The backstage brawl that fractured a wrestling promotion
In short: In 2022, a professional wrestling event descended into a literal backstage fight. What began as a heated media scrum between stars turned into a physical altercation that led to mass suspensions, vacated titles, and a year of corporate turmoil. It serves as a case study in the volatility of high-stakes entertainment.
The incident occurred during the post-show media scrum of AEW's 'All Out' event on September 4, 2022, in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Following the main event where CM Punk defeated Jon Moxley for the AEW World Championship, Punk began berating various wrestlers and media members. He specifically targeted 'The Elite' (Kenny Omega, Matt Jackson, and Nick Jackson), accusing them of being unable to manage a retail store and mocking their history in independent wrestling. He also insulted 'Hangman' Adam Page, calling him 'empty-headed' and 'dumb.'
The verbal sparring quickly escalated into a legitimate physical fight involving Punk, The Elite, and Ace Steel—a coach and long-time friend of Punk. The violence was significant enough to result in injuries for both The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega. In the immediate aftermath, AEW president Tony Khan suspended eight individuals involved in the altercation. The fallout was swift: the World and Trios Championships were vacated, and the promotion had to organize a tournament to crown new champions, eventually resulting in Jon Moxley winning the title for a record third time.
The fallout lasted nearly a year. While most involved parties returned to the company within ten months, the incident left a lasting mark on the promotion's stability. CM Punk was eventually terminated on September 2, 2023—almost exactly one year after the initial brawl—following a second backstage altercation at the 'All In' event. This sequence of events highlights the thin line between scripted drama and real-world conflict in the professional wrestling industry, where personal animosities can derail major commercial ventures.
This event is notable for its impact on the 'Big Four' domestic shows of AEW. It also marked the debut of the AEW World Trios Championship, which was eventually won by The Elite in a Best of Seven Series that concluded in January 2023. The incident serves as a reminder of how quickly internal friction can shift the trajectory of a sports-entertainment brand.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: All Out (2022)
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