CM Punk has been embroiled in drama again this week, after a wonderful AEW Collision main event turned sour.
The Real World’s Champion teamed with FTR (as CMFTR) in the main event of the show, facing off with AEW Trios Champions House of Black.
CMFTR lost the match after interference from Samoa Joe, but it was the post-match antics of Punk that has caused controversy.
CM Punk Insulted Adam Page
Since his return to AEW Collision in June 2023, CM Punk has been quiet about Adam Page.
However, he broke that silence after the August 12th, 2023 episode of Collision.
Following CMFTR’s loss against the House of Black, CM Punk grabbed a microphone and began to insult Adam Page – incited by some pro-Hangman signs in the crowd.
Punk insulted Page’s toy sale, claiming he could not sell as much merchandise as Punk, as well as calling him a “peg warmer”.
CM Punk & FTR (CMFTR) speech after #AEWCollision pic.twitter.com/ouV1xkAfVu— KILLER BROOKS (@CM_Trunks) August 13, 2023
“Hello, North Carolina. What is this? Huh? What is this? Look at this. “Carolina is Hangman Country.”
“Earlier today, I went to a local supermarket and I figured out why they call him Hangman is because the pegs in the Toy aisle are full of Hangman action figures. ’cause nobody wants to buy ’em. “
“He’s a peg warmer, unlike me who moves merchandise and pops ratings and sells toys. We got everybody in AEW saying, ‘I’m the heart, I am the soul. I am the spirit.’ Well, that’s objective. “
“What is a fact is the people who say that certainly aren’t the chin of AEW because the lights go out faster than what? GTS, go to sleep. I don’t know what I’m trying to do. I got rocked, too. I told the House, House of Black no chops, and they chopped me, so I’m very mad.”
This was despite Adam Page not being in the arena, having no ability to defend himself. However, we cannot rule out this being a work to build to a match between the pair.
The Voices of Wrestling Patreon reported that, while the promo was a work and an attempt to build up to a match against The Elite, it had not been cleared by Hangman beforehand.
Hangman Was Banned From Collision
Tony Khan was reported to have sent Adam Page home from AEW Collision this week, although whether this was related to CM Punk is unclear.
Adam Page was meant to be at the event to record a promo for AEW Dynamite. However, he was told he could not come into the arena and was sent home from the taping.
This was reported by Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer, so must be taken with a pinch of salt when related to CM Punk news.
While neither CM Punk nor Adam Page has commented on the issue, VOW.com has reported that CM Punk is trying to get “Jump The Rail” heat from The Elite fans.
Given the “smarky” nature of fans of The Elite, leaking things like this through the dirtsheets would be the perfect way to get more heat from the online AEW fans.
Adam Page was not the only man sent home from AEW Collision this week, however.
Nick Nemeth, Matt Hardy & Christopher Daniels Were Sent Home
A few AEW stars were reported to have been “sent home” from AEW Collision in recent weeks, with some reported to have had words with CM Punk backstage.
Ryan Nemeth was sent away from AEW Collision this week. Reports indicate that it was simply because Tony Khan had nothing for him on the show, and was unrelated to a confrontation with Punk a week ago.
Nemeth did have a backstage confrontation with CM Punk, shortly after Punk’s return in June this year.
In Fightful Select, Sean Ross Sapp reported “Nemeth is a regular on Being The Elite, and was confronted by CM Punk shortly after CM Punk’s return this year.”
Punk took exception a tweet from Nemeth, but it didn’t get physical between the two – unlike at Brawl Out.
Meanwhile, Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that Matt Hardy and Christopher Daniels were also sent home from AEW Collision.
It is unknown if CM Punk was related to the two men being sent home, but it could simply be a admin error like Nick Nemeth.
It is interesting that Christopher Daniels is the head of talent relations in AEW, and was involved in the “Brawl Out” backstage fight after AEW All Out 2022.