Matt Hardy says CM Punk wielded influence over AEW owner Tony Khan

Matt Hardy discussed his view of CM Punk’s tenure in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), saying Punk recognized he had a degree of hold on company owner Tony Khan and could sometimes use that leverage to pursue his goals. He stated, “I feel like when Punk was in AEW, he knew he had a hold on Tony Khan to a degree, that he could kind of get away with what he wanted.”

Hardy contrasted this with Punk’s later return to WWE, describing him as a “by‑the‑book” employee who no longer tried to stir controversy. He added, “I think when he came back to WWE, I think he knew he couldn’t get away with that same type of attitude… He was a model company employee.”