CM Punk and AEW officially part ways.
Tony Khan and AEW announced that the company has terminated the contract of CM Punk. The termination comes after an investigation involving Punk and a backstage incident with Jack Perry at AEW All In.
From AEW:
STATEMENT FROM ALL ELITE WRESTLING AND TONY KHAN
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 is ultimately my decision, and mine alone. Of course, I wish I didn't 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 many others whose efforts are unsung but essential to bringing our fans great shows on television and at arenas and stadiums throughout the world."
Statement from All Elite Wrestling and Tony Khan pic.twitter.com/3MtW6MkGDf
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) September 2, 2023
CM Punk joined AEW in August 2021 after being away from wrestling since 2014. During his run with AEW, he won the AEW World Championship twice and identified himself as the "Real" AEW World Champion during his latest run as he never lost the title after AEW All Out 2022.
Punk was suspended from AEW following AEW All Out 2022 for a backstage incident involving him and The Elite (Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks). He was off television from September 2022 to June 2023.
Fightful Select will have details on Punk's departure.
