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2) CM Punk - AEW
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CM Punk had one of the greatest wrestling moments ever with his triumphant return to business after seven years on The First Dance special of AEW Rampage from Chicago's United Center. After a winning streak against a blend of young talent and veterans, the Second City Saint has set his sights on the AEW World Championship.
CM Punk has always been a better character when he has an achievable goal in front of him. The former WWE Champion seems to either lose or find himself when the top prize is within his grasp. This might be exactly what Punk needs to further impact the industry and AEW as a whole.
CM Punk being opposed by Hangman Adam Page might just be the matchup to be the catalyst for a Punk heel turn. He has been defined by his straight edge lifestyle which led to his memorable feuds against Jeff Hardy and Raven. Going against the anxious millennial cowboy is an intriguing direction to go. To many fans, Punk is better as a heel and Page is an impeccable babyface foil for him.
1) MJF - AEW
CM Punk enters 2022 the same way he ends 2021 amid an ongoing feud with Maxwell Jacob Friedman, better known as MJF. The Pinnacle leader has also staked his claim to the next shot at the AEW World Championship. He may just have a better argument due to his overall record and against the current champion.
It was Hangman Adam Page, who MJF defeated to win his first Dynamite Diamond Ring. The self-proclaimed Face of AEW has only suffered two pinfall losses under controversial circumstances in the first three years of the company. He received an opportunity for the title at All Out 2020, but Moxley used the banned Paradigm Shift to defeat MJF and retain the gold.
With enough time since that last shot, it seems like the right time for Friedman to be pushed to the forefront. MJF has been the best heel in AEW for quite some time. He is a brilliant talker and an underrated in-ring performer. His history with Hangman Page makes their potential showdown that much more appealing. That's why MJF is the AEW star who must get a World Title opportunity in 2022.
