5 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Rampage (Aug 20)

3. Getting Right Down To Business

CM Punk AEW
AEW

Why wait?

That was AEW's mantra on this week's Rampage. They could've stuck to usual formats for wrestling and had CM Punk come out right at the end. Nah, screw that. Tony Khan opened Rampage with an emotional Punk, and that was smart. Most people were literally there to live that moment.

There was a refreshing lack of pretence heading into Punk's debut too. AEW didn't attempt to divert attention or tease that they were going to pull some other stunt. Khan was upfront and honest (without just coming out and saying, 'CM Punk will be on Rampage') with the media, and that helped the anticipation build and build.

This was a promotional debut done right, basically. Worst kept secret or not, it was exactly what AEW's audience yearned to see, and the company didn't disappoint. F*ck bait and switch tactics. Pro wrestling is about entertaining people and making them happy sometimes.

Advertisement
In this post: 
AEW Rampage
 
Posted On: 
Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.