Tony Khan has finally addressed CM Punk’s criticism of himself and AEW.
Punk, now WWE heavyweight champion, appeared on Ariel Helwani’s show 18 months ago and gave his honest take on working for the company and Khan.
“It’s a loaded question because 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,” said Punk.
“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.”
Khan, also appearing on Helwani’s show despite a dicey online history together, finally had his chance to address the issue.
“If you look at the time before Phil came to AEW, we had a great run and we were having great times together,” started Khan.
“We’re having a great year right now with this roster and this is the best roster and the best AEW locker room. It feels like in and out of the ring, the combination, this is the best we’ve been. We also had great times together.
“It was clear when we started doing Collision, I wanted to reconcile and find a way to still do those things, I guess that wasn’t possible. I didn’t necessarily agree with everything [he said].”
Khan went on to say he outright didn’t agree with what Punk said, but appreciated his viewpoint.
“I don’t agree with that, but everybody is entitled to their opinion. That’s feedback and fair if that’s how he feels. I didn’t agree with the description of the way things played out, and that’s okay. That’s all in the eye of the beholder, just like the whole situation.
“AEW is doing really well right now and I’m really happy with what the people on the shows are doing and it wasn’t the first time he and I disagreed, and it may not be the last, and that’s okay.
“I tried to reconcile, and I wanted to find a way for everybody to work together, it didn’t work, and that’s okay. It seems like everybody is happier and doing better right now.
“In AEW, everybody is really happy and this is the best the locker room has been since the Jacksonville lockdown days,” said Khan.
Punk’s return to professional wrestling after seven long years out was one of the all-time great moments in the business as AEW packed the United Center to welcome back Chicago’s favourite son.
Sadly, he’s time in AEW barely lasted two years, much of which was hindered by injury and suspension for backstage problems.
The final straw came when Punk had an altercation with Jungle Boy Jack Perry right before his match with Samoa Joe at Wembley. That fight resulted in his release and he has since had a wildly successful return to WWE.
For AEW’s part, Khan is right – things are going pretty well. While live event attendances are not especially high, the quality of the product and the pay-per-view buys have been strong.
