CM Punk is back!
CM Punk returned to professional wrestling on Friday, August 20, 2021, on AEW Rampage: The First Dance. Following the show, there was a media scrum with CM Punk and Tony Khan courtesy of Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp on Twitter:
CM Punk doesn't want to disclose how long his deal is, and Tony Khan agrees. Khan says it isn't short term or part-time
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) August 21, 2021
CM Punk says he's been talking to Tony Khan for about a year and a half about coming to AEW
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) August 21, 2021
CM Punk says the ice cream bars were his idea. Said Jon Lester opening a tab at Chicago bars when he left the city to thank fans was an inspiration
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) August 21, 2021
CM Punk puts over Britt Baker big, and says she's a great example of how to get a talent over.
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) August 21, 2021
CM Punk says a lot of time in talks with AEW, they said the same things at the same times. Said wrestling doesn't need to be as hard as people pretend it needs to be. You don't need 16 cooks in the kitchen
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) August 21, 2021
CM Punk says AEW didn't have to prove anything to him, it was more about him being open to it. He wanted to dip his toes in with WWE Backstage. He blames @ReneePaquette for him returning to wrestling because she encouraged him to do Backstage
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) August 21, 2021
Tony Khan indicates there wasn't really a consideration to bring back Punk without fans. This gave them a lot of time to talk
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) August 21, 2021
CM Punk said that the roster, and people around AEW not saying anything about Brodie Lee's illness before his passing made a big impression on him
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) August 21, 2021
CM Punk was not hidden backstage tonight at AEW Rampage. He was backstage socializing with the roster before the show
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) August 21, 2021
CM Punk says he is sure he'll do a bit of everything, like commentary, wrestling, and wants to give back to wrestling. He wasn't in the place to wrestle for the last few years, but wasn't able to give back for years.
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) August 21, 2021
Tony Khan said they collaborated on the idea to do a short promoted show, and it came together exactly how they wanted. They wanted a surprise, but everyone to anticipate it
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) August 21, 2021
CM Punk says he hasn't had a problem with anyone today, when asked if he smoothed anything over with AEW wrestlers he's had issues with.
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) August 21, 2021
CM Punk mentions Jungle Boy, Kenny Omega, Young Bucks as people he wants to work with. "Who knows who else is coming? Well (Tony) probably knows."
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) August 21, 2021
Sting told CM Punk he was excited to work with him, and wished he could have in his prime
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) August 21, 2021
When asked about appearing in promotions, CM Punk says "I'm an AEW guy." He has freedom to continue MMA commentary, and doing other things.
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) August 21, 2021
CM Punk: "If (Tony Khan) tells me he wants me to go do the G1, we'll talk about it." Says he wants to swim in the AEW pool for a while
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) August 21, 2021
You can find Fightful's coverage of AEW Rampage The First Dance by clicking here. You can also check out the post-show podcast for a full review of all the action by clicking here.
