Punk’s issues with The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega have been well-documented following last year’s infamous media scrum and backstage brawl following All Out, but there still seems to be some tension bubbling away with Page in the background. The now-infamous “workers rights” promo from Page in May 2022 is what seems to have kicked off Punk’s displeasure with certain elements in the AEW locker room, and the pair have not interacted since their title match over a year ago. But with Punk now back on deck and set to become a prominent fixture on AEW television, there is a desire from some within the industry to see Punk and Hangman put their differences aside and renew their rivalry on-screen. However, according to Bully Ray, the recent shots from Punk in the media, and on AEW programming, shouldn’t have occurred unless a storyline is in the works.

“This all begins and ends with Tony as the boss,” he said. “If this wasn’t eventually gonna happen, Tony should have said to Punk ‘Don’t you say a f***ing word’.

Punk is scheduled to compete on the same card as The Elite this weekend at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door, with a match against Japanese legend Satoshi Kojima announced for the first round of this year’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament despite initial reports of a highly-anticipated match against KENTA.