AEW terminates CM Punk’s contract with cause

AEW has terminated CM Punk’s contract following a week-long investigation over an altercation with Jack Perry last weekend at All In.

The company released the following statement Saturday afternoon:

All Elite Wrestling (AEW) has terminated the wrestler and employment agreements between Phillip Brooks (CM Punk) and AEW with cause, effective immediately. The termination was confirmed today by Tony Khan, CEO, General Manager, and Head of Creative of AEW.

The termination follows a weeklong internal investigation of an incident occurring back stage at AEW – All In London on Sunday, August 27. Following the investigation, the AEW Discipline Committee met and later convened with outside legal counsel before making a unanimous recommendation to Khan that CM Punk be terminated with cause.

Khan offered the following statement:

“Phil played an important role within AEW and I thank him for his contributions. The termination of his AEW contracts with cause was ultimately my decision, and mine alone. Of course, I wish I did not have to share this news, which may come as a disappointment to many of our fans. Nevertheless, I am making the decision in the best interests of the many amazing people who make AEW possible every week – our talent, staff, venue operators, and others whose efforts are unsung but essential to bringing our great shows on television and at arena and stadiums throughout the world.”

Punk and Perry had an altercation shortly after Punk wrestled Samoa Joe at All In in Wembley Stadium. The two reportedly had the altercation over a comment Perry made during the match about the limo he and Hook were wrestling around having real glass, something Punk and Perry had previously had a conversation over after Punk rejected Perry using real glass during a segment for AEW Collision.

Signing with AEW in 2021, Punk held the AEW World Championship twice during his run with the company. After being gone since September 2022 following both a triceps injury and a backstage altercation with The Elite, Punk returned to AEW in June for the debut episode of Collision, a show he regularly appeared on.