For me I'm less convinced it's a work since Colt started showing up.

Worked shoot is a tired and overused term, but I think it's the right one for the situation, as in, I think it contains both.

After explaining it all to my GF when Punk returned - she's only recently started watching - she immediately said that it all felt too ridiculous to be real. Like the story about Ace Steel biting people. If that actually happened then that is straight up criminal assault, there is no coming back from that, especially if done in front of the company lawyer.

My current feeling is Punk's scrum rant was a shoot regarding Cabana (there is no kayfake reason for Punk to even acknowledge his existence), but was intended to be a work regarding The Elite. Specifically, I think Punk's next programme was to be against Hangman and/or Kenny. My guess is that he knew he was injured, again, annoyed at that, in pain, and seeing the reporter set him off about Cabana. He finally gets it turned around to him also having issues with the Elite and starting that fued, and said somethings which were genuine. If this was the next programme it at least explains TK's complete inability to deal with the situation. I don't believe it's possible to be that much of a pushover and still run a successful and growing company for 4 years with a proven track record of longer term story lines and not hotshotting titles. The circumstances with Stat and keeping the belt on Cargill I feel show that TK is very happy to wait, and stubborn enough to refuse to change plans even when he'll need to wait a very long time.

Punk's career, like very many people and myself included, has quite a few episodes of what I'd describe as "doing stupid shit". The interview from years ago when he talks about "ring rats" being a good example. He's clearly intelligent and understands wrestling and how to be a captivating performer, but that doesn't mean every utterance is perfectly measured and considered and all working to a pristinely crafted end point over decades and multiple companies. It's also clear Phil Brooks the man genuinely sees himself as the hero of his own story, and that he - like many within the various alt/anti-establishment scenes - views it as his obligation to speak the truth as he sees it. I say that very much as someone who identifies in that same way. You don't accidently become straight edge, or do it without absolutely believing you are right.

My guess as to what happened next is that the Elite did go to speak to him, to check whether he did have any legit issues or if it was all a work. An argument did ensue (but not of the throwing chairs, rescuing dogs, and biting people variety) and some allegations were made - of the type requiring official investigation when made against an EVP - where a standard corporate response would indeed be suspension with full pay for all parties during that investigation. Punk then stayed out to continue to heal the injury.

I can't see a strictly kayfabe reason for stripping your champ, and literally just crowned champs of your brand new trios title, given what was said in the scrum, or leaked, for storyline purposes. Considerably worse things happen in kayfabe every day, fuck, Kenny tried to blow up Mox with fireworks barely a year prior. Nothing really substantial story wise hinted at 4 people being hastely taken off screen, and I don't think TK is as good a booker or writer to be able to write the first few weeks after those suspensions to be as chaotic and thrown together as they were.

It felt very real, in a way that is so hard to write it's actually easier for it to be real than fake.