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#1 CM Punk returns to pro wrestling (AEW Rampage - The First Dance 8/20/2021)
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It might be recency bias, but fans may have just witnessed the greatest pro wrestling return of all time. For how great it was to see Edge return after nine years away from the ring, CM Punk's AEW debut may have been more special.
In 2014, CM Punk chose to leave the business after a huge falling out with WWE. The Straight Edge Superstar felt mistreated and misused by the company after years of differences with Vince McMahon and Triple H. After walking away and months going by, WWE sent the release papers to Punk on his wedding day to officially sever ties.
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For the past seven years, fans across multiple promotions have chanted, "CM PUNK!" at shows. This wasn't always just about calling for the man himself. It was also a rallying cry to push back against what was being given to fans and wanting more from their favorite wrestling promotions.
With so many years going by, many people never thought that they would see CM Punk return. When rumors circulated that Punk was considering an in-ring return, a lot of fans were in denial. It seemed for so long that he wasn't even interested in the industry anymore.
CM Punk's AEW debut had everything fans could have asked for. It took place in Chicago, where Punk has long been a hometown hero. Punk's return to wrestling was with AEW, which has firmly cemented itself as the alternative to WWE. The company is anti-establishment, presenting mainstream wrestling that isn't the norm.
The presentation of his return was pitch-perfect, with his entrance being drawn out and shot beautifully. Emotions poured out of Punk and the Chicago crowd in a way that created a surreal scene. His heartfelt speech was outstanding and addressed everything that it needed to. CM Punk genuinely addressed why he had to leave and why he was back.
CM Punk also set up his return match at AEW All Out against Darby Allin superbly. Regardless of how anyone might have felt about him or whether they experienced the height of his career in WWE, no one could legitimately deny how special this came across. That's why CM Punk's AEW debut is the greatest pro wrestling return of all time.
