Tony Khan says CM Punk to WWE ‘not something I can legally talk about’

It’s not that AEW boss Tony Khan doesn’t want to talk about CM Punk returning to WWE, but that he says he can’t.

Any time there are seismic events that ripple across the pro wrestling landscape, there are perceived winners and losers. In the case, of CM Punk returning at Survivor Series, WWE is clearly basking in the attention he’s brought and the fascination over what might happen next.

(Not to mention the revenue his new t-shirt is likely already bringing in.)

One big question is whether Punk returning to WWE will be seen as the proverbial one that got away from AEW. Punk’s tumultuous time with that company is well documented, and ended with him being fired for cause in early September after a backstage confrontation that CEO, GM and head of creative Tony Khan said in the aftermath made him feel afraid for his safety and the safety of other employees.

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Yet Khan also spoke glowingly on multiple occasions prior to any of Punk’s suspensions of the positive impact he had on AEW from both creative and business perspectives. Surely, then, he must feel some type of way about seeing him show up on WWE programming, right?

It would be hard to believe he doesn’t, but as he told BBC reporter Steve Hermon, he also can’t discuss it at the moment.

Can’t talk about that, nor do I think it’s the time or the place. But I appreciate you asking, and I’m very excited about AEW All In Wembley Stadium. Not to dodge or duck your question, it’s just not something I can legally talk about.

There’s indeed some degree of irony that Khan is promoting next year’s All In London show after the straw that broke the camel’s back between Punk and AEW came at this year’s event at Wembley Stadium, threatening to overshadow what should have been (and in Khan’s eyes, still is) the promotion’s greatest day to date.

Still, Khan has not been shy about sharing his feelings about the biggest happenings in AEW whether they happen in full view of the public or behind closed doors, provided he’s able to do so. You get the feeling that he’ll discuss Punk when he can, even if that’s still down the road a bit.