Several AEW Talents Reportedly Sent Home from AEW Collision Shows Over Backstage CM Punk Issues

As noted before, CM Punk gave an unplanned and unscripted shoot promo directed towards Hangman Adam Page following this past Saturday’s AEW Collision show in Greensboro, North Carolina. Page was backstage at the show at one point to film a pre-tape interview segment but was told to film it outside of the venue instead due to potential issues with Punk.

Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that Ryan Nemeth was also sent home from this past Saturday’s Collision taping due to issues involving Punk as well. Nemeth reportedly was originally scheduled to work at the show but when he arrived, he was informed by an AEW coach that he would not be needed and was booked a flight back home. The reason for Nemeth being sent home reportedly revolved around a backstage incident involving Nemeth and Punk during Punk’s return from suspension this past June. This incident reportedly took place shortly after Punk’s return to AEW this past June and revolved around Punk taking offense over a past tweet Nemeth made calling Punk the “softest man alive” in response to Punk’s return promo on Collision. Punk reportedly confronted Nemeth backstage over his tweet but this did not end in anything physical. Another reason reportedly involved Nemeth being a friend of The Elite and his many appearances on their Being The Elite show.

Dave Meltzer reported in a recent episode of the Wrestling Observer Radio that his sources stated that besides Nemeth, Matt Hardy and Christopher Daniels were also sent home from a recent Collision taping. While Punk’s name was not specifically mentioned as the reason, Meltzer reported that everyone within AEW is currently under the belief that this was due to issues involving Punk. Meltzer also reported that there might have been additional AEW talents who were also sent home from recent Collision tapings but Nemeth, Hardy, and Daniels are the only ones who have been confirmed at the moment.

Haus of Wrestling’s Nick Hausman reported that his sources confirmed Fightful and Dave Meltzer’s reports and provided additional details. Those spoken to reportedly stated that Punk was directly involved in why Daniels and Nemeth were sent home. In regards to Daniels, Hauseman reported that it was due to lingering issues by Punk over Ace Steel not being allowed to be physically present backstage at AEW Collision shows as a AEW producer. Punk reportedly felt that if Steel was not allowed, then he would push to make sure that Daniels, who is also an AEW official and Head of Talent Relations, would not be allowed backstage either. In regards to Nemeth, Hasuman reported that those spoken to from Punk’s side stated that the reason for his removal was due to Punk not actively looking to cause any backstage drama and had felt “Nemeth’s previous comments showed his willingness to unnecessarily stir the pot in the locker room.” Punk reportedly was stated that have regretted his comments made towards Page since it “did not come across how he would have liked them and that he felt bad about them afterward.”