CM Punk has officially made his return to the world of sports entertainment.
The former WWE champion and UFC fighter made a momentous return to professional wrestling Friday night at AEW’s Rampage live on TNT from Chicago, Illinois. Punk was rumored to make his return after dropping hints on social media of a possible comeback, but nothing was set in stone.
Fortunately, fans didn’t have to wait long for the former WWE champion to make is presence known. Punk came out right as the show started and the top of the building practically blew off. Wrestling fans were crying in the crowd. It was a pretty surreal scene.
Punk, who hasn’t competed as a professional wrestler since parting ways with WWE over seven years ago, made the most of his return. After all, Punk is from Chicago. Pulling off a comeback years in the making in front of his hometown made the night even more special.
Check out Punk’s long-awaited entrance above and some of his in-ring moments below, courtesy of AEW/TNT:
The Summer of Punk has begun @CMPunk #AEWRampage pic.twitter.com/jndHscruoc
— All Elite Wrestling on TNT (@AEWonTNT) August 21, 2021
First on @CMPunk‘s list: @darbyallin #AEWRampage pic.twitter.com/ABqTNT8sYy
— All Elite Wrestling on TNT (@AEWonTNT) August 21, 2021
#CMPunk is here in #AEW!!!!!!!!!!#AEWRampage is included with your #AEWPLUS membership.
[ Join now ?? https://t.co/orzz2ZiadX ]
*Available in select intl markets pic.twitter.com/l3HKzao9C4
— FITE (@FiteTV) August 21, 2021
Punk, 42, made an unprecedented move to MMA back in 2016 following his departure from WWE in 2014. The entertainment star ended up making two trips to the Octagon. He lost his UFC debut to Mickey Gall via submission and then lost to Mike Jackson in his return, but that defeat ended up a no contest after Jackson popped for marijuana.