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After a seven-year hiatus, CM Punk returned to the ring with AEW and all was right in the world. It was one of the greatest moments in recent professional wrestling history and even piqued mainstream interest.
While the Chicago native's return has created buzz for AEW and provided their ratings with a significant boost, there's a case to be made that he shouldn't have joined the promotion and should have returned to WWE instead.
Here are five reasons why CM Punk joining AEW was a mistake:
#5 CM Punk has been used questionably in AEW
CM Punk had his first match in AEW against rising star Darby Allin at the All Out pay-per-view. Punk characteristically started the match in methodical fashion before picking up the pace and building to a crescendo that had the audience fully invested. It was evident that he hadn't missed a beat despite not wrestling for seven years.
Since then, however, the Straight Edge Superstar has worked with Powerhouse Hobbs, Daniel Garcia, Matt Sydal and Bobby Fish -- hardly the biggest names on the roster. While his matches and promos have been good, he hasn't had a significant feud or wrestled anyone of note.
AEW's attempt at telling the story of a veteran trying to find his feet after a lengthy absence is commendable, however, Punk's matches are starting to lose their luster since he isn't facing opponents of substance. He needs a program, preferably with a heel higher up the card, that he can sink his teeth into.
It's far too early to label Punk's AEW run a failure, but he could become an afterthought unless he does something exciting sooner rather than later.
#4 CM Punk was a better fit for WWE
While his work as a heel has always been exceptional, CM Punk truly broke through as a babyface when he was an anti-authority rebel. He was able to tap into his frustrations and get the audience on his side with captivating promos. Unfortunately, this dynamic simply doesn't exist in AEW.
Punk's current character is enjoying his love-in with the crowd and is just happy to be back in the ring. While it was endearing at first, the act's grown stale and is quite uninteresting.
Punk also wrestles in a more traditional style that incorporates the subtleties and technical psychology of professional wrestling. This approach is wasted on the hardcore AEW fans who prefer the crash-bang-wallop style of The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega.
#3 CM Punk and the fans deserve closure
Even if it's just for an induction into the Hall of Fame, CM Punk's career arc would feel incomplete if he didn't come back to WWE one day. He left the company out of frustration in 2014 and a return would give both him and the fans the closure they deserve.
While AEW's growth has been incredible, WWE is still the biggest professional wrestling promotion in the world. A number of fans, especially those outside the United States, are unlikely to follow this stage of his career. Punk needs to have his own Bret Hart moment where he can tie up this loose end.
#2 CM Punk could have main evented WrestleMania if he had returned to WWE
One of CM Punk's biggest gripes during his WWE tenure was that he never got the opportunity to headline WrestleMania. A returning Punk would have been the hottest commodity in the promotion and would easily have found himself in the main event of the biggest show of the year.
WrestleMania 38 is set to take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, which seats over 100,000 people. Punk would potentially have had the opportunity to headline the most attended professional wrestling show in North America.
#1 Roman Reigns
Ever since he turned heel, Roman Reigns has cemented himself as the biggest star in professional wrestling. Alongside Paul Heyman, he has delivered great performances on a weekly basis. CM Punk would have been the perfect opponent to step up and challenge Reigns, who has always been seen as the corporate favorite.
The Tribal Chief has run through the WWE roster and is short of opponents. There are only a handful of credible challengers who can realistically dethrone him. CM Punk vs Roman Reigns would have been the biggest match in professional wrestling and would've been a highlight of both men's careers.
