CM Punk makes unexpected comments about AEW - "I don’t root against them"

Former AEW star CM Punk has made some interesting comments about his previous workplace. Punk left the promotion last year and returned to the WWE.

The Best in the World signed with AEW in 2021, however, his entire run with the promotion was met with a lot of controversies. CM Punk got into a backstage altercation with The Elite in 2022 which led to his suspension. He was officially reinstated in June 2023 but got into another heated altercation with Jack Perry at last year's All In Pay-Per-View. AEW CEO Tony Khan terminated CM Punk's contract in September 2023.

In a recent chat with SI Media's Jimmy Traina, CM Punk revealed that he does not root against AEW as a lot of his friends work there. He clarified that he's not hoping to see any talent lose their job in the promotion.

“I don’t root against them. I think it’s easy to be able to say like, ‘Oh, can’t wait until something bad happens to them.’ But the reality is, there’s a lot of people backstage that earn a paycheck. I still have friends that work there, so it’s not like I’m hoping somebody loses their job or everybody loses their job or something like that."

The former WWE Champion further stated that if anyone is willing to get paid, they can sign with All Elite Wrestling.

"It’s just — I look at it like it’s just not the same business that I’m in. And if you’re trying to get paid and you can go there, go get paid. Congratulations.” [H/T: RingsideNews]

CM Punk reacted to AEW airing the backstage footage from All In

A couple of months ago, AEW shockingly aired the backstage footage of the heated altercation between CM Punk and Jack Perry at last year's All In PPV. The Best in the World stayed quiet on the matter, however, was recently asked about his thoughts on the controversial move.

On the SI Media podcast with Jimmy Traina, Punk stated that airing the footage wasn't going to help All Elite Wrestling.

"It felt really ugly, but then I was like, showing that footage isn't going to help them or hurt me, so whatever. Being a top draw in two different companies is pretty wild. Thanks, guys." [H/T: Fightful]

CM Punk is set to face Drew McIntyre at Summer Slam. It will be interesting to see if the former WWE Champion comes out victorious in his first Singles Match in WWE since 2014.