Booker T comments on the rumors about CM Punk coming to TNA/IMPACT Wrestling.
Fans continue to buzz about CM Punk's potential future in wrestling since AEW released him on September 2. Some rumors have linked him to returning to WWE, while others continue to connect him with TNA/IMPACT Wrestling.
Speaking on the Hall of Fame with Brad Gilmore, Booker T brought up the buzz around CM Punk potentially going to TNA/IMPACT. When Gilmore noted that Punk has to go somewhere if he wants to keep wrestling, Booker T pointed out that Punk stepped away from the business after he left WWE. Gilmore then stated that TNA could use more star power.
“I look at it like this. If CM Punk was to go to IMPACT Wrestling and be a part of that, that crew down there, I think it’s definitely something that, it could work. I really do. I think there’s a lot of young guys down there, I think there’s a lot of young guys, just like in AEW, that could learn and maybe look towards CM Punk for some guidance and whatever. I don’t know. I don’t know how well that’s gonna work out or anything like that. But that’s the way I see that. The one thing I also think about with CM Punk going to IMPACT Wrestling, unlike AEW, unlike WWE, his wrestling is gonna be more spotlighted on. Just because it’s smaller crowds, everything is gonna be seen. You’re not gonna be able to hide anything in an arena like that. One thing about getting older, you’re gonna lose a step. That’s just the way it is. I just think it would be so much more noticeable. You would be looking at CM Punk’s work so much more than anything outside of what he would be doing at TNA. I’m talking about promos, I’m talking about angles. You’re gonna be looking at his work more than anything, I would think. I think that’s a position I wouldn’t want to put myself in," Booker T said.
Booker T then used his own experience with his break-dancing skills fading as he aged as an example. He continued by describing how he believes Punk has a lot of value for a company. He noted that Punk has the chance to leave the business on a better note after his previous runs in WWE and AEW ended with controversy. The WWE Hall of Famer stated that Punk could rebuild the trust people have in him
"CM Punk is somebody that, I still feel like [he] has a lot of value for one of these companies out there, I really do. I’m not saying that TNA is a small fry or anything. I don’t think it’s about the size of the company or anything like that. I think it’s about the legacy that CM Punk wants to leave in the business, more than anything. I think the departure from WWE wasn’t pretty. I don’t think the departure from AEW was nice or anything like that. To be able to walk away from this thing and look back on it with some fond memories…you don’t get a chance to redo this. This is it. One could say, ‘Well, he could go to Japan.’ I remember MVP, and he’ll tell you this himself, MVP before he left WWE. He was like, ‘Man, my dream is to go work in Japan. I can’t wait. I love that style.’ I told MVP, I said, ‘Brother, it’s a whole lot different working in Japan at 25 than it is at 35.’ He didn’t understand what I meant until he went over there. When he did, how many tours did he go? One. That was it. You don’t want to finish your career over there. You want to finish your career right here in the good-old United States of America. That’s what you want to do. So I feel like if [Punk] was to go to TNA, he definitely could rebuild that trust with people, more than anything. I think that’s what people are gonna remember about CM Punk, more than anything. It’s gonna gonna be the matches, it’s not gonna be the Pipebomb moment," Booker T said.
When one fan shared their belief is more of a liability than an asset, Booker T stated that Punk has his ways. However, he emphasized that Punk has another chance to be in a position where he can work with younger talent and elevate them.
"CM Punk has his ways, and a lot of times, from the outside looking in, he wants it to be a lot in his favor. I just say that from what I’ve seen more than anything. I don’t want to sit here and bash CM Punk or anything. I’m trying to say something nice about what CM Punk has a chance to do. Just like I said when he came into AEW. The first thing I said when Punk came into AEW, before all the trouble, before all the turmoil, I said Punk is in a position of power, he’s in a position of confidence. He’s in a position where these young guys can be able to come to him for guidance and advice. But I also said he’s gonna have to go down to their level in order for them to come up to his level," he said.
When Gilmore pointed out that Punk has some options, Booker T emphasized that he believes TN is the spot for him. He described how landing in TNA would be a true test of Punk's star power and whether he could move the needle.
"TNA will be the spot. If he’s gonna land somewhere, TNA will be the spot. I really feel like TNA, they could use the rub. People’s eyes will be on TNA. As well as, you will actually get a chance to see CM Punk’s star power, if the needle moves for TNA, if TNA can get back in this race. Because right now, they running in third, and they way back there. But just imagine if TNA numbers could start competing with AEW. Oh man. Then people are gonna be saying, ‘Did Tony Khan make a mistake?’ That’s what’s gonna happen," Booker T said.
Booker T subsequently said he sses Punk going to "someone like IMPACT/TNA" and potentially elevating the company in its race with AEW amd WWE.
Fightful Select reported more information about Punk potentially coming to TNA.
Billy Corgan has said CM Punk could have fun in NWA. More information is available here.
Check out Punk's comments about potentially being at WWE Survivor Series here.
Click here to see what Punk had to say about unions in wrestling.
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