Overview
- MJF used an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show to insult CM Punk’s character while praising his in-ring skill, repeating that Punk is a great wrestler but a bad person.
- Pressed on Punk’s current WWE run, MJF said he was not surprised by Punk’s success and drew a hard line between professional ability and personal conduct.
- MJF and Punk’s AEW feud peaked in a brutal dog-collar match, then stalled after Punk’s All Out 2022 press conference and a backstage fight that led to suspensions.
- A later altercation with Jack Perry prompted AEW president Tony Khan to fire Punk, clearing the path for Punk’s return to WWE.
- AEW outlets portray MJF as a locker-room leader who reflects wider sentiment about Punk, and he is slated to main-event Double or Nothing against Darby Allin in New York, which Heavy reports has sold out.