If this is a work then it’s genius; they’ve blurred the lines in a way I’ve never seen. But if this ends up being a shoot then Punk is everything he complains about and then some.
To me, all the things you mentioned are 100x worse if this is a shoot.
If it's a work he only looks like he has no control. If it's a shoot then he really doesn't. IMO, It's much better for Tony that this be a work…or at least a shoot turned work.
If this is a work it is so dumb, like literally what is the upside? You get a good feud or match where the crowd has no idea who to cheer or boo. I already hate what they have done to the AEW crowds where it is identity politics of if you like Punk or the Bucks.
I feel bad for Ricky Starks having to do this super heel thing when people love him and want to cheer him, just because there is a significant part of the crowd that hates Punk and will cheer anyone opposing him.
Punk truly has "X-Pac Heat" to use a 20 year old term. It's not that I don't like him, I just want him to go away. I'm so apathetic to him being a heel and face at the same time in the ring and in crowd reactions.