Was CM Punk’s time in AEW a Success or Failure?

CM Punk is one of the most popular professional wrestlers, who was widely known for pipebomb and for being the voice of the unvoice. He had a great run in WWE, where he gained fame and popularity. Despite a great run in Stamford based company, his departure was not smooth which made him retire from professional wrestling for almost seven years.

He then returned to WWE's rival company, AEW with a huge expectation and fan reaction. But due to a recent incident with Jack Perry at AEW All In London, he was terminated from his contract. In the account to his departure, here we analyze his AEW career and find whether he is successful or failure in his run.

AEW Debut

CM Punk's AEW debut and the return to professional wrestling is one of the most awaited moments among the wrestling fans. He made his AEW debut on August 20, 2021 at The First Dance event of Rampage in his hometown Chicago, Illinois. His return made a huge reaction in the wrestling industry and was considered as one of the iconic wrestling moments of all time. PWI awarded him Comeback of the Year Award, and Most Popular Wrestler of the Year Award. Wrestling Observer Newsletter gave Punk, Best Box Office Draw Award for his return. Which made his debut a huge success.

Feud with MJF

CM Punk had a big feud with MJF and delivered some of the best matches in the industry. Where CM Punk lost for the first time in AEW and for the first time in seven years. Although he lost a match to MJF at Dynamite, he took revenge on him at Revolution in a blood filled Dog Collar Match. The feud with MJF earned Best Mic Duel Award from AEW, and PWI Feud of the Year Award.

AEW World Champion

CM Punk won the AEW World Champion for the first time at Double or Nothing pay-per-view from Adam Page. But was announced to take hiatus from wrestling until recovering from a foot injury. Punk returned from injury and had a match with the Interim AEW World Champion Jon Moxley for the Undisputed AEW World Championship, where Moxley squashed Punk and became the undisputed champion. However, Punk re-captured the title at All Out.

Suspension and vacating the title

Punk addressed rumors regarding Colt Cabana's termination by blaming the Executive Vice Presidents, Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks. Which caused a huge confrontation and argument in the backstage and went physical. This made Punk, Omega, and The Young Bucks a suspension and Punk's championship was vacated. Punk had a tricep surgery during the absence and was written off from  television for nine months.

Feud with Samoa Joe & Real World Champion

Punk made his return to the company in June 2023 and teamed with FTR to take on Samoa Joe and Juice Robinson in a six-Man Tag Team Match and won. This marks the first match between Punk and Joe after their time in ROH during the early 2000's.

Punk then entered the Owen Hart Tournament and again had a match with Joe in the Semi-Finals and defeated him, but lost in the finals to Ricky Stark.

CM Punk then unveiled the AEW World Champion, which he vacated and sprayed an "X" mark on it and named it as the Real World Championship. He successfully defended it against Samoa Joe at All In London for the first and last time in AEW.

Fired from AEW

At AEW All In London, minutes before the show began, during the zero hour, CM Punk and Jack Perry (Jungle Boy) had a backstage confrontation following a heated argument of using real glass in a match. Following the event, both were suspended and Punk was fired from AEW due to disciplinary actions.

Analyzing his run in AEW, he had lots of ups and downs throughout his two years with the company. When considering his in-ring career with AEW, it was a huge success. But when it comes to backstage issues, suspension, injury and termination it is worse.