All signs seem to point towards CM Punk’s time with AEW being over. After a press conference mired in controversy to an ill-timed injury and subsequent suspension, his next steps with the company are truly up in the air. Even though it is rumored, per PWTorch, that his explosive outburst may result in him leaving AEW, that doesn’t mean his time with the promotion hasn’t been memorable.
Whilst recent events have certainly overshadowed a lot of the good, it has been incredibly nice to see him back inside a professional wrestling ring and had this situation not occurred, then fans would instead be talking about how great of a run it has been. There have been several strong moments, with some being better than others.
10 Return Match Against Darby Allin
CM Punk’s first professional wrestling match in more than seven years was certainly a spectacle, and it added significant drawing power to AEW All Out 2021, making it the company’s best and most successful show to date.
Seeing Punk battle a brand new star of today, shaking off the ring rust, and pulling out a lot of his signature offense was something special. The arena was on their feet for everything, and this match proved that Punk hadn’t lost his quality.
9 “Send Hook”
This one was more of a lesser moment, but one which the internet fans absolutely loved. In a brief rivalry with Team Taz which stretched just a few weeks, Punk laid out a challenge to all its members.
In his promo, he notably stated “Send Hook”, referencing an internet fan favorite in the group who hadn’t yet had a match or said a word. This became a meme very quickly, much like a lot of things when it comes to Hook, and is still used by AEW fans up to this day.
8 Promo Battles With MJF
This one covers a few different moments, but the promos back and forth between Punk and MJF were absolutely stellar. From fun jibes to truly emotional monologues, their feud from a promo perspective had everything.
The audience hung on their every word whenever they were in the ring with one another, showcasing how special the two of them were during their rivalry.
7 Losing To MJF
In terms of his rivalry with MJF, their first match was hugely notable. It took place on AEW Dynamite in Punk’s hometown of Chicago, but despite being in front of a home crowd, MJF won the match not once, but twice, after the bout was restarted due to MJF cheating.
Punk’s first defeat was a huge moment, and even though he lost, the fact that it took him five months to even suffer a defeat made it so much more impactful.
6 Face-Painted Up With Darby Allin & Sting
At AEW Dynamite’s Holiday Bash episode, fans were treated to a big-time match in which MJF and FTR took on the team of CM Punk, Darby Allin, and Sting. It was surreal enough to see Punk and Sting in the same ring, but it was made to be even more of a special moment when the babyface team each sported face paint.
The paint worn by Punk was in homage to Sting’s former gimmick, as was Darby Allin’s, with Sting’s facepaint being influenced by Punk’s marquee color scheme too. It was an iconic AEW moment.
5 Entrance At AEW Revolution
The feud between MJF and CM Punk had a lot of its content inspired by Punk’s time in Ring of Honor, with several references to back then. At AEW Revolution, after MJF had decided to steal Punk’s “Cult of Personality” music, Punk decided to play some mind games of his own.
Punk made his entrance to his classic ROH theme, making for what was a hugely intense and dramatic walk to the ring which ensured that the match had a big fight feel.
4 Promo Battle With Eddie Kingston
Punk’s first major feud in AEW came in the form of Eddie Kingston, and the pair managed to create magic together both inside the ropes and on the microphone. In particular, their promo battle on Rampage was brilliant.
AEW allowed Kingston to play more of a babyface role, with his words adding some depth to Punk’s previously fully good-willed character. It was a fascinating creative choice but one which worked perfectly. Their back and forth sold their feud instantly and made sure fans were desperate to see them beat the hell out of one another.
3 Wardlow’s Face Turn And Defeating MJF
Punk’s rivalry with MJF led to a brutal and violent Dog Collar Match at AEW Revolution, but the closing moments of that fight were hugely notable. Wardlow, who had previously been MJF’s hired yet mistreated bodyguard, made his way to the ring to seemingly help his boss win the match.
However, in a move that popped the audience to no end, he refused to help, instead turning on MJF, and allowing CM Punk to pick up a huge victory. Throughout their feud, Punk had been trying his best to subtly turn Wardlow away from MJF. Making Punk’s win just as much of Wardlow’s moment as Punk’s was a bold yet brilliant move.
2 Winning The AEW World Championship
CM Punk’s initial AEW World Title reign may have been a hugely disappointing run, but the victory itself was a great moment. After such a long time, Punk had finally climbed the mountain once again.
After defeating Adam Page, seeing CM Punk with tears in his eyes was stirring, and in a vacuum without everything that came afterwards, it is up there with the best AEW moments full stop.
1 Debut At AEW Rampage: The First Dance
Whilst Punk’s initial year or so with AEW was full of great feuds, strong matches, and memorable moments, there was no other moment that was as phenomenal as his AEW debut.
Selling out an entire arena on nothing but a rumor, the Chicago crowd gave Punk one of the loudest reactions ever seen in professional wrestling. It was a hero's welcome and will always be a stunning moment for years and years to come.