AEW superstar Jack Perry recently disclosed that Chris Jericho played a key role in developing the concept behind his current wrestling persona, The Scapegoat, which has gained significant attention within the promotion since its introduction. This revelation came during a podcast appearance in 2024, following Perry’s transformation from his former Jungle Boy character.
In 2023, Perry’s career took a sharp turn as he adopted a heel persona for the first time, moving away from Jungle Boy after an incident involving CM Punk. Although he took a break to recover, he returned in April 2024 with the new character, The Scapegoat. Perry explained that the idea originated from conversations with Jericho after the AEW All In event, when he felt unfairly blamed for the controversy surrounding that night.
“I was texting Chris Jericho actually and he was sort of checking in on me during that time and he was saying, ‘How’s it going, man?’ And I said, ‘It’s actually really not good.’ And he’s like, ‘Yeah, it sucks, man. They’re making you the Scapegoat for the whole thing.’ And as soon as I saw that, I was like, ‘That is cool. I like that.’” Jack Perry, AEW Wrestler
Jack Perry Confirms Jungle Boy Persona Will Not Return
During AEW All Out, tensions escalated between Jack Perry and the Young Bucks as Perry accused them of abandoning him, igniting a confrontation that led to Luchasaurus coming to Perry’s aid and ultimately reuniting the Jurassic Express faction. This suggested a shift away from Perry’s heel status and his Scapegoat gimmick.
Despite this apparent change, Perry has made it clear that his previous Jungle Boy character is officially retired. Instead, he is exploring new creative avenues and remains open to fan and colleague input for his future persona.
“I’m not going back to Jungle Boy. That’s what I know. For me, honestly, if the people can come up with something cool, I’m down for it. It’s kind of cool for me. It’s evolved over the years.” Jack Perry, AEW Wrestler
Fans are now eagerly awaiting how Perry and Jurassic Express will evolve, with speculation mounting about the fresh direction they might take in AEW’s dynamic roster landscape.
Understanding the Broader Impact on AEW Storytelling
The involvement of a veteran like Chris Jericho in shaping Jack Perry’s new persona highlights AEW’s collaborative approach to character development, especially when it comes to handling challenges and controversies within the ranks. Jericho’s mentorship seems to have had a profound influence not only on Perry’s storyline but also on how the promotion manages the fallout from high-profile incidents.
This creative partnership underscores AEW’s willingness to reinvent broken paths and maintain fan engagement despite setbacks. As Perry continues to navigate his wrestling career with renewed character direction and the support of allies like Luchasaurus, AEW is poised to deliver compelling narratives that resonate with its audience.
With several prominent names involved such as Chris Jericho, CM Punk, and the Young Bucks, the backstage dynamics remain tense yet productive, promising that the promotion’s storytelling will stay intense and unpredictable in the coming months.
Jack Perry says he got the Scapegoat nickname after a conversation with Chris Jericho in 2023 after All In London:
“I was texting Chris Jericho actually and he was sort of checking in on me during that time and he was saying, ‘How's it going, man?’ And I said, ‘It's actually… pic.twitter.com/uxfgD5PkQk
— Drainmaker (@DrainBamager) September 30, 2025
