By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
Additional details are coming out regarding the backstage altercation between CM Punk and Jack Perry that took place at Sunday’s AEW All In pay-per-view. Wade Keller of PWTorch.com reports that once Perry returned to the backstage area following his pre-show match, Punk asked Perry if they have a problem. Perry indicated that Punk started something online, and his on-camera comment about using “real glass” followed by “cry me a river” were his response.
Perry’s reference regarded multiple stories indicating that he wanted to use real glass for an angle and was told by Punk that they don’t do that on AEW Collision. Perry felt that the story was leaked by Punk or his camp, and his retaliatory line on the All In pre-show was not scripted or approved by management. Keller also reported that the belief amongst his sources is that “Perry will face more ramifications than Punk” due being seen as the initiator with his unscripted comments. Read more at PWTorch.com.
Powell’s POV: Simply put, Perry could have simply confronted Punk and discussed it backstage rather than taking the verbal receipt approach that he did. The idea of going into business for himself with an unapproved line that triggered the physicality between him and Punk backstage at the biggest event in AEW history seems foolish. Meanwhile, Punk being in a position of leadership could have handled this better by approaching Perry at a different time rather than doing it when he did, so there’s blame to go around.
Tony Khan confirmed the incident at the beginning of the All In media scrum and declined to say more while adding that the situation was under investigation. Khan is under no obligation to address this with the media, but this is yet another story that makes people question whether he’s going to take control of his locker room, even if it means hiring someone to serve as his bad cop. Shockingly, the comedy bit in which he acted like a tough boss during a recent MJF and Adam Cole skit just wasn’t enough to get the job done.
Is Punk an evp? If not, how is he controlling what happens on Collision?
He clearly has stroke as a locker room leader because Tony Khan gives it to him. There are definitely pros and cons to this, but it comes off like he is more proactive in a leadership role than the actual EVPs.
There is no pro. Considering how divisive and polarizing he is, there is no way CM Punk needs to be in any leadership role, let alone one that makes him the de facto talent relations head (while he bars the actual guy in the position from the show). What an absolute mess.
If Punk is the one (defacto) agent/producer telling AEW talent to work safer, and that storytelling isn’t random acts of violence, then thank god someone is. Collision has been the best produced shiw of the company. Punk studied TV producing under Heyman. With Jim Ross and other vets there, Khan should make the most of those resources.