Jack Perry’s Suprise Appearance at NJPW Battle in the Valley

by: R. Faliani

The All Elite Wrestling figure has stepped unannounced into a New Japan Pro Wrestling ring. Jack Perry shocked everyone at Battle in the Valley tonight by attacking Shota Umino after a brutal match against Team Filthy. The former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, who had gone up against SANADA in Forbidden Door 2023, made a statement before the NJPW aficionados.

WHAT IS JACK PERRY DOING AT #NJPW #njBITV?

LIVE NOW on #TrillerTV PPV

👉 https://t.co/OBo4y11BUJ pic.twitter.com/gLKEGVyuX9

— TrillerTV powered by FITE (@FiteTV) January 14, 2024

After his match with CM Punk at All In 2023, no one knew what the future had in store for Perry. As of tonight, we can be sure that his sights were always set on the cerulean blue.

Rocking a black jacket and a larger beard than the one he had in Wembley, people were surprised to see Perry in New Japan territory— no one could imagine he was going to be in San Jose. Although Perry is no stranger to bouts against New Japan wrestlers, as he has a history with the former IWGP Champion SANADA, his stablemate DOUKI, and CHAOS members Trent and Chuck Taylor.

JACK PERRY just blasted Shota Umino- and tore up his @aew contract??

LIVE on @fitetv!https://t.co/yevfxDp7nw#njpw #njbitv

— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) January 14, 2024

While Perry appearing in a New Japan ring and ripping up his contract with Tony Khan’s promotion seems like a big deal, do not be fooled. Considering 1) that Perry was suspended indefinitely after the All In controversy, and 2) that we have gone the last six months or so without any kind of news about Perry’s status as an AEW talent, this could be Perry’s attempt to get back on track: going to NJPW STRONG and developing on his style in the cerulean blue could do it. In a TJR Wrestling report, Bryan Alvarez declared in December that Perry was supposedly off suspension for a while:

“He’s been off suspension I think for a while. They’re just trying to [figure out] whatever they are gonna do with him.”
-Bryan Alvarez for Wrestling Observer Radio

Could this be Perry’s next step now that AEW seems to be filled with exciting programs that need further development in the coming months?