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CM PUNK TALKS HIS RETURN TO CHICAGO, IMPRESSIONS OF THE AEW LOCKER ROOM, WHY FRIDAY MAY HAVE BEEN THE GREATEST NIGHT OF HIS CAREER AND MORE

CM Punk appeared yesterday on ESPN 1000 in Chicago, IL to discuss his AEW debut this past Friday, talking with Jonathan Hood and David Kaplan. 

When asked what the outpouring of emotion for his return meant to him, Punk said he is a Chicago sports guy and cried when the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup and when the Cubs won the World Series.  Since he's a Chicago sports guy, those moments mean a lot and this moment meant a lot because he's so attached to Chicago and sports.  Anyone making fun of the fan who was crying is making fun of Punk too.  There's nothing wrong with having that outpouring of emotion.  He'll cry at a Marvel movie.

Punk said that the Rampage appearance might have been the greatest night of his career.  Punk said the entire night couldn't have gone any more perfect, "the way we set it up as the world kept secret", selling out the United Center on a rumor without him never being advertised or announced, etc.  All of that shows the connection the AEW fans have.  They get it.  They want to go to the shows and be entertained and have a good time.  They didn't have to beat them over the heads to get a TV rating.  Wrestling is about moments and getting people to feel something.  Everyone was super positive backstage.  His family was with him.  He could go on and on personally about it.

Publicly, it was a smashing success.  The People care about YouTube views and analytics and measurements were happy.  He admitted that stuff doesn't matter to him "all that much", but they were all positives.  

Punk gave ice cream bars out to say thank you to everyone who waited for seven years for him.  Punk said he's back and he wanted to show the fans how thankful he was that they waited that time.

Punk said that the way he has been embraced and have reacted has been off the charts.  People made the Michael Jordan comparison and Punk said that Jordan is the best of all time but within the wrestling circles, he just wants to help AEW grow and win some championships just like Jordan came back to win some titles.

On the AEW roster, Punk said it's a youthful roster full of exuberance.  It reminds him of the punk rock shows of his youth, where a lot of people have found their place and fit in here and feel at home.  That's what impressed him the most.  It's great that everyone's nice and happy to see him but he's optimistic that isn't just a honeymoon thing.  The talents are young and what they lack in experience, they make up for effort.  He feels like he's a major league slugger walking out on a team full of great prospects.  They are eager to please the fans but they also want to have fun and when you are having fun, it makes things so much greater.

On his preparation for his All Out PPV match against Darby Allin, Punk said there's a lot of "can Punk still go" talking floating around, but fortunately, he was never a guy who did crazy flips and doesn't have to try and do all these insane athletic feats.  He tells stories.  He is watching tape of Darby and starts to get creative about what they can do.  He had been in the ring for "Heels" but not extensively as it beats the body up.  He's watching and he's impressed by what he sees in Darby.

Punk said he appreciates all the love from everyone.

You can listen to the entire discussion, including some Chicago Cubs conversation, at this link.

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