During the RAW 04/01 episode, the WWE community became aware of Tony Khan releasing multiple talents from the roster. However, this mass release led fans to think that ‘The Best in the World’ CM Punk is to be blamed for the current scenario unfolding at AEW. People got to witness AEW’s backstage secrets and dramas through Punk’s revelations.
When he was asked about how was it working with the CEO of AEW, Tony Khan, without any hesitation, he said, “I don’t like the drama. But, the truth is the truth. He’s not a boss, he’s a nice guy and I think ultimately that is a detriment to the company, but it’s not my company.” The Second City Saint is afraid of no one and is vividly known for his outspoken nature. He further said, “I’m an outsider. I thought I was brought in to sell merchandise and tickets and draw numbers for pay-per-views and stuff, and I clearly did that, but that’s not what the place was about, and some people didn’t like that.”
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CM Punk was fired by AEW earlier. However, there were rumors that Tony Khan accused Punk of making him fear for his life. He dismissed that claim and said there was no such thing. But he also revealed how he had called Tony Khan a clown and called it quits.
Speaking to Helwani, CM Punk publicly announced the names he is still friends with AEW. This led to fans connecting the latest releases with Punk’s statements. It could be that Tony Khan heard the interview and took offense as Punk said it ‘isn’t a business’. This is the 1st time in the company’s history that they made roster cuts to cut payroll. As soon as the firings began, the internet was flooded with fans blaming Punk for the layoffs.
Fans blame Punk for the latest AEW Releases
A solid report is yet to come out with evidence and reasons behind this release. However, before that speculation started to mount over the mass releases. Here are some of the wild reactions on Twitter after releases from AEW. This fan connected the dots and laid out the story at large. One user wrote, “Gets called out for not being a boss and then starts releasing talent a few hours later, going to be a crazy next few days.”
Gets called out for not being a boss and then starts releasing talent a few hours later, going to be a crazy next few days pic.twitter.com/ZoJDYzAnkm
— CMSLA[G]LE (@cm_slagle) April 2, 2024
One fan believed that CM Punk’s latest comments on AEW triggered Tony Khan into releasing the stars and wrote, “First CM Punk shits on the company, hours later they release people. Bad day for AEW 🤣.”
First CM Punk shits on the company, hours later they release people. Bad day for AEW 🤣
— Robert Sears II (@OriginalKid123) April 2, 2024
Another fan claimed that CM Punk brutally roasted Tony Khan and wrote, “Tony been cook by cm punk.”
Tony been cook by cm punk
— dark vader (@49ers903waters) April 2, 2024
Another user on X also stated that Punk’s comments and AEW releases might be connected and wrote, “AEW releases coming after the CM Punk interview is interesting, may not be related but interesting.”
AEW releases coming after the CM Punk interview is interesting, may not be related but interesting.
— William Loburak III (@wloburak) April 2, 2024
Some of the names CM Punk mentioned as his friends in AEW are yet to be released, and this entire layoff could have amounted to resources and talent importance. One user chose to see the logic in the releases rather than forging any connection with CM Punk. They wrote, “I think it’s just people who aren’t used tbh. Stu Grayson so far. If names like Brody, Danhausen and FTR (lol) get released then we’ll know whg😂.”
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I think it’s just people who aren’t used tbh. Stu Grayson so far. If names like Brody, Danhausen and FTR (lol) get released then we’ll know whg😂
— 🌋 (@GunthersChop) April 2, 2024
The news is shrouded in chaos with fans blaming CM Punk for the releases to others bringing up rationale justifications. Wrestling fans now need to wait and see what ultimately unfolds. With WrestleMania XL just around the corner, CM Punk is now busy with his work in WWE, and might not focus on the developments at AEW.
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What do you guys think caused Tony Khan to fire these talents? Let us know in the comments.