CM Punk Responds To Baffling Controversy Over AEW Revolution 2022 Entrance
Punk bringing back his old ROH theme at AEW Revolution 2022 sparked mass hand-wringing this week.
In case you missed it, CM Punk's AEW Revolution 2022 ring entrance has sparked the most misplaced wrestling controversy of the year over the past few days.
Punk, in a nod to his past, hit the ring for his match with MJF to AFI's 'Miseria Cantare'. That song is synonymous with his Ring of Honor run, where he used it for the overwhelming majority of his tenure. In addition, Punk added another extra detail by decking out in near-identical attire to his other famous Dog Collar match, replicating the black and white get-up he wore opposite Raven at ROH Death Before Dishonor in July 2003.
This prompted mass discussion on social media that has now stretched halfway through the week. While those who recognised the theme largely appreciated the nod and most who didn't recognise it learned from Excalibur's explanation on commentary (which happened with seconds of Punk emerging), others erected the old "casual fan" straw man, feigning confusion.
Punk has now addressed the matter directly. In his first, since-deleted tweet, he sniped at a Twitter user asking about the entrance (albeit not necessarily in good faith). Later, Punk posted a follow-up:-
I’m sorry if I was snarky to a guy who was being s**t to other people in his replies. Context is everything. None of this is important. Let’s all hug and drink Shirley temples.
Advertisement— player/coach (@CMPunk) March 8, 2022
If the overall reaction to Punk harking back to his past with an AFI song at Revolution seems overblown, it's because it is. Easter eggs like this reward those who understand them without hindering those who don't in any way. Most viewers who were unfamiliar with the song's history (the majority of the audience, most likely) saw it as an "oh, that's cool" learning experience. Unfortunately, Twitter's grifter cult did not.
It should be stressed, too, that it is totally fine not to pick up on every little detail. Not everyone is going to recognise everything. There's nothing wrong with that - and the "casual fan" is not some goo-brained, perma-confused drone who goes into a tailspin whenever something they can't immediately identify happens.
Wrestlers acknowledging their past is cool. Embrace it.