by During a recent episode of WWE RAW, CM Punk delivered a promo that was charged with anticipation for his upcoming in-ring return. Among various highlights, Punk took a subtle jab at AEW, a moment that may have slipped under the radar for some. While addressing Drew McIntyre’s absence from RAW, Punk remarked, “‘Cause you’re a choke artist. But not how I’m a choke artist, Pat. That’s different.”
This comment was a veiled reference to Punk’s controversial departure from AEW following a backstage altercation with Jack Perry at All In 2023, where Punk was accused of physically choking Perry. The incident led to Punk’s dismissal from AEW, and the promotion later aired footage of the altercation, stirring significant buzz among wrestling fans globally.
However, when Punk used this reference on RAW to take a dig at McIntyre, it seemingly went unnoticed by the majority of the WWE audience. Despite the potent history behind the remark, it elicited minimal reaction from the live crowd, highlighting a significant disconnect between WWE and AEW audiences.
Punk’s subtle shot at AEW raises questions about the impact and reach of Tony Khan’s promotion. Despite AEW die-hards viewing the lack of reaction as a win in their view, it actually underscores a challenging reality for AEW: many WWE fans are either unaware of or indifferent to AEW’s events and existence. This incident on RAW serves as a stark reminder that AEW is still not as ingrained in the wrestling community’s consciousness as WWE, resembling more of an indie promotion with a solid television deal rather than a direct competitor to WWE’s global dominance.
The rivalry between Punk and McIntyre has been escalating since Punk’s dramatic return at WWE Survivor Series last year, and it continued when McIntyre inadvertently injured Punk at the Royal Rumble. Punk retaliated by costing McIntyre the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 40. However, the real story may be the broader wrestling landscape, where AEW struggles to capture the attention of WWE’s vast fan base.
This scenario poses a challenge for AEW: how to elevate its profile and resonate with a broader wrestling audience. As it stands, the journey to becoming a household name in wrestling remains an uphill battle for Tony Khan’s promotion.
