Tony Khan says the way the infamous All Out incident with CM Punk played out is in the eye of the beholder.
Khan appeared on Tuesday’s episode of the Ariel Helwani Show, where he was asked about airing footage of CM Punk’s backstage incident with Jack Perry at All Out 2023. Helwani asked if AEW’s decision to air the security footage was a response to Punk describing the incident during an April 2024 interview with Helwani. Khan said that he didn’t exactly agree with how Punk framed things while speaking to Helwani, explaining his point of view.
“It’s interesting because I didn’t think that I necessarily agreed with the description of how it all happened,” Khan said. “And by the way, I think you’re a great interviewer and I appreciate [the question.] [But] I didn’t necessarily agree with everything that was said [by CM Punk] in that interview about how things happened. But also, it’s a TV show and it did a very strong number. So for many reasons, I think that it made sense. And it was a thing that was advertised, and it got a lot of attention. It did a strong number and also, it’s in the eye of the beholder.”
Helwani asked if Khan wanted to refute anything CM Punk said. Instead, Khan said the tape speaks for itself, adding that he wanted to reconcile with Punk before he ultimately left.
“I think the tape spoke for itself and I think I didn’t agree with how it happened,” Tony Khan said. “Obviously, it was a major part of why things were no longer able to continue with us, even though I would have liked to and it’s clear I wanted to reconcile and do those things.”
Tony Khan said reconciling with CM Punk wasn’t possible
Helwani pointed out how Punk’s return to WWE was a huge boost, and Khan said that AEW is on a great run right now. He noted that when he started doing AEW Collision, he wanted to reconcile, but it wasn’t possible. Helwani then asked Khan to comment on Punk telling him that Tony let everyone walk all over him as a boss. Once again, Khan disagreed with Punk’s perspective.
“I don’t agree with that, but I also think that everybody is entitled to their own opinion. That’s feedback and it’s fair if that’s how he feels. But I didn’t agree with the description of how things played out and that’s OK. That’s all in the eye of the beholder, just like the [other] situation. If you see the way it came out, it was all in the eye of the beholder. And that’s OK. I think AEW is doing really well right now. I am really happy with what the people on the shows are doing. It wasn’t the first time that he and I disagreed about something and it may not ever be the last, and that’s OK.”
Khan said that it seems like everyone is better off in their current situation. He closed by noting that AEW has its strongest locker room vibe since the lockdown days in Jacksonville.
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