CM Punk‘s run with AEW ended Saturday when an investigation into a backstage incident with Jack Perry at All In at Wembley Stadium resulted in his termination with cause. AEW’s announcement happened just hours before the company continued its week in Chicago with a live episode of Collision and All Out at the United Center on Sunday.
Punk’s fans have forever been vocal in their support of him in the Windy City, taking over shows with their chants. So as Collision began, AEW CEO, GM and head of creative Tony Khan addressed the viewers on TNT about his decision.
Khan said that Punk had put innocent people backstage at risk and that, for the first time in AEW, he felt his security, safety and life were threatened at a wrestling show. He said no one at work should not have to feel that way and, as a result, he let Punk go.
Khan also spoke to the live audience before Collision began, drawing a mixed reaction.
AEW GM @TonyKhan opens #AEWCollision pic.twitter.com/1UeMHipSsu
— AEW on TV (@AEWonTV) September 3, 2023
After two years of controversy, Punk’s time with AEW has come to an end. It once appeared to be a match made in heaven, but from “Brawl Out” to “Brawl In,” backstage conflicts marred everything he did in the ring.
Khan publicly supported Punk before this and essentially built Collision for Punk to be the focal point. It was a weekly show for Punk and those he didn’t rival backstage, and it seemed to be working fine for a few weeks. However, information soon arose about how Punk was handling things, from banning people from Collision to the off-air promo on Hangman Adam Page. It made a boiling point seem inevitable.
All Out provides the perfect opportunity for AEW to put the chaos of the past week behind them and shift their focus to the action in the ring. Easier said than done with this pay-per-view in Chicago as the first step, but it’s step one in the fallout.