Tony Khan Explains Why He Fired CM Punk, Says His Life Was In Danger

Sep 3, 2023

CM Punk was involved in a physical altercation with Jack Perry at All In last weekend, and it was officially announced ahead of Collision on Saturday that Punk’s contract with All Elite Wrestling has been terminated.

Tony Khan not only issued a statement confirming CM Punk’s departure, but he also directly addressed the situation on Collision. In a pre-taped video Tony Khan claimed that his safety and life were in danger last Sunday at All In. He also noted that it was unanimously decided by a discipline committee and legal counsel to terminate CM Punk. Khan noted that he ultimately felt it was best to act on that recommendation.

“I’ve been going to wrestling shows for over 30 years. I’ve been producing them on this network for nearly four years. 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. I don’t think anybody should feel that way at work, I don’t think the people I work with should feel that way, and I had to make a very difficult choice today.

“It came at the recommendation of a Discipline Committee here in AEW, as well as outside legal counsel, who delivered a unanimous recommendation, and I have followed up on that recommendation. I’m sorry to any fans who are upset by this. I’m sorry to anyone who’s upset by this. Despite that, we’re gonna have a great show tonight at Collision, and we’re gonna have a great All Out pay-per-view tomorrow here in Chicago.

“Last weekend was the greatest weekend in AEW history, this is the greatest week in AEW history, we’re gonna continue the great momentum here on Collision and tomorrow night on All Out pay-per-view.”