10 Challengers Who Should Face CM Punk For The AEW World Championship

11. Honourable Mentions

Before this list kicks into gear, there are a few more wrestlers that deserve to be mentioned.

First, Wardlow. On the 8 June episode of Dynamite, Wardlow said he didn't want to challenge for the interim title because Punk is the true champion. While Wardlow is undoubtedly a future world champion, he has his sights set on the TNT Championship for now. A long reign with that belt will help restore some prestige to the title, and there's a better opponent for Wardlow's world title win later in this list...

There are plenty of challengers in New Japan who could take a shot at Punk. A clash with Zack Sabre Jr would be a match of the year contender, as would an encounter with Shingo Takagi. There's Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, Hirooki Goto, KENTA, Minoru Suzuki, Will Ospreay - there is no shortage of challengers from the other side of the Forbidden Door.

How about an old rival in Chris Jericho? The two have always done excellent work together, and Punk's new alliance with FTR would help combat the numbers advantage of the Jericho Appreciation Society. All three members of Death Triangle would be great opponents for Punk, as Penta showed back in April, while Swerve Strickland and Keith Lee are also strong candidates. But there are ten who stand out.