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CM Punk is one of the most popular pro wrestling stars of the past two decades. His name has been chanted in arenas across several different promotions since he left the business in 2014. His falling out with WWE was highly publicized and led to many fans wanting to see him back in a pro wrestling ring, which made his return to the industry on AEW Rampage - The First Dance so special.
In front of a sold-out United Center in Chicago, Illinois, CM Punk made his triumphant return to wrestling. Fans greeted him with one of the loudest pops that have been heard in the business in quite some time. It was heavily emotional for Punk and for the fans around the world.
With his AEW debut in the books, it is interesting to look at this moment's place in history. Due to a number of factors, it isn't out of the realm of possibility to call this one of the best moments in wrestling history. In this article, let's take a look at five reasons why CM Punk may have had the greatest pro wrestling return of all time.
#5 CM Punk's connection with the fans
Pro wrestling is an art that uses characters and stories to play on the emotions of the fans. There have been quite a few moments in the wrestling industry that have warranted tears of joy, from the new heights reached by women's wrestling to your all-time favorite star winning the top prize, these stick with people and cause them to be overwhelmed with their feelings to just let it out.
CM Punk's AEW debut and return to professional wrestling was also one of those moments. It also shows just how strong a connection he has with the fans. Punk said in his comeback promo that "he is one of us." He grew up a professional wrestling fan, and his love for the business made him pursue his dream to become a professional wrestler.
CM Punk cut one of the most famous promos of all time with his Pipebomb in 2011. For so many fans, it helped bring them back to wrestling and become a fan again. It was industry-shaking that created new fans who wanted to be alongside Punk's journey to the top of WWE.
When CM Punk left the business in 2014, so did many of those same fans who became disenfranchised by how WWE treated him. For a few of those fans, AEW brought back their love, and it seems that the company did the same for Punk. That speaks to his connection and why he is just like us. That connection helped his return resonate on a level unlike any other in history.
#4 CM Punk being away from the business for seven years
CM Punk stepped away from the business after his appearance at the 2014 Royal Rumble Match following creative differences with WWE management. Over the 2766 days that Punk was gone, fans yearned for his return by chanting his name at WWE events and beyond. CM Punk said it best, "Seven years is a long time."
That length of time from pro wrestling always lends itself to making a wrestler's return even better. One of CM Punk's former rivals, The Rock went to Hollywood and had his final WWE match in 2004. Despite brief appearances over the years, his return in 2011 ahead of WrestleMania 27 was a welcomed sight and showed how much the people missed him.
Another former CM Punk opponent is Daniel Bryan. Bryan went on to his most tremendous success after Punk left WWE when he won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania XXX. However, a series of neck-related and concussion injuries led to him retiring from the business. Three years after his final match, Bryan announced his return to a fantastic reaction.
CM Punk's return to the industry is different from both, but time helps fans miss these all-time greats even more. It has been seven years that led many fans to believe that Punk's return would never happen. Seeing it happen finally after all this time made for a surreal and unforgettable moment that fans will never forget
#3 CM Punk's return happened in Chicago
There might not be any other wrestler more synonymous with their hometown than CM Punk. Chicago is his hometown and has been the sight of so many of his iconic matches. From his final match before signing with WWE to his biggest match at Money In The Bank 2011, Chicago has seen the most critical moments of Punk's wrestling career.
When reports first broke that CM Punk was in talks for a pro wrestling return, AEW didn't answer them directly. However, they immediately announced the second episode of AEW Rampage would take place in Chicago's United Center as a special called "The First Dance". Running Chicago just two weeks before the All Out pay-per-view was strange and pointed to something huge going down.
In front of the largest crowd in AEW history, the fans knew what to expect. All Elite Wrestling never outright confirmed CM Punk's arrival, but they did tease it several ways, including Darby Allin calling out "The Best In The World." It created a beautiful situation where AEW sold out the United Center and built anticipation, but they got a surprise pop.
CM Punk's return to pro wrestling had to happen in Chicago. These were his fans and wanted him to come back to the industry more than any other. He loved professional wrestling just as much as they did. Chicago proved once again with their incredible reaction to Punk that they are one of the best crowds in wrestling history. It was truly magical to behold.
#2 The way CM Punk left the wrestling business
As previously mentioned, CM Punk made his final appearance in a wrestling ring at the Royal Rumble 2014. Following that match, he had a huge falling out with Vince McMahon and Triple H. Punk had been misused in his eyes by WWE and never truly given a chance to be viewed as the top star that he had worked hard to be.
CM Punk left WWE and went home. Months had passed without an official end to his relationship with the company. That was until his wedding in June of 2014 when WWE sent him his release papers. This led to a scorching podcast with Colt Cabana where he vented about his time with the promotion and how they mistreated him, even going as for as a doctor misdiagnosing a staph infection.
CM Punk was sick mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally. More than anything WWE had squeezed all the love that CM Punk had for the wrestling industry. He didn't leave and went to another promotion. Punk left the business completely and ventured out to new platforms. He had an unsuccessful stint in UFC and wrote comic books.
The way that CM Punk left the wrestling business made fans want him to come back even more. Unlike Daniel Bryan or Edge who had injuries that retired them early, Punk just couldn't stay due to his love and passion being stolen away from him. The love and adolation that the fans had for him didn't die there and made them want his return more than he did for a long time.
#1 CM Punk choosing AEW over WWE
CM Punk finally returning to wrestling was always going to be huge. However, it might have been elevated by the company that he is returning to. For so many years, many fans have always said "they always come back to WWE". From Bret Hart to the Ultimate Warrior, Vince McMahon has had a public dissension with legends who have made their way back to the industry giant.
CM Punk always felt different from all these other legends though. His principles are something that is apart of his character. His straight edge lifestyle shows the will power and attitude that has become synonymous with who he is. Punk has stood for what he believes in throughout his career and life.
When CM Punk took the role of analyst on WWE Backstage, many fans thought his WWE return was imminent. Punk even admitted on the AEW Rampage - The First Dance post show scrum that this was him dipping his toe in the water. The former WWE Champion "blamed" Renee Paquette for convincing him to take on the role and leading to his wrestling return.
AEW has been viewed as the alternative to WWE since its inception. Tony Khan is a businessman, but he is also a professional wrestling fan who has never been shy in admitting that. His love for the business shines in the way All Elite Wrestling tells their stories and treats their talent.
The company has been viewed as anti-establishment for its place in competition with WWE and how different they are to them. Anti-establishment and anti-authority is what CM Punk has become known for throughout his wrestling career. It was these traits that made the fans rally behind him and want to watch him succeed.
When asked why he chose AEW over WWE during the post show scrum, CM Punk said, "I knew that if I died or got hurt (in the WWE), no one would care. With AEW, it reminded me of places I used to love, where it's about the spirit of the thing... AEW doesn't feel like a house, it feels like a home." It screams out a man who feels way more comfortable here than he ever did in WWE.
There could be numerous other reasons why this moment will stand the test of times. Punk's popularity was hard to achieve during the time it reached its heights and the fact that it stayed there long after he was gone is amazing. It took going Hollywood and leaving for a year for CM Punk's greatest WWE rival, John Cena, to get the universal love that Punk always had.
Choosing an alternative to WWE speaks volumes to who he has always been and how they helped bring his love back for the business. WWE took his passion, while AEW helped him find it again. That's why CM Punk choosing AEW over WWE has to be the biggest reason why his pro wrestling return may be the greatest of all time.
