AEW In Talks To Buy Out Remainder Of CM Punk's Contract - Report

Ever since AEW's post-All Out brawl between CM Punk, trainer Ace Steel, the Young Bucks, and Kenny Omega there hasn't been a lot of confirmed updates on their situation. Steel was released earlier this week; however, as for Punk, the Bucks, and Omega, it's been radio silence. The possibility of legal action was reported to be holding up any progress on that front.

Now, Dave Meltzer's sources have provided a major update about what exactly is going on between Punk and AEW. In this week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Meltzer says that AEW and Punk are negotiating his exit, which could include a no-compete clause.

"AEW is in talks with Punk about the future but right now it looks doubtful he will be back," the report said. "Those with close knowledge of the situation said they are in talks with Punk about a buy-out of the remaining years of his contract which tells you that they are not looking to bring him back. The hold-up right now is said to be the non-compete period."

Neither AEW nor Punk confirmed the details when Meltzer inquired. He also reports that WWE hasn't had any contact with Punk, but mentioned that Punk is still close with Adam Pearce and obviously has a good history with Paul Heyman.

Since the now infamous All Out press scrum, Omega and the Bucks haven't been seen on television, but they are still EVPs of the company. The incident put Punk, who had just won the AEW World Championship for the second time, in a bad light, and is reported that most of the AEW locker room now is decisively anti-Punk at this point in time.

There is still no return time confirmed for Kenny Omega or the Bucks.