do group work with people they don't like. Nonsensical.

[@MIGHTYBOOSCH198]

Cody on a recent shoot that very neutral on the brawl did say that he wanted to make Croccet styke wrestling while the Bucks wanted to do indy wrestling with a budget and he said it was great because it gave the audience variety... I don't think he meant it though and even if he did he never acknowledged disjointed it made the show.

[@jabdnor]

Tony is like the anti-Vince. He is too nice and hates confrontation while Vince just doesn't give a fuck if you cry in front of him.

[@Dyler]

He's completely the inverse of Vince. He always books the smaller guys to beat the bigger guys; Vince will call an audible even when one isn't needed and Tony will stick to "the plan" when an audible is sorely needed; Vince cares about business above art, whereas Tony wants to produce art instead of business, etc... It's uncanny, really.

[@adamg2031]

Didn't Jim once tell a story about how Vince had a meeting where he was going to fire Rikishi, and then not only didn't fire him, but hired three more of his family members? I'm not saying Vince is a pushover, but I also never got the impression he was indifferent towards the people who worked for him.

[@MrSircharles05]

Not having the balls to stand up to people isn't the same as being nice. Tony is just a doormat.

[@scottthegeneticfreaksteine393]

@@adamg2031 yeah that was a recent story I believe

[@pleaseshutup7053]

@@adamg2031 if your family is in the business Vince cares

[@jimmygalanopoulos4852]

Punk and FTR taking the tag trios titles from the Elite would not only draw a boat load of money and hype, but would actually give those "unwanted championships" some credibility and interest.

[@Melo_Soul]

I think the elite are vs the house of black at the ppv though 🤔

[@juangraciaofficial]

Didn't thought about it. You're right sir. You could actually do a lot with that trios division and the huge number of wrestlers who we barely see on TV and who better to lead that than the 3 best workers in the business

[@pavma7]

Who cares about the trios title

[@jimmygalanopoulos4852]

@@pavma7 Nobody does lol But if they're going to have them, they should do more to make people care.

[@ronniejdio9411]

That's a main event right there. Great story and drama

[@RIDGEMATIC]

The fact he didn't fire them but actually IMMEDIATELY put the titles back on them when they returned despite tanking ratings is mind boggling

[@pleaseshutup7053]

Very weird

[@craigphillips3154]

The answer is simple: Tony is a nice guy who is way over his head and he picked his gaming friends over what was best for his business. The problem that he is (hopefully) realizing is that his gaming friends aren't doing his business any good at all. The answer is in the "ALL ELITE" part of the name. He started this business because of them. They sold him on the idea that they could make a ton of money by bringing in their gang of friends from the indy/Japanese wrestling scene and letting the wrestlers "shine" by doing what they wanted to do. This was in stark contrast to the WWE's tightly controlled, "we script every movement and we own everything" way of running their business. All Tony had to do was use his connections with the cable networks and start writing massive checks. The problem was that nobody had a clue how to run an actual wrestling company (or any company, for that matter). Just the mere fact that Tony made the Young Bucks, Omega, and Cody into "EVPs" tells you everything you need to know about everything that Tony doesn't know. They all were indulging their own self-interests first over any interests in making the overall company successful. At least Cody had the good sense/luck to get out (for a lot more money, of course). Notice how you haven't seen or heard Brandi in the WWE? The WWE has the backbone to say "no" their wrestlers (except for Bray Wyatt, I guess).

[@Z2KR]

probably didnt want to scrap his already made plans knowing TK, When TK Made this division all It sounded to me was like its tailor made for the Elite

[@TheIslandDivision]

They're a trio of Karens. I'd give them their trios belts to shut them up too.

[@dngn4774]

It feels like when Vince was obsessed with keeping Michaels happy except that everyone in the elite are less talented and even worse draws than hbk. They have him convinced that he needs them even though there’s no way they could thrive on this level without Tony.

[@Simouno]

When CM Punk went away when he first got injured, the Dynamite ratings declined, then he came back and Dynamite was doing routinely around 1m viewers When The Elite went away the ratings stayed the same and when they came back, they immediately declined That tells you exactly who is valuable and who is not on that company

[@dngn4774]

The crazy thing is, Tony could probably lose the elite and Jericho and pull roughly the same numbers but none of them could get a tenth of what they want creatively out of wwe that they’re currently getting from AEW. Tony Khan has so much more leverage over this situation that he’s just not seeing.

[@ronniejdio9411]

Tony could lose 76% of his roster including the elite and he'd have the same fan base and ratings

[@williamking256]

Losing Jericho at this point would boost their ratings, because he keeps leeching on the "hottest trend wrestlers" coming up and sucks the shine completely off of them. He's the main reason they have no stars. (Well, him and Moxly, but that's because Moxly buries everyone he works with)

[@valentineX1X]

He knows he's just to much of a fucking coward to act on it.

[@craig581]

There is a large amount of viewers who solely watch AEW for The Elite. Kenny Omega, no matter what you think about him, when he's on point and taking things seriously, he's excellent.

[@dngn4774]

@@craig581 and when he was out for a full year injured no one blinked. For the record, I don't think Kenny Omega is horrible when he's working with an opponent who can ground him. Much like Moxley he's as good as his opponent but his default style just turns me off.

[@matthewelliott2213]

A Punk return makes too much sense for it to be an AEW reality or possibility.

[@rayrome7244]

Once he recovers from his injury TK has no choice but to bring him back to save the ratings, I like Omega n The Bucks but they don't draw, Punk is a draw love him or hate him

[@PlayzieBum]

@@rayrome7244 I can somewhat get omega but saying you like the bucks is embarrassing sir.

[@PatrickMaliha]

Is it possible to give this a thousand thumbs up emojis?

[@KC-vx5wo]

@@rayrome7244 tony needs to hand over booking to someone who knows what they're doing or nothing will change. One guy's good segment doesn't make a difference if the rest of the show tanks.

[@rayrome7244]

@@PlayzieBum why? They're ok, not my favorite tag team but they decent lol

[@northleedspoppa]

The company drove off their only draw and replaced him with ppl who drive fans off

[@pleaseshutup7053]

They didn’t drive off punk he is just injured

[@acerimmer9894]

this is what happens when they owner wants to be everyones friend rather then respected as the boss and u know run a company and make it as successful as it can be

[@dranzerjetli5126]

@@acerimmer9894 the problem is nobody books my show but me.

[@northleedspoppa]

@@pleaseshutup7053 I think when pillman jr went into business for him self and senior company execs turned up mob handed to fight him he probably felt a bit under valued

[@L3ghair]

I genuinely believe Omega would be willing to patch things up with Punk and work with him, as it was reported that they sat down with one another after the brawl out and hashed things out. I think it's the Bucks that aren't willing to, and it's the bucks that are manipulating all of this bullshit.

[@MrSircharles05]

And possibly Jericho too. With Punk gone he's top dog again. And it's interesting that for a guy who wasn't even at the brawl, Jericho sure was running his mouth a lot after the media scrum.

[@L3ghair]

@@MrSircharles05 Yeah him too. What a pathetic waste of a man. He's bitched about the politics in WCW for decades but now look at him.

[@YamatODEN424]

If it’s true that in that fight Kenny went to get punks dog out the way I’m pretty sure Kenny would be willing to talk and mend things

[@ChaosTheory9]

That would be cool, plus I feel the money is with punk/omega, and not so much with the bucks. Any match would prob draw huge numbers

[@DaggerPrince]

@@YamatODEN424 i also believe there were some reports the dog lost some of its teeth. so it was probably hit during the fight. and since we know of Kenny as being the only one who we know for a fact touched the dog.. it leaves even the possibility maybe he was rough with the dog and not actually as considerate as it sounds? But maybe it was someone else who hit the dog and kenny really tried to help him. dont know.

[@eduardodubois4994]

Punk vs Ricky Starks is also something I personally look forward to. As punk was also the one who pulled MJF out of the Jericho's pit and maybe can help Eddie Kingston again.

[@osaji922]

As long as Starks goes over, sure.

[@BerndosMusic]

After Punk left, it's not that I decided not to watch AEW anymore in a way to show I disliked what I saw - unlike with WWE at times - it just slowly faded from my mind because I just didn't care. Only these videos in my sub box remind me.

[@daleharris3809]

Punk was the only guy out there who could possibly help AEW achieve any kind of mainstream traction. With him gone, AEW has gone back to catering to it's stagnant core fan base.

[@WrestlingIsReal649]

Nobody cares about aew other than punk and mjf

[@juangraciaofficial]

You described word by word my experience. Not even MJF has made me look up what happened on AEW

[@daleharris3809]

@@juangraciaofficial It's just hard knowing that once the MJF-Danielson feud is done....what else is there? Anyone really wanna see MJF and Omega? Or God forbid MJF and Jericho again. Fact is MJF is so far beyond everyone else on the current roster that it's hard to take anyone else seriously. I'm sure he knows it too. If MJF leaves for WWE-or when-who else is left?

[@HeavensRedemption]

@@WrestlingIsReal649 what about DB...or I guess it's BD now lol

[@michaellee8816]

AEW and the EVPS need Punk and FTR far more than Punk and FTR need them.....what a bitter pill it must be to them....

[@BishopM1]

They desperately need Punk back. I hope he comes back at the ppv or the Wednesday after.

[@KC-vx5wo]

they desperately need a booker who knows what he's doing or it's a waste. One segment that bumps the rating doesn't matter if the rest of the show tanks in the 700,000s

[@el-youtub3r402]

@@KC-vx5wo that was exactly the case this past week on Dynamite The whole show was rotten until the MJF segment (obviously) and once that had happened. The show continued to go down the toilet and to top it of the women main evented in that meaningless, worthless, stupid as fck! angle they are doing between Storm/Paige against the homegrown girls... The way TK books his show, is like a one on one in how to fck up your wrestling show!

[@AznagPT]

Imagine Punk screwing Danielson for the title, just to get back to beating MJF for the triple B

[@take7upyours822]

They need to build a brand that isn't just "We aren't THAT network (WWE). Look at us! We do cool random shit! Please watch."

[@PhillyLeotardo25]

Funny WWE got better when CM Trump no showed WM30

[@mr.speyside5240]

I’ve started watching WWE again and HHH has improved the quality tremendously. Conversely, AEW has tanked after that brawl. They were neck and neck but now WWE is making AEW look like a high school production at this point. It’s embarrassing. We can blame the Bucks for the rise and the fall of AEW!

[@Warm_and_loveable]

Agree 100

[@LoPhatKao]

imagine Mark Briscoe calling Punk back to be his new partner i'd watch that

[@coreyhall1150]

No mark deserves a singles run and punk is a singles guy PERIOD.

[@Kr4ShSkeL]

punk can't lace jay briscoes boots

[@marathiboi96]

@@Kr4ShSkeL those are real hard boots to feel being honest, I'm pretty sure anyone would fill them, anytime soon

[@AaronSentinal]

The ratings are crashing, AEW needs the dollars and cents back

[@mahakalavanilla6263]

This week was dismal. NXT is on Dynamite’s heels. WoW is on the verge of eclipsing Rampage. Apart from anything else it feels lifeless atm. They need Phillip back as a matter of urgency

[@KC-vx5wo]

as a mega heel or it's a waste imo

[@mickshealthjourney3635]

The best thing TK could do is opt to not renew the EVP contracts during renegotiating. TK doesn't need their names anymore. You get rid of the Elite, and many of their friends will leave with them. Cull the roster, bring in talent based on their merits instead of their connections, and the product will improve drastically.

[@sigmablock]

aaaaand f’n promote the veterans to actually become VPs themselves. They have the wealth of experience!

[@nickhughes8179]

Addition by Subtraction. Send the PWG clown show back to the VFW Hall in Reseda, and push a core group. MJF, Wardlow, Ricky Starks, Powerhouse Hobbs, and FTR for starters.

[@talon12020]

They could do all that and the product wouldn't improve at all because Tony would still be the booker.

[@mickshealthjourney3635]

@@talon12020 The booking sucks, but I have to imagine he's getting a lot of input from the Executive Vice Presidents of the company, as I'm sure they have some amount of creative control in their contracts.

[@christopherstoecker151]

I would say from the number of nods and the fact he never butted in to stop Punk from saying all the things he said at the scrum I would say Tony agreed with a lot of it if not all. Imagine the thought of the Bucks and Omega actually acting like EVPs and treating your only star like a valued employee

[@cosmodash6360]

I still really really want a CM Punk AEW World Heavyweight Champion run. He was fabulous even for a couple of days as a champion. He is perfect to represent the company and to put it back on the radar. It can't end like this. I still really believe that he can have one last good run as a Champion.

[@pleaseshutup7053]

I don’t think his body is reliable enough to be champion that’s the issue not doing drugs ironically hurts him in his recovery

[@lilvin6916]

He's made of glass, I will laugh myself silly if he come back after all of this just to get injured again

[@redacid97]

@@pleaseshutup7053aside from opioid pain pills, none of the medications involved in sports injuries are relevant to being straight edge or not.

[@pleaseshutup7053]

@@redacid97 steroids and hgh most athletes use a form of steroid for recovery

[@MisterJonesification]

He lookedfrail and sick, his wrestling work looked weak, and it felt that the title was forced on him because of his name not because he deserved it.

[@TRoller927]

Travis on point again with Punk beating up The Hardly Boys and Jim giving him the thumbs up!

[@GenGamesUniverse]

Notice that Meltzer IS NOT talking shit about Punk!

[@dranzerjetli5126]

Lol true . aew shill cannot say anything bad coz his boys are getting destroyed online.

[@bb-ballistics1706]

I said from day one he will be back. It's amazing how quickly the fans turned on him. I love punk and can't wait for him to return. He could come back with ftr and take the trios belts. He could come back as the company's biggest heel. his work with mjf was incredible. His return was one of the best I've seen. Bring him back and screw what the elite or fickle fans say.

[@abcsin6526]

I didn't turn on him and happy ,if he returns

[@savievere9759]

Never turned on Punk. Meltzer and the other guys hyping the Elite are way too slanted in their coverage

[@abcsin6526]

@@savievere9759 exactly but they have influenced other people and that's the reason ,people have turned on punk

[@augiegonzalez1082]

Errbody on here go to my you tube page i have the only trios match from cm punk ftr vs the gunz w/ caster of the acclaimed last yr at the forum

[@autumnhileman5453]

Punk has a lot more support than what is being reported on 😂. I wonder how that happened 🤔

[@JakeMinassian]

I just think it’s funny he’s their top merch mover. He’s undeniable.

[@rickgreb5783]

2nd Danhausen is actually 1st shocking i know. ( but i do like danhausen lol)

[@emiliomarbanjr]

@@rickgreb5783 easy when entire AEW has been shitting on Punk eversince.

[@conniecarroll747]

@@rickgreb5783 2nd or 1st, that's still higher than their title holders.

[@jonpike9502]

It would be like an adult going back to Jr. High school

[@KC-vx5wo]

🤣

[@KaiTakApproach]

Billy Madison is a great movie, so saying this makes it even more palatable.

[@brokenfunnibones]

He needs to do the part time run, I'd love to see him every week, but, it needs to feel special when he shows up. Plus it'd be better on his body n health overall

[@Jesse_Saucedo]

I totally agree But CM Punk is too prideful he don't want to be labeled a part timer Because then they'll say he's fragile and weak and he'll probably remember the feeling when a part timer in wwe Took his WM main event spot two years in a row Because let's face it WM 28 Main Event belonged to CM Punk and Cena & WM 29 should've been CM Punk putting his Long Title reign against The Streak and Punk beating the streak would've been better then Lesnar getting that rubb

[@anthonyboumansour135]

he is nothing special to show up every now and then lol Brock Lesnar, Taker, Cena, etc for sure but I don't think CM Punk has that sort of value

[@brokenfunnibones]

@@anthonyboumansour135 to each his own. I think Brock is boring as shyt but that's just my opinion

[@anthonyboumansour135]

@@brokenfunnibones fair enough but at least Brock Lesnar is a well recognised name beyond the wrestling bubble

[@JoJo-ie8sl]

LOL that balding buck face slays me everytime.

[@420benton2]

824,000 viewers watched Dynamite this week! Tony is even driving away AEW fans now. AEW is a rudderless sinking ship under TK. I'm pretty sure Slapnuts has come in with his reverse Midas touch to burn the company down from the inside!

[@nunyanunya4147]

i said at the AllIn ppv 'this reeks ov the good era ov TNA...' and just like TNA it wont die. it may change its name in a couple years but AEW is never going to die. it isnt a good immortality.

[@austin31697]

Funny you say Double J came to burn it down, I'd be mad to if someone wanted my company to come on their show and take my title to their show and make my show look weak. People wondered why WWE wouldn't do the forbidden door stuff,someone's wrestlers have to look bad to the opposing ones. Forbidden door is not a good thing spite people thinking it is.

[@spiritplanes2453]

@@nunyanunya4147everything dies eventually

[@Copperstoned]

@@spiritplanes2453 Except for the spirit of the Ultimate Warrior. That will live on *f o r e v e r !*

[@joshx022]

@nunya nunya only wrestling business that came in without the intent to make money. With well financing from day 1....and they already peaked with so much talent....pretty disappointing.

[@stepkickking9868]

10:51 I’m glad Jim brought this up, so many people drastically underestimate Punk’s martial arts background. Sure he got whooped in the UFC, but that was against professional fighter’s. Put him against another pro wrestler or just an average dude off the street, Punk would smash them.

[@rizkyanandita8227]

People that never go up against a professional in any sports never realize that the gap between the masses and the journeyman of the pro are miles ahead.

[@nickhughes8179]

Imagine The Elite in MMA. I can see Kenny prissy prancing and fancy dancing, Canterbury twatting, gesticulating, finger pointing, and making his constipated Boo Diddly smokes crack faces while his opponent looks at him with concern that he has CTE and early onset Dementia. The Bucks would try a thigh slap Superkick which would have no effect. They would then get picked up gently like toddlers by their opponents who would take the octagon mike and ask if there are any parents missing their children.

[@ZachHighwind]

This is why AEW needs a head booker, writer, however you want to call it to handle all these people, TK can be like how Vince was, the booker would run ideas by him and he can approve or reject the ideas

[@ariesroc]

Great point. Having a booker doesn't mean you aren't ultimately in charge but it allows you to shape the product but leave the details to someone who hopefully knows what is going on.

[@Narinder_Bali]

@@ariesroc yes somebody should tell him .. kiss asses will never .. he could learn from a head broker.

[@ariesroc]

@@Narinder_Bali We keep hearing about how he's some student of wrestling history but you'd never know it by how he runs the company. I guess he just wants so badly to be liked that it's more important to him for his live action play wrestling than being an actual successful business. He had several clear years to make inroads with the terrible WWE product but now that it's less terrible than it has been in years that window is closing. Imagine if WWE ever became actually good? Not likely but what if it did?

[@exilhamburger4802]

Well, if only AEW did have somebody like William Regal working backstage with talent... Oops, they did, but he left skid marks on his way back to HHH!

[@ZachHighwind]

@@exilhamburger4802 This is true but if Vince gets his way selling the company, Regal and HHH may not be there for much longer if they butt heads with the new owners

[@hectic105]

I’m still unsure of if he’ll ever be back, but MJF DID say “best in the world” like, a million times on Wednesday…..

[@yusufgazi7]

The AEW marks and EVPs are too childish to have Punk back.. And Tony is too much of a doormat mark to defy them

[@Nostalgia9478]

824 k AEW desperarely needs Punk back

[@kylewebb8779]

"Put your tail between your legs and say I'm sorry, Mr. Brooks" lmao

[@forcestephens4565]

I hope he actually does comeback Punk made AEW Watchable and brought in a Ton of Ratings

[@renelimas333]

Also if he comes back must certainly FTR comes back

[@klawstecno2083]

A program between him and Christian Cage would be great, i would love to see It.

[@Richardprior839]

Ton of Ratings but still under a million lol

[@jeffreymarksworld534]

"a ton of ratings" what in the hell are you talking about. He brought in ratings for like 2 weeks then back to the way it was. I laughed hard when I read that. You live in your own little world

[@aviwegexa9031]

Lol at Punk bringing in "ton of ratings", you always agree with Cornette even when he is wrong. Pink didn't do shit for AEW and Jim had the nerve to say WWE needs him

[@isaihvega9928]

The "leverage" that the bucks and omega have is the friendship with tony. No amount of viewers or money that Punk draws will ever trump that. In his mind he probably feels like punk messed with his friends so hes gonna side with them

[@KC-vx5wo]

doubt it. didn't tony start aew because he wanted punk, jericho, and cornette? He seems to have settled for the elite and cody. i'm sure they're very close friends like you say but i don't think he wants to pick them over punk jmo

[@ronniejdio9411]

His friends would jump ship to wwe

[@elvispressley2365]

Bc Tony is stuck at 11.

[@dranzerjetli5126]

True. He is a drug addict too

[@dranzerjetli5126]

@@ronniejdio9411 they should and ruin wwe programming. Let's be honest they suck as characters. Their promo game Is awful and the young bucks look like clowns.

[@akamiguelsanchez9985]

Punk, FTR, Ace Steel vs The Lollipop guild in their Wargames knockoff would be great

[@mahakalavanilla6263]

Chad Ace Steel will forever be the biggest babyface in wrestling to me

[@movementencouragedfitness5945]

I would turn my tv on and to AEW if Punk returned. He’s the only real draw. And he’s like 1 of 5 legit pro wrestlers over there.

[@williswalkeriii6821]

Till this day I still watch the media scrum😂

[@BasketCase420]

😂😂😂😂 I'm hurt and I'm old and I'm fucking tired and I work with fucking children

[@RandalfElVikingo]

Best promo produced in AEW.

[@yelb9135]

It’s bloody great 😂

[@williswalkeriii6821]

@@RandalfElVikingo 👀👀🤞🏾

[@KC-vx5wo]

if I ever go to Chicago I'm hitting up Mindy's straight from the airport

[@RandomAssaultPodcast]

I actually had a dream CM Punk came back to wrestling but it was TNA and I actually woke up laughing at how much of a swerve that would be

[@Hatchbasic]

Hahaha that would be great

[@heroinabuser5980]

God impact is so awful, so low budget, nobody cares about it everyone who goes smells like ass and is fat. Every wrestler is either hokey, ugly or on drugs. Everything there is undesirable I feel bad for every wrestler there

[@Gurziak]

That does seem to the place for the most toxic people in wrestling who have burned every bridge they laid eyes on.

[@ajgaming2445]

@@Gurziak okay buddy then why is everybody talking about punk coming back now. It's because the buckaroos suck, twinkletoes sucks and that's pretty much it.

[@LINKMASTERX]

Shouldn't you be dreaming about things in your own life? Lol

[@garyhen2028]

Tony better be listening to this, and better understand what Jim and Brian are saying, cause this is their one and only chance to get him back

[@662chillin]

Trust me he is

[@Absinthexx7]

@@662chillin I trust you that he’s listening, I don’t think he understands anything

[@valentineX1X]

​@@Absinthexx7 This.

[@tallgoose85]

LMAOOOO jfc you fanboys are hilarious. You actually believe Jim’s bullshit omg

[@Absinthexx7]

@@tallgoose85 nah you might be onto something mark stranger I’ve never heard of before. Clearly Aew is doing great so Jim must be wrong, right?

[@Rawkuz99]

Expecting either Phil or the Elite to apologize is an exercise in futility.

[@joaomendes147]

Precisely

[@RandalfElVikingo]

To be fair, if you apologize to those douches that would boost their ego. Better to treat them like the trash they are.

[@daleharris3809]

Phil is too proud and the Elite are too stupid.

[@Rawkuz99]

@@RandalfElVikingo That goes both ways when it comes to the parties involved. If only Tony Khan would've acted like a leader in that media scrum...

[@jimmysdadgoingcrazy]

Why would Punk need to apologize? The Elite were clearly in the wrong

[@packleader1215]

"They need to build trust with Punk. He don't need to build trust with them." - Cornette

[@TheeHighKing]

Jim hit the nail on the head when he stated the Omega works way harder in Japan than he does here. It's like night and day watching NJPW Kenny and AEW Kenny. I thought AEW was going to be a mix between NJPW and WWE, instead I got a 2nd coming of impact.

[@Hutchdh]

I tried with aew, but stopped after a couple months. Impact was more enjoyable

[@damian_cross]

In AEW there's CM Punk, there's MJF, there's the Acclaimed, and there's everyone else.

[@iFleagler]

facts

[@TellyCasper]

Why do you people act like Max Caster is good when he's just doing Cena's 2002 gimmick?

[@limitlessandy1117]

@Aaron E 1996 you act as if there are any realistic and unused gimmicks in wrestling. He's good at what he does, and he knows how to get a reaction. That's what matters. If he was shit, that would be different.

[@senorfish2503]

You forgot the Hollywood hunk

[@thabofinca3377]

Hobbs, Starks, Hook, Danielson are stars in the right circumstances

[@Hedgehobbit]

Tony Khan has more money than courage. He'll keep paying Punk to sit at home just to avoid losing his bestest friends.

[@TriplomatX]

CM Punk returning is what AEW needs, whether Wrestlers like it or not. AEW NEEDS a Locker Room leader that understand the business and understand how to create business. No reason to put pity feelings on notice. As much as CM Punk vs Kenny Smith would be a dream come true to some fans, for Punk to sit there and take sloppy strong style from Kenny's misplacements of knees & kicks then go 125 mph not watching where he places a guys head or back of the neck, CM Punk SERIOUSLY have to put his body on the line on something that may not blossom more than just one match.

[@TribalThief]

Can you believe nakasawa and Cutler have been paid for 3 years in this clown show😭😭😭

[@hdgames5689]

More than most as well jokes

[@brandonwhite4992]

We all gotta be honest that Punk is just electric 😂 - dude is just a lightening rod. Whether you think it's positive or negative, the attention he draws is impressive.

[@Mr.Majestic77]

I can see CM Punk, Jeff Jarrett, Dustin Rhodes & Sting as the new AEW EVP(s).

[@KC-vx5wo]

now THAT could be a fantastic crew pulling the strings. Too bad tony doesn't need to earn a profit or anything lol

[@tallgoose85]

This narrative that Jim is trying to create that somehow Punk was right in this whole situation is hilarious. The majority of the fandom, even those who don’t really care for the Elite, had pretty much understood that Punk was out of line during the All Out situation, and then started a fight on top of that. AEW’s corporate lawyer was present for the whole thing and pretty much corroborated the Elite’s version of the story. It’s true that AEW needs Punk for ratings, and the Elite might not be around for much longer. That doesn’t change the fact that Punk was out of line at All Out cuz of one line in a Hangman Page promo.

[@LeviDavis1993]

They’re selling CM Punk merchandise on their shop site, of course they’re still keeping him

[@12ozmouse99]

The Bucks and Omega have zero leverage when their contracts come up. Losing all 3 wouldn’t hurt AEW in the slightest. The E wouldn’t touch the Bucks at this point, and Omega would go back to NJPW, who lets be honest, is not a competitor in the US pro wrestling market. Let them all go for a year…I bet they’d be much more agreeable to working with the locker room after pulling $500 nights at pro wrestling convention autograph booths for a bit.

[@wwedxecw]

“I’m sorry Mr.Brooks.” LMAOOOO🤣🤣

[@kennethallen3843]

That drawing of Punk looks like special needs Hugh Jackman

[@veegob5287]

Amazing, the 2 biggest names AEW has had, Cody & Punk, both had issues with The Elite & got pushed out. Amazing how that works.

[@smackdowngod]

The company needs consistent structure with some booking committee of people who know what the hell they are doing regarding storytelling, character development, knowing how to work television, and actually know how to be a well-rounded wrestler. Tony needs to back off and give some responsibilities to people who can make the company a success.

[@MrSircharles05]

And the EVP's shouldn't be EVP's or have any control over booking over any division.

[@markcampbell2702]

This week's Dynamite episode averaged roughly 820k viewers......yeah, AEW needs Punk back asap

[@geneanthony3421]

I can understand being a guy who doesn't want to ruffle any feathers, which is why you put someone in charge of talent who will do what's necessary. JR seems like the best choice.

[@WarrenStanley]

Exactly, he needs someone who isn't afraid to be a hardass

[@Absinthexx7]

I also think as a boss of any company, you have to be willing to engage in confrontation. All the time wwe wrestlers talk about how they got frustrated, went over Laurenitis and hhh and talked to vince directly. You should always be able to talk to the boss, and if they aren’t willing to respect your position but also make sure the company’s interests are being kept in like then you shouldn’t be a boss

[@geneanthony3421]

@@Absinthexx7 he probably shouldn’t be the boss but he is and there aren’t many billionaires who are willing to throw money away on a wrestling promotion.

[@Absinthexx7]

@@geneanthony3421 then that’s an important skill to learn, I’d assume running a company you’d want to earn a return on your investment. These skills are important to learn and maybe he doesn’t care about the business aspect, but if that’s true it’s so bizarre to me

[@geneanthony3421]

@@Absinthexx7 guys like TK have the luxury of being able to make a ton of mistakes. Frankly anyone with common sense wouldn’t buy a wrestling company anyway which is why they’re all marks

[@peterbadami4872]

Cornett: "Stephen P. New is gonna be the one fuckin' that dog!" Brian: "Stephen P. New does not fuck dogs ladies and gentlemen." These 2 balance eachother perfectly! 😄😂 🤣

[@buttscarlton1490]

"..a big match that would actually help the company.." had *never* been a priority of this group of characters lol

[@cameronallen5043]

Sadly they’re all a bunch of toxic children on both sides and they’re likely all too prideful to bury the hatchet for the sake of the business

[@itscarlyj]

Nailed the thumbnail! I almost thought it was an actual photo of the Bucks. LOL

[@healerforce4165]

I'd say replace the bucks with the motor city machine guns. And build a tag team devision around them, bennet and taven and the acclaimed. Let omega go so he can go play around in Japan he obviously likes it there, and have Adam Cole and punk lead the charge, heck bring in James storm to give AEW more star power........ there I fixed AEW and I'm not even a booker

[@TheIslandDivision]

Can't wait for the "Lockerroom Cancer" Punk t-shirt. Proceeds to the cancer research.

[@Epsilonsama]

Hmmm the charisma vampire Chris Jericho tweeted recently saying he loved working with CM Punk...

[@billlee6424]

Ever since MJF started using the "Best in the World" catchphrase I knew they were building toward something with CM Punk in the near future.

[@Voysh2Voysh69]

Omega & the Bucks vs Punk & FTR is still the money angle to make. Especially if all parties involve quietly agree to do business with each other, and agrees to keep the heat “real” on TV. That would be a PPV headlining feud from day 1.

[@renafan3333]

This started way before Punk ever got there. He didn't like them since they filled up that arena in Chicago for that first All In by insinuating he was going to be on the show. They never came out and said it,but they did everything they could to make people think he was. People forget that. MJF is THE GUY there. He always has been. They weren't any better off when he was on shows than when he wasn't. Just because he is Jim's hero and Brian's favorite wrestler doesn't change that.

[@johngraham9117]

I want Punk vrs Danielson, Punk vrs Joe, Punk vrs Omega and one more Punk vrs MJF. Please wrestling gods give us these matches and promos

[@MatadorMedia]

Jim's talking about the old way, where wrestlers actually respected the veterans in the locker room. There might be some of that in WWE, but that doesn't seem like the atmosphere in AEW.

[@TheBlakkEra]

I like MJF a lot. He is a great talent . But he hasn’t been a needle mover of any sort during this championship run. Matter of fact , the ticket sales and ratings have been down drastically lately with him as champ. Now that’s not his fault at all , but I can’t call him a needle mover .

[@TrueFan4EverBACK]

Yeah his run has sucked especially since he barely has done much since getting the belt. Plus he has been doing the same thing and has become boring. He tries too hard to continue being a heel that it’s become desperate.

[@keithyw]

i'm surprised that after all this time Punk is still attached to AEW. even now, he's still listed on the roster on their website. given that situation, i feel Tony probably wanted to put some distance between Punk and the Elite to allow cooler heads to prevail because it's obvious that their numbers have plummeted significantly since Punk stopped showing up and that the overall programming has been inconsistent to downright awful at times. and it's odd that now Jericho has mentioned how he liked working with Punk despite supposedly saying Punk is a cancer and that he wouldn't let him back in. i mean, what is going on here? there's so much mixed messaging at this point. the only certainty is that Punk would've been out one way or another because of that injury he suffered. but the reality is that AEW is in a horrible mess after that situation. you'll get a few gems here and there like the Brisco tribute but the show is for the most part has been all over the place. compare that to the Bloodline/Zayn/Cody stuff, at least, you have one key thing that's consistently good on the other channel. now, the thing with Punk/FTR vs the Bucks/Omega if that were to happen, it might be okay. but i don't think that after the first actual match it will be any good nor worth watching because one side can't make it look real. so the match will just be a styles clash and what you really need in a situation like that is sheer grit with blood, selling, exhaustion and pure hatred. i'm not convinced that the Elite can handle that. i think it'll just be like the Moxley vs Omega electrified barbed wire time bomb match where we'll just get a poof. and i doubt Punk of all people will want to embarrass himself in that manner. i could be wrong and the Elite could just prove me wrong, which i'll be more than happy to eat my words, but i just can't see it. and even if this ends up being an over-elaborate work to give Punk time off to heal while putting doubt into FTR's future, the question becomes whether the journey to this point was worth it? no one looked good in any of this and i think it massively hurt the good will tony had been building with the fans. once you lose that, it's hard to impossible to get back unless something drastic happens. and if it was proven that this was nothing more than a work, it still feels disingenuous towards the fans and simply alienates everyone.

[@conniecarroll747]

Jericho is now saying he liked working with Punk. Is Jericho on drugs now? Can't he make up his mind? When and where did he say this, I just have to read it. One of the things about Jericho I can't stand is the way he talks at the scrums after the ppvs Jericho has to go on and on where he was trying to make himself look important I guess, but he's giving away secrets of the match. I don't know if he realizes it or not or if he gives a damn.

[@nickhughes8179]

​​​@@conniecarroll747 JeriCrashPad has been drunk since AEW began. Since he has a bromance with Dumb Jr he's likely snorting the Donald special (cocaine mixed with Adderall). He may have a worse issue than Moxley. As for the "press" circle jerks, JeriCrashPad even stole Twinkletoes McFingerbang's breathy phone sex voice.

[@knivemares588]

I said it on a previous video that got taken down. But Omega, the Bucks, Jericho … they’re all tanking the ratings and no one wants to admit it. Everyone is too scared to speak up because they don’t wanna be labeled as another Punk.

[@pleaseshutup7053]

Don’t lump Jericho into this

[@mikawhofan]

💯

[@joecontrino85]

I haven't watched AEW since the last episode CM Punk was on. I'm sure I'm not the only one.

[@Aries73]

Every day this issue drags on gives us clearer evidence why Cody bailed out when he did to eventually headline WrestleMania.

[@Azav312]

💯💯

[@Genghis_Capone]

Everyone clamoring for punk in this comment section but that “punk in chicago” storyline was cringey trash and it was the first time in AEW history I started skipping segments of Dynamite. In my eyes they haven’t recovered since that moment, punk coming back won’t move the needle either

[@pleaseshutup7053]

I can say with absolute certainty you are in the minority

[@WilbertMoore]

15:00 completely true. Take the Big Swole situation for example. He (allegedly) smokes a blunt with her and tells her he loves her matches and thinks she’s underrated, then he turns around and fires her, disses her and her talent in the media after. Too scared of confrontation to be honest, too scared to be someone’s boss.

[@megsley]

Tony should not be smoking weed with the wrestlers working for him like jfc how hard is it to act like an actual boss???

[@ashtonhaggitt216]

She said she got let go due to a lack of diversity at in management. Lmao so he put her garbage ass on blast. Its the only thing TK has done thats been good since starting AEW.

[@Cambergain]

Wow get educated 🤡 fucking marks like u believe everything u read on twitter 🤣

[@RobVanDelay_WholeFnContest]

"Kenny....treat 'im like Ibushi" 😂😂😂

[@Hollywood1651]

The only thing the bucks could do that I would find mildy interesting might be a split. Marty, Shawn, laid the ground works for Shawn to get over huge. Edge, Christian got them both over after the split. Pick one that could act the most serious, have him start laying the groundwork for wanting to take things more seriously, etc. Then split. In this case I don't think both sides would get over, the other can continue to play with Omega.

[@michaelcourtney4969]

You have to love cornette's points of view and opinions. Always so balanced and un-biased 🤣🤣🤣

[@bmills6176]

Punk is a star not a superstar. He is not a needle mover either. Only active wrestler is Roman Reigns right now. Cornette is on punk's balls like Nick Wright is on LeBron's balls smh

[@bmills6176]

How many times have they gone to Chicago to try and pop a rating smh

[@walterspencer7524]

I would start watching regularly if it happened. Daniel Bryan is a flop, just dull whether heel or face. AEW is horribly run they need someone new in charge of creative. The ratings prove it, the booking is a mess.

[@Dyler]

The main reason I stopped watching was because of how poorly Tony handled the Punk situation. He's the draw. Even if the rest of the locker room HATED Hogan, Vince would never fire him. The bad business behind firing the top guy and keeping the middling flippy dudes is stupid. The whole incident left me with ZERO hope for the company.

[@welowee7610]

Same here, watching AEW originals like Jungle boy, Hangman, Young Bucks or Darby beating all former WWE guys got old really fast. Especially when the ex WWE guy look better and bigger than them, for example Miro, Murphy, Big Cass, Samoa Joe, FTR etc

[@austin31697]

This is the same guy that held up WM and beat The Authority and Evolution in one night. With broken ribs the most 🐂💩 booking ever.but but "we want reality in storylines" yea some small guy with broken ribs is going to beat 3 brutes in 2 matches in one night beating 2 factions 😂

[@Harshfxd]

Respect bryan

[@joshx022]

@Dyler Crews it's like you've spoken directly from my mind. It's good to see like minded long term fans commenting...lol

[@SuperCacky]

"Treat him like you'd treat ibushi" 🤣

[@nickhughes8179]

I don't know if Phil would go for that though. Basically Cornette telling Kenny to blow Punk. Knowing Kenny, he'd do it in an A.J. Lee cosplay outfit, and then we'd have to hear Demented Dave Dipshit and Angry Alvarez malign her as a big Meanie head for beating up the Elite too.

[@antoniocamargo6580]

This week's numbers was 800k they need punk back asap

[@KC-vx5wo]

they need a new booker. they could sign roman reigns at this point and he'd pop a number for a week then it'd go right back down because the show sucks. it's not any one talent's fault or lack of drawing power. the show is just awful.

[@antoniocamargo6580]

@user-ys3jx4hz6p the talent is awful too. They have 5 to 6 interesting male ones and the females roster is just horrible

[@KC-vx5wo]

@@antoniocamargo6580 I agree the women's roster is just horrendous and the addition of saraya has somehow made it so much worse. I enjoyed the shida/deeb series but beyond that there's just nothing to that division. I think they have enough good workers on the men's roster to produce great shows but tony doesn't know what he's doing 😭

[@TheMrAlgoh]

I hope Dynamite gets below 700k just to see the reaction of everyone.

[@juliangallegos7627]

If everyone could be able to work together I would love to see them build to a main event like.. CM Punk VS Kenny Omega Young Bucks VS FTR Daniel Bryan VS MJF Adam Page Vs Jon Moxley

[@solidsnake5317]

That would be money. Solid card because those 4 matches would all you’d need

[@juliangallegos7627]

@@solidsnake5317 Otacon... Do you hear me? Hahah Thanks Man! I'm coming after Tony's Booker of the Year award

[@keonhall22]

Yeah thats money. That's like their version of wrestlemania

[@OmSingh3D]

Punk vs. Omega: Normal Singles Bucks vs. FTR: Best Two Out Of Three Falls Bryan vs. MJF: Iron Man Page vs. Moxley: no, already happened thrice in a quick succession of months. Maybe Last Man Standing would be good to even it all up but LMS stipulation doesn't exist in AEW I guess?

[@solidsnake5317]

@@juliangallegos7627 you would definitely win 🏆 lol awesome fellow mgs fan 🤘

[@Matt-cr4vv]

I think him being brought back would depend on however long his contract happens to be. If he has a two year deal then it would be up in August. If that were the case then I could see him being kept home until his deal is done. Having him sit out the rest of the deal wouldn’t be paying him to be home much longer then you already had to while he was injured. If the deal is longer then I would think he’s brought back or let go. I’d personally like to see him brought back but it isn’t big to me if it happens or not. He’s been gone so much because of injury he’s largely out of mind for me/I don’t regularly watch the show anyways. But would be cool to see him brought back and maybe have a heel run where he’s more interesting as a character IMO. I think the issue is deciding what to do and whether it’s worth it. Punk did jump business but not to a huge level. So if he results in drama and turmoil the business jump he brings may not be worth that. Now if he doubled business? Then you tell people tough shit deal with it. But I think if you could find a way to make it work then the best outcome is to make it work. Another factor would be how much Tony wants the Elite to stay. All their deals are up soon so if they tried to play hardball and he wanted them to stay then maybe that would play into whatever choice he makes. Ideally they’ll all just be professional and recognize that you don’t have to love each other to work with each other.

[@lamonjefferson541]

Felix & Penthouse...Lol!!!!!😄😆🤣😂

[@krystynfunk4201]

He is still on the roster on their website., checked yesterday.

[@MrSircharles05]

And still one of their top merch movers too

[@johnlindsay4310]

The best weeks of AEW in my opinion were the weeks where all those guys were suspended and everyone else stepped up.

[@jthom0027]

I did enjoy that the Elite were gone. Losing Punk is/was a crippling issue with that show.

[@CharlesBronson1977]

Only the Hulkster can save AEW, brother!!

[@ronniejdio9411]

I could book it. Hogan comes in as the gm wearing a red MAEWGA hat . It writes itself

[@pizzatime3421]

😂😂😂

[@at0mous]

Not the guy who killed wcw and tna

[@xswordiex4302]

Punk + FTR vs The Elite for the Trios titles. The money prints itself and the heat and interest would be incredible

[@DoobieKeebler]

I'm imagining the Elite saying "that doesn't work for us, brother", already!

[@foxmcloud9901]

The bucks resigned aew contract

[@yusufgazi7]

Punk was the only good guy in AEW

[@ButWhatIfItIs]

FTR really embody the word "professional" especially Dax who's been very gracious and diplomatic, even complimentary about the Bucks. Have they ever extended that olive branch to him? To my knowledge they never have. The Bucks take the "professional" out of wrestling, both in their attitudes and their stinking work as well. Great work rate, pretty terrible work. And I agree with Jim's sentiments about not putting it past them to get sly and malicious in the ring with Punk. That entire clique of dudes with the most monotonous, dry and in Omega's case weird vibes, would absolutely be the types to pull stunts like that. I'm convinced. Could be wrong, but I'm convinced.

[@jaybee4288]

I don’t understand how Jim is saying MJF is a needle mover for ratings. His matches against Punk and Cody did great but so did all Punk and Cody matches. As champion isn’t he getting the lowest tv ratings they’ve had? MJF is niche, he’s a cult figure and great worker but he’s not a face of the company star.

[@QAZ-OMEN]

That's TK's promoting/booking at its finest

[@wolfcola3401]

All the professional bookers out in the comments today, can't wait for you guys to turn AEW around.

[@jinmochizuki]

In hard times like these I like to relax with a wolf cola. Wolf cola everybody, great stuff

[@brettbankowski1]

Hopefully he can return it was crazy to see him for the first time on AEW

[@WillsonT011]

🤣I like how people act like CM Punk was this big rating attraction yeah like the first two weeks but that's because he wasn't in pro wrestling for such a long time but after that the rating started to go back down with CM Punk still there

[@joeyskywalker1322]

Facts Punk really wasn’t drawing much why he was in AEW

[@yoholmes273]

CM DORK really just needs to go away. He embarrassed himself as a self proclaimed "wwe locker room leader,". He embarrassed himself as being the worst UFC fighter in the history of MMA. Then he Embarassed himself again by going to AEW. The man just needs to stop.

[@syxxpoppin8830]

@5:25 lol punk should have been blowing 🌬️🍃😵🥴 in the picture 🖼️

[@QAZ-OMEN]

If the Cookie Monster returns to aew , I'll check it out. Punk will need something new to keep me coming back. I don't wanna see the Elite vs CM + FTR tho. I'd eagerly watch a Punk vs Christian fued

[@pleaseshutup7053]

I agree 100% with this

[@SorenDoesStuff]

I 80% on this while I would be interested in Punk vs The Elite, Punk and Christian would be awesome

[@mahakalavanilla6263]

Wish Christian was used more. Christian v Omega on Ep1 of Rampage might be my fav AEW TV match. Christian offers a lot for how few flowers he gets

[@user-cr4pz5yg7y]

If you have "no guy" unless you have punk, you are bankrupt for entertainment. The only star I see with punk is the stars flying around his head from his time as the worst fighter in the history of the ufc.

[@joeyskywalker1322]

Lmaooo facts it’s only two feuds Punk can have right now in AEW MJF and The Elite afterwards what’s next for him

[@hdgames5689]

Broken record mate wind your neck in