CM Punk is expected to respond to being fired by AEW this weekend.
According to Sports Illustrated‘s Justin Barrasso, sources close to both CM Punk and AEW expect him to make a public statement about his status. CM Punk was fired by All Elite Wrestling with cause on Saturday.
It was also noted that Punk’s termination did not come as a shock to WBD CEO/President David Zaslav. Sports Illustrated says Zaslav was informed of the decision to fire CM Punk ahead of AEW issuing the press release.
Fightful (via Fightful Select) offered more details about what Punk’s dismissal could mean for the future. Punk’s status was discussed at a meeting ahead of AEW Collision on Saturday. Not all talent in town for Starrcast and All Out were present. But it was noted that talent were asked not to comment on it on social media.
One source indicated that Warner Bros. Discovery and AEW discussed ending the “soft brand split” in place. WBD was told ahead of time that CM Punk was being let go. This echoes Barrasso’s report about Zaslav being tipped off.
As far as the Young Bucks appearing on Collision, Fightful notes that they were scheduled to be there as of Thursday. Bryan Danielson’s return was also in the works as of Wednesday. Danielson will face Ricky Starks at All Out, replacing Punk on the card.
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