What If... CM Punk NEVER Returned To Wrestling
Glorious, absolutely glorious reminders of what the business had been missing for seven long years.
That time away had understandably left fans who were undeniably inspired by Punk's 'Voice of the Voiceless' fight against the WWE machine wondering whether their hero returning would spoil those fond memories of pipe bombs and epic nights in Chicago.
But not only did Punk defiantly prove he still had it on the microphone, in the ring, and even on commentary - honestly, nobody could still touch him - he added captivating new layers to his character in the process, introducing the world to a grizzled, ol' man Punk as he fought to reclaim his place at the top of the card.
His aforementioned stellar war with Friedman actually did the thing Chris Jericho claims to do each and every time he locks himself into a feud with a hot, up-and-coming performer - it elevated him to the level of genuine superstar.
With no all-timer Punk battle, Maxwell just isn't the same bloke who ultimately lifted his BBB and the company onto his back for well over a year.
The horrible, nasty Eddie Kingston fight at Full Gear 2022, underrated gem opposite Darby Allin at All Out 2021, the violent showdown with Jon Moxley a year later, teaming with Sting and Darby - complete with marvellous face paint - and even his outrageously three-and-a-half-star-Meltzer-rated final battle with Samoa Joe at Wembley - none of these unquestionable highlights of the 2020s are planted into your memories if Punk had stayed home with Larry.
And speaking of Wembley, do AEW even run 'The Biggest Wrestling Event in Wrestling History' without the buzz and momentum that was largely generated by Punk's return?
It'd be foolish to suggest that the arrival of Bryan Danielson, Adam Cole, Saraya, and a few others didn't make AEW feel like a product capable of moving 70,000+ tickets, of course. But it's no coincidence that TK insisted on bringing back the divisive megastar not long after the announcement of that Wembley Stadium PPV.
He knew many across the pond would do everything they could to be in attendance for something they once thought to be impossible - another must-see CM Punk match inside of a packed stadium.
And even the evident compromise that were the early days of Collision turned out to be a hoot with Punk as the leading man on Saturday nights, with the 'Chick Magnet's separation from the likes of the Elite on Dynamite leading to even more great work opposite the likes of Ricky Starks and Samoa Joe.
While some would obviously argue the contrary, Punk deciding to give the business a second chance gave AEW as a company and a whole host of hungry performers a massive boost and led to iconic All Elite moments that all the bitterness and backstage nonsense in the world won't ever erase.
But they aren't the only promotion that would look a bit different in a Punk-less modern era...