Following reports of an explosive backstage altercation between AEW stars CM Punk and Jack Perry, Punk has been officially fired.
In a statement shared by the company on social media, they announced Punk's termination. The decision was made after a "weeklong internal investigation of an incident occurring back stage at AEW – All In London on Sunday, August 27." The statement further goes on to say that "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."
AEW CEO Tony Khan also offered his own statement within the release, saying that Punk "played an important role within AEW," also noting that the termination was "ultimately my decision, and mine alone... in the best interests of the many amazing people who make AEW possible every week."
The wrestling star's sudden termination comes a week after reports of an explosive backstage altercation between Punk and Jack Perry. Tensions began when Perry reportedly wanted to do a spot that required real glass. According to Wrestling Observer's Bryan Alvarez, Punk objected and was "afraid that Jack Perry was trying to do a spot where he would be cut up, so he wouldn’t have to go to work."
Perry then appeared to reference the disagreement in a pre-show match for All In, yelling, "It’s real glass, go cry me a river," before being suplexed into a car. Afterward, Punk and Perry confronted each other backstage. Reports are inconsistent, with some noting that it got particularly violent. Wrestling Observer reported that "Punk allegedly ‘lunged’ at Khan before telling the AEW boss he would be quitting the company."
This isn't the first time the wrestler has caused trouble in AEW. In 2022, Punk landed himself in hot water during a media scrum after the All Out PPV when he shut down rumors that he's the reason Colt Cabana was released from the company, pointing fingers at The Young Bucks, Kenny Omega, and other company higher-ups for spreading that rumor. A similar violent altercation took place backstage, leading to all parties being suspended. Despite rumors that Punk would be released, he returned in June 2023.
As of publishing, Punk has not addressed his termination.
