Tony Khan: I can’t comment on CM Punk’s status with AEW
AEW head Tony Khan addressed the media on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s Full Gear, answering questions on a variety of topics including former two-time AEW World Champion CM Punk.
With Punk’s status currently unknown, Khan was asked about it and said he couldn’t comment on that, but appreciated all of the backstage contributions that Punk made to the company.
At the end of the call, Khan was asked if he knew about what Punk was going to say during his post-All Out press conference rants that saw him rip on “the EVPs” (Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks), Colt Cabana and Hangman Page, and why he didn’t stop him.
Khan said he didn’t know what Punk was going to say and that he couldn’t comment beyond that. He added that he was focused on those wrestlers that were coming up after Punk like Swerve in our Glory following their title match with The Acclaimed.
After his comments, there was a fight backstage in Punk’s locker room that involved himself, Ace Steel, the Bucks and Omega. Steel was eventually fired while the Bucks and Omega will make their first live on-screen appearance in a match this Saturday at Full Gear.
Punk, who was injured at September’s All Out in his match with Jon Moxley, was stripped of the title the following Wednesday without mentioning his name. Dave Meltzer had previously reported that both sides are working on a buyout of the remaining years of his contract.
Punk recently made his first appearance since that night, appearing on the commentary desk for a regional MMA promotion.
Since 2011, Josh has been a contributing editor to Wrestling Observer/F4WOnline.com and also hosts the Punch-Out podcast. He has also written for Fight Magazine, Bloody Elbow, Bleacher Report, and other websites. He's a 2000 graduate of the University of Maine, worked in pro sports, and once was an indie ring announcer.