KENTA did not secure the bag, according to a new report.
In recent weeks, KENTA has teased his interest in facing CM Punk, as the former AEW World Champion made his return to the company following a lengthy absence. Fightful reported that KENTA had internally been discussed as an opponent for Punk at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door.
The NJPW star then tweeted that Tony Khan would have to give him the bag to make the match happen. KENTA also made it clear he was upset that the match was planned without his permission, and he stated that the bout would never happen.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reports that, as of this past weekend, a match between KENTA and Punk is no longer planned for the June 25 pay-per-view. KENTA expressed to both companies that he “isn’t facing CM Punk”, leaving AEW to consider Punk’s status for the show as of the AEW Collision premiere.
Per NJPW sources, KENTA vs. CM Punk had been planned, but the match was off. Fightful noted that no reason had been given, but KENTA’s tweet that the match would never happen was in response to the bout getting nixed.
Sapp also wrote that Punk was said to be open to the match, and other options are being evaluated for him as of this past weekend. NJPW sources noted that most of the company’s top talent has been booked otherwise, even if the matches haven’t been announced yet.
WrestleZone will provide more information as it becomes available.
