AEW’s Controversial CM Punk-Jack Perry Segment Allegedly Helped Secure TV Deal

Tony Khan is standing firm on one of AEW’s most controversial moves in 2024. During a conversation on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer revealed that the AEW President remains confident in his decision to air the explosive backstage altercation between CM Punk and Jack Perry on the April 10 episode of AEW Dynamite. According to Meltzer, allegedly Khan believes the move was pivotal in securing the company’s new television deal.

“I have discussed this with him,” Meltzer said when asked if Khan might regret airing the footage. “It’s always the same thing—he believes that was a key to getting that deal. In every discussion, there is not even a thought in his mind that he made a mistake there.”

The fallout from the Punk-Perry incident has been significant, with Perry embracing a new heel persona and aligning with the equally polarizing Young Bucks before their hiatus. While Meltzer admitted the segment helped elevate Perry’s status in AEW, he questioned the long-term impact of airing such a heated moment.

“Yes, it did help make Jack Perry a star,” Meltzer conceded. “But I didn’t think it was positive for the company in the big picture.”

The April 10 episode of Dynamite drew 819,000 viewers, but the Punk-Perry segment alone pulled in 880,000, underlining its immediate impact on viewership. The incident, and the drama surrounding it, has become a defining moment in AEW’s year and a key talking point for fans and critics alike.

Whether you see it as a genius move or a risky gamble, Tony Khan’s decision to air the CM Punk-Jack Perry clash proves he’s willing to roll the dice to secure AEW’s future. Love it or hate it, there’s no denying the moment left its mark on the wrestling world—and might just have been the game-changer AEW needed.