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CM Punk is now CM Pants! The new gear notwithstanding, what a moment it was. The Straight Edge Superstar stepped out in his hometown of Chicago to a roaring pop, taking on the hot young sensation named Darby Allin.
CM Punk has arrived, planted his flag, and proved to the world that he's here to stay for good. The ring rust lasted for mere moments, as he shook it off and proved to the world that he is indeed the best in the world.
To borrow a phrase from yet another Superstar who returned this year: 'Who's next?' Luckily there's a whole locker room filled with incredible talent chomping at the bit to face CM Punk at some point!
Here's a kind request. Name your pick from the AEW roster in the comments below, once you're done reading our list!
#5 CM Punk vs. Sting
Even though CM Punk vs. Darby Allin may be done and dusted, it just seemed like there's still a story to be told between him and Sting. The two men have expressed their admiration for one another. Sting even told CM Punk that he'd have liked to work with him during his prime.
"I had Sting come up to me today and tell me that he's excited to work with me. He wished that he got to work with me, you know, back in his day. That's my legacy, man," CM Punk said.
Although Sting may be past his prime in the eyes of many, Sting vs. Punk is a marquee match in just about any generation. The contest does not need to move at a million miles an hour. CM Punk and Sting are two supremely great storytellers who could keep the crowd intrigued without any flips or dives.
#4 CM Punk vs. Adam Cole
CM Punk's valiant comeback was overshadowed by Adam Cole's arrival to the company. Now that they have all of the steam, it just makes sense for Tony Khan to have two of the biggest stars in all of wrestling to square off against one another.
#3 CM Punk vs. MJF
But then again, it may be far too soon to have CM Punk and Adam Cole square off. What Khan could do instead is have the most hated man in the company, for the love of God, give up on his neverending feud with Chris Jericho and focus on the Straight Edge Superstar instead.
When you talk about two of the best of this era (or any other), jousting on the mic, it doesn't get any better. MJF's piercing barbs and insults against CM Punk's heartfelt babyface promos could even rival the verbal trade-offs between Roman Reigns and John Cena. Well, MJF already has a lot of material if the idea is for him to draw from Punk's failed career in the UFC!
#2 CM Punk vs. Ricky Starks
CM Punk and Ricky Starks are ideal dance partners. One is the most popular babyface, perhaps in all of pro wrestling. The other is a cowardly, smarmy heel, who holds the FTW Championship, and has been relegated to the background.
CM Punk has been vocal about wanting to face Ricky Starks in the past. He's a smaller guy, much like Punk, who can sell like the best in the business and tell a story like nobody else.
These two men could have quite the clash, one in which Starks is elevated to the next level!
#1 CM Punk vs. Miro
Maybe CM Punk could fight as the underdog against Miro! The Redeemer has had an impressive showing against Eddie Kingston at All Out, and could really brawl it out with Punk.
Both men have a history that goes back to WWE because Miro's first match on the main roster was Punk's last one. Yes, it was the 2014 Royal Rumble which would be Punk's last hurrah until he made his way back to professional wrestling with All Elite Wrestling.
