CM Punk Fallout? Why ESPN Reportedly Cut Ties With AEW After Explosive Interview
It looks like ESPN’s once-promising relationship with AEW may have gone completely south—and the man at the center of it all is none other than CM Punk.
As PWMania first reported, ESPN has quietly wiped all AEW listings from its website. While the network still drops occasional news updates about the promotion, its coverage has taken a noticeable hit—right around the same time ESPN locked in a blockbuster deal with WWE to broadcast all of its Premium Live Events.
But here’s the twist: insiders say the tension between ESPN and AEW started long before WWE entered the picture. According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, things began to unravel back in 2023 after Punk gave ESPN an interview that turned into a ticking time bomb.
In that interview, Punk took aim at AEW World Champion “Hangman” Adam Page, dropping what were described as “highly negative” comments. What made things worse? AEW allegedly leaked the interview internally before ESPN could even release it. Before long, Punk’s words were all over the wrestling media, putting ESPN in an awkward spot.
From that point on, ESPN reportedly soured on AEW. While massive shows like All In at Wembley Stadium were “too big to ignore,” the network’s enthusiasm never fully recovered.
Dave Meltzer added that this shift was likely ESPN’s own decision—not WWE’s doing—since WWE would probably steer clear of any actions that could stir up antitrust concerns. (For context, WWE already had to cough up $20 million in a settlement with MLW over similar accusations.)
In short, what started as one fiery CM Punk interview might have been the spark that burned AEW’s bridge with ESPN.
