CM Punk’s backstage issues with Tony Khan and others in AEW have been a significant part of recent wrestling controversies. Punk’s time in AEW was marred more by his conflicts with people like the Young Bucks, Hangman Page, and Jack Perry, as well as his injury issues, than his in-ring performances.
The culmination of these issues led to a high-profile altercation between Punk and Perry during AEW’s All-In event, which resulted in Punk’s eventual firing. However, one of the few wrestlers who didn’t heavily criticize Punk was Samoa Joe, who played a key role in calming tensions backstage.
AEW’s upcoming documentary on All-In, set to air in London, has already leaked a few notable clips online. One of these clips highlights Samoa Joe’s role in de-escalating the situation after the Punk-Perry altercation.
In the footage, Joe is shown rallying the locker room and turning what could have been a chaotic situation into a motivational moment for the wrestlers. His leadership in the backstage chaos has been lauded by many fans who have seen the teaser.
The altercation itself began when Jack Perry reportedly antagonized CM Punk over the use of real glass in a match. While Punk successfully defended his Real World Championship against Samoa Joe later that night, his involvement in the backstage brawl dominated headlines.
Tony Khan later expressed how the incident made him and others fear for their safety, leading to Punk’s dismissal from AEW. However, Joe’s role as a witness and peacemaker became a key aspect of the behind-the-scenes story.
Samoa Joe, in particular, took a firm stance during the incident, using strong words to calm the situation and rally the locker room ahead of the historic event at Wembley Stadium.
Joe’s leadership was not surprising given his extensive experience in WWE, where he had previously navigated tense backstage situations. He reflected that the timing of the brawl, occurring just before a major show, was a significant factor in the chaos, but he remained focused on ensuring the show went on.
Joe’s level-headed response to the incident has earned him praise as a locker-room hero, even though he lost his match that night. His calm handling of the situation and his ability to get the wrestlers back on track for the event has further cemented his reputation as a respected veteran in the industry.
Fans have responded positively to the leaked clips, with many appreciating Joe’s unseen efforts during one of AEW’s most infamous backstage incidents.
