What Ultimately Led To CM Punk’s AEW Release During Internal Investigation

AEW fired CM Punk after an investigation over his backstage fight with Jack Perry. This release was seen in different ways internally, and now we are getting a bit more information about the final nail in the coffin was for Punk in AEW.

During that chaotic backstage moment, CM Punk actually threatened to quit, but he wrestled that “Real” World Title match in Wembley Stadium anyway, thanks to Samoa Joe, who was real leader in the situation. After Punk won that match, Tony Khan suspended him and also Jack Perry, something that Punk was informed of through his attorney.

Dave Meltzer noted on X that the investigation on CM Punk and Jack Perry’s fight determined that Punk was at fault here. A “non-wrestler eyewitness” was the real determining factor.

The results of the investigation of the incident last Sunday led to this. The non-wrestler eyewitness report in the current issue of the Observer is probably the best description as to the what and the why.

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In case you need refresher, Meltzer reported in his newsletter that a neutral party, who is not a wrestler, said that CM Punk “sucker punched” Jack Perry.

“Another version, and this would be a neutral source who was not a wrestler but was there and witnessed it and his version was that right after Perry came to the back, Punk went nose-to-nose with him aggressively and asked him if he had a problem. That person said Perry said he was just looking to get heat as a heel. Punk shoved him hard, Perry got in his face and in that version Punk sucker punched him and went for a choke. People immediately broke it up and Khan was yelling at Punk to let him go.”

We will keep a close eye on this story for more updates. There could be more to unravel, since this is a brand-new situation. As of this writing, CM Punk has not made any public response to his latest firing.

AEW will carry on without CM Punk. It was quite a wild ride, but two suspensions, and many backstage scuffles later, he is finally gone. Only time will tell if a shoot interview or two follow this situation.

What’s your take on AEW firing CM Punk? Did he have it coming? Sound off in the comments to let us know what you think!