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EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE CM PUNK-AEW DEBUT

Obviously, the major news of the evening was the return of CM Punk to professional wrestling, officially signing with All Elite Wrestling.  The signing and that return moment was the culmination of years of conversations between AEW President and Tony Khan that date back to even before AEW was officially announced.   Khan was obviously thrilled, having locked down someone he wanted for the company from day one and his excitement after the show was palpable.

During a post-show media scrum, Punk noted that from the moment the original ECW died, he's heard of people who are going to start running and conquer the world and he's always been gunshy of them, but over the last two years, he and Khan regularly spoke and he watched as Khan hired more and more people that Punk liked and respected and the conversations got to this point.   Punk also specifically mentioned the fact that the AEW locker room respected the late Brodie Lee's family and Lee's health issues and nothing leaked before Lee's passing as having greatly gained his respect.

Punk and Khan intimated that they had been waiting for the return of fans for Punk's debut and that they had a lot of happy accidents, even though the return was the 'worst kept secret', including finding out the United Center was available for the second episode of Rampage.

Punk declined to comment on the nature of his contract as he wanted people to focus on the moment and the positive impact he felt it had, but we are told he'll be regularly appearing on AEW programming as needed to build to big matches.  AEW realizes they have something unique here and they don't intend to burn through 10 matches in 10 weeks, for example.  Tony Khan stated it was a "long term" deal.  

Before Rampage began, AEW President Tony Khan came out on stage and thanked the Chicago fans for having faith in the company, stating that tonight, they would repay that faith back to the fans.  He thanked them for giving AEW the opportunity to entertain them and told Chicago that he loves them.  Khan, of course, grew up in Illinois.

The actual pop for Punk in the United Center was insane, to the point that the live audience was drowning out his theme song.  Nothing from Punk's promo was mapped out and he was given the chance to go out there and say what he wanted from the heart, with the exception that at some point, he'd have to set up his return match with Darby Allin.  AEW adjusted the timing of the rest of the show to enable the entirety of the Punk moment to run its natural course, not wanting to immediately switch off to something else. 

During the commercial break, Punk took a moment in the corner to compose himself and just thanked Chicago, without the mic, for being there.  There were fans crying in every direction you looked live.  It truly was a moment to behold live and in a business based on manufactured emotion, this was once again a big lesson that without something "real" from an emotional standpoint at the foundation, you can only go so far.    It was very much a celebratory moment for those fans live, the likes of which I have only rarely seen.  

When the promo was over and AEW TV went to Jurassic Express and Christian Cage backstage, Punk went to the announcer's table and hugged Mark Henry, then shook hands with Jim Ross, Taz and Excalibur.  He then acknowledged the Chicago fans before heading to the back.

Backstage, there was a lot of excitement about Punk coming in.  During his post-media scrum, Punk talked about names like Terry Funk, Eddie Guerrero and Harley Race that he looked up to and who helped him along the way.  For a good portion of the AEW locker room, they grew up watching Punk and many see him in the same light.  There were a lot of talents excited backstage when Punk said he wanted to work with the younger talents and help them develop and grow.  Punk stated he was looking forward to working with Will Hobbs, Jungle Boy, Jon Moxley, The Young Bucks, Kenny Omega and Ricky Starks.

The Darby Allin program is a Tony Khan idea.

Former WWE star Cliff "Domino" Compton and former WWE Executive, current Cirque du Soliel Exec and ECW Original Lou D'Angeli were backstage at the taping, having come in from Las Vegas to be there to support Punk and be with him for his big return.

During his return promo, Punk revealed a new t-shirt, which immediately crashed the AEWShop and Pro Wrestling Tees websites.  The remainder of the Rampage taping saw what had to have been a mile-long line circle the entire length of the United Center as fans attempted to buy a special edition version of the shirt that read "I Was There."  PWInsider.com heard from several readers who gave up on the rest of the taping trying to get the shirt.

For those asking the reaction within WWE to this, obviously they knew it was coming.  We have heard from some who were dismissive of the debut (although they hadn't seen the electric scene of Punk's return) and some who felt WWE had completely missed out by not having that moment for themselves to help repair the bridge with Punk.

When fans exited the United Center, all of the venue's digital signage featured CM Punk's graphics and logo.  There were many, many, many ice cream vendors giving out free CM Punk branded ice cream bars, something that played off of Punk's attempts to get the WWE ice cream bars revived.  Punk said he took the idea from Andy Kaufman, who once famously took an entire audience out for milk and cookies.

Tony Schiavone was raving about the Punk segment after the show, feeling it was one of the all time best moments he's been involved in during his time in pro wrestling.

During the post-media scrum, Punk stated that he spoke with Sting, who told him that he wished they had been able to wrestle 30 years ago.  Now, they will have a chance to face off when Punk wrestles Darby on All Out on 9/5.

The idea of Punk wrestling elsewhere is not a closed door but Punk is taking the approach that he is an "AEW Guy" and wants to concentrate on that.  Punk joked that if AEW wanted him to wrestle the G1 Climax, for instance, they could talk about it.

Punk's deal will allow him to still pursue acting and commentary for MMA and other opportunities.  We are told that it's being seen within TNT that Punk has joined "their team" and they are considering potential ideas for him beyond AEW.   Obviously, he's a massive sports fan so would be a natural fit.

At no point was Punk's theme music going to be anything but Living Colour's Cult of Personality, which he has used in WWE, UFC and Ring of Honor.

AEW had a strict "no talent backstage if they didn't work for the company" policy at tonight's taping in order to prevent leaks from getting out.  That said, Punk arrived several hours before the taping and was mingling with everyone in full sight, not trying to hide himself.  

Punk will make his Dynamite debut this Wednesday.  

The United Center framed AEW Roster Signed Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks Jerseys to Commemorate The First Dance event for their archives.  Below is Punk posing with the Blackhawks jersey:

Thanks to @EricFlicks for the photos.

 

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