CM Punk Debuts On AEW Rampage

The rumours were true! CM Punk just returned to wrestling for first time in 7 years.

by Andy H Murray
CM Punk
AEW

As expected, CM Punk debuted on tonight's episode of AEW Rampage.

The former WWE Champion walked out at the very top of the show, emerging to a thunderous ovation as Living Colour's Cult of Personality pumped through the United Center's speakers. Emotional, fired up, and overwhelmed, Punk looked overcome in the moment as he made his way down the ramp, hugging fans on one side before diving into a pile of them on the opposite.

A promo that touched on his roots in wrestling, his time in Ring of Honor, his goals in AEW, and his next big move followed. CM Punk wants Darby Allin: and he'll see him at All Out on 5 September.

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That, it appears, will be Punk's first match back in wrestling. AEW has already confirmed that he'll be on next week's episode of Dynamite, with Punk effectively confirming that he'll be in the company as a full-timer from this moment forward.

The whole affair lasted around 20 minutes in total. As it began, AEW came out with the customary announcement:-

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This was Punk's first pro wrestling appearance in well over seven years, having last featured at WWE Royal Rumble 2014. His grand re-emergence comes following years of rumours, speculation, and reports, leading to many adopting an understandable "I'll believe it when I see it" stance, despite AEW and Tony Khan all but promising the Chicagoan would be at Rampage.

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But there's no need for speculation now. Punk is back.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.