Jack Perry Denies Apologizing For CM Punk Fight, Says AEW Return Plans Were Scrapped

On Friday morning, the latest edition of Dave Meltzer’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter provided an update on displaced AEW star Jack Perry, saying he had apologized to AEW CEO Tony Khan following the incident at All In 2023 that led to CM Punk’s departure from the company. Meltzer also said that Perry’s recent work in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, which has a working relationship with AEW, is part of a storyline leading to Perry’s AEW return. However, it’s now clear that Meltzer’s source for this information was not Perry himself, as Perry contacted the Observer and provided a very different story.

According to the latest Observer report from Bryan Alvarez, Perry denies that he ever apologized to Khan for All In, saying he refused to initiate first contact and didn’t hear from the AEW president for two months following the incident. He finally met with Khan in November 2023, before AEW’s Full Gear PPV, where they discussed a December return. However, according to Perry, these plans were scrapped when Punk returned to WWE at Survivor Series. Afterward, Khan and Rocky Romero worked with Perry to set up his NJPW debut in January, which saw him rip up an AEW contract and begin referring to himself by the term “scapegoat.” Perry claims none of this was approved by AEW. He’s still under AEW contract, but only because AEW denied his request for a release; he says he hasn’t spoken to Khan in months and there are currently no plans to bring him back.

Perry was suspended by AEW following All In, where a line spoken by Perry during his Zero Hour match — “Real glass, cry me a river” — enraged Punk to the point that the two got into a physical altercation backstage. The incident ultimately resulted in Punk being fired by AEW.

Latest On Jack Perry’s AEW Future

Jack Perry has been off AEW television since brawling with CM Punk at All In this August, though several signs have emerged pointing towards the 26-year-old’s potential return.

On Wrestling Observer Radio, Bryan Alvarez reports that Perry’s indefinite suspension (handed out for his role in the Punk fight) has expired. Currently, AEW is figuring out how they want to bring the former ‘Jungle Boy’ back.

Interestingly, Perry recently filed a trademark application for his old ring name, which he abandoned while feuding with Christian Cage earlier in the year. Filed with the USPTO on 5 December, the application states the following purposes:

GS0411 Entertainment in the nature of wrestling contests; Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibits and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer; Entertainment services, namely, live appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainer; Entertainment services, namely, personal appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainer; Entertainment services, namely, televised appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainer; Providing wrestling news and information via a global computer network; Providing online interviews featuring a professional wrestling and sports entertainment personality in the field of professional wrestling and sports entertainment for entertainment purposes

Perry’s Boy Myth Legend, Inc. has filed a similar application for ‘Jack Perry’.

Jack is a day-one AEW wrestler, having signed with the young promotion upon its January 2019 launch. He was reportedly escorted from the arena at All In, after the Punk fracas had been incited by Perry saying “It’s real glass, cry me a river” down the camera lens, referencing a previous backstage disagreement between the two stars.

Backstage Update On Jack Perry’s AEW Future

AEW is reportedly in no rush to bring Jack Perry back to television following his indefinite suspension, reports PWInsider Elite.

Mike Johnson writes that sources have indicated a belief that Perry is no longer suspended. Nonetheless, AEW isn’t hurrying his comeback, theorising that the longer the former ‘Jungle Boy’ is away from the company, the more distance he can put between himself and his melee with CM Punk.

Punk and Perry are understood to have fought backstage at August’s All In pay-per-view, stemming from a previous incident where Punk had chastised the former FTW World Champion for wanting to use real glass as part of an angle. The controversy resulted in both men being served indefinite suspensions by AEW.

The following week, AEW fired Punk with cause. Company founder and CEO Tony Khan said that he “feared for his life” while the All In incident was unfolding.

Perry’s last onscreen appearance saw him drop the FTW Title to Hook at All In. Following the Punk incident, he was reportedly escorted out of Wembley Stadium by security.

Jack, 26, has been with AEW since its first year of operation, 2019.

AEW Star Samoa Joe Digs Into Relationship With CM Punk, Addresses All In Fight

Ahead of his AEW World Championship challenge against MJF at Arthur Ashe Stadium tonight, AEW star Samoa Joe had a conversation with the New York Post. Joe addressed his relationship with CM Punk in the interview, giving some of his thoughts on their match at AEW All In last month.

“I’ve always enjoyed the many minutes I’ve spent in the ring with Punk and to be able to revisit that at this point in our careers was a big thing for us both personally,” Joe said. “It was good to get back in there and scrap around with him a bit and entertain a ton of people in the process.”

Both Joe and Punk came up in the independent wrestling scene around the same time, and the pair would share the ring in promotions such as Ring of Honor and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. Both would later find their ways to WWE, but at completely separate points in time. Though Punk’s time in AEW would be relatively short-lived, Joe was able to get back in the ring with Punk in July, and again at All In. Despite their close relationship in wrestling, Joe claims the topic rarely comes up in their normal conversations.

“For the most part, our relationship has been very — especially for these years — has been very non-wrestling related,” Joe continued. “It’s just been extraneous stuff outside of the world of wrestling and talking about life stuff.”

In the moments leading up to the official start of All In, there was an alleged physical confrontation between Punk — set to face Joe in the opening match — and Jack Perry. Punk was later fired with cause from AEW due to whatever occurred, while Jack Perry has been suspended pending an investigation. While Joe declined to revise anyone else’s version of events, the AEW star didn’t seem too shaken up from the confrontation.

“I’m used to that environment,” Joe stated. “Those things don’t seem very intense to me, but it could be something crazy intense to someone else. I wasn’t really affected by the moment. I was more focused on getting the show back on track and getting us going because it was bell time.” According to Joe, following the incident, the AEW locker room was able to come together for the good of the company and the waiting fans.

“I know we had the initial incident. Everybody rallied. Everybody got together,” Joe continued. “[Everyone] got their heads together and lined up and got ready to do the show and we went out there and we did the show. That really was the focus at that point in time. We got a massive show to do and we got fans out there rabid to see that happen.”

CM Punk Fired From AEW Following Backstage Incident At All In

CM Punk is gone from AEW in the aftermath of an altercation with Jack Perry at All In at Wembley Stadium last weekend. The company announced his departure via Twitter with an announcement from Tony Khan. 

“All Elite Wrestling (AEW) has terminated the wrestler and employment agreements between Phillip Brooks (CM Punk) and AEW with cause, effective immediately,” the statement, as seen below, reads in part. “The termination was confirmed today by Tony Khan, CEO, General Manager, and Head of Creative of AEW.”

The statement declared that the decision had been made following an investigation into “an incident” — some are speculating his alleged altercation with Jack Perry – that occurred at AEW All In on Sunday, August 27. Following the investigation, the AEW Discipline Committee was said to have met, later convening with outside legal counsel before recommending that Tony Khan terminate Punk with cause. 

The announcement came with a quote from Khan himself, “Phil played an important role within AEW and I thank him for his contributions. The termination of his AEW contracts with cause is ultimately my decision, and mine alone.” 

Khan expressed remorse at the fact he had to make the announcement, acknowledging the disappointment it may cause to fans. But he said that he is making the decision with AEW and the people backstage’s best interests in mind.

Bully Ray Says, Back In The Day, They Would Have ‘Beat The Shit Out Of’ AEW’s Jack Perry

During a recent episode of “Busted Open,” Bully Ray weighed in with his thoughts on how AEW should’ve handled the reported incident between Jack Perry and CM Punk at AEW All In.

“Jungle Boy is an ignorant young boy who doesn’t understand this industry,” Ray said. “He doesn’t know better. He’s a young, brash kid who doesn’t know better. And I’m sure the dirt sheets are gonna have a field day with this one. But he needs to be sat down by a veteran like a Taz, like a J.R., like a Billy Gunn, one of those guys, and made to understand and educate him as to why you don’t say those things on camera for a multitude of reasons.”

The multi-time tag team champion went on to share that if this incident happened “back in the day,” Perry would’ve faced harsher repercussions.

“He doesn’t know any better,” Ray reiterated. “He’s flexing when he shouldn’t be flexing, and flexing for no reason. Back in the day, there was a way to handle young boys like Jack Perry. Some of those ways still apply. And I’m not talking about beating the shit out of him, but back in the day, that’s what would have happened.”

Regarding who should’ve handled speaking to Perry on the spot, Ray is giving Tony Khan a pass since All In was about to go live when the altercation happened.

“Tony could not take all of his attention away from producing the opening of one of the biggest wrestling shows in history to go talk to young boy schmuck face Jack Perry about saying stupid shit and getting into an altercation with Punk. After it was over, absolutely, Tony Khan should’ve spoke to both of them.”

Saraya Pins Toni Storm, Wins AEW Women’s World Title In Wembley Stadium At All In

The Norwich native struck championship gold at AEW All In in London, Engldand’s Wembley Stadium.

Four weeks after regaining the AEW Women’s World Championship, Hikaru Shida was faced with the hefty task of defending the title against three other women at AEW’s biggest show in history. The champion headed across the pond to the home territory of Saraya, one of the three competitors who’d be challenging Shida for the title, alongside Toni Storm and Britt Baker.

As expected, Outcast members Saraya and Storm worked in tandem early on but quickly ran into problems when both women attempted to pin Baker in the corner. Saraya and Storm seemed to mend their partnership, but when Storm inadvertently struck Saraya’s mother, Saraya Knight, in the face, it became every woman for herself. The Outcasts’ third member, Ruby Soho, arrived to try and defuse the situation but was instead nailed in the head by Storm’s fist.

Shida and Baker eventually bounced back into the action as well, each scoring near falls, until Baker locked Shida into the Lockjaw. With Shida trapped in Baker’s submission, Storm reentered the ring equipped with the women’s title belt, presumably to break them apart. Unfortunately for Storm, Saraya retrieved a spray paint can just in time to mist her in the eyes and hit her with the Knight Cap to gain the pinfall to become the new AEW Women’s Champion. Following her victory, Saraya’s family joined her in the ring to celebrate.

With this win, Saraya begins her first championship reign in over nine years, when she defeated AJ Lee to clutch the WWE Divas Championship at SummerSlam 2014.

HOOK Regains FTW Championship From Jack Perry On AEW All In Pre-Show

While Jack Perry was insistent on retiring the FTW Championship on Saturday’s episode of “AEW Collision,” HOOK had other plans, proclaiming that he’d challenge Perry for the title at AEW All In at Wembley Stadium. During the All In Zero Hour pre-show, Perry then defended the FTW Championship in an FTW Rules match.

Perry, of course, arrived in style, riding out to the stage in a black limousine. After showing off his FTW Championship, though, chaos quickly ensued as the two traded strikes around and on top of the limo, which led to HOOK suplexing Perry through the vehicle’s front window.

Eventually, the two competitors made their way to the wrestling ring, opening the door for Perry to shift the momentum into his favor. As HOOK later laid in the center of the ring, Perry placed a trash can on top of him, and ascended to the top of the corner turnbuckle. Upon his descent via Moonsault, HOOK wisely rolled out of the way and nailed Perry with a lariat, followed by a trashcan to Perry’s head.

In the end, it was HOOK who emerged victorious by submission after locking Perry into the Redrum. With this win, HOOK becomes a two-time FTW Champion.

The Acclaimed And Billy Gunn Defeat House Of Black, Win AEW Trios Titles At All In

For the first time in AEW — and the first time in an international promotion since 2014 — Billy Gunn has gold around his waist, thanks to his win alongside The Acclaimed to capture the AEW Trios Championships over The House of Black.

Following a House of Black entrance that featured a Bray Wyatt tribute including fireflies and a Wyatt-esque lantern, Max Caster made his way to the ring delivering his traditional freestyle rap. Following dunks on Prince Andrew and Meghan Markle, and a House of Black-directed Harry Potter diss, however, Anthony Bowens continued without the customary “Scissor Me, Daddy Ass!” as their elder stable member made it clear that today, he was once again “Badd Ass” Billy Gunn. (Note the carefully-included second “D” to ever-so-clearly differentiate from his former WWE persona.)

The Acclaimed and Gunn executed their privilege to choose the match’s stipulation, going with no holds barred, which led to less in the way of foreign objects and more multi-participant chaos. That included Julia Hart interjecting herself into the match, standing in the way of Gunn before he told her to “suck it” and put her on her back to set up a Bowens Scissor Me Timbers from the top rope.

After some mayhem outside the ring, Brody King, rocking a split forehead, attempted to hit Bowens with a chain, but hit Malakai Black instead, leading to a trio of Fame-a**-ers. However, Hart pulled referee Aubrey Edwards out prior to a three count. The tides turned and Black hit The End on Gunn, who managed a kickout at about 2.99.

The challengers then hit all of their finishers in succession on King, who shockingly kicked out at one before they repeated their efforts and executed a three-way pin, to crown themselves new champions.

Following the match, Bowens told Gunn he promised they’d put the gold he deserved around Gunn’s waist and delivered on that promise before initiating a scissor party after all to the delight of the crowd.

CM Punk Involved In “Physical Confrontation” Backstage At AEW All In

Another AEW show, another quiet day in All Elite Wrestling…

As the headline suggests, CM Punk has reportedly been in a “physical confrontation” at AEW All In today.

With All In currently ongoing, the Second City Saint was in action on the first match of the main PPV card, where he successfully retained the Real Worlds Championship against long-time rival Samoa Joe in a brilliant, barnburner of a bout.

Prior to the PPV ‘proper’ starting, the second and final match of the Zero-Hour pre-show saw HOOK defeat Jack Perry to become a two-time FTW Title. And it’s here, where the issues with Punk seem to lie.

As per Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful, CM Punk was involved with a confrontation with Perry shortly before the Chicagoan went out for his match.

There was a physical confrontation between CM Punk and Jack Perry right before CM Punk went through the curtain. Working on more details.

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) August 27, 2023

No further details are known at this stage, though this could well stem from a comment Jack Perry made during his match against HOOK.

There, as Perry made it known that he intended to put HOOK through a limousine windscreen, he looked into the camera and noted how the windshield was real glass, before adding to “cry my a river”.

For those who missed it, reports from earlier this month revealed Punk and Perry had a face-to-face backstage at a Collision over the former Jungle Boy’s want to use real glass in a backstage segment; something which the Straight-Edge Superstar took umbrage with.

Expect more on this situation as further details become available.