CM Punk AEW Rumor Killer Regarding First World Title Win

A rumor has been debunked regarding the first AEW World Title win by CM Punk in May 2022.

When CM Punk debuted in AEW in the summer of 2021, he returned to the wrestling business after seven years away. The fans were ecstatic to see him as Punk became arguably the most popular wrestler in the company from the moment he walked in the door.

In the months that followed, Punk won nearly every match he had in AEW aside from an encounter with MJF where he lost due to an assist from Wardlow. Punk would get that win back from MJF and move on to the AEW World Title picture.

The main event of AEW Double or Nothing on May 29, 2022 saw CM Punk end the AEW World Title reign of “Hangman” Adam Page. For whatever reason, there have been rumors about that Punk win over Page about how Punk got the finish changed in that match. Those rumors are not true.

There was some clarification provided by Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (available via subscription) noting that it was AEW Owner/President/GM and booker Tony Khan’s call to put the AEW World Title on CM Punk at Double or Nothing.

“As far as rumor corrections, the story going around that Punk was originally going to lose to Adam Page at last year’s Double or Nothing but pressured Tony Khan to change the finish is not true. Punk was always winning that match. I had said before the match that I it was me, I’d have Page win the first meeting and Punk then win the title in Chicago, but Khan wanted the title on Punk months earlier and that wasn’t Punk’s doing or pressuring.”

CM Punk would go on to win the AEW World Title for a second time at All Out in September 2022, which was his last night in an AEW ring due to an arm injury and a suspension, but it’s certainly possible he could be back some day.