A Deeper Look at CM Punk’s Dismissal from AEW

Despite endless promise when he debuted, the relationship between CM Punk and AEW only lasted two years

A day before All Out, which takes place later tonight in Chicago, Tony Khan fired CM Punk.

Fortunately for AEW, a specific Punk match was not advertised for the card. But there was ample speculation that Punk would make a surprise appearance. Clearly, that will not be the case.

Courtesy AEW

Punk was not dismissed solely because of his backstage altercation with Jack Perry last week in London at All In, though that did not help his cause. His firing came after Khan felt physically threatened by Punk at All In during his attempt to get Punk refocused on the match. Unlike prior occasions, Khan was not able to effectively communicate or reason with Punk–and eyewitness accounts supporting Khan’s claim further ended any chance that Punk would return to AEW.

Khan’s legal team unanimously recommended that Punk’s contract be terminated, Sports Illustrated has learned, and Khan ultimately made the decision to fire him.

Khan spoke to the crowd in Chicago last night ahead of Collision, giving his side of the firing. He shared that his safety was in jeopardy during the Punk incident at All In, and that other members of the AEW crew were also in danger. Khan added that he had never previously felt his life had been in danger at a wrestling show–until that moment.

pt2 #AEWCollision pic.twitter.com/CvWyA1LBL3

— kelsey. (@m4rvelgirl) September 3, 2023

Khan’s speech did not evoke memories of Paul Heyman’s public firing of Sabu in ECW in 1995, which still stands as one of the most brilliant promos of all-time. Heyman framed his words so precisely that the crowd at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia would have been insulting themselves had they booed his speech. Although it was a very different approach, Khan stayed true to himself.

Khan also filmed a pre-taped promo, but to his credit, he was willing to step into the fire and face a fiery Chicago crowd. I have heard from more than a few people in wrestling, including from WWE, criticizing Khan’s speech before Collision. But he also had supporters, one of whom was Ricky Steamboat. As soon as he returned to the back, Khan was immediately intercepted by Steamboat, who hugged him and complimented his promo, Sports Illustrated learned. Steamboat pointed out that Khan turned the majority of boos into cheers, reminding him that is no easy feat in any building. And whether or not people liked it, there is no disputing that was a very authentic response from Khan.

AEW GM @TonyKhan opens #AEWCollision pic.twitter.com/1UeMHipSsu

— AEW on TV (@AEWonTV) September 3, 2023

The firing of Punk was a delayed reaction. With the benefit of hindsight, it should have happened one year ago.

Following the All Out pay-per-view last September, which was nearly a year ago to the day, Punk lit into his colleagues–particularly Hangman Page and AEW EVPs Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks–at the company’s official post-show press conference while sitting beside Khan. That was followed by a backstage altercation, for which Punk, Omega, and the Bucks were all suspended. By the time Punk returned from injury (he tore his left triceps muscle during his match with Jon Moxley at All Out) this past June, the past damage was irreparable.

Punk was a major selling point with Warner Bros. Discovery for the new Collision show on TNT, but his firing did not come as a shock to WBD CEO/president David Zaslav, who, Sports Illustrated learned, was informed of the decision ahead of the company’s press release.

Statement from All Elite Wrestling and Tony Khan pic.twitter.com/3MtW6MkGDf

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) September 2, 2023

Punk’s presence was always a draw. His merchandise sales were strong, and his matches and promos drew interest. But for both Punk and AEW, it was time for the relationship to end. Punk was not at fault for every single issue in AEW, but he was the common denominator on too many occasions.

This is by no means the end of Phil Brooks as CM Punk. Sources close to both sides expect a response from Punk, which holds the potential to be explosive. It is disappointing that, after so much promise just two years ago, the relationship ends in such a disjointed manner.

AEW was smart to deliver a meaningful surprise to the upset crowd at Collision, which undoubtedly wanted to see the hometown Punk. The only noise audible when Bryan Danielson returned for the first time since June was cheers, and seeing him back was a welcome sight.

It will be interesting to see how Collision moves forward without Punk, who was given considerable input into the show from Khan.

Punk will bounce back. He was frustrated by the work environment in AEW, so a fresh start somewhere else should be a positive. Just last week, he was recognized by the Cauliflower Alley Club, an organization designed to honor wrestling’s past and assist those from the industry in need of help. Punk received the Iron Mike Mazurki Award, then delivered an outstanding speech about what wrestling has meant–and still means–to him.

There is no shortage of possibilities for Punk. He could defend the AEW title that he spray painted with his trademark X in other promotions, or he could even be the centerpiece of his own tour. The biggest piece of speculation will be a potential return to WWE, especially after Punk unexpectedly visited backstage in April (he also visited Impact, which has an upcoming show in Chicago this October). Dates in Japan, possibly with New Japan Pro-Wrestling, would also make a lot of sense, especially with their signature Wrestle Kingdom event taking place in January.

It is worth noting that Punk’s final match in AEW took place after his altercation with Perry, when he wrestled Samoa Joe at All In in a packed Wembley Stadium. The match was superb, and Punk’s ability to captivate in the ring–and on the microphone–remains elite.

But Punk is no longer All Elite. Unfortunately, this is the best-case scenario for both Punk and AEW.