All Elite Wrestling fires top star CM Punk with cause - ESPN

All Elite Wrestling on Saturday announced that it has fired top star CM Punk with cause after AEW investigated an incident that occurred during its «All In» pay-per-view show last Sunday at Wembley Stadium in London.

Punk and fellow AEW wrestler Jack Perry, the son of late actor Luke Perry, reportedly got into a physical altercation backstage during the pay-per-view.

AEW's statement, which was issued on X (formerly Twitter) said Punk's wrestling and employment contracts have both been terminated.

«Following the investigation, the AEW Discipline Committee met and later convened with outside legal counsel before making a unanimous recommendation to [AEW owner Tony] Khan that CM Punk be terminated with cause,» AEW's statement read.

Khan, AEW's CEO, general manager and head of creative, said in an accompanying statement that he wishes he «didn't have to share this news,» but made the decision «in the best interests of the many amazing people who make AEW possible every week.»

AEW is scheduled to have a pay-per-view, «All Out,» on Sunday at United Center in Chicago, the day after its weekly Saturday «Collision» television show in the same building.

Punk, whose real name is Phil Brooks, is a Chicago native and a major star in the city.

«Phil played an important role in AEW and I thank him for his contributions,» Khan said in his statement. «The termination of his AEW contracts with cause is ultimately my decision, and mine alone.»

Punk, 44, returned to AEW in June after suffering a torn bicep in a match last September. After that match last year, Punk engaged in a controversial news conference and then reportedly got into a physical altercation with AEW wrestlers Matt Jackson, Nick Jackson and Kenny Omega, who are also company