By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
CM Punk winning the AEW World Championship in the main event of the All Out pay-per-view was big news. Punk’s unfiltered comments during the post event media scrum may have eclipsed it. Punk was asked early in the scrum about his relationship with Colt Cabana (Scott Colton). Punk said his friendship with Cabana ended in late 2013, before Punk agreed to pay Cabana’s legal fees that stemmed from his appearance on Cabana’s podcast. Punk claimed to have an email in which Cabana wrote that they could go their separate ways and he would get his own lawyer and Punk would not have to make additional payments.
“I haven’t been friends with this guy since at least 2014, late 2013,” Punk said. “The fact that I have to sit up here because we have irresponsible people who call themselves EVPs and couldn’t f—ing manage a Target and they spread lies and bullshit and put into the media that I got somebody fired when I have f— all to do with him, want nothing to do with him, do not care where he works, where he doesn’t work, where he eats, where he sleeps.”
Punk also unloaded on “Hangman” Adam Page, labeling him an “empty-headed dumb f—.” Punk said an apology will no longer be enough to repair the damage. “We’re far beyond apologies,” he said. “I gave him a f—ing chance. It did not get handled, and you saw what I had to do, which is very regrettable, lowering myself to his f—ing level.” Punk also mocked Page for stating in an interview that he doesn’t take advice from veterans.
Powell’s POV: Punk had a lot more to say and it’s absolutely worth taking the time to watch his full comments below. Punk’s comments regarding Cabana were spawned by reports claiming that Cabana was moved to the Ring of Honor roster because of him, which Tony Khan recently denied.
Punk clearly believes that the rumors were circulated by AEW Executive Vice Presidents Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson. “It really pisses me off,” Punk said at one point in the scrum. “Stepping on your own dick trying to f—ing make money, sell tickets, fill arenas, and these stupid guys think they’re in Reseda (the former home of Pro Wrestling Guerrilla events).” Kenny Omega also works as an EVP and is longtime friends with the Jacksons. The EVPs did not appear at the media scrum.
It had to be uncomfortable for Tony Khan, who was seated next to Punk throughout his media session. Khan stated later while speaking separately to the media that the industry has thrived on creative tension for a long time. Khan said he doesn’t like everything either and said people who work in the company have “blatantly slammed” him publicly and there’s only so much he will take. Khan said he “has a demeanor of service,” but there’s only so much knocking he will take and he will do what’s best for business.
When Khan was asked how he tries to defuse the situation, he labeled it dicy. “It’s no secret that a lot of professional wrestlers don’t like each other,” he said. “But I think now it’s probably more out in the open than it’s been in a while. I don’t necessarily think that’s a bad thing for the pro wrestling business given what the product we produce is and it’s wrestling matches and it involves tension and people wanting to fight. And people know there’s a lot of people that want to fight each other around here now, and I don’t think that’s terrible.”
Khan went on to praise the Jacksons and Omega for their work in and out of the ring. Khan said they have “huge behind the scenes contributions.” It’s a wild media scrum and the fallout should be fascinating to follow.
Update: Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez reported on a WrestlingObserver.com podcast that there was an altercation backstage during the media scrum and described it as a melee. They seemed to indicate that it involved Punk and the Jacksons, but they did not offer specific details of what transpired. The incident apparently took place shortly before a security guard or police officer ran backstage while Keith Lee and Swerve Strickland were speaking at the scrum. Apparently, Tony Khan was unaware of the backstage altercation until the scrum concluded.
If it’s a shoot then everyone comes out of it looking bad and unprofessional.
If it’s a work they come out looking bad and it doesn’t make money because so few people watch the post show nonsense.
It it is a work then it is time to hire Vince Russo since that aligns with his mindset on how a program should be booked.
The comments above are spot on
As a work this has all become far too complicated to even follow. Reminds me back of when Sting and Vampiro called each other by their real first names. Was intended to be edge. Just seemed desperate
If it’s a shoot Kahn has lost all control. And who could be surprised. He put “the boys in charge of the boys” and then gave stupid money to washed up stars (hello Dixie Carter) and everyone seems to have too much creative control
This all looks like an embarrassing mess It’s fixable. And AEW has a very talented roster. But Tony needs to hire a real Booker (Regal) and then put someone in charge of the personnel aspect of the company
Question to Jason
I have read in some circles that a few of the AEW talent (like Mox) can opt out at any time. Is this true?
Tony Khan is too nice and he’s being taking advantage of by guys who just think they can do what they won’t. I hope the guy realizes that sooner than later before the company implodes.
Vince McMahon is available.
When you hire two guys who never drew anywhere and one guy who drew because he had a booker controlling his nonsense and he was working exclusively against the 2-3 top NJPW guys to be EVPs, this is what you get.
When you let those guys hire all their nobody friends for absurd amounts of money, never tell anyone no to whatever move/intro/storyline etc. that they dream up, and then add a washed up malcontent who hasn’t worked a match in 7 years and got beat up badly in his only 2 real fights, this is what you get.
When you have over 150 wrestlers under contract, you can’t pop a rating without either loading up your card or hinting at some ex WWE person debuting, then you buy another company with no clear plan of what you’re going to do with it, this is what you get.
When everyone has a title, and to keep people happy that used to be champions you just create even more for them, this is what you get.
When you claim you’ll be sports based, that wins and losses will matter, that you’ll give everyone healthcare, and a myriad of other things and then deliver none of them while using the single worst part of NJPW as your roster template (everyone is in a group even if they’re the lowest level jobber), this is what you get.
As said above, if this is a work it’s not going to do anything but make people look like spoiled asshats. If it’s a shoot it’s not going to do anything but make people look like spoiled asshats. There’s no money in this.
You’ve got Jim Ross, William Regal, Tully Blanchard, Arn Anderson, Billy Gunn, Dustin Rhodes, and more floating around that company somewhere or other, yet Tony Khan is the booker and QT Marshall is one of the lead trainers and does the show formatting. It’s been said by anyone with a brain since day 1 that Tony needs to put the adults with experience in the business in charge. Let Ross run talent relations and consult with the booking team. Let one of the veterans be the booker while the others are on the committee. Put a moratorium on gimmick matches, weapons, blood, etc. until storylines actually call for them. In short, make it a damn pro wrestling company instead of a mark who booked online from his bedroom as a teenager hiring a bunch of cosplay losers and letting them run wild while he spends millions.
One more thought. AEW had a PPV last night. They only have 4 a year. Not one person is talking about the show itself or any of the results. It’s all about this interview afterward. So work or shoot you just pulled attention away from the actual POINT of all of this – the in ring action!!
From one match to the next the show was better than I expected to be from in in-ring perspective. The whole after show extracurricular activity is kind of defusing the MJF return and dividing attention of what is the most pressing happening currently.
At the same time MJF may be able to work some of that dissension and controversy into his promo on Wednesday and turn that in his favor. He has the savvy to do so.
“When you hire two guys who never drew anywhere and one guy who drew because he had a booker controlling his nonsense and he was working exclusively against the 2-3 top NJPW guys to be EVPs, this is what you get.
When you let those guys hire all their nobody friends for absurd amounts of money, never tell anyone no to whatever move/intro/storyline etc. that they dream up, and then add a washed up malcontent who hasn’t worked a match in 7 years and got beat up badly in his only 2 real fights, this is what you get.
When you have over 150 wrestlers under contract, you can’t pop a rating without either loading up your card or hinting at some ex WWE person debuting, then you buy another company with no clear plan of what you’re going to do with it, this is what you get.
When everyone has a title, and to keep people happy that used to be champions you just create even more for them, this is what you get.
When you claim you’ll be sports based, that wins and losses will matter, that you’ll give everyone healthcare, and a myriad of other things and then deliver none of them while using the single worst part of NJPW as your roster template (everyone is in a group even if they’re the lowest level jobber), this is what you get.”
You know I’d like to hear a 1991 WWF era Ric Flair cut this word for word as a promo on the side stage; he could be subtly referencing Jim Hurd. He’d be red faced and screaming his head off by the end of it.
Sorry, I’m late to the party. Could someone tell me (1) what was the legal issue about Punk on Colt Cabana’s podcast and (2) what caused Punk to explode on Hangman Page the last few weeks? Thanks…
Punk and Cabana were sued by a doctor who worked for WWE. They won the case. However, the dispute between them is that Cabana claims Punk agreed to pay all of his legal fees related to the case, but apparently he stopped when Cabana switched to a different lawyer. Not sure who is right or wrong on that matter.
Page and Punk had an in-ring segment heading into their title match. Page went against what they planned by essentially claiming that Punk isn’t who he makes himself out to be on television. Punk fired back a few months later by straying from the plan and calling out Page even though Page wasn’t scheduled to come out.
That’s the simple version, but I hope it helps.
I know how this is going to sound but I firmly believe Punk didn’t like how MJF was cheered in HIS hometown (or region) and more or less went into business for himself to find something with his name on it that overshadows the proceedings. Just my humble opinion.
Many thanks for the clarification, Jason
The physical fight that happened after the press conference had ended I guess Nick Jackson got knocked out.