CM Punk takes a shot at AEW live on WWE RAW: Why did he do it?

CM Punk has pledged to make Drew McIntyre's life a living hell since WrestleMania 40. He has already cost The Scottish Warrior three World Heavyweight Championship opportunities and has vowed to inflict more damage. However, this week on Monday Night RAW, Punk implicitly referenced AEW and took a subtle shot at the company while delivering a promo against McIntyre.

It happened when The Second City Saint stated that he would beat Drew even between the fans sitting on the side of the camera. This was a shot at AEW Dynamite and AEW Collision's low attendance, which compels them to put their audience on the front side of the hard cam.

CM Punk implicitly referred to the scarce number of fans attending AEW shows while acknowledging the WWE fans who sit behind the hard camera. He meant to say that he would beat Drew McIntyre even if he was on the equally dense side of the arena while seemingly trolling All Elite Wrestling.

A major reason why Punk may have taken a subtle dig at his former promotion is that he seemingly holds grudges against AEW. However, he wisely made sure to verbally assault his arch-nemesis while implicitly referencing Tony Khan and the Jacksonville-based promotion. It was indirect, as were other shots he had taken against AEW and its president.

Another reason he may have taken a dig in the promo is that he could not talk about AEW openly because he signed a non-disclosure agreement not to mention anything about the company that fired him. However, CM Punk implicitly referencing his former promotion in his promo against Drew McIntyre would not break any such agreement.

CM Punk might show up next week on RAW unannounced

After his kick-off segment on RAW this week, CM Punk has promised to heal quickly by staying out of WWE programming next week. During a backstage segment with RAW's General Manager, Adam Pearce, The Second City Saint ensured his absence on next week's RAW in Dayton, Ohio.

However, this could be just a swerve for Drew McIntyre as well as a huge surprise for fans. The Best in the World could appear on the upcoming episode of RAW, as it will see the return of The Scottish Warrior, who is currently suspended. Therefore, CM Punk could make a shocking appearance at Dayton and launch a surprise attack on RAW.

Both CM Punk and Drew McIntyre have been penalized for their actions at Money in the Bank. This also included an indefinite suspension for Drew as a result of his aggressive behavior towards Adam Pearce. But Punk has requested the RAW GM to lift McIntyre's suspension and assure his presence next week.

This could only be a trap set by The Straight Edge Superstar, who might launch a cowardly assault on Drew McIntyre. It remains to be seen what transpires next week on Monday Night RAW.