AEW Book Skips CM Punk Exit in Celebratory Retrospective

A new book chronicling the first five years of All Elite Wrestling has drawn attention for its omission of CM Punk's controversial departure from the promotion, a decision its author attributes to the project's celebratory focus.

"This Book Is All Elite: The Inside Story of All Elite Wrestling," written by veteran wrestling journalist Keith Elliot Greenberg, was released this month. The volume offers an inside look at the promotion's rise, highlighting key events, talent development and behind-the-scenes stories. However, it makes only passing references to Punk and avoids any discussion of the backstage conflicts that led to his exits in 2022 and 2023.

In an interview with Features of Wrestling, Greenberg addressed the absence, noting that he anticipated criticism for it. "One of the criticisms I telegraphed in advance, and I even discussed this with AEW, was the people were going to be unhappy that I don't talk about whatever chicanery occurred backstage that led to the departure of CM Punk," he said.

Greenberg explained that the book was commissioned as a tribute to AEW's achievements, not a comprehensive exposé of internal disputes. He drew a parallel to his passion for the...