Wrestling veteran Eric Bischoff was the showrunner for WCW during the promotion’s heydays and is widely considered one of the greatest minds in the pro wrestling world. He was also the WWE Raw General Manager and was a creative mind backstage as well. He recently commented on the messy situation that AEW finds itself in with regard to CM Punk.
The Second City Saint has been embroiled in controversy once again when AEW’s latest show, Collision, did not feature Punk in the promotional material. Backstage, it has been reported that Punk has once again had a falling out with Tony Khan after being refused the return of his confidante Ace Steel to the promotion. Punk was reported to be headlining the premiere of the show, which goes on air on June 17, but the future looks bleak for the former AEW Champion.
🚨CM Punk has posted a series of Instagram Stories, seemingly denying ‘dirtsheet’ reports that he will not return to AEW unless the company rehires Ace Steel.#aew #allelitewrestling #cmpunk #aewdynamite pic.twitter.com/upcvYf49JT
— WRESTLING REPUBLIC (@wraslinrepublic) May 17, 2023
While talking about the subject on his Strictly Business Podcast (via Cageside), Bischoff questioned who Ace Steel was and why Punk was being allowed to “jeopardize” the premiere of the new show because of his confidant. He then compared CM Punk’s antics to those of WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan, who has been previously criticized by Punk on several occasions. He concluded that the former WWE star was worse than Hogan.
“Unfortunately, Tony will find a way to allow this to continue, and Punk will be back, which will be a big mistake. Who the f**k is Ace Steel anyway? Just because he’s a confidant of CM Punk’s? Why is he allowed to jeopardize the network premiere of a brand-new show? Are you f**king kidding me? Bischoff said.
PWInsider: In regard to the debut episode of AEW Collision, the plan has long been to hold the taping at the United Center in Chicago.
If the company and CM Punk get everything back on track, that’s still the plan. If not, they will look to have the first episode elsewhere. pic.twitter.com/TnZfHSPvvu
— Drainmaker 🌧️ 💵 (@DrainBamager) May 19, 2023
Bischoff added, “People say I’m just being negative when I refer to the dysfunction within the infrastructure and the business side of AEW, but this [is a good example]. They bring him back and make him the focal point of an entirely new show, but he decides to wet the bed because his confidant isn’t allowed at the venue. Who cares? Let Punk pay him. He’s making $5 million dollars a year, or more than that. Let Punk pay him. All these hardcore wrestling fans and Punk himself is so anti-Hogan because [they think] he’s selfish and what not. Punk is worse!”
CM Punk’s issues continue to grow with AEW. The situation now seems to have aggravated after The Second City Saint’s diatribe in the post-AEW media scrum. AEW is yet to announce a venue for the upcoming Collision show and have deferred the decision, with reports stating that had Punk returned, Chicago’s United Center would have been the chosen venue.
Fans did not take too kindly to Eric Bischoff’s comments on CM Punk
Fans were quick to take to Twitter following the comments and did not have pleasant things to say to the former President of WCW. Many thought that Eric Bischoff’s comments went too far, with many bringing up Hogan’s alleged history of using racial slurs.
Eric Bischoff choosing one of his IRL best buds over someone he knowingly hates? Ya don’t say.
— Captain Ferg Baba Ganoosh (@CaptainFerg) May 21, 2023
Lol bro cooked his own friend to boost his podcast
— DainjaMouse🍥_🍥 (@ptexo0) May 21, 2023
I dont remember cm punk having a racist sex tape https://t.co/hMdQF5nWBf
— kay! (@smog_fog) May 22, 2023
Eric Bischoff is a simp for Hulk Hogan. https://t.co/5TfPp0JPwh
— Carlos Corral-Castillo (@cc_castillox) May 22, 2023
Punk has been willing to lose and as of right now hasn’t been exposed as a racist so idk about this one boss https://t.co/O4UI4U4Pcs
— jessay (@jamesjessay) May 22, 2023
This dude is NOT serious https://t.co/8U0w5XZ81n
— Landa (@thegreatlapanda) May 22, 2023
Say whatever you want about Punk, but Hogan is the worst personality in wrestling history, the two aren’t comparable. https://t.co/icNAHFhbVJ
— James Campbell (@JamesCa31215897) May 22, 2023
Some fans even thought that Bischoff was unnecessarily criticizing CM Punk and AEW and that he was right to stand up for his friend. With the situation reaching a boiling point, it remains to be seen what steps AEW will take with regard to CM Punk. A return for the former world champion seems unlikely.
