Buddy Matthews recently shared a significant update with wrestling fans, prompting reactions from notable figures including CM Punk. This announcement, involving the launch of Matthews’ new gym, has drawn attention within the wrestling community, highlighting ongoing connections and tensions among top stars.
Buddy Matthews has been a prominent presence on AEW programming over the last few years, building momentum toward a major singles push earlier this year. Unfortunately, an injury sustained during his entrance at Grand Slam Australia sidelined him, pausing his in-ring activities. Amid this recovery, Matthews used social media to reveal he and his team have opened a gym, marking a new chapter for the athlete.
Buddy Matthews Unveils New Gym and Receives Support from Fellow Wrestlers
Matthews commemorated the gym’s opening by sharing a first workout photo online, celebrating the milestone. His post gained quick attention from peers like Diamante and Mustafa Ali, who publicly commented on the news. Meanwhile, Rhea Ripley and CM Punk expressed their support by liking the announcement, illustrating the camaraderie and respect within the wrestling ranks despite some ongoing rivalries.
“We did a little something…. We built a gym! First workout picture to commemorate the occasion!” Buddy Matthews
Inside CM Punk’s Complex Relationship with AEW and His Response to Matthews’ Announcement
Although CM Punk acknowledged Matthews’ gym reveal positively, his relationship with AEW remains fraught. Having departed the company amidst personal and professional difficulties, Punk has openly expressed frustration about certain colleagues and situations during his AEW tenure. This context adds an intense undertone to his reactions toward current developments involving former associates.
On ESPN’s Pardon My Take podcast, Punk reflected on working with individuals he may not personally like but is required to trust in the wrestling profession. He recounted a notable incident involving Hangman Page, who allegedly deviated from a planned promo script, demonstrating the delicate balance between professionalism and personal conflict inside the industry.
“If you’re a true professional, you don’t have to even remotely like the guy you work with. The business is built on trust. If somebody is going to try and double-cross me, that’s a whole different problem, but I work with professionals who aren’t going to do that because I think they do realize if they do that, there’s going to be some sort of a problem. I’m not going out to dinner with these guys. Some of them don’t like me. Some of them I don’t care for. That’s the magic, and the line we get to weave in and out,” Punk said. [H/T: WrestlePurists on X]
Future Prospects for CM Punk Within WWE and Wider Wrestling Scene
With this backdrop of uneasy professional relationships and recent social media activity, many are watching closely to see what path CM Punk will take next. His presence continues to be influential in WWE, where the wrestling aficionado remains a figure of interest for fans and analysts alike. Matthews’ gym launch and the ensuing reactions serve as a snapshot of the shifting dynamics among wrestling stars, underscoring the complexities behind the scenes.
The developments around Buddy Matthews’ return to public focus and CM Punk’s stirring comments suggest several storylines both in and out of the ring will continue evolving, impacting the landscape of professional wrestling in the months ahead.
“If you’re a true professional, you don’t have to even remotely like the guy you work with.
The business is built on trust. If somebody is going to try and double-cross me, that’s a whole different problem, but I work with professionals who aren’t going to do that because I… pic.twitter.com/d2Tw14OKSE
— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) September 17, 2025
