Jim Ross says he is optimistic about CM Punk's return to AEW.
The former AEW World Champion has been absent since the aftermath of AEW All Out 2022. After he defeated Jon Moxley to win the AEW World Championship, Punk made heated comments about The Elite (Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks) at the post-show press conference, which led to a physical altercation between the two sides. Everyone involved was stripped of their titles and suspended. While The Elite returned at AEW Full Gear 2022, Punk's absence has continued. He suffered a torn triceps during his match with Moxley, but even aside from the injury, his future with AEW remains unclear.
Punk recently generated some controversy when he posted (and deleted) an Instagram story where he claimed that he wasn't cleared to wrestle ahead of their first match in the summer of 2022. Fightful Select then reported an update about Punk's absence and his status with AEW.
On the newest episode of his Grilling JR podcast, Ross was talking about the ticket sales for AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2023 and noted that he thinks the show sold out. He then stated that he feels like big things are on the way for AEW. Ross cited the way the company has injured stars coming back. He then brought up CM Punk and shared his belief that the company needs Punk, and he's optimistic the former champion will return.
“I think it sold out. Rafael [Morffi] called me, and I said, ‘How are things going, tickets sales wise?’ He mentioned to me that the Toronto show had sold out. That’s good. Good for the home team. All good stuff, baby. But anyway, sell-outs, good. Anytime you get a sell out, you’re doing something right. I think we’re doing something right. I just got a feeling that big things are on the way. Getting everybody healthy again and back on the roster again is important. Of course, the whole question is gonna center around [will] CM Punk ever be back. I’m one of those guys that believe he will be back. We’ll see. I think AEW needs CM Punk because of his star power, and he brings… with controversy creates cash, and he’s certainly controversial. I’m a big fan of Phil’s. We’ll see how it works out. I’m optimistic and positive," Ross said.
Jon Moxley responded to Punk's Instagram post. Check out his comments here.
Punk recently shared a story about fighting and squashing things. More information is available here.
Mark Henry shared his belief that CM Punk is not a cancer in the locker room. Click here to see what he had to say.
Check out the card for the March 29 episode of AEW Dynamite here.
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