CM Punk returns to the professional struggle. But not with the WWE.
After seven years out of the ring, Punk returned Friday night with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), appearing on his television show “Rampage” in his hometown of Chicago. The promotion announced Punk, one of the most popular stars of professional wrestling during the 2010s, signed with AEW on social media.
Punk will fight Darby Allin in his first game back at AEW “All Out,” a pay-per-view event, Sept. 5 in Chicago, according to the promotion.
AEW never announced that Punk, whose real name is Phil Brooks, would appear on the show, but provoked him on several occasions. Rumors and reports caused AEW, an initial promotion that began in 2019, to be sold to United Center for its largest live attendance in history.
Punk is a former WWE World Heavyweight Champion and former WWE Champion.
Punk was released by the WWE in 2014 after a dispute with the company that led WWE doctor Christopher Amann to sue 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 put them ahead.
After quitting wrestling, Punk began an MMA career, training at Roufusport in Milwaukee with former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis and Paul Felder. The UFC signed Punk in late 2014, but did not debut until 2016, a first-round loss sent to Mickey Gall in the UFC 203.
In his second fight, Punk lost by unanimous decision against Michael Jackson in UFC 225 in June 2018. This fight was later canceled in a non-contest because Jackson tested positive for marijuana.
Due to his popularity, Punk moved the pay-per-view needle and ticket sales for the UFC, despite his little success at the Octagon. Punk remains on the UFC roster, though he hasn’t fought in three years. It was tested twice by USADA, the UFC’s anti-doping partner, only in the fourth quarter of 2020.
UFC President Dana White was asked earlier this month at the UFC 265 press conference about rumors that Punk was returning to professional wrestling. White said that if it were true, the UFC would have no problem.
“Viously, obviously, if he goes back to wrestling, he will be more than welcome to do that,” White said.
AEW was founded and directed by Tony Khan, son of Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan. The promotion began in 2019 and quickly gained strength as a WWE competitor.