8 Times AEW Legitimately Changed The World

6. CM Punk's First Dance

One of the biggest moments in wrestling's modern history occurred when CM Punk ended his bitter hiatus from pro wrestling by signing with AEW. Punk will always be a sore subject with officials and loyalist fans because of how his time with the company ended, but that shouldn't cloud Punk's arrival making AEW feel like the hottest company in pro wrestling.

The whole 'First Dance' on 20 August 2021 at Chicago's United Center was immaculately orchestrated.

Although heavily insinuated, it was never fully confirmed that Punk would arrive on Rampage. So, when the broadcast opened with 'Cult Of Personality' and the man walked through the curtain, an emotional outpouring hit the crowd like a meteor and came through whatever screen you were watching from; it was so monumental that it's truly hard to accurately describe.

This was as hot as anything across the 'Monday Night Wars', and as riotous as literally any crowd in wrestling history could be. His dive into the people was joyous, as Punk (a famously stern man) looked like all his Christmases had come at once.

After 7 years, Punk told his story as the whole wrestling world hung on every syllable. His first words put over Britt Baker. The roar as he sat cross-legged on the ring canvas was electrifying, and he then spoke about his love of wrestling and confessed that he had to leave his craft because he was "never going to heal in the place that made him sick". As he ended his promo by calling out Darby Allin, waiting in the rafters with his mentor Sting, Punk's return was as perfect as possible.