Why CM Punk Just Lost In AEW For First Time

For all the devotion, love and loyalty that comes with following the industry, the wrestling fanbase is a product of its own over-serviced environment and The New Daniel Bryan wasn't lying when he called us all fickle.

The roars resplendent in Punk's initial comeback tour hadn't completely diminished, but ratings had, and the more slightly clichéd midcard scraps the 'Straight Edge Superstar' had, the more...mid the project all started to feel. As a title-chasing babyface with respect for the rankings, all the former WWE Champion did was win and look better and better as he did it. But as rich as the over-arching story was (and all for the benefit of major matches like this instant classic with MJF), the victories were bordering on over-familiar and underwhelming.

Punk's work drew few complaints, but with other undefeated streaks clogging up an unclear picture, there was a sense that the run needed a little more spice and spite akin to his one-and-done masterclass with Eddie Kingston. That was predictably located in every aspect of his work with MJF, and AEW just booked a sublime way to improve on perfection.

Clichéd. Mid. Over-familiar. Underwhelming. But then, in the most unthinkable of ways, places and times, CM Punk just lost in AEW for the first time. And because he's still every bit the Best In The World he claims to be and is bringing on the next in line to his throne, nobody will dare to ever forget it.