CM Punk returning to WWE has shaken the entire professional wrestling industry. After his first release from WWE, Punk got the pro wrestling world talking once again after he joined All Elite Wrestling in 2021. Now, reverting back to WWE, the AEW President, Tony Khan, breaks his silence on Punk’s return.
CM Punk had been a big asset for AEW. However, his run with the promotion came to an untimely end after he was involved in a backstage altercation with Jack Perry. Following his heat with the promotion and Tony at large, Khan takes a step back in commenting about Punk’s WWE return.
Tony Khan was asked about CM Punk returning to WWE:
“Can’t talk about that, nor do I think it’s the time or the place. But I appreciate you asking & I’m very excited about AEW All In at Wembley Stadium. Not to dodge or duck your question, it’s something I just can’t legally talk… pic.twitter.com/p5a7DLhHIt
— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) November 27, 2023
CM Punk made his return at the WWE Survivor Series and in an interview with BBC West Midlands, Tony was asked to comment on the same. A renowned professional, Tony’s reply left everyone silent. “I can’t talk about that, nor do I think it’s the time or the place,” he said.
Tony went ahead to promote his promotion and added, “But I appreciate you asking, and I’m very excited about AEW All In Wembley Stadium.” He further clarified his take, saying, “Not to dodge or duck your question, it’s just not something I can legally talk about.” Though a satisfactory answer, fans wanted Tony to go candid and express his heart at CM Punk’s WWE return.
Fans troll Tony Khan for regretting his decision to release CM Punk
No sooner than Tony Khan made the above statement, fans started taking digs at Tony for regretting his decision. “Tony is burning from inside,” wrote one fan. He was supported by another who claimed that Tony blew the opportunity off. “Tony popped when he saw Punk appear at survivor series. He’s a mark too,” wrote another fan on X.
However, there are fans who believe that the two have signed a NDA, which prevents them from making comments about each other. Talking about the no-mention of AEW by Punk, a fan wrote, “Probably for the same reason Tony khan can’t mention cm punk. They probably both signed an NDA.” Whatever the case may be, Punk is now all into WWE and perhaps will continue for a much longer time than he did at AEW.
Why did CM Punk leave AEW?
After his first exit from WWE on horrible terms, CM Punk went ahead to explore things beyond the pro wrestling ring. However, with a not-so-glorious Hollywood run and a miserable UFC run with a record of 0-2, he joined AEW in 2021. A trash talker and aggressive star in the ring, his personality cost him his AEW run.
Tony Khan says CM Punk endangered innocent people backstage and he had to terminate his contract. “Never have I ever felt that my security, my safety, my life was in danger at a wrestling show.” #AEWCollision pic.twitter.com/1Dcq6cvsx0
— Wrestling News (@WrestlingNewsCo) September 3, 2023
Back in August 2023, Punk was involved in a backstage altercation with his co-star Jack Perry. The heat of the segment rose so much that Tony Khan felt “threatened.” Talking of his tenure in the wrestling business, he said, “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.” Eventually, he fired the 45-year-old star from the company.
Statement from All Elite Wrestling and Tony Khan pic.twitter.com/3MtW6MkGDf
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) September 2, 2023
As a result, AEW’s legal committee and Tony Khan decided to terminate CM Punk’s contract with AEW. Khan stated that the decision to terminate was his alone. Aware of the integral role that Punk had in the AEW, he went ahead to thank Phil (CM Punk) for his contributions to the AEW.
