AEW Completes All Out 2022 Backstage Fight Investigation, Backstage Reaction & CM Punk’s Story Disputed

As noted before, CM Punk, Ace Steel, Kenny Omega, and The Young Bucks’ Matt and Nick Jackson were involved in a backstage fight incident following AEW’s All Out 2022 event this past September. Following the incident, AEW suspended all of them for an indefinite period of time. CM Punk’s side recently gave their side of the story which included claims that Punk’s dog Larry was injured during the incident.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that AEW officials had completed their investigation into the backstage fight incident last week. Meltzer reported that both Omega and the Young Bucks were in attendance backstage during this past Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite show in Norfolk, Virginia but were not scheduled to be part of the show beyond a vignette teasing their returns soon.

In regards to the backstage reaction over the end of the investigation, Meltzer reported that several top AEW people were saying backstage during this past Wednesday’s Dynamite show that Punk would not be returning and they no longer wanted to work with him. Those spoken to stated that many of AEW’s top stars were openly stating this including Chris Jericho.

One top star talent spoken to stated that “Punk won’t be back. His value on screen isn’t one percent worth the hassle and black cloud he causes backstage.” Another top star spoken to reportedly stated that the locker room collectively wanted Punk gone regardless if some were still willing to work with him after what had happened.

In regards to the recent story from CM Punk’s side over his dog Larry being injured during the fight, Meltzer reported that those spoken to stated that this story is false. Meltzer reported that had it been true, it would have been brought up much sooner during the investigations and both Omega and the Young Bucks very likely would have been the ones gone from the company instead. Those spoken to stated that they were unaware of this story until the release of WrestlingInc’s Nick Hausman’s report earlier this week. Many people spoken to stated that they felt it was a timed hit piece by Punk’s side meant to coincide with the immanent returns of Omega and the Young Bucks and try to take them down when the investigation did not.

One person close to Omega and the Young Bucks side stated that the dog injury was “a completely made up story. He’s (Punk) losing (in the investigation results) and is desperate. There was a multiple weeks long investigation and this was oddly not discovered? Hmm. Also, it’s so happened to be mentioned the moment there was news about (the Bucks & Omega) possibly coming back? It’s insane that people would even humor this.” Another person spoken from the same side reportedly had similar feelings over the dog injury story being made up by Punk’s side.

In regards to the neutral side, one person spoken to that was unaffiliated with either side and was present during the fight incident stated that the dog story is “a complete lie. When the altercation was happening Punk was a total psycho and could’ve career PF less about the dog. Kenny picked the dog up to save him from being hurt and gave him to Megha. Megha was holding the dog screaming at Punk to stop. Punk didn’t even register that his `baby’ was being held by a stranger in the middle of a fight. It didn’t stop him one bit.” This person also stated that “they never spoke to Lucy Guy (the only person in the room who didn’t work regularly for AEW other than the security), cause she was a non factor. Sat in the corner the whole time as her husband was throwing chairs, punches and biting Kenny.”

Meltzer also reported that only Steel’s wife Lucy was not under a legal agreement to not discuss anything publicly regarding the incident but she decided to not comment over the matter since the incident. In regards to the others involved in the fight, Meltzer reported that they are all still under legal agreements to not discuss the fight publicly despite AEW’s investigation being over.

In regards to WWE, Meltzer reported that those spoken to within WWE stated that there has not been any recent talks between the company and Punk and/or Steel for a potential deal as of earlier this week.

In regards to Steel, those close to him stated that he just wants to move past this and is bummed over the incident happening and the online reaction to his involvement in it.