CM Punk Threatened To Quit AEW, But Jack Perry Taking Brunt...

CM Punk reportedly threatened to quit AEW in the heat of the moment following his confrontation with Jack Perry at All In 2023 this past weekend.

PWTorch reports as much, noting Punk's frustration over the situation. The former AEW World Champion is understood to have clashed with Perry backstage prior to his match with Samoa Joe.

The Torch notes that Punk wants to create a drama-free locker room environment in AEW. He has communicated this since returning, and largely achieved it on Collision, though the Chicagoan's restrictions on personnel he doesn't want showing up at those tapings has caused friction.

Punk "quickly regrouped" following the Perry confrontation. AEW were concerned that they may need to produce a different opening match, given the fight's proximity to Punk/Joe, with the production team alerted to the possibility of a lineup switch. Ultimately, this didn't come to fruition.

As far as punishment goes, a PWTorch source with ties to management claims Perry will end up taking most of the blame, as he initiated the confrontation (per their account). The source noted that the former 'Jungle Boy' should have known that taking a shot at Punk during his Zero Hour match with Hook would have caused problems.

Perry may now face ramifications, according to the Torch, as he "should know that Punk doesn't let those types of things slide." It is noted, however, that frustrations continue to mount with Punk, who has a "controversial" leadership style and has escalated situations that could have been avoided had he let them slide.

AEW's internal investigation (confirmed by Tony Khan during the post-All In media scrum) may lead to a different perspective on Punk. For now, however, it is believed Perry will face stronger punishment.

Bryan Alvarez reported on Sunday that AEW sources believe Perry and Punk have both been suspended pending the investigation's results:

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

AEW's next pay-per-view, All Out, is this Sunday, 3 September.