AEW CEO Tony Khan says he believes in “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry.
IWGP World Heavyweight Champion SANADA appeared in the June 14 episode of AEW Dynamite and issued an open challenge for AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door, and Perry accepted it. The announcement drew some criticism, as Perry has yet to win a singles title in AEW.
Speaking at the AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door Media Scrum, Khan was asked about his decision to have Perry face SANADA for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door, and he stated that “Jungle Boy” was his first pick.
“He was the first pick in my mind when New Japan Pro Wrestling asked me for a top star in AEW. I really believe in Jungle Boy Jack Perry from the very beginning of the company,” Khan said. “He’s been somebody we believed in, and every year is gotten further along and built his connection with the crowd, and I think as a wrestler, he’s continued to develop, and I thought it was a great match at Double or Nothing with the four pillars fighting for the AEW World Championship.
“Jungle Boy is somebody I really believe can continue rising to the top of pro wrestling and could be a great champion for any company. So when I was sitting down with New Japan and discussing this event, Jungle Boy was somebody I put forward as one of our top stars, so I thought would be a great matchup for SANADA, and if he wins, he would be a great champion for New Japan. So I’m really excited about it. I believe Jungle Boy continues to push and push, and he’s one of our top stars, and that’s why I thought he would be a great matchup for SANADA, and I think it’ll be a great match this Sunday at Forbidden Door.”
If you use any of the quotes above, please credit the AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door Media Scrum with a link back to this article for the transcription.
‘Jungle Boy’ Jack Perry spoke about facing SANADA at Forbidden Door during a new interview with WrestleZone‘s Bill Pritchard. Perry is not too familiar with SANADA but he believes he has momentum and plans on bringing the IWGP World Heavyweight title over to AEW.
”I knew there was going to be an open challenge. And to be completely honest, I didn’t even know who the champion was, but I knew I was going to take it. Because for me, it’s not — I’m looking forward to the match, and getting in there with him and experiencing this is going to be equal to kind of top Japanese talent. For me, my goal that I said at the very beginning of the year,” Perry explained, “is that I’m going to become a world champion.
“And it doesn’t really matter to me, who ends up across the ring for me,” Perry added. “It’s about the championship that he has. And that’s what the deal is for me. So I’m gonna do it. I’m going to take the championship back to AEW; it’s gonna be a good night.”
Perry also had a chance to respond to Khan’s comments from the media call. Check out Perry’s response to Khan in our full interview below:
WrestleZone will have full coverage of AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door as it airs on June 25.
