CM Punk’s time in AEW was nothing short of dramatic. Over his two-year stint in Tony Khan’s promotion, Punk managed to create numerous conflicts, both on and off-screen. While his well-publicized feud with The Elite is widely known, he also clashed with other wrestlers, including Ryan Nemeth. These tensions have now escalated into a legal battle, adding another layer to Punk’s controversial AEW journey.
On February 14, Ryan Nemeth, the brother of former WWE Champion Dolph Ziggler, filed an assault lawsuit. The lawsuit targets CM Punk, Tony Khan, and AEW, holding them responsible for the issues Nemeth faced during his time with the company. Nemeth claims that Punk physically attacked him backstage and engaged in a campaign to intimidate him. Additionally, he accuses Tony Khan of failing to take appropriate action against Punk, despite being aware of the situation.
According to the lawsuit, Tony Khan’s admiration for CM Punk played a significant role in how the situation was handled. Nemeth alleges that Khan was so invested in keeping Punk happy that he ignored the concerns raised about Punk’s behavior. Despite Nemeth reporting Punk’s alleged hostility toward him, the two eventually had a heated backstage argument. Following this incident, Nemeth noticed a significant change in his booking, as he was no longer featured in AEW programming.
Nemeth believes this was a direct result of Tony Khan siding with CM Punk. He claims that Khan blamed him for Punk’s eventual departure from AEW and has since tried to “blackball” him from the wrestling industry. This alleged exclusion has had a lasting impact on Nemeth’s career, further fueling his decision to take legal action against Punk, Khan, and AEW.
Why was CM Punk terminated from AEW?
CM Punk’s sudden termination from AEW stemmed from a backstage incident with Jack Perry. On August 27, during AEW All In in London, Punk and Perry got into a physical altercation. This clash became the final straw, leading to Punk’s release from the company.
Reports suggest the fight wasn’t the sole reason for Punk’s firing. Tony Khan, AEW’s CEO, expressed that he had never felt unsafe at wrestling shows before.
However, during this incident, he feared for his safety and even his life. Khan tried to talk to Punk to refocus him on the match but failed to communicate effectively.
Ultimately, Punk was fired following the altercation at Wembley Stadium. Khan emphasized he didn’t want anyone else to feel endangered. This marked the end of Punk’s tumultuous run in AEW.
