Jack Perry (Jungle Boy) hasn’t been seen or heard from since the incident with CM Punk at AEW All In last August, but he made his return to wrestling this past Saturday at the NJPW Battle in the Valley event.
The return
The incident resulted in Perry being suspended and Punk released. Their issues started weeks before when Punk told Perry that he shouldn’t use real glass for an angle. Although Perry is reportedly no longer suspended, there’s been no word yet on when he will return.
At the NJPW show, after the six-man tag match where Fred Rosser, Jacob Fatu, and Shota Umino defeated Jorel Nelson, Royce Isaacs, and Tom Lawlor, there was a post-match attack as Perry had a mask on and attacked Umino. Perry then ripped an AEW contract and put on an armband with “SCAPEGOAT” on it.
Surprise
While speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer noted that security wasn’t clued in on the surprise appearance.
“So, when Jack Perry was unmasked, the security didn’t know about this angle, so that was kind of interesting. They thought it was a fan hitting the ring after shooting Shota, but they were quickly told it wasn’t. Then, he unmasked, and it was Jack Perry. And at first, people didn’t really. I think it took like a few seconds because he looks a little different. Not that much. But people kind of didn’t know who he was. And then all of a sudden it’s like, ‘oh my God, it’s Jungle Boy,’ you know?”
FULL SEGMENT where Jack Perry made his NJPW debut attacking Shota Umino, tearing up the AEW contract and embracing the new nickname "Scapegoat".pic.twitter.com/PBuBXcI8vz
— Drainmaker 🌧️ 💵 (@DrainBamager) January 14, 2024
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