CM Punk, who marked his AEW debut in 2021 following an absence of over seven years from the wrestling scene, came back from an injury hiatus in June. He had taken on the role of being the prominent figure for AEW’s new weekly Saturday show titled ‘Collision’.
On September 3, 2023, All Elite Wrestling made a significant announcement regarding the termination of Punk’s contract, citing his involvement in a backstage incident during last weekend’s All In event in London as the reason.
In an official statement, AEW President Tony Khan revealed that he personally took the decision to release Punk from his contract. Khan stated that this decision was made in the utmost consideration of the well-being and interests of AEW’s talent and staff.
Statement from All Elite Wrestling and Tony Khan pic.twitter.com/3MtW6MkGDf
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) September 2, 2023
As reported by Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp, alongside several other sources, an altercation involving Punk and ‘Jungle Boy’ Jack Perry occurred backstage before the commencement of the main card at All In.
CM Punk signs are being confiscated and people are being told to turn there CM Punk shirts inside out before All out, many people paid to see CM Punk tonight. pic.twitter.com/QbvxIHuKbV
— Richard (@Sexy_Pigeon87) September 3, 2023
The incident took place during the event held at Wembley Stadium in London, with a record-breaking attendance of over 80,000 passionate fans. While facing Hook in a match featured on the Zero Hour pre-show, Perry drew attention to a car’s windshield positioned on the stage and quipped, saying, “Genuine glass, no need to shed tears“.
As previously reported by Sapp, there had been an altercation backstage between Punk and Perry before a recent episode of Collision. This dispute stemmed from Perry’s desire to incorporate real glass in a segment, sparking tensions between the two.
AEW’s drastic measures to erase CM Punk from All Out
AEW has a highly anticipated pay-per-view event, ‘All Out’, scheduled for Sunday at the United Center in Chicago, following their weekly Saturday television show, ‘Collision’, held at the same venue.
A sit-down meeting between The Elite & CM Punk was scheduled to take place last week, ahead of AEW: All In, but was called off last minute by The Elite.
The summit was intended to bury the hatchet, and the cancellation of it appears to have added to Punk’s overall frustrations.… pic.twitter.com/2i2CzH8uB5
— Wrestle Features (@WrestleFeatures) September 3, 2023
To kick off AEW’s ‘Collision’ show on Saturday night, Khan made an appearance in a pre-recorded interview, where he characterized the incident from the previous weekend as “unfortunate” and one that posed a “safety risk to individuals backstage“.
In his statement, AEW President Tony Khan expressed his gratitude for Phil’s contributions, acknowledging his substantial role within All Elite Wrestling. Khan emphasized that the decision to terminate CM Punk’s AEW contracts with cause was a personal and unilateral one.
“I have been going to wrestling shows for over 30 years. I’ve been producing them on this network for nearly four years. Never, in all that time, have I ever felt until last Sunday that my security, my safety, my life was in danger at a wrestling show. I don’t think anybody should feel that way at work, “ Khan said on the show.
Punk has undoubtedly been one of the most beloved figures in the professional wrestling industry for the past twenty years. With a remarkable career, he boasts the titles of a two-time WWE Champion and a three-time World Heavyweight Champion.
Additionally, Punk has earned the distinction of being a two-time AEW Champion, showcasing his prowess in multiple wrestling promotions. After parting ways with WWE in 2014, he ventured into the world of mixed martial arts, competing twice in the UFC.