Folks, if you thought the wrestling world had seen it all, think again. Nearly eight months after the fact, the CM Punk and “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry scuffle at AEW’s All In has resurfaced like a shark at a surfing contest, and it’s causing quite the stir.
It all started when The Young Bucks decided to air backstage footage of the altercation during WrestleMania weekend on “AEW Dynamite.” This wasn’t just any old scuffle; it featured Punk putting Perry in a chokehold and having a heated moment with AEW President Tony Khan, who was off-screen for the good part of the drama. Fans and fighters alike were glued to their screens as Punk confronted Perry after the latter’s stunt involving real glass and a rental car—something Punk had warned against.
Punk, who’s back with WWE and stirring pots there as usual, had previously criticized the use of real glass in matches, calling it dangerous. His WWE comrades, including the likes of Drew McIntyre, couldn’t help but throw their two cents in. McIntyre, ever the social media savant, hinted at using the incident as “tape study” to prep for his own showdowns, showcasing a level of pettiness that could win championships.
And then there’s the reaction from the AEW camp. The mood backstage was reportedly as deflated as a punctured football, not just because of Khan’s decision to go public with the video, but also because of the inevitable online backlash that followed. Some AEW talent even mumbled that the precious TV time could have been better spent on wrestlers who are actually on the roster.
The Young Bucks, masters of ceremonies that they are, defended showing the footage as part of a grander narrative to spice up their ongoing storyline with FTR. Meanwhile, FTR, buddies of Punk, managed to weave their response into their storyline, asking the Bucks just what exactly they were trying to accomplish with this ancient history.
Inside WWE, the airing was seen as a bit of a “self-own” for AEW, with some insiders shrugging it off faster than a heavy coat in summer. Punk, no stranger to controversy, kept his response cryptic as ever, posting a photo of George W. Bush and his “mission accomplished” speech, which could mean anything from “I told you so” to “Let’s move on.”
And let’s not forget Ryback, who took this opportunity to renew his less-than-friendly banter with Punk, critiquing the altercation with the zest of a reality TV judge, calling Punk “Fragile Phil” and his actions akin to a “weird kangaroo-like attack.”
As this soap opera continues, one thing’s clear: in the wrestling world, the line between the ring and real life is as thin as the ropes that surround it. And just when you think the drama’s over, someone else tags in to keep the storyline alive.