Chris Jericho’s opinions of what transpired at the All Out Media Scrum and backstage afterwards, with CM Punk and the Young Bucks, Kenny Omega and a few others, has been reported big time in recent weeks. Apparently, Jericho referred to Punk as a cancer to the AEW locker room, reportedly to his face following the incident, as per Fightful Select.
Of course to remind everyone, CM Punk himself voiced some concerns during the media scrum, specifically grievances he had towards old friend, Colt Cabana, the EVPs of the company, Kenny Omega, the Young Bucks… and he even voiced some concerns about how Adam Page conducted himself as well.
After the scrum was over, a fight broke out backstage, and the men involved have not been seen on AEW programming since, although a resolution to the issue seems to be at hand with many believing that Punk’s contract will be bought out and the other members of the Elite, The Bucks and Omega, will be returning at Full Gear—teasers to the effect have been strategically placed during live AEW broadcasts in recent weeks.
Therefore if reports are true, then Jericho would assume that AEW is indeed rid of Punk, who he feels was the issue at hand. He and Punk worked together during a very lengthy angle in WWE and didn’t really end up in much of a storyline once Punk joined up with AEW in 2021—reports have alluded to the fact that Jericho outright refused to work with the wrestler.
But Jericho, who has a strong opinion about the pro wrestling business further voiced his concerns and his thoughts on how the issue was rectified, specifically stating that if an issue between two or more individuals is to be effectively resolved, then one party needs to perhaps make the decision to leave. Here’s some of what he said while speaking to Howie Mandel on an episode of Howie Mandel Does Stuff:
via Howie Mandel Does Stuff /YouTube
“There was a locker room fight that happened a couple months ago between a couple of guys. When these things happen, you have to deal with them. Sometimes, the way to deal with it is guys just have to not be there anymore….It happens, sure it does…
If you’re cast in a movie and you hate your co-star, either you make it work, do your job, put on a great performance and never talk to each other again or you leave the project. It’s that simple. If there are people you have a problem with, which I’ve had over the years, not a lot but this guy can rub me the wrong way, ‘he’s a fucking asshole,’ whatever, you still have to put on a good show…
Sometimes you have fight in the locker room and that sort of thing. It’s a big team. Sometimes guys get into fights; sometimes guys just have the wrong attitude for how to make the team work. That’s how you have to look at it. Sometimes, guys just have to leave.”
