Several years ago, CM Punk was considered one of, if not the best professional wrestler in the world. With a list of classic matches behind him, managing to make it as a top star in the biggest company in the world, and developing such a huge following, it was hard to argue with the claims that he was number one. After taking seven years away from wrestling, the “best in the world” billing has been shared out amongst others. However, with his recent return to pro wrestling with AEW, is there a case to be made that Punk is once more the “best in the world”?

“Best In The World” Was More Than Just A Catchphrase For CM Punk

Early in his career, Punk developed a big fanbase, mostly due to his work in Ring of Honor, where he became a prominent name outside WWE. Whether it be his fantastic heel persona, ability to also be a great babyface, or consistently amazing matches against the likes of Samoa Joe, Christopher Daniels, or an array of others on the independent scene at the time, Punk was in talks for being in and around the best outside WWE, even back then.

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When he made the move to WWE, he gained immediate success, becoming the ECW Champion, and quickly winning the Money in the Bank briefcase. Before long, he amassed a World Heavyweight Title, Intercontinental Title, and Tag Team Championship. However, it wasn’t until his second MITB, World Title win, and heel turn in 2009, that he started to reach a higher level. Through incredible character work, making promos look easy, and backing that all up with great in-ring performances, Punk climbed the ranks to the point where he became the biggest talking point in wrestling by 2011.

The “Summer of Punk” saw him overtake John Cena in merchandise sales and cement himself as the most popular name in all of WWE. His matches against Cena, Brock Lesnar, Daniel Bryan, Chris Jericho, and The Undertaker over the next few years were all classics, and his gimmick of being the “Best in the World” was more than just a character – it was very much a reality. However, with a lack of consistent booking towards the end of his run, coupled with mismanagement, injuries, and a loss of love for the business, Punk walked away from wrestling, for what felt like forever.

CM Punk Made A Sensational Return To Wrestling After Seven Years

In 2021, CM Punk made a remarkable comeback to wrestling, debuting in AEW, where the company had made a massive impact with a string of great PPVs, huge signings, and brilliant matches. Bringing in one of the biggest stars of the last two decades was an enormous bragging right, but the success of the signing all depended on how good he was, and if he could still go. His debut was a once-in-a-lifetime moment, and it took the world by storm.

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His first match was certainly a case of him shedding any of the ring rust he had accumulated after so many years out of action, but if his All Out match against Darby Allin was any indication, he was still a complete natural. Over time, he faced multiple names to get back up to speed and get to the expected level of performance, but it wouldn’t take long. At Full Gear, he and Eddie Kingston put on a brilliant fight, and this was followed up by perhaps AEW’s best rivalry to date between Punk and MJF.

CM Punk Has Been On A Role In AEW In 2022

Over the course of several months, Punk and MJF developed a highly personal story with a lot of depth, playing off their real history with one another, with very interesting dynamics at hand when it comes to their respective character work. Over this feud, Punk’s wrestling has become incredibly fine-tuned, and he hasn’t put a step out of place. Punk’s wrestling may not be as flashy as it once was, but it is more polished, professional, smart, and better from a storytelling perspective.

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His pair of matches against MJF and battles against FTR have proven once again just how brilliant Punk is as an in-ring talent. In terms of his character work, the programs against Kingston and MJF added so much nuance to his overall presentation, and that level of depth was never reached in WWE, where characters are much narrower, with villains and heroes easily distinguished. In AEW, most of the top names have flaws and go on journeys, and Punk has developed wonderfully. All of this wrapped up in a ball has seen him come very close to World Title contention, and there is no denying that he is good enough to be in that position, and if he does win the belt, then there could be little argument against him being the “Best in the World” once more.