5 opponents for CM Punk if he goes to AEW

With CM Punk making his alleged return to pro wrestling, it's inevitable there's going to be a lot of speculation from wrestling fans all over. Is he going back to WWE? Will Cody and The Young Bucks make him an offer he can't refuse? So, for the sake of fantasy booking and speculation, let's assume that he goes to AEW.

The AEW roster is definitely shaping up to be a good one. They have young talents like Hangman Page, Sammy Guevara, Darby Allin, MJF and Jungle Boy and established names like Cody Rhodes, Dustin Rhodes, The Young Bucks, Chris Jericho, and Kenny Omega.

Let's also assume that with AEW possibly having a weekly TV show, they're going to need to bring in viewers week after week. Sure, it's not like the 90s where WCW Monday Nitro was in a head-to-head war with Monday Night Raw.

The entertainment landscape has changed with the advent of streaming content providers. Moreover, most companies are launching their own streaming platforms such as Disney, Apple, Hulu to rival those of Netflix. Even ESPN has its own streaming app.

It would make sense that Turner Networks who are rumored to be the broadcaster for AEW would need ínteresting content. When it comes to pro wrestling, having established names like CM Punk or a Dean Ambrose would certainly add to the quality of content, not just in name value but also as performers.

This leads back to CM Punk perhaps signing with AEW, in the future. He could be used as a special act. Not necessarily as a part-timer but someone who could bring in the ratings and have great matches with the rest of the roster.

So, with that in mind, here are 5 opponents that CM Punk could face if he signed with AEW.

#5 MJF

One of the better young talents that AEW has recruited, Maxwell Jacob Friedman or MJF as most wrestling fans know him, definitely has charisma. His promo skills and athleticism in the ring is quite remarkable.

He comes across as a natural heel with his smarmy attitude and arrogance. A program with CM Punk would only help him achieve greater levels of success and the wrestling fans will be better for it.

#4 Hangman Page

If anyone is going to be the first AEW champion, it will be Hangman Page. He's resilient in the ring, can take the nastiest of bumps and has the stuff to be a main-eventer. He is also one of the original members of The Elite. His match at last year's All In against Joey Janela was death-defying and thrilling.

A former high-school teacher and still only 27, Hangman Page has a healthy career ahead of him. While his promo-skills are not the best, it doesn't take away the fact that he could have good matches, having performed in promotions such as Ring of Honor and NJPW.

CM Punk has pushed wrestlers in the past, whether it be on the mic cutting a promo or in the ring. He knows how to get the best out of them and enhance the quality of the match. It will certainly be fun to watch.

#3 Cody Rhodes

American Nightmare vs The Voice of the Voiceless

When both these men were in WWE, it's hard to remember if they had a real feud. While it's probably true that they had an occasional match against one another, it was never really a proper bout.

Cody Rhodes never really got pushed to where he should be. However, he still kept reinventing himself and trying out different gimmicks. The Stardust character, while ridiculed by most WWE fans and Cody himself, proved that Cody always went out of his way to make anything work, like his father Dusty Rhodes.

Cody in his current avatar as The American Nightmare is one who cuts deadly promos, can move well in the ring and knows how to tell a good story. This version of Cody Rhodes is someone that CM Punk has never faced.

With Punk's natural promo skills and Cody's improvement as a performer, it would certainly add to a potential match in the future.

#2 Chris Jericho

Before some of you say it, yes...we all know that this happened already. But Chris Jericho, like The Undertaker, has consistently evolved his look, character, and moves over time. He may be 48 but he's still having great matches. His upcoming match against Kenny Omega at AEW Double or Nothing could be one of the better main-events of the year.

In a recent interview with Gary Cassidy of Sportskeeda, Chris Jericho highlighted the fact that he wants his matches to mean something and that he's been choosy, considering that he is not as young as he used to be. He goes on to say,

The reason I'm still able to do it is because, I really limit my matches and pick my spots. I think that was a smart move to be able to continue at a high level because I'm not cashing in all my chips on a yearly basis - and it's been working!

CM Punk know each other really well. While the match may not be the main event for the PPV, they will certainly make it a night to remember for everyone involved.

#1 Kenny Omega

The Best Wrestler in the World vs The Cleaner

Every wrestling fan would love for this dream match to happen. Heck, Kenny Omega would probably love it. If anyone is the best professional wrestler in the world right now, it's Kenny Omega. The man who turned down WWE to work in AEW is that damn good and who better to face him than CM Punk.

While CM Punk may not be as agile as Kenny Omega, he can certainly cut a mean promo as can Kenny Omega. Both wrestlers know how to tell a story, manipulate the crowd and have them eating out of the palm of their hand. They're both good at what they do and they know it.

Could it happen at AEW? If Punk would sign on the dotted line, it could easily be the main event for All In 2/All Out in Chicago. There's money to be made and if Tony Khan is ready to open that checkbook, his return on investment is going to be even better.

Till then, as Kenny Omega would say, 'Goodbye and Goodnight, Bang.'

Is there anyone else that you want CM Punk to face in AEW? Comment below.

Edited by Anirban Banerjee