The September 2022 physical altercation involving CM Punk, Kenny Omega, and The Young Bucks stands as one of the most volatile moments in modern professional wrestling history. What began as simmering creative tensions exploded into a literal locker room war minutes after the All Out pay-per-view, fundamentally altering the trajectory of All Elite Wrestling. Understanding the clash requires looking past internet rumors and examining the timeline, the press conference catalyst, and the structural pressures that led to open warfare behind the curtain.
Tensions didn't materialize overnight, but they reached a boiling point during the post-show media scrum when CM Punk unleashed an unfiltered verbal tirade. Flanked by AEW owner Tony Khan, Punk addressed long-standing rumors, took direct aim at executive vice presidents Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson), and lambasted former friend Colt Cabana alongside "Hangman" Adam Page. Within minutes of those remarks finishing, Matt and Nick Jackson, accompanied by head of legal Megha Parekh and producer Christopher Daniels, marched toward Punk's locker room. What happened next triggered suspensions, stripping of championships, and a permanent rift within the promotion.
The Catalyst: The All Out Media Scrum
To understand the brawl, you have to look at the microphone. During the post-All Out media session, a visibly agitated CM Punk interrupted questions to air personal and professional grievances. He accused the company's executive vice presidents of leaking stories to wrestling journalists, famously stating they couldn't "manage a Target."
Punk also targeted Adam Page over comments made on television months prior, claiming Page had tried to "expose business" during a live promo. Furthermore, Punk denied having any influence over Colt Cabana's employment status or placement in the company.
These public remarks crossed a line for management and talent alike. In professional wrestling, airing corporate disputes publicly damages locker room morale and undermines trust. When The Young Bucks heard what Punk said, they viewed it as a direct challenge that required an immediate face-to-face confrontation.
Inside the Locker Room: What Actually Happened
When Matt and Nick Jackson entered Punk's dressing room area, the situation deteriorated rapidly. According to reports from multiple outlets like Wrestling Observer Newsletter and Fightful, the intention was reportedly to address the comments with company legal representation present. However, words were exchanged immediately, and the tone shifted from a tense discussion to a physical brawl.
Reports indicate that CM Punk threw punches, while close friend and trainer Ace Steel—who was working backstage as a producer—became heavily involved, allegedly throwing a chair that struck Nick Jackson and biting Kenny Omega on the arm. Omega, trying to de-escalate or protect his friends, ended up pulled into the chaos, with Ace Steel even grabbing Omega's hair.
Security guards, legal personnel, and backstage producers scrambled to separate the parties. The melee involved multiple high-profile names trading blows in a confined space, leaving bruised bodies, torn clothing, and an irreversible fracture in company relations.
Immediate Fallout and Suspensions
Tony Khan acted swiftly in the days following the event. All participants directly involved in the physical altercation or accused of forcing entry were immediately suspended pending a formal third-party investigation.
- The Suspended Parties: CM Punk, Kenny Omega, Matt Jackson, Nick Jackson, and Ace Steel were pulled from television.
- Collateral Suspensions: Producers and backstage personnel like Christopher Daniels, Michael Nakazawa, Pat Buck, and Brandon Cutler were also temporarily suspended while investigators determined who was trying to break up the fight versus who was participating.
- Championship Stripping: During the September 7 episode of Dynamite, Tony Khan announced that the AEW World Championship (held by Punk) and the AEW World Trios Championships (held by Omega and The Young Bucks) were officially vacated.
Common Misconceptions About the Incident
Internet message boards and social media birthed dozens of myths regarding the altercation. Distinguishing fact from fiction clarifies why the fallout lasted for years.
Many fans assume The Young Bucks kicked the door down looking for a street fight. While they did confront Punk directly, reports from neutral parties inside the contingent noted they were accompanied by legal counsel to keep interactions formal, though emotions naturally flared once voices raised.
Another common myth is that only wrestlers were punished. In reality, non-wrestling personnel and producers faced initial benchings because the company had to enforce a zero-tolerance policy for physical violence backstage, regardless of who threw the first punch.
Finally, some believed the entire event was a massive storyline angle designed to set up a future match. The severity of the legal investigations, the stripping of active championships, and the eventual departure of key personnel proved the conflict was entirely genuine and deeply damaging to business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were The Young Bucks considered management during the fight?
Matt and Nick Jackson, alongside Kenny Omega, held official corporate titles as Executive Vice Presidents (EVPs) of AEW. Because they held management roles, talent often felt a conflict of interest when creative differences or personal disputes arose with them on-screen.
Did Ace Steel keep his job after the incident?
No. Following the independent investigation, Ace Steel was released from his contract with AEW due to his physical involvement in the fight, specifically the biting and chair-throwing incidents. CM Punk was eventually bought out of his contract months later.
Did CM Punk ever return to AEW?
Yes, but much later. After recovering from a triceps injury sustained during his All Out match against Jon Moxley, Punk returned in June 2023 to launch a new Saturday television program called AEW Collision. However, ongoing backstage friction eventually led to his termination following another physical altercation backstage at All In 2023.
Where are the involved parties now?
Following his departure from AEW, CM Punk returned to WWE at Survivor Series in November 2023. Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks remained with AEW, continuing to wrestle and help steer the company's creative and executive direction.
