It is considered to be the biggest return in the wrestling history of all time after CM Punk AEW Rampage debut. CM Punk was last seen in WWE on 26th January 2014 in a 30 man Royal Rumble match taking his entrance at number one. And after seven and a half long years he was seen with a wrestling company as a wrestler on 20th August 2021 at AEW Rampage.
Why CM Punk Joined AEW
Freedom to Wrestlers in AEW as Compared to WWE
Every AEW wrestler who came from WWE revealed that they have been given the right to pitch them ideas for their storyline. All they just need to send a text message to the creative team or even directly to Tony Khan. Whereas in WWE only top wrestlers like John Cena, Edge, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns have some control over creative content.
CM Punk is a mature professional wrestler, he has a better understanding of storylines in which fans are interested to watch. CM Punk’s AEW career would give him the type of match he always wanted to have. This is considered to be one of the biggest reasons for CM Punk AEW’s debut over CM Punk WWE’s return.
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For his Fans
CM Punk was last seen seven years ago in the wrestling company name WWE and after that, he announced that he will never wrestle again. It was hard for CM Punk fans to accept that he took his retirement at the age of 35. The Chants of CM Punk…CM Punk, which can be heard several times in WWE makes it very clear that fans still want to see him in a pro wrestling company.
For the Downfall of WWE
Every wrestling fan knows how bad CM Punk and WWE relation was. The way WWE released him on his wedding day makes it very clear that CM Punk was not happy with the WWE decision, and would do whatever it takes to get his revenge.
CM Punk knew his return would break the internet record and would become the hot news of that time. This was the move he wanted to use against WWE and waited for a wrestling company that could stand toe-to-toe against WWE. CM Punk’s AEW debut proved that his waiting was worth it.
No Proper Ending of his Wrestling Career
His retirement from WWE happened on bad terms, no memorable last moment matches were given to him. After leaving WWE no other big wrestling company was there like WWE where he could compete. Then he tried for the UFC but didn’t have much success in the UFC either. Then he went for some Hollywood movies but his wrestling career was still missing a good ending. Now he is at the age of 42 and it seems CM Punk AEW run could give him the type of retirement that fans and Punk wanted.
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To Face New Opponents
It has been seven years since CM Punk left wrestling and in this time many new young talents have emerged. CM Punk wanted to face some new opponents Which is also the main reason for CM Punk AEW return over WWE. There are many big names in AEW which could be a great feud for him like Jon Moxley, Kenny Omega, Darby Allin, Sammy Guevara and Cody Rodes. All these superstars have the potential to give a good storyline with CM Punk.
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Right Time for CM Punk Return
It was believed that CM Punk was in talks with AEW for a long time and AEW also wanted to make his debut at the right time. For the past month’s attendance was not in its full strength due to covid restrictions. And now was the time when restrictions were almost negligible. Keeping in mind the third wave is about to hit in the coming months, this was the best time for CM Punk to make his wrestling return in the presence of fans. This is the main reason AEW Rampage was held in Chicago in CM Punk’s hometown to make the moment more memorable.
Tony Khan Pays Well
Unlike WWE, AEW doesn’t first pay huge amounts to the wrestlers then release them for the sake of cost-cutting. AEW admires the talent and potential of wrestlers and pays according to it. Tony Khan, AEW president, never misses the opportunity to hire the talent which could benefit AEW in the long term. And CM Punk was a big name for AEW which would raise the name of AEW promotion.
Sell Merchandise and Get Shares
Wrestlers in AEW are free to sell any of their merchandise on the AEW platform and get the share from it. Whereas in WWE the profit made from merchandise was kept with WWE only, and no share was given to the wrestlers. This could be one more source of income for CM Punk as his merchandise was always in great demand. This could be seen from the huge line of fans at AEW who wanted to buy CM Punk’s merchandise.
Conclusion –
CM Punk’s return was no doubt the biggest return in wrestling history, it took AEW rating to new heights.
What do you think was a better option for CM Punk, AEW or WWE?
Do comment below your opinion about CM Punk’s Return.