Tony Khan Dodges CM Punk Question, Marks Out Backstage!?

How Tony Khan is responding to CM Punk’s latest AEW drama.

CM Punk Tony Khan
YouTube/AEW

AEW founder and CEO Tony Khan has declined to comment on the latest drama surrounding CM Punk in the promotion.

Interviewed by Battle and Eli on the Battleground Podcast, Khan was asked if he wanted to comment on Punk’s incendiary comments on ‘Hangman’ Adam Page after last week’s Collision - and the ensuing reports of talent being vetoed from the show.

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“No, not really,” responded Khan (h/t Fightful), adding that he “thought it was a great show on Saturday night.”

“I don’t have any further comment to that, but I’m glad people are still very interested in our wrestlers and what’s happening after the wrestling shows,” Khan continued. “We’ll try to have a couple of great shows this week, and certainly, there has been a lot of interest in what’s happening in AEW in it and out of the ring.”

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As well as Page, Ryan Nemeth, Matt Hardy, Isiah Kassidy, and Head of Talent Relations Christopher Daniels are understood to have been sent home from recent AEW Collision tapings, or had their travel arrangements cancelled. The Punk camp has claimed responsibility for Daniels and Nemeth but denied the others.

Tony Khan Marks Out For CM Punk

Tony Khan
AEW

Punk returned to AEW television for Collision’s launch on 17 June, appearing for the first time since being served an indefinite suspension after fighting with The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega backstage at All Out 2022 last September.

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Tony Khan’s response to having the Chicagoan back in the locker room sounds animated.

Per PWTorch, when Punk returned to AEW, a headset-clad Khan was in the gorilla position as the 44-year-old walked by. The report states that Khan “started pumping his first and chanting ‘CM Punk!’ enthusiastically" when he came by.

Fightful Select noted elsewhere that while Khan was excited to have Punk back in AEW, the outlet had not heard of the company founder’s specific reaction to these latest controversies.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.