Every AEW World Championship Reign Ranked Worst To Best

Won: Double or Nothing (29/05/2022). Previous Champion: Adam Page. Length: 87 days.

Yep, Punk's here at the bottom again, big shocker.

Phil Brooks' first go with the belt definitely trumps his second reign, but not by very much. Yes, he held it for longer, but going beyond three days isn't something to jump in joy over - especially when an untimely injury meant he was only active for roughly five days. Two whole extra days? Hooray! Still, there were a few factors that made this reign promising during its time.

Firstly, Punk had the star power to make it seem like he would take the belt places. His initial win felt huge, and while it wasn't long at all before he took his break from the ring, it still brought legitimacy to the title that made it feel worthy of being called the biggest prize in the business.

The second was the fact that the Second City Saint's return from injury was ever looming. It kept the belt in a compelling position as you had hope that his triumphant re-emergence would light a massive fire. Did this happen in the end? Hell to the no, he lost the belt to Moxley in a full-on squash match on Dynamite, making his return go off like a firecracker rather than blaring pyro.

After seven years of dreaming that CM Punk would return to wrestling and become a World Champion again, this was a colossal letdown.