Cash Wheeler Opens Up About Scrapped CM Punk Match in AEW, Addresses Singles Career Talk

Cash Wheeler has shed some light on a match that never happened — a singles bout with CM Punk during his time in AEW — while also explaining why he has consistently chosen tag team competition over going it alone.

Appearing on LNG Productions, Wheeler opened up about pitches and suggestions made to him about pursuing a singles run. While he didn’t rule it out entirely, he made clear that teaming alongside Dax Harwood remains his preference, citing the physical toll a full singles schedule would take on his body as a key factor in that thinking. The FTR duo has long been regarded as one of the premier tag teams in the world, and Wheeler’s comments suggest that reputation is something he takes seriously enough to protect — even if it means passing on individual opportunities.

Among those opportunities, Wheeler revealed, was a match with CM Punk that was in the works at some point during Punk’s AEW tenure. The bout was ultimately scrapped, though the details of why it fell apart were not elaborated on beyond what Wheeler shared.

Punk’s run in AEW was famously turbulent, ending with his departure following the fallout from All In 2023 at Wembley Stadium. He has since returned to WWE, where he remains an active part of the roster. Wheeler, meanwhile, continues to compete as one-half of FTR.

The glimpse Wheeler provided into what could have been adds another layer to the already complicated and eventful history of AEW’s roster during that era — and serves as a reminder of how many compelling matches never make it past the planning stage.