CM Punk is no longer with All Elite Wrestling after his contracts were terminated following last month’s controversial AEW All In London event.
The after a backstage altercation at Wembley Stadium with and AEW boss Tony Khan, with the company’s general manager claiming he ‘feared for his life’.
Since then, there has been a lot of speculation about the future of Punk – real name Phil Brooks – in the wrestling world, with fans wondering if a sensational return to WWE could be on the cards.
president Nick Khan – who has a new title following with new company TKO under the Endeavor umbrella – has offered a cryptic response.
Asked if there was a chance Punk could return to the company he left in 2014 under acrimonious circumstances, Nick spoke of his respect for the decorated star.
‘Listen, we only have respect for Phil. We appreciate his run here. We appreciate what he did and tried to do with the UFC. Not many people can actually get in there and do what he did,’ he told .
As well as Punk’s legendary run in WWE, he was also referencing his two UFC fights which included a submission loss to Mickey Gall seven years ago.
He added: ‘So, when we have respect for Phil, we wish him nothing but the best.’
Punk is yet to speak publicly on his shock departure from AEW, which came days after he beat Samoa Joe in the opening match of .
‘The termination follows a weeklong internal investigation of an incident occurring back stage at AEW – All In London on Sunday, August 27,’ the company said in a statement.
‘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.’
In a statement, Tony Khan praised the former world champion for the work he’s done for AEW, adding: ‘Phil played an important role within AEW and I thank him for his contributions. The termination of his AEW contracts with cause is ultimately my decision, and mine alone.
‘Of course, I wish I didn’t 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 many others whose efforts are unsung but essential to bringing our fans great shows on television and at arenas and stadiums throughout the world.’
