Tony Khan is hoping that CM Punk will be at All Out this weekend but at press time his status remains uncertain.
On the media call, the AEW head honcho addressed the issue stemming from the backstage altercation at All In over the weekend between Jack Perry and Punk before his match against Samoa Joe.
“I can’t comment any further about it at this time. I appreciate you asking. If I could say more at this moment, I would. I’m still looking into some things and I promise I’ve always done my best to be honest with the fans. In this situation, I’m doing my best to be honest about what’s happening and we have been looking into this. Please bear with us. We’ll get back to you as soon as we possible,” said Khan.
Later, Khan did say he would like Punk to wrestle on All Out but the investigation is still on-going. Khan has been impressed with everyone’s work on Collision, Dynamite and Rampage. Rumour has it that before the incident Punk was set to take on Ricky Starks for the “Real World Championship” at the show.
Khan revealed that Dynamite last night faced many hurdles including talent unable to travel because of the hurricane lashing Florida, to a rash of illnesses. Khan stated that it reminded him of the pandemic era in which cards were constantly in flux due to issues beyond AEW’s control. One of the notable absences was Kenny Omega who takes on Konosuke Takeshita at All Out. Omega was stuck in Florida and couldn’t make the show.
“So many people coming out of Florida were unavailable due to the hurricane including Kenny Omega. I would have really liked to have that Omega there. He’s involved in one of the most important matches on the show so we would have loved to have had Kenny there but I am very excited about the match. We’ve been looking forward to it a long time. It’s something I know Kenny is looking forward to for a really, really long time and has been since the pandemic era. That’s when he first asked me about bringing Takeshita into AEW several years ago in an empty Daily’s Place,” Khan explained.
Khan had more to say about the Omega and Takeshita bout.
“I think it’s a great match. It is really important to us. This is a match Kenny has really wanted for a very long time, for many years…For Don Callis to betray Kenny and go with a younger man, a bigger man or more physically imposing in some way, and turn on a guy that he practically raised, the guy that he helped bring to the championship and is now trading an in for a younger model? Certainly, Kenny Omega is a popular star around the world and he’s also very respected…Callis has really disrespected one of the top stars,” he said.
Khan is also excited about Orange Cassidy putting the AEW International Championship on the line against Jon Moxley.
“It is one of those matches in AEW that we’ve never had. It’s one of those matches that I personally have looked forward to for a really long time. I believe they’re two of the greatest stars ever in AEW. I thought the end of Dynamite really helped push it over the edge,” he said.
AEW’s All Out event airs this Sunday from the United Center in Chicago.
At press time the card is:
- Luchasaurus (c) vs. Darby Allin – AEW TNT Championship
- Miro vs. Powerhouse Hobbs
- Kris Statlander (c) vs. Ruby Soho – AEW TBS Championship Match
- Orange Cassidy (c) vs. Jon Moxley – AEW International Championship Match
- Bullet Club Gold vs. FTR and The Young Bucks
- Better Than You Bay Bay vs. The Dark Order – ROH World Tag Team Championship Match
- Samoa Joe (c) vs. Shane Taylor – ROH World Television Championship Match
- Eddie Kingston and Katsuyori Shibata vs. Blackpool Combat Club
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