Tony Khan has still not forgiven an AEW star more than 6 months on from the infamous incident that caused the issue in the first place.
With a number of alleged controversial backstage incidents that took place in 2023, the one that was the most damaging occurred inside Wembley Stadium at the inaugural All In pay-per-view. As was seen on the pre-show, Jack Perry tapped the windscreen of a car that was parked on the stage and uttered the phrase “You know what this is? Real Glass. Go cry me a river” directly to the camera.
The phrase was in reference to a previously reported disagreement where Perry wanted to use real glass to be written off TV but the angle was stopped by CM Punk. When Perry made his way backstage after his match he was confronted by Punk, who was due to go out next as part of the main card. An altercation occurred, which was confirmed by Khan in the post-show press conference.
Just over one week later CM Punk was publicly fired from AEW one day before the All Out pay-per-view, which was due to air live in Punk’s hometown of Chicago. Tony Khan stated that he feared for his safety at All In and was left with no other choice.
A few months later CM Punk would return to wrestling, but this time it was in WWE at Survivor Series. Despite Punk being gone and the investigation being concluded, Perry still did not appear on AEW TV. Instead, the former Tag Team Champion would make his shock debut for NJPW at Battle in the Valley and would later align himself with House of Torture.
With Perry not appearing for AEW since All In and now a part of the NJPW roster, some had speculated that Perry may have also been released, albeit much more discreetly than the way Punk’s exit was addressed.
In a follow-up interview, Tony Khan has discussed Jack Perry.
Tony Khan Still Angry With Jack Perry Over August 2023 Incident
Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer stated that Perry has not been fired but Tony Khan is still angry at Perry and feels he is solely responsible for AEW losing Punk:
Meltzer: “He has absolutely not been fired, but they’re not using him. Essentially, Tony is really mad at him because he cost him CM Punk, so he’s getting the blame. He probably should have been suspended for a month or two. Where are we at? Seven months now? It’s ridiculous. Punishment doesn’t fit the crime at this point. I mean, it’s like it’s his fault because the other guy lost his mind?”
Alvarez: “He didn’t cost Tony CM Punk. CM Punk cost Tony CM Punk. Punk could have just gone to Tony suspend this dude, that was unprofessional.”
Meltzer: “But it was such a nothing. None of it should have happened because the fact is that it wouldn’t have happened with Jack Perry if Punk didn’t start the thing in the first place. It’s like, yell at him over something that had already been, it had already been approved. I mean, they brought the glass right?”
Alvarez: “They got the car. He was given approval to do it. They had the car it was all ready to go, and then Punk said not doing it.”
In a new interview Tony Khan has hailed Mercedes Mone as the face of AEW.
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