Will ALL IN Change WWE More Than CM Punk’s Pipe Bomb?
Pro Wrestling Store
The Chicago locale isn't the only thing connecting the greatest nights of CM Punk and Cody Rhodes' respective careers.
Both won the most prestigious titles available to them in front of adoring audiences. Both were - in the moment at least - the biggest and brightest stars in their orbit. Both had auras beyond their regular selves. No spotlights within the Allstate Arena or Sears Centre had glares as strong as the spiritual shine surrounding challengers destined to dethrone champions.
Cody's blood and tear-stained face told a similar story to the kiss-blowing grin Punk couldn't shift, too. There was redemption unlike anything either had experienced up to that point. Cody basked in the celebrations whilst Punk literally walked amongst them, exiting the building through the crowd to sell the storyline that he was departing the company for good.
Indeed, both Cody and Punk emerged heroically from the chasing packs. But whilst Punk walked the immortal aisle alone, Cody was surrounded by every legend and his dog. Literally. For all their similarities, this was the biggest - and most crucial - difference.
Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett
