CM Punk reportedly popped up backstage at the IMPACT Bound For Glory Fallout TV tapings this past Sunday. Bodyslam’s coverage of that can be found here.
With regards to people hoping Punk would show up at Bound For Glory, the reported word that came out of the Punk camp was ”hockey over wrestling”, as the hometown Chicago Blackhawks had their home opener on Saturday Night.
Speaking on his Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T addressed the recent report that Punk was backstage at a recent IMPACT taping and shared his thoughts on the 45-year-old potentially joining the promotion.
Booker said:
“I look at it like this, if CM Punk was to go to Impact Wrestling and be a part of that crew down there, I think it’s definitely something that could work.
“I really do, just because I think it’s a lot of young guys down there — just like at AEW — that could learn and maybe look towards CM Punk for some guidance or whatever.”
Booker then added that IMPACT’s smaller size in comparison to WWE and AEW could also work in Punk’s favor, continuing:
“I also think about, with CM Punk going to Impact Wrestling, unlike AEW, unlike WWE, his wrestling is going to be more spotlighted on, just because it’s smaller crowds.
“Everything is going to be seen, you’re not going to be able to hide anything in an arena like that. And one thing about getting older you’re going to lose a step, that’s just the way it is.”
With IMPACT’s rebranding back to their old name of TNA coming in early 2024, the promotion has as much buzz now than it has in many years.
Discussing the TNA reboot, Booker explained how the signing of Punk would garner the most buzz for the promotion as they enter this new era, perhaps even to a point where they can compete with the likes of AEW and WWE.
Booker explained:
“TNA would be the spot, If he’s gonna land somewhere, TNA would be the spot because I really feel like TNA could use the rub, people’s eyes will be on TNA.
“It would show … you would actually get a chance to see CM Punk’s star power if the needle moves for TNA.
“If TNA can get back in this race — ’cause right now they running third (behind WWE and AEW) — imagine if TNA numbers could start competing with AEW.
“Oh, man, then people gonna be saying, ‘Did Tony Khan make a mistake?’”
“I think it would create a buzz, as far as this war, this war is expanding. I think TNA was in that war for a long time.
“People looked at TNA as being that second company for a long time. If they could they can get back to that point, I think it would be good for the business, more than anything.”
With Punk’s reputation damaged after his recent termination from
AEW Booker feels that a move to IMPACT could help him rebuild his legacy.
“I mean CM Punk is somebody that I still feel like has a lot of value for one of these companies out there, I really do.
“I don’t think it’s about the size of the company or anything like that. I think it’s about the legacy that CM Punk wants to leave in the business, more than anything.”
“CM Punk has his ways, and a lot of times from the outside looking in, he wanted it to be in his favor (in AEW).
“I just say that just from what I’ve seen, more than anything. I don’t want to sit here and bash CM Punk or anything because I’m trying to say something nice about what CM Punk has a chance to do.”
H/T ILONA HUNT for jjasportsaudio.com.
Full podcast:
IMPACT Wrestling announced at the end of their Bound For Glory PPV that the company will be officially rebranding back to TNA Wrestling in January of 2024, starting with the Hard To Kill PPV on January 13th.
Locker room reaction to the announcement:
On August 27th at AEW All In, Punk was involved in yet another backstage altercation. However, this one would be different than those in the past in various ways. Namely, Punk not only fought with Jack Perry, he also reportedly lunged at AEW president Tony Khan while furiously quitting the company.
Punk and Perry were both suspended following this altercation, and then subsequently terminated, with cause, despite Punk’s drawing power.
Later, CM Punk was fired from All Elite Wrestling as a result of the incident.
While a non-compete clause is not clear, IMPACT Wrestling could be a potential landing spot for CM Punk, and there is a belief he could walk into the IMPACT with open arms tomorrow if everything worked out.
Josh Alexander & The Rascalz recently said they would welcome Punk into IMPACT Wrestling.
Current IMPACT Wrestling talent Bully Ray also spoke on the idea recently.
IMPACT Wrestling is reportedly ”still an option” for CM Punk.
It remains to be seen whether or not CM Punk shows up in IMPACT/TNA Wrestling, but for those wondering…the Chicago Blackhawks do have a home game on the date of Hard To Kill on January 13th, 2024.
Bodyslam will keep you all updated on the “Punk watch” to see what he does next.
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