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AEW President Tony Khan shocked the wrestling world when he decided to air the security footage of CM Punk's infamous backstage fight with Jack Perry at All In 2023. The Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer recently revealed Khan's rationale behind the decision.
CM Punk had issues with Jack Perry stemming from the younger star's perceived recklessness. After Perry made his now famous "real glass" comment at All In 2023, Punk confronted and attacked him backstage, which ultimately led to The Straight Edge Superstar's termination.
The Second City Saint was fired, but Jack Perry was only suspended. After a short excursion in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, The Young Bucks brought him back to AEW, and the security footage of Punk attacking Perry was shown as part of the angle. Airing the footage accomplished Khan's goal of cementing the former Jungle Boy as The Scapegoat, but many fans and critics still found it tasteless.
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On the latest episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, veteran journalist Dave Meltzer commented on the decision. He revealed that he'd spoken to Tony Khan numerous times about it, and the AEW president is adamant that it helped him secure his lucrative new television deal with Warner Bros. Discovery:
"I have discussed this with him," said Meltzer. "You have no idea how much, and it’s always the same thing that he believes that that was a key to getting that [WBD] deal. So I will tell you, I mean, in every discussion, there is not even a thought in his mind that he made a mistake there." [H/T WrestlingNews.co]
Meltzer further admitted that it did make Jack Perry more famous, but he didn't think the decision helped the company in the long run.
Jack Perry has suffered after being abandoned by The Young Bucks
Despite the criticism, airing the footage of CM Punk's backstage fight helped launch Jack Perry into the limelight. The 27-year-old returned to AEW, joined The Elite, and even attacked his boss, Tony Khan, for hanging him out to dry after Punk was fired.
However, Perry's ride to the top was bumpy. Although he won the TNT Championship, his attitude and status attracted plenty of trouble. This year, Darby Allin lit him on fire at Double or Nothing, and the Young Bucks abandoned him when Jon Moxley and his Death Riders began running wild.
The Scapegoat has now lost his allies and his title, but there's still a chance he could reverse his fortunes. Perry linked up with the Bucks once again at NJPW Strong Style Evolved earlier this month. He expressed his disappointment in them, but the Jackson brothers indicated that they would make things right.
Jack Perry has taken shots at Kenny Omega lately, which may be a string he regrets pulling if The Best Bout Machine returns at Worlds End. Whether The Scapegoat will have a better time in 2025 remains to be seen.
