Tony Khan expressed satisfaction with the reaction Jack Perry received during his recent appearance at a New Japan Pro-Wrestling pay-per-view event, namely Windy City Riot.
On April 10th, AEW Dynamite aired backstage footage of the altercation between CM Punk and Jack Perry that occurred at All In. This decision by AEW to broadcast the incident added further fuel to the turmoil between Punk and Perry.
Two days later, Perry competed at the Windy City Riot show in Chicago, which is CM Punk’s hometown. Knowing he might face a hostile reception from the Chicago crowd due to his past clash with Punk, Perry embraced the controversy by making a bold entrance. He walked out draped in the Chicago flag and wore his “Cry me a river” jacket, referencing the line that sparked the altercation with Punk.
In an interview with Chris Russell, Tony Khan was asked about the decision to air backstage footage of the altercation between CM Punk and Jack Perry on AEW Dynamite. Khan used Perry’s recent appearance at a NJPW event to justify his choice.
Khan explained that it was fascinating to see the positive reaction Jack Perry received at the NJPW event following the airing of the footage. Perry was treated like a superstar by the audience, which Khan found interesting. He noted that while the strong reaction was not entirely unexpected, it might have been an interesting side effect of the situation.
”It was fascinating to see after that tape played, the reaction that Jack Perry got at New Japan Pro Wrestling this week, he got the reaction of a superstar. That is not altogether unexpected and it’s something very interesting, perhaps a side effect of this. Jack Perry [is] already a big star in wrestling, really the way the crowd connected with him in Chicago, that was interesting to see.”
Jack Perry’s scapegoat t-shirt has been selling out continuously as well. Only time will tell whether Jack Perry will ever make his way back to AEW, as that might still happen at AEW Dynasty.
Were you also surprised to hear the kind of reaction Jack Perry got at NJPW Windy City Riot? Let us know in the comments section below!