Is CM Punk WWE-bound now that AEW has fired him?
All Elite Wrestling fired one of their top wrestlers, CM Punk, just days after he was involved in a backstage confrontation with fellow wrestler Jack Perry.
AEW released the following statement on Saturday:
“All Elite Wrestling (AEW) has terminated the wrestler and employment contracts between Phillip Brooks (CM Punk) and AEW for cause, effective immediately. The termination was confirmed today by Tony Khan, AEW’s CEO, General Manager and Head of Creative.
“The termination follows a week-long internal investigation into an incident that took place behind the scenes at AEW All In London on Sunday 27th August. Following the investigation, the AEW Disciplinary Committee met and later consulted with outside counsel before unanimously recommending to Khan that CM Punk be terminated for cause.”
Khan then published the following:
“Phil played an important role in AEW and I thank him for his contributions. Terminating his AEW contracts for cause was 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. Still, I’m making the decision in the best interests of the many great people who make AEW possible each week – our talent, employees, venue operators and others whose efforts are undisputed but essential to bringing our great shows on television and in the arena stadiums around the world.”
Punk and Perry clashed at last weekend’s AEW pay-per-view ‘All In’ at Wembley Stadium. Punk recently mocked Perry for wanting to use real glass during a wrestling segment, which increases the risk of injury. During Perry’s fight with Hook, he sent Hook through a car windshield, then turned to the camera and said, “Real glass. Cry Me A River.”
Punk met Perry backstage afterwards, and although accounts vary, most witnesses who spoke publicly said Punk started the physical altercation.
Punk signed with AEW in 2021 after years of being absent from wrestling. He was involved in a backstage fight with the Young Bucks and Kenny Omega in September 2022 and had just returned in June for the first episode of “AEW Collision,” a show built around him.
Speculation is mounting that Punk will return to WWE, but that seems unlikely as Punk seems to be in trouble everywhere and he endured his own tumultuous departure from WWE in 2014. But the opportunity for both sides to earn money heals all wounds. So never say never.
