Steve Maclin recently shared that CM Punk was nearly signed by TNA Wrestling after his departure from AEW. During an interview on “The PWI Podcast” alongside his wife, AEW’s Deonna Purrazzo, Maclin revealed that before Punk headed back to WWE, he was very close to joining TNA, where Maclin was set to be his first challenger. Scott D’Amore, former TNA executive, confirmed he had tried to sign both CM Punk and Will Ospreay, but neither deal materialized—Punk eventually returned to WWE, while Ospreay went to AEW. Maclin praised Punk’s influence and status in wrestling, calling him a genuine superstar and a cultural icon who remains one of the industry’s most impactful figures. He also shared that Punk had visited TNA backstage multiple times and showed respect toward him during their interactions.
Fan Take: This revelation highlights how close the wrestling landscape was to changing dramatically, with CM Punk possibly reshaping TNA’s future. For WWE fans, it underscores Punk’s lasting star power and influence, hinting at how pivotal his career moves are for the evolution of professional wrestling.
