CM Punk in talks to return to the ring

[Triple A]

From Fightful:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/53950829

One of the biggest stars of wrestling in this century could be headed back to wrestling, if all goes well. CM Punk has been in ongoing talks for a return, sources tell Fightful.

Fightful Select learned last week that CM Punk has been in talks to make a return to pro wrestling as an in-ring performer, with sources indicating that AEW is the most likely landing point. We have no confirmation of a contract officially being signed, a timetable, a set return date, or any creative plans, only that Punk and a company official have had ongoing conversations about an in-ring return.

As with any negotiations, nothing is ever fully confirmed until the deal is actually done and the subject appears on screen.

We have heard of other companies having interest in Punk coming in to work after fans returned, but have not heard of any specific offers or overtures made towards him.

Fightful has not officially confirmed this report with CM Punk himself or All Elite Wrestling officials. We have been told in recent days that higher ups in WWE believe that Punk is headed to AEW.

Punk last wrestled in January 2014 for WWE, and was released later that year. In the years that followed, he pursued a career in mixed martial arts in the UFC, where he officially has an 0-1 record with 1 no contest. In addition to MMA, Punk has worked in commentary roles within the sport, and made his way into acting. He also appeared on WWE Backstage for approximately six months. Aside from his appearances on Backstage, he's only made two appearances in wrestling since leaving WWE -- both in very anonymous masked roles on the independent circuit.

[Triple A]

All Out in Chicago on September 5... and Dynamite and Rampage before it also in Chicago

[slik]

Will be nice to see Punk in the ring again

[Evil Vito]

Raw is in Chicago on August 2nd.

Would rather see him in AEW but would still be a hilarious swerve.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

I’ll be excited for his return in either company as I’d assume he’ll have some creative control over who he’s working with and the direction of their story and character. Ideally it’s AEW because there’s nearly an entire roster I’ve never seen him work with but I’ll be content if it’s WWE.

[Evil Vito]

Punk's said on a few podcasts in the past year that if he were ever going to return to the ring he'd need two things...1 a bunch of money (duh) and 2 the ability to work with people he's never worked with

Specifically mentioned already having worked with most of the top guys at WWE, whereas AEW has Jericho and Mox but otherwise a bunch of people he's never been in the ring with.

So yeah, creatively I think AEW would be a better fit for him. Hope it actually happens bit I'll believe it when I see it.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

AEW could also provide him the opportunity to work in other promotions. He could go to impact, new Japan and Mexico to work with other talents they’re, whereas in WWE he’s stuck between the main roster and nxt.

[Triple A]

Hopefully he actually does show up on All Out... feel like now it will be a disappointment if he doesn't since people are expecting it

Imagining "CM Punk" chants during the show

[BigCrippyZ]

Damn! If he does return at All Out, I'll be out of town for Labor Day weekend at a college football game instead.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Only way to avoid that is if he signs with WWE and it’s announced before hand

[slik]

DBry's contract ended w WWE as well...hmm...

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Hmmmmm indeed.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Doesn’t matter. He’ll be a comedy act in AEW trading barbs with Cody Rhodes. No one can really help the WWE.

I hope he goes to ROH, personally. At least they stand to gain something. Get Bryan Danielson in there as well. Might get ROH to #2.

[xrodmuc316]

Raw is in Chicago on August 2nd.

Would rather see him in AEW but would still be a hilarious swerve.

I would much rather see him in WWE, because him going back there would certainly mean WWE might finally be willing to make an actual effort to get better. No WAY they would bring in Punk otherwise, because he would certainly not just sit by while they did cruise control no effort shows.

[#1-norm-fan]

I would much rather see him in WWE, because him going back there would certainly mean WWE might finally be willing to make an actual effort to get better.

If nothing has done it in the past 20 years, I don’t think CM Punk is the thing to push them. Also apparently getting better is actually BAD for business for reasons.

[xrodmuc316]

AEW could also provide him the opportunity to work in other promotions. He could go to impact, new Japan and Mexico to work with other talents they’re, whereas in WWE he’s stuck between the main roster and nxt.

I don't buy that argument. If he wanted to work New Japan or Mexico or ROH or whatever he would have already.

I said it already from my standpoint, but from Punk's, I would have to believe he would take great pleasure in forcing Vince to give him a deal where Vince has to give a bunch of extra benefits. Punk sticking it to Vince just to spite him would be a great Fuck You.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

If nothing has done it in the past 20 years, I don’t think CM Punk is the thing to push them. Also apparently getting better is actually BAD for business for reasons.

The same company that couldn’t get Brock’s year long run of dominance right isn’t going to suddenly figure out how to properly use a returning star who will have the wrestling world buzzing.

At this point the only way anything with WWE changes is if they reboot from the top down, starting with Vince. So long as he’s there, nothing about the company’s presentation and creative approach will change.

[Bad News Gertner]

Someone needs to bring back Mick Foley's anti hardcore gimmick from ECW where the crowd is expecting violence but Mick just keeps doing side headlocks. It was brilliant.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Hahaha that would be awesome

[Lock Jaw]

If he is brought in to AEW it better be to job to Christian

[Jordan]

Neon lights, a Nobel Prize
Then a mirror speaks, the reflection lies
You don't have to follow me
Only you can set me free
I sell the things you need to be
I'm the smiling face on your T.V.
I'm the cult of personality
I exploit you still you love me

[M-A-G]

"I don't need to work with you; you need to work with me."

[Damian Rey 2.0]

One of the greatest lines ever lol

[Lock Jaw]

I thought that we (internet fans) hated CM Punk now. Why are people getting excited about this possibility?

[drave]

I never had an issue with him. He'd be times more exciting than anyone else on TV right now.

[Lock Jaw]

Neither did I, but felt like people here turned on him in general....

[Bad News Gertner]

After he lost his first UFC fight. That's when it started IMO.

[XL]

Yeah people were pretty butt-hurt by Punk. I’m still a big fan.

[Evil Vito]

The general internet opinion on Punk went from "good on him for leaving when he was unhappy", "good on him for pursuing his other goals" etc to "wow he trained for 2 years only to lose in 2 minutes, shouldn't have quit his day job"

[Evil Vito]

The WWE doctor lawsuit also soured people on him. Not that Punk was in the wrong for any of that but after it was done Punk and Colt Cabana's friendship disintegrated over legal fees which was a bit upsetting as they'd been best friends for 15 years.

It got to the point where Punk chants started at a Chicago indy show before the All In PPV and they immediately got booed, whereas Colt then got a hero's welcome at the PPV.

[XL]

Oh shit yeah, Punk and Colt in the same company.

[Lock Jaw]

Wasn't just people souring on him for the stuff he did after leaving.... people seemed to even be turning on him and saying that he wasn't even that good anyways

[slik]

If he is brought in to AEW it better be to job to Christian

How would you feel about Christian getting a giant cape

[Lock Jaw]

Can it be a hood

[Mr. Nerfect]

I thought that we (internet fans) hated CM Punk now. Why are people getting excited about this possibility?

If he comes close to signing with AEW, he’s a game-changer and one of the biggest stars of the past decade. If he passes on them, he’s a bitter, old egomaniac who probably can’t wrestle anymore and wants too much money anyway. That’s how it’s been since All Out 2019.

Him losing in the UFC also hurt, because kayfabe.

[xrodmuc316]

The WWE doctor lawsuit also soured people on him. Not that Punk was in the wrong for any of that but after it was done Punk and Colt Cabana's friendship disintegrated over legal fees which was a bit upsetting as they'd been best friends for 15 years.

It got to the point where Punk chants started at a Chicago indy show before the All In PPV and they immediately got booed, whereas Colt then got a hero's welcome at the PPV.

He definitely screwed Colt over.

[slik]

Can it be a hood

I'll allow it

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Can it be a hood

A white point one, and name changes to “Killer” Kristian Kage

[Jordan]

Apparently Punk signed with AEW this morning. I wish that he and DB would have been kept under wraps but either way, super exciting news. Now AEW is officially the number one company in the world, blowing WWE and Roman Reigns out of the water.

[Triple A]

Where'd you hear that

[Triple A]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Official statement from Bryan Danielson and CM Punk regarding the rumors of going to AEW ��<br><br> <a href="https://t.co/Uq2dpLF7gb">pic.twitter.com/Uq2dpLF7gb</a></p>&mdash; Andrew Zarian (@AndrewZarian) <a href="https://twitter.com/AndrewZarian/status/1418352552211619840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 22, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[drave]

:|

[Mr. Nerfect]

Apparently Punk signed with AEW this morning. I wish that he and DB would have been kept under wraps but either way, super exciting news. Now AEW is officially the number one company in the world, blowing WWE and Roman Reigns out of the water.

They’ve got a very similar problem to the WWE, where they cap themselves with bad content that makes whatever good you drop in irrelevant. You’re not replacing anyone with Punk and Bryan. You’re basically just wasting whatever time they might have left on their careers.

[Fignuts]

Apparently Punk signed with AEW this morning. I wish that he and DB would have been kept under wraps but either way, super exciting news. Now AEW is officially the number one company in the world, blowing WWE and Roman Reigns out of the water.

I'm excited for Bryan and Punk in AEW but they're not on Roman's level, in terms of star power.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Times change and context is different — small fish, etc. But the WWE has tried Punk and Bryan as top stars before. Against each other. I wanted to like it as a fan, but it wasn’t exactly revolutionary.

[Maluco]

I'm excited for Bryan and Punk in AEW but they're not on Roman's level, in terms of star power.

Of course they are. They were top faces naturally chosen by the fans in an era that had more people watching. Reigns couldn’t even get over as a face despite massive and sustained company backing.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Of course they are. They were top faces naturally chosen by the fans in an era that had more people watching. Reigns couldn’t even get over as a face despite massive and sustained company backing.

He couldn’t get over with a certain segment of the audience. Whoever gets pushed into that top spot gets revolted against because kayfabe is dead and the most hardcore fans want to feel smarter than the WWE all the time.

They were cheering Braun Strowman over Roman. Not very hard, but is Braun a bigger wrestler than Roman? Is he a bigger star?

Roman’s push to general audiences and his appearances in film(s) make him a bigger star. Not necessarily someone who gets the best reactions or even has the best matches (although he is one of the best going today), but definitely the biggest star next to John Cena and Goldberg in terms of guys actually doing stuff right now.

[Fignuts]

I would guarantee Roman has sold a hell of a lot more merchandise than either punk or bryan.

[Triple A]

I don't think Bryan or Punk will have a massive effect on the ratings immediately... Feel like even if John Cena jumped to AEW, Dynamite might get like 1.5 million or something for the first show, then would go back down to whatever it would be, or slightly above

Feel like the audience can gradually grow over time though if it stays hot and they use Punk/Bryan in a good way...

[Bad News Gertner]

Roman Reigns fan on Twitter alone

[Fignuts]

Of course they are. They were top faces naturally chosen by the fans in an era that had more people watching. Reigns couldn’t even get over as a face despite massive and sustained company backing.

The company backing is literally what kept him from getting over. As soon as they stopped doing that and turned him heel, everyone did a 180 and raved about how he's the best thing in wrestling right now.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Punk and Bryan were no-brainer signings from the start. They should have been going after them way earlier than this. They may actually have a strong immediate effect because they will be in different environments. AEW’s best bet was using Khan money to buy talent and create the appearance that the tides were turning in wrestling. This is KIND of that move, but it comes after a lot of WWE-esque bullshit.

If they’re going to get their shit together at some point, now is as good a time as any. Go after Brock and Adam Scherr too. But I just can’t take this promotion seriously. I don’t think they have the creative vision to actually grow.

Besides this week, which again is a good start, have they ever shown any signs of being able to build an audience? The people who do want to tune in for Bryan or Punk, are they going to want to see Kenny Omega terrible emoting and The Young Bucks’ offensive acting?

I think the overlap in the Venn diagram of people who will eat up any old shit is smaller than people think.

[Jordan]

CM Punk is a massive UFC and Film movie star. He shook the world with a promo about 8 years ago and nobody has been right since. CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, Kenny Omega and Cody Rhodes (who is a star on multiple hit tv shows) definitely have the advantage over Roman, Bobby and WWE now. WWE will soon be struggling to get any attention save for the upcoming Rock appearances. But don't forget that CM Punk is a huge film start too having working in movies like Girl on the Third Floor and the upcoming Jakob's Wife.

[Mr. Nerfect]

CM Punk is a massive UFC and Film movie star. He shook the world with a promo about 8 years ago and nobody has been right since. CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, Kenny Omega and Cody Rhodes (who is a star on multiple hit tv shows) definitely have the advantage over Roman, Bobby and WWE now. WWE will soon be struggling to get any attention save for the upcoming Rock appearances. But don't forget that CM Punk is a huge film start too having working in movies like Girl on the Third Floor and the upcoming Jakob's Wife.

Hahaha, alright, I’m with you now.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Seriously, you can never be sure in this wrestling bubble who is fucking joking and not.

[xrodmuc316]

Bryan I think is a far better get. Punk just feels like he missed the boat. He could have been there from the start. He could have shown up at the first All Out. I cant think of any way his character benefits from waiting 2 and a half years to then join AEW.

[Bad News Gertner]

I've been anti-CM Punk from the getgo. I just never thought he was that good. He didn't change my opinion of him like Daniel Bryan did

[Sepholio]

Yeah Punk could always cut a promo and he was a decent hand but I never thought he was anything special. He's the same to me as Kenny Omega. Overrated af and bores me to tears. Also thought Dbry was extremely overrated but he brought me around after awhile.

[Sepholio]

I also feel like being 42 with 7 years of ring rust will not bode well for Punk. It's also been a long time since the last time he got smacked around in UFC so I dunno if he's kept in shape as much since then. He's young enough still he can get it together after a bit and work the rust off, but I don't think he's gonna look great when he first returns.

[Fignuts]

I always thought Kevin Owen's was a better version of CM Punk.

Bit of a different kind of smarmy asshole than punk, but a great smarmy asshole all the same, and better at improving on the spot.

[Sepholio]

That's a great comparison and I agree 100%

I actually love KO. For me he is one of the most exciting people to watch. Love his matches.

[Jordan]

I'd take Punk over KO anyway. KO would've been great in AEW though had he chosen to leave WWE.

[Sepholio]

If I was starting a company KO would be high on my list of start up talent. Very high.

He has charisma and can promo. But most importantly he fits a niche that only a couple talents per generation seem to fit: The big guy that can GO more like a cruiser/light heavyweight. He's like Bam Bam Bigelow. He's an almost unique talent that I would find very very hard to pass up.

There are a lot of guys like Punk, and while he used to stand out more for his differences, now he won't. There are other people who work his style a lot better than he does, and that's even assuming he can still go like he used to. I have no doubt he will still be great on the stick tho and that counts for a lot.

I'd honestly take both of them in a start up company. Punks hype train would immediately make him more over, but hypothetically lets say they were both coming in with the same level of hype between the 2 of them. If that was the case and all things considered equal I would have KO as a main event scene regular (not the tip top level guys, but always in the picture) and probably have Punk in the upper midcard, occasionally working a main event program.

[slik]

Same. I don't really see them as comparable but I consider Punk a much bigger deal than KO.

If Dbry and Punk had not come along and gotten my interest I probably would have quit watching wrestling back then.

[slik]

I really liked KO's initial run when he got called up and was demolishing Cena but I think the last thing I really enjoyed of KO was his feud with Jericho. He hasn't really felt like as big of a star to me since that feud.

[Sepholio]

I want to say Punk is like a poor mans Christian.

But that wouldn't be fair to Christian.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Bryan I think is a far better get. Punk just feels like he missed the boat. He could have been there from the start. He could have shown up at the first All Out. I cant think of any way his character benefits from waiting 2 and a half years to then join AEW.

Kinda feel this way too I think? Bryan is a generational in ring talent who also happens to be massively entertaining. He will fit in and flourish wherever he goes.

Punk is going to do… pretty much what Moxley’s already doing? But without the hardcore component. And it’s totally fair to say that Moxley took Punk’s gimmick but he’s made it his own.

[Fignuts]

Same. I don't really see them as comparable but I consider Punk a much bigger deal than KO.

If Dbry and Punk had not come along and gotten my interest I probably would have quit watching wrestling back then.

Punk is a bigger star, for sure. I just think Owen's is more talented in certain areas, and more fun to watch in general.

[Jordan]

KO has had several fantastic runs in WWE no doubt. But there is "just something" about CM Punk and it's always been that way. But thinking back and comparing their great runs in WWE side by side they may be close to equal.

[Triple A]

I wasn't watching WWE for the years during Punk's run but watched a few clips of him last year, in-ring segments with Vince McMahon and stuff and he seems really great on the mic... never seen a CM Punk wrestling match I don't think tbh

[slik]

Punk vs Cena at MITB 2011 was really good

I also really liked Punk vs Lesnar at SummerSlam 2013


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[Jordan]

I wasn't watching WWE for the years during Punk's run but watched a few clips of him last year, in-ring segments with Vince McMahon and stuff and he seems really great on the mic... never seen a CM Punk wrestling match I don't think tbh

Yeah you gotta go to the network and watch the Cena/Punk Match at MITB 2011. One of the all time great matches. The pre match promo will catch you up I'm sure.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I liked CM Punk, but a lot of that was smark sheep mentality. I was supposed to like CM Punk. If you think back to his actual work, there are blips that are actually good (his feud with Raven, his OVW mid-card stuff, his feuds with Jeff Hardy and Cena were both great), but a lot of it really didn’t deliver. I kind of forced myself to enjoy him with Paul Heyman at the time.

He can talk his ass off, and he seems to appreciate what a good wrestling program is. And I don’t think he’d sign with anyone if he wasn’t “ready.” I’m sure he’s every bit CM Punk he wants to be. That has a cap though.

I don’t miss him. He’s not one of the greatest of all-time. He is going to be over with this audience and he’ll bust his ass in front of the niche. Cool. :y:

I’m more interested in the idea of him blowing up on Kenny Omega and the stories that come out afterwards.

[Jordan]

I think what was bad for Punk was being forced into the WWE mold that he was so resistant to. Danielson for whatever reason had a lot more perseverance and ability to work well under almost any circumstances. Punk is a bit too stubborn for that. If WWE had been working with Punk after the "Yes" era then I'm sure his experience would have been a lot different because Danielson was the guy to really open Vince's eyes to the ROH era worker. Even though Punk did have a year plus title reign, and get to work Taker at Mania. I don't know, maybe it was just Triple H holding him down, maybe he couldn't get the WWE team to see him on the level he saw himself. I don't really know, it's been a long ass time since I've watch anything to do with Punk aside from MMA commentary.

[xrodmuc316]

Kinda feel this way too I think? Bryan is a generational in ring talent who also happens to be massively entertaining. He will fit in and flourish wherever he goes.

Punk is going to do… pretty much what Moxley’s already doing? But without the hardcore component. And it’s totally fair to say that Moxley took Punk’s gimmick but he’s made it his own.

Even if Mox ripped parts of his character from Punk's, Moxley has more of a right to portray those aspects because he never went and got destroyed in real fights.

No matter how good Punk is on the mic, who can ever remotely believe that guy could win a fight against anybody but the Marko Stunt's or Peter Avalon's?

Nobody who saw those UFC fights is going to look at Punk as being able to beat Miro or Archer, or outwrestle anybody with any real skill. Its the biggest obstacle he has, moreso than not having a match for 7 and a half years, moreso them him weighing like 165 pounds now, moreso than hum being almost 43.

CM Punk is not the guy he was during his peak 2011-2012 run, and much like what happened in 2013 and 2014 when he quit, Bryan is going to outshine him, and how long until that eats him up and he gets bitter like the malcontent he is.

[rez]

Even if Mox ripped parts of his character from Punk's, Moxley has more of a right to portray those aspects because he never went and got destroyed in real fights.

No matter how good Punk is on the mic, who can ever remotely believe that guy could win a fight against anybody but the Marko Stunt's or Peter Avalon's?

Nobody who saw those UFC fights is going to look at Punk as being able to beat Miro or Archer, or outwrestle anybody with any real skill. Its the biggest obstacle he has, moreso than not having a match for 7 and a half years, moreso them him weighing like 165 pounds now, moreso than hum being almost 43.

CM Punk is not the guy he was during his peak 2011-2012 run, and much like what happened in 2013 and 2014 when he quit, Bryan is going to outshine him, and how long until that eats him up and he gets bitter like the malcontent he is.

gonna ...have to agree with you

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Punk vs Cena at MITB 2011 was really good

I also really liked Punk vs Lesnar at SummerSlam 2013


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That summer slam match with Punk is probably my favorite Lesnar match since his return.

[weather vane]

Living Colour just followed AEW on Twitter.

[Noid]

Wrestling fans amuse me. Remember how they reacted when Punk lost his UFC fight? So fickle. This guy thought eating fried chicken would give him muscles and he healed from an injury without any prescription drugs. Punk is a lunatic and his bullshit caught up with him in court where he cried like a baby.

I'm glad that WWE doesn't have to do business with such a pri madonna. Let's see how long he lasts in AEW.

[James Steele]

I don't understand where the CM Punk revisionist history comes from. He was the hottest act in wrestling when it needed a kick in the butt. If it wasn't for Rock/Cena, he'd have headlined 2 WrestleManias in a row. He kept me engaged. He was an incredible worker in the sense that he actually understands ring psychology. I understand he can be a twat and that causing some of the hate but is the UFC failure really that big of a deal? At the risk of sounding iike Jim Cornette (which isn't necessarily a bad thing), 85% of the AEW and WWE don't look like they could beat anyone's ass in a shoot.

CM Punk and DBry single handedly are going to make me watch AEW consistently and maybe even purchase a PPV if they don't have them involed with some of the cartoonish shit AEW has. CM Punk is a STAR and he can give programs the drama and psychology that makes real money. CM Punk didn't feel out of place with The Rock, John Cena, Stone Cold Steve Austin, or Brock Lesnar. He had an aura about him and that is because you knew the chip on his shoulder was real and you know his drive to shove it up everyone's ass was real. DBry's journey is comparable to Mick Foley, only he got a greater moment.

This is actually a legitimate oppurtunity for AEW to hook some lapsed fans if they don't turn them off with wrestling dinosaurs and flipamanias that mean nothing. Jericho/Gage is a terrible way to use Jericho. Gage is a piece of shit and shouldn't be on a national wrestling show.

[Bad News Gertner]

Nick Gage > HHH

[Noid]

I don't understand where the CM Punk revisionist history comes from. He was the hottest act in wrestling when it needed a kick in the butt. If it wasn't for Rock/Cena, he'd have headlined 2 WrestleManias in a row. He kept me engaged. He was an incredible worker in the sense that he actually understands ring psychology. I understand he can be a twat and that causing some of the hate but is the UFC failure really that big of a deal? At the risk of sounding iike Jim Cornette (which isn't necessarily a bad thing), 85% of the AEW and WWE don't look like they could beat anyone's ass in a shoot.

CM Punk and DBry single handedly are going to make me watch AEW consistently and maybe even purchase a PPV if they don't have them involed with some of the cartoonish shit AEW has. CM Punk is a STAR and he can give programs the drama and psychology that makes real money. CM Punk didn't feel out of place with The Rock, John Cena, Stone Cold Steve Austin, or Brock Lesnar. He had an aura about him and that is because you knew the chip on his shoulder was real and you know his drive to shove it up everyone's ass was real. DBry's journey is comparable to Mick Foley, only he got a greater moment.

This is actually a legitimate oppurtunity for AEW to hook some lapsed fans if they don't turn them off with wrestling dinosaurs and flipamanias that mean nothing. Jericho/Gage is a terrible way to use Jericho. Gage is a piece of shit and shouldn't be on a national wrestling show.

Punk was incredibly popular with smarks. There's no denying that. But he was never as popular as Cena, Rock, Austin or even Lesnar. He just didn't have that mainstream appeal. He's a repulsive chode who barely got to main event a PPV during his historic WWE title reign. In retrospect, I'm glad he never main-evented Wrestlemania. Just a couple of overachieving vanilla midgets.

[Noid]

The reason why he's coming back to wrestling is because he failed at MMA, acting and even writing comics.

[Noid]

Dwayne Johnson faced failure but persisted and became one of the biggest Hollywood stars of all time. CM Punk on the other hand has no value outside of wrestling.

[fundiddle]

I don't understand where the CM Punk revisionist history comes from. He was the hottest act in wrestling when it needed a kick in the butt. If it wasn't for Rock/Cena, he'd have headlined 2 WrestleManias in a row. He kept me engaged. He was an incredible worker in the sense that he actually understands ring psychology. I understand he can be a twat and that causing some of the hate but is the UFC failure really that big of a deal? At the risk of sounding iike Jim Cornette (which isn't necessarily a bad thing), 85% of the AEW and WWE don't look like they could beat anyone's ass in a shoot.

CM Punk and DBry single handedly are going to make me watch AEW consistently and maybe even purchase a PPV if they don't have them involed with some of the cartoonish shit AEW has. CM Punk is a STAR and he can give programs the drama and psychology that makes real money. CM Punk didn't feel out of place with The Rock, John Cena, Stone Cold Steve Austin, or Brock Lesnar. He had an aura about him and that is because you knew the chip on his shoulder was real and you know his drive to shove it up everyone's ass was real. DBry's journey is comparable to Mick Foley, only he got a greater moment.

This is actually a legitimate oppurtunity for AEW to hook some lapsed fans if they don't turn them off with wrestling dinosaurs and flipamanias that mean nothing. Jericho/Gage is a terrible way to use Jericho. Gage is a piece of shit and shouldn't be on a national wrestling show.
i can't really disagree with any of that, i would surprise myself if i spent money on a ppv, though

[Noid]

You lot are just fickle adrenaline junkies. Nobody in their right mind should do business with a lunatic like CM Punk. But then again this company is promoting Nick Cage so wtf.

[Fignuts]

Dave, please stop.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Yes. Please. It’s just annoying as fuck now.

[Noid]

There's no doubt in my mind that AEW wasn't CM Punk's #1 choice to wrestle. He's solely to blame for burning so many bridges and being a complete failure in all other avenues. No wonder WWE stopped making stars.

[Bad News Gertner]

Yes. Please. It’s just annoying as fuck now.

Now?

[Damian Rey 2.0]

I was being nice but you’re right it’s just annoying

[Blonde Moment]

There's no doubt in my mind that AEW wasn't CM Punk's #1 choice to wrestle. He's solely to blame for burning so many bridges and being a complete failure in all other avenues. No wonder WWE stopped making stars.
WWe stopped making Stars when the Rock was in the process of leaving, Cena was an accident.

[Jordan]

Look at these nerds obsessing over me :roll: What a bunch of creepos. Sometimes I wonder why do I even grace these morons with my presence when there are clearly superior forums with excellent wrestling discourse.

Can you give me a link please.

[Blonde Moment]

They don't exist. It's either places like this full of old friends or so heavily moderated you can't have your own thoughts. This place might of devolved into trash but its home.

[rez]

AJ Lee would be nice to have back in wrestling

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Why are people engaging an obvious sock account

[Blonde Moment]

Why are people engaging an obvious sock account

Too lazy to hit the ignore button

[Mr. Nerfect]

They don't exist. It's either places like this full of old friends or so heavily moderated you can't have your own thoughts. This place might of devolved into trash but its home.

This is truth.

Also, lol at Guru Dave. It’s only natural he wants to be me. I say keep it up. Less annoying than his usual gimmick.

[Noid]

Why are people engaging an obvious sock account

Stop abusing your mod powers, creepo.

[Noid]

Too lazy to hit the ignore button

It's more fun to complain than ignore.

Besides, they know I speak the truth unlike the old Aussie fart who's clearly lost his marbles.

[Mr. Nerfect]

It's more fun to complain than ignore.

Besides, they know I speak the truth unlike the old Aussie fart who's clearly lost his marbles.

You say Aussie with a sting of xenophobia. So you’re a panty-sniffer and likely a racist. You can proper fuck right off.

[Noid]

You say Aussie with a sting of xenophobia. So you’re a panty-sniffer and likely a racist. You can proper fuck right off.

I derive no pleasure from hurting old people's feelings so I'll apologize. I'm sure your joints and declining health are already hurting you.

[xrodmuc316]

Remember when Punk hated that Miz main evented and Punk acted like it was so obvious that he was better and Miz was beneath?

Then fast forward a few years and Miz not only had his successful wrestling career, but thanks to his MTV roots got to host shows like The Challenge on MTV.

Then remember how Punk was on that very same show and got dominated by a dude named Johnny Bananas???

x5ochx1

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

[Noid]

The reason why he's coming back to wrestling is because he failed at MMA, acting and even writing comics.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Remember when Punk hated that Miz main evented and Punk acted like it was so obvious that he was better and Miz was beneath?

Then fast forward a few years and Miz not only had his successful wrestling career, but thanks to his MTV roots got to host shows like The Challenge on MTV.

Then remember how Punk was on that very same show and got dominated by a dude named Johnny Bananas???

x5ochx1

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

Holy shit, that’s hilarious.

CM Punk only matters to the wrestling world. Bryan Danielson actually had greater appeal, I think, but he’s still in shitty wrestling. I don’t think these moves are really going to help AEW, and I can see Punk exploding at some point.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I derive no pleasure from hurting old people's feelings so I'll apologize. I'm sure your joints and declining health are already hurting you.

I have no need to forgive creepy racists. Go fuck yourself, Dave. Lol, you’re probably older than me, perve.

[Noid]

I have no need to forgive creepy racists. Go fuck yourself, Dave. Lol, you’re probably older than me, perve.

Wasn't The Gabba still under construction when you were born? Why do you keep calling me that name?

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Literally can’t see any the last 10 posts Lmaooo

[#1-norm-fan]

Noid called Mr. Nerfect an “old Aussie fart” and then made some old man jabs. Good stuff.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Riveting

[Mr. Nerfect]

He truly is the wit of our time.

[drave]

Better than WWE programming right now.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Damn near anything is better than that

[Lock Jaw]

I will have no disparaging of Chad Gable. He is clearly the Val Venis of our times.

[Blonde Moment]

do these guys end up derailing every thread with their nonsense?

[screech]

yes

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Every time

[Noid]

I will have no disparaging of Chad Gable. He is clearly the Val Venis of our times.

This post lacks context because one of the mods deleted my post.

[drave]

You lack context.

[Lock Jaw]

I find your lack of context disturbing.

[#1-norm-fan]

There’s always context in the banana stand.

[Noid]

All this cyberbullying is too much to handle. #BAStar

[drave]

Find your disturbing context of lack I.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Spoke to someone from one of the networks right after today’s <a href="https://twitter.com/Matmenpodcast?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Matmenpodcast</a> <br><br>Here is what this person said:<br><br>“WWE is not as concerned about the possible Daniel Bryan and CM Punk signing to AEW as we are…”</p>&mdash; Andrew Zarian (@AndrewZarian) <a href="https://twitter.com/AndrewZarian/status/1420786094979887116?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 29, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Damian Rey 2.0]

WWE shouldn’t care until it starts putting a dent in their wallet. And the only way I see that happening is if AEW keeps pulling a million viewers, and WWE gets low balled on their next TV deals because why is a TV company going to going to post ungodly amounts of money for a product that’s barely out drawing the alternative?

But until that happens, they won’t and maybe shouldn’t care what AEW thinks.

[fundiddle]

tbs is where shows go to die. long term game

[rez]

eh, WWE went to TNN/SpikeTV and UPN for a minute

[slik]

TBS is in more homes than TNT

[Mr. Nerfect]

TBS is in more homes than TNT

That means nothing. It’s a ghost town of comedy reruns. Everyone who has a TV can pick up a basic signal, but it doesn’t mean you don’t want Netflix over 3am local access.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Doesn’t matter how many people watch AEW if the idea is that they’re all a bunch of muppets either. AEW getting kicked off its slot for semi-serious sports is not a good thing, no matter how hard someone squints to make it look that way.

And when TBS realizes they make more ad revenue off Big Bang reruns than Dynamite, the game’s gonna change again.

No one with any sense of taste advertisers value thinks AEW is good. It’s bad taste trash that is a punchline for how popular something with no artistic merit can be. And it’s not even that popular for that.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Look at and listen to an AEW crowd. They are people you wouldn’t trust to fix your sink without supervision, let alone people you would want to spend any sort of meaningful time with. Doesn’t matter how many of them are at a party if they’re the sort of people who kick their fingers before reaching back into the cheese puffs.

The demo talk is all bullshit. Wrestling fans are people other companies don’t want to be seen with their product. More likely to buy their enemies advertising time to punish them. Meltzer needs to sell newsletters and the ratings talk provides a consistent section he can rattle on about during slow weeks. They provide a story that can be poorly represented and interpreted. And when he wants to make someone look good, you can talk about how someone did well in a certain demo, on cable in 2021, like fucking lol. Raw sucks, declining viewership, AEW rules, high demo, not as good as Raw’s, but don’t talk about that. You’ve got a declining fan-base, but they spend more money than ever before, so carer to them and get out while you can.

[Lock Jaw]

Look at and listen to an AEW crowd. They are people you wouldn’t trust to fix your sink without supervision, let alone people you would want to spend any sort of meaningful time with. Doesn’t matter how many of them are at a party if they’re the sort of people who kick their fingers before reaching back into the cheese puffs.

lol just the mental image I am getting

[drave]

You kick your fingers regularly, LJ? Pre or post work poo?

[Noid]

Look at and listen to an AEW crowd. They are people you wouldn’t trust to fix your sink without supervision, let alone people you would want to spend any sort of meaningful time with. Doesn’t matter how many of them are at a party if they’re the sort of people who kick their fingers before reaching back into the cheese puffs.

The demo talk is all bullshit. Wrestling fans are people other companies don’t want to be seen with their product. More likely to buy their enemies advertising time to punish them. Meltzer needs to sell newsletters and the ratings talk provides a consistent section he can rattle on about during slow weeks. They provide a story that can be poorly represented and interpreted. And when he wants to make someone look good, you can talk about how someone did well in a certain demo, on cable in 2021, like fucking lol. Raw sucks, declining viewership, AEW rules, high demo, not as good as Raw’s, but don’t talk about that. You’ve got a declining fan-base, but they spend more money than ever before, so carer to them and get out while you can.

There is merit to this argument. The fanbase comprises of outcasts who do not fit the mold of society or what advertisers are looking for. On top of that, they're entitled and constantly seeking gratification. I'd say this is true for WWE fans as well. All the hate watching is simply very toxic and doesn't really paint a good picture of one's mental health. I'd reckon cutting down on your consumption of wrestling. Cherrypick what speaks to you and discard the rest. Change is an undeniable fact of life. Everything you love will change and there's a good chance that you might be resistant to it.

[Triple A]

Tony Khan on Busted Open Radio today: "I think everyone knows what to expect on the second episode of Rampage, which is titled ‘The First Dance.’ And I expect the anticipation will continue to build.”

[Sepholio]

Maybe its me but I feel like the anticipation would be a hell of a lot higher if they didn't constantly reference whats going to happen. Everyone knows its coming. There is no surprise or "what if" feeling to be had. Sucks tbh.

[Sepholio]

Imagine if they kept it quiet. Rampage in Chicago is on the air. Crowd doing a CM Punk chant because it's Chicago. No one really expects him to be there because it's Punk and it's been 8 years. Then that music hits and the roof explodes into the stratosphere.

It will still be a huge pop regardless, but not like it would have been if they left the element of surprise there.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

They haven’t flat out told you what to expect. The Punk rumors are just that at this point and there’s no report our company confirmation that he’s been officially signed. It’s smart to be vague because they want eyeballs on the he show which is already on a bad night, and they’re gonna want the follow up viewership the following Wednesday. I can tell you personally that my anticipation is building and I’m eager to get to next week to see how they debut him or how of the results the crowd goes if he doesn’t show up.

[BigCrippyZ]

Yeah, no one involved has even officially mentioned Punk's name yet and I'm still going to check out Rampage next Friday just to see what happens. Would it be "cooler" if it had been kept entirely secret, sure, but they likely would never have been able to sell the tickets they have for the United Center, and they would have been pretty dumb to book a venue that would've otherwise likely been half empty for a debuting CM Punk.

[xrodmuc316]

I dont know if it would even be that big of a deal to me if it was a 100% surprise. I think waiting 3 extra years before joining is dumb. Punk feels very irrelevant to me.

I think maybe that is why they are *wink winking* him coming in so much, because after the initial return in his hometown, is anybody honestly not going to be immediately looking forward to the New York show and Bryan Danielson?

Punk seems like filler until Bryan shows up.

[xrodmuc316]

Although, I would enjoy Colt getting the Dark Order to try and collect Colt's legal fees by beating them out of Punk.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Yeah, no one involved has even officially mentioned Punk's name yet and I'm still going to check out Rampage next Friday just to see what happens. Would it be "cooler" if it had been kept entirely secret, sure, but they likely would never have been able to sell the tickets they have for the United Center, and they would have been pretty dumb to book a venue that would've otherwise likely been half empty for a debuting CM Punk.

They sold out for next week and still have tickets available for the go home shows the following week. I think if Punk does show up, the ballsy move to run the same market 4 straight shows might pay off gate wise. If for whatever reason they didn’t sign Punk, and they run Rampage without him, that crowd is gonna have a meltdown and high jack the show.

I would hope and think Khan and company aren’t that dumb.

[Jordan]

If for whatever reason AEW doesn't have Punk under contract I think that as long as they have Paul Wight (no more BS you guys) work a tour of big matches that the crowd in Chicago and all the people who fly in will go home happy.

[drave]

Are you fucking insane? The hype around Punk right now, in CHICAGO, better deliver. As stated already, the fans will revolt if it is anything else and if AEW shits the bed again, it'll be the start of a pretty nasty downward spiral.


It wouldn't be the first time they "over-promise" or whatever, and wrestling fans are fickle to a fucking fault.

[Jordan]

I think "No More BS" Paul Wight is the BIGGEST star in wrestling and could carry the torch higher than any competitor in the world.

[Lock Jaw]

He's no Christian Cage.

[Jordan]

He's no Christian Cage.

https://media.giphy.com/media/11SJ52YouBaDFS/giphy.gif

[Evil Vito]

Cult of Personality hits and MJF walks out instead.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

That would be awesome the following week. Open the show with MJF pissing off the marks.

[Frank Drebin]

Simpsons did it

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