Backstage at AEW All In at Wembley Stadium, a real-life scuffle breaks out between CM Punk and young star Jack Perry. Both are suspended for the time being.
Round about a year after the momentous beating scandal at AEW All Out, there was also a real-life scuffle at the historic mega-show in front of over 80,000 fans at Wembley – again involving CM Punk.
According to consistent media reports, a scuffle broke out between Punk and young star Jack Perry – son of the late Hollywood actor Luke Perry – between their matches. Perry was sent home, Fightful and the Wrestling Observer report. Punk reportedly left the arena of his own accord.
Meanwhile, following various other media outlets, Sports Illustrated also reports that Punk and Perry have been suspended and an internal investigation into the incident is ongoing. An official confirmation of the information is not to be expected after the experience of the past incidents.
It is unclear whether Punk will be part of the next edition of All Out next Sunday. He has not yet been announced for the Pay Per View in his native Chicago, but there have been strong recent indications of a match against rival Ricky Starks.
AEW: CM Punk and Jack Perry cross paths
Background of the stink is apparently a conflict that goes back several weeks, which has leaked out in the wake of the recent new confusion surrounding Punk.
Punk and Perry reportedly argued loudly a few weeks ago about Perry wanting to use real glass in a match at Saturday’s Collision show – where Punk is the star and booth leader. Punk reportedly rejected this as too dangerous and – in a casual dig at his in-house opponents “The Elite” – impressed upon Perry that he should save such ideas for his appearances on Wednesday’s show Dynamite.
Perry now confirmed the reports de facto by taking an obvious jibe at Punk during his match against Hook. He tapped on the windscreen of the limo he was being driven to the ring in, on which he and Hook also performed several stunts. While doing so, he said into the camera, “It’s real glass, cry me a river” (“This is real glass, cry me a river!”)
Contradictory accounts are circulating
The match was the last bout of the pre-show Zero Hour, the actual show was opened by the CM Punk vs Samoa Joe match. In between, Punk and Perry had met in the entrance area and had a fight again, there was talk of “a lot of loud shouting” and fisticuffs. As far as the details are concerned, contradictory accounts are circulating – one is that no fists flew, but that Punk put Perry in a chokehold after the latter had de facto invited him to fight.
As Sports Illustrated reports, there was talk of postponing Punk’s opening match against Joe and bringing forward another fight. Punk’s long-time companion Joe would have calmed down the angry Punk and ensured that the original plans could go through.
There is said to be great frustration among Punk as well as other wrestlers and league officials that once again an incident is distracting from a major AEW event. The Pro Wrestling Torch also reports that Punk is said to have threatened to leave AEW in the heat of the moment.
the Haus of Wrestling portal, an incident unrelated to the scuffle is also said to have caused Punk displeasure: His league-arranged ride had gone awry, leaving him to take a bus from the airport.
Last year, AEW had been badly rocked by the brawling éclat started by Punk between himself and the Ligavizes The Young Bucks (Nick and Matt Jackson) and Kenny Omega, who had fallen out with him. In the end, Khan drew the consequence of separating the disputants in time and space: Punk became the centre of the new Saturday show Collision, while “The Elite” remained with Dynamite.
Shortly before All In, Khan had spoken at greater length than usual about the situation: He explained that he wanted to have “the best squad possible” for his league, which is why he had brought both Punk and The Elite back after their respective suspensions. If there were conflicts there, it was unfortunate, but a reality he had to deal with.
