Although the buzz surrounding the Punk-AEW relationship had quieted down for a while, CM Punk’s recent interview with Ariel Helwani reignited discussions.
Following the interview, AEW CEO Tony Khan made the decision to air footage of Punk’s altercation with Jack Perry at AEW All In 2024.
Culminating in a segment on the latest “AEW Dynamite” where Khan was attacked by Perry and the Young Bucks, marking the transition of a real-life situation into an onscreen storyline.
The underlying issues between Punk and AEW appear to stem from a personal dispute between Punk and Colt Cabana.
In the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, writer Dave Meltzer cited an anonymous source regarding this disagreement.
According to the source, Khan allegedly misled when he stated that Punk never requested Cabana’s removal from the AEW roster.
The source emphasized that individuals within AEW feel hesitant to defend themselves until Khan acknowledges Punk’s request for Cabana’s termination.
Despite a desire to move past the Punk situation, the source indicated that resolution may not occur until Khan acknowledges his error.
Meltzer’s report also referenced a 2023 interview between Punk and ESPN, with the source claiming that the interview underwent heavy editing before release, causing dissatisfaction among some.
The omitted segments reportedly contained “transparent lies” by Punk, which contradicted Khan’s previous statements. Although controversial upon release, the interview garnered attention as Punk criticized “Hangman” Adam Page and others.
Meltzer’s source did not specify the exact content removed from the interview.
Additionally, a “major star” within AEW, labeled by Meltzer, expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of clarity surrounding the situation.
According to Meltzer, several prominent performers in the company disputed Khan’s public statements supporting Punk’s narrative about events behind the scenes in AEW.
Punk and Cabana, formerly aligned in a lawsuit against WWE based on comments made by Punk on Cabana’s podcast in 2014, found themselves at odds over legal fees, resulting in another lawsuit between them.
Cabana was initially removed from the road upon Punk’s arrival in AEW but later reassigned to the Ring of Honor brand with a reduced schedule.
