Top 4 times WWE stars took a shot at AEW

AEW and WWE are the two most popular pro wrestling brands in the US today. While the sports entertainment juggernaut has been experiencing a tremendous surge in popularity of late, the Tony Khan-led company also had a successful fifth year, leading to a new lucrative media rights agreement signed between it and Warner Bros. Discovery.

The industry's highly competitive nature is often revealed when talent from All Elite Wrestling takes shots at WWE on their programming, which has happened numerous times over the years. Conversely, there have also been occasions where major names from the World Wrestling Entertainment decided to fire away at the Jacksonville-based promotion.

Let us look at four such examples of WWE figures alluding to AEW in less-than-flattering terms.

#4: Adam Copeland references CM Punk name-dropping The Miz on Dynamite

It was in November 2021 that CM Punk and MJF engaged in a lengthy war of words on Dynamite, launching one of the most acclaimed rivalries in the history of All Elite Wrestling. At one point during their exchange, The Best in the World attempted to undermine The Salt of The Earth by referring to the latter as a "less famous Miz."

Later that month on RAW, The A-Lister, alongside his wife Maryse, confronted WWE Hall of Famer Edge. Despite critiquing The Miz's attitude and conduct, The Rated-R Superstar also gave him his flowers and referenced his name being mentioned by Punk on Dynamite as evidence of his star power.

Over three years later, Edge, going by Adam Copeland, is now part of the AEW roster and will be featured in a blockbuster trios match on New Year's Day. On the other hand, CM Punk returned to WWE in 2023 after being fired from All Elite Wrestling.

#2: CM Punk referenced his AEW backstage issues

CM Punk's turbulent tenure in AEW came to an end after he physically assaulted Jack Perry backstage at All In 2023. Shortly afterward, he made his WWE comeback at the end of Survivor Series. During his subsequent appearance on Smackdown in December, The Voice of the Voiceless alluded to Kevin Owens' ongoing feud with Theory and Grayson Waller while implicitly referencing his backstage brawl with The Elite two years ago in All Elite Wrestling, now famously known as the Brawl Out incident.

Punk seemingly aimed AEW once again on a May 2024 episode of RAW, calling Drew McIntyre a "choke artist" for losing the World Heavyweight Championship minutes after winning the belt at WrestleMania 40 while distinguishing himself as a different kind of choke artist - presumably hinting at his scuffle with Jack Perry in London last year. The Straight-Edge Superstar had previously claimed in an interview that he had "just choked [Perry] a little bit."

#3: WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H's apparent shots at Tony Khan and Will Ospreay

The WWE Universe went unglued when then-Knockouts World Champion Jordynne Grace walked out as a participant in the 2024 Women's Royal Rumble, furthering the Stamford-based company's working relationship with TNA. The collaboration led to some fans drawing parallels between it and AEW's partnership with promotions such as NJPW and CMLL, evoking the "Forbidden Door" brand as advertised by Tony Khan and later elevated to a cross-promotional pay-per-view.

However, during the press conference following this year's Royal Rumble, WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H criticized the concept of the Forbidden Door, stating:

"I'm not going to use all the cliche terms about what door people go through or anything like that because it's stupid and silly." - said Triple H [H/T - Fightful]

Furthermore, later this year, during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, The Game voiced his disapproval of free agents who opt out of signing with WWE in favor of lighter work schedules, in what was seen as a jab at top AEW star Will Ospreay. The Aerial Assassin later fired back against Triple H in a shocking promo on Dynamite.

#4: Seth Rollins roasts CM Punk's AEW run on the final RAW of 2024

After months of anticipation, it was recently revealed that the bitter rivalry between Seth Rollins and CM Punk will culminate in a singles match between the former WWE Champions on the debut episode of RAW on Netflix. A week before their showdown, The Visionary came face-to-face with The Second-City Saint on this week's edition of the Monday-night program.

During their incendiary war of words, Rollins discussed Punk's remarks about WWE after his 2014 exit and his supposed attempts to tear down the company. The Revolutionary even taunted the Chicago native by mentioning his run in AEW.

AEW and WWE will undoubtedly step up their programming next year. However, it remains to be seen how the increasing competition between the two promotions will play out in 2025.