AEW’s toxic backstage environment just added another gallon of arsenic as CM Punk was reportedly involved in a backstage brawl with “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry, moments before Punk’s match against Samoa Joe at AEW All In 2023.
Though stories are varying, per usual in the tabloid-adjacent wrestling media, PWInsider (h/t Wrestling Inc) reported that after Perry’s match, there was an altercation involving Punk. Per the report, several sources claim Punk “went after” or even “hit” Perry. Punk’s heat with Perry stems from reports that Punk nixed an idea from Perry to use real glass in a match. This led to a backstage confrontation between the two as Punk—the veteran—looked to protect the 26-year-0ld Perry’s safety.
Perry appeared to respond to (and confirm) reports of a Punk-Perry glass confrontation during his FTW Championship match against Hook at AEW All In Zero Hour. After a spot that saw both Hook and Perry land on the front glass of a limousine, Perry pointed to the shattered glass, stared into the camera and said “real glass, cry me a river!” Perry went on to lose the FTW Championship to two-time champion Hook.
As has been the case with CM Punk and just about everybody in the AEW locker room, Punk did not take kindly to Perry’s comments and a reported physical confrontation ensued.
Punk has had no shortage of drama in his two-year stint with AEW. Punk was involved in an infamous brawl with The Elite following AEW All Out last year. The brawl stemmed from a fiery shoot promo from Punk during the AEW All Out Media Scrum. Punk’s tensions with the AEW locker room have only gotten worse, with Punk recently taking shots at Hangman Adam Page’s merchandise sales, and reportedly banning select talent from attending AEW Collision.
Tony Khan has been helpless to stop any of Punk’s detrimental antics, and Punk has taken full control of Khan’s lack of leadership by showing zero physical or verbal public restraint for any disrespect. With Khans authority as potent as Hangman’s toy sales, Punk’s tenure with AEW is destined for an ugly ending.
Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website or some of my other work here.
