The fallout from the backstage clash between CM Punk and Jack Perry rumbles on.
Just moments before the main card of AEW All In began, CM Punk and Jack Perry got into a physical altercation backstage right in front of Tony Khan. The severity of the conflict varies on who is relaying the story, as does the identity of the instigator.
The seeds for the conflict were sown weeks earlier when Punk and Perry got into an argument backstage over the latter wanting to use real glass in a segment. Fast forward to All In, and seemingly annoyed by how he had been portrayed by Punk’s camp in the story being leaked to the media, Perry took a shot at the star saying “real glass, cry me a river” into a camera during his match which included a spot into the windscreen of a limo.
It was this comment that seemingly sparked the problems backstage. It’s been reported that Punk ended up shouting at Tony Khan and threatened to quit, only to be talked down by Samoa Joe. Punk and Joe were set to be in the right for their match just minutes after the incident took place. Despite plans being made to switch the match order around, Punk and Joe opened the main show as planned.
Writing in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer noted multiple sides to the incident, this included more comments from Perry’s side of the argument. From Perry’s side, it’s alleged that Punk threatened the star, and this kicked off the altercation that saw punches thrown.
“The version Perry apparently said included that Punk then said words to the effect of, “You know I could f*** you up at any time, right?” That version was that he then pie faced Perry and tried to put a guillotine on him and also threw some punches that were awkward from the position Punk was not doing any damage while Perry grabbed Punk’s arm to try to keep him from locking in the move. Samoa Joe came in and quickly broke it up. Perry didn’t have a bruise or scratch on him past those that he got from his match.”
Will CM Punk And Jack Perry Be At All Out?
In the aftermath of the incident, it was reported that both men had been suspended by AEW. Although some kind of resolution is expected soon, it’s been noted that CM Punk and Jack Perry will not be at All Out.
There had been talk of Punk wrestling Ricky Starks at the event, but the match has been scrapped, at least for now.