Reflecting on the post-All Out media scrum and backstage altercation, Tony Khan shares what he learned from the incident.
While All Out had its fair share of incredible in-ring action, the aftermath of the event overshadowed anything seen on screen. During the post-show media scrum, CM Punk sat next to AEW President Tony Khan and launched into a verbal tirade against Colt Cabana. While he didn’t mention them by name, he also lambasted AEW EVP’s Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks saying they “couldn’t manage a Target.” He also had harsh words for Adam Page, who he did address by name and who he took an unscripted shot at on a recent episode of Dynamite.
Following his comments, the Young Bucks and Kenny Omega reportedly confronted the AEW World Champion, which led to a brawl. CM Punk was said to have thrown punches, and his trainer and AEW producer Ace Steel reportedly threw a chair that hit Nick Jackson in the face as well as grabbed Kenny Omega by the hair and bit him. Multiple people were suspended as a result of the melee, including the AEW EVP’s.
Though he’s been asked on a number of occasions, Tony Khan has refused to comment on the CM Punk situation, although recent reports indicate that he’s unlikely to return to AEW.
During an appearance on Busted Open Radio, Tony Khan was asked what he learned from the incident and dealing with the fallout afterward. He said that it was important to remember that there are always people around you and to lean on those who can form a support system.
“Don’t forget that you have great people around you. No matter who you are, there are people around you. Everyone has different situations, family, friends, people at work, people at school, but don’t forget there are people who care about you and want to see you succeed. We had a lot of stuff happening, but there are a lot of great people at AEW that want to make the company go and no matter what the problem is, those are people who want to be here and make the company work.”
Tony Khan continued, noting that a number of roster members stepped up to help and make the best of the situation after both the AEW World Championship and AEW Trios World Championships were vacated due to the post-All Out events.
“Before the Tournament of Champions, a lot of people in the tournament stepped up and said, ‘I don’t care what’s happening, I love this place, I love you and I want to make it great. I’m here for whatever you need.’ To hear those words of reassurance from people like Jon Moxley, Chris Jericho, and Bryan Danielson means a lot. Having a lot of people return, no matter what you think of them, having people who were away, their returns mean a lot.
“Samoa Joe, who is one of the biggest stars of all time and is a great presence in the locker room, it’s great to have him back. Even MJF, who has made a big difference on TV, I don’t agree with everything he says, but I do think the wrestling fans love to see MJF on shows and it makes a big difference for AEW and Dynamite when he’s there.”
Finally, Tony Khan said that fans supporting both the company and its wrestlers during hard times always means a great deal, and mentioned that they’ve rallied during the darkest time in the company when Mr. Brodie Lee was ill prior to his tragic passing in December of 2020.
“It’s really been about the fans rallying around AEW and the wrestlers and staff rallying. We’ve seen people do it time after time, whether it was the pandemic lockdown, some of the challenges we faced, the absolute low point of this company when Mr. Brodie Lee was sick, on the verge of passing, and when he passed, rallying around him and his family. That is the most serious example we’ve ever faced and really, compared to that, it’s all kind of…I don’t know what to compare being as serious as that.
“That’s as big as it gets and puts in perspective everything else that we do. If we all came together and were a family then, we can get through just about anything. For me, I’ve learned a lot, but the most important thing is, whatever position you’re in, if your back is against the wall, just remember that there are people there that you can turn to.”
In another recent interview, Tony Khan addressed whether or not AEW media scrums should continue to exist after the last one caused so much controversy.
h/t Fightful