The BEST Wrestling Moment Every Year (1989 - 2026)

5. 2022 | The Hanging Of CM Punk

MJF CM Punk
AEW

Jim Ross didn’t work in AEW. 

He didn’t like the pacing of the matches nor the leniency of the referees - and he could not disguise this when doing commentary. He had his moments. He got MJF and was brilliant at putting him over - “You little bastard, what did you do that for?” - and could convincingly sell a match if it involved Chris Jericho or Jon Moxley. Those guys were literally more his speed. Jim Ross had his ultimate “as good once as he ever was” moment when MJF revealed the ultimate ruse ahead of Revolution 2022. 

The CM Punk Vs. MJF programme was a masterpiece. It started with Punk mischievously denying MJF’s handshake. What he thought was a simple troll move against the heir to his heel throne was in fact the ultimate transgression. MJF idolised Punk and made the decision to become a wrestler after being reminded of Punk and Daniel Bryan’s handshake at the 2011 Royal Rumble. MJF concocted a plan to violently usurp Punk then and there, and it was only revealed after an impossibly great teased babyface turn, during which he explained that he became the awful man he is because he was tormented by bullies as a young child. At Daily’s Place, MJF enacted his plan. 

He betrayed Punk, an all-time great bleeder, and hanged him with a chain with the assistance of the Pinnacle. MJF sought to prove that he was better than Punk by outdoing Punk’s own famous ruse - “I’m a snake, old man!” - and Jim Ross put the moment over to incredible effect with this best-ever AEW call. 

He didn’t clutch the pearls too tight. He simply said, with a muted disgust, “Too far, fellas. Way too far.” 

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick (Creative Writing BA Hons) is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over a decade of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential UK institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!