Tony Khan‘s uncertain stance on CM Punk‘s participation at AEW All Out due to his suspension has sparked criticism from Eric Bischoff.
The WWE Hall of Famer believes that Khan owes it to the fans to be transparent about Punk’s availability for the pay-per-view event. The controversy surrounding Punk’s status stems from reports of a backstage altercation between Punk and Jack Perry during All In.
Khan stated during a media call that Punk would only be permitted into the United Center if AEW‘s ongoing internal investigation concluded before Sunday’s event.
Bischoff, speaking on Strictly Business, questioned the need for an investigation, pointing out that Khan was present at the Gorilla position during the alleged fight. Bischoff argued that Khan should have already reached a verdict on Punk’s future and called for decisive action.
This is the time when a leader leads, if the fans bought tickets expecting CM Punk to be a part of this event, we apologise. But we had to handle the situation correctly. For the sake of the roster and the long-term business, we should be upfront and say Punk won’t be here this time.
Bischoff urged Khan to take a firm stance and earn the respect of both fans and the AEW roster. He suggested that Khan should either confirm or deny Punk’s participation, even proposing a compromise where Punk could work the show and then be suspended.
And there’s nothing wrong with [making] a compromise, because he [Punk] was advertised for the show — let him work the show and then suspend him. But this whole, ‘I don’t know if he will or won’t’ … that’s weak.
Bischoff warned that Khan’s indecisiveness could lead to severe backlash if Punk is ultimately suspended, as fans would question why they were left in the dark until the last minute. Moreover, Bischoff argued that holding Punk accountable for his alleged actions would set the right precedent for the rest of the roster.
Will CM Punk Be At AEW All Out?
As of now, it remains uncertain whether CM Punk will compete at All Out, and his potential opponent is also unknown. Previous reports suggested a match between Punk and Ricky Starks, but it was allegedly scrapped due to the backstage incident.
H/t to WrestlingInc.com