Major WWE Stars Featured in New AEW Product

After much speculation, two huge WWE stars have been confirmed to appear in a new AEW product. Fightful reports that current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and CM Punk are featured in the book “All Elite: The Inside Story of All Elite Wrestling.” There was initially some concern from fans that both Rhodes and Punk would be omitted from the book. Rhodes left AEW and returned to WWE in 2022, while Punk had a tumultuous exit from the promotion the following year. The book will be available for purchase on Nov. 4. EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – AUGUST 03: The championship belts are hanging above the ring before the WWE Tables, Ladders and Chairs Tag Team Championship during the WWE 2025 SummerSlam at MetLife Stadium on August 03, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) More News: Massive WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event Spoiler Revealed Cody Rhodes’ Role in AEW’s Existence Rhodes, along with Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks, played a pivotal role in AEW’s existence. While Tony Khan admits he explored starting a professional wrestling company thanks to Omega’s match with Chris Jericho at NJPW’s “Wrestle Kingdom 12” show, Rhodes was one of the key names in helping AEW get off the ground. Having served as both an in-ring performer and an executive vice president, some felt Rhodes had a chance to be a lifer in AEW. Ultimately, “The American Nightmare” decided to return to WWE, where he is the company’s top babyface. CM Punk’s Hostile AEW Exit When Punk returned to the wrestling industry in 2021, there was plenty of excitement within AEW. Things quickly turned disastrous, as Punk grew to dislike many of his peers behind the scenes. Punk’s frustration spilled over publicly following an infamous press conference after “AEW All Out 2022.” This led to a physical confrontation involving Punk, The Young Bucks, Omega, and Ace Steel. Punk had another backstage incident the following year. Punk struck Jack Perry during “All In: London” after Perry made a remark about a car windshield using real glass. Perry’s comments were in response to reports that Punk prevented him from using real glass during a planned spot on “AEW Collision.” Punk was released “with cause” from his AEW contract shortly after the incident. WWE Raw Star Seth Rollins Provides Huge Injury Update Former WWE Talent Signs New TNA Wrestling Contract WWE Legend’s Daughter Begins Training at Top Wrestling School For more on WWE and AEW content, head to Newsweek Sports.

There was initially some concern from fans that both Rhodes and Punk would be omitted from the book. Rhodes left AEW and returned to WWE in 2022, while Punk had a tumultuous exit from the promotion the following year. The book will be available for purchase on Nov. 4.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – AUGUST 03: The championship belts are hanging above the ring before the WWE Tables, Ladders and Chairs Tag Team Championship during the WWE 2025 SummerSlam at MetLife Stadium on August 03, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

More News: Massive WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event Spoiler Revealed

Cody Rhodes’ Role in AEW’s Existence

Rhodes, along with Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks, played a pivotal role in AEW’s existence. While Tony Khan admits he explored starting a professional wrestling company thanks to Omega’s match with Chris Jericho at NJPW’s “Wrestle Kingdom 12” show, Rhodes was one of the key names in helping AEW get off the ground.

Having served as both an in-ring performer and an executive vice president, some felt Rhodes had a chance to be a lifer in AEW. Ultimately, “The American Nightmare” decided to return to WWE, where he is the company’s top babyface.

CM Punk’s Hostile AEW Exit

When Punk returned to the wrestling industry in 2021, there was plenty of excitement within AEW. Things quickly turned disastrous, as Punk grew to dislike many of his peers behind the scenes. Punk’s frustration spilled over publicly following an infamous press conference after “AEW All Out 2022.” This led to a physical confrontation involving Punk, The Young Bucks, Omega, and Ace Steel.

Punk had another backstage incident the following year. Punk struck Jack Perry during “All In: London” after Perry made a remark about a car windshield using real glass.

Perry’s comments were in response to reports that Punk prevented him from using real glass during a planned spot on “AEW Collision.” Punk was released “with cause” from his AEW contract shortly after the incident.

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For more on WWE and AEW content, head to Newsweek Sports.