Update: Aug. 29, 10:45 a.m.: Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated reported today that AEW has indeed suspended CM Punk and Jack Perry for their altercation during All In, pending an internal investigation:
CM Punk and Jack Perry have both been suspended for an altercation before the start of the All In pay-per-view, Sports Illustrated has confirmed.
Original post follows.
Fightful Select (subscription required but recommended) reported Sunday that backstage at AEW All In, CM Punk and Jack Perry were involved in an altercation shortly before Punk’s match with Samoa Joe. Perry said on camera during his Zero Hour pre-show match Sunday, “It’s real glass, cry me a river,” in reference to his alleged conflict with Punk earlier this summer, and it ignited another incident between the two.
Now, it seems both men will pay the consequences. According to Wrestling Observer’s Bryan Alvarez, Punk and Perry are believed to be suspended by AEW pending the results of an investigation, which means neither man will be involved at Sunday’s All Out pay-per-view.
The belief within AEW is that Punk and Jack are both suspended pending the results of an investigation, which would mean neither will work All Out.
— Bryan Alvarez (@bryanalvarez) August 28, 2023
According to Fightful Select, Perry allegedly “stepped in” Punk’s face and “bumped” him, before Punk reportedly “choked” him. There was no word on who broke up the fight.
Another side said Punk threw the first punch, while other accounts say that Punk initiated things. After exchanging words, Punk allegedly stepped up to Perry, got in his face and put Perry in a front facelock before the altercation was broken up.
PWInsider reported that Perry was asked to leave while Punk stayed for a little while after his match with before departing. Nick Hausman of Haus of Wrestling added that Punk left Wembley Stadium on his own, understanding the situation wasn’t good and not wanting to escalate things further.
If Punk and Perry are indeed suspended, it’s not likely AEW will make any official announcement to that effect. The company notably never confirmed suspensions for Punk and The Elite after their physical confrontation following All In 2023.
The United Center in Chicago will host All Out, and in Punk’s hometown of Chicago, AEW would have likely given him a significant role in the show. He defeated Samoa Joe at All In and still holds the Real World Championship, so any plans for fallout moving forward will seemingly halt.
This also takes Punk off Collision, which is in Chicago the night before All Out. That means the rabid wrestling fans of the Windy City will miss out on their top star twice.
At All In, Hook defeated Perry to win the FTW Championship. If the story were to continue, that is obviously now on hold due to the investigation.
We will have to wait and see what happens next as this developing story continues to affect All Out, which is just days away, and how it impacts Perry and Punk’s respective standing in AEW moving forward.