CM Punk Names AEW Match That He Remembers Fondly
There is one match from CM Punk’s AEW career that he thinks of fondly because of what it meant to the wrestler he shared the ring with.
The two-year run of CM Punk in All Elite Wrestling is going to be remembered due to how controversial it was. Punk got into a backstage brawl with the Young Bucks and Kenny Omega in September 2022 after winning the AEW World Title at the All Out PPV in Chicago.
After missing about nine months due to surgery on his arm, Punk came back in June 2023 when AEW Collision launched. It was just two months later when he got into a backstage altercation with Jack Perry at the All In show in London, England.
This led to AEW’s Owner Tony Khan going on national television to say that CM Punk’s behavior put Tony’s life in danger. After an investigation, Punk was fired by All Elite Wrestling.
It was about two months after his AEW dismissal that led to Punk returning to WWE at Survivor Series 2023 after nearly a decade away.
Despite the dark clouds that may surrround Punk for his AEW run, there were plenty of great matches and memorable promos while he worked for All Elite Wrestling. Denise Salcedo of Instinct Culture asked Punk about his fond memories from AEW. Punk mentioned his first match in AEW that took place at AEW All Out 2021 when Punk beat Darby Allin in a great match.
“Darby Allin immediately comes to mind. Darby is a friend of mine. I don’t like talking about myself in this regard because people sensationalize headlines and they make assumptions next thing you know people in the basement are diagnosing me with some sort of psychological disorder.”
“I’d like to think that was a special moment for Darby. Being a straight-edge kid. Being the one that kind of lured CM Punk back into the ring and getting my first match back after six or seven years.”
“That will always be my number one with a bullet because I think Darby is a talented kid and I was happy to share the ring with him. I think we told a nice little story.”
WWE Talking To CM Punk About Contract Extension
Everything seems to be going well for CM Punk in WWE as he plans to return to the ring at SummerSlam on August 3rd after being out of action since late January due to a torn right triceps. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter wrote about the contract negotations that WWE is having with Punk now.
“Regarding stories on Punk and a new contract, the original deal he signed was short-term and filled with rollover clauses that would go a lot longer. From those in WWE, it was a three-year max with rollovers deal but that they were expecting to renegotiate it based on how things went at this time. They are in talks about a new more detailed deal as the original one was put together in a few days.”
“This was expected to happen from the start and not something like he’s trying to renegotiate now that he’s in a hot program. It was something always expected to happen if things went well at this time.”
“From a WWE source close to the subject, “I can’t say it’s a `restructuring.’ His original deal was very temporary”with a million rollovers, and they’ve been talking with him about a new deal. So it’s both sides talking.”
At SummerSlam, CM Punk will step into the ring for a highly anticipated match against Drew McIntyre. Seth “Freakin” Rollins will be the special guest referee of the match. While it’s not for a championship, many fans would label it as perhaps the biggest match at the show.