CM Punk and Jack Perry are likely to be suspended stemming from their altercation at AEW All In.
Tony Khan is not known for his leadership skills, but the AEW President is likely to finally exercise his authority. CM Punk and Jack Perry are believed to face suspension stemming from their backstage altercation at AEW All In 2023.
Bryan Alvarez of “Wrestling Observer Live” reported “the belief within AEW is that [CM] Punk and Jack [Perry] are both suspended pending the results of an investigation, which would mean neither will work All Out.” CM Punk’s physical altercation with Jungle Boy Jack Perry is just the latest in a string of incidents involving Punk, who literally made another enemy faster than AEW made history. Tony Khan acknowledged that a backstage altercation involving Punk and Perry took place during AEW’s historic pay-per-view, but declined further comment.
“I can’t comment on it at this time beyond what I’m about to say,” said Khan. “Yes, there was an incident backstage before we went live on tonight’s show. We are investigating it. Until I learn more about what happened, I can’t really address it at this time so I can’t comment, but I did want to be honest with you and tell you that is the case.”
Punk’s issues with Perry reportedly stem from a disagreement over the use of real glass, as Punk advised the rising heel to use fake glass to protect his safety. Perry appeared to respond to these reports during the AEW All In Zero Hour pre-show as Perry and Hook proceeded to take bumps on the (shattered) windshield of a limousine. Perry took this opportunity to defiantly stare directly into the camera and say “real glass. Go cry me a river.”
AEW All Out will mark the one-year anniversary of CM Punk’s cataclysmic meltdown During a post-show media scrum. In September 2022, the current “Real World’s Champion” lashed out at the Young Bucks, Colt Cabana and Hangman Adam Page in a shoot promo before a petrified wrestling media. Fittingly, Punk will apparently be celebrating his one-year anniversary of the Brawl Out by serving a suspension.
Punk seemed to figure into AEW All Out’s plans in a big way as the current real world’s champion. With MJF the AEW world heavyweight champion, and AEW All Out in Punk’s hometown of Chicago, the two appeared destined to a collision course where the two titleholders would face off to crown an undisputed champion. If reports of a CM Punk suspension are true, the possibility of “Maxwell three-belts” will need to be put on hold for time being. MJF walked out of AEW All In with both the AEW World Heavyweight Championship and the ROH Tag Team Titles.
Though a CM Punk suspension will be a huge blow to AEW All Out in Chicago, it is a step in the right direction for AEW long-term. Tony Khan’s lack of leadership and authority have resulted in countless ugly backstage incidents involving AEW talent, with little-to-no disciplinary action taken, especially as it pertains to CM Punk. There is a budding perception that CM Punk, not Tony Khan, is the captain of the AEW ship, especially after Punk reportedly used his influence to have certain wrestlers banned from AEW Collision.
With Khan finally taking control of another backstage blowup, he’ll begin to reclaim the authority that he lost over one year ago.
