The Self-Destruction Of CM Punk In AEW | Wrestling Timelines

July 14, 2022 - Kenny Omega Tweets

Kenny Omega Revolution 2021
AEW

This might be veering into conspiratorial territory - a dead-end lead in the case - but Kenny Omega fires off an interesting reply to a since-deleted tweet. While the context of Omega’s post is lost to time, it can be inferred that he might be sub-tweeting Punk and FTR. Kenny bemoans a certain approach to wrestling, citing issues with “stomp punches, holds that would never end any real fight, and/or move for move recreations of matches that happened 30 years ago”.

As 2022 unfolds, CM Punk, Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler indulge their very open love of Bret ‘Hitman’ Hart. Dax and Cash do a version of Bret Vs. Owen in the Owen Hart Cup, which at least makes beautiful sense in its own context. While the match is excellent, with very attentive cause-and-effect selling too often missing from modern pro wrestling, CM Punk Vs. Dustin Rhodes on April 20 is very similar to Bret’s TV efforts against Goldust across 1996 and 1997. 26 years ago isn’t too far away from 30.

Posted so soon after the Fightful report drops, it’s difficult not to connect a few dots here. If in fact Omega is sniping at Punk on social media, it could be construed as childish - a complaint levelled against the Elite on the most infamous day in AEW history. It’s also a potential sign that nothing has been done to fix the situation.

August 10, 2022 - Quake By The Lake

CM Punk
AEW

CM Punk returns at Quake By The Lake to confront Jon Moxley.

Punk makes a big, dramatic showing of hopping around on his surgically-repaired foot, as if to convey to the fans that he’s back, battle-ready, and intent on taking back what’s his.

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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential 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 former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current 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!