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WWE legend Rikishi recently gave his thoughts on AEW airing footage of the backstage confrontation between CM Punk and Jack Perry from All In 2023.
The real-life incident saw Punk push Perry before putting him in a chokehold. A video of the altercation aired on the April 10 episode of Dynamite as part of a storyline development between FTR and The Young Bucks.
Speaking on his Off The Top Podcast, Rikishi did not hold back while addressing Perry's role in the footage:
"Here's the disrespect level that I see in that. CM Punk has paved the way, indie circuit, he's been out there for, what, for 15 [years]? However long it was, man. He's not the same age as that young cat. So, whatever the drama that that is, when you come back and you're talking to [a veteran], sometimes you need to bite your tongue and give the older guys the respect level because you can still learn something from CM Punk." [From 11:12 – 11:41]
The behind-the-scenes drama led to CM Punk being fired from AEW. Perry received a lengthy suspension for his part in the incident, though he is expected to return soon.
Rikishi wishes he trained Jack Perry
After his full-time in-ring career ended, Rikishi founded the KnokX Pro wrestling school in California. He works as a coach at the training academy alongside Reno Anoa'i, also known as Black Pearl.
Rikishi believes Jack Perry would have more respect had he learned about the wrestling business at KnokX Pro:
"We would have beat his a** in to smarten [him] up. First of all, you've got to have respect. Respect, respect for these that have paved the way because, in reality, if he thought he was that over, I guarantee you just by him being in that footage where CM Punk whooped his a** took him to another level." [From 11:56 – 12:18]
Perry has wrestled for NJPW in recent weeks. He lost his most recent match against Shota Umino at NJPW Windy City Riot on April 12.
What did you make of AEW airing the backstage footage? Hit the discuss button and let us know.
Please credit Off The Top Podcast and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription if you use quotes from this article.
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