Tony Khan has addressed the AEW audience following the termination of CM Punk.
Appearing in the opening segment of AEW Collision on September 2nd, Khan stated that for the first-time-ever at a wrestling show he feared for his safety and his life. Khan also said that no one at work should ever feel in danger so he had to make a difficult decision.
The unanimous decision was the firing of Punk from the company. A vide and transcript of the statement can be seen below.
AEW GM @TonyKhan opens #AEWCollision pic.twitter.com/1UeMHipSsu
— AEW on TV (@AEWonTV) September 3, 2023
“Today I had to make one of the toughest decisions of my professional career, today I terminated Phil Brooks, CM Punk, for cause.
This stems from a backstage incident at AEW All In last Sunday. The incident was regrettable and it endangered people backstage.
That includes the production staff, the people who put the show on every week. Innocent people who had nothing to do with it.
I’ve been going to wrestling shows for over thirty year, I’ve been producing them on this network for nearly four years. Never in all that time have I ever felt, until Sunday, that my security, my safety, my life was in danger.
I don’t think anyone should feel that way at work”
The news announced prior to Collision ceases any speculation that Punk could have made a return in Chicago at either the TV taping of the All Out pay-per-view.
Quote obtained via Inside The Ropes.
Featured image: AEW
