Bryan Danielson Involved In CM Punk's AEW Firing
AEW involved Bryan Danielson in the CM Punk sacking decision-making process.
Bryan Danielson was part of the disciplinary committee that ultimately decided CM Punk should be fired from AEW with cause in September, reports Fightful Select.
Punk, who returned to WWE last weekend, was dismissed by the Tony Khan-helmed AEW on 2 September, one week after brawling with Jack Perry backstage at All In. In the aftermath, AEW formed a committee comprised of its General Counsel Chris Peck, an outside attorney, and Danielson.
AEW involved the 'American Dragon' because he is seen as an "appropriate moral compass who exemplifies objectivity", according to Fightful's sources. Having been deeply involved in the process, Danielson later addressed Punk's dismissal to the roster, calling it a hard decision while highlighting the positives the 45-year-old brought to AEW.
Danielson noted, too, that he had a longstanding friendship with Punk, but said he regarded the decision as essential.
Fightful reports that this Danielson tweet, made on 27 November, was in line with what Bryan told AEW talent at a meeting several months prior:
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
Fightful's sources believed that Punk was already aware of Bryan's participation in the disciplinary committee at the time of publishing, as the newly returned WWE star had friends in the room during Danielson's address.
Bryan has at least one other disciplinary role in AEW: he is responsible for issuing fines on occasion.