Jim Cornette Criticizes AEW for Unprofessionalism Following Britt Baker Controversy

Backstage tensions in AEW have escalated, with MJF, the new AEW American Champion, at the center of controversy following a heated clash with Britt Baker. Jim Cornette has also weighed in, criticizing Britt Baker’s actions and arguing that her suspension isn’t a sufficient punishment from AEW.

The conflict began when Britt Baker made disparaging comments about MJF and his girlfriend, Alicia Atout, in the women’s locker room. These remarks were passed on to MJF by Atout, sparking a series of confrontations involving MJF, Baker, and Atout. Will Ospreay also became involved, discussing the escalating tensions with Baker.

The situation intensified when MJF, overwhelmed with frustration, punched a backstage wall. Despite a brief suspension for Britt Baker following an HR investigation, she has remained active on television.

While speaking on Jim Cornette’s YouTube channel, Jim Cornette commented on Britt Baker’s suspension and fine situation, pointing out that AEW is bringing her back for the big match at Wembley despite the two-week suspension. He noted that the suspension is not without pay, meaning she will still earn her salary while staying home, which makes the suspension less impactful. He also highlighted that Baker wrestles infrequently, so the fine might be a concern, but the suspension might not be as significant since she gets time off with pay.

“That’s the thing: they’re bringing her back for Wembley because it’s a big match, so she’s suspended for two weeks. But nobody said suspended without pay, so you get to stay home and make the same money as if you’d have gone. So what the hell? And she wrestles what, eight times a year to begin with? So the fine might be an issue, but I think the suspension—well, you can kind of look at it like, ‘Well, they fined me, but I get the next two weeks off to work on my tan.’

I’m just pulling numbers for even mathematics’ sake: her weekly salary is $7,000 a week, and if she gets fined $10,000, then she’s still making $4,000 for two weeks for doing nothing. So then who’s really being penalized here?”

Cornette then criticized Baker’s wrestling skills, suggesting she isn’t particularly good but has been favored by Tony Khan and hasn’t been subjected to the same repetitive and foolish tasks as other wrestlers. Baker’s long absences help keep her from becoming tiresome, making her situation relatively favorable. Cornette advised that if he were in her position, he would keep quiet.

”She’s getting by on, she ain’t that good a wrestler; she looks pretty good, and Tony likes her, and she’s been there a while. They don’t make her go out and do stupid things over and over like they do everybody else. She goes away for long stretches where you don’t get sick of her, and then she comes back. So she’s in a pretty good position. If I were her, I would shut my pie hole.”

Cornette reflected on the drama in AEW, likening it to a chaotic, unprofessional environment similar to a high school setting. He compared it to his experiences in other wrestling promotions, where backstage issues were handled more seriously and professionally. He noted that AEW’s internal drama, which has been a persistent issue even after CM Punk’s departure, does not reflect well on the company, especially when negotiating TV deals or promoting big events like Wembley.

”Again, this is Saved by the Bell, not only on television but in the locker room, behind the scenes. I’ve never seen anything like this in the wrestling promotions I have been in, where there were manipulations behind the scenes and ill feelings among top major players in the company. It was usually over important stuff and done fairly well. It wasn’t like a bunch of kids just ranting at recess because the teacher left the room.”

Cornette expressed frustration with how the situation has been handled, emphasizing that Tony Khan needs positive stories rather than more internal drama. Cornette pointed out that the ongoing negative stories about AEW suggest a lack of control and professionalism within the company. The handling of suspensions and fines seems ineffective, with wrestlers not feeling genuinely punished when they are sent home with pay.

”All this—if you’re Tony Khan and again you’re negotiating a TV deal, you have Wembley coming up right now, you need positive stories. You don’t need stories about in-house drama. That’s been the story of AEW from the beginning. It was suppressed for a while, and then once it started coming out, it never stopped. Even when Punk left, it never stopped. Are you happy about this getting out right now?

Only if I intend to have Britt Baker and/or MJF lock the other person in the locker room at Wembley or backstage so we can catch it on security camera and show that. Otherwise, no—it’s another example of a bunch of unprofessional d****** and minor childish arguments and personalities being allowed to run wild because Tony doesn’t have any control over anything. And again, you’re suspended and you’re fined, and the first thing they do, ‘Oh, hey, Uncle Dave, let me tell you what happened here.’ It doesn’t register because it’s not a real punishment. Wrestlers do not feel punished when they are sent home and told not to take bumps and not to get on airplanes and not to make trips and not to have to go to work. Oh, by the way, you’re going to get paid even if you’re fined if you’re coming out with anything for that period of time, and it’s two weeks because she knows they can’t leave her off Wembley.”

We have also reported that AEW personnel are angry about the fact that MJF wasn’t suspended after his confrontation with Britt Baker. Regardless, only time will tell if AEW will get things in check and finally get rid of all the backstage drama plaguing the company.

What do you think of what Jim Cornette had to say about the controversy surrounding Britt Baker? Who do you feel is to blame in this scenario? Sound off in the comments section below!

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