Tony Khan Says He Can’t Comment On CM Punk’s AEW Status
The owner of AEW, Tony Khan, is once again refusing to talk about CM Punk’s AEW status while also having positive comments about Punk’s contributions to the company.
When AEW last held a pay-per-view event, CM Punk walked into the show as a former AEW World Champion that was challenging Jon Moxley in the main event of All Out in Punk’s hometown of Chicago. Punk would go on to win that match to become the AEW World Champion for the second time.
After All Out, Punk was seated next to AEW Owner/President Tony Khan for a press conference where Punk ranted about many issues he had with Colt Cabana, “Hangman” Adam Page and AEW’s EVPs without saying The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega.
That infamous Punk All Out press conference, co-starring some muffins, led to The Young Bucks and Omega confronting Punk in his locker room. A fight ensued leading to Punk and The Elite being suspended while Punk’s friend/AEW producer Ace Steel ended up being fired for his actions, which included biting Omega and throwing a chair at Nick Jackson that led to a black eye.
Since then, AEW hasn’t provided any clarity about how long any of the suspensions were for. However, The Elite trio of Omega and The Young Bucks will make their triumphant in-ring return this Sunday at AEW Full Gear when they try to win back the AEW Trios Tag Team Titles from Death Triangle.
As for Punk, it is believed that the former two-time AEW World Champion may be done with AEW for good with rumors of a contract buyout persisting. Punk also suffered a torn triceps injury that required surgery, so even if he wanted to wrestle, he has to sit out another six months or so while his arm heals.
During a conference call with the media to promote this Saturday’s AEW Full Gear pay-per-view, Tony Khan was asked to comment on Punk’s status with the company although Khan did mention Punk had positive contributions to the company.
“I can’t comment on that. I have nothing but positive things to say about the contributions CM Punk has made in AEW on screen and I certainly have a lot of positive things to say about the things he did in AEW to date, but I do understand why you’d ask and I appreciate you asking.”
Khan was also asked about if he knew Punk would go on a rant the way he did.
“No, I did not know [that Punk was going to go on a rant], but I will not comment beyond that except to say I had Keith and Swerve coming up right after that and I had Toni Storm after that and I had important stuff to talk to them about.”