CM Punk vs. Hangman Page: Behind the AEW ControversyAlright, guys, let’s dive deep into one of the most talked-about and controversial sagas in recent professional wrestling memory: the absolute whirlwind that was the CM Punk versus Hangman Adam Page feud in AEW . This wasn’t just a typical wrestling storyline; it was a saga that blurred the lines between reality and kayfabe so much that it created genuine drama, backstage chaos, and ultimately, redefined what many thought was possible in modern wrestling. It’s a story filled with incredible highs, shocking lows, and an infamous backstage brawl that nobody, especially not AEW management, ever wanted to see happen. If you’ve been wondering what happened between CM Punk and Hangman Page , buckle up, because we’re going to break down every pivotal moment, from the subtle jabs to the infamous All Out 2022 media scrum and the seismic repercussions that followed. This isn’t just about a championship; it’s about egos, respect, and the very foundation of All Elite Wrestling itself. We’ll explore how two of the company’s biggest stars ended up in a collision course that had everyone talking, from the most hardcore fans to casual observers, and how their conflict left an indelible mark on the promotion’s history. So, let’s pull back the curtain and get into the nitty-gritty of this defining AEW drama.## The Sparks Fly: Setting the Stage for an Epic AEW FeudThis is where it all started, guys. When CM Punk made his triumphant return to professional wrestling in August 2021, joining All Elite Wrestling (AEW) , the entire landscape of the industry shifted. Fans were absolutely ecstatic, and Punk quickly established himself as one of the top stars. Meanwhile, Hangman Adam Page , the self-proclaimed “Anxious Millennial Cowboy,” was on his own incredible journey, having just ascended to the pinnacle of AEW as its World Champion , a title he won in a deeply emotional victory over Kenny Omega at Full Gear 2021. Both men were at the peak of their popularity, beloved by the AEW faithful, but their paths were destined to intertwine in a way that would spark one of the most talked-about and controversial feuds in modern wrestling history.The initial interactions between CM Punk and Hangman Page were subtle, almost background noise, as Punk was busy with his own narratives, including a brutal rivalry with MJF. However, as Punk moved past that feud , his sights began to turn towards the AEW World Championship , held by Hangman Page . This wasn’t just a standard challenger-champion dynamic; there was an underlying tension that slowly started to build. The AEW locker room, renowned for its strong sense of camaraderie, was about to witness a crack in its foundation. We’re talking about two of the biggest names in the company, with immense fan support, heading for a collision that felt both inevitable and incredibly personal. It wasn’t just about the title; it was about respect, philosophy, and maybe even a bit of ego. The stage was perfectly set for a rivalry that would transcend the typical storyline, diving deep into real-life issues and ultimately leading to some truly unforgettable, and unfortunately, quite damaging, moments for AEW . This entire saga, from the first subtle glance to the final explosion, became a defining chapter for the promotion, leaving fans wondering about the true nature of professional wrestling and the blurred lines between fiction and reality.## The AEW World Championship Build-Up: Verbal Jabs and Underlying TensionAlright, so the stage was set, and the CM Punk vs. Hangman Page AEW World Championship program really started to heat up in the spring of 2022, leading into Double or Nothing . This wasn’t your typical, run-of-the-mill title build-up; it had layers, folks, deep layers that hinted at something more than just a wrestling storyline. The promos , especially from Hangman Page , started taking on a distinctly personal tone, moving beyond kayfabe and into what many perceived as real-life frustrations. Page, as the AEW World Champion , wasn’t just portraying an anxious cowboy; he was subtly, yet firmly, challenging Punk’s reputation and past. One particular promo stands out like a sore thumb: Page’s accusation that Punk talks about “workers’ rights” but “doesn’t care about anyone but himself” and his claim that he would “protect the AEW locker room” from Punk. Oof. That hit different, didn’t it? It was a moment that sent shockwaves through the fandom because it felt too real , too pointed for a standard wrestling angle.Many fans, myself included, wondered if this was all part of a brilliant, nuanced storyline designed to blur the lines between reality and fiction, something CM Punk is famously a master of. However, as the weeks progressed, and Punk’s reactions to Page’s increasingly pointed remarks seemed genuinely agitated, the speculation began to shift. Was this actually an example of Hangman Page going off-script? Was he expressing legitimate concerns or frustrations that were bubbling up in the AEW locker room? CM Punk , for his part, initially dismissed Page’s comments, choosing to focus on the title, but you could see the frustration simmering beneath the surface. The dynamic was captivating: the veteran legend, Punk , trying to stay professional, and the young champion, Page , seemingly trying to get under Punk’s skin with very specific, seemingly real-world criticisms. This escalated the feud to a level that felt uncomfortable yet undeniably compelling. It forced everyone to question what they were watching, blurring the lines of kayfabe in a way that AEW had previously prided itself on doing effectively, but perhaps this time, it went a step too far. The air was thick with tension, not just for the championship match, but for the implications of these cutting promo exchanges, hinting at an eventual backstage brawl long before anyone could have imagined it. The seeds of discord were sown, and the wrestling world braced itself for the fallout.## Double or Nothing 2022: The Championship Clash and Lingering TensionSo, after all those intense promo battles and escalating tension, we finally arrived at Double or Nothing 2022 , where CM Punk challenged Hangman Page for the AEW World Championship . This was supposed to be the culmination, the big payoff, where all those carefully crafted insults and real-life undertones would explode in the ring. And what a match it was, guys! It wasn’t just about technical wrestling or high-flying moves; it was about the psychology, the emotion, and the narrative that had been woven so intricately. Both men brought their A-game, delivering a physical and intense contest that kept everyone on the edge of their seats. The crowd was absolutely electric, split right down the middle, chanting for both Punk and Page, unsure who would emerge victorious. You could feel the weight of their feud in every strike and every near fall.The match itself saw CM Punk ultimately defeat Hangman Page to capture his first-ever AEW World Championship . It was a huge moment for Punk, a validation of his return and his status as a top-tier performer. However, the victory felt… different. It wasn’t just a clean win; there was an undeniable sense that the underlying real-life issues between the two men hadn’t been fully resolved, despite the bell ringing and the title changing hands. The immediate aftermath wasn’t a handshake or a show of mutual respect, which is often a common trope after a big championship match. Instead, there was a lingering awkwardness, an unspoken tension that permeated the arena. Page, despite losing the title, still carried himself with a certain defiance, and Punk’s celebration felt a little less jubilant than one might expect for such a momentous achievement. It left many fans wondering if this was truly the end of their feud or just the beginning of something much larger and more complicated. The feeling was that the verbal barbs, particularly Page’s “workers’ rights” comments, had dug deeper than a typical wrestling storyline, creating a rift that a single match, even a world championship match, couldn’t fully heal. This Double or Nothing encounter became less of a definitive conclusion and more of a pause, a moment for the AEW faithful to catch their breath before the next inevitable explosion of drama. The backstage brawl that would later engulf the company had its roots firmly planted in the seeds of this unresolved tension.## The Infamous All Out 2022 Media Scrum: A Volatile ExplosionNow, let’s fast forward to the moment that truly blew the lid off the entire CM Punk and Hangman Page saga: the All Out 2022 media scrum . Folks, this was the event that nobody saw coming, and it single-handedly reshaped the conversation around AEW and professional wrestling as a whole. Fresh off winning the AEW World Championship for the second time (after having to relinquish it due to injury and then winning it back at All Out), CM Punk sat down for the post-show media conference. What transpired was an unscripted, unfiltered, and utterly furious tirade that immediately went viral and sent shockwaves across the wrestling world. It was a moment of raw, unvarnished emotion that quickly became the stuff of legend – for all the wrong reasons.During the media scrum , CM Punk didn’t hold back. He launched into a scathing attack, first and foremost, on the Executive Vice Presidents (EVPs) of AEW : Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson), whom he accused of leaking false information to the press. But it didn’t stop there. He then turned his attention squarely to Hangman Page , explicitly calling out Page’s “workers’ rights” comments from months prior during their feud leading up to Double or Nothing . Punk stated that Page’s comments were unprofessional and put a real-life target on his back, suggesting that Page had gone completely off-script and potentially jeopardized his livelihood. He claimed that Page was trying to work an angle that Punk refused to engage with because it was based on real-life lies and could damage the perception of the AEW locker room. This was a direct, public dressing-down of a fellow wrestler, the likes of which is rarely seen, especially from a company’s top champion. The anger in Punk’s voice was palpable, and his words cut deep, exposing a level of legitimate animosity that went far beyond any wrestling storyline. This media scrum wasn’t just a promo ; it was a declaration of war, ripping open the carefully constructed facade of unity within AEW . It set the stage for the now infamous backstage brawl , creating an unprecedented amount of drama and controversy that would overshadow everything else that happened at All Out . The fallout was immediate, devastating, and changed the course of AEW history forever.## The “Brawl Out” Incident: Backstage Chaos and Severe RepercussionsAnd just when you thought the All Out 2022 media scrum couldn’t get any wilder, it did, guys. What happened immediately after CM Punk ’s explosive press conference became known as the infamous “Brawl Out” incident, a backstage brawl that sent AEW into a tailspin and led to some of the most severe repercussions in the company’s young history. Following Punk’s fiery promo where he lambasted Hangman Page and the AEW EVPs, it wasn’t long before the targets of his anger confronted him. Reports quickly emerged that Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) went to Punk’s locker room, and a physical altercation ensued. This wasn’t a worked segment; this was a legitimate, no-holds-barred fight between some of AEW’s biggest stars and founding members.Details of the backstage brawl are still somewhat hazy, shrouded in conflicting reports and legal sensitivities, but the gist is clear: punches were thrown, chairs were reportedly flung, and total chaos erupted. Even Punk’s friend and producer Ace Steel was allegedly involved, reportedly biting Omega during the melee. While Hangman Page wasn’t directly involved in the physical brawl itself, his earlier promo comments were a direct catalyst for Punk’s rage at the media scrum , which in turn triggered the physical confrontation. The entire incident was an absolute disaster, a PR nightmare for AEW that overshadowed a successful pay-per-view. The company was forced to act decisively and swiftly. As a result, CM Punk , Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks, and Ace Steel were all suspended indefinitely. CM Punk was stripped of his AEW World Championship , and the Trios Championships held by Omega and the Bucks were also vacated. The immediate aftermath saw a period of intense uncertainty and damage control for AEW , with Tony Khan appearing on Dynamite to address the situation, albeit vaguely. This incident, born from the simmering feud between CM Punk and Hangman Page , ultimately led to Punk’s departure from AEW a year later, never to fully reconcile with the company he once revitalized. It was a stark reminder of how personal grievances can spill over, impacting not just individuals but an entire promotion, leaving a permanent scar on its legacy.## Lingering Questions and Unresolved Tensions: What’s Next for the AEW Stars?So, after the dust settled from the “Brawl Out” incident and CM Punk ’s eventual departure from AEW , what’s left for Hangman Page and the company itself? That’s the million-dollar question, guys, and the answer is steeped in a lot of lingering questions and unresolved tensions. The feud between CM Punk and Hangman Page wasn’t just a storyline; it was a deeply personal conflict that had massive ramifications for both men’s careers and for the AEW locker room culture. For Hangman Page , the aftermath saw him continue his run as a top star, though he eventually took a hiatus for personal reasons and later returned to resume his position within the Elite and as a formidable competitor. While he wasn’t directly involved in the physical altercation, his initial promo comments were the spark that ignited Punk’s legendary media scrum rant, and that association will likely follow him throughout his AEW tenure. He’s continued to be a beloved figure, but the ghost of the “Brawl Out” drama subtly hovers over his professional narrative.The bigger question, perhaps, revolves around the lasting impact on AEW . The incident forced the company to re-evaluate its backstage policies, its leadership, and its public image. While AEW has moved forward, signing new talent and putting on compelling shows, the “Brawl Out” will forever be a significant chapter in its history, a cautionary tale about managing volatile personalities and real-life grievances. CM Punk , of course, eventually returned to WWE, but the door for a return to AEW seems firmly shut, at least for now. The animosity between him and the Elite, including Hangman Page , appears to be too deep to mend. Will there ever be a resolution? A handshake? A moment of reconciliation, even if just for the cameras? Honestly, it feels unlikely, given the depth of the personal issues involved and the public nature of the fallout. The AEW faithful, who witnessed this dramatic feud unfold, are left to ponder what could have been. Could CM Punk and Hangman Page have delivered an all-time classic rivalry without the backstage brawl and the destructive media scrum ? Perhaps. But for now, the legacy of their conflict remains one of controversy, a definitive moment that showcased both the incredible potential and the inherent challenges of running a major professional wrestling promotion in the modern age. The tension, though no longer active, still hangs heavy in the air, a reminder of the fine line between compelling storytelling and real-life drama gone awry.## Conclusion: A Defining Moment in AEW HistoryIn conclusion, guys, the feud between CM Punk and Hangman Page wasn’t just another wrestling storyline; it was an absolute rollercoaster of emotions, real-life drama, and unfortunate backstage chaos that has undeniably become a defining moment in AEW history. What started as a promising AEW World Championship program, pitting a returning legend against a beloved homegrown champion, quickly spiraled into something far more personal and volatile than anyone could have anticipated. From Hangman Page ’s pointed promo about “workers’ rights” leading up to Double or Nothing 2022 , which clearly struck a nerve with CM Punk , to Punk’s eventual victory for the World Championship , the tension was always palpable. It wasn’t just about who won or lost in the ring; it was about the underlying professional and perhaps personal disagreements that were bubbling to the surface, hinting at a much larger schism within the AEW locker room.The crescendo of this entire saga, of course, was the infamous All Out 2022 media scrum , where CM Punk ’s unfiltered rage at Hangman Page and the AEW EVPs led directly to the catastrophic “Brawl Out” incident. This backstage brawl wasn’t a work; it was a genuine physical altercation that resulted in suspensions, vacated championships, and ultimately, CM Punk ’s departure from the company. The fallout left a lasting scar on AEW , forcing a period of intense introspection and change. While the company has since moved forward, signing new talent and continuing to produce compelling content, the shadow of the Punk-Page feud and the “Brawl Out” incident remains a stark reminder of the complexities of professional wrestling, where the lines between kayfabe and reality can become dangerously blurred. This rivalry serves as a powerful cautionary tale, showcasing how even the most promising feuds can detonate into legitimate conflict, leaving a permanent mark on all involved. It taught us that sometimes, the most dramatic storylines aren’t scripted, and the consequences can be far-reaching, shaping the future of a promotion and the careers of its biggest stars. It was a period of high highs and devastating lows, forever cementing itself as a pivotal, if tumultuous, chapter in the vibrant, yet sometimes tumultuous, world of All Elite Wrestling .