This past weekend, All Elite Wrestling presented its most-attended and highest-grossing event ever, AEW: All In London. In front of more than 80,000 fans, the promotion’s top talent delivered in-ring action worthy of such a momentous occasion. However, behind the curtain, more action played out that seems to have equally captured the attention of pro wrestling fans in the stadium and beyond. Moments before the historic show went live on pay-per-view, CM Punk and Jack Perry were involved in a physical altercation in the Gorilla position.
Earlier this week, Haus of Wrestling issued our initial report of what happened between the two men, and in the days since, more sides of the story have continued to be told. In today’s The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer detailed what he heard from a “neutral source” regarding the confrontation. According to the source he spoke with, as soon as Perry walked to the back following his match against HOOK, Punk got nose-to-nose with the young star and aggressively asked him if they had a problem.
The former Jungle Boy apparently told The Second City Saint that he was a heel and was just looking to get heat with his unscripted line about “real glass.” This is when the source claims Punk forcefully pushed Perry, resulting in Perry getting in his face before Punk “sucker punched” him and went for the chokehold. It was noted that Perry was telling people after the incident that as he was trying to block the guillotine from Punk, Punk attempted to throw more punches from an awkward angle that were not very effective.
Haus of Wrestling has not heard of any punches being thrown until this report came out, and have been told the altercation was kept to shoving and the chokehold. With that said, security cameras inside Wembley Stadium reportedly caught footage of the incident, and it is possible we all get a clearer understanding of what transpired if that footage ever surfaces.
The report went on to say that Samoa Joe was the man to break up Punk and Perry and was seen as a real leader in the situation. Immediately after what transpired, Punk reportedly yelled at Khan that he was quitting the company, something that has been rumored all week, but we have not been able to confirm. Perry was then kicked out of the building, prompting some to believe the same should be done to Punk, but, as we reported earlier this week, Punk left the building of his own volition after consulting with security.
As of the writing of this article, Haus of Wrestling is under the impression that Punk and Khan still have not spoken directly since the incident and that Punk will not be appearing on the AEW Collision and All Out tapings this weekend.