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All Elite Wrestling (AEW) has proved that they are not just a ‘T-shirt selling company’. Double or Nothing -- held on May 27 -- impressed the fans on every aspect. From the video production to the quality of matches, almost everything was better than recent WWE pay-per-views. AEW has already signed many ex-WWE Superstars with most of them being a major attraction for the company.
When Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega finished their match at Double or Nothing, Jon Moxley came through the crowd and confronted Jericho. Then, he hit him and a referee with a DDT followed by an attack on Omega. AEW has announced three more pay-per-views which are going to happen in the course of the next three months. On August 31, AEW will host All Out in Chicago and it is rumored that CM Punk will debut there.
In this article, we will take a look at 5 reasons why The Cult of Personality could officially return to pro-wrestling as an AEW employee.
#5 Dana White wouldn’t let him fight in the octagon
After retiring from wrestling, CM Punk tried his hands on Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). He had a dream to fight in the octagon and it became a reality when UFC president Dana White offered him a contract.
Punk began training for his MMA debut fight which happened in 2016 against Mickey Gall where the former lost via submission. Fans were disappointed with this result but Punk wasn’t ready to give up. He waited another 638 days before stepping foot in the octagon again, this time against Mike Jackson.
The Straight Edge Superstar had learned more about the sport but still, he failed to get the win over Jackson and lost via unanimous decision. Later, speaking to the media, White revealed that we may never see Punk fighting in the UFC again.
If that is the case then Punk might return to pro-wrestling, with the help of AEW. I know every promotion wants to sign him but since AEW is new to the business and has already received early success, I see him going in it.
#4 Better payout with less time on the road
WWE has a unique (or maybe biased) payout formula. Wrestlers do not receive their paychecks based on their talent but on their name. Many talented Superstars in WWE earn less money than other Superstars who haven’t wrestled a single match in months.
A great example of this would be The Big Show, who is already on the verge of retirement. Yet, he’s making millions in WWE. Meanwhile, some wrestlers are receiving way less than him.
However, AEW has a different payment module for its Superstars. They believe in gender equality and thus, they pay equal money to both men and women. Plus, Tony Khan (AEW’s founder) also understands how exhausting wrestling could be and it’s why he favors a lighter schedule for his wrestlers, while still giving them a better paycheck.
It’s one of the reasons why Punk could join AEW over WWE, where talents travel on the road over 300+ days a year.
#3 The enemy of an enemy is a friend
CM Punk never hated wrestling. It was the backstage politics in WWE that made him retire from it too early. Punk had issues with Triple H and WWE’s medical team. While speaking to his friend-turned-enemy Colt Cabana, Punk revealed that Dr. Chris Amann didn’t handle his medical situation properly which resulted in the latter suing both parties for defaming him. The case went to trial in 2018 and Punk won it.
It’s clear that Punk didn’t like the way WWE handled this situation and it’s why he never returned. However, AEW isn’t WWE. They are different than them in almost every aspect. But most importantly, they are WWE’s biggest enemy – as we all say – right now.
Since Punk has problems with Vince McMahon’s company only, he might consider debuting in AEW. While working under Tony Khan, Punk could also make a strategy to outstrip WWE as the biggest promotion. He has the star power required to get thousands of eyeballs – if not more – on AEW when they start airing their weekly show.
#2 A chance to become their main player and headline pay-per-views
The Cult Of Personality left WWE in 2014. And it’s 2019 now – 5 years since it happened. But, when you watch a lot of WWE's shows, fans still chant "CM Punk!" WWE has tried avoiding it but they can't control the fans. So, they tried mocking Punk for his UFC loss. Still, it didn’t work. And now, they gave his “Best in the World” title to Shane McMahon, who won last year’s WWE "World" Cup tournament. All of these strategies aren’t working for WWE and it is proof that fans would never get bored of Punk.
The former WWE Superstar never received the success he deserved in WWE. He also wanted to headline WrestleMania – which also didn’t happen, thanks to Vince wanting The Rock vs. John Cena part 2 to headline ‘Mania 29. Punk spoke about the same on Colt Cabana’s podcast and he was frustrated with his booking.
AEW, on the other side, understands how to use their wrestlers properly. Since Punk is a mainstream talent, he would probably end up becoming the face of this new company, which is another reason why he may get convinced to debut in Tony Khan’s promotion. There, Punk could also headline some their pay-per-views.
#1 CM Punk was Tony Khan’s first choice for AEW
AEW’s president Tony Khan is a lifelong wrestling fan. He understands that the ‘Best in the World’ CM Punk is a big name in the industry, who was also his first choice to sign with AEW – even before he decided to sign Chris Jericho and The Young Bucks.
Tony considers Punk as a hidden gem and it’s true. The former WWE Champion possesses enough power to attract new eyeballs to watch AEW on a regular basis. And nothing could be better than becoming your boss’ favorite employee.
Joining AEW would benefit him in many ways. He would also get more creative freedom than WWE and most probably, Cody Rhodes and Co. wouldn’t snatch victories from his hands at the last moment. In every way, Punk’s signing with AEW is better for both parties and for the fans as well. I sincerely hope he joins AEW soon and continues doing what he loves, wrestling.
Also Read: WWE News Roundup: Hottest Stories of the Week
