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CM Punk made a fantastic return to wrestling on AEW Rampage this week. Fans were expecting The Best in the World to debut during the show, and the former WWE Superstar did not disappoint.
He came out to one of the biggest pops in AEW history and proceeded to the ring to cut a great promo to restart his wrestling career.
CM Punk will likely face Darby Allin in his first match back on television, which could lead to something special for The Second City Savior and the company.
The Best in the World is well-known in the wrestling industry. Even though AEW will be very new to Punk, he will likely settle into the company quickly. One major contributor to this could be the fact that he is friends with some top men and women in AEW.
These friendships could become even stronger if Punk continues with the promotion for several years. Let's take a look at six real-life friends CM Punk has in AEW.
#6. AEW Commentator Taz is friends with CM Punk
CM Punk has worked in the ring with many of the wrestlers on this list. However, Taz and Punk never competed in a wrestling match against each other.
Taz competed for WWE for several years and won the Hardcore Championship thrice in his career. He then worked as a color commentator for the company until his departure.
Taz is currently signed to AEW as a commentator. He spoke about his friendship with CM Punk after the latter left the company. Taz praised the former WWE Superstar and said that he’s a fan of his gimmick during an interview:
“Ahh, great question. Great conversation. Love to talk about it. So. I’m old school, okay? I’m gonna kind of talk out of both sides of my mouth for a second and then I’ll sum it up. I’m old school in a sense that I feel that you’ve gotta complete your obligations. Okay? But I do understand the grind. And I know Punk personally. I haven’t talked to him in a couple of years but I consider him a friend.-We fell out of touch with each other. I respect his work. We’ve always had a good friendship in our time in WWE together. I was already retired from the ring but Punk was always a legit, cool dude. I’m a big fan of his in-ring style and a huge fan of his personality and his whole gimmick. Love it. Okay so I don’t have no problem with CM Punk; I’m a fan. But I understand that you have an obligation.” H/T SEScoops
CM Punk and Taz are back to working for the same promotion again in the same capacity as they did during their time in WWE.
#5. AEW Manager Vickie Guerrero seems to have a good friendship with CM Punk
It’s no secret that CM Punk holds the late Eddie Guerrero in very high regard. The two men competed in the ring a few times, and Punk has recalled some stories about working with the legendary WWE Superstar:
“I miss Eddie, truly fortunate to have worked him as many times as I did. I feel the same about you Rey! Legends, who treated me like an equal, and I’ve never forgotten it. Viva la raza!”
Eddie’s wife Vickie Guerrero is one of the most popular characters in the industry today. Vickie usually plays a despicable character on-screen, but she is a much loved individual behind the scenes.
CM Punk celebrated Vickie’s birthday with the WWE Universe after a live event in Nottingham in 2012. The two seem to share a special bond, and Vickie welcomed Punk to AEW with a heartfelt message on Twitter:
“My night was better than yours!!! This man is special to our family!!”
It looks like the two are good friends and are not afraid to share their friendship with the world. It would be great if AEW hosts a few segments involving Vickie and CM Punk together.
#4. AEW Star Colt Cabana and CM Punk go a long way back
CM Punk and Colt Cabana go a long way back. The two started their wrestling training together at Steel Domain Wrestling in St. Paul, Minnesota. After working as a team and as rivals on the independent circuit, they went on to win a few championships together.
Cabana opened up about his friendship with CM Punk several years ago during an interview with PWMania:
“Punk and I have been a team since basically the first month I was training. We travelled the roads together a very long time. He's my brother in wrestling and life. I talk to him everyday.”
However, things went bad between them after he and Cabana won the lawsuit that WWE Senior Ringside Physician Christopher Amann filed against them. The lawsuit was over defamatory comments made about him on an episode of Cabana's podcast.
A financial disagreement between the two led to them having a falling out for some time. CM Punk tweeted regarding the entire drama to try and clear his name:
“HE SUED ME. He wanted to end the dumb s*** HE started? I asked to speak to him, he declined. I asked to enter mediation, he declined. I offered money, IT WASNT ENOUGH! I never wanted ANY of it. He’s as greedy as you are ignorant to who I am, and fooled by who he is.”
However, in an appearance on Busted Open Radio last year, Colt Cabana opened up on several topics, including his friendship with CM Punk. The AEW Star revealed that the two are still friends.
It’s good to see that both men are now working for the same company again. This could allow AEW to build a rivalry between the two before possibly even teaming them up for some great action.
#3. AEW star Paul Wight (The Big Show) and CM Punk are good friends
CM Punk seems to have made friends of all sizes during his wrestling career. One such friend is none other than The World's Largest Athlete, The Big Show. Big Show was a mainstay in WWE for decades before he made the jump to AEW.
Just like Big Show, CM Punk has also decided to join the new promotion to do something different. Show recently revealed during an interview that Punk and Daniel Bryan would be good investments for AEW. He further added they could be great assets to Tony Khan’s promotion:
"I'm excited about it. I don't really know. I've heard, of course, some backstage scuttlebutt. I'm friends with Daniel Bryan and CM Punk both. I think if either one of those guys made a serious commitment to come to AEW, they would blow the roof off the industry," Wight said. "I think both those guys are incredible talents, and they have a lot to offer any company that they join."
"Personally, from where I'm sitting," Wight continued, "I think it would be an incredible opportunity for Phil and Daniel to come here to AEW. If they do, that's fantastic."
It looks like The Best in the World took Big Show’s advice and decided to sign with AEW at the right time. His debut nearly blew the roof off the arena, and fans will now get to watch CM Punk begin some brand new rivalries in AEW.
#1. & #2. Matt and Nick Jackson (The Young Bucks) could have played a major role in bringing CM Punk into AEW
Matt and Nick Jackson, collectively known as The Young Bucks, are so excited about CM Punk’s AEW debut that they decided to change their bios on Twitter. The Executive Vice Presidents of AEW appear to have played a major role in Punk’s decision to get back in the wrestling ring and join the new company.
CM Punk made many friends in promotions outside WWE, and it looks like The Young Bucks became two of the closest.
Speaking to Sporting News a few years ago, Matt Jackson replied to a question about Punk's potential return to wrestling. He said that The Young Bucks are good friends with CM Punk:
“I will say this: I text message Punk on a weekly basis. We’re good friends. We talk wrestling. He still loves wrestling, of course he does. We’re pro wrestlers. That’s what we do. Even when you quit or retire or whatever, it’s still in your blood.”
The Best in the World is now looking to make an impact in AEW. It would be great to see CM Punk team up with The Young Bucks for a few matches.
