Tony Khan made the right call to address CM Punk firing before AEW Collision

Tony Khan’s speech before AEW Collision helped quell what could have been a crowd out for blood. 

The interest in AEW Collision was high as the wrestling world was still reeling from the news that CM Punk was released due to his actions and recommendations from the AEW Discipline Committee. Eyes were on the show to see how the Chicago fanbase would react to the hometown hero being jettisoned from the promotion hours before the show and one day before a major PPV, AEW All Out. But Tony Khan stepped up and made an appearance to explain his decision in a move that can only be praised based on what the last year has seen backstage at AEW.

“Today I had to make one of the toughest decisions in my professional career. Today I terminated Phil Brooks, CM Punk, for cause. This stems from a backstage incident at AEW All In last Sunday. The instant was regrettable and it endangered people backstage,” Khan said. “I’ve been going to wrestling shows for over 30 years. I’ve been producing them on this network for over four years. Never in all that time have I ever felt, until last Sunday, that my security, my safety, my life was in danger at a wrestling show. I don’t think anybody should feel that way at work. I don’t think the people I work with should feel that way. And I had to make a very difficult choice today. I’m sorry to any fans who are upset by this. I’m sorry to anyone who is upset by this.”

To do this, in Chicago, took a lot of heart from Khan and the decision-makers who made this call. For years, wrestling has seen fans at various shows, regardless of promotion, attempting to “hijack” the show by changing “CM Punk” at any opportunity. Expectations are high to see that happen with two back-to-back shows in the city. Khan was hit with boos when his announcement was initially played, but before the end, some of the fans came around with cheers.

This has been a wild week for All Elite Wrestling. The company headed into AEW All In with the momentum of putting more than 81K butts in seats, making it the biggest in-person event in wrestling history. But even that celebration was undercut by this situation and the fallout from it.

How the company rebounds will be guided by Khan’s actions. Fans want to see AEW succeed. The industry needs AEW to succeed. Moments like this will not end the promotion, but it will certainly cut into some of the momentum and positive morale that should be the case after such a huge week. Tony Khan took a step in the right direction by addressing the CM Punk firing head-on, and he should be commended for it.