It seemed clear Punk wanted to go back, probably as far back as when he was on that Fox TV show is my guess. I think he was doing that show to try to prove he could put the past behind him.
It was actually if Vince and HHH would take him back that was more in question. And it looked like they wouldn't, so he went to AEW and played the scorned ex card when he got there, but honeslty by the end it seems like he was trying to get fired so he could go back to WWE.
I think when he showed up backstage at RAW in April (I think) when WWE was in Chicago he was sending out feelers in case he left AEW.
He talked to The Miz and squashed whatever beef they might have had and then saw HHH and wanted to go somewhere to talk. HHH phoned Vince who wasn't there and he told him to ask him to leave which he did without issue.
I will never like doing a neck injury as a storyline...seems like bad karma in an industry where you're always potentially an inch away from a devistating neck injury.
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New Japan Pro-Wrestling today announces that it is one of nine organizations that will constitute United Japan Pro-Wrestling, a new industry group representing professional wrestling in Japan.
Without an industry wide group for professional wrestling in Japan, the unprecedented crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic made it all the more clear that there was a need to consolidate and express accurate information and best operating practices between promotions, as well as to communicate effectively with national and municipal governments. In a bid to better anticipate and adapt to societal changes in the future, nine Japanese promotions at the forefront of pro-wrestling in the country will be be part of a collective industry group (henceforth ‘the Group’).
The members of the Group will maintain their individual business identities and competition in the marketplace, but the Group will provide a space to discuss issues that concern the industry at large, and to exchange information with an interest in maintaining its growth. The formation of the Group will be marked by an event on May 6 2024 in Nippon Budokan under the banner of United Japan Pro-Wrestling.
Mission statement
To further the presence of pro-wrestling and its cultural merit in Japanese society at large, allow professional wrestling to contribute further to cultural and sporting sectors, and work toward continued health and prosperity of the industry.
Group members
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (New Japan Pro-Wrestling Co. Ltd.)
All Japan Pro-Wrestling (All Japan Pro-Wrestling Co. Ltd.)
Pro-Wrestling NOAH (Cyber Fight Co. Ltd.)
DDT Pro-Wrestling (Cyber Fight Co. Ltd.)
Ganbare ☆ Pro-Wrestling (Cyber Fight Co. Ltd.)
Big Japan Pro-Wrestling （Yotsuba Industries Ltd.)
DRAGONGATE (DRAGONGATE Co. Ltd.)
STARDOM (BushiRoad Fight Co. Ltd.)
Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling (Cyber Fight Co. Ltd.)
Further Group members will be considered in future.
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It will never happen in North America because for-profit companies and the individuals who run them don't think about the collective good of their industry and the community in the way Japanese culture does.
It's called 'Wa' (和) and there's not really a North American equivalent.
It will never happen in North America because for-profit companies and the individuals who run them don't think about the collective good of their industry and the community in the way Japanese culture does.
It's called 'Wa' (和) and there's not really a North American equivalent.
I think Paul Levesque the Wrestling Fan really wants to see it. I think Paul Levesque the executive knows he can't do it.
I think Tony Khan at the start of AEW really wants to see it. I think Tony Khan in the present has a line in the sand now where WWE is concerned.
I think Paul Levesque the Wrestling Fan really wants to see it. I think Paul Levesque the executive knows he can't do it.
I think Tony Khan at the start of AEW really wants to see it. I think Tony Khan in the present has a line in the sand now where WWE is concerned.
His hate for the WWE really has grown to the point where he's come off as unhinged at times.
I do think that at some point we could see Tony Khan try to start a wrestlers union just to stick it to TKO and the WWE.
Especially if they lose home grown talent like Jade and MJF to WWE...it would be the lever to try to keep them.
And really dealing with professional sports unions wouldn't be foreign to him...both the NFL and Premier League have players unions they have to deal with for the Jaguars and Fulham.
His hate for the WWE really has grown to the point where he's come off as unhinged at times.
TONY'S IN TO THE POWDER AGAIN, SOMEONE GET HIS PHONE QUI -- ####
Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperMatt18
I do think that at some point we could see Tony Khan try to start a wrestlers union just to stick it to TKO and the WWE.
If, If he ever has to sell, or sees the end of the road for AEW I agree 100%. Hell, even if he can't sell I can see him cutting his nose to spite his face.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperMatt18
Especially if they lose home grown talent like Jade and MJF to WWE...it would be the lever to try to keep them.
It hasn't been talked about here, but Cody coming out and saying he can see MJF in WWE eventually was probably one of those "Get Tony's phone" moments I just talked about. The balls on Cody to say that one.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperMatt18
And really dealing with professional sports unions wouldn't be foreign to him...both the NFL and Premier League have players unions they have to deal with for the Jaguars and Fulham.
In the end, with the carny nature of wrestling it's the only way a Union would ever work. A major promoter stepping in and doing it himself.
TONY'S IN TO THE POWDER AGAIN, SOMEONE GET HIS PHONE QUI -- ####
If, If he ever has to sell, or sees the end of the road for AEW I agree 100%. Hell, even if he can't sell I can see him cutting his nose to spite his face.
It hasn't been talked about here, but Cody coming out and saying he can see MJF in WWE eventually was probably one of those "Get Tony's phone" moments I just talked about. The balls on Cody to say that one.
In the end, with the carny nature of wrestling it's the only way a Union would ever work. A major promoter stepping in and doing it himself.
I think it will happen.
Honestly we hear a lot about AEW treats wrestlers so well, and AEW pays for travel and meals, etc etc.
So if you're going to do all that anyways then why not create a union to really spite your main competitor.
It won't happen right now, but if those perks don't keep wrestlers in AEW then I think he will do it just to spite WWE.
It won't happen right now, but if those perks don't keep wrestlers in AEW then I think he will do it just to spite WWE.
Wrestler's eschewed a paycheque and comfy travel in WWE to work high school gyms because they wanted more than what the money and comfort was providing.
Wrestlers are weird. Some of them will look across the fence and see a better opportunity and leave a life of luxury in a heart beat.
