CM Punk Takes Clear Shot At AEW After Successful Raw

CM Punk "borrows" certain phrasing from AEW announcement to celebrate WWE Raw.

by Andy H Murray
cm punk raw
WWE

WWE Raw was a huge critical and commercial success this week - and its Chicago protagonist, CM Punk, celebrated with potshots at former employers AEW.

Raw took place in the Chicago-adjacent Rosemont, Illinois this Monday, with Punk's return amongst the key selling points ahead of next week's WrestleMania 40 event. On the night, Punk partook in a barely scripted in-ring promo with rivals Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre, which drew plaudits for its loose, chaotic, and very un-WWE nature.

Beyond rave reviews, Monday's show was WWE's best-attended Raw since 8 April 2019, pulling in more than 15,000 fans.

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Punk hit Instagram to celebrate (as preserved by /r/SquaredCircle). It doesn't take Lanny Poffo to see what he's doing:

CM Punk AEW shot
Instagram, @cmpunk

The first caption, at the very least, references the discussion around AEW's All In event last August. Although an FOI request obtained by WrestleNomics' Brandon Thurston suggests a Turnstile count of 72,265 on the night, Brent Council (the relevant local authority) has stated 85,528 were in attendance at Wembley Stadium.

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All In was CM Punk's final night in AEW. The controversial star was embroiled in a backstage argument and brawl with Jack Perry before wrestling career rival Samoa Joe in the main card's opening match. Tony Khan suspended Punk from AEW immediately after - and the Chicagoan was fired within a week.

 
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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.