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| (Image Source: All Elite Wrestling) |
On the night of August 20, 2021, more than 15,000 people inside the United Center in Chicago, Illinois were on their feet as soon as "Cult Of Personality" by Living Colour was played. Then out comes what they have been anxiously anticipated for and the crowd generated what is highly regarded as the loudest buzz that has ever been heard in today's generation. There were some having tears over the eyes knowing that his presence is worth the wait. And the one who stepped out of the entrance way in front of a jam-packed arena is none other than Phil Murray who is known in the world of professional wrestling and sports entertainment as CM Punk.
After more than seven years of absence since his controversial departure from his former company in January 2014 and a series of losses in his mixed martial arts (MMA) stint in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), CM Punk has returned to the delight and anticipation of pro wrestling fans across the globe. This time, he has literally found a place where he can truly showcase his craft and love for professional wrestling that he loved the most as he becomes part of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), a professional wrestling promotion that has been listening and responding to the voices, hearts and souls of fans who love and enjoy the sport through the years since its inception in 2019; thus, making him the newest addition to a wide and diverse roster of more than 100 stars comprising of veteran and topnotch personalities and fresh talents from major and independent wrestling promotions around the world.
His return to professional wrestling was labeled as "the most anticipated announcement in AEW history" and kicked off the second episode of AEW's recently launched second weekly television program Rampage dubbed "The First Dance" in which more than one million viewers in the USA have tuned in live on their television screens via TNT. At the same time, it is also known by AEW Co-Founder, President, Chief Executive Officer and Head Of Creative Tony Khan as "the worst-kept secret in modern wrestling" so far due to the rumors and reports surrounding Punk's jump to AEW; however, it was all carefully planned and succeeded in a "Jordan-esque" manner considering that Punk's arrival in AEW was never advertised prior to the event. Its trubitastic impact never stopped there as highlight and behind-the-scenes videos regarding CM Punk in AEW has been viewed more than one million times on YouTube with the four-minute video on CM Punk's arrival on AEW garnering the most number of views with more than seven million and counting and being so impactful that even the Guinness World Records had commented on it.
Speaking to his hometown crowd in Chicago, Punk returns to the sport that he loved after his stint in what makes him sick in the first place following his departure from Ring Of Honor in August 2005 to help young and fresh talents to further improve their craft and showcase their love and passion for professional wrestling and "to settle some scores in the locker room". He is slated to make his AEW debut at All Out on September 5, 2021 (US time) in Chicago and his first match back will be against the unpredictably sensational enigma and former TNT Champion Darby Allin. Through this highly-anticipated bout, professional wrestling fans are looking forward to see if the 42-year old former world wrestling champion still has what it takes to go toe-to-toe and on par with some of the best and most established athletes in modern wrestling today. All I can say in conclusion is "CM Punk's back" and his return may have rekindled and reignited our passion for professional wrestling and, at the same time, cemented AEW as the hottest and most impactful professional wrestling promotion today. But, the best is yet to come.
Catch new episodes of All Elite Wrestling Dynamite every Thursday at 8:00 am (Philippine time) and of All Elite Wrestling Rampage every Friday at 10:00 am (Philippine time) on FITE via subscription to AEW Plus. You can also watch AEW Dark: Elevation and AEW Dark on AEW's official YouTube channel with new episodes every Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, at 7:00 am (Philippine time). AEW All Out is aired live on September 6, 2021 starting at 8:00 am (Philippine time) from the United Center in Chicago, Illinois on PPV via FITE. For more information, visit FITE.TV or download the FITE app on Google Play and Apple App Store. Visit and follow All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more news and updates.
