It very much looks as though CM Punk’s time in AEW is coming to an end following a very controversial and ugly few months for the company, which is certainly a shame given the success that his first year has been within the promotion. It may have just stretched for over a year, but his run in the company has been very notable and jam-packed full of moments.
Some of those moments have been among the very greatest in professional wrestling history, although there have been some not-so-great moments too, which have muddied his career and caused potential harm to the future of AEW.
10 Best: Promo Battle With Eddie Kingston
CM Punk was given a hero’s welcome when he arrived in AEW, but during a feud with Eddie Kingston, fans were given something to think about regarding how good of a person Punk actually was.
Their rivalry was electric, and it was heightened during a terrific promo battle on AEW Rampage, which may be one of the best back-and-forths in the company’s history. It gave great nuance to his character, and it added a lot of heat to their PPV bout at Full Gear 2021.
9 Worst: Getting Squashed By Jon Moxley
When CM Punk returned from his foot injury, he defended his AEW World Title against the interim champion, Jon Moxley. Moxley defeated Punk in a matter of minutes, squashing him and winning the belt.
It was a shock for sure, but it all felt very awkward. This was supposed to kickstart a redemption arc for Punk, but this was rushed through in just a couple of weeks, lessening the impact of this match. The execution of everything was a little off, and it made Punk’s return feel underwhelming.
8 Best: Defeating MJF At Revolution 2022
The feud between MJF and CM Punk was phenomenal, and it all came to a conclusion at the Revolution PPV. From Punk bringing back his ROH theme to Wardlow’s face turn, everything about this match was perfect.
The ending sequence in which Punk used MJF’s Dynamite Diamond Ring to win the match was brilliant, and in the aftermath, Punk looked like an absolute warrior. It was a wonderful moment, and it culminated a chapter of a wonderful war.
7 Worst: Long Match With QT Marshall
CM Punk’s first few months in AEW saw him shake off his ring rust, with this becoming part of a storyline at times, with him having hard-fought matches against the likes of Powerhouse Hobbs, Daniel Garcia, and Matt Sydal.
However, one which felt like a step in the wrong direction was against QT Marshall, who took Punk to an 11-minute match. Not long before, Marshall had been squashed by an aging Paul Wight, so this threatened Punk’s momentum, especially as the match came just after an incredible one with Eddie Kingston.
6 Best: Teaming Up With Sting & Darby Allin
There were plenty of fun moments during Punk’s time in AEW, and one of those saw him team up with Darby Allin and Sting in a huge six-man tag team match against MJF and FTR.
Punk and Allin donned Sting-style face paint, whilst Sting took inspiration from Punk’s classic colors. It was certainly surreal to see Punk and Sting teaming up in the year 2021, but it is up there with his best moments in the company.
5 Worst: Shooting On “Hangman” Adam Page
Perhaps the beginning of the end of CM Punk’s time in AEW began when he called out “Hangman” Adam Page in an off-script shoot during a promo, which was done only to make Page look bad.
This was due to grievances between the two, but instead of sorting it out backstage, it was a bad look on Punk’s end to take it out to a live crowd when Page couldn’t do anything to prevent it.
4 Best: Winning AEW World Championship
At Double or Nothing 2022, CM Punk defeated “Hangman” Adam Page to become the AEW World Champion, culminating a nearly year-long journey in which he rose through the ranks to earn the right to challenge for the title.
Seeing Punk, eyes full of emotion, with AEW’s biggest prize was a wonderful sight to behold, and it clearly meant a lot to him after seven years spent away from the profession he holds so dearly.
3 Worst: Injury During His First AEW Title Reign
In one of his first appearances since becoming the AEW World Champion, CM Punk teamed up with FTR to take on the Max Caster and The Gunn Club. During his entrance, Punk jumped into the crowd like he has a tendency to do and subsequently shattered his foot.
He continued with the match though it was clear that he was hurt, and it caused him to get sidelined with injury. This led to an interim champion being crowned, and several months of awkward storytelling and messy booking in the top title scene. The injury also derailed the most important few months of Punk’s AEW run.
2 Best: Debut At AEW Rampage: Grand Slam
No matter what happens in terms of CM Punk leaving AEW, fans will never forget the moment in which he made his debut. Selling out an arena on the mere rumor that he would be making an appearance, he received one of the most thunderous pops in wrestling history.
His return to professional wrestling was a joyous moment. His entrance was perfect, his promo was wonderful, and it looked like he was truly happy to be there.
1 Worst: All Out 2022 Press Conference
Unfortunately for CM Punk, his time in AEW may very well be remembered mostly for his outburst at the All Out 2022 press conference, in which he insulted many roster members, called out his enemies, and left a sour atmosphere.
This led to an altercation backstage with The Elite, which led to suspensions and an investigation, in addition to him being stripped of the AEW World Title.