AEW All Out featured the return of Maxwell Jacob Friedman to the promotion after being off television for weeks following a controversial promo where he called Tony Khan ‘A f-cking money mark!’ At the time, it was the most controversial moment in All Elite history but as soon as MJF was back in the fold, CM Punk was more than happy to pick up where he left off, causing chaos backstage with his own controversial comments.
Infamously, Punk entered his AEW All Out media scrum covered in blood and carrying a clear, plastic bag filled with lime Spindrift, along with a small box from Mindy’s Bakery, containing a muffin. As Punk bled, drank Spindrift, and chewed on his muffin he laid into the AEW Executive Vice Presidents, who he alleged couldn’t manage a Target, as well as members of the roster, like Hangman Page and Colt Cabana. Khan sat by his side the entire time, seemingly in disbelief at what was playing out in front of him.
Following the scrum, Punk was confronted by The Young Bucks, Kenny Omega, and a few others in his locker room and an altercation ensued that reportedly saw Omega bit by Punk’s good friend Ace Steel, and The Second City Saint’s dog hit in the face by a swinging door, losing one of its teeth in the process. In a new interview with Sports Illustrated, Punk declined to directly comment on the fight, noting he hoped to move past it, but did give his thoughts on how the incident is being perceived.
“I don’t think what happened was a big deal…” he said. “This has happened in the last 10 months in hockey, in basketball, in baseball, in just about every sport. And it’s covered and it’s gone the next day. I think because I have injured my tricep and I’ve been out for so long, I think it has been exacerbated. I think it’s been exacerbated by people spreading lies about the whole thing. And when, in reality, my attitude is, well, s— happens.”