CM Punk fired by AEW

All Elite Wrestling announced on Saturday that it has fired CM Punk for cause. Punk was involved in a backstage altercation with fellow AEW wrestler Jack Perry at last Sunday’s All In pay-per-view in London, England, and was reportedly suspended in its aftermath. The news comes just hours before tonight’s episode of AEW Collision and one day before their All Out ppv, both shows taking place at the United Center in Punk’s hometown of Chicago, IL.

Here is the statement released by AEW president Tony Khan.

The situation between Punk and Perry stems back to a recent episode of Collision, where Punk reportedly vetoed Perry using real glass for a backstage segment. During his match with Hook during the All In pre-show, Perry was setting up a spot with a car on the entrance ramp, looked at the camera and said “real glass, go cry me a river,” an obvious jab at Punk. After the match, Punk, who was set to go on next, confronted Perry backstage and reportedly shoved and choked Perry right in front of AEW president Tony Khan. Both wrestlers were suspended by the company in the aftermath of the incident, with an investigation being conducted.

Punk signed with AEW in 2021 to much fanfare as it marked his return to wrestling after a seven-year hiatus. Winning the AEW World Championship twice in his first year in the company, things got rocky at last year’s All Out pay-per-view where he was involved in a backstage fight with members of the Elite after the show. This, along with an injury, prompted the company to strip him of the AEW world title and he’d be off AEW television for several months.

He’d make his return on the debut episode of AEW Collision in June, with the idea that Collision would be his show. Punk declared himself the “real” world champion since he was never defeated for his title and feuded with the likes of Ricky Starks and long-time rival Samoa Joe prior to his firing.

It’s a curious decision for AEW to announce Punk’s firing right before hosting one of their flagship shows in Chicago. Chicago wrestling crowds have a reputation of getting rowdy from time to time, so there’s a strong chance that there will be loud CM Punk chants throughout the show.