CM Punk terminated by AEW

AEW announced this afternoon (Sept. 2, 2023) that the company has terminated its employee agreement with CM Punk:

All Elite Wrestling (AEW) has terminated the wrestler and employment agreements between Phillip Brooks (CM Punk) and AEW with cause, effective immediately. The termination was confirmed today by Tony Khan, CEO, General Manager, and Head of Creative of AEW.

The termination follows a weeklong internal investigation of an incident occurring back stage at AEW - All In London on Sunday, August 27. Following the investigation, the AEW Discipline Committee met and later convened with outside legal counsel before making a unanimous recommendation to Khan that CM Punk be terminated with cause.

Khan offered the following statement:

“Phil played an important role within AEW and I thank him for his contributions. The termination of his AEW contracts with cause was ultimately my decision, and mine alone. Of course, I wish I did not have to share this news, which may come as a disappointment to many of our fans. Nevertheless, I am making the decision in the best interests of the many amazing people who make AEW possible every week - our talent, staff, venue operators, and others whose efforts are unsung but essential to bringing our great shows on television and at arena and stadiums throughout the world.”

This is stemming from an incident at the AEW pay-per-view All In, when Punk (real name Phil Brooks as mentioned in the press release) had a physical confrontation with fellow wrestler Jack Perry.

That altercation was rumored to have been triggered by Perry making a comment to the camera about using real glass during his All In Zero Hour match with HOOK. That itself was in reference to a prior issue Perry had with Punk (and others) about using real glass for a bump in a pre-taped spot.

Tony Khan addressed the fact that there was an incident during the PPV at his press conference, but declined to say any more about it.

According to their statement, AEW investigated the incident and then conferred with their “Discipline Committee,” which is something they apparently have, and outside legal council and came to the conclusion to terminate Punk.

It should be noted that AEW is not presenting this as a mutual parting of ways.

Khan made sure to thank CM Punk for what he had done for AEW’s growth in the statement before stating that it was his decision alone, made for all the others who work for the company.

There will certainly be more to this and we’ll continue to follow this story as it unfolds.