Jack Perry has pushed back against reports that he apologised to Tony Khan after All In.
Earlier today, Dave Meltzer wrote in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Jack Perry was reportedly apologetic to Tony Khan in the aftermath of his All In backstage altercation with CM Punk. It was then suggested that his New Japan appearances were with an AEW return in mind, as it was believed that his NJPW run would lead to him coming back to All Elite Wrestling down the line. However, it seems as if Perry himself is now disputing what was said.
In an update to the situation, Bryan Alvarez wrote on F4WOnline that Jack Perry is reportedly pushing back against today’s claims that he apologised to Tony Khan and that there are any plans for him to return to the company.
“Jack Perry both disputes the claim that he continually apologized or asked for forgiveness in the months following his backstage fight with CM Punk at last August’s AEW All In, or that there are any current plans for an AEW return.”
-Bryan Alvarez
The report notes that, according to Perry, he didn’t hear from AEW Owner Tony Khan for two months following All In, and that Jack was adamant that he wouldn’t be the one to make first contact over the situation.
It’s said that a meeting was then set up between Perry and Khan around the time of Full Gear 2023, in which the pair would discuss a possible AEW return for the former FTW Champion that may have taken place as soon as December. However, the idea of a comeback for Perry were reportedly scrapped when CM Punk, who left Tony Khan’s company as a result of the Wembley altercation, made his WWE return at Survivor Series.
“Khan finally set up an in-person meeting before Full Gear in Los Angeles where they discussed plans to bring him back last December. However, after Punk returned to WWE at Survivor Series, those plans were scrapped.”
-Bryan Alvarez
While he is still yet to make his return to AEW TV since August, Perry has made New Japan Pro Wrestling his home in recent months. He has since joined House of Torture and doesn’t look as if he will be returning to Dynamite and Collision any time soon.
Despite his company switch, it’s said that Perry is still under AEW contract even though he has reportedly asked to be let go in the past.
“At this point, Perry is still under AEW contract (he asked for a release but was denied), but there are still no plans to bring him back.”
-Bryan Alvarez
Also, Perry grabbed headlines when he tore up his AEW contract on his NJPW debut and seemingly made reference to the All In situation by dubbing himself ‘The Scapegoat’. However, Alvarez elaborates on this by saying that, not only has Perry not cleared these points with Khan, the pair actually haven’t had any contact in months.
For now, Perry remains an active member of the NJPW roster, and doesn’t show any indication of making an AEW return.
As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on Jack Perry’s AEW status as soon as we hear more.
