Set at the United Center in Chicago Illinois, this possibly was AEW’s biggest and most anticipated event. We’ve had some tremendous debuts but the one happening on this night will be talked about for years to come. Why? The return of CM Punk to pro-wrestling!
This was one of the weirdest shows that I’ve seen where the behind-the-scenes talk was like lightning for weeks. A lot of people could not or would not believe the possibility of CM Punk making a return, myself partly included just because there’s been so many swerves in pro-wrestling that has made someone like me cynical. There was no mention of CM Punk’s name explicitly leading up. Just various hints scattered with CM Punk also engaging in the slow build. Some people online said that CM Punk could have been trolling too.
However, it was all but confirmed through the day with Tony Khan partly admitted it without explicitly saying it. At the event itself, people were chanting his name in a manner that basically screamed super star reaction. Others had t-shirts already in the audience and apparently Tony Khan gave a warm up speech before the show started, practically affirming what people wanted.
After the intro, the announcers went quiet as the audience itself spoke for them in chanting one of the loudest and most sustained chants I’ve ever heard. But if it would get any louder, it would as the first notes to Living Color’s Cult of Personality started. The video on the screen began showing small hints with the city of Chicago, then the artwork and finally CM Punk’s name just as he stepped out of the entrance and received an even bigger reaction.
I mean, what can you say? This was definitely one of those rare moments that defied all logic. It was a feat that no one expected that could be pulled off but it had real feet. As CM Punk got up from his kneeling position, the announcers were equally ecstatic and sharing in the emotion. CM Punk and people in the crowd were in tears. It really doesn’t get any more real than this. And he was legitimately happy.
The promo was everything one can hope for. Although I had my own idea for an angle, the reason why this promo worked was because it felt real. It was the turmoil of a man who had lost his passion and almost his soul for something he cared about but the crowds helped reinvigorate his interest. And he would go on to point out why he’s back as he wants to take on the young talent, help them out as well as settle some scores in the locker room.
But the first person he selected for facing in his in ring AEW debut was none other than Darby Allin. And this is a very interesting choice because people have expected Punk to immediately focus his attention on Kenny Omega or some other high end person. Yet if I’m reading this correctly, I’m guessing that Tony Khan’s ultimate m.o. in all of this is to have the veterans wrestle the young, home made talent to give them the rub, have them experience large crowds by facing veterans, possibly their own heroes and getting a chance to shine, even though they might be defeated. And CM Punk did the right thing in putting over Darby Allin’s toughness and ability. Rather than being a smarmy heel character that seemed cynical from his time in the WWE, he seemed refreshed, eager and ready to do business here as if he was reborn. While he did take a few shots at the WWE, it wasn’t a huge deal as he mostly was explaining how he felt at the end of it all as well as his consternation about entering that environment.
All I can say is what a segment! You rarely get to experience situations like this. In dark days like now where the pandemic and corporate America has seemingly sucked the energy and will from people, there are small glimmers of hope. And even if I criticize AEW, I will give them credit for handling this part perfectly and letting Punk be himself right there.
Christian Cage/Jurassic Express Backstage Promo
I’m not a huge fan of Luchasaurus nor Marko Stunt but I will give Christian Cage a lot of credit for his promo work here. He kept it short and succinct but he seemed lit up as though CM Punk’s appearance had sparked a major fire in people that night. Nothing too silly here and Christian gave a nice pep talk to Jurassic Express.
Private Party vs Jurassic Express
I think after the CM Punk debut, everything went downhill fast. The crowd reaction just wasn’t as good here for both teams but they did some okay work, although Jurassic Express managed to get the crowd behind them towards the end. Nothing special but Jungle Boy and Isiah Cassidy looked reasonably sharp here. Too much outside interference by Matt Hardy and Marko Stunt, although I cracked up when Matt Hardy flipped Marko to the floor. The Young Bucks came out to watch but they didn’t do much. Jurassic Express got the win to advance, which means the Varsity Blondes and the Lucha Bros are up and will face Jurassic Express in the finals before facing the Young Bucks in a cage match.
I will say that Mark Henry got to say a little more but he still needs to stop just reacting with dumbfounded expressions and get into the match a lot more. With Jim Ross on commentary it wasn’t as horrific as when Chris Jericho was on the air and I think that allowed Mark Henry to get a few more words in edgewise.
Kenny Omega Backstage Segment
I wish Kenny Omega took notes about CM Punk’s promo. This guy just doesn’t get it. He’s a cartoon-ish heel without anything behind him. He reminds me more of Daffy Duck rather than Megatron when it comes to villainous personas. Even Roddy Piper at his corniest was entertaining and believable just because you really thought Roddy Piper was a jerk. In Omega’s case, he just comes off as obnoxious but not in a way that makes you respect nor fear him. He’s more like a garbage fly that you can’t swat away no matter how hard you try.
Kiera Hogan / Jade Cargill Package / Match
I haven’t seen much of Kiera Hogan but the little I saw wasn’t bad. She had a decent match against Hikaru Shida but that’s because Hikaru actually knows her role and can make her opponents look decent. Jade Cargill is awful and that Smart Mark Sterling is equally annoying.
The match was nothing. Felt like this was a complete waste of an opportunity. Rather than Kiera being the one to lose, it should have been Jade just because she’s awful and she should be treated like a jobber while she learns. At least, Kiera is experienced and has talent. But having everyone outside of Shida squashing Kiera is highly disappointing.
Jon Moxley / Daniel Garcia / 2.0 Backstage Interview
Mark Henry once again conducted a separated backstage interview where he was the “mediator”. Daniel Garcia is a scrawny jobber who had some wins on Dark as bones going into this match. But why is he even here against Moxley? For a big “main event” this seemed like a mismatch. But I will say the Moxley promo was pretty much on fire. 2.0 doesn’t do a bad promo but they have that charisma that borderlines on the Young Bucks’ goofiness. But I like 2.0 a lot more.
Jon Moxley vs Daniel Garcia
Again, bizarre mismatch to me. Garcia is more of a submission wrestler but he just has no weight behind him so he looks like nothing despite how he gives off intensity. Sadly, he weighs less than 200 lbs. He makes Moxley look big.
This didn’t last long and had some outside interference towards the end with 2.0 coming in for a post-match beat down on Kingston and Moxley. But Sting and Darby Allin made the save. No CM Punk though and the announcers used the moment to hype Allin’s upcoming match against CM Punk for All Out.
Final Thoughts
Let’s be honest. The only thing people came to see was CM Punk’s debut. The rest of the show was just an after thought. I don’t know why they keep trying to push Jade Cargill on the main shows. She really belongs on Dark and Elevation beating indy people. I am interested in this elimination tag tournament in the hopes that either the Varsity Blondes or Jurassic Express take the tag titles off the Young Bucks.
Daniel Garcia looks impressive but he’s just so paper thin. While I haven’t weighed myself on a scale in a while, I’m sure that I’m around his weight. I hate to say this but maybe he does need el roidz. But that’s realistically not going to happen anymore. Still, not sure why he’s getting this main event spot outside of Tony Khan wanting these young guys having their time with the veterans.
At any rate, the only thing to really watch from this program was CM Punk. Everything else just didn’t matter and I stopped caring once he had gone off screen. I wouldn’t doubt that the ratings would plummet after him because they just didn’t do much more to retain people, especially after the card they had the previous week. Where’s Malakai Black? Or why isn’t Andrade wrestling? You hired these top talent so why aren’t they being showcased?