Former WCW Champion and two time Hall of Famer, Booker T was invited to the Podcast Reality of Wrestling hosted by Brad Gilmore. In the podcast, Booker-T discussed CM Punk’s return to WWE and how it has affected the wrestling world. While discussing the surprise return, he did not miss throwing some darts at AEW as well.

During a moment in the interview, he threw some taunts at AEW where Punk was previously employed by Tony Khan.

Booker T takes a cheeky jab at AEW using CM Punk’s return to WWE

CM Punk made a surprising return to WWE after previously criticizing the company and leaving in 2014. His return during the Survivor Series PLE at Chicago was a blow to AEW and a win for WWE and Punk’s fans.

While discussing his return Booker T said, “In certain places, like in Arizona, you can water that darn grass all day long and it ain’t gonna turn green. Maybe CM Punk figured that out after a minute of being in AEW.”

Booker-T’s analogy with the Arizona state was about the climatic conditions throughout the year. It was an indirect jab at AEW. The commentator at WWE meant that regardless of Punk’s efforts at AEW, it would always remain second fiddle to WWE as a wrestling promotion. Booker-T believes that Punk might have figured it out earlier during his stay at AEW.

Booker T then further explained his statement by taking an example from his wrestling days. Booker T turned to TNA after WWE, but he always knew that TNA would never surpass WWE on an overall brand value per se.

Read more: 3 Reasons Why CM Punk Could Challenge Roman Reigns for His WWE Championship at Royal Rumble 2024

Now that Punk is back home, how did the wrestling world react to the unexpected to the moment?

AEW resists giving any reaction to CM Punk’s return to WWE

Earlier in the interview, Booker T revealed that even he wasn’t sure about Punk’s return. He even told one fan to stop chanting Punk’s name as he was not even in the building. It was a secret kept well hidden from everyone, but fans in Chicago did not lose hope. 

During the show, they kept screaming Punk’s name while the main event had just concluded with Rhodes’ music playing in the background. The moment not only shocked the fans in attendance but wrestling fans across geographical boundaries and promotions. But AEW stars decided to either remain silent or barely say anything on the issue. As Punk delivered a promo on RAW, he said he was “home” and now it remains to be seen how his second stint in the company goes.

Are you excited and shocked by CM Punk’s return?

Watch this story: CM Punk Makes Triumphant Return to WWE at Survivor Series WarGames 2023 After 9-Year Hiatus