News

CM Punk Issue Referenced In New AEW Merch

By John Canton • Published 22nd April 2024
CM Punk sitting on the ring apron in AEW

CM Punk is no longer a part of AEW, yet new merchandise references the former World Champion.

At AEW’s biggest show ever called All In London on August 27, 2023 at Wembley Stadium, the first match on the pay-per-view that night saw CM Punk defeat his longtime rival Samoa Joe. However, it was what happened backstage before the match that made a lot of headlines.

After Jack Perry lost to Hook on the pre-show, he got into a backstage altercation with CM Punk. That altercation was shown on the April 10th edition of AEW Dynamite when CM Punk confronted Perry backstage, shoved Perry and tried to apply a headlock before it was broken up.

There were apparently other things said and actions taken that led to Punk getting fired by AEW one week later. AEW’s Owner/CEO Tony Khan even went on Collision to say that Punk’s actions that day made Tony fear for his life.

The long backstory to the CM Punk-Jack Perry issues stem from months earlier on AEW Collision when Perry wanted to use real glass for a spot involving a car and Punk, as well as others in AEW, wanted him to use fake glass because it’s safer. Apparently, Perry was unable to let it go because he did a glass spot at AEW All In and shouted “real glass, cry me a river” to show that he still had an issue with Punk.

Jack Perry Re-Appears On AEW TV For First Time Since CM Punk Altercation

At AEW Dynasty, Jack Perry appeared during The Young Bucks-FTR Ladder Match for the AEW Tag Team Titles. Perry shoved over a ladder while FTR’s Dax Harwood was on it, which allowed The Young Bucks’ Nicholas Jackson to climb the ladder to win, retrieve the Tag Team Titles, and become the new champions. It has been rumored that Perry could join The Young Bucks in The Elite group with Kazuchika Okada.

It was Perry’s first time appearing on AEW television since August 2023 meaning he was kept off television for nearly eight months. Perry did re-appear in NJPW over the last few months.

Now that Perry is back, AEW released some new merchandise for him that says “Scapegoat” on it while also featuring broken glass on the shirt.

As for CM Punk, he rejoined WWE after nearly a decade away last November. Punk is out of action with a torn triceps, but will be a part of the WWE Draft this Friday on the April 26th edition of Smackdown and next Monday on the April 29th edition of Raw.