‘The Scapegoat’ is more than just a gimmick for Jack Perry.
Jack Perry has been absent from All Elite Wrestling since being suspended thanks to his involvement in a backstage incident with CM Punk at All In last August. Perry would instead make his return to pro wrestling at NJPW’s Battle in the Valley in January, ripping up his AEW contract before attacking Shota Umino.
In an official interview with New Japan Pro Wrestling, Perry commented on leaving AEW for NJPW, noting that he believes AEW simply doesn’t want to deal with the controversy that he brings to the promotion.
“Well Japan for me is an opportunity, not to start over, but start a new chapter without having to apologise or pretend to be sorry for the actions of other people. It’s a way that I can stay true to myself and continue to grow despite everything that’s gone on. Ripping that contract was a declaration ‘I’m not playing by your rules anymore’. If (AEW) are too afraid to have me anymore, if the spectre of Jack Perry is too much, they don’t want to deal with the conversations, the ramifications that brings, then that’s fine,”
-Jack Perry
Whilst his last moments in AEW were shrouded in controversy, Perry intends to make his own way through the world of professional wrestling.
“I don’t need them. I will go by myself across the world, all by myself, without any of my friends, without any of the things I’m used to, anything that’s been my life for the last five years, and I’ll do it on my own, make my own way.“
-Jack Perry
When asked about his contract situation and whether he’s now considered a freelancer, Perry revealed that he’s still uncertain about that himself, however he intends to repay loyalty when it’s showed to him moving forward.
“Some of these things are unclear even to me, but I would say this- loyalty is a two way street, and I show loyalty to those who are loyal to me. As of now, certain parties have been very good to me, and I intend to repay that.”
-Jack Perry
Thanks to the perception surrounding his involvement in the events that led to AEW terminating the contract of CM Punk, Jack Perry gave himself the moniker of ‘The Scapegoat’, accompanied by a goat mask worn during his entrance.
Speaking on what the name means to him, Perry further leaned into the idea that he’s taking blame for the actions of others, seemingly referencing the events that led to his suspension yet again.
“I think it’s ingrained in human nature to be afraid of blame, and the disapproval of others. At the end of the day, that’s weakness. That’s a weak mindset, a weak soul. If you know the truth, what good is the opinion of other people? If you know the truth, you have power. I’m not shying away from the blame. If you need me to be the Scapegoat because you don’t have the bravery to stand up for your own actions, then that’s fine. I’m man enough to take that blame from all of us and I’m not going to shy away from it.”
-Jack Perry
Perry now finds himself aligned with the villainous House of Torture, and thus can be found teaming with EVIL, Ren Narita, SHO, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Yujiro Takahashi, and Dick Togo across NJPW shows.
After meeting in the first round of this year’s New Japan Cup, Perry is set to take on Shota Umino yet again in singles action at NJPW Windy City Riot on April 12th in Chicago, with the card featuring several names from across NJPW, AEW, CMLL, and STARDOM.
As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on the future of Jack Perry as soon as we hear more.
