Darby Allin fanned the flames surrounding CM Punk's potential arrival in AEW by teasing when he might show up.
The arrival of CM Punk in AEW has been discussed in such detail and reported with such confidence that it now appears to be a matter of when he shows up rather than if. Tony Khan was recently asked about the potential arrivals of both Punk and Bryan, but neglected to comment on either. He doesn't seem to mind teasing fans on Dynamite, though.
Well, in fairness it wasn't Khan who made the comment, it was Darby Allin. During a backstage promo on Wednesday night, Allin discussed AEW's upcoming show at the United Center in Chicago. "I've been around a lot of men in this world that have laid claim to how they're the greatest," Allin said with Sting by his side.
"There's only one place to really prove that, right here in AEW. Even if you think you're the best in the world." That might sound like nothing to some, but as you can tell from the crowd reaction after Allin says it, the words best in the world in wrestling are synonymous with Punk. Punk dubbed himself the best in the world after he reached the top of his game in WWE.
Fans have been reeling off dream matches for Punk ever since reports of him potentially showing up in AEW first started to circulate. In fairness, they have been doing it long before that. Allin is probably near the top of that list for a lot of people, as he will be for Bryan too. The former TNT Champion referencing Punk in a promo could be an indicator that he is first in line to face Punk if and when he arrives.
Punk's hometown is Chicago and since AEW is headed there soon, it would make sense for him to make his first appearance there if everything is in order. Perhaps most notable of all is the date and show Allin is referencing isn't an episode of Dynamite, nor is it a PPV. It will be the second episode of new show Rampage on August 20. AEW will return to Chicago two weeks later for All Out. That's where most expect Punk to show up first.