AEW released a video about the fight between Jack Perry (Jungle Boy) and CM Punk at the 2023 All In event. The company hoped that the revelation would boost ratings for the weekly shows Dynamite and Rampage, which have been suffering significant drops. However, the risky strategy drew mixed reactions, with many criticizing AEW for exploiting a shameful incident for profit.
The fight would have happened after Perry contradicted Punk on an episode of the show "Collision". Perry advocated the use of real glass in one segment, while Punk and the production team disagreed due to safety concerns. The frustration culminated in a physical confrontation backstage at All In, minutes before Punk's fight against Samoa Joe. Punk was fired from AEW shortly after, while Perry has not been seen in the company since. The incident damaged AEW's reputation and raised questions about the company's behind-the-scenes culture.
At the time, Tony Khan, president of AEW, spoke out about the case, condemning the violence and stating that disciplinary measures would be taken. Khan also mentioned that the internal investigation would take time to complete.
This action by AEW is seen as opportunistic and exploitative, with some accusing the company of trying to benefit from a negative moment. This action by AEW is seen as opportunistic and exploitative, with some accusing the company of trying to benefit from negative momentum, as every week they lag behind WWE shows.
