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2) Adam Cole and Bryan Danielson debut back-to-back to end AEW All Out 2021
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AEW All Out 2021 had a great deal of hype heading in with many expecting a thrilling night. No one could have imagined the all-time classic event that transpired. It witnessed title changes, exciting spots and CM Punk's first match in seven years. However, it was the ending that had the world talking.
Just two weeks after his final WWE match against Kyle O'Reilly at NXT TakeOver 36, Adam Cole made his shocking AEW debut and was immediately reunited with The Elite. Just when the Chicago crowd thought the evening was over, Bryan Danielson then debuted to align with Christian Cage and Jurassic Express to fight off the Elite.
The energy that this moment generated in the business and for AEW can't be quantified. It was the most exciting wrestling that has been in quite some time. The back-to-back debuts of Adam Cole and Bryan Danielson delivered not just the most shocking ending in the company's history, but it may just be the greatest pay-per-view ending in wrestling history.
1) CM Punk returns to professional wrestling with his AEW debut on Rampage: The First Dance from Chicago's United Center
There was only one moment that was just a bit more defining for All Elite Wrestling than All Out 2021's ending. As reports circulated that CM Punk may return to wrestling with AEW being his likely destination, the wrestling world was abuzz for the most talked about performer of the past decade. Punk left WWE under difficult circumstances and hadn't been in the ring since 2014.
AEW Rampage's announcement: The First Dance at Chicago's Center fanned the flames of the rumors. The show kicked off with arguably the greatest return in professional wrestling history.
The Cult of Personality hit and it was him! CM Punk returned to wrestling with tears in his eyes in front of his hometown crowd. It was an emotional and surreal scene as fans and Punk himself cried. The speech that followed was outstanding with Punk writing his love letter to the business he loves and to the fans who he appreciates now more than ever.
CM Punk explained why he left professional wrestling and why his signing with AEW signals his return to professional wrestling. His challenge to Darby Allin for All Out 2021 was the cherry on top. All Elite Wrestling has had its fair share of surprises and huge title changes, but nothing matches CM Punk's return to professional wrestling as the defining AEW moment of 2021
