CM Punk is back in professional wrestling. But not with WWE.
After seven years out of the ring, Punk returned Friday night with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), appearing on the television show “Rampage” from his hometown of Chicago. The promotion announced on social media that Punk, one of the most popular stars in professional wrestling during the 2010s, signed with AEW.
“Sometimes you fall in love with things,” Punk said of professional wrestling at a post-event press conference. “If you release something and it comes back to you, it’s true love.”
Punk will fight Darby Allin in his first fight on AEW’s “All Out,” a PPV event, Sept. 5 in Chicago, the promotion said.
AEW never announced that Punk, whose real name is Phil Brooks, would appear on the show, but they made indirect mention on several occasions. Rumors and reports helped AEW, a newcomer promotion that began in 2019, get a full house at the United Center for its largest live attendance.
Punk, 42, said he had been talking to AEW founder Tony Khan, son of Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad, for a year and a half. He would have returned earlier, he said, had it not been for the pandemic. Punk did not go into details about his contract, but said he was long-term and would not be a part-time fighter.
“I knew I couldn’t make my debut if there weren’t people in the arena,” Punk said. “I always say the timing is everything. There were a lot of happy accidents along the way to make it possible.”
Punk is a three-time former WWE World Heavyweight Champion and former WWE Champion. Punk was released by WWE in 2014 after a dispute with the company that led to WWE doctor Christopher Amann suing him for defamation. Punk won the lawsuit. For years, WWE fans at events sang “CM Punk!” if they didn’t like the product the promotion was putting in front of them.
After leaving professional wrestling, Punk embarked on a career in MMA, coaching at Roufusport in Milwaukee with former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis and Paul Felder. UFC signed Punk in late 2014, but did not make his debut until 2016, a first-round submission defeat to Mickey Gall at UFC 203.
In his second fight, Punk lost by unanimous decision to Michael Jackson in UFC 225 in June 2018. That fight was later annulled to a no-contest because Jackson tested positive for marijuana.
Due to his popularity, Punk moved the needle selling PPV tickets and PPVs, despite his lack of success in the octagon. Punk remains on the UFC roster, though he hasn’t fought in three years. He was screened twice by USADA, UFC’s anti-doping partner, as recently as in the fourth quarter of 2020. Punk is also a commentator for Cage Fury FC on UFC Fight Pass and said he would continue in that role.
UFC President Dana White was asked earlier this month at a pre-UFC 265 press conference about rumors that Punk would return to professional wrestling. White said that if it were true, the UFC would have no problem with that.
“Obviously, if he’s going to go back to wrestling, he’s more than welcome to do it,” White said.
AEW started in 2019 and has quickly gained ground as a WWE competitor.
“It’s more about the spirit of the thing. Instead of feeling like a home, it feels like a home,” Punk said of AEW. “It’s the best way I can describe it.”