We're going to have to agree to disagree. He put his face in AJs and pushed forward and down. The only reason it wasn't a butt was because they were already in contact!!
You seem to be in a very small minority as most pundits/reporters/fans concur that it was a worthy red based on what has been done before. The force wasn't 'negligible' but it also wan't a full blown glasgow handshake! Red everyday of the week.