CM Punk returns to professional wrestling with AEW

CM Punk

CM Punk has a new deal with AEW. (Jerry Lai/USA TODAY Sports)

CM Punk officially made his return on Friday night.

This time, though, he’s not with WWE.

Punk, after seven years away from professional wrestling, appeared at All Elite Wrestling’s “Rampage” in Chicago to officially announce that he was signing with the company.

Naturally, the sold out crowd at the United Center went wild.

Punk, a three-time WWE World Heavyweight champion and former WWE champion will officially step back into the ring at AEW “All Out” on Sept. 5 to take on Darby Allin in Chicago.

Punk — his real name is Phil Brooks — was released from WWE in 2014 after a lengthy public dispute with CEO Vince McMahon. He was involved in a defamation lawsuit with WWE’s doctor, too, and pledged to never step back into the ring after his departure.

Punk briefly tried to make it in the UFC, but holds an 0-1-0 record. He lost his debut in 2016 against Mikey Gall in the first round, and then fell by unanimous decision to Mike Jackson in 2018. That was later changed to a no contest, however, after Jackson failed a drug test. He hasn’t fought since.

Though it was already well on its way, Punk joining AEW is a huge get for the company trying to rival WWE. And while took him years to get back to the sport, Punk sounds thrilled to finally be back in the ring.

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