6 Things AEW Got Right About CM Punk's Debut

3. Sold Future Appearances

Friday’s early ratings reveal a boon for AEW due to CM Punk’s return, but the promotion clearly is banking on the Second City Saint to do much more for them in the long run.

So it was a great sign early on when Punk told the crowd that he had plenty of time on his hands on Wednesdays, Fridays and four weekends each year to show up. He then announced his own appearance on this week’s upcoming episode of Dynamite, as well as set up a match between him and Darby Allin at All Out in two weeks.

Just like that, Punk told people to tune in on Wednesday night, and to make plans to buy the upcoming PPV. It wasn’t just about popping a rating Friday night, it was about setting the table for the future, and you knew right away that you needed to make plans to see what he has to say next week, and that you have a PPV to buy if you want to see his first match in seven-plus years.