Analyzing CM Punk's Promo Back

Saturday, June 17th, 2023, will be remembered as the day All Elite Wrestling (AEW) premiered their latest show, AEW Collision, on TNT. It will also be remembered as the day CM Punk returned to professional wrestling... again.

It would be on the "First Dance" edition of AEW Rampage in July of 2021 that CM Punk would make his first comeback to much fanfare. And while the crowd reception in his hometown of Chicago, Illinois, would have you believe that the wrestling fans are as excited now as they were back then, not everyone shares the same rosy opinion of CM Punk, and we can look to Punk's promo as to the reasons why.

The Walk Down the Aisle

Collision would appropriately start off hot with Punk's return front and center. With "Cult of Personality" playing over the speakers, Punk would begin his walk down the aisle, his wrestling boots draped from his neck by their laces, a red velvet bag in hand. The crowd's reaction would prove that Tony Khan is wise in strategizing where to best implement his stars.

And before even a word is said, Punk would immediately remove the AEW logo from his microphone, a signal that he refuses to lean away from the character (or real-life persona) that endeared him to audiences during his tenure in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

"-I'm tired of being nice."

The last time CM Punk was seen in a wrestling ring was September 4th, 2022, where he would defeat Jon Moxley to win the AEW World Championship for his second reign with the belt. This reign wouldn't last long as tensions had been building backstage between Punk and the Executive Vice Presidents of AEW (and popular talents) The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega. Lines were beginning to be drawn, with the tag team of FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) being notoriously pro-Punk, and "Hangman" Adam Page being a longtime friend of the EVPs.

After Punk made many scathing comments during the events media scrum, the Bucks and Kenny would look to confront Punk. Multiple conflicting reports would ensue in the aftermath, with many implying that Punk and his friend, (former) AEW trainer Ace Steel threw the first punch. After this violent assault, Punk and the EVPs would be suspended and stripped of their titles. Steel would be relieved of his position.

The Buck and Omega would make their return in November of that year. There was silence on when or if Punk would return until mere weeks before the television premiere of Collision. And the first thing Punk would do in this promo would be to make light of the scrum before immediately dismissing it and saying the real reason he was gone for ten months was because of an injury. Although this could be easily construed as Tony Khan asking Punk not to reference the event on TV, Punk didn't get where he is today without doing things his way.

"Tell me when I'm telling lies!"

CM Punk would make this declaration, repeating that he's tired of playing nice. He would call out to the Chicago faithful, telling them that they're smart and passionate about the business and that it's when he is surrounded by them that he feels like he fits in. Punk would then turn his attention to a group of people without calling them by name, stating that they hate him because of the same reasons the audience loves him.

He would take a page out of Ron Killing's playbook, saying the reason they don't like him is because he is the truth. Punk would pause as the Chi-town crowd filled in the blanks by chanting, "Fuck the Elite!" Punk would claim that audiences could cheer or boo him, but either way, they're proving him right. He would then look into the camera as if daring the powers that be to turn off his mic as Vince McMahon did back in 2011, before stating that he is a genuine article and not a "counterfeit Buck."

"-It's mine because I earned it!"

Punk would address the velvet bag, implying that the AEW World Championship, or at least a copy of it, is inside. Punk would begin to disparage MJF, the current AEW World Champion, stating that MJF isn't the World Champion until he beats Punk. An odd statement seeing as MJF did win the title by defeating Jon Moxley, a man who has beaten CM Punk in the past.

Punk would leave the ring, preparing for his main event match, having made clear that nothing had changed since when he left. Or at least, he believes nothing has changed. But the landscape of the company couldn't be any more different.

It's Been A Long Ten Months

Punk's promo is indicative that his attitude seemingly hasn't changed at all, still bearing a grudge for the men he allegedly assaulted. He would then imply that there is no legitimate World Champion as long as he remains. His hometown crowd may have eaten up the promo, but a contingent of fans voiced their displeasure. In the same promo where Punk stated he loved the fans, he turned and insulted those that refused to give him a pass for his publicly unprofessional behavior. He refused to acknowledge the growth the company experience with his absence, even though he was speaking on a brand new program. And what success the company did achieve, he still took credit for, stating that the boys in the back were soft.

CM Punk is a master of the promo. He's also an expert in weaving from work to shoot and back again, to the point that it's hard to determine when he's hyped and when he's hot. But we can trace all of it back to one phrase Punk said in this promo. "I'm still here. And as long as I am, this is the professional wrestling business." Dax Harwood alluded to it in his short-lived podcast. Many analysts have questioned if the parties involved could do it. But it appears the message was sent. We can sit and attempt to decipher what Punk's and/or Tony Khan's intentions are in this promo. But we can't deny that Punk is back. Which means he is here to do business. Now all that remains is to see if the Elite are going to meet him halfway.