All Elite Wrestling (AEW) world champion CM Punk has been stripped of his title, following a crazy backstage incident this past weekend.
Punk – real name Phil Brooks – won the title in the main event of the All Out pay-per-view in his hometown of Chicago, but what ensued in the hours following the show has changed the complexion of the company.
In a press conference after the event ended, Punk went on a lengthy tirade regarding former friend Colt Cabana [Scott Colton] and their real-life legal issues, which stemmed from a lawsuit involving WWE back in 2015.
Punk also slammed company EVPs Nick Jackson and Matt Jackson [The Young Bucks], Kenny Omega and Adam Page during the media conference, with his profanity and pre-meditated attack drawing the ire of the locker room.
The 43-year-old called Page a ‘dumb f**k’ and claimed the executive ‘went into business for himself’ by going off-script back in May, with Page seemingly alluding to Punk’s personal issues with Cabana on AEW television.
Punk also accused the executives – known to most wrestling fans as The Elite – of leaking false information to the media, and claimed they ‘weren’t fit to manage a Target’ despite holding senior positions within AEW since its inception in 2019.
The former WWE star was then involved in a heated backstage melee involving both Omega, the Jackson brothers and backstage producer Ace Steel, which has landed all parties in hot water.
Reports from various sources including Fightful and Wrestling Observer indicate that Punk punched Matt Jackson, while Steel is accused of biting Omega and throwing a chair at Nick Jackson.
The incident has left AEW President and CEO Tony Khan with no choice but to reprimand all performers, with Punk facing suspension and the Jacksons and Omega also suspended, as first reported by Sports Illustrated.
Both the world title and the world trios titles have now been vacated following Khan's announcement on Dynamite, with new champions to be crowned in the coming weeks.
A report from Dave Meltzer indicate that Punk also suffered a legitimate injury during his title match against Jon Moxley, and will require surgery.
Former WWE megastar Punk signed with the company last August after a seven-year hiatus from the business, bringing in record viewers and revenue to North America’s number two wrestling promotion.
Punk has long been a controversial figure in the pro wrestling industry, having walked out on his deal with WWE back in 2014 over creative frustrations and issues with former chairman Vince McMahon.
The loss of Punk will leave a huge hole at the top of the card for AEW, who drew an estimated $1 million gate at their most recent pay-per-view, while the absences of Omega and The Young Bucks will also be hard to replace in the short-term after they won the inaugural AEW trios titles at the recent event.
In the scripted world of pro wrestling, there are times when things get more real than anyone could ever really anticipate – and this is certainly one of those occasions.