CM Punk is doing the media rounds for the Starz series Heels and, as expected, he's been asked about the rumors that he'll be joining AEW.
On July 21, Fightful reported CM Punk was in talks with AEW for an in-ring return. Since then, AEW has announced "The First Dance" for Chicago on August 20 and some wrestlers have made various references and teases to CM Punk on AEW Dynamite.
Speaking on Sunday Night's Main Event, Punk was asked about the teases and if he has plans on August 20.
"I think I might be doing a screening, this isn't confirmed yet so I probably shouldn't blast this out everywhere, but we're talking about doing a screening of episode three of Heels at AMC in Chicago. That's one of the dates that has been proposed. I hope to see everybody there," he said.
One reference made on Dynamite was Darby Allin mentioning "The Best in the World," which Punk often called himself during his career.
Punk commented by saying, "Best in the World, that could be anybody. That's (Daniel) Bryan, right? That's my assumption. I hear 'Best in the World,' I think Bryan."
It has also been reported that Daniel Bryan has signed with AEW.
Speaking about Darby, Punk said, "I think Darby Allin is great. Everybody in the wrestling world needs to never do a dive again because you can't do it better than Darby. If you watch Darby wrestle, he looks like he's trying to murder somebody. It doesn't get any better than that. Stop doing dives, everybody."
It's no secret that Tony Khan wanted CM Punk to be part of the company when it was just an idea and before the launch in 2019.
Punk said about those early conversations, "I talked to Tony (at that time). My perspective on this, and I said this to his face, I'm a guy who has constantly heard, 'I have a money guy. I have TV.' I heard that once or twice a year for 15-20 years. I've gotten bounced checks from those gentlemen. You watched it happen, especially after ECW folded. Everybody was restarting ECW. It always seems like somebody is like, 'We're going to start up and compete with Vince.' I always thought that came from a bad spot. If you want to start a wrestling company, you should focus on yourself. I more or less took a wait-and-see approach. I'm not interested in pro wrestling in that respect. We're here, we're talking about Heels, it could be bad luck that this role I got is set in the world of pro wrestling, but that's the way the cookie crumbles. I'm focused on being an actor."
Punk said that, just like with wrestling, he wants to be the best actor he can be.
Punk signing with AEW has not been confirmed by AEW or Tony Khan, who issued a no comment when asked on July 28.
Heels is set to premiere on August 15.
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