CM Punk: Elite Meeting, Investigation, Tony Khan, Collision, WBD (Patreon)

CM Punk and AEW have reached an end, as the company terminated his employment contract and wrestler contract.

Regarding Haus of Wrestling’s report about a planned meeting with CM Punk and the Elite in Atlanta that got moved, this will long be the subject of a story of two sides. Those close to Punk say that the meeting was scheduled to happen, while those close to the Elite are adamant it was never going to happen. We have heard at least that a meeting was pitched, which seems to be something all sides agree with. We’d also heard that there was a brief interaction between Young Bucks and Punk in London, but when we asked Punk’s camp about that, it was clear he was frustrated that The Elite still weren’t open to talking to him.

We’ve not heard about Punk speaking with much of anyone thus far, the quietest we’ve heard out of that camp in quite a while. We haven’t heard that Ace Steel will be affected. He’s still serving as effectively an off-site consultant and is under a deal until September 2024.

There was a meeting ahead of AEW Collision where talent was addressed on the situation. Not everyone who was in town for AEW or Starrcast was at the meeting, and we’re told not all of the information was relayed to people who weren’t at the show. Many of the details haven’t been made available, but talent were asked to not speak on the situation on social media.

There were interviews during the investigation all week. The interviews weren’t only with those who witnessed the situation, but those who had interacted with Punk throughout his run, and several unrelated things were broached.

Punk does still have the usual supporters within the company, though we have not heard of anyone else who knew the decision was coming besides those on the disciplinary committee.

We have not heard the particulars on the Tony Khan-CM Punk element of the story, but had heard independently that Punk had “lunged” at Tony Khan. The specifics of the interactions between Khan and Punk have been kept very quiet, but there were multiple exchanges throughout the day that were less than pleasant, Fightful has heard.

One source indicated that WBD and AEW spoke this week about the direction of AEW Collision, and ending the “soft brand split” that had existed to keep peace within the company. WBD was also informed that AEW were going to terminate Punk. As of Thursday, the Young Bucks were scheduled for the Saturday show, and as of Wednesday, Bryan Danielson was internally slated to face Ricky Starks. Danielson replaced Punk, who was originally planned, though not announced. Danielson is expected to be an integral name on AEW Collision, and was factored into the show heavily from the start.