CM Punk challenged Hangman Page to a rematch on the August 17 episode of AEW Dynamite, but according to the Wrestling Observer, he was not expected to do so. A message that Fightful has confirmed in these hours. Fightful was told by several AEW members that they felt the situation created on the August 17 episode of Dynamite was “unfair” to Hangman Page if he hadn’t been aware of it.
A source said: “Even if he had been aware of it, what would he have done? Would he rush into the ring and bypass Tony? Stop a promotion you knew you didn’t have to attend? There was no way Hangman could ‘win’ in this situation.” Apparently Adam Page was present in the building, but he doesn’t seem to have particularly reacted. Those who spoke to Fightful said that Hangman is not an aggressive person and is generally very popular with the squad members.
PWInsider claims that Punk’s words to Page were “100% an answer” to Page and that the two have an issue that has persisted for the past few months. During their feud, Page Punk presented AEW as the stranger Page was supposed to be defending the company from. Punk defeated Page for the AEW World Championship in Double or Nothing, but had to put his reign on hold due to a broken foot.
Punk would then take the opportunity to reciprocate Page for those comments on the occasion. According to Johnson, Page and Punk did not communicate before or after Wednesday night’s show and there appears to be some distrust between them. It’s important to note that this is dressing room speculation and not a direct statement by punk. For its part, CM Punk would have responded in this way to the Hangman’s promo, which alluded to Punk’s problems with Colt Cabana and took place during a week that Punk was not present at the show, while CM Punk did the opposite promo. while Page was present.
Sources familiar with the situation say CM Punk has recently expressed his displeasure so openly that it suggests he may have left the company. People close to him said he could have chosen to stay at home instead of joining Dynamite on August 17, but they don’t think he would have left AEW. Fightful wrote that he had no indication that CM Punk actually decided to leave AEW, but a veteran said he had heard of “threats” from him.
