10 Fascinating Backstage Facts From CM Punk's AEW Run
9. Televised Appearances
Fact: CM Punk’s televised AEW debut and final bow
came nearly two years apart to the day, both playing to record audiences.
When sites talk about CM Punk’s run with AEW lasting two years, that could be interpreted as shorthand for a period that was plus or minus a few months.
But what’s remarkable is that Punk’s first and last televised appearances for AEW came almost exactly two years apart. The Second City Saint made his bow on Rampage at the First Dance on 20 August, 2021 in – where else? – Chicago, and his final appearance came at last week’s All In PPV in London on 27 August, 2023.
That episode of Rampage is still the highest-rated program in the show’s history, while All In drew the largest paid attendance for a wrestling show in history.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that Punk’s tenure with AEW came to a close on the same day that Collision – a show essentially created for Punk – is emanating from Chicago. Talk about symmetry.
You really couldn’t script something like this, especially
with someone whose identity is deeply tied to Chicago.