The rocky tenure of CM Punk with AEW has come to an end. All-Elite Wrestling CEO Tony Khan issued the following statement last Saturday, formally announcing the end of CM Punk’s employment with the company.
Statement from All Elite Wrestling and Tony Khan pic.twitter.com/3MtW6MkGDf
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) September 2, 2023
Online WWE betting sites often create futures for where a star will sign next. BetOnline has come through with CM Punk betting odds asking if he’ll become a member of the WWE roster prior to WrestleMania 40.
CM Punk Odds To Join WWE Before WrestleMania 40
- Yes +400
- No [offline]
WrestleMania XL is scheduled for the weekend of April 6th and 7th, 2024, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. If Punk is signed to a match prior to that date, the odds for WrestleMania betting are paying out at 4-to-1.
The most opportune timing for a WWE debut is at the annual Royal Rumble pay-per-view each January. The 2022 Rumble is where former AEW main-eventer, Cody Rhodes, made his first appearance in his return to the promotion.
Unless Punk’s contract demands otherwise, his first appearance would likely come months before Mania.
CM Punk’s Free Agent Status
What’s uncertain are the details of CM Punk’s contract with AEW in regard to a non-compete following separation. A one-year non-compete clause would jeopardize any potential for a WWE signing to occur prior to September 2, 2024, five months after the conclusion of WrestleMania 40.
If Punk is a free agent right now, look for him to remain off the radar until WWE Royal Rumble 2024. There is a high potential for information leaks prior to the Rumble should Punk sign with WWE, but nothing official would be announced from the promotion prior to the PLE in January.
Anyone buying into the hype that CM Punk will sign with the WWE should take action on his +400 moneyline right now. CM Punk betting lines will become much less profitable once news of a WWE acquisition begins to kick around.
What’s Next For CM Punk
Phil Brooks has been busy taking the occasional acting role and providing commentator services to mixed-martial-arts fights. If he decides to wrestle again and the WWE does not sign him, there is little chance that he’ll join Impact.
There is potential for him to join New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), which would create an interesting wrinkle with AEW as they often pair up for crossover events.
With the WWE set to finalize its merger with the UFC to form Endeavor later this month, the parent organization could be inclined to suggest the addition of CM Punk to the roster.
Punk has fought in the UFC ranks before and could be seen as an ambassador who has the ability to float between the two brands. The move makes sense, but just like in AEW, there is pre-existing opposition to him in the WWE locker room.
CM Punk Betting Odds: BetOnline.AG
Sources: Wrestling Inc, Yahoo!