Bryan Danielson Reportedly Led AEW Disciplinary Committee That Terminated CM Punk’s Contract

As noted before, AEW terminated CM Punk’s contract with cause this past September following their investigation into his backstage incident with Jack Perry and confrontation with AEW CEO Tony Khan at their All In event this past August.

Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that Bryan Danielson led a three-person disciplinary committee for AEW that made the decision to terminate CM Punk’s contract with the company following his actions at their All In event. This committee reportedly was made up of Danielson, AEW general counsel Chris Peck, and an outside attorney. In regards to Danielson, those spoken to reportedly described him as an “appropriate moral compass who exemplifies objectivity” and an “effective face” of the disciplinary committee.

Following the committee’s decision for Punk to be fired, it was reported that Danielson spoke to AEW talent discussing the decision for Punk’s firing. Danielson reportedly noted the positives that Punk had brought to AEW and his longtime friendship with Punk but Punk’s firing was a decision to had be made.

Following Punk’s official return to WWE, Danielson gave a cryptic post on Twitter that was in reference of this hard decision. It was reported that Danielson spoke this same quote when he addressed AEW’s locker room after Punk was fired.

“My dad always told me, “The right thing is often the hardest thing to do.” It won’t always make the most money. It won’t always be the most popular. But it’s still the right thing. #AEW“

My dad always told me, “The right thing is often the hardest thing to do.”
It won’t always make the most money.
It won’t always be the most popular.
But it’s still the right thing.#AEW ❤️

— Bryan Danielson (@bryandanielson) November 27, 2023

In regards to Punk, it was reported that those close to him stated that Punk is “aware by now” that Danielson was involved in the disciplinary committee that made the decision to fire him from AEW.